dad is feeling great! had another blood transfusion yesterday and it went very well. he even went up on the roof twice today without telling mom (b/c she would have told him 'no way!'). so, as the song says.... he's feelin' good like he knew that he would!
can't wait til tomorrow's surprise! hee hee hee
yyyowwww!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
another oil change
today dad had yet another blood transfusion. that makes 34 pints of blood to date! whew! i have not spoken to mom or dad this evening, but the kids and i are planning a visit over to their place tomorrow.
and i am thankful that he is having this transfusion so that he can be healthy and feel well enough for the little surprise i've been working up for him.... more on that later.
just keep praying, friends! thanks so much!
and i am thankful that he is having this transfusion so that he can be healthy and feel well enough for the little surprise i've been working up for him.... more on that later.
just keep praying, friends! thanks so much!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
an update... finally!
dear friends and family.... my apologies to all of you for not having kept up with the blogging happening here regarding dad's condition. my life has been crazy busy with international students in and out of the house, hubby working, father-in-law living with us and 3 little ones to look after... whew! let's just go with the old adage: "no news is good news."
but i will let you know what has been happening and what the future days will bring. first off, dad has had a couple of extreme bouts of dealing with gout, one of which caused doctors to be concerned, but after much deduction, came to the conclusion that, yes, indeed it was gout, just on the opposite foot than normal. thank goodness for the lightweight wheelchair that mom was able to acquire from Vitas, an in-home care service that has provided dad with many things to make life at home more comfortable when he needs the comfort, like oxygen so that he can get it when he needs it instead of going to the hospital every time he feels short of breath [he has thankfully not had to use it yet -- it's a "just-in-case" measure].
other than that, dad seems to be doing really well. he looks good and says he feels good and i do believe it is true! he has gone to church 3 weeks in a row now after several months of missing that time. and the same is true for going out for dinner with friends. again, for 3 weeks in a row, he has dined at a few of his favorite restaurants and enjoyed that famous cup of joe at the local coffee house. he has his appetite back -- praise God! my girls cannot wait for grampy to take them recycling -- one of their favorite things to do with him!
as for the coming days/weeks, dad will be starting up with the chemo again -- the continuation of the merkel cell treatment -- this thursday, provided the doctor gives the go-ahead. he was supposed to have begun treatment last week but the doctor said that his blood test came back showing low white blood cell count which meant that if he had proceeded with treatment, his body would have been extremely prone to infection. [white cells fight off infection and without them it's dangerous territory].
so, here we are. praying for the future and praising God for the past -- the small ways that he has healed and provided. and dad sends a big THANK YOU for all of your notes, cards, prayers, calls and emails encouraging and sharing love and God's grace. "keep 'em coming!"
as a side note, brian's dad Mike will be heading back to GA in september to meet with drs to see if chemo needs to be continued. please be praying for those test results and that God would be evident to him. also, my brothers' mom Carol passed away 2 weekends ago. please be praying for my brothers and their families through this difficult time.
i promise to make time in my schedule to post more often than monthly! thanks again for everything!
but i will let you know what has been happening and what the future days will bring. first off, dad has had a couple of extreme bouts of dealing with gout, one of which caused doctors to be concerned, but after much deduction, came to the conclusion that, yes, indeed it was gout, just on the opposite foot than normal. thank goodness for the lightweight wheelchair that mom was able to acquire from Vitas, an in-home care service that has provided dad with many things to make life at home more comfortable when he needs the comfort, like oxygen so that he can get it when he needs it instead of going to the hospital every time he feels short of breath [he has thankfully not had to use it yet -- it's a "just-in-case" measure].
other than that, dad seems to be doing really well. he looks good and says he feels good and i do believe it is true! he has gone to church 3 weeks in a row now after several months of missing that time. and the same is true for going out for dinner with friends. again, for 3 weeks in a row, he has dined at a few of his favorite restaurants and enjoyed that famous cup of joe at the local coffee house. he has his appetite back -- praise God! my girls cannot wait for grampy to take them recycling -- one of their favorite things to do with him!
as for the coming days/weeks, dad will be starting up with the chemo again -- the continuation of the merkel cell treatment -- this thursday, provided the doctor gives the go-ahead. he was supposed to have begun treatment last week but the doctor said that his blood test came back showing low white blood cell count which meant that if he had proceeded with treatment, his body would have been extremely prone to infection. [white cells fight off infection and without them it's dangerous territory].
so, here we are. praying for the future and praising God for the past -- the small ways that he has healed and provided. and dad sends a big THANK YOU for all of your notes, cards, prayers, calls and emails encouraging and sharing love and God's grace. "keep 'em coming!"
