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Good Evening. While I am watching Dancing With The Stars I wanted to write to you to give you an update on my man. Gary is hanging in there. He has had an emotionally difficult few days as anyone would and should in his position. Cancer is so ugly on so many levels.
Gary had chemo today and we suspect that the reason that he feels so sick right now is because he is detoxing from the methadone and the lyrica. He takes both of these drugs 3X a day and he is now down to 2X a day. His body hurts and on top of the DT's he is now starting to feel the effects of the chemo with a touch of nausea. With all that being said he is not having anymore speech problems! YEAH!!!
We will go back to Dr. Barth's tomorrow for hydration and probably every day this week for blood counts and hydration. Gary will have his BIG scans at the end of this week and we will know whether or not the treatment in working.
The boys are loving baseball and I do have a funny Jax story...........
Jax is sitting on the couch the other day and lets out a HUGE MAN SIZE belch! He says, "Excuse me. I just finished my beer!" What the heck? He had a rootbeer can and was covering the root so that only the beer was showing. This is the price we are paying now for having 2 children prior to giving birth to him!
Nate's story was picked for Imagination Machine and that is tomorrow morning. We will do that before heading up to the docs office. Jana is one of Gary's nurses and she takes extra special care of Gary! We are so lucky to have her.
PRAYER:
1. Gary's red cells hold and he will not need a transfusion
2. Pray for Gary's mental well-being. Pray that he can focus on getting better and not thinking of all of the "what ifs".
I hope all of you have a wonderful evening. Smile and live in the present!
Love to everyone,
L
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
SATURDAY
Gary is home! He came home on Thursday surprisingly and is resting comfortably now. He went to Nate's game on Thursday and I think he did too much too soon. He is extremely tired.
Dr. Barth actually took gary off of some of his medications (pain). We think his pain meds are responsible for causing his speech issues. Yesterday was his first day with one dose of each med taken out of his regimen and he did really well.
His numbers are up and holding so he will have chemo most likely on Monday.
He is on blood thinners and I have to give him a shot at 9 AM and 9 PM in his stomach every night for about 4 days. Hopefully once he is re-evaluated on Monday we can stop the shots.
I have to get ready but have a few prayer requests for you.
1. Gary is due to have his BIG scans next week to see how the cancer is doing. We want this cancer to be shrinking significantly and so this is what we are asking you to be prayer specific about this week.
2. Pray that we can get Gary off of most of the narcotic pain meds. The speech issue is very frustrating to Gary and he doesn't need anything else to be frustrating him at this point.
3. Pray that our kids remain stable and able to cope with this. Pray that they do not become angry.
So sorry it took me so long to update. The past few days have been a little crazy!
Love to all,
L
Dr. Barth actually took gary off of some of his medications (pain). We think his pain meds are responsible for causing his speech issues. Yesterday was his first day with one dose of each med taken out of his regimen and he did really well.
His numbers are up and holding so he will have chemo most likely on Monday.
He is on blood thinners and I have to give him a shot at 9 AM and 9 PM in his stomach every night for about 4 days. Hopefully once he is re-evaluated on Monday we can stop the shots.
I have to get ready but have a few prayer requests for you.
1. Gary is due to have his BIG scans next week to see how the cancer is doing. We want this cancer to be shrinking significantly and so this is what we are asking you to be prayer specific about this week.
2. Pray that we can get Gary off of most of the narcotic pain meds. The speech issue is very frustrating to Gary and he doesn't need anything else to be frustrating him at this point.
3. Pray that our kids remain stable and able to cope with this. Pray that they do not become angry.
So sorry it took me so long to update. The past few days have been a little crazy!
Love to all,
L
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Hi everyone. I am at Hoag and just getting ready to go up and bring Gary has apple fritter. I wanted to give you a quick update.
Gary had the filter put in yesterday. Piece of cake for Gary! He came out and up to his room and consumed a Famous Star, onion rings and a root beer! He was awake for the procedure and watched as they put the filter in place and opened it up! He said it was pretty cool.
