Stan Here:
The hours turn to days, day to weeks and weeks to months. The last time I wrote it seemed like things were going in the right direction but since then everything has not made much progress. We are told that it is just a matter of waiting and all we can really do is trust that is the case. Problem is that it is 34 days now and for Deb it is starting to feel like eternity. It just plain and simple is a long time in the hospital and while she is doing the best she can with it it is really starting to wear on her. It seems like everyday seems like the next day will bring in some news but it just does not happen. Feels a little like climbing a mountain with no top. Last week Deb had a few moments of a broken spirit but the next day seemed fine again. Today she had some issues this morning with nausea but that seemed to subside as the day went on. I will post anything we have new but for now that's what we have. Looking forward to better days which we remain confident will come.
Stan
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care
Stan Here:
Some of the kids were over last night between the Christmas Eve services. Seems like for years they have done something for the services. Mieke had to lead something at 6 and then Ross and Rumy had to play at 11. And that is way it has been for years. Anyway you did not have to look all that far to sense than something was really different. The presents are not all that wrapped and the stockings are not all that stuffed. What we decided to do is wait for Deb to get home before we have the annual celebration. So they told me to keep watering the tree and with a little luck we can perhaps have everyone home again next weekend and enjoy a normal day with Deb around home again. We had thought about bringing some things up here for some sort of party but we all voted against that.
It is Christmas day. It is hard to tell much progress but experience tells us that sometimes the pain after surgery can increase some in the first few days and that is what we have today. It has been 5 times now that Deb's incision has been opened and closed. I suggested the other day just installing a zipper but the fact that after they are done this is what things are starting to look like in her midsection. Been one tough haul. But the sensation now is that things feel like they want to start working and once that happens the road to home becomes a little shorter. I could use a few gift suggestions so if anyone has any let me know. I think things go on sale Wednesday so we might be able to up the anty on the gifts this year now that they can make it out of the store and under the tree post Christmas.
We are doing OK . Been really different but their seems many reasons for optomism. Her voice is good, her spirits are better, her hair is growing back in and she smiles more. Keep you posted on any updates but that is what we have for now.
Stan
Some of the kids were over last night between the Christmas Eve services. Seems like for years they have done something for the services. Mieke had to lead something at 6 and then Ross and Rumy had to play at 11. And that is way it has been for years. Anyway you did not have to look all that far to sense than something was really different. The presents are not all that wrapped and the stockings are not all that stuffed. What we decided to do is wait for Deb to get home before we have the annual celebration. So they told me to keep watering the tree and with a little luck we can perhaps have everyone home again next weekend and enjoy a normal day with Deb around home again. We had thought about bringing some things up here for some sort of party but we all voted against that.
It is Christmas day. It is hard to tell much progress but experience tells us that sometimes the pain after surgery can increase some in the first few days and that is what we have today. It has been 5 times now that Deb's incision has been opened and closed. I suggested the other day just installing a zipper but the fact that after they are done this is what things are starting to look like in her midsection. Been one tough haul. But the sensation now is that things feel like they want to start working and once that happens the road to home becomes a little shorter. I could use a few gift suggestions so if anyone has any let me know. I think things go on sale Wednesday so we might be able to up the anty on the gifts this year now that they can make it out of the store and under the tree post Christmas.
We are doing OK . Been really different but their seems many reasons for optomism. Her voice is good, her spirits are better, her hair is growing back in and she smiles more. Keep you posted on any updates but that is what we have for now.
Stan
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Finally a good Report
Stan Here:
Well here it is. Surgery is over. The whole problem was being caused by a kink about 6" away from where they had previously resectioned. This was very good news. What it means is that they did not have to resection the spot that they had done before and once they got the kink fixed they could tell that the barium started to flow through like it was supposed to. Deb is quite releived and happy although she is just now starting to converse and undersstand the whole thing. It is 1:30 now and the whole thing started at 7:30 this morning.
A couple of other good things. There had been some worry that the pockets of infection that existed could cause some problems with deterioration of surronding tissue. This was not as bad as they feared. In other words they said that things looked good in there and the tissue was in better shape than they had expected. The fact that they did not have to cut again the intestinal tract will speed up the process of introducing foods. The orignal spot they fixed 4 weeks ago was well healed and did not have the scar tissue they supected was causing the problem in the first place.
More later, but I wanted to get this out for people who have followed. Before I close I want to thank the people of Beechwood who joined in prayed in a special right as the procedure was going on this morning. Greg TenBrink said this morning that he was not sure if it had ever, (in his ministry) happened that surgery for going on right during the service. He presented a touching prayer along with the entire congregation. I think if Deb ever needs anything done again we might try to set it up for Sunday morning. Thanks everyone who talked and prayed with me this morning!!!!
Stan
Well here it is. Surgery is over. The whole problem was being caused by a kink about 6" away from where they had previously resectioned. This was very good news. What it means is that they did not have to resection the spot that they had done before and once they got the kink fixed they could tell that the barium started to flow through like it was supposed to. Deb is quite releived and happy although she is just now starting to converse and undersstand the whole thing. It is 1:30 now and the whole thing started at 7:30 this morning.
A couple of other good things. There had been some worry that the pockets of infection that existed could cause some problems with deterioration of surronding tissue. This was not as bad as they feared. In other words they said that things looked good in there and the tissue was in better shape than they had expected. The fact that they did not have to cut again the intestinal tract will speed up the process of introducing foods. The orignal spot they fixed 4 weeks ago was well healed and did not have the scar tissue they supected was causing the problem in the first place.
More later, but I wanted to get this out for people who have followed. Before I close I want to thank the people of Beechwood who joined in prayed in a special right as the procedure was going on this morning. Greg TenBrink said this morning that he was not sure if it had ever, (in his ministry) happened that surgery for going on right during the service. He presented a touching prayer along with the entire congregation. I think if Deb ever needs anything done again we might try to set it up for Sunday morning. Thanks everyone who talked and prayed with me this morning!!!!
Stan
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Eve of yet another Surgery...........
When things have been as crazy and unpredictable as the past month has been, it gets a little comfusing who you have told what to and when. So thank goodness for this blog, which I will now update on the latest.
Unfortunately, the surgery on Nov. 26 did not work. The area where they reattached my large intestine formed adhesions, or scar tissue, but whatever the case, it just never opened up to have a chance of working. They finally came to this diagnosis with a Small Bowel Follow through test using Barium. After pretty much all day on an xray table and even more xrays taken in my bed, it finally showed that the Barium was just not getting through, in fact the Barium was coming through one in my abcess drains, Kind of gross, I felt a bit like the Incrdible Hulk with Green junk coming from my body. Sorry if that is just too much information for some.
I am receiving my 4th bag of packed red blood cells now to get my body a bit more ready for surgery. My Hgb was down to 7 . I felt better after they pulled my one tube out of my nose this am. Still have the NG tube in place hooked up to intermittent suction. I took a shower this am and that really helped me feel like a person again.. My parents came to visit and Mieke had thrown in a bag a Santa hat which I wore most of the day.
My one big dissappointment today was they were unable to successfully place an epidural in my back for pain relief after my surgery tomorrow. They had a real hard time getting the cath placed, and then when they went to do the test dose, you guessed it. It must have been in a blood vessel because I had all the bad signs that we watch for every time I help with a labor epidural, ringing in the ears, heart racing etc etc. He offered to try again, but after all that, I took it as a sign it was just not meant to be.
I am not quite sure were this run of "bad Luck" or whatever you call it is coming from. I know I am so fortunate to have no signs of cancer now, and I am so fortunate to have so many people praying and caring for me, but I am just at a loss as how to take all this, other than it is a lesson in patience and whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. So if that is true everyone, you had better watch out because I will liturally be as strong as the Incredible Hulk if I make it out of here.
My Vermeulen Family Christmas party was today starting at 3pm. It was fun being included by facetiming on our phones. It was at my youngest brother Ken and his wife Shelly's house in Rockford. Not everyone was there but a houseful, and with the looks of the food and goodies, it looked like a good time was had by all. Three of the four pregnant grandkids were there, so next year will really be different. Little Drake, 3 yrs old now and his mommy is due in a month. He was so cute helping anyone who wanted help opening their gift, but then most content entertaining himself with his new motorcycle.
I think I may get a few of the party people stopping by tonight.
Some of you may be wondering the same thing myself and my family is wondering? How do you know it will work this time?? Only faith, the Dr. did say they would not use staples this time, but hand stich the annastomosis. He also said they would use "fresh sections " of bowel to help improve the prognosis of it working . Other than those things, what else can we do but pray ?? So again, I covet your prayers and someday we will look back at this crazy time and say "remember when" ?? I really long for those days. Christmas with our immediate family my have to be pushed backed a little, big deal. I think Ross and Rumy are playing a little in church tomorrow and Christmas Eve. Again I am so thankful for the livestream (although I may be down in surgery) and have to miss something, rats!!
Until next time. I love you all!!, Deb
Unfortunately, the surgery on Nov. 26 did not work. The area where they reattached my large intestine formed adhesions, or scar tissue, but whatever the case, it just never opened up to have a chance of working. They finally came to this diagnosis with a Small Bowel Follow through test using Barium. After pretty much all day on an xray table and even more xrays taken in my bed, it finally showed that the Barium was just not getting through, in fact the Barium was coming through one in my abcess drains, Kind of gross, I felt a bit like the Incrdible Hulk with Green junk coming from my body. Sorry if that is just too much information for some.
I am receiving my 4th bag of packed red blood cells now to get my body a bit more ready for surgery. My Hgb was down to 7 . I felt better after they pulled my one tube out of my nose this am. Still have the NG tube in place hooked up to intermittent suction. I took a shower this am and that really helped me feel like a person again.. My parents came to visit and Mieke had thrown in a bag a Santa hat which I wore most of the day.
My one big dissappointment today was they were unable to successfully place an epidural in my back for pain relief after my surgery tomorrow. They had a real hard time getting the cath placed, and then when they went to do the test dose, you guessed it. It must have been in a blood vessel because I had all the bad signs that we watch for every time I help with a labor epidural, ringing in the ears, heart racing etc etc. He offered to try again, but after all that, I took it as a sign it was just not meant to be.
I am not quite sure were this run of "bad Luck" or whatever you call it is coming from. I know I am so fortunate to have no signs of cancer now, and I am so fortunate to have so many people praying and caring for me, but I am just at a loss as how to take all this, other than it is a lesson in patience and whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. So if that is true everyone, you had better watch out because I will liturally be as strong as the Incredible Hulk if I make it out of here.
My Vermeulen Family Christmas party was today starting at 3pm. It was fun being included by facetiming on our phones. It was at my youngest brother Ken and his wife Shelly's house in Rockford. Not everyone was there but a houseful, and with the looks of the food and goodies, it looked like a good time was had by all. Three of the four pregnant grandkids were there, so next year will really be different. Little Drake, 3 yrs old now and his mommy is due in a month. He was so cute helping anyone who wanted help opening their gift, but then most content entertaining himself with his new motorcycle.
I think I may get a few of the party people stopping by tonight.
Some of you may be wondering the same thing myself and my family is wondering? How do you know it will work this time?? Only faith, the Dr. did say they would not use staples this time, but hand stich the annastomosis. He also said they would use "fresh sections " of bowel to help improve the prognosis of it working . Other than those things, what else can we do but pray ?? So again, I covet your prayers and someday we will look back at this crazy time and say "remember when" ?? I really long for those days. Christmas with our immediate family my have to be pushed backed a little, big deal. I think Ross and Rumy are playing a little in church tomorrow and Christmas Eve. Again I am so thankful for the livestream (although I may be down in surgery) and have to miss something, rats!!
Until next time. I love you all!!, Deb
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Bad Times Here
Stan Here:
I think we all kind of yearn for the time when some good reports could come out of here but that just is not the case. It seems that no matter what is done they cannot get things going the way we should. Seems like one problem after another and very frankly Deb is really very sick. They have set up some different test for Friday. Things are looking a little like there is a kink in the intestinal area. Things are kind of pointing to another surgery on Saturday. There is some chance that the procedure they are going to do tomorrow will help things and prevent surgery but given the fact that things are not seeming to go that way for us Deb is pretty much resigned to having to undergo surgery again.
Some people have asked if that means reversing again and having to redo the illeiostomy bag. So far that is not in the cards. The medical people are still confident they can find the problem and prevent that.
One of the difficult things with the duration of time and the difficulty Deb has encountered is that her spirits are very low and she feels quite ill. The NG tube is still in and many more tubes and devices all of which cause various types of discomfort. Although we have often tried to write these with a optimistic flavor I would say I would be more accurate if I would say that it is really hard to be that right now.
Many people have asked "anything we can do?" Well I am not sure what to say about that. Talking is a problem with that NG tube in. The room is full of plants and greetings (thank you). Perhaps the only thing I can think of right now is that the time here goes by so slow and Deb does spent some time each day reading e-mails and responses to the blogs and she does seem to treasure those. I will keep you posted with the updates. Of the encounters we have had it seems that this one has proportion and difficulty level that we could have never expected. One of the more intense things I have seen. Yet with all of this we do have hope for a good outcome in the long run. How we look forward to that time.
I will try to update a little more on the events for those that follow. Thanks again for staying with us through all of this and please keep Deb in your thoughts and prayers.
Stan
Mieke here....
Mom just wanted me to write a little bit about how much she enjoyed watching the kid's program last night. It was fun to see it live over livestream. She saw everyone saying hello and really liked watching the kids. It was a lot of work and I'm pretty glad that it's over considering all that is going on. I am grateful to be done with school tomorrow so I can spend more time with mom here at the hospital. She needs to get better, this whole thing is rediculous and I can't believe she is still here. Christmas is a time that we love to spend together, as so many people do, and I am really very sad to spend it like this.
I think we all kind of yearn for the time when some good reports could come out of here but that just is not the case. It seems that no matter what is done they cannot get things going the way we should. Seems like one problem after another and very frankly Deb is really very sick. They have set up some different test for Friday. Things are looking a little like there is a kink in the intestinal area. Things are kind of pointing to another surgery on Saturday. There is some chance that the procedure they are going to do tomorrow will help things and prevent surgery but given the fact that things are not seeming to go that way for us Deb is pretty much resigned to having to undergo surgery again.
Some people have asked if that means reversing again and having to redo the illeiostomy bag. So far that is not in the cards. The medical people are still confident they can find the problem and prevent that.
One of the difficult things with the duration of time and the difficulty Deb has encountered is that her spirits are very low and she feels quite ill. The NG tube is still in and many more tubes and devices all of which cause various types of discomfort. Although we have often tried to write these with a optimistic flavor I would say I would be more accurate if I would say that it is really hard to be that right now.
