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Good Morning.
Yes, it is 1:45 AM. I am just getting home from getting my hair done! My sweet girlfriend Kristin is an amazing hair designer and she works at Salon Sauvage. She stayed super late and she worked around my schedule and I am so thankful. I love my hair and I always love spending time with her! Thank you Kristin!! XOXOXO
I want to talk about Dr. Barth for a minute.
As most of you know Dr. Barth has not always been the easiest person for both Gary and I to communicate with. If you think about the relationship and how we met it is most certainly not under the best of circumstances. Both sides kinda stink. Gary has cancer and Dr. Barth only has patients who have cancer day in and day out - every single day. Gary is suffering and our family is struggling with this cancer and Dr. Barth has the challenge of trying to find things that will work to bring Gary out of his suffering. He is also Chief Of Staff at Hoag and manages patients at 2 different offices each day. We both have so much on our plates.
I respect him a great deal. He is absolutely brilliant and God has given him a great gift. But his intelligence and ability to manage his life is not the greatest gift he has given us. Recently, he has given us the gift of open communication and that means the world to us. He manages to find a way to communicate with us so that we can understand where we are at and what we are looking for. The boys think he is the greatest because he takes such good care of their dad.
Dr. Barth has opened up to us and it has made such an impact and difference in our lives. It would be hard to articulate to all of you how incredible it is. I hope and pray the lines stay open and we continue with this great relationship. He makes Gary's cancer easier to cope with each day.
So, I thank Dr. Barth for caring enough about Gary to do everything in his power to try to heal him. When he comes into our room at Hoag smiling and laughing and talking about creepy crawly maggots and the like we just love that! Gary needs some sensitivity and softness and Dr. Barth has given that to him.
I can't imagine dealing with all that he deals with on a day to day basis. Gary is just one of hundreds of patients. I pray for Dr. Barth every night that his load is not too heavy to bear and that if it seems to be that he will give some of it to God so that He can help him during those times. I hope that you can pray for him for that very thing as well.
We all know that ultimately that saving Gary's life is not in Dr. Barth's hands. Gary's fate has already been determined by the Lord and we wait patiently to see how our story will unfold. We hope and pray that God does not need Gary in the heavens but that he has lots more work to do here on earth.
Tomorrow at 9 AM Gary will begin bio debreedment therapy (a nice way of telling you that they are going to fill his wound with maggots)!
I will keep you all updated. BTW - Gary's white count CATAPULTED from 900 to 6000 overnight! He is so incredibly strong and such a warrior!
Have a great Thursday and please remember to pray for Dr. Barth. Pray for all of the people who struggle with cancer day in and day out. They are all so brave and they deserve our respect and they need our prayers!
Love to all,
Lisa
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Maggots and other fun stuff
Well, Gary has had a couple of better days. He seems to be in a little less pain. The scare with his liver and gall bladder turned out to be complications with the TPN (IV feeding system) thank God. Today is the first day with no fever. They are going to feed him through a tube to supplement what he is eating on his own until he can consume more calories.
His wound is not healing as well as the wound docs would like so they have given us a new proposal. They want to use sterilized maggots to heal his abdominal wound. There are only 3 places in the world that breed the maggots and Dr. Sherman at UCI is the pioneer and that is where we would get them from.
Everyone is on board but Gary. The maggots would be in his wound for 2 days. They would clean out all of the necrotic tissue and give Gary a jump start on his healing.
The thought of the little disgusting things crawling around in Gary's wound gives him the heebee jeebies!
Most of us know that they have been using maggots for thousands of years for many medical purposes.
Last week I had an infestation of maggots in my trash can and the mere sight of them grosses me out. How ironic we are broaching this subject! Let's pray that if the maggot route is the way to go that Gary makes that decision and we move forward with that.
Gary is eating more and talking more and walking more. He can walk with the walker to the door and back with help and that is great for him right now!
So, we will hold on to these past couple of days and pray for more good days for Gary. When his pain does not control his life it makes a HUGE difference!
I am going to spend some time with the boys and take them to Disneyland with Jeff and Joyce (Aunt & Uncle). I am sure they will have a blast!
Kelli and Ed - There are no words to thank you for your kindness! You are both amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Everyone else - The doctors and nurses at Hoag are continually overwhelmed by all of your cards and the stories we tell everyone! We constantly are amazed by all of your support and love and rest assured you have not only blessed our family but you bless everyone we share your acts of kindness with! There have been many tears shed at Hoag when we share our story with everyone! Thank you all so much again and again and again..........over and over and over!
I need to get the boys.