The doctors are trying to get his clotting levels acceptable so that they can release Gary. If all goes as planned then he will come home tomorrow early afternoon. Sigh of relief......
I was able to get out and go to Taco Tuesday last night. I find myself having trouble having normal conversations with people. My whole life it seems revolves around cancer and treatment and hospital stays and medication. To actually be with people and talk about random things was so foreign. I don't know what I am trying to say but maybe it is that I am socially challenged. I will try harder to be normal everyone. I promise!
The boys are doing so well and Nate's story was picked to be a part of the Imagination Machine! Only a handful of stories out of 100's are chosen and the actors will be performing Nate's story on April 1st! We are so proud of him and really excited! Zach had a glowing report from his teacher and we are so proud of him as well. We have not met with Lori to discuss Jax but I know how awesome he is too. It is such a blessing to know that as of now our kids seem to be adjusted and weathering the storm. God has protected our kids hearts and minds and for that I am so very grateful.
Gotta go.
Have the best day of your life! God wants you to do that!
Love, L
Gary had the filter put in yesterday. Piece of cake for Gary! He came out and up to his room and consumed a Famous Star, onion rings and a root beer! He was awake for the procedure and watched as they put the filter in place and opened it up! He said it was pretty cool.
The doctors are trying to get his clotting levels acceptable so that they can release Gary. If all goes as planned then he will come home tomorrow early afternoon. Sigh of relief......
I was able to get out and go to Taco Tuesday last night. I find myself having trouble having normal conversations with people. My whole life it seems revolves around cancer and treatment and hospital stays and medication. To actually be with people and talk about random things was so foreign. I don't know what I am trying to say but maybe it is that I am socially challenged. I will try harder to be normal everyone. I promise!
The boys are doing so well and Nate's story was picked to be a part of the Imagination Machine! Only a handful of stories out of 100's are chosen and the actors will be performing Nate's story on April 1st! We are so proud of him and really excited! Zach had a glowing report from his teacher and we are so proud of him as well. We have not met with Lori to discuss Jax but I know how awesome he is too. It is such a blessing to know that as of now our kids seem to be adjusted and weathering the storm. God has protected our kids hearts and minds and for that I am so very grateful.
Gotta go.
Have the best day of your life! God wants you to do that!
Love, L
Monday, March 24, 2008
VENA CAVA FILTER
Gary is having this procedure done either tomorrow or Wednesday. The following description will help you to understand what he is having done. Dr. Barth believes that Gary would have to take too high of a dose of blood thinners and he would be at risk for excessive bleeding as a result. The filter will aid in Gary being able to take a much lower dose of cumadin(blood thinners).
What is a vena cava filter?
A vena cava filter is a small, metal device about an inch long, shaped rather like the spokes of an umbrella. The filter is placed in the vena cava, which is the large vein in the abdomen which brings blood back from the legs and pelvis, towards the heart. If there are blood clots in the veins in the legs or pelvis, these could pass up the vena cava and into the lungs. The filter will trap these blood clots and prevent them entering the lungs and causing problems.
Why does Gary need a vena cava filter?
Other tests that we have had done have shown that Gary has a clot in the vein in his leg and that the 2 he has now have passed upwards into the lungs and are causing significant problems. Generally, these problems can be treated effectively with blood thinning drugs, called anti-coagulants, but in Gary's case it is felt that a further method of dealing with the blood clots is required.
So - another day - another adventure in medicine! Gary is on the 7th floor in his own room - thank God! He has a beautiful ocean view. He will hopefully be home by the end of the week. His blood infection is under control. The clots he has in his lungs are being carefully monitored. The clot in his leg is being monitored as well. The heparin is used to help to prevent further clots. It does not dissolve the current clots. The body will break these clots down and absorb them in time.
We are so lucky that we turned around and went back to Hoag on Saturday! Pulmonary Embolisms can be fatal and many times are if not caught in time! God is always watching out for us!