Many people have asked "anything we can do?" Well I am not sure what to say about that. Talking is a problem with that NG tube in. The room is full of plants and greetings (thank you). Perhaps the only thing I can think of right now is that the time here goes by so slow and Deb does spent some time each day reading e-mails and responses to the blogs and she does seem to treasure those. I will keep you posted with the updates. Of the encounters we have had it seems that this one has proportion and difficulty level that we could have never expected. One of the more intense things I have seen. Yet with all of this we do have hope for a good outcome in the long run. How we look forward to that time.
I will try to update a little more on the events for those that follow. Thanks again for staying with us through all of this and please keep Deb in your thoughts and prayers.
Stan
Mieke here....
Mom just wanted me to write a little bit about how much she enjoyed watching the kid's program last night. It was fun to see it live over livestream. She saw everyone saying hello and really liked watching the kids. It was a lot of work and I'm pretty glad that it's over considering all that is going on. I am grateful to be done with school tomorrow so I can spend more time with mom here at the hospital. She needs to get better, this whole thing is rediculous and I can't believe she is still here. Christmas is a time that we love to spend together, as so many people do, and I am really very sad to spend it like this.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I am still a patient here at Spectrum
I can hardly believe my own words when I write it down. Today is the third week anniversary since my take down surgery. I have had another complication of a large infected fluid pocket. I had to make another trip to Interventional Radiology where they place a new drain and attached to there accordion drains to empty the fluid out of me and then hopefully get the bowel back to normal. One other problem they see on CT scan is that my small bowel is somewhat enlarged and they need to do a small bowel follow through to test what is going on there. I can hardly believe I have had all these complication's. I am trying hard to think positive and the everything is going to be alright. I think Stan and other friends and relatives are starting to say she is getting worse, do you think maybe she should go to U OF M?? Some people don;t think it;s a good idea to go back to Holland, a smaller hospital. I am thankful to my friends who have spent time here helping to figure the best pain medication that I should be on. I am trying to stay upbeat, but this had gone way beyond my wildest dreams. I will miss Mieke's kids Musical but I still be able to watch her on the Livestream.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Little update
I want to keep you all informed that my procedure I was waiting all day for got postponed until tomorrow am. Bummer!! They said I could have full liquids, so really wanted Stan to go get me a Frosty, he said no way, not back to and from that parking lot. I told him, next time he comes to see me, call first, in case I am having that Frosty craving. He did try and get me a milk shake from the cafe, but they were closed. So I had to settle for a "nutritional shake" from the kitchen. Do you think they taste that good? No other wise they wouldn't be called nutritional. Oh well, I shall survive this. After watching the school shooting stuff all day, little things seems so unimportant.
My friend from church reminded me of the following: If you are free Wed. night, I hope you check out Mieke's choir. Hope the livestream works for you and me!!
My friend from church reminded me of the following: If you are free Wed. night, I hope you check out Mieke's choir. Hope the livestream works for you and me!!
In case you haven't heard, Beechwood is now streaming video LIVE of the 9:30 worship services. You can watch/listen starting at 9:25am on Sunday from this link: http://new.livestream.com/
Another Drain needed REALLY???
Ok, I figured it was about time I updated the blog. I wish I was reporting that I was packing my room and excited about going home, but that is not the case. I am instead NPO (nothing Permitted Orally) again waiting to have another procedure done down in the Interventional Radiology Dept. I had a CT scan yesterday to see if my previous fluid pocket was empty and if they could pull my drain. Well, looks like that one is drained, but I have another large fluid filled area on the other side. Soooooo, they hopefully can reposition this one to move over to that area without having to make another insicion.
To back up a couple of days, Wed. I felt pretty good and tolerated clear liquids well all day. Thurs. they advanced me to a soft diet (real food) but I have to be able to squish everything under a fork. So I had a little Cr. of wheat for breakfast, a little soup and grilled cheesh for lunch, but then yesterday about an hour after that, I had the most severe discomofort , pressure and nausea I have EVER had. I didn't know what was wrong, I thought, I am never going to try and eat again. They gave me all kinds of meds and finally it passed a bit. Then last night the CT-scan showed the new fluid filled pocket and the pressure on the left side began to make a bit more sense. So Greg, all those good things you heard me order for supper, br and lunch, didn't happen.
Dr.s are hoping when this is drained hopefully my bowels will know what to do and then maybe I can get out of here. I feel bad for messing up my family and friends month, I really never would have done it now, except I thought, I would be relaxing at home in time for Christmas.
Stan brings in my cards and Christmas cards everyday. Thank you all so much for yourbeautiful well wishes, etc. I have had such nice visits from friends, pastors,family. The staff love coming in my room because it smells so good and looks so festive. I have a saxaphone playing reindeer from the North Pole (with a little help from Jean), just got the most beautiful varigated red and white pointsettia plant from Deb and Dave. My sister and brother- in- law sent me a candy cane Amaryillis plant in a cute red/white pot. Laurie and Conrad thanks for the red pointsettia plant in cute white pot with the ting ting and glitter.
Had a nice visit from old grade school friend Ellen who is a nurse and frequent pt herself. She knew I would be ready for a new pair of gripper slippers to get rid of the hospital issued grey ones. Boy was she right, they stretch out and are not the most flattering things.
I am so saddened to hear on the news about the school shooting in Conneticut. My heart just breaks for those families. What is wrong with this world?? Ross just told me that he and Rumy may be playing at our church before Christmas, he knows what will cheer me up. Mieke's kid's choir is putting on their big production next Wed. night and they are singing a couple songs at each service this Sunday. She has a big dress rehearsal tomorrow. I was supposed to be her helper, right hand man. Big help hun?? I know she and the kids will do wonderful. Please Beechwood tape Sunday for me??
Anyone going to the Nutcracker tomorrow night, you know who is in the pit. Enjoy, I am there in spirit.... I can still enjoy the reason for the season with my plants and my Christmas music playing on Pandora.
To back up a couple of days, Wed. I felt pretty good and tolerated clear liquids well all day. Thurs. they advanced me to a soft diet (real food) but I have to be able to squish everything under a fork. So I had a little Cr. of wheat for breakfast, a little soup and grilled cheesh for lunch, but then yesterday about an hour after that, I had the most severe discomofort , pressure and nausea I have EVER had. I didn't know what was wrong, I thought, I am never going to try and eat again. They gave me all kinds of meds and finally it passed a bit. Then last night the CT-scan showed the new fluid filled pocket and the pressure on the left side began to make a bit more sense. So Greg, all those good things you heard me order for supper, br and lunch, didn't happen.
Dr.s are hoping when this is drained hopefully my bowels will know what to do and then maybe I can get out of here. I feel bad for messing up my family and friends month, I really never would have done it now, except I thought, I would be relaxing at home in time for Christmas.
Stan brings in my cards and Christmas cards everyday. Thank you all so much for yourbeautiful well wishes, etc. I have had such nice visits from friends, pastors,family. The staff love coming in my room because it smells so good and looks so festive. I have a saxaphone playing reindeer from the North Pole (with a little help from Jean), just got the most beautiful varigated red and white pointsettia plant from Deb and Dave. My sister and brother- in- law sent me a candy cane Amaryillis plant in a cute red/white pot. Laurie and Conrad thanks for the red pointsettia plant in cute white pot with the ting ting and glitter.
Had a nice visit from old grade school friend Ellen who is a nurse and frequent pt herself. She knew I would be ready for a new pair of gripper slippers to get rid of the hospital issued grey ones. Boy was she right, they stretch out and are not the most flattering things.
I am so saddened to hear on the news about the school shooting in Conneticut. My heart just breaks for those families. What is wrong with this world?? Ross just told me that he and Rumy may be playing at our church before Christmas, he knows what will cheer me up. Mieke's kid's choir is putting on their big production next Wed. night and they are singing a couple songs at each service this Sunday. She has a big dress rehearsal tomorrow. I was supposed to be her helper, right hand man. Big help hun?? I know she and the kids will do wonderful. Please Beechwood tape Sunday for me??
Anyone going to the Nutcracker tomorrow night, you know who is in the pit. Enjoy, I am there in spirit.... I can still enjoy the reason for the season with my plants and my Christmas music playing on Pandora.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Hospital Day 15
Mieke was here tonight to help me post some misc pics.
This is the beautiful arrangement from my very special PEO sisters
News Flash-----NG tube is OUT!!!
I am so happy to report that they pulled my NG tube out this am around 6:30. I thought I might wake up some of my family with this news, but most of them were getting ready for work and so happy to hear the good news. I could have that removed after one day of it being connected to dependent drainage and there wasn't that much in there, so hopefully it's passing down . So my diet for a while is small sips of water. They just hope I don't fill up again and get naseated . My throat is much happier now. It is still afraid to swallow. That should be better as the day goes on. I was able to take my 1st shower in a while, and boy does that make one feel so much better.
The Dr. was in this am and when I asked min if he was a betting man, when would I be able to go home. Says,"Well, I not a betting man". Ok, I said, what's your best guess when I can go home, he said hopefully by the weekend. So...........There is progress to be made. With Mieke's help I will add a few pictures tonight.
Jackie also added to my IV pole friends, Now Woody isn't so alone, he has his girlfriend Jesse. She picked these up at a garage sale last summer, and just knew they would come in handy.
Expecting a few friends to visit today, sure will be more fun now that I can swallow and talk without that tube. The only thing I have to worn people is that when nature calls, I have to go then!!
Until more exciting news in the saga of Deb's bowels................
The Dr. was in this am and when I asked min if he was a betting man, when would I be able to go home. Says,"Well, I not a betting man". Ok, I said, what's your best guess when I can go home, he said hopefully by the weekend. So...........There is progress to be made. With Mieke's help I will add a few pictures tonight.
Jackie also added to my IV pole friends, Now Woody isn't so alone, he has his girlfriend Jesse. She picked these up at a garage sale last summer, and just knew they would come in handy.
Expecting a few friends to visit today, sure will be more fun now that I can swallow and talk without that tube. The only thing I have to worn people is that when nature calls, I have to go then!!
Until more exciting news in the saga of Deb's bowels................
Monday, December 10, 2012
Not an Abscess, just fluid filled
I thought I would title this post that way, because it is clear bloody drainage which means it is not an infection, just fluid causing lots of pressure and as the drain works with accordion type suction that hopefully the 'ol bowels will decide to start working sometime soon.
They never did tell me when I was scheduled, they just showed up at my room around 8:30 and said, time to go. Good thing I didn't have family that wanted to be here before I went down. Anyways, it went well, the drain is accually coming out from the area where my stoma used to be. It has been a bit tender there requiring IV pain med occ. I think I finally got rid of the fevers, being on two different Antibiotics since last night, that I can actually lay in my bed not shivering for the first time in two weeks. It did help me to have the Dr. explain that even though I have had fevers for the whole time here, It really would not have had a walled of pocket of fluid like it is now. Something they can drain, etc. It would just have looked like diffuse abdominal fluid everywhere.
So now if you want to know what to pray for, that the bile type fluid that is being sucked out of my stomach gets to be a lot smaller amt. That would means that things are flowing in the downward direction.
For getting rid of this NG tube!! They just don't dare pull it out for fear of having to reinsert it.
They have had to restart my peripheral IV again. they use such small 25 guage butterflies instead of angiocaths, they just don't last. They are not like L&D nurses who use 18 guages. (Now those are what are meant to stay working)
Just went to another jog around the hallways with Woody. Another sad Lions loss. Until tomorrow.....
Note from Stan: Deb wrote this in the middle of the night and I cannot figure out a few of the lines. She has some pretty heavy pain stuff so I trust that you get the picture. She had a nuch better day today. Even had a few laughs today and a ride around the hospital with Jackie pushing the wheelchair.
They never did tell me when I was scheduled, they just showed up at my room around 8:30 and said, time to go. Good thing I didn't have family that wanted to be here before I went down. Anyways, it went well, the drain is accually coming out from the area where my stoma used to be. It has been a bit tender there requiring IV pain med occ. I think I finally got rid of the fevers, being on two different Antibiotics since last night, that I can actually lay in my bed not shivering for the first time in two weeks. It did help me to have the Dr. explain that even though I have had fevers for the whole time here, It really would not have had a walled of pocket of fluid like it is now. Something they can drain, etc. It would just have looked like diffuse abdominal fluid everywhere.
So now if you want to know what to pray for, that the bile type fluid that is being sucked out of my stomach gets to be a lot smaller amt. That would means that things are flowing in the downward direction.
For getting rid of this NG tube!! They just don't dare pull it out for fear of having to reinsert it.
They have had to restart my peripheral IV again. they use such small 25 guage butterflies instead of angiocaths, they just don't last. They are not like L&D nurses who use 18 guages. (Now those are what are meant to stay working)
Just went to another jog around the hallways with Woody. Another sad Lions loss. Until tomorrow.....
Note from Stan: Deb wrote this in the middle of the night and I cannot figure out a few of the lines. She has some pretty heavy pain stuff so I trust that you get the picture. She had a nuch better day today. Even had a few laughs today and a ride around the hospital with Jackie pushing the wheelchair.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Not a small abscess, a Large One.......
Quick update. The CT scan showed that I have a 5cm x 25cm fluid filled pocket in my abdomen. For this reason they are going to put a drain in tomorrow am down in Interventional Radiology. They use the CT scan to help them see where they are going to place the drain in the right place. They will send some of the fluid to see if it is bacterial. This is almost getting ridiculous how many different complications I am having. Hopefully once the abcess is draining, my bowels will start to function better,
Some of you have asked about if I still have the NG tube in, yes, and they had to start another peripheral IV in my left arm. I feel like such a pincushion. The nurses are all giving me great care. It hurts to talk with this tube rubbing in the back of my throat. I have heard from many of you that have had the experience of an NG tube, you can relate to my discomfort.
I did have the unique experiece of seeing all three of my kids today. Stan was up with some more beautiful red carnations to rejuvenate the Christmas greens arrangement he gave me seems like a long time ago. Alden and Mary came by on their way to cut down their Christmas Tree. Mieke stopped by with two of her girl friends that were bridemaids. They were in town to see their new house.
Ross came by in between his two GRS concerts. He was getting quite the looks in his tuxedo. Probably the best dressed visitor this floor has seen in a while. It really is fun how EVERYONE smiles and comments on my IV pole Woody. I think everyone loves him.
I will let you know how the drain placement goes tomorrow. Stan needs to pick up one of his 96 yr old girlfriends for church tomorrow. He said he would come up in the am if I wanted him to. I said, no you
will be much more helpful doing a good deed. Good night.....
Some of you have asked about if I still have the NG tube in, yes, and they had to start another peripheral IV in my left arm. I feel like such a pincushion. The nurses are all giving me great care. It hurts to talk with this tube rubbing in the back of my throat. I have heard from many of you that have had the experience of an NG tube, you can relate to my discomfort.
I did have the unique experiece of seeing all three of my kids today. Stan was up with some more beautiful red carnations to rejuvenate the Christmas greens arrangement he gave me seems like a long time ago. Alden and Mary came by on their way to cut down their Christmas Tree. Mieke stopped by with two of her girl friends that were bridemaids. They were in town to see their new house.