Love to you all,
L
His wound is not healing as well as the wound docs would like so they have given us a new proposal. They want to use sterilized maggots to heal his abdominal wound. There are only 3 places in the world that breed the maggots and Dr. Sherman at UCI is the pioneer and that is where we would get them from.
Everyone is on board but Gary. The maggots would be in his wound for 2 days. They would clean out all of the necrotic tissue and give Gary a jump start on his healing.
The thought of the little disgusting things crawling around in Gary's wound gives him the heebee jeebies!
Most of us know that they have been using maggots for thousands of years for many medical purposes.
Last week I had an infestation of maggots in my trash can and the mere sight of them grosses me out. How ironic we are broaching this subject! Let's pray that if the maggot route is the way to go that Gary makes that decision and we move forward with that.
Gary is eating more and talking more and walking more. He can walk with the walker to the door and back with help and that is great for him right now!
So, we will hold on to these past couple of days and pray for more good days for Gary. When his pain does not control his life it makes a HUGE difference!
I am going to spend some time with the boys and take them to Disneyland with Jeff and Joyce (Aunt & Uncle). I am sure they will have a blast!
Kelli and Ed - There are no words to thank you for your kindness! You are both amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Everyone else - The doctors and nurses at Hoag are continually overwhelmed by all of your cards and the stories we tell everyone! We constantly are amazed by all of your support and love and rest assured you have not only blessed our family but you bless everyone we share your acts of kindness with! There have been many tears shed at Hoag when we share our story with everyone! Thank you all so much again and again and again..........over and over and over!
I need to get the boys.
Love to you all,
L
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Mixed Bag
Jax can arm fart like nobodys business! It is sooooooooo incredibly loud that one wonders how such a little guy could do that! He is doing it now as I write! Under the arm, under the knee, hands on the mouth, etc..... So talented our son is!
Migraines suck. I have had one off and on for 2 days now! It is hard to function at full speed when this nagging headache is exhausting me. I guess I will take 4 Advil and have a Margarita while I enjoy the company of our Home Group! What a great Home Group we have! They got dinner together tonight and everyone brought food and made it all happen! Gary and I just love all of you!
So much has happened and I have had very little time to report back to all of you.
Gary had his pelvic region aspirated (long needle inserted into his pelvis) to see if there was a pool of infection. Results are pending and yes it was painful. Gary has had 100 to 103 degree fevers consistently over the past week and the docs have still not agreed as to what might be causing them. He will have a Hydrascan on his gall bladder this week and he starts radiation tomorrow.
After watching Gary lay in bed most days and looking at the ceiling with tears rolling down his cheeks I felt in my heart that we needed to really have a heart to heart. He has endured incredible bouts of pain and suffering and I know it is taking a toll on him both physically and mentally. I love him so much and I was hoping I could help him. We had a long talk the other day and I told him that he only had 3 things he needed to work on. The doctors and everyone else around him will work on all the other stuff but these three things are things ONLY Gary can do.......Talk, walk and eat. I had to challenge him because he has not been doing any of those things. These things are so important if Gary is going to get better and come home. I want him to realize that he still has control over these things.
So far, Gary has stepped up for the challenge. He has been talking and eating and even doing a little bit of walking. Although today Dr. Barth told Gary that he was not allowed to get out of bed and this is why.
Gary's white cell count has dropped dramatically. The normal person is between 4300 and 11800 and Gary is at 100! So, I have something to ask of you.
IF YOU HAVE FELT UNDER THE WEATHER OR YOU HAVE KIDS THAT ARE UNDER THE WEATHER PLEASE DO NOT COME AND SEE GARY. THEY WILL NOT LET YOU IN HIS ROOM BECAUSE HE IS EXTREMELY SUSEPTIBLE TO GETTING SICK. IF YOU COME PLEASE DO NOT BRING FLOWERS OR FRESH FRUIT/VEGES. HE LOVES TO SEE ALL OF YOU and I promise to let all of you know when this restriction has been lifted.
Also, WE NEED MORE BLOOD. O+ or O- is perfect! Gary has been getting 2 units per day right now while he is in treatment and every little bit helps. You can call Hoag @ 764-5621 and make an appt. and tell them you are giving blood specifically for Gary Sallee. Thank you in advance for helping. So many of you have already helped and Gary and I both appreciate it so very much!
I just got the kids in bed and their lunches made and their stuff ready for tomorrow and I will now head up to the hospital!
FYI - Both Nate and Zach had great baseball games today and Nate pitched for the first time and did a great job!
Jax was a trooper hanging out in the 90 degree heat while his brothers played! He had a buy this week and does not play until next week.
Please pray for Gary. Pray that he continues to eat and talk - two simple things that will help him tremendously!
