11/15/2022
Happy Fall Y’all! It has been a while since you have heard from me and for that, I apologize. Time just moves too fast sometimes and to say we’ve had a lot on our plates is only too true. I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and a Happy Hallowe’en – we celebrated here even though Turkey Day isn’t for another couple of weeks here in the States. The turkey was delicious and it was nice to spend time with family (my mom and dad were able to join us along with my brother and his family). You may notice more activity at the office these days. While my sign is still hung I am not back to practice. A lovely family has moved in and while it is bittersweet to give up the house we made a home and my office we are grateful that a family will make it theirs and love it as much as we have. Please do not knock on the door for an appointment – I am not there! Right now, Scott needs too much help every day for me to be able to also serve my patients. I have every intention of opening up again when it is feasible and I ask for your continued gracious understanding.
Scott is doing well considering he has had 5 surgeries this year (2022), including a craniectomy (removal of part of his skull), a shunt to divert some spinal fluid to his abdomen (and then subsequent removal of the shunt) and a significant skin graft surgery. His tumour site is stable – amazing! He still has lots of hurdles but continues with grace and a fighting spirit. His mobility is very challenged; he is using a wheelchair and needs a lot of help from me with his day-to-day activities. I have been working as an Executive Assistant and my desk is 192 steps (literally, I’ve counted them!) from Scott’s recliner at our apartment. I am able to zip home when he needs help – my boss is very understanding and I have the flexibility to take time to help Scott and get him to appointments. We are learning a new way to do things including the stairs – it’s a concern for the safety of both Scott and myself on the stairs (we have a second-floor apartment) and moving is not in the budget (or in my capacity to undertake again at this time). The ingenuity of adaptive devices is incredible and we now have what I call the “Stair Chair Tank”. This piece of equipment is a chair that Scott sits on and with my help and the assistance of battery power, there are tracks that maneuver the chair up and down the stairs. It also has the benefit that we can load it into the car and take it with us if where we need to go isn’t wheelchair friendly. We also have acquired a lift to help him in and out of the bathtub, to be installed this week hopefully, and the same “lift” part will transfer Scott into the car. It’s a whole new world that we are navigating.
I am so grateful for the support we have, both here in Buffalo and back “home” – your kind messages, texts, and prayers are very much appreciated. Some of you have asked how you may help beyond the prayers and holding space in your heart for us. Friends of ours have set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the equipment Scott needs now and most likely in the future. If you feel moved to help financially and share this campaign, we thank you; if you are spiritual and want to say prayers for Scott, we welcome all good energy as we keep on jumping hurdles and dodging potholes! https://gofund.me/35c92187 If you would prefer to contribute by alternate means Mom and Dad are accepting mail at their address for me for cheques or e-transfer works too – please send me a direct message and I’ll get the info to you.
Wishing you and yours a Happy Belated Thanksgiving and nearly a Wintery Wonderland (we did have a few wet flurries today!),
Dr. Caroline (& Scott)
PS: Mom and Dad are taking excellent care of Henry and he is able to visit when they visit. He’s a goof!
Scott and Caroline Danforth have always supported fundraisers, whethe… Donna Atkinson needs your support for Help Scott Jump the Hurdles & Dodge the Potholes