Ross came by in between his two GRS concerts. He was getting quite the looks in his tuxedo. Probably the best dressed visitor this floor has seen in a while. It really is fun how EVERYONE smiles and comments on my IV pole Woody. I think everyone loves him.
I will let you know how the drain placement goes tomorrow. Stan needs to pick up one of his 96 yr old girlfriends for church tomorrow. He said he would come up in the am if I wanted him to. I said, no you
will be much more helpful doing a good deed. Good night.....
Very Special Visitors
Carlos and Juve Mendoza are friends that I meet on my mission trips to Gracias, Honduras. They happened to be in the US and when Deb S. told them about my recent events and hospitalization they insisted on coming up and praying over me. Juve had breast cancer herself 11 years ago and is now cancer free and it is her mission to love and witness to other cancer patients. They feel so strong in the power of prayer, because all the other women that she was with during her chemo and radiation are all gone now. It was a very tender and loving time being with them.
Deb S. is a very dear friend who along with her husband and others in charge of the Brigade plan many life changing trips for not only all the patients they see, but life impacting experiences for the team members. Mieke went two years as well. We hoped to go to together her junior year in high school. Well, that didn't work out because 5 days before we were supposed to leave, I fell going down my basement stairs, carrying a box of Christmas ornaments. I broke my wrist. But, Mieke was she too afraid to go without me?? No way, she couldn't wait to go, All the women friends on the trip assured me that they would look after her like their own child, so she had LOTS of moms that year.
The next Jan, we were hoping to go together again, only to find out I had thyroid cancer and needed surgery. She had another amazing trip. She would love to go again with Aaron someday.
Jackie brought up Woody to put a smile on my face, when you press his belt buckle he has a whole bunch of lines he repeats. He gets lots of looks and smile as I go on my walks around the halls.
Now for today's update: Sat. Dec. 8
First I wanted to share that yesterday was a big day for our family. 17 years ago my Dad received his liver transplant at U of M. He is doing so well, and we thank God for so many more years than we ever thought we would be fortunate enough to have him be here with us. We love you Dad!!
Had a rough night, had a fever of 102.2, they did blood cultures and I am having a CT scan of my abdomen to see if there might be a small abcess causing the fevers.
They just started another peripheral IV line. The TPN IV fluids are running and because that raises your blood sugar, they are always checking my blood sugar and giving me Insulin. I have been having a few small diarrhea type movements from below, and now they want to test for C-Diff, (just in case)
They shoot my poor abdomen with Lovenox (anti embolism) shots and and shoot the Insulin in my belly too. My poor thighs are both so bruised from having Heparin twice a day shots, that I tried to refuse them, they said, no way, we are not going to have you throw a clot on our watch. So they agreed to once a day Lovenox. I am getting very discouraged and beginning to wonder if I made the right decision about this surgery. Please continue your prayers for healing, I an soooooo anxious to get out of this place.
Friday, December 7, 2012
NG tube in
I thought I had better give an update. Still nothing good happening here at the hospital. I was so miserable and uncomfortable yesterday that they did an abdominal xray which showed I have an ileus (bowels not working) . They put down an NG tube (naso gastric) tube and hooked me up to suction. They got 3 liters of fluid out right away. My Dr. just came in, said they are going to start TPN IV nourishment today. He assures me it will happen someday. So stay tuned................
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Hurdles and Turtles
Stan Here:
Of course the desire is to tell you that every day and moment brings progress. These last few days though have stalled a bit and there has been quite a bit of discomfort. As Deb"s system tries to get everything started again we were warned that there might be some nausea and she has had her share of that plus some real issues with pain in her midsection. So it seems like a few more obstacles need to be passed and now after 8 days up here it seems like things are kind of moving real slow. They are looking at doing a few test to look at why things are slower than projected. (They just came in and said they wanted to wait a while longer before they do that.) So we are in the waiting and hoping mode.
Deb has been able to have some food but it is on the prison camp proportion scale. A little jello, some broth and a Popsicle or two. Pretty meager. Still with all of this there is some good news.
During the surgery they took some biopsy samples and those came back negative from the lab. So that at least keeps the spirits up. Still no potential go home date. Some good stuff has to happen before we can think about that.
Ross just came home from an 18 day trip with a Broadway on tour group doing Fiddler on the Roof. He is glad to be home and now has lots of work with Grand Rapids Symphony. Traveling to all the locations and staying in hotels is just plain work. They sold out most of the shows so in that way it was good. Many days they had to do 2 shows which really is a long time on the instrument.
I will keep updating the progress. Thanks for following.
Stan
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Taking Longer
Stan Here:
What we have here is the all time diet program. It has now been six days since any food or water. We have been finding out that it is not all that unusual for things to take that long. But the rules are no food and or water till everything inside starts working again and that has not happened yet. I was kind of thinking Deb might get out of here on Sunday at least but now it looks like it is going to be a few days longer. Once food is introduced it will still be a slow process and they want to prove that she can handle all types of food. They start with clear liquids and then move forward from there but that has not even started yet. People ask "is she starving"? Yes there is some hunger but not what you might expect for so long a time without anything.
I would say that boredom is part of the picture. Other than the food issue she looks like she could go home now. Took 4 walks today and it looks to me it is easier for her to get up and down and around the hall than a few days ago. I does seem like a long time to be up here. You know you're in for a while when the people in the lobby that stamp the parking ramp passes know your name.
That's all for now. We will update if anything new comes up.
Stan
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Laps around the Hall
Stan Here:
One of the hobbies that has never been in the hunt for Deb and I is the art of jogging. So I guess we will have to settle for a few laps around the hall and that in itself seems like our version of the 5K right now. That has happened about 4 times today. It amazes me how Deb is able to achieve quite a fast pace only one day after the surgery.
It seemed that right from the start of the day yesterday things wanted to go well. She had a good night of sleep the night before. Helped fix a fence over at Mieke's house yesterday morning. Then when we got to the hospital things went ahead pretty much on time. About 1 hour after the surgery the oncology doctor came out and reported that no visual signs of cancer were apparent. Then a little ahead of time the general surgeon came out and reported that everything went very well. It seemed that the time in the recovery room was a little longer than before but before very long Deb was being wheeled back to the room. She had a huge smile on her face and she did not seem to have the shaking problems or recovering problems that she has had on earlier surgeries It seemed like before she had what I call the Mac Truck being hit thereof look. This time it was all smiles, on her phone pretty quick and the like. Totally different than before.
Deb had no sleep last night and only a few winks today but she is still in a good mood. Hoping for a restful night tonight. So far the vital signs are right on target and all the other stuff seems on the right track. 2-3 days before food but no real hunger pains are with that. When I think about it, it has been 4 days now without food.
It is Ross's birthday today. So 31 years ago we were in a room like this and as I think about that Nov 28 somehow is just meant to be a good day. Alden and Mary are here now, and Deb's parents stayed most of the day. We have a nice set up here now with a TV with movie selections. Deb looks like she could come home now but the duration of the stay (around 5 days) is intended to assure that the digestive process is working well before being released. She still has the all time whopper of incisions right where the old one was, plus some bonus stiches to close where the ostomy incision was. She is very conversant, has good color, a little feisty, and lots of thanks for a good outcome so far. Ken and Shelly and Sarah just left after a nice visit.
All in all a happy day, and soon to be on the way home. We caught an angel this time.
Stan the Man:
One of the hobbies that has never been in the hunt for Deb and I is the art of jogging. So I guess we will have to settle for a few laps around the hall and that in itself seems like our version of the 5K right now. That has happened about 4 times today. It amazes me how Deb is able to achieve quite a fast pace only one day after the surgery.
It seemed that right from the start of the day yesterday things wanted to go well. She had a good night of sleep the night before. Helped fix a fence over at Mieke's house yesterday morning. Then when we got to the hospital things went ahead pretty much on time. About 1 hour after the surgery the oncology doctor came out and reported that no visual signs of cancer were apparent. Then a little ahead of time the general surgeon came out and reported that everything went very well. It seemed that the time in the recovery room was a little longer than before but before very long Deb was being wheeled back to the room. She had a huge smile on her face and she did not seem to have the shaking problems or recovering problems that she has had on earlier surgeries It seemed like before she had what I call the Mac Truck being hit thereof look. This time it was all smiles, on her phone pretty quick and the like. Totally different than before.
Deb had no sleep last night and only a few winks today but she is still in a good mood. Hoping for a restful night tonight. So far the vital signs are right on target and all the other stuff seems on the right track. 2-3 days before food but no real hunger pains are with that. When I think about it, it has been 4 days now without food.
It is Ross's birthday today. So 31 years ago we were in a room like this and as I think about that Nov 28 somehow is just meant to be a good day. Alden and Mary are here now, and Deb's parents stayed most of the day. We have a nice set up here now with a TV with movie selections. Deb looks like she could come home now but the duration of the stay (around 5 days) is intended to assure that the digestive process is working well before being released. She still has the all time whopper of incisions right where the old one was, plus some bonus stiches to close where the ostomy incision was. She is very conversant, has good color, a little feisty, and lots of thanks for a good outcome so far. Ken and Shelly and Sarah just left after a nice visit.
All in all a happy day, and soon to be on the way home. We caught an angel this time.
Stan the Man:
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
YEAH! Good News!
Mieke here...sitting in the waiting room at Butterworth. Hallelujah for a great surgeon report after surgery. He told us there were no complications, no blood loss, and they were able to "hook her up" to normal. She will probably be here for a good 5-6 days to make sure that all of her functions start to work again. My grandpa and grandma (her parents) and my dad are all here to see her when she wakes up. The anesthesiologist just came out to tell us she is one happy lady. First thing she did when she woke up was felt to see if the bag was there. No, it was not! Yay. I will try and go in to see her now. Praise the Lord!!! GOOD NEWS!!!! We needed this....a good report. Answer to prayer.
-Mieke
-Mieke
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Redhead at Work
I finally figured out how to download my pictures from my I phone to my computer and then to change the picture on the blog.
People have wanted to see my new wig and I also wanted to share one of the best parts of my job. When I finished assisting with a delivery the other night, the new Dad asked my what was my favorite flavor of ice cream, I said, Mint chocolate chip. Soon he came back with my treat from Captain Sunday. So nice of him! I will miss my work and my co-workers while I am off for this next surgery. It has been a real blessing to be able to be back working, I know now why my Dr. encouraged me strongly to go back.
I have done pretty good with just clear liquids today, hope I can say the same thing for tomorrow. Thanks for all the messages of support and prayers for Tues. Love, Deb
People have wanted to see my new wig and I also wanted to share one of the best parts of my job. When I finished assisting with a delivery the other night, the new Dad asked my what was my favorite flavor of ice cream, I said, Mint chocolate chip. Soon he came back with my treat from Captain Sunday. So nice of him! I will miss my work and my co-workers while I am off for this next surgery. It has been a real blessing to be able to be back working, I know now why my Dr. encouraged me strongly to go back.
I have done pretty good with just clear liquids today, hope I can say the same thing for tomorrow. Thanks for all the messages of support and prayers for Tues. Love, Deb
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The Latest and Greatest
Stan Here:
Although the last month or so has not been filled with new posts we do have some things that might be worth writing down now and making them into another posting on this ongoing blog.
Many of you know that the surgery that Deb has looked forward to for some time is going to take place this coming Tuesday. It appears that the blood work is all good and we are a go. Right now it is set for sometime in the afternoon on Tuesday. At the pre-surgery meeting I asked this question. Lets say that the previous surgeries might be rated at around a 8 or a 9 on the scale of difficulty, recovery, potential complications etc. Where does this one stand? The doctor said it resided in the 3-4 range. He told us that a 4-5 day hospital stay could be expected. This doctor is a general surgeon but the oncology doctor will also be present to inspect for cancer issues while the process of this surgery is going on. 2 days of a liquid diet only will be needed before the surgery and that starts here after tonight. We have been whittling away on Thanksgiving leftovers and after the last of them are consumed this evening that's it for the eating. As told before before Deb has never had a high level of apprehension towards surgical procedures. I think this comes from her experience as a surgical nurse. Plus she really wants to get this one over with. Dealing with this ileostomy has been very difficult and she is ready to have it done with. Lets hope all goes well.
So that is the the latest and now for the greatest. We found out recently that if all goes well Alden and Mary will have a baby around June of next year. So Stan Jr. is in the womb and the title of parents and grandparents looks like it will just be a matter of time. Actually I am not sure if I asked them if it was going to be a boy or a girl. I will have to ask them that but I am not even sure they will tell me. I wonder when you find that out? Anyway it seems to us that this news came just at the right time. Plus it would appear at this point that we can all look forward to this day in contrast to a time when we did not expect that it would be possible for that to happen. There sure was some hooting and hollering when we received this news. Kind of made our day and helped with Thanksgiving season as well.
Mieke and Aaron bought a house. They closed on it yesterday and moved most of their stuff the same day. Deb is over their right now helping them get it set up. When she and Mieke have a project such as this they keep on working till it is done. So the norm of a bunch of boxes and stuff all over is not in the cards. This place is on a nice lot about a mile from here. It is a refurbished home (flipped) and the guy who did this did a nice job. Everything looks new and it is very clean. New paint, new floors, new windows, new appliances all make it the kind of place that seems to fit them and their taste. They looked at a lot of places and this one seemed to hit them just right and was in their price range. They closed the deal quickly.
Karen ran a 5 K today for Deb and took some pictures at the finish. I did not even know she was a runner. She remembers when Deb Took her first walk with her walker she said "Run Forrest,run". That is when she decided to run for Deb. She has done so many nice things for all of us. Last night when everyone was tired from moving she showed up with some pizza to feed the tired crew.
So if you can think of it Tuesday send a thought and a prayer our way. I must tell you I am a little apprehensive after all of the adventures from last time. In a way that I cannot totally explain I think that Deb senses that people are with her in a way that she would not have been able to explain before the cancer diagnosis. She feels people pulling for her. I will post something about the results on Tuesday night. Thank you to everyone again for staying with us.
Stan the Man
Although the last month or so has not been filled with new posts we do have some things that might be worth writing down now and making them into another posting on this ongoing blog.
Many of you know that the surgery that Deb has looked forward to for some time is going to take place this coming Tuesday. It appears that the blood work is all good and we are a go. Right now it is set for sometime in the afternoon on Tuesday. At the pre-surgery meeting I asked this question. Lets say that the previous surgeries might be rated at around a 8 or a 9 on the scale of difficulty, recovery, potential complications etc. Where does this one stand? The doctor said it resided in the 3-4 range. He told us that a 4-5 day hospital stay could be expected. This doctor is a general surgeon but the oncology doctor will also be present to inspect for cancer issues while the process of this surgery is going on. 2 days of a liquid diet only will be needed before the surgery and that starts here after tonight. We have been whittling away on Thanksgiving leftovers and after the last of them are consumed this evening that's it for the eating. As told before before Deb has never had a high level of apprehension towards surgical procedures. I think this comes from her experience as a surgical nurse. Plus she really wants to get this one over with. Dealing with this ileostomy has been very difficult and she is ready to have it done with. Lets hope all goes well.