Gary and I have been spending a lot of time watching Arrested Development. It is such a funny show and P&C brought the DVDs to us because the show was cancelled after 3 seasons. I can't figure out why yet because it is so funny!
I have to go now and do laundry.
PRAYER SPECIFICS:
1. Be with the radiologist who does the procedure. Pray that once inserted that the device does what it is suppose to do and protects Gary from further clots and PE (pulmonary embolisms).
2. Pray that Gary's counts climb and stay stable so that he can go through chemo next Monday.
3. Pray for patience for Gary. This time being in the hospital is a little different. He is totally coherent and not in pain. He is in NO MOOD to be in the hospital - especially since he feels fine.
4. Pray that the cancer is going BYE BYE!!!!
Our love to you all,
L
What is a vena cava filter?
A vena cava filter is a small, metal device about an inch long, shaped rather like the spokes of an umbrella. The filter is placed in the vena cava, which is the large vein in the abdomen which brings blood back from the legs and pelvis, towards the heart. If there are blood clots in the veins in the legs or pelvis, these could pass up the vena cava and into the lungs. The filter will trap these blood clots and prevent them entering the lungs and causing problems.
Why does Gary need a vena cava filter?
Other tests that we have had done have shown that Gary has a clot in the vein in his leg and that the 2 he has now have passed upwards into the lungs and are causing significant problems. Generally, these problems can be treated effectively with blood thinning drugs, called anti-coagulants, but in Gary's case it is felt that a further method of dealing with the blood clots is required.
So - another day - another adventure in medicine! Gary is on the 7th floor in his own room - thank God! He has a beautiful ocean view. He will hopefully be home by the end of the week. His blood infection is under control. The clots he has in his lungs are being carefully monitored. The clot in his leg is being monitored as well. The heparin is used to help to prevent further clots. It does not dissolve the current clots. The body will break these clots down and absorb them in time.
We are so lucky that we turned around and went back to Hoag on Saturday! Pulmonary Embolisms can be fatal and many times are if not caught in time! God is always watching out for us!
Gary and I have been spending a lot of time watching Arrested Development. It is such a funny show and P&C brought the DVDs to us because the show was cancelled after 3 seasons. I can't figure out why yet because it is so funny!
I have to go now and do laundry.
PRAYER SPECIFICS:
1. Be with the radiologist who does the procedure. Pray that once inserted that the device does what it is suppose to do and protects Gary from further clots and PE (pulmonary embolisms).
2. Pray that Gary's counts climb and stay stable so that he can go through chemo next Monday.
3. Pray for patience for Gary. This time being in the hospital is a little different. He is totally coherent and not in pain. He is in NO MOOD to be in the hospital - especially since he feels fine.
4. Pray that the cancer is going BYE BYE!!!!
Our love to you all,
L
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Life Support
No. Gary is NOT on life support. Before I took off I wanted to thank everyone for being our "life support"! The very second you all found out that Gary was "in" again you jumped into action! Last night Gary and I just needed to be quiet together.
Normally, come one, come all and bring in the calvary. But, just being together and not talking and praying and just being was what we needed last night. Thank you all for giving us that time.
Gary is in the Critial Care Unit and I am not sure how visitation works. He is on the 3rd floor. Gary is NOT happy that he is in and he wanted me to keep this time a "secret". Right. A secret hospital visit. IS that possible? We have 3 kids and I work at our church and today is Easter. What would I say? Oh, by the way, I feel like taking some time off THIS Sunday. I know it's Easter and all of our kids are singing and the little ones are having an Easter Egg Hunt but I think THIS Sunday I will just hang out! RIGHT GARY! That would go over really well! Nice try. Please call Hoag to see what their policy is before you come. I would do that and then let you know but I will not have internet once I leave this computer and like most of you know sometimes it is hard to get your cell when you are in a hospital room.
Happy Hunting and remember why we celebrate this day! HE IS RISEN for all of us!