Pray that the treatment is not too brutal on him this week.
Good Night and All our love,
L & G
Migraines suck. I have had one off and on for 2 days now! It is hard to function at full speed when this nagging headache is exhausting me. I guess I will take 4 Advil and have a Margarita while I enjoy the company of our Home Group! What a great Home Group we have! They got dinner together tonight and everyone brought food and made it all happen! Gary and I just love all of you!
So much has happened and I have had very little time to report back to all of you.
Gary had his pelvic region aspirated (long needle inserted into his pelvis) to see if there was a pool of infection. Results are pending and yes it was painful. Gary has had 100 to 103 degree fevers consistently over the past week and the docs have still not agreed as to what might be causing them. He will have a Hydrascan on his gall bladder this week and he starts radiation tomorrow.
After watching Gary lay in bed most days and looking at the ceiling with tears rolling down his cheeks I felt in my heart that we needed to really have a heart to heart. He has endured incredible bouts of pain and suffering and I know it is taking a toll on him both physically and mentally. I love him so much and I was hoping I could help him. We had a long talk the other day and I told him that he only had 3 things he needed to work on. The doctors and everyone else around him will work on all the other stuff but these three things are things ONLY Gary can do.......Talk, walk and eat. I had to challenge him because he has not been doing any of those things. These things are so important if Gary is going to get better and come home. I want him to realize that he still has control over these things.
So far, Gary has stepped up for the challenge. He has been talking and eating and even doing a little bit of walking. Although today Dr. Barth told Gary that he was not allowed to get out of bed and this is why.
Gary's white cell count has dropped dramatically. The normal person is between 4300 and 11800 and Gary is at 100! So, I have something to ask of you.
IF YOU HAVE FELT UNDER THE WEATHER OR YOU HAVE KIDS THAT ARE UNDER THE WEATHER PLEASE DO NOT COME AND SEE GARY. THEY WILL NOT LET YOU IN HIS ROOM BECAUSE HE IS EXTREMELY SUSEPTIBLE TO GETTING SICK. IF YOU COME PLEASE DO NOT BRING FLOWERS OR FRESH FRUIT/VEGES. HE LOVES TO SEE ALL OF YOU and I promise to let all of you know when this restriction has been lifted.
Also, WE NEED MORE BLOOD. O+ or O- is perfect! Gary has been getting 2 units per day right now while he is in treatment and every little bit helps. You can call Hoag @ 764-5621 and make an appt. and tell them you are giving blood specifically for Gary Sallee. Thank you in advance for helping. So many of you have already helped and Gary and I both appreciate it so very much!
I just got the kids in bed and their lunches made and their stuff ready for tomorrow and I will now head up to the hospital!
FYI - Both Nate and Zach had great baseball games today and Nate pitched for the first time and did a great job!
Jax was a trooper hanging out in the 90 degree heat while his brothers played! He had a buy this week and does not play until next week.
Please pray for Gary. Pray that he continues to eat and talk - two simple things that will help him tremendously!
Pray that the treatment is not too brutal on him this week.
Good Night and All our love,
L & G
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Baseball
Hi. I just spent 50 minutes feverishly trying on baseball cleats with Jax at Sport Chalet. Thank goodness I had them try their shoes on about 2 hours prior to practice.
Jax's feet have grown 1 1/2 sizes from spring ball. Of course none of the reasonably priced shoes fit him. We tried on every single cleat. I started with the cheapest and we worked our way up and up and up. Anyone who knows me well will not believe that I actually forked out $48.00 for his cleats! Oh my word! I was sick to my stomach. I am ALL ABOUT the deal and due to time constraints and last minute ill preparations on my part I was forced into purchasing la creme de la creme of cleats. Those had better last through spring ball!
Gary's tests all came back showing nothing. He went for some tests on his gall bladder and we will wait for the results tonight. I am on my way up to see him shortly.
I will keep you posted!
Love to all,
L
Jax's feet have grown 1 1/2 sizes from spring ball. Of course none of the reasonably priced shoes fit him. We tried on every single cleat. I started with the cheapest and we worked our way up and up and up. Anyone who knows me well will not believe that I actually forked out $48.00 for his cleats! Oh my word! I was sick to my stomach. I am ALL ABOUT the deal and due to time constraints and last minute ill preparations on my part I was forced into purchasing la creme de la creme of cleats. Those had better last through spring ball!
Gary's tests all came back showing nothing. He went for some tests on his gall bladder and we will wait for the results tonight. I am on my way up to see him shortly.
I will keep you posted!
Love to all,
L
I was gone yesterday from Noon to about 8 PM. I had to get some stuff done and run the boys around. It was the longest I have been away from Gary but he did have some friends visit throughout the day so that made me feel a little better.