So that is the the latest and now for the greatest. We found out recently that if all goes well Alden and Mary will have a baby around June of next year. So Stan Jr. is in the womb and the title of parents and grandparents looks like it will just be a matter of time. Actually I am not sure if I asked them if it was going to be a boy or a girl. I will have to ask them that but I am not even sure they will tell me. I wonder when you find that out? Anyway it seems to us that this news came just at the right time. Plus it would appear at this point that we can all look forward to this day in contrast to a time when we did not expect that it would be possible for that to happen. There sure was some hooting and hollering when we received this news. Kind of made our day and helped with Thanksgiving season as well.
Mieke and Aaron bought a house. They closed on it yesterday and moved most of their stuff the same day. Deb is over their right now helping them get it set up. When she and Mieke have a project such as this they keep on working till it is done. So the norm of a bunch of boxes and stuff all over is not in the cards. This place is on a nice lot about a mile from here. It is a refurbished home (flipped) and the guy who did this did a nice job. Everything looks new and it is very clean. New paint, new floors, new windows, new appliances all make it the kind of place that seems to fit them and their taste. They looked at a lot of places and this one seemed to hit them just right and was in their price range. They closed the deal quickly.
Karen ran a 5 K today for Deb and took some pictures at the finish. I did not even know she was a runner. She remembers when Deb Took her first walk with her walker she said "Run Forrest,run". That is when she decided to run for Deb. She has done so many nice things for all of us. Last night when everyone was tired from moving she showed up with some pizza to feed the tired crew.
So if you can think of it Tuesday send a thought and a prayer our way. I must tell you I am a little apprehensive after all of the adventures from last time. In a way that I cannot totally explain I think that Deb senses that people are with her in a way that she would not have been able to explain before the cancer diagnosis. She feels people pulling for her. I will post something about the results on Tuesday night. Thank you to everyone again for staying with us.
Stan the Man
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Surgery Scheduled!!
I just got home from the General Surgeon's appt. and we are set to have the "Take-down Ileostomy" for Tues. Nov. 27 at 2pm. My oncologist will be at the hospital that afternoon, in case they see something when they are "in there" and want him to take a look.
I have to be on clear liquids for two days before surgery. I get to enjoy my turkey dinner and have a couple of days of left overs and then what a shock to my system, only clear liquids. He says I will be in the hospital for 4-5 days. I should be almost completely recovered to enjoy Christmas and I should be able to attend Mieke's kids Christmas musical which is Dec. 19. Plus there are a few symphony Christmas concerts which I will hopefully get to enjoy too.
I thank all those who have offered their sympathy because of my friend Karol. It has not been easy for us, I can't imagine how Stewart and the family are doing. Mieke and I are delivering a meal tonight to the Hicks family on behalf of our PEO chapter.
Karol's memorial service is this Sat. at 2 pm. It is going to be a celebration of her life and will be full of colorful flowers, just like her colorful personality!
I have to be on clear liquids for two days before surgery. I get to enjoy my turkey dinner and have a couple of days of left overs and then what a shock to my system, only clear liquids. He says I will be in the hospital for 4-5 days. I should be almost completely recovered to enjoy Christmas and I should be able to attend Mieke's kids Christmas musical which is Dec. 19. Plus there are a few symphony Christmas concerts which I will hopefully get to enjoy too.
I thank all those who have offered their sympathy because of my friend Karol. It has not been easy for us, I can't imagine how Stewart and the family are doing. Mieke and I are delivering a meal tonight to the Hicks family on behalf of our PEO chapter.
Karol's memorial service is this Sat. at 2 pm. It is going to be a celebration of her life and will be full of colorful flowers, just like her colorful personality!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Good Dr. Visit
I saw Dr. Downey today to review the results of my CT-scan. He says it looks normal. What a blessing and answer to many prayers. He said I can have my reversal surgery. He wants Dr. Scholten to perform the surgery because he does many more of them and he is the one who did the ileostomy in the first place. Downey will assist if possible. I see Dr. Scholten this Thurs. at 1:45pm and I am hoping that we can schedule it for the week after Thanksgiving.
The Dr. explained that I would see him every 3 months and have my CA-125 and CT-scans frequently. 75% of women have a reoccurance of the cancer in the first 2 years. He said you need to pray that I am in the 25% that the remission lasts longer. If there are signs that the cancer returns
then we start chemo again.
I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me since last Aug.1, about 15 months ago. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have so many people helping me through this journey. I am so glad to be alive, but I am having a hard time coming to grips with loosing my friend Karol. I have had over a year to think about the possibility of dying. She was so full of life, I can hardly believe I will never see her again.
The Dr. explained that I would see him every 3 months and have my CA-125 and CT-scans frequently. 75% of women have a reoccurance of the cancer in the first 2 years. He said you need to pray that I am in the 25% that the remission lasts longer. If there are signs that the cancer returns
then we start chemo again.
I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me since last Aug.1, about 15 months ago. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have so many people helping me through this journey. I am so glad to be alive, but I am having a hard time coming to grips with loosing my friend Karol. I have had over a year to think about the possibility of dying. She was so full of life, I can hardly believe I will never see her again.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sad Times.
Stan Here:
We had one of the saddest events we have had in a very long time. One of Deb's good friends, Karol Hicks, suffered a severe event which led to her death. She was found in her garage after complaining for a few weeks of severe headaches. After a short time they performed surgery and found no chance for life. Turns out that a aneurysm had occurred and in a very short time life had gone from thriving to decisions on donating organs. How sudden and how drastic. Karol was one of the people who supported Deb so closely throughout this entire cancer ordeal and was a kindred soul to her in the likes and dislikes area. This morning in church they had a fine tribute to her work and her spirit. She was a fine musician and a fine person and her spirit and presence will be missed in every way. Deb spent some time in tears over this week and we are both very sad in this event. That is all I feel like posting right now. Anything else would fall far short of the sadness and sudden nature of Karol's very sudden passing.
Stan
We had one of the saddest events we have had in a very long time. One of Deb's good friends, Karol Hicks, suffered a severe event which led to her death. She was found in her garage after complaining for a few weeks of severe headaches. After a short time they performed surgery and found no chance for life. Turns out that a aneurysm had occurred and in a very short time life had gone from thriving to decisions on donating organs. How sudden and how drastic. Karol was one of the people who supported Deb so closely throughout this entire cancer ordeal and was a kindred soul to her in the likes and dislikes area. This morning in church they had a fine tribute to her work and her spirit. She was a fine musician and a fine person and her spirit and presence will be missed in every way. Deb spent some time in tears over this week and we are both very sad in this event. That is all I feel like posting right now. Anything else would fall far short of the sadness and sudden nature of Karol's very sudden passing.
Stan
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
How about the New Normal
Stan Here:
One of the things that we have noticed with the event of Deb's cancer is that there is a whole list of new terms and new thinking that come right along with it. I recall quite clearly asking one of the people in the chemo center if we could ever look forward to a "normal" existence. I remember that person saying that cancer patients establish a "new normal". As I reflect on this I think there is some wisdom in this. It kind of happens to all of us doesn't it? After all, as we age I think we all are able to accept some redefinition of the word normal. Fact is that age brings to us all kinds of things like that. Life is not like it used to be. That is really true for all of us. It just all kind of speeds up a little when you face events like this.
It seems that one of the central things in the new normal world is what is called the CA 125 counts. Once in a while I encounter a doctor "not involved in our case" and as I discuss with them what we are facing they often ask what was the CA 125 count going in ? When I tell them it was over 1000 going in they all grimace a little. You can kind of tell by the expression on the faces that the doctor world knows a lot about these numbers. Another truth is that for some, chemotherapy is not always effective. In our case the chemo has reacted very well with Deb's body and now we can report the CA 125 number as 21. In many ways life is very much more normal than it has been here for a very long time. In fact yesterday morning the hospital called requesting some help from Deb as they were very busy on her unit. She did a whole shift, 8 hours, maybe this has happened one other time but it did seem to me that things were getting closer to the old normal around here. All in all we do know that this is not the kind of cancer that ever really goes behind you but we are catching a nice break in having her body respond so well to the treatments.
We had a nice party here last weekend for my dad who turned 84. He is still preaching and was thinking about his sermon that he delivered the following night.
It appears we might be able to attend a world series game this coming weekend. Deb's brother is connected quite well in the ticket world. Those of you who know Deb realize that the Tigers are quite high on the list. Look for us on Saturday on TV. Deb's brother always gives me some sort of hat that the cameras have a problem staying away from. Go get em Tigers!!!!!
I wrote a couple of new blog posts in the last couple of days on the Humor in a Storm postings. Not sure they will meet with approval of all but if you do not like them then I can still enjoy the world of my normal. Deb thinks I am a little nuts. All I can tell you is the writing is a nice outlet for me and something I really enjoy. She said people are going to feel sorry for her when they read these. Oh well, I guess that might be one of things that make us feel as though we are living in the land of normal.
Stan the Man
One of the things that we have noticed with the event of Deb's cancer is that there is a whole list of new terms and new thinking that come right along with it. I recall quite clearly asking one of the people in the chemo center if we could ever look forward to a "normal" existence. I remember that person saying that cancer patients establish a "new normal". As I reflect on this I think there is some wisdom in this. It kind of happens to all of us doesn't it? After all, as we age I think we all are able to accept some redefinition of the word normal. Fact is that age brings to us all kinds of things like that. Life is not like it used to be. That is really true for all of us. It just all kind of speeds up a little when you face events like this.
It seems that one of the central things in the new normal world is what is called the CA 125 counts. Once in a while I encounter a doctor "not involved in our case" and as I discuss with them what we are facing they often ask what was the CA 125 count going in ? When I tell them it was over 1000 going in they all grimace a little. You can kind of tell by the expression on the faces that the doctor world knows a lot about these numbers. Another truth is that for some, chemotherapy is not always effective. In our case the chemo has reacted very well with Deb's body and now we can report the CA 125 number as 21. In many ways life is very much more normal than it has been here for a very long time. In fact yesterday morning the hospital called requesting some help from Deb as they were very busy on her unit. She did a whole shift, 8 hours, maybe this has happened one other time but it did seem to me that things were getting closer to the old normal around here. All in all we do know that this is not the kind of cancer that ever really goes behind you but we are catching a nice break in having her body respond so well to the treatments.
We had a nice party here last weekend for my dad who turned 84. He is still preaching and was thinking about his sermon that he delivered the following night.
It appears we might be able to attend a world series game this coming weekend. Deb's brother is connected quite well in the ticket world. Those of you who know Deb realize that the Tigers are quite high on the list. Look for us on Saturday on TV. Deb's brother always gives me some sort of hat that the cameras have a problem staying away from. Go get em Tigers!!!!!
I wrote a couple of new blog posts in the last couple of days on the Humor in a Storm postings. Not sure they will meet with approval of all but if you do not like them then I can still enjoy the world of my normal. Deb thinks I am a little nuts. All I can tell you is the writing is a nice outlet for me and something I really enjoy. She said people are going to feel sorry for her when they read these. Oh well, I guess that might be one of things that make us feel as though we are living in the land of normal.
Stan the Man
Monday, October 15, 2012
New Events
Stan Here:
It seems that no weekend is without some new events to talk about. Deb's Mom and Dad came from up north to watch the Tiger game with us on Saturday night. Good game. It looked like they were going to lose, but somehow things turned around and they won the game. Only one problem. The game lasted till the wee hours and as big of fans as they are they retired and had to wait till the next morning for the results. Tiger's aside, the next morning we were getting ready to go to church and Deb's mom was sitting on the arm of our coach drinking coffee. Quite suddenly she seemed to suffer from a moment of confusion and fainting and it was quickly determined that we needed to quickly get some medical attention. The worry was a potential stroke. All of us who read and know the issues realize that quick medical intervention can erase long term problems so we quickly got her in the car and headed over to Holland Hospital. It would appear at this point that a stroke did not occur but there was enough concern on the part of of the staff that all felt best to keep her overnight and perform a group of test today, Monday, to determine the best course of action. So at this moment Deb is with her parents at the hospital assisting them in these test and helping determine the best course. So far nothing has been determined and Deb's mom is stable and does not appear to be in danger. In any event I had never witnessed something like this and it was scary. So it seems we are spending a little more time in Hospitals than would be desired. At the same time we are thankful for them and thankful for the world of modern medicine. As I report this I wonder what people did before our modern era. I am thankful we do have the things we have today to check things out and prevent problems.
That is all for now. Will keep you posted on the updates. If you are ever a patient, Deb is good to have on your side. She knows how things work in the medical field. She loves her mom and dad, and she will do what is needed for the best outcome.
Stan
Hi, It is 8:30pm and I thought I should give an update for those of you who know and care about my Mom. She got discharged from the hospital tonight. They are going to sleep over here tonight and go home tomorrow am. They put her on a blood thinner because she has atrial fibrillation which has the potential to cause blood clots and possibly a stoke. They also increased her BP medication because that was up the whole time she was in the hospital. She will be followed by her Drs. in Plymouth. She is feeling good and after a good nights sleep, she will be even better. As anyone knows who has spent a night in the hospital, they are the worst place for getting any sleep. They kept a very close eye on her and for that I am grateful. We are very thankful that it was nothing more severe.
It seems that no weekend is without some new events to talk about. Deb's Mom and Dad came from up north to watch the Tiger game with us on Saturday night. Good game. It looked like they were going to lose, but somehow things turned around and they won the game. Only one problem. The game lasted till the wee hours and as big of fans as they are they retired and had to wait till the next morning for the results. Tiger's aside, the next morning we were getting ready to go to church and Deb's mom was sitting on the arm of our coach drinking coffee. Quite suddenly she seemed to suffer from a moment of confusion and fainting and it was quickly determined that we needed to quickly get some medical attention. The worry was a potential stroke. All of us who read and know the issues realize that quick medical intervention can erase long term problems so we quickly got her in the car and headed over to Holland Hospital. It would appear at this point that a stroke did not occur but there was enough concern on the part of of the staff that all felt best to keep her overnight and perform a group of test today, Monday, to determine the best course of action. So at this moment Deb is with her parents at the hospital assisting them in these test and helping determine the best course. So far nothing has been determined and Deb's mom is stable and does not appear to be in danger. In any event I had never witnessed something like this and it was scary. So it seems we are spending a little more time in Hospitals than would be desired. At the same time we are thankful for them and thankful for the world of modern medicine. As I report this I wonder what people did before our modern era. I am thankful we do have the things we have today to check things out and prevent problems.
That is all for now. Will keep you posted on the updates. If you are ever a patient, Deb is good to have on your side. She knows how things work in the medical field. She loves her mom and dad, and she will do what is needed for the best outcome.