as a side note, brian's dad Mike will be heading back to GA in september to meet with drs to see if chemo needs to be continued. please be praying for those test results and that God would be evident to him. also, my brothers' mom Carol passed away 2 weekends ago. please be praying for my brothers and their families through this difficult time.
i promise to make time in my schedule to post more often than monthly! thanks again for everything!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
the latest...
last thursday dad had another blood transfusion receiving 2 units of blood and the infusion went well. he has a bit more energy... enough to come to Ian's first birthday party and socialize a bit! yay!
his gout is gone... and yes, it was gout. he was given some meds for it and he has been drinking the concentrated black cherry juice to keep it away and it has worked. on wednesday last week dad was able to walk through the hospital to the dr's office and back to the car on his own. this is the first time in weeks that he was able to walk any distance without use of a wheelchair. the chills and fevers have subsided, but he still sweats terribly at night. he has also been having terrible itching, creating a hives-type rash on his neck, torso and legs. dad has also had a loss of appetite and mom has been having a tough time trying to make food that is appealing to him. he just does not want to eat. he has lost a considerable amount of weight, so prayer is needed regarding his appetite and desire to eat.
the encouragement you all have been sending and your many prayers have been much appreciated. dad really knows that he is loved [insert warm fuzzy here :) ].
his gout is gone... and yes, it was gout. he was given some meds for it and he has been drinking the concentrated black cherry juice to keep it away and it has worked. on wednesday last week dad was able to walk through the hospital to the dr's office and back to the car on his own. this is the first time in weeks that he was able to walk any distance without use of a wheelchair. the chills and fevers have subsided, but he still sweats terribly at night. he has also been having terrible itching, creating a hives-type rash on his neck, torso and legs. dad has also had a loss of appetite and mom has been having a tough time trying to make food that is appealing to him. he just does not want to eat. he has lost a considerable amount of weight, so prayer is needed regarding his appetite and desire to eat.
the encouragement you all have been sending and your many prayers have been much appreciated. dad really knows that he is loved [insert warm fuzzy here :) ].
Sunday, July 6, 2008
a longawaited update
[sorry it has been so long since i posted... life has been busy for me and my family!]
dad is doing pretty well since his last round of rituxan 2 weeks ago. physically he is a bit tired but he has been able to join mom to go out with friends a few times, which is a big improvement from before.
this past week, he began having a terrible pain in his right foot, so bad that they had to get crutches so he could walk. it has been completely disabling, to say the least. yesterday he went to the doctor to have it checked and, at first he believed it to be gout. but after doing a blood test for uric acid [high levels are related to gout], it was discovered that it is most likely some sort of infection. the uric acid levels were very very low, so he will begin taking antibiotics on monday for the pain in his right foot.
this coming tuesday, july 8, dad will continue chemo treatments for merkel cell carcinoma, as two of the lumps on his face have returned [he only did one treatment for MCC when he was supposed to have had 4 -6].
dear friends, please continue to pray for my father regarding these issues. they seem neverending and it is exhausting to both he and my mom. let us pray without ceasing so that our Lord might be victorious!
dad is doing pretty well since his last round of rituxan 2 weeks ago. physically he is a bit tired but he has been able to join mom to go out with friends a few times, which is a big improvement from before.
this past week, he began having a terrible pain in his right foot, so bad that they had to get crutches so he could walk. it has been completely disabling, to say the least. yesterday he went to the doctor to have it checked and, at first he believed it to be gout. but after doing a blood test for uric acid [high levels are related to gout], it was discovered that it is most likely some sort of infection. the uric acid levels were very very low, so he will begin taking antibiotics on monday for the pain in his right foot.
this coming tuesday, july 8, dad will continue chemo treatments for merkel cell carcinoma, as two of the lumps on his face have returned [he only did one treatment for MCC when he was supposed to have had 4 -6].
dear friends, please continue to pray for my father regarding these issues. they seem neverending and it is exhausting to both he and my mom. let us pray without ceasing so that our Lord might be victorious!
Monday, June 16, 2008
father's day and today
dad and mom came over for a nice brunch at our new place yesterday. my brother scott came over as well. it was a very nice time for everyone.
today, dad's having his 3rd round of rituxan. there were little or no side effects with the 2nd round so we all have high hopes for these next two.
thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement. please post a note of encouragement for him as he could still use some. thanks!
today, dad's having his 3rd round of rituxan. there were little or no side effects with the 2nd round so we all have high hopes for these next two.
thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement. please post a note of encouragement for him as he could still use some. thanks!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
home again, home again
dad went home last night and was happy to be there. he is feeling okay, but still has the fluctuation between hot and cold. he is scheduled to have 2 more courses of rituxan in the next two weeks.
please pray that he will be able to come to a father's day celebration this sunday and that he will be able to remain at home!
please pray that he will be able to come to a father's day celebration this sunday and that he will be able to remain at home!
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