Well, Zach and I get to the hospital and everything seemed great. Gary was talking to Rob and he was sitting up and alert. I was thinking that this was going to be a great night.
Dr. Barth came in about 8:45 and we had another great meeting. Dr. Barth has been seriously amazing and has been so loving towards Gary and he had a great conversation with Zach last night. Zach just loved him and Dr. Barth BLEW Zach's head up by telling him how good-looking he was and what a Stud he was! What a great self-esteem boost for Zach!
Well, during our conversation with Dr. Barth I found out for the first time that Gary had a 103 degree fever and no doctors were notified. I also found out as Rob and I were talking with Gary that he fell yesterday while trying to get back into bed from his chair.
Then, Dr. Phan came in and got nervous that Gary has had these fevers and he ordered an emergency CT Scan. So, the calm evening turned into a busy night and I have yet to sleep. At least Zach slept and did not hear much of the commotion.
The chest xrays were done at 11 PM and the CT was done at 2:15 this morning. Gary got back to the room around 4 PM and then they poked him and cleared his drains and messed with him for about an hour. He finally went to sleep around 5 AM.
I am eagerly awaiting the test results from the scans and xrays. I am on my way back to the hospital right now and will return home to get the kids from school and take Jax for some shots with Dr. Sears.
I will let you know how things unfold as I find out. Pray that they do not find anything earth shattering!
Love, L
Well, Zach and I get to the hospital and everything seemed great. Gary was talking to Rob and he was sitting up and alert. I was thinking that this was going to be a great night.
Dr. Barth came in about 8:45 and we had another great meeting. Dr. Barth has been seriously amazing and has been so loving towards Gary and he had a great conversation with Zach last night. Zach just loved him and Dr. Barth BLEW Zach's head up by telling him how good-looking he was and what a Stud he was! What a great self-esteem boost for Zach!
Well, during our conversation with Dr. Barth I found out for the first time that Gary had a 103 degree fever and no doctors were notified. I also found out as Rob and I were talking with Gary that he fell yesterday while trying to get back into bed from his chair.
Then, Dr. Phan came in and got nervous that Gary has had these fevers and he ordered an emergency CT Scan. So, the calm evening turned into a busy night and I have yet to sleep. At least Zach slept and did not hear much of the commotion.
The chest xrays were done at 11 PM and the CT was done at 2:15 this morning. Gary got back to the room around 4 PM and then they poked him and cleared his drains and messed with him for about an hour. He finally went to sleep around 5 AM.
I am eagerly awaiting the test results from the scans and xrays. I am on my way back to the hospital right now and will return home to get the kids from school and take Jax for some shots with Dr. Sears.
I will let you know how things unfold as I find out. Pray that they do not find anything earth shattering!
Love, L
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thoughts
I just want all of you to know how incredibly blessed our family is.
I know I say it lots but I mean it more than you could ever know.
I am overwhelmed by the kindness and love that is shown to not only me but to Gary and to our 3 boys.
You are all so thoughful and amazing and so many other adjectives!
We literally could not be functioning without everything you all do for us!
Thank you millions and billions and zillions!
Love to all,
L
BTW - Gary is having an OKAY day today.
I know I say it lots but I mean it more than you could ever know.
I am overwhelmed by the kindness and love that is shown to not only me but to Gary and to our 3 boys.
You are all so thoughful and amazing and so many other adjectives!
We literally could not be functioning without everything you all do for us!
Thank you millions and billions and zillions!
Love to all,
L
BTW - Gary is having an OKAY day today.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
In The Thick of Chemo
Chemo symptoms are in full swing. Gary has had rapid heartbeat, fevers, chills, aches and he looks like he has spent a few days at the river with no sunscreen. The sunburn effect probably will not last.
Gary is hanging in there. Every day is a new day for both of us. Each day presents new challenges and every day is is a learning experience.
With that being said, I must go! Roto Rooter just left and my sink issues are no longer! Friends fixed the 2 toilets that were broken and we are in business now! The only thing left to do is to get the ice maker fixed.
The boys were nervous on their first day of school. I hope they have a great day and make lots of new friends.
Off to run errands and see Gary.
Love to all,
L
Gary is hanging in there. Every day is a new day for both of us. Each day presents new challenges and every day is is a learning experience.
With that being said, I must go! Roto Rooter just left and my sink issues are no longer! Friends fixed the 2 toilets that were broken and we are in business now! The only thing left to do is to get the ice maker fixed.
The boys were nervous on their first day of school. I hope they have a great day and make lots of new friends.
Off to run errands and see Gary.
Love to all,
L
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