...and we are all together

I hope everyone enjoyed the true Spring weather yesterday - I'm seeing buds and flowers popping up everywhere, which is making me really happy!

Dad was discharged Sunday and is home safe and sound. He spent 5 nights at St. Clare's for his "tune up." He ended up getting a blood and platelet transfusion (oil change), because his counts were very low - which explains the low energy level, and he had a bladder infection - which explains the fever.

We decided that while he was there he should have an IV port inserted (keyless entry?). This will avoid the game of hide and seek between nurses' and veins - now they can simply plug him in for chemo (service). The port was a surgical procedure done on Friday, Matt and Mom were there with him while Kellie and I relied on text message updates at work. What's really cool is, Kellie and I both got a "nervous heart" feeling at the same time - we were emailing each other and both sent a text to Mom and Matt. Come to find out that the feeling we got in our heart must have been the same feeling Mom and Matt got and at the same time, because it was when the doctor came out of surgery to tell us Dad did well. "I am his, you are his, we are here, and we are all together..." feeling very lucky to be a part of such a close, wonderful and loving family... coo-coo-ca-choo (Beatles reference for anyone wondering)

The best part - we have our Dad back! He's back to telling us stories, cracking jokes his smile is back - which lights up our hearts.

Thank you all for your love and support, once again.

Keri

(peaceofkeri@gmail.com)

High-Fives for Dad

We met with Dad’s doctor yesterday and after viewing his chest x-ray, he showed a possible infection (aka pneumonia). The doctors decided to keep him in for a few more days and watch for possible signs of pneumonia. Dad said last night something “clicked” and he felt better again. He had a good day yesterday but a better night. This morning he had physical therapy today and did very well. The doctors have started him on a little physical therapy to get him moving around easier. Tomorrow they plan to do some stairs with him. His blood counts were low when he was first admitted but today have shown improvement. He will begin taking Aranesp which is used to treat anemia to keep his blood counts high. The doctors expect him to stay in St. Clare’s until Saturday just to be sure everything is improving.

A Tune Up

Hi All,

Dad spiked a fever today (between 100.2 and 100.6) and has been feeling "listless" for a few days. He also coughed up some blood earlier, which we are concerned about. We went to our weekly visit with Dr. Roa, and she decided to admit Dad for 1-2 days to run some tests and keep an eye on him.

He's at St. Clare's for his "tune up". He received fluids for hydratation, had a chest xray to rule out pnemonia and urinalysis to check for infection.

We don't have any answers tonight, but thought you all should know. I won't send out a mass message with updates, but I will be updating as we get results.

Deep breathe....

Keri

(peaceofkeri@gmail.com)