[Gathnet] Update on Eli (text format)

[Stuart D. Gathman]

For those not running Microsoft, here is Judy's update in 
standard text format.

Dear All,

I am sure you have heard in general about the situation with Eli.  Things have
been deteriorating pretty quickly lately.  Its hard to believe that only three
months ago or so he was still going to the neighborhood store to shop.  And
then suddenly he had greater difficulty in walking and everything just started
going downhill.  He was put on this experimental treatment of Tamoxifen in
combination with a thyroid depressant, but I really think it was started too
late.  The trouble is that the medical profession follows a protocol (and this
is true in the U.S. as well) which is one step behind the tumor instead of
being one step ahead of it and so the previous treatment which was working well
for about 9 months should have been switched about a month or two earlier than
it was. But no one can say what the outcome would be if...

Anyway, although this new treatment has been successful with many people, after
more than two months it has not been working for Eli. It only made him so very
tired and who knows what elseA couple of months ago he started to need help in
everything and a couple of weeks ago a big change came when his awareness
really began to diminish.  At this time he still seems to understand what is
being said but there is no way to know exactly how much he does understand. All
he can move on his own is his left hand.   It is hard for him to swallow his
food and it takes him a very long time to eat.

I have been wanting to stop this treatment for some time but did not want to do
it on my own His neuro-oncologist said he had to see him to decide.  We had an
appointment this morning but the only ambulance I could get was the super
expensive ones (about 1,000 shekel round trip).  There are free ambulance
services available but they were all booked. (Of course, in an emergency or
hospitalization one never has to pay but a visit to the doctor is different).
Anyway I decided not to go and I asked the nurse at our local clinic to try to
get the oncologist who does the house calls to come over today.  She tried all
day to get her - even though it is a holiday evening - and she did come. (The
staff at the local clinic here is absolutely terrific.)  She agreed that the
treatment should be stopped and she also consulted with Elis doctor at the
hospital.  There is no other treatment that Eli could handle any more.

Even though it was difficult, I was so glad that she came because I had wanted
to stop this treatment for some time and did not want to do it on my own nor
did I know how  gradually or all at once.  Maybe Eli will be more alert now.
At any rate I hope that the remaining time for him on this earth will be as
easy and comfortable as possible.

As for the information some of you wrote about alternative communication  the
problem was one of language (not just speech) so no form of communication could
really help (except for pictures, but Eli did not get into it).   As I sit here
at his desk typing this letter I see the board upon which he wrote the last
time.  It has not been erased. 

However, when he could still type at this computer, he hurried to finish up and
to make corrections on the book he was writing knowing time was running out The
book is a collection of articles he had written over the years and he insisted
on using a pseudoname for this book.  It is now in the process of being printed
and I really hope Eli can at least be able to see it and know what it is.

He then cleaned out his room and threw out papers and garbage which had
accumulated for many years - he had saved everything no matter how much I
implored him to get rid of stuff

Eli is not now nor did he ever get depressed about his situation, though his
frustration level was  high when he could not communicate what he wanted to
say His faith is strong and he has always accepted Gods will.  I thank you for
all you prayers.

Love, Judy

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.