Stan
Hi, It is 8:30pm and I thought I should give an update for those of you who know and care about my Mom. She got discharged from the hospital tonight. They are going to sleep over here tonight and go home tomorrow am. They put her on a blood thinner because she has atrial fibrillation which has the potential to cause blood clots and possibly a stoke. They also increased her BP medication because that was up the whole time she was in the hospital. She will be followed by her Drs. in Plymouth. She is feeling good and after a good nights sleep, she will be even better. As anyone knows who has spent a night in the hospital, they are the worst place for getting any sleep. They kept a very close eye on her and for that I am grateful. We are very thankful that it was nothing more severe.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Chemo Round 2 - #7 (Finally)
Can't believe I am really sitting in the recliner having maybe my final chemo treatment. They will send in my CA-125 early today, so they Post settingsare quite hopeful that we will know the results by the end of treatment today. If it stays in the normal range then I won't have to have any more now. Then I will schedule my CT-scan for in a week or two. Not sure when they will talk about scheduling the surgery. Kind of quiet here today, guess there will only be 4 pts. today. Only one nurse instead of two. She said the past few days have been crazy busy, so she is thankful for the break.
I am sad because of that terrible Tiger game. I stayed up to watch the end when I got home from work. Let's hope tonight is a different story!
They just gave me two oral Benadryl, then later they are giving me more IV Benadryl. I am sure I will be getting a nap in today.
Stan dropped me off today and will pick me up at the end. Tomorrow night we hope to attend the Grand Rapids Symphony that Ross is playing in. Had lunch with Mieke yesterday. She and Aaron are doing well and enjoying their new jobs. Mieke is still working a little at our church. She is leading a kids choir and she is putting on a musical with them to be performed in December. Quite an undertaking, but she is excited about it. She has asked me to help with some of the piano, plunking out the notes. So that is where I will be on Wed. nights for a while. Aaron has kindly agreed to be the adult narrator in it. He is a good guy and will be great in it!
Amber the head honcho at this office just pop into the room to tell me the CA-125 is 21 !!!!! YEH !!!!!!!!!! So this really may be my last chemo for a long while. Now I can schedule my CT scan.
No one is talking about scheduling my surgery, I will have to ask the nurse that question.
I got the IV Benadryl a little while ago, and boy does that make you feel awful!!
Chemo is done and NO REACTION!!!! Yeah!!!
I am sad because of that terrible Tiger game. I stayed up to watch the end when I got home from work. Let's hope tonight is a different story!
They just gave me two oral Benadryl, then later they are giving me more IV Benadryl. I am sure I will be getting a nap in today.
Stan dropped me off today and will pick me up at the end. Tomorrow night we hope to attend the Grand Rapids Symphony that Ross is playing in. Had lunch with Mieke yesterday. She and Aaron are doing well and enjoying their new jobs. Mieke is still working a little at our church. She is leading a kids choir and she is putting on a musical with them to be performed in December. Quite an undertaking, but she is excited about it. She has asked me to help with some of the piano, plunking out the notes. So that is where I will be on Wed. nights for a while. Aaron has kindly agreed to be the adult narrator in it. He is a good guy and will be great in it!
Amber the head honcho at this office just pop into the room to tell me the CA-125 is 21 !!!!! YEH !!!!!!!!!! So this really may be my last chemo for a long while. Now I can schedule my CT scan.
No one is talking about scheduling my surgery, I will have to ask the nurse that question.
I got the IV Benadryl a little while ago, and boy does that make you feel awful!!
Chemo is done and NO REACTION!!!! Yeah!!!
Finally, Platelets up, chemo tomorrow
My Platelets were 117 today, finally over 100 so I can have my chemo treatment tomorrow. It is 12:20am and I just got home from work. I worked a 4 1/2 hr. shift tonight. I am watching the rest of the Tiger Game, they are winning 3-1!!! I will try to do a longer post while I am in the recliner tomorrow. Good Night All.........
Monday, October 8, 2012
Short Blast from the Recent Past
Stan Here Again:
A little new news and a reason to update. Deb had her platelet count done again Sunday night and she scored 96. They require 100 for her to receive her last Chemo. I think last night she hoped that it was close enough to go in and have chemo today. So at 8 this morning she called to see if she could talk her way in. However, they are pretty firm with this number and have found that if the administer the treatment below 100 the recovery time can be longer. They had to draw a line somewhere. So they suggested waiting till Thursday and checking it again the day before. The good news is that just a few days ago these counts were hanging in the mid 50's At least things are moving in the right direction. Again, the timeline of this thing is that once this treatment is given there is a time period before she can receive the reversal surgery for her ileostomy. In my humble judgement I would say that for obvious reasons this surgery is at the very top of the list. While it is true that we have often heard of people who endure these things, it is also true that this has been a source of great pain for Deb. Knowing that she is not a wimp, I would say for certain that when she says this thing hurts I know she means it.
We had a fine trip to Cleveland for a wedding of one of our neighbors sons. It was held on the campus of Case Western Reserve. Somehow when you are there you can feel the presence of many smart people all around. Plus the buildings on that campus are kind of cool. A real interesting
place. They put on a nice wedding and it was really fun to visit with a number of their relatives who are from Ireland. Somehow the Irish people have kind of neat spirit. They just are nice. They have kind of a cool way of expression and humor that somehow grabs you. Plus some of the neighbors that we have known for years were there. All in all a good time.
We did visit Great Lakes Brewing on our way out. This is the firm that that employs Alden. They are real popular in the Cleveland and the whole state of Ohio. Alden's job is to market their products here in Michigan. So over these past few years I have seen their products in more and more places. At one time I would have said a beer is a beer. But now that I know a little more (and Alden has bought over a few samples) I might say that they all taste like water with alcohol in them except for the stuff he sells. I go in to every restaurant and when it come time to order I ask if they carry Great Lakes. Not sure that this has made a difference but we do take care of our own don't we all. I must warn this stuff is a little higher octane than the average, so be careful.
On the way home we stopped at Cabella's. I said to Deb at one point that we might have been the only ones there who where not wearing camo gear. This place was packed. It had fish swimming around in streams and about everything you can think of to set you up for spending time outdoors. I felt a little sorry for animals. If you were an animal, this place sold quite a bit of stuff that might be dangerous to you.
On the way home we listened to the Tigers win. 2 zip in the series. While I was driving Deb was going nuts cheering in the car. Some things never change. All in all a fine trip. Now we must get a few breaks on these blood counts. I think the idea here is to shag the bag. Anybody want to bet against that? The good money is on her quest to make this happen. Oh, by the way after the game was over we listened to Garrison Keiller.
That is the new from here. All the women are good looking, all the children are obedient, all the trees have nice color, and winter is still a couple of months away.
So long from Stan the Man.
A little new news and a reason to update. Deb had her platelet count done again Sunday night and she scored 96. They require 100 for her to receive her last Chemo. I think last night she hoped that it was close enough to go in and have chemo today. So at 8 this morning she called to see if she could talk her way in. However, they are pretty firm with this number and have found that if the administer the treatment below 100 the recovery time can be longer. They had to draw a line somewhere. So they suggested waiting till Thursday and checking it again the day before. The good news is that just a few days ago these counts were hanging in the mid 50's At least things are moving in the right direction. Again, the timeline of this thing is that once this treatment is given there is a time period before she can receive the reversal surgery for her ileostomy. In my humble judgement I would say that for obvious reasons this surgery is at the very top of the list. While it is true that we have often heard of people who endure these things, it is also true that this has been a source of great pain for Deb. Knowing that she is not a wimp, I would say for certain that when she says this thing hurts I know she means it.
We had a fine trip to Cleveland for a wedding of one of our neighbors sons. It was held on the campus of Case Western Reserve. Somehow when you are there you can feel the presence of many smart people all around. Plus the buildings on that campus are kind of cool. A real interesting
place. They put on a nice wedding and it was really fun to visit with a number of their relatives who are from Ireland. Somehow the Irish people have kind of neat spirit. They just are nice. They have kind of a cool way of expression and humor that somehow grabs you. Plus some of the neighbors that we have known for years were there. All in all a good time.
We did visit Great Lakes Brewing on our way out. This is the firm that that employs Alden. They are real popular in the Cleveland and the whole state of Ohio. Alden's job is to market their products here in Michigan. So over these past few years I have seen their products in more and more places. At one time I would have said a beer is a beer. But now that I know a little more (and Alden has bought over a few samples) I might say that they all taste like water with alcohol in them except for the stuff he sells. I go in to every restaurant and when it come time to order I ask if they carry Great Lakes. Not sure that this has made a difference but we do take care of our own don't we all. I must warn this stuff is a little higher octane than the average, so be careful.
On the way home we stopped at Cabella's. I said to Deb at one point that we might have been the only ones there who where not wearing camo gear. This place was packed. It had fish swimming around in streams and about everything you can think of to set you up for spending time outdoors. I felt a little sorry for animals. If you were an animal, this place sold quite a bit of stuff that might be dangerous to you.
On the way home we listened to the Tigers win. 2 zip in the series. While I was driving Deb was going nuts cheering in the car. Some things never change. All in all a fine trip. Now we must get a few breaks on these blood counts. I think the idea here is to shag the bag. Anybody want to bet against that? The good money is on her quest to make this happen. Oh, by the way after the game was over we listened to Garrison Keiller.
That is the new from here. All the women are good looking, all the children are obedient, all the trees have nice color, and winter is still a couple of months away.
So long from Stan the Man.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Big Bird
Stan Here:
Big Bird seems to be coming up a lot lately, not sure why but I think it might have something to do with running for president. All I can say is that only in the USA could a character like this creep in to the picture. I was kind of glad Romney knew who Big Bird is. I was kind of sad that he wanted to fire him, I thought for a few moments Obama looked a little like Big Bird during the debate and I am still trying to figure that out. Anyway, I find this an interesting season. Lots going on. The Tigers pulled it out in the last couple of weeks, Cabrerra won the triple crown, I went to a Bible thing at church the other night for a study about heaven, Deb seems in a decent mood, we are packing it up to go to a wedding in Cleveland this weekend, the trees are turning pretty colors, the debates are interesting, and for the most part life seems good right now.
I mention the triple crown only because last year when Deb was first diagnosed she wrote a letter to the Tigers and told her story. They invited us down to a game and we got to be on the field to watch batting practice and meet a few of the players. While she was over flirting with Justin Verlander I watched from up close Cabrerra take batting practice. It still kind of amazes me recalling the power and agility of a man of his size. Standing on the field it looks like a long ways to hit it over that fence and he does it with such ease. More importantly it was at that time that all of us thought in terms of a "bucket list". But now one year later there is not much left on that list and here we are, our thoughts are more optimistic. One of the things that is true in this is that even though she faces a very undesired disease, that the learning and the love for life has not diminished. She is sitting here in the TV room and the thought I have is that she falls in the triple crown of cancer survival. Works a little, does not complain all that much, and still manages to do most of the normal things that she has always enjoyed. The triple crown of cancer survival.
On that same topic there are a few challenges. Blood platelets are still too low to have that last chemo treatment. Another test this weekend to get them checked again. We are told that this is quite normal after a person has had Chemo for this long. So not that big of concern but some anxiety on getting this over with. She had a nice day at Art Prize in GR today with Mieke, Jackie and Deb's parents. Mieke had the surprise of driving into her school parking lot and seeing no cars. Turns out that her elementary school was cancelled for the day because almost 200 kids were out sick with the flu. Her principal came running out and said, oh no, you were not on our "call list". She hopes she is now added to that list. We are attending our last of 12 (2012) weddings this weekend. We pack up at 7 in the morning and feed the toll machines down I-80 till we get to Cleveland. If Big Bird would ever run for president I might ask him why all the other states get toll and you drive in Michigan for free.
I suppose this mystery might not be solved till I get to heaven so I was glad to learn a little about heaven the other night as well. Turns out it seems there a quite a few opinions on heaven and the guy who wrote the book that we study seemed to know more about it than I did. Kind of hope he is right about some of the stuff he writes. I suspect though that he does not know much more than I (or anybody) does about it. Might have to ask Big Bird about it. Lately he is looking like a pretty smart option.
That's the news from Holland, where all the women are good looking, all the children are smart, and the couple who resides at 1133 Silverstone appreciate your prayers and concerns. They seem to be working!!!
Stan the Man
Big Bird seems to be coming up a lot lately, not sure why but I think it might have something to do with running for president. All I can say is that only in the USA could a character like this creep in to the picture. I was kind of glad Romney knew who Big Bird is. I was kind of sad that he wanted to fire him, I thought for a few moments Obama looked a little like Big Bird during the debate and I am still trying to figure that out. Anyway, I find this an interesting season. Lots going on. The Tigers pulled it out in the last couple of weeks, Cabrerra won the triple crown, I went to a Bible thing at church the other night for a study about heaven, Deb seems in a decent mood, we are packing it up to go to a wedding in Cleveland this weekend, the trees are turning pretty colors, the debates are interesting, and for the most part life seems good right now.
I mention the triple crown only because last year when Deb was first diagnosed she wrote a letter to the Tigers and told her story. They invited us down to a game and we got to be on the field to watch batting practice and meet a few of the players. While she was over flirting with Justin Verlander I watched from up close Cabrerra take batting practice. It still kind of amazes me recalling the power and agility of a man of his size. Standing on the field it looks like a long ways to hit it over that fence and he does it with such ease. More importantly it was at that time that all of us thought in terms of a "bucket list". But now one year later there is not much left on that list and here we are, our thoughts are more optimistic. One of the things that is true in this is that even though she faces a very undesired disease, that the learning and the love for life has not diminished. She is sitting here in the TV room and the thought I have is that she falls in the triple crown of cancer survival. Works a little, does not complain all that much, and still manages to do most of the normal things that she has always enjoyed. The triple crown of cancer survival.
On that same topic there are a few challenges. Blood platelets are still too low to have that last chemo treatment. Another test this weekend to get them checked again. We are told that this is quite normal after a person has had Chemo for this long. So not that big of concern but some anxiety on getting this over with. She had a nice day at Art Prize in GR today with Mieke, Jackie and Deb's parents. Mieke had the surprise of driving into her school parking lot and seeing no cars. Turns out that her elementary school was cancelled for the day because almost 200 kids were out sick with the flu. Her principal came running out and said, oh no, you were not on our "call list". She hopes she is now added to that list. We are attending our last of 12 (2012) weddings this weekend. We pack up at 7 in the morning and feed the toll machines down I-80 till we get to Cleveland. If Big Bird would ever run for president I might ask him why all the other states get toll and you drive in Michigan for free.
I suppose this mystery might not be solved till I get to heaven so I was glad to learn a little about heaven the other night as well. Turns out it seems there a quite a few opinions on heaven and the guy who wrote the book that we study seemed to know more about it than I did. Kind of hope he is right about some of the stuff he writes. I suspect though that he does not know much more than I (or anybody) does about it. Might have to ask Big Bird about it. Lately he is looking like a pretty smart option.
