Doing Well

Dad is still home and doing well! He went to the doctor on Thursday and had his staples removed. The Doctor said that everything looks great and told Dad to get his strength back he needs to drink some protein drinks. But the Dr. said he shouldn't have to see him until December for another check up so that is great news! Go Dad! They also set up an appointment with the oncologist in a couple of weeks and hope to start on the next phase soon. Keep him in your prayers, and thanks for all you do.

He's Home!

Dad in the waiting area with Mom, Mike, Ann, Logan and Abby.

Dad with Mike and his kids, Logan and Abby.

Well, it has finally happened, Dad is home! Everyone is so happy that he is home, but no one is as happy as he and Mom are. It was a long 11 days while he was in the hospital. There were lots of ups and downs, but he is now home and there is no looking back. Dad is doing well this morning. I talked to him on the phone and he was able to get a good nights rest last night. This is the first in a very long time. I haven't talked to Mom yet, but I'm sure she rested easier knowing that Dad was home and doing better.

Dad also went to work for an hour today to check in and see how things were going. It's great to see him up and about. Dad is eating better and things seem to be functioning as they are supposed to, but the doctor still wants to see him on Thursday. This is just a check-up, but the doctor is cautious because of the fevers that Dad has been having. Dad is really improving. He is eating more regularly, still not as much as he has eaten in the past, but he's slowly working up an appetite again. He also seemed in good spirits which is also a good sign.

We'll keep you posted on any changes, but for now we are just keeping an eye on him and hoping for no more fevers.

On The Up-Swing

Well, it's been a few days since I last posted, sorry about that. As far as news, the last few days, there hasn't been much new happening. Yesterday, Friday, I went in to be with Mom and Dad. Mom and I got out and about. A little change of scenery was needed on Mom's part. I'm sure Dad would like a little change of scenery too, and that is what we're hoping for today. Yesterday, Dad ate both breakfast and lunch. He said he was feeling better than he had in a month! When Mom and I got to the hospital we stepped out of the elevator and there he was sitting in the waiting room reading. He looks great! We sat and talked in the waiting room for a while and then went on a walk. Soon after his walk, Dad started shivering. This wasn't a good sign. It lasted for about 45 minutes. We covered him with warm blankets and it didn't seem to help. Finally we got a nurse to check his temperature. It was up to 103. Dad and Mom's hopes at coming home today were shot. Dad's appetite to eat was gone and morale was low. The nurse called the doctor and they did some cultures on Dad to see what could be wrong. Dad seemed to have a simple infection. They hooked him up to an antibiotic and we let him get some rest. We came back about 8:30 and his fever was down to about 100! He was looking and feeling much better and....our hopes were restored at his coming home! We're hoping that his digestive track is back online this morning and his appetite is back. The doctor won't send him home until he is functioning properly and eating regularly. We are just praying it is very soon. Both Dad and Mom are tired of being at the hospital, and I don't blame them one bit. After ten days, I'd be going crazy!

I know both he and Mom will feel better once he is home and things will get pretty much back to normal. Other than the infection, Dad really is doing great. I couldn't believe the difference a week has made. The way our bodies can heal themselves just amazes me. Once again, thanks for the prayers. We're just hoping he can come home very soon.

A look ahead

Well, it turns out major surgery and not eating for several days straight does have its downside. Dad's system isn't processing food efficiently yet, so the doctors have decided to keep him in the hospital where he can continue to get the right care and nourishment until it does. This is ok, even though Mom, Dad and the rest of the family would love to see him home.

Mom and Dad met with the oncologist a couple of times Tuesday. He has given them hope for possible remission. Once Dad is fully recovered from the surgery, he will begin regular chemotherapy treatments every-other-day with a week's break in between treatment regimens. Mom and Dad will learn more about what that will entail and what to expect over the coming days and weeks, but they are planning to fight the disease with the tools available. The oncologist shared the story of a patient he's been treating with a very similar situation to Dad's who is now eight years beyond diagnosis. This is great news to hear.

As always, thank you for your prayers and continued support.The notes in the mail, comments on the blog, the anonymous gifts of food, and all the other thoughtful gestures have been overwhelming. We appreciate the blessings we are already seeing and look forward to many more small miracles. Know that we share all your comments and well wishes with Dad, so please keep them coming.

