Short Note

Yay! Pop slept well last night and we are off to a day's worth of doctor appointments. Stay tuned, we will blog more later.

Pop's Progress

Keeping it real:
Pop had a rough night, lots of shortness of breath, up and down, finally wanted to lie flat in the king bed and slept like a baby for 3 hours.We spent most of the morning at the hospital having lab work, waiting for results, and asking one of Dr. Moore's associates to see Pop before we left since pulse was 138, respirations were 40-42. Dr. Matar was kind enough to visit with us, ordered a test to check kidney function and ordered a diuretic to help reduce the swelling in Pop's feet and possibly help with shortness of breath. We are also increasing his oxygen to 3-4 liters--even 5 if necessary. We see Dr. Moore in AM for lab and appt to discuss more treatment.

JJ's thoughts:
(It is amazing after 52 years of marriage I am still finding out great things about Pop. As you know he is a man of few words. In the last 5+ months, Pop has been prodded on, poked on, operated on, tested on, radiated, chemically saturated, etc. and has yet to complain. I am truly humbled as is our entire family as we walk with him in thought and prayer.

It has been wonderful to have Lindsay and Terry here.

Love, Mom

Watching TV, Bonding w/the pups, and going out for Lab work

First day home--busy but great to have Pop home again. Making some adjustments in his activities. We have a wheelchair that is lightweight, fits through all of our doors, and perfect while Pop continues to be so short of breath. Thinking he is experiencing the affects of the new chemo---though he has none of the terrible side effects. Just worn out after the trip to the hospital thia AM.
Lab work good--platelets down but Hgb better. Just go from minute to minute. He still has a good appetite, spends time in the recliner with the (barking, barking, barking...) pup posse, watching BB on TV, and enjoys being home.
Have such comfort--knowing that we have such a wonderful supportive family and great friends who continue to keep Pop in their thouhgts and prayers. Thank you!
Love, Mom

Update on Pop

Pop is still in the hospital.

PLAN:
Scheduled for 3 units of blood today (Hgb 6.0).
Will start a new chemo protocol today and for the next several days.
Pop is breathing easier, resting and eating well and eager to get on with the new chemo plan.

Please continue to keep the prayers and good thoughts coming Pop's way. Miracles happen that medicine cannot explain. Thanks to Father Jerome for making a special visit today.

Love,

Mom

Pop's Agenda

On the go:

Pop is off to MD office/hospital for lab, Epogen injection, possibly a Zometa infusion, make chemo plans, maybe some radiation, and throw in a transfusion ot two before the day is over. Lots of stuff to put in a day's time--- We need a 36 clock for today.

Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Pop's Progress

Pop had a procedure yesterday to pull some fluid off his right lung. They removed 700 cc of fluid and he is breathing easier. He has had continual shortness of breath and CT showed some fluid in the lung. Lab work prior to procedure showed Hgb 7.5. Pop wants to wait until Monday for the transfusion. Will also start daily radiation on Monday.

Pop has a good nights rest, good appetite, plans a McD's trip this AM, and maybe take in a high school wrestling match later today. Great that he feels like being up and around.

Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Mom

Pop's Progress

MD appt info:
Pop is changing chemo treatment and also going to have additional radiation. It has finally been determined that the primary site is the lung. Pop will continue with next week's appts (eye exam and colonoscopy) and then begin new chemo schedule on 02/23/2009.

Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Platelets Low---Chemo No.

Platelets are low so no chemo today. Pop did get an Epogen injection (to raise the red blood cells). Pop is off to McD's. Hgb is 8.3---just .3 away from a transfusion. If need be will request lab on Friday so he does not bottom out by next Monday. He has certainly lost those rosy cheeks.

Pop only has lab and CT ordered next week. Requested also doing cervical (neck) and shoulder CT next week. Let's hear it for Ms. Nuisance or can we huh, can we huh, huh, huh???? Both were added to next weeks order.

Take care of yourselves today.

Love,
Mom

Early MD appointments in AM

We will be leaving the house early in the morning to see the GI MD.

The weather was great today and we spent time out in the sunshine. Really a task to get Pop out---he gets short of breath but needs to be moving around for his general wellness and bone strength. We take our time but he tends to get cranky with himself because he does not have stamina and endurance. Try to encourage him. Unfortunately, he "un-encourageable" today so he was cranky with both of us.

We will have a new day to tackle tomorrow---so I ask all of you to continue with the good thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much!

Love,

Mom

No appointments today!!!!!

YEA!!!!! We are free today. Transfusion went well----Pop has rosy cheeks again and a day off before he starts in with more appts to finish off this week. Got a clean bill of health from the oral surgeon---healing well from the 01/13/2009 extraction.

Please sit everyone----Pop watched (he actually sat and snoozed through most of it) American Idol auditions with me last night! He plans a leisure day----off to McD's and who knows what this afternoon---will play it be ear---because he can!!!

Please continue to keep Pop in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Busy Day for Pop

Off to oral surgeon and hospital for transfusions. We almost have this down to a fine art--for transfusion prep work---sack lunch, pillow, blanket, and now a SuDoku hand held game (thanks Kay!).