That's the news from Holland, where all the women are good looking, all the children are smart, and the couple who resides at 1133 Silverstone appreciate your prayers and concerns. They seem to be working!!!
Stan the Man
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Still too low...
Had my platelets drawn after church today, and they are 60, still going in the wrong direction. So, no chemo for me tomorrow. I am having a hard time having patience with this, because I feel so good. I am so anxious to get this one done, and have my CA-125 sent in, because if it is normal, it could be the last one for a while. I will talk to the office tomorrow and see if they want me to have the CT scan this week or not. I didn't have to work on Sat., it was slow and they said I could stay home "on call". My parents are up north and they said the colors are just gorgeous!! I so wish I was up there. I have not been up there is a month, so I am now thinking I may try and go up tomorrow for a couple of days.
Next weekend we have our last wedding in Cleveland, so we will not be able to go up then.
This afternoon Stan and I are going to a get together with some PEO couples. Mieke and Aaron are going too. She is anxious to introduce her new hubby to her new PEO friends. It is kind of hard to get these men away from the TV with the Ryder Cup, Tigers, Lions and Packers all on this afternoon.
Thanks for all your prayers for patience for me and for higher platelets. As someone wrote in a comment, this is totally out of my control. I need to " Let Go and Let God". I am trying...
Next weekend we have our last wedding in Cleveland, so we will not be able to go up then.
This afternoon Stan and I are going to a get together with some PEO couples. Mieke and Aaron are going too. She is anxious to introduce her new hubby to her new PEO friends. It is kind of hard to get these men away from the TV with the Ryder Cup, Tigers, Lions and Packers all on this afternoon.
Thanks for all your prayers for patience for me and for higher platelets. As someone wrote in a comment, this is totally out of my control. I need to " Let Go and Let God". I am trying...
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Boo Hoo, Platelets going the wrong direction
Just found out my lab results. The Platelets are now down to 61. They were 71 on Monday, so they are getting worse instead of better. Guess this is fairly common when you are on chemo for a while, it is hard on the bone marrow which is where the platelets are produced. Time is the only thing that can help. So they want me to have lab work done on Sun. to maybe have chemo on Monday.
I changed the blog picture to one of me on my new "tree seat" up at the Homestead. I had mentioned to Stan and my Dad that I saw this neat tree that was down on the property and I thought it would be fun to lean against the garage door. So a few weeks ago, I was floating in the pond and I heard the big John Deere tractor coming down the road. Sure enough, here it was my Dad with the big tree attached to the front. I was so happy that they brought my tree. The bear broke the bottom of our garage door a couple years ago, and because we don't really need to open that side of the garage, and we didn't want to replace both doors at this time, we put up a decorative "stick" fence in front of that part of the garage. I will post a picture of that.
People are so sweet and still remembering and encouraging me with notes and cards. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. They are all so special, and it helps so much when I get discouraged or sick of this disease I am fighting. This one particular card came from a new friend of mine. On the front of the card is says this: Tough Cookie (tuhr kook-e) - noun.
1. Someone with just the right mix of sweetness and strength.
2. One who doesn't crumble under pressure.
3. A fighter who's too busy kicking butt to sit down and cry, but knows it's okay to do both.
4. A person who doesn't always ask for support, but has lots of friends who would do anything to help
Inside is says, Hang in there Tough Cookie
I guess I am a tough cookie. I told my Dr. that and he said, there are Tough ones and then there are broken ones. He sees both.
I need to go to church now and help Mieke with a kids choir she is starting,. I will finish this later.
I changed the blog picture to one of me on my new "tree seat" up at the Homestead. I had mentioned to Stan and my Dad that I saw this neat tree that was down on the property and I thought it would be fun to lean against the garage door. So a few weeks ago, I was floating in the pond and I heard the big John Deere tractor coming down the road. Sure enough, here it was my Dad with the big tree attached to the front. I was so happy that they brought my tree. The bear broke the bottom of our garage door a couple years ago, and because we don't really need to open that side of the garage, and we didn't want to replace both doors at this time, we put up a decorative "stick" fence in front of that part of the garage. I will post a picture of that.
People are so sweet and still remembering and encouraging me with notes and cards. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. They are all so special, and it helps so much when I get discouraged or sick of this disease I am fighting. This one particular card came from a new friend of mine. On the front of the card is says this: Tough Cookie (tuhr kook-e) - noun.
1. Someone with just the right mix of sweetness and strength.
2. One who doesn't crumble under pressure.
3. A fighter who's too busy kicking butt to sit down and cry, but knows it's okay to do both.
4. A person who doesn't always ask for support, but has lots of friends who would do anything to help
Inside is says, Hang in there Tough Cookie
I guess I am a tough cookie. I told my Dr. that and he said, there are Tough ones and then there are broken ones. He sees both.
I need to go to church now and help Mieke with a kids choir she is starting,. I will finish this later.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Bummer, No Chemo Again
My platelets were too low today, so no chemo again. They want me to keep taking my premeds, have my blood rechecked in Holland on Wed. at noon, and if it is OK I could have my chemo on Thursday. So please pray that it all works out. I saw Dr. Downey today and he said, if my CA-125 was normal this week, then maybe I would be done with treatments for now. That would be two treatments past normal. Then he tells me that we could do the reversal surgery in 6 wks. instead of waiting 8 wks. I can't quite figure it out?, and I hearing them wrong the first time, or are they changing their minds?? Anyways, I might be having the surgery sooner than I thought. This is fine with me, but I do have to get rid of some work commitments that I signed up for in November.
This weekend we had a surprise visit from a friend David and his dog Benson. He had made some meatloaf for us hot out of the oven. It was delicious! We also got to see Benson's tricks. He picks up things you drop on the floor and he shuts the door. Amazing! David's daughter Emily is a quadriplegic and she taught him to do those tasks.
Also, a big thanks to my neighbor Kay. She lives in Chicago and comes to her house across the street from us occasionally like her cottage. She brought me a couple of bottles of Chardonnay from Trader Joes. So sweet of her.
I have lots of pictures to post from Labor Day, the wedding reception in Detroit and others, but I have to figure out how to do it. I am going with Mieke tonight to a make up party in Fennville.
Tomorrow, Ross and Rumy are coming to Holland. Ross has to play at a funeral and we are going to go to Artprize. We saw some of the pieces on Sat. night before the symphony. So fun to see so many people roaming around GR.
This weekend we had a surprise visit from a friend David and his dog Benson. He had made some meatloaf for us hot out of the oven. It was delicious! We also got to see Benson's tricks. He picks up things you drop on the floor and he shuts the door. Amazing! David's daughter Emily is a quadriplegic and she taught him to do those tasks.
Also, a big thanks to my neighbor Kay. She lives in Chicago and comes to her house across the street from us occasionally like her cottage. She brought me a couple of bottles of Chardonnay from Trader Joes. So sweet of her.
I have lots of pictures to post from Labor Day, the wedding reception in Detroit and others, but I have to figure out how to do it. I am going with Mieke tonight to a make up party in Fennville.
Tomorrow, Ross and Rumy are coming to Holland. Ross has to play at a funeral and we are going to go to Artprize. We saw some of the pieces on Sat. night before the symphony. So fun to see so many people roaming around GR.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Been a while
Stan here:
A few people who follow this have asked for the update. Well, the update is that there have been a few computer problems of late and it has been hard to keep everything up to date. That is getting fixed. So back in action in a day or so. Even if this thing was working good there is not all that much new to report. Deb's chemo date is the 24th and I am sure she will update at that time. As time has gone by it seems she is feeling better and things are going in the right direction. She was warned that she would lose her hair again and slowly but surely she became annoyed that whenever she wore anything fall like or dark it would be littered with reasonably short grey hair at the end of the day. So she took the measure of taking that down to the short and she now has a reddish (auburn) new wig that she looks rather different in. I have always thought that she deserves some red tint in the deal. Somehow, knowing her like I do, it seems like red is a color that fits her quite well. I have always heard stories about redheads. Something like they are opinionated and can be kind of resilient. So now she has a color that fits her quite well.
On the resilient side she has been working a little more lately. Last night she got called in on the 7-11 shift and this morning she had to teach a birthing class to expectant parents. So she rolled in at 12 last night and the alarm went off at 6:30 this morning to get up and teach this class. The only reason I tell this is to let people know that things are more normal than they have been in a long time. There are times when the energy level is in question and she becomes disappointed that the get up and go has got up and went. As long as the ability stays to put one foot in front of the other she seems to have the ability to do it, no matter how she is feeling. We are planning to attend the GR symphony opening this evening to see our son Ross and hear the concert. So to give you some feel for things a normal person would want to rest after teaching a full day class. But her parting words this morning to me were to have the car warmed up because if we got going at 4.00 we could take in art prize before the concert. I am not sure why I am boring you with this story other than to welcome you to my life. Also, to tell you that things are seeming to be a little more like old times around here. I am quite certain that at 4 I will load a redhead in the car and shortly thereafter we will be walking the streets of GR looking at some form of art that some person thought would meet the eye of a 60 year old guy that is on his first date with a redhead.
So what we have is a date with chemo on the 24th. Another one in three weeks. And then the potential of a reversal surgery. Of all the things that have been a problem this has been the thing that Deb has at the top of her list. If all goes well this would take place at or near the Christmas holiday season. You know the song " All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." I am not sure sure I could write that good of a song about our issue but I think you get the idea.
Otherwise life is OK. Romney is tanking, the Tigers are going to still win this thing, I am going on a a date with a redhead tonight, a bunch of people are going to learn how to have and take care of a baby today, and the potential for the life that Deb deserves is seeming like a higher probability.
So long:
Stan the Man
A few people who follow this have asked for the update. Well, the update is that there have been a few computer problems of late and it has been hard to keep everything up to date. That is getting fixed. So back in action in a day or so. Even if this thing was working good there is not all that much new to report. Deb's chemo date is the 24th and I am sure she will update at that time. As time has gone by it seems she is feeling better and things are going in the right direction. She was warned that she would lose her hair again and slowly but surely she became annoyed that whenever she wore anything fall like or dark it would be littered with reasonably short grey hair at the end of the day. So she took the measure of taking that down to the short and she now has a reddish (auburn) new wig that she looks rather different in. I have always thought that she deserves some red tint in the deal. Somehow, knowing her like I do, it seems like red is a color that fits her quite well. I have always heard stories about redheads. Something like they are opinionated and can be kind of resilient. So now she has a color that fits her quite well.
On the resilient side she has been working a little more lately. Last night she got called in on the 7-11 shift and this morning she had to teach a birthing class to expectant parents. So she rolled in at 12 last night and the alarm went off at 6:30 this morning to get up and teach this class. The only reason I tell this is to let people know that things are more normal than they have been in a long time. There are times when the energy level is in question and she becomes disappointed that the get up and go has got up and went. As long as the ability stays to put one foot in front of the other she seems to have the ability to do it, no matter how she is feeling. We are planning to attend the GR symphony opening this evening to see our son Ross and hear the concert. So to give you some feel for things a normal person would want to rest after teaching a full day class. But her parting words this morning to me were to have the car warmed up because if we got going at 4.00 we could take in art prize before the concert. I am not sure why I am boring you with this story other than to welcome you to my life. Also, to tell you that things are seeming to be a little more like old times around here. I am quite certain that at 4 I will load a redhead in the car and shortly thereafter we will be walking the streets of GR looking at some form of art that some person thought would meet the eye of a 60 year old guy that is on his first date with a redhead.
So what we have is a date with chemo on the 24th. Another one in three weeks. And then the potential of a reversal surgery. Of all the things that have been a problem this has been the thing that Deb has at the top of her list. If all goes well this would take place at or near the Christmas holiday season. You know the song " All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." I am not sure sure I could write that good of a song about our issue but I think you get the idea.
Otherwise life is OK. Romney is tanking, the Tigers are going to still win this thing, I am going on a a date with a redhead tonight, a bunch of people are going to learn how to have and take care of a baby today, and the potential for the life that Deb deserves is seeming like a higher probability.
So long:
Stan the Man
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Chemo Round 2 #6
Thought I better publish a little update while I am sitting in the chemo recliner. OK, I will tell you all the truth why I couldn't have chemo two days ago. I FORGOT to start taking my chemo premeds last Sat. I thought of it on Sunday night and when I told them that on Tues. they said it is just TOO dangerous because of the reaction I have to the Carboplatin too give it without taking it for the full 3 days. They have had to rush people to the hospital because of reactions. SOOOOO, it was a wasted trip to GR, I was mad at myself, but I will give you my excuse. I was so busy thinking about going to work on Sat. am, to teach expectant parent classes, and thinking about feeling good and normal, that it totally slipped my mind to start premedicating myself. Don't you think it is partly my Dr's fault?? because he wanted me to go back to work and try to feel "normal"?? No?? They didn't buy it at chemo either.
So I wait two days, take ALL the pre meds, and here I am. It feels wierd to be here on a Thursday, because I have always been here on a Monday or Tues. It is a whole different set of patients. But, you learn from them. One girl has been doing this for 6 years and she was told she had only months to live also. She had 4 years of "remission", but then her CT scan showed spots of cancer had come back. Her CA-125 didn't go up, so they don't even use that as a test for her. First time I had heard that.
I forgot to mention in my last post that I will be having a CT scan in Sept. They will finally send my CA-125 in today, so hopefully will get those results tomorrow to know if only two more of these chemos.(this round).
We will be up north for a long weekend. My parents will be at their log home, and all the kids should be up there for a part of the weekend. Should be fun and nice and hot. It will probably be the last weekend for floating around in my blow up raft chair with the cupholder. I might even fill it with something fun! It is always beautiful around the water, with a breeze usually and stays nice and cool in the house.
Guess what I did yesterday? I played 9 holes of golf with my friend Karen. I never would have gone had she not encouraged it. It was a beautiful day, sunny with a nice breeze. I hits some good shots, many bad ones. We didn't keep score (after the mulligans). So that took all the pressure off. We will hopefully try it again this fall.
The past few weeks I have had fun doing some shopping with my friend Deb S. who organizes the Honduras mission trips that Mieke and I have gone on. We got to go to Spectrum Health's warehouse and pick out LOTS of wonderful large items for the surgery center in Gracias, Honduras and the work that they do in the villages. I also helped sort and pack in boxes lots of donated drugs that they give out. This all had to be done before Labor Day when they send out a large shipping container over there. To go on another brigade with this group with the Luke's Society is definitely on my bucket list!
Some of you know the following because you follow Facebook, but I will update those who don't use that.
1st -Ross won an audition and is now the second chair trumpet for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.
He beat out 9 others, who he said were all very good players, and at the end a woman (from U of
M). He was very glad to have an official position, it means regular work, you get calls for other
and hopefully more students for lessons. They don't have as many concerts as the Grand Rapids
Symphony, so he will be able to play with them also. He is scheduled already for their first
classical concert in Sept.
