We seem to be doing the two-step, Nyel and I.  For Nyel right now, it’s two steps forward, one step back.  And for me, it’s two steps this way and then two steps that way — not necessarily forward or back in either case.

Nyel is still gaining weight, even though he has been put on a liquid intake restricted to two liters per day.  That regimen, of course, supposes that someone is watching the amounts of liquid he’s getting — ice chips from the nurse, beverages accompanying his meals, sips of water with his pills, etc.  But… no one is monitoring or keeping track.  Not the kitchen, not the nurses, not the helpful nurses’ aides.  And certainly not Nyel.

And where is his cheerleader/advocate/unofficial Nurse Ratched?  Obviously not where she is needed.  Although I’ve been running around tending to business — a mammogram (all negative and benign), a trip to Strand Insurance to transfer our coverage to the new Prius, a stop at the library for a book Nyel reserved, and to the post office and to Penttila’s to check on a stone that we ordered long ago, and lots of facetime with my computer to catch up with writing chores, answer correspondence etc. etc. — my primary, number one, top-of-the-line priority is temporarily on the back burner.  I feel guilty.

Although I’d spoken with Nyel at least a half dozen times by 2:00, being an advocate (or sometimes a nag) is never as good long-distance as it is up-close-and-personal.  I must say, though, that he did address all of my concerns to his team of doctors, even though he wasn’t really sure they were important.  I’m happy to say that the doctors and I see eye-to-eye on advocacy issues and Nyel seems duly impressed.  He’s paying better attention…I think.  It’s hard to tell over the phone.

So there you have it.  No ETD yet.  Not for either of us.  Stay tuned.