Coming Home!

Well, we have some good news! Mom called this morning from the hospital, and told me Dad is probably coming home tomorrow. We are thrilled! He was also able to eat breakfast this morning. I believe this is the first time he has had real food since last Tuesday. Being able to eat is a huge step, because it means his body is healing and functioning properly. He is also off of the oxygen and will probably be taken off the IV later today. He and Mom are also meeting with the Oncologist sometime today, and we will let you know how that goes.

We know his improving so quickly is due to his positive attitude and hard work, but we also know that your fasting and prayers have played a huge part in all of this. Thank you all for thinking of us and for your kind thoughts and prayers. I know I am not just speaking for myself when I say that I have felt peace and comfort this past week, we have all felt your prayers on our behalf.

Throwing away the training wheels

Dad took a big step today...literally. He took his regular laps around the 4th floor, but today it was without the walker. Even though the walker he's been sporting was a black, 4x4 model, Dad gave it up for walking on his own. Even though the nursing staff will likely insist he continues to use the walker, just in case, this represents another step on the path back from surgery, which continues to go well.

They have discontinued monitoring his oxygen level, which represents progress on the respiratory front, and he hasn't had pain medication for two days. Other positive signs continue to indicate Dad's well on his way to recovery from the surgery.

We continue to appreciate the comments people are leaving on the blog, getting to us by phone and through visits. Thank you all so much for your love and support. It truly makes all the difference.

Optimism: The Best Medicine

We had to share a Dad-ism with you from our visit with him today. In typical positive form Dad said, "I'm going to welcome each visitor with a smile on my face. I don't want anyone to come here worrying that they need to cheer me up." Probably this type of outlook on life that has endeared so many to him.

Feeling Good

Dad and a few grandkids at Lagoon (summer 2007)

It has now been two days since the surgery and so far Dad is, according to the nurses, "doing amazingly well." We are proud of him and his accomplishments. One nurse told us that most patients who have gone through a particularly rough surgery are not up and about for days. But, he was up and walking less than 12 hours after his surgery, took several laps around his ward yesterday and today walked to the waiting area near his room, around the set of elevators and back to his room. Quite the marathon for him and he wasn't even breathing heavy when he finished.

He had quite a few visitors today, mostly family. (Thank you all) So he will probably sleep well tonight, at least as well as anyone can in a hospital. He doesn't go too long without a nurse coming in and checking on him, or some machine beeping, but we are grateful for the good nurses who have been caring for him and their hard work.

There really isn't much new to report other than he is healing well and he is very optimistic (like Dad can be anything else :) ). We are all grateful for the prayers on his and our behalf as well as the beautiful flowers, food and well wishes sent our way. Thank you so much. We also appreciate the comments made on this blog. We read each of them to Dad and your thoughts mean a lot to all of us.

Taking laps

Recovery is going well. In fact, Dad has taken several laps around his floor of the hospital today. This is a good sign. The nurses also told us the incision looks great and is healing well already. Good news is great to hear, and we know there's more to come. We continue to appreciate the love and support we feel flowing our way. Thank you.

Recovery from surgery

After a rough few hours immediately following the surgery, Dad is doing much better this morning. In fact, Ryan (second oldest son) is with him and describes him as looking and sounding 100% better. That is great news. The nurses are planning to have him up and walking a bit this morning, which is most encouraging.

The rest of the family is working to cover the bases and stay rested. We really appreciate all the calls and well wishes we've received.

Some unfortunate news...

As many of you likely know by now, we got some unfortunate news this week about Dad. After not feeling well for several weeks, Dad's been diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors performed surgery Thursday evening in hopes of getting a handle on things, but it didn't turn out quite that way. The surgeon found more progressed and widespread tumors than we had hoped.

Even with this news, we know there's a bigger plan and that things are going to work out as they are supposed to. We have faith that Heavenly Father is in charge and that He will see us all through this tough time. We really appreciate all the concern and well wishes that have already been expressed. We hope you'll keep in touch through this blog, which may be the easiest way to keep everyone updated in the days and weeks ahead.