Today will be a big day at the infusion center--with the inauguration on every TV. Hope some of our east coast family will be able to see the inauguration in person.

Kat left early this AM. Always glad to see everyone come---always sad to see them go! What's a mom to do? As Kat says---keep it real. Thanks, Kat---working on it.

Please keep good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way!

Love,
Mom

Busy Day for Pop

Little late today----Pop had early morning lab, injection and scheduled for transfusion(s) in AM. Knew he was a little peaked and somewhat short of breath. This was one he could schedule as Hgb not as low as in the past.

Ryan----Pop was asleep when you phoned last night and I was running an errand. Sorry we missed your call but loved the message----YEA STEELERS!!!! Won't it be exciting seeing them play in the Super Bowl? Be sure and wear that lucky jersey for the game.

Kat is leaving in the AM----she has been indispensable---has kept Spencer entertained, set more watches than most people own in a lifetime, and just plain been a delightful guest. We have laughed so much. Encourage all of you to review the family history---it is a work of art---lot of time went into it. Please send all corrections as soon as possible.

We will be at the dentist early AM for a post tooth extraction check up then off to the hospital for a day of transfusions. (Busy week for MD appts---Thursday the gastrointestinal MD, and Friday with Dr. Moore.)

Please continue to keep Pop in your thoughts and prayers---esp. this week---think we will have more tests following the Thursday appt.

Love,
Mom

Football playoffs on the agenda today

Golf Course, McD's, football, football, more football---then a nice dinner with Keith, Becky, and Bohdi et al at their house. Know someone else who will also be watching the Steelers today. It is very difficult to keep up with Pop's schedule. I would be lost if he changed his pattern of activity.


Please continue the good thoughts and prayers. Everyone has been so thoughtful (thanks Kay!)
How lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives---thanks!


Love,
Mom

Sunlight and flowers courtesy of Kathy

(Remember to click twice to enlarge the pics)

Sharing sunshine, flowers and a few pieces of Kathy's pottery to brighten up your day.

Pop is doing great! Pop has already been to McD's and back. Planning on a TV college football day and eating out at Village Inn this evening. Can any of you top this kind of exciting day?

It has been great having Kat here. The family visits have been wonderful. Pop is in his element with his family and friends----You know where I am going with this....Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

Pop's progress

Pop is still status quo---that is great! He actually slept 12 hours last night. Think the worrisome tooth removal has let him relax.

Kathy enjoyed her tour of the big city. Jan was concerned we did not hit all the famous city landmarks---sorry Jan--everyone doesn't get the same tour.

Warming up here (19 degrees), still some scattered snow on the ground, no big plans today. Pop drove to McD meeting this AM--the group is dwindling somewhat. News has it that several of the McD's gang are on the road headed south.

As always, keep those good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way!

Love,
Mom

PS: Kathy is revising, adding, working on the family history. If you have changes---please call or to submit to me ASAP so we can send out draft.

Snow is here--Pop is holding his own

Kathy says we had an inch and a half of snow. She has already been out and shoveled paths on driveway. She gets a lot of snow shoveling practice in MN---also does a great job here. By the time I had my coat on--she was done!

Pop has a road trip planned today to show her our new arena and some "big city" sites. (Should be amusing for her, distracting for Pop, and a great time for me driving and sharing some time with both of them.)

Well---well--well! Pop is still sleeping well, eating well, doing well---enjoyed not having chemo or transfusions this week. The extraction was a minor thing compared to the other options.

Cannot thank all of the many people enough who ask about Pop and send their good thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed to have such wonderful prople in our lives---Thanks!

Love,
Mom

Pop's progress

First of all---Kat made it in safely!!---Yea!!

Next---what do Pop and this little creature have in common?--will let you figure it out. Pop is--as always doing remarkable from the tooth extraction--no pain--only taking antibiotics for the next 5 days.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Mom

Yea!!!!!

Platelets good---$$$tooth extracted----It's done!

Thanks again, for all the good thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

We have a plan

The plan is---get in the car and drive to Dr. Moore's office. The rest of the day is a mystery. Will Pop have that tooth extracted? ----kind of like---"to be or not to be."

Please continue to be with the good thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Guess what?

This looks like Dr. Moore's nurse telling Pop---"Your platelets are too low (32,000) to get chemo today (or for the next 2 weeks) and if they don't increase--the tooth extraction may have to be postponed again---tell you what--let's have you in for lab again at 8:15am tomorrow--the platelets have to be at least 50+ for tooth extractions---may even give you platelets prior to extraction." (I am thinking---"Oh what the hay---it's just another crazy day!")

My question to all of you----who wants to set up a pool as to when and whether that tooth will ever get extracted? The money from the pool will be donated to charity. At this rate---looks like we will have quite a lot of cash to donate.

Love,
Mom

PS: Pop took the news very well----he was grinning from ear to ear, out the door and waiting by the elevator before I could catch up with him.