He is also going to go on tour for 3 wks. in Nov. with a National Touring Broadway tour of
Fiddler on the roof. He is subbing for a trumpet player who needed the 3 wks off. You can go
on their website and find out where he will be playing, starting Nov. 14. We are going to try and
go when they are in Muskegon. He ends up in Florida and then they fly him home. He will be
gone over Thanksgiving and he offered to have the family over for a Thanksgiving meal early
at HIS house before he leaves. (I put this in writing, so he won't forget his offer...)
2nd- Mieke has excepted a full time job at Park Elementary School in Hudsonville. She will be
working as a para pro in Kindergarten in the morning and 5th grade in the afternoon. She loves
this school, the principal, the teachers, etc. They hire most of their teachers through their para
pros, so this is what she is hoping will happen (sooner than later). She did get offered a teaching
job in Niles, but did not except it. She and Aaron are happy to stay living in Holland. She was
asked to start working the day she excepted the job by going to a Kindergarten open house , so
she could meet all the kids, their parents and all the teachers. Of course she was wishing she
was the"teacher" , but that is only natural, she will learn so much this year, and there will not
be all the pressure and work at home every night and weekends to make lesson plans, etc.
3rd- Aaron is going to start a full time job selling at Michigan Air Specialties in GR. He has benefits
so that took the pressure off Mieke to except the teaching job that she didn't feel was a "good
fit". He is very excited to start this new position next Tues.
I have to admit I am thrilled to have them stay around for a while. I am thankful, and thank
God for all three of these new jobs!!
Sorry this is so long. We will be up north for the long weekend and hopefully all the kids will be
there for some part of the weekend. Next weekend we will all be going downtown Detroit and stay at a hotel in Greektown. We will be attending my nephew Kyle and his new wife Richenda's wedding celebration party at the Detroit Yacht Club on Bell Isle. They live in Australia, and their wedding was the one we went to in Hawaii in January. This reception is for the friends and relatives who
were not as fortunate to go to that wedding in Hawaii. Can't wait to see everyone again. My niece and her boyfriend from Chile will also be there.
Just got a call from Ross, and guess what? I get to tell you that one more of my kids got a new job!!
Rumy is now going to be working at Albion College as an accompanist for students. Ross has students there and they can go in together. So good to have on her resume and the added income!!
What is going on with the Tigers loosing?? No good. Hope they do better this weekend. Have a
wonderful Labor Day weekend!! Next chemo Sept.24, would you do me a favor? If you see me, please remind me on Sept.20 to start taking my pre meds. OK? The nurse said it happens usually once to patients on premeds, but what it tells her is that people are living their lives and not just thinking about the big "C".
So I wait two days, take ALL the pre meds, and here I am. It feels wierd to be here on a Thursday, because I have always been here on a Monday or Tues. It is a whole different set of patients. But, you learn from them. One girl has been doing this for 6 years and she was told she had only months to live also. She had 4 years of "remission", but then her CT scan showed spots of cancer had come back. Her CA-125 didn't go up, so they don't even use that as a test for her. First time I had heard that.
I forgot to mention in my last post that I will be having a CT scan in Sept. They will finally send my CA-125 in today, so hopefully will get those results tomorrow to know if only two more of these chemos.(this round).
We will be up north for a long weekend. My parents will be at their log home, and all the kids should be up there for a part of the weekend. Should be fun and nice and hot. It will probably be the last weekend for floating around in my blow up raft chair with the cupholder. I might even fill it with something fun! It is always beautiful around the water, with a breeze usually and stays nice and cool in the house.
Guess what I did yesterday? I played 9 holes of golf with my friend Karen. I never would have gone had she not encouraged it. It was a beautiful day, sunny with a nice breeze. I hits some good shots, many bad ones. We didn't keep score (after the mulligans). So that took all the pressure off. We will hopefully try it again this fall.
The past few weeks I have had fun doing some shopping with my friend Deb S. who organizes the Honduras mission trips that Mieke and I have gone on. We got to go to Spectrum Health's warehouse and pick out LOTS of wonderful large items for the surgery center in Gracias, Honduras and the work that they do in the villages. I also helped sort and pack in boxes lots of donated drugs that they give out. This all had to be done before Labor Day when they send out a large shipping container over there. To go on another brigade with this group with the Luke's Society is definitely on my bucket list!
Some of you know the following because you follow Facebook, but I will update those who don't use that.
1st -Ross won an audition and is now the second chair trumpet for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra.
He beat out 9 others, who he said were all very good players, and at the end a woman (from U of
M). He was very glad to have an official position, it means regular work, you get calls for other
and hopefully more students for lessons. They don't have as many concerts as the Grand Rapids
Symphony, so he will be able to play with them also. He is scheduled already for their first
classical concert in Sept.
He is also going to go on tour for 3 wks. in Nov. with a National Touring Broadway tour of
Fiddler on the roof. He is subbing for a trumpet player who needed the 3 wks off. You can go
on their website and find out where he will be playing, starting Nov. 14. We are going to try and
go when they are in Muskegon. He ends up in Florida and then they fly him home. He will be
gone over Thanksgiving and he offered to have the family over for a Thanksgiving meal early
at HIS house before he leaves. (I put this in writing, so he won't forget his offer...)
2nd- Mieke has excepted a full time job at Park Elementary School in Hudsonville. She will be
working as a para pro in Kindergarten in the morning and 5th grade in the afternoon. She loves
this school, the principal, the teachers, etc. They hire most of their teachers through their para
pros, so this is what she is hoping will happen (sooner than later). She did get offered a teaching
job in Niles, but did not except it. She and Aaron are happy to stay living in Holland. She was
asked to start working the day she excepted the job by going to a Kindergarten open house , so
she could meet all the kids, their parents and all the teachers. Of course she was wishing she
was the"teacher" , but that is only natural, she will learn so much this year, and there will not
be all the pressure and work at home every night and weekends to make lesson plans, etc.
3rd- Aaron is going to start a full time job selling at Michigan Air Specialties in GR. He has benefits
so that took the pressure off Mieke to except the teaching job that she didn't feel was a "good
fit". He is very excited to start this new position next Tues.
I have to admit I am thrilled to have them stay around for a while. I am thankful, and thank
God for all three of these new jobs!!
Sorry this is so long. We will be up north for the long weekend and hopefully all the kids will be
there for some part of the weekend. Next weekend we will all be going downtown Detroit and stay at a hotel in Greektown. We will be attending my nephew Kyle and his new wife Richenda's wedding celebration party at the Detroit Yacht Club on Bell Isle. They live in Australia, and their wedding was the one we went to in Hawaii in January. This reception is for the friends and relatives who
were not as fortunate to go to that wedding in Hawaii. Can't wait to see everyone again. My niece and her boyfriend from Chile will also be there.
Just got a call from Ross, and guess what? I get to tell you that one more of my kids got a new job!!
Rumy is now going to be working at Albion College as an accompanist for students. Ross has students there and they can go in together. So good to have on her resume and the added income!!
What is going on with the Tigers loosing?? No good. Hope they do better this weekend. Have a
wonderful Labor Day weekend!! Next chemo Sept.24, would you do me a favor? If you see me, please remind me on Sept.20 to start taking my pre meds. OK? The nurse said it happens usually once to patients on premeds, but what it tells her is that people are living their lives and not just thinking about the big "C".
Friday, August 24, 2012
Oops.....
I now know why I can't find out my CA-125 results. They drew the blood, but never sent it. I guess because I couldn't have chemo last Monday, they want to keep your count at the same time as you have chemo. So now I know, and we will hopefully find out what it is next Monday.
Worked four hours L&D last night. It feels good to get back. Stan is going up north tonight with a friend, and work on "deer stuff". I am kind of glad to stay back here for a change because I teach all day tomorrow, get to go to outside church, see everyone there and I plan to have my neighbor across the street and her friend over for lunch on Sunday. She is the one who was so kind to loan out her house for my family to use at the time of Mieke's wedding. Speaking of Mieke, she has another teaching interview today so say a little prayer for her. Today is Aaron's last day at DeBoer Bakery, they are having a little send off party for him. I know they will miss him!!
I forgot to mention that we had a nice time visiting with my sister-in-law Lisseth last Sunday. She stopped by at the Hoksbergen Homestead on her way home from the Leland area. He husband Roland (Stan's brother) is in Ghana until December leading a group of students from Calvin. Lisseth is a Spanish teacher at East GR schools so she couldn't go along.
The grey hair is getting very thin on top, it is getting harder to hide the bald spots....
My Tigers are doing good lately which makes watching the games so much fun!!
Worked four hours L&D last night. It feels good to get back. Stan is going up north tonight with a friend, and work on "deer stuff". I am kind of glad to stay back here for a change because I teach all day tomorrow, get to go to outside church, see everyone there and I plan to have my neighbor across the street and her friend over for lunch on Sunday. She is the one who was so kind to loan out her house for my family to use at the time of Mieke's wedding. Speaking of Mieke, she has another teaching interview today so say a little prayer for her. Today is Aaron's last day at DeBoer Bakery, they are having a little send off party for him. I know they will miss him!!
I forgot to mention that we had a nice time visiting with my sister-in-law Lisseth last Sunday. She stopped by at the Hoksbergen Homestead on her way home from the Leland area. He husband Roland (Stan's brother) is in Ghana until December leading a group of students from Calvin. Lisseth is a Spanish teacher at East GR schools so she couldn't go along.
The grey hair is getting very thin on top, it is getting harder to hide the bald spots....
My Tigers are doing good lately which makes watching the games so much fun!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Couldn't have Chemo
My Platelets were too low, so no chemo on Monday. I have to go back next Tues. They did draw blood and sent it in for my CA-125 count, but I can't seem to find out those results. I called twice today, and she said they are not back yet. It has never taken this long before, but she thought maybe because it is summer, and less people working?? Anyways, she said call on Thursday am if was "all that important to me to know the results". Well, I guess that person has never had cancer, or she would understand.
This week delay has now pushed back my surgery date. I need to pray for patience. I have worked three days so far. It is going OK. I am teaching all day next Sat. expectant parent classes.
Today my friend Lori picked me up in her convertible and we drove up Lakeshore Dr. to Grand Haven. It was a beautiful sunny day and she treated me to lunch at Snug Harbor. After lunch we walked around downtown and checked out some shops. I really don't know the stores in Grand Haven that well and it was a fun day.
Yesterday I got rear ended. I was at a stop light in Holland and a woman ran into me. Luckily it only scraped my bumper. We called the police and he made out a report. I was just leaving work and she was a nurse just going to work. I felt bad for her, I bet she got a ticket.
Tonight Mieke and I had dinner at Itty Bitty Bar. We ate outside on the patio. We walked there from our house, it is so close and so nice out tonight. Stan had his golf league and stopped by on his way home.
I have really had trouble with my ileostomy lately, it is painful, leaks and is a real PAIN. I am sooooooo ready to get it reversed. It is all I think about. That date can not come soon enough for me.
This week delay has now pushed back my surgery date. I need to pray for patience. I have worked three days so far. It is going OK. I am teaching all day next Sat. expectant parent classes.
Today my friend Lori picked me up in her convertible and we drove up Lakeshore Dr. to Grand Haven. It was a beautiful sunny day and she treated me to lunch at Snug Harbor. After lunch we walked around downtown and checked out some shops. I really don't know the stores in Grand Haven that well and it was a fun day.
Yesterday I got rear ended. I was at a stop light in Holland and a woman ran into me. Luckily it only scraped my bumper. We called the police and he made out a report. I was just leaving work and she was a nurse just going to work. I felt bad for her, I bet she got a ticket.
Tonight Mieke and I had dinner at Itty Bitty Bar. We ate outside on the patio. We walked there from our house, it is so close and so nice out tonight. Stan had his golf league and stopped by on his way home.
I have really had trouble with my ileostomy lately, it is painful, leaks and is a real PAIN. I am sooooooo ready to get it reversed. It is all I think about. That date can not come soon enough for me.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Listening to the RAIN...
Hi, thought it was time to give a little update of last weekend.
It was a success. The weather was wonderful, nice an warm on Sat. so we could have fun in the water, and a bit cooler on Sunday so we could sit outside all day in beautiful non humid sunshine. Sat. night was our "Detroit Tiger" theme dinner for my Mom's 80th birthday. We had ribs and chicken and had the tent outside all decorated with Tiger paraphernalia. We gave her a Tiger banner to hang up wherever she is watching the games. We watched them win that night. So fun to all be together.
Sunday we had a pigroast. My crazy brothers got up at 3am to put the apple in the mouth, grapes in the eyes and start it roasting. It was delicious and we had plenty with a 100 lb. pig. We had about 50 relatives and friends, and even some "up north" neighbors came over. Dessert was ice cream sundaes with all the toppings and homemade brownies. We had a wonderful program lead by an old friend from the Grosse Pointe Christian Day School days, Jim VW. He played the guitar, sang, taught us fun songs, we did skits, people told stories about Mom and Dad and we gave them a framed Tribute signed by us 4 kids. My sister Krista read a beautiful writing that touched on all the things we are thankful for from our parents. She did a great job putting this together.
The little kids couldn't get enough Gator rides and pushes on the swing from Great Grandpa.
I was so grateful to feel pretty good throughout the whole weekend.
I did work 4 hours last Tues. and it went good. I didn't feel my best that day, but did get through it. I am singed up to go in Next Tues and do it again. I also signed up to teach two Saturday expectant parent classes. It was good to be back and work with my co-workers again.
We head back up north tomorrow to attend a wedding in Petosky on Sat. afternoon.
We are so happy to hear the good news of our friend Kent's results of his recent PET scan. It shows that the chemo is working, little to no glow. He will soon have surgery to remove half of his liver.
Hang in there Kent, we are praying for you!
I am sad the Tigers lost today. I was used to them winning with a 6 game winning steak.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the rain, I am.
It was a success. The weather was wonderful, nice an warm on Sat. so we could have fun in the water, and a bit cooler on Sunday so we could sit outside all day in beautiful non humid sunshine. Sat. night was our "Detroit Tiger" theme dinner for my Mom's 80th birthday. We had ribs and chicken and had the tent outside all decorated with Tiger paraphernalia. We gave her a Tiger banner to hang up wherever she is watching the games. We watched them win that night. So fun to all be together.
Sunday we had a pigroast. My crazy brothers got up at 3am to put the apple in the mouth, grapes in the eyes and start it roasting. It was delicious and we had plenty with a 100 lb. pig. We had about 50 relatives and friends, and even some "up north" neighbors came over. Dessert was ice cream sundaes with all the toppings and homemade brownies. We had a wonderful program lead by an old friend from the Grosse Pointe Christian Day School days, Jim VW. He played the guitar, sang, taught us fun songs, we did skits, people told stories about Mom and Dad and we gave them a framed Tribute signed by us 4 kids. My sister Krista read a beautiful writing that touched on all the things we are thankful for from our parents. She did a great job putting this together.
