Kevin has been slowly improving the past few days; this is probably in response to a chemo drug that is intended to decrease swelling in and around the tumor. The goal is to have him off anti-inflammatory steroids by Monday, when he starts radiation. However, his vertigo is still a major problem. Due to the location of the tumor, vertigo will probably continue to be an issue for the majority of Kevin’s treatment. He’s frustrated that the room is constantly spinning, and we’re trying to figure out ways to both ease the vertigo and teach him to function with it.
A couple positive things: we’ve learned that Kevin loves listening to audiobooks and drinking chocolate milkshakes. Well, I guess we knew he liked chocolate milkshakes before this. We will be getting shakes from various restaurants and fast-food joints to see what he likes best. So far, we’ve compared In-N-Out’s chocolate shake to a shake from the Palo Alto Creamery, and he likes In-N-Out’s shake best. Any other suggestions for shakes around the Stanford area?
The audiobook has an amazing effect on Kevin. As soon as he puts on the headphones, his eyes close and we can see his entire body relax. It looks like he instantly falls asleep; lately, he’s gotten pretty good at pretending to sleep. Listening to the audiobook seems to be his favorite activity, besides drinking chocolate shakes, of course.
Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. We truly appreciate each and every one. All comments are emailed to me to approve it, just to prevent any spam, so if your comment doesn’t appear simultaneously, don’t worry! It will be up soon.
Kevin in the tube
Santa Cruz Chocolate Milkshake Rankings
- 1. Marianne's Ice Cream (Mexican Chocolate shake)
- 2. Marianne's Ice Cream (Chocolate Brownie shake)
- 3. Cold Stone (Dark chocolate ice cream, normal chocolate ice cream, and brownies)
- Marianne's Ice Cream (Chocolate Chocolate-chip Swirl)
- 4. Saturn Cafe (Chocolate ice cream and peanut butter)
- 5. Jack's Burgers
- 6. Betty's Burgers
- 7. Carpo's
- 8. Burger King
- 8. Sno-White Drive In
- 10. Chill Out Cafe (Chocolate, banana and peanut butter—I guess too many flavors for Kevin's taste!)
Shake Stars
- ★★★★1/2 Butterscotch Swirl from Marianne's
- ★★★★1/2 Butter Pecan from Marianne's
- ★★★★☆ Bananas Foster Shake (homemade)
- ★★★★☆ Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Shake from Marianne's
- ★★★★☆ 3AM Truffle from Marrianne's
Palo Alto Chocolate Milkshake Rankings
- 1. "Old Fashioned" Chocolate Shake from Peninsula Creamery
- 2. Chocolate Shake from Häagen-Dazs
- 3. Chocolate Shake from In-N-Out
- 3. Chocolate Shake from Jeffrey's Hamburgers
- 3. Chocolate Shake from Rick's Rather Rich
- 4. Chocolate Shake from Palo Alto Creamery
19 comments:
Thanks for the postings Stacy. It's a good way to help others feel connected to Kevin and your family as you all go through this ordeal.
In the early 70's I spent some time working in Palo Alto and used to go to the Peninsula Creamery, which I think was at the same location where the Palo Alto Creamery is now, on Emerson. Peninsula Creamery moved to High Street. I can still remember their great milkshakes! You should give them a try.
Thanks for the updates, Stacy. Glad to hear you've found some things Kevin can enjoy while he's at Stanford. We're thinking of all of you, and send our best for the days ahead.
BTW The library is a great place to pick up auidobooks.
As always, let me know if I can help in any way.
Ien
Kevin, I know you will get through this. I've been thinking about you a lot lately, and know we'll be back to kirkwood sometime soon. My thoughts are with you! You're the man!
Hey kevin, we're all pullin for you. Anxiously awaiting the day we will see you out and about again, we know it won't be that far away. We Love You.
P.S. Palo Alto Creamery might be worth a try
Great discovery on the audiobooks! I suspect Stanford Hospital has a good patient library for audiobooks. Ellen discovered that Johns Hopkins had a very good patient library with audiobooks. Also, I'll bet the the Palo Alto Public Library has an extensive collection of audiobooks and you probably can get a card under the circumstances.
I remember Peninsula Creamery from my years working in Mt. View. I would try them or maybe a 31 flavors. There used to be Bob's Big Boy; they made amazing choc. shakes; but I think Bob's is a thing of the past. Thanks for the update, Stacy. it helps us feel connected to Kevin and your family. - Christine Ferrero
Kevin, Its been a while. Its good to hear that your condition is improving. In no time you will be hitting the slopes again. Stay strong.
-Jake Anderson
Kevin and the Williams family,
You can, and you will, get through this.
Nick Sippl-Swezey
Kevin, we and several hundred of our bridge-playing friends and our neighbors constantly keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We know you will fight this with the same vigor you used to confront your Grandpa Georgi on how to play the game of "CHUTES AND LADDERS." We had come to Aptos to visit you, Stacy and your parents just after Christmas when you were about 5 years old. Your Grandpa Georgi was also there and the two of you were playing the game of "CHUTES AND LADDERS" on the living room floor. You and/or Stacy had received the game as a present. In the play of the game you took considerable liberties with the rules, which prompted your Grandpa Georgi to try to show you the correct way. You objected vehemently to his suggestions, and in the end you got your way!
All our love,
Grandma and Grandpa Williams
Tried to help by Yelping some good milkshakes in the area... it appears that Jeffrey's Hamburgers at 888 El Camino Real in Menlo Park might have a winner! Best wishes to Kevin and the whole fam, you are in our thoughts!!
Bronwyn
Thanks for the updates, Stacy. We are pulling for Kevin and thinking of you all every day.
Sending love,
Nora & John
We are very proud of you and your Mom, Dad, Stacy and Kathlin. KEEP UP THE FIGHT!
We think it is funny that there is now a competition regarding the best chocolate shakes in town. We think this might be a new Williams' family tradition.
Lots of Love-Aunt Robin & Uncle Craig
Thanks so much for the updates on Kevin.
Want you to know that you, your mom, dad and Kevin are in my
constant thoughts and prayers as you walk this journey together.
Much love and hugs,
Trish Cronin
The updates on Kevin are greatly appreciated, especially the news that he is enjoying chocolate milkshakes and listening to audiobooks. Audiobooks.com is also a good source of audio books, but I would hope Stanford libraries would have a very complete collection.
You are all in my thoughts every day.
love,
Sharon Anderson
Thanks for the updates, the Mueller family is sending good vibes your way. Besides audiobooks, Kevin might like listening to podcasts onto an iPod via iTunes. There are tons of different kids of podcasts, I download a lot from NPR and the Commonwealth club, but I'd assume his tastes are much different from mine!
Ricks Rather Rich Icecream at Charleston and Middlefield has great homemade ice cream--got to think the shakes would be great, too. I'd be happy to bring one by sometime this week!
hey kevin! dipping french fries in wendys chocolate malts is pretty decadent. Just for a new twist on the chocolate thing! Great audio book is called 'adrift'. A true story about a guy who survives 72 days at sea and his amazing journey.
sure to keep you captivated. Do you use I-tunes for your books?? Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers! (Chammy's 'auntie toni')
Toni and Steve.
Kev,
We are thinking of you every day. Keep up the good work! We have a chocolate shake for you to try, from the famous Snowflake Drive In in Lake Tahoe.
It might be up there with the Peninsula Creamery shake. I just have to figure out how to transport it to you?!
Love, The Jensens
Post a Comment