The little kids couldn't get enough Gator rides and pushes on the swing from Great Grandpa.
I was so grateful to feel pretty good throughout the whole weekend.
I did work 4 hours last Tues. and it went good. I didn't feel my best that day, but did get through it. I am singed up to go in Next Tues and do it again. I also signed up to teach two Saturday expectant parent classes. It was good to be back and work with my co-workers again.
We head back up north tomorrow to attend a wedding in Petosky on Sat. afternoon.
We are so happy to hear the good news of our friend Kent's results of his recent PET scan. It shows that the chemo is working, little to no glow. He will soon have surgery to remove half of his liver.
Hang in there Kent, we are praying for you!
I am sad the Tigers lost today. I was used to them winning with a 6 game winning steak.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the rain, I am.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Chemo Round 2 - #5
Hi All, had chemo all day today, was in the recliner for 7 1/2 hrs. They took it slow to avoid any reactions and it worked!! Thank goodness. The good news for today is my CA-125 count is down to 43!! It was 52 last time. My Dr. thinks it might be below 35 next time which is in the normal range. So if you want to pray specifically, please pray for that. That would mean I would only need two more chemo treatments after that and, then only 8 wks to wait until I can have the surgery to reverse the ileostomy. So by my calculations, that would be around the last week of November. After Thanksgiving. I think that is a perfect time for more surgery, don't you?? I will be home and almost recovered by Christmas. The Dr. said, now don't plan on that date yet, I said, I know, just want to plan a little. I am really ready to get rid of my "bag". I don't like it at all!! So, the sooner, the better. I know many of my family members, are not so sure I should go "under the knife again", after what happened last time, but I can't be afraid like that. I need to have faith that with God's help, things will go well. (You can pray for that too, please.)
I had a great weekend up north. I felt pretty good. I am in less pain, and no longer needing to take the Vicodin, so happy for that. Doesn't mean I don't have discomfort, but I can bear it. They thing adhesion, or scar tissue causing that. Guess what, the Dr. really thinks it would be good for mean to try and go back to work. It scares me a a bit, but I will try. I need to start "conditioning" again. Will start walking around the block tomorrow.
I had the med that makes me hyper, so that is why I am still up at 12:30am writing this, not feeling at all tired. I will need to take an Ambien again tonight for sleep. Went to the Hope Play tonight, "An Inspector Calls" a British play set in 1912, very thought provoking and enjoyable.
Thanks to my grade school friend Helene, who came and sat with me today, bringing me soup, from "Zoups" and homemade chocolate cookies. We had fun talking and we are looking forward to next week getting together at their new summer cottage in Montague, MI.
Tomorrow is a busy day, I have an appt. with the ostomy nurse at Holland Hospital. I have been having some problems in that area, and thought I should spend some time with her and make sure I am doing everything I can to make this thing not such a PAIN, literally. Then, I need to race over to the dentist office for a teeth cleaning. Can't wait for that, something about chemo makes me very sensitive about my teeth bugging me, if they don't feel clean. Weird I know.
Then at night it is time for LNO, Ladies Night Out with the neighborhood girlfriends at Boatwerks, can't wait. Two more kids weddings in the group, Aug. and Oct., so we need to hear how the plans are going.
Plans have been underway for a while now for a big weekend coming up. We are celebrating my parents 60th wedding anniversary and my Mom's 80th birthday. We are having approx. 40-50 people up north at our two cabins for the weekend. We are having a Detroit Tiger Party for Mom on Sat. night, and on Sunday a Pig Roast with all the fixings and a special around a bonfire Tribute to Mom and Dad, devotions, campsongs, stories, skits,and who knows what else, led by Jim, an old friend of ours who plays the guitar and does this kind of thing all the time. If it is really hot, we may have it in the log home in the AC, we will play that by ear. So we are really looking forward to this special gathering. We pray for safe travels for family and friends coming from OK, VA, KY, and all over MI.
Alden and Mary are hiking and camping in Yellowstone, so they will not be able to be at our gathering. I pray they have a fun, safe time and don't get eaten by any bears.
Wedding pictures are here! There are lots of fun shots (please ignore Aaron in his boxers for some =] ). If you go to his website (use the link below) or mironphotography.com, go to clients, wedding, Aaron and Mieke. You can use any email and then our password is "mutschler". This site is just for viewing pictures, he will send the DVD with all the pictures on them so we can upload them onto our computer and print whichever ones we would like. There are a ton of pictures so my advice would be to scroll through using the page numbers at the bottom and click on the ones you would like to see closer.
Wed. Aug. 1 is the official 1 year anniversary of me finding out my diagnosis. I am really happy to still be here and doing so well. I thank all of you again for all the support, prayers, cards, meals and soooo many more forms of caring that I can't even mention them all. I truly hope and pray that I am around for many more years, and I can treat this cancer like a chronic illness instead of a death sentence. How does one celebrate such an anniversary??? Not sure, any suggestions?
I better hit the hay.......
I had a great weekend up north. I felt pretty good. I am in less pain, and no longer needing to take the Vicodin, so happy for that. Doesn't mean I don't have discomfort, but I can bear it. They thing adhesion, or scar tissue causing that. Guess what, the Dr. really thinks it would be good for mean to try and go back to work. It scares me a a bit, but I will try. I need to start "conditioning" again. Will start walking around the block tomorrow.
I had the med that makes me hyper, so that is why I am still up at 12:30am writing this, not feeling at all tired. I will need to take an Ambien again tonight for sleep. Went to the Hope Play tonight, "An Inspector Calls" a British play set in 1912, very thought provoking and enjoyable.
Thanks to my grade school friend Helene, who came and sat with me today, bringing me soup, from "Zoups" and homemade chocolate cookies. We had fun talking and we are looking forward to next week getting together at their new summer cottage in Montague, MI.
Tomorrow is a busy day, I have an appt. with the ostomy nurse at Holland Hospital. I have been having some problems in that area, and thought I should spend some time with her and make sure I am doing everything I can to make this thing not such a PAIN, literally. Then, I need to race over to the dentist office for a teeth cleaning. Can't wait for that, something about chemo makes me very sensitive about my teeth bugging me, if they don't feel clean. Weird I know.
Then at night it is time for LNO, Ladies Night Out with the neighborhood girlfriends at Boatwerks, can't wait. Two more kids weddings in the group, Aug. and Oct., so we need to hear how the plans are going.
Plans have been underway for a while now for a big weekend coming up. We are celebrating my parents 60th wedding anniversary and my Mom's 80th birthday. We are having approx. 40-50 people up north at our two cabins for the weekend. We are having a Detroit Tiger Party for Mom on Sat. night, and on Sunday a Pig Roast with all the fixings and a special around a bonfire Tribute to Mom and Dad, devotions, campsongs, stories, skits,and who knows what else, led by Jim, an old friend of ours who plays the guitar and does this kind of thing all the time. If it is really hot, we may have it in the log home in the AC, we will play that by ear. So we are really looking forward to this special gathering. We pray for safe travels for family and friends coming from OK, VA, KY, and all over MI.
Alden and Mary are hiking and camping in Yellowstone, so they will not be able to be at our gathering. I pray they have a fun, safe time and don't get eaten by any bears.
Wedding pictures are here! There are lots of fun shots (please ignore Aaron in his boxers for some =] ). If you go to his website (use the link below) or mironphotography.com, go to clients, wedding, Aaron and Mieke. You can use any email and then our password is "mutschler". This site is just for viewing pictures, he will send the DVD with all the pictures on them so we can upload them onto our computer and print whichever ones we would like. There are a ton of pictures so my advice would be to scroll through using the page numbers at the bottom and click on the ones you would like to see closer.
Wed. Aug. 1 is the official 1 year anniversary of me finding out my diagnosis. I am really happy to still be here and doing so well. I thank all of you again for all the support, prayers, cards, meals and soooo many more forms of caring that I can't even mention them all. I truly hope and pray that I am around for many more years, and I can treat this cancer like a chronic illness instead of a death sentence. How does one celebrate such an anniversary??? Not sure, any suggestions?
I better hit the hay.......
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Almost a year now.
Stan just posted again some reflections he has of the past year on his blog. Lately I have have had some harder times getting on top of all the things going on. Check out Stan's latest writing. He has not written on this for a couple of months but posted something to reflect on the past year. It is hard to believe it has almost been a year now. I have had a hard time feeling good lately. Wish I could tell you different but that is the way it is.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Chemo Round 2 - #4
I think yesterday is the first chemo day that I didn't get a chance to do a post. Rumy's parents were here for the last night and made us dinner. Alden and Mary came and Mieke was here, so the whole family (except Aaron who was working) were here for supper. After dinner we went out to sit by the pier and enjoy the beautiful evening. Alden then treated us to ice cream at The General Store.
Chemo day was LONG, I was there from 9am-5pm. My platelets had gone up nice with the two week break. I had all my prechemo drugs to help fight off the side effects. The first drug went fine, but shortly after they started the Carboplatin, (which was supposed to only take a 1/2 hr.) I started to have a severe Histamine reaction to it. I got as red as a tomato with hive like patches on my chest and arms and hands. I got real hot and felt a heavyness on my chest. They immediately turned it off, got the Dr. they gave my more IV Benadryl, so another chance for a nap, some more IV Decadron (steroid) and soon I was feeling better. They then restarted it very slowly. This drug has a cumulative effect and it is more common to have this reaction after 7 cycles of it, which I am now on my 9th I think. What they will do in 3 weeks is have me start taking some drugs 2 days before chemo to try and ward off the reaction.
I did finally get the results back from the CT-scan that I had done on 6-29. It shows that I have moderate left pleural effusion with associated left basilar compressive atelectasis. In lay man's terms, it means I have fluid between two layers of my lung and some slight collapse of the lungs which explains why it hurts with I take a deep breath or yawn. I am sure it is still a result of the fluid I had drained from my lungs in the hospital. I do try and take deep breaths all the time to get rid of the fluid. It also show a soft tissue nodule 11x7mm near my small bowel. They don't know if it scar tissue or cancer. There is continued healing of my incision, but no fluid collection to suggest an abscess. So there is really nothing they can do besides chemo to the abdominal pain. I think this last round of antibiotics helped the incision a lot.
Today I feel quite wonderful with the double dose of Decadron. Grandpa and Grandma Hoksbergen treated us to breakfast at DeBoer Bakery. We then did a marathon shopping tour of lots of store and they did some last minute gifts buying for relatives in Bulgaria. Stan is driving them to the airport in Chicago with Rumy. Ross had a Grand Rapids Symphony rehearsal and was not going to be back in time.
We had a wonderful week up at the Homestead. I did have some crazy pains during the week. It was almost like my body saying, you need more chemo. As long as I stayed on the Vicodin I was OK. It was a hot week, but for some reason our house there stays nice and cool inside. The breeze from the water is also nice. My parents were up next door and got lots of projects done. My Dad is feeling good these days and amazed us with his energy. Jackie and Mel came up for a few days too. Jackie make an emergency fun for me on Thursday. I somehow didn't bring enough ileostomy supplies along. I will never do that again!! Thanks again Jackie. One morning we just sat on the deck in our pjs until 1pm watching the humming birds, the regulare birds, the fish jumping in the pond, and watched the thermometer go from 80 to 100 degrees. We were sitting in the shade and it was quite wonderful. In the afternoon, we put on our suits and floated in our blow up rafts with pillows in the pond, Heaven!!
This Thursday we hope to go to the Picnic Pops concert at Cannonsburg. It is all familiar classics and it finishes with fireworks. Ross will be playing with the GRS.
Chemo will be every 3 weeks now, how exciting! I may not have much to report in between time. They did review my CT scan at last Friday's tumor board and they said that I would for sure have two rounds of chemo after my CA-125 is in the normal range. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine! Deb
Chemo day was LONG, I was there from 9am-5pm. My platelets had gone up nice with the two week break. I had all my prechemo drugs to help fight off the side effects. The first drug went fine, but shortly after they started the Carboplatin, (which was supposed to only take a 1/2 hr.) I started to have a severe Histamine reaction to it. I got as red as a tomato with hive like patches on my chest and arms and hands. I got real hot and felt a heavyness on my chest. They immediately turned it off, got the Dr. they gave my more IV Benadryl, so another chance for a nap, some more IV Decadron (steroid) and soon I was feeling better. They then restarted it very slowly. This drug has a cumulative effect and it is more common to have this reaction after 7 cycles of it, which I am now on my 9th I think. What they will do in 3 weeks is have me start taking some drugs 2 days before chemo to try and ward off the reaction.
I did finally get the results back from the CT-scan that I had done on 6-29. It shows that I have moderate left pleural effusion with associated left basilar compressive atelectasis. In lay man's terms, it means I have fluid between two layers of my lung and some slight collapse of the lungs which explains why it hurts with I take a deep breath or yawn. I am sure it is still a result of the fluid I had drained from my lungs in the hospital. I do try and take deep breaths all the time to get rid of the fluid. It also show a soft tissue nodule 11x7mm near my small bowel. They don't know if it scar tissue or cancer. There is continued healing of my incision, but no fluid collection to suggest an abscess. So there is really nothing they can do besides chemo to the abdominal pain. I think this last round of antibiotics helped the incision a lot.
Today I feel quite wonderful with the double dose of Decadron. Grandpa and Grandma Hoksbergen treated us to breakfast at DeBoer Bakery. We then did a marathon shopping tour of lots of store and they did some last minute gifts buying for relatives in Bulgaria. Stan is driving them to the airport in Chicago with Rumy. Ross had a Grand Rapids Symphony rehearsal and was not going to be back in time.
We had a wonderful week up at the Homestead. I did have some crazy pains during the week. It was almost like my body saying, you need more chemo. As long as I stayed on the Vicodin I was OK. It was a hot week, but for some reason our house there stays nice and cool inside. The breeze from the water is also nice. My parents were up next door and got lots of projects done. My Dad is feeling good these days and amazed us with his energy. Jackie and Mel came up for a few days too. Jackie make an emergency fun for me on Thursday. I somehow didn't bring enough ileostomy supplies along. I will never do that again!! Thanks again Jackie. One morning we just sat on the deck in our pjs until 1pm watching the humming birds, the regulare birds, the fish jumping in the pond, and watched the thermometer go from 80 to 100 degrees. We were sitting in the shade and it was quite wonderful. In the afternoon, we put on our suits and floated in our blow up rafts with pillows in the pond, Heaven!!
This Thursday we hope to go to the Picnic Pops concert at Cannonsburg. It is all familiar classics and it finishes with fireworks. Ross will be playing with the GRS.
Chemo will be every 3 weeks now, how exciting! I may not have much to report in between time. They did review my CT scan at last Friday's tumor board and they said that I would for sure have two rounds of chemo after my CA-125 is in the normal range. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine! Deb
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