XO
L
Normally, come one, come all and bring in the calvary. But, just being together and not talking and praying and just being was what we needed last night. Thank you all for giving us that time.
Gary is in the Critial Care Unit and I am not sure how visitation works. He is on the 3rd floor. Gary is NOT happy that he is in and he wanted me to keep this time a "secret". Right. A secret hospital visit. IS that possible? We have 3 kids and I work at our church and today is Easter. What would I say? Oh, by the way, I feel like taking some time off THIS Sunday. I know it's Easter and all of our kids are singing and the little ones are having an Easter Egg Hunt but I think THIS Sunday I will just hang out! RIGHT GARY! That would go over really well! Nice try. Please call Hoag to see what their policy is before you come. I would do that and then let you know but I will not have internet once I leave this computer and like most of you know sometimes it is hard to get your cell when you are in a hospital room.
Happy Hunting and remember why we celebrate this day! HE IS RISEN for all of us!
XO
L
Happy Easter
I will miss Easter Services tomorrow. All of our kids at church are singing and they have been practicing for a month singing "He Is Risen"! They have been doing such a great job and I will unfortunately miss it.
I had planned on sharing some funny blog time with all of you as this week my BRAND NEW Treo 755 DIED DIED DIED DEAD WORKING NO MORE and to top it of.............I did not back anything up and Sprint could not retrieve any info. My ENTIRE calendar and ALL of my contacts. I already missed one event and have no idea how many more I will miss. My life that was planned and mapped out on my phone has been erased! I was really bummed about it and it really affected me until today. Everything got put back into perspective for me once again today.
Gary is in the hospital right now. I just got home not too too long ago. He was doing well and he had a blood transfusion today. We left at 3:30 from Hoag (the transfusions take 5 hours) and he was shaking and burning up. He was grabbing his chest and he could barely breath. We got close to home and after speaking with his docs we got back on the toll road and headed back to Hoag.
I am still not clear as to exactly what is going on with Gary. He was in the Er with a temp of almost 104 and excruciating pain in his chest and upper back. They thought he had a bad reaction to the blood transfusion??? Then, they thought he might have pneumonia. Then a kidney infection. They did rule out a heart attack - YEAH. Then, after a CT w/ contrast, they inform us that they are fairly certain that he has 2 pulmonary embolisms - one in each lung. That would be 2 blood clots in his lungs stemming from his legs. Wait a minute..........back up. He has been doing so well. How does this all the sudden happen after a blood transfusion??
So, I will spend my night researching the burning questions I have before I head back up there. He is not in a private room as he is in the CCU - Critical Care Unit (it sounds so serious). I will leave for the hospital around 5 AM.
They are watching him around the clock as they are administering Heparin (this drug scares me and it could just be because I have not educated myself as to the effectiveness of this drug).
The kids will come to see Gary tomorrow and I am sure our Easter plans will change due to the circumstances beyond our control.
Today is a new day. I hope you all enjoy your Easter Sunday. We are having such beautiful weather!
Please keep Gary in your prayers today. Pray that these blood clots go away and pray that he has no further complications.
I am soooo tired! I am off to research!
Love & Hugs
Lisa
I had planned on sharing some funny blog time with all of you as this week my BRAND NEW Treo 755 DIED DIED DIED DEAD WORKING NO MORE and to top it of.............I did not back anything up and Sprint could not retrieve any info. My ENTIRE calendar and ALL of my contacts. I already missed one event and have no idea how many more I will miss. My life that was planned and mapped out on my phone has been erased! I was really bummed about it and it really affected me until today. Everything got put back into perspective for me once again today.
Gary is in the hospital right now. I just got home not too too long ago. He was doing well and he had a blood transfusion today. We left at 3:30 from Hoag (the transfusions take 5 hours) and he was shaking and burning up. He was grabbing his chest and he could barely breath. We got close to home and after speaking with his docs we got back on the toll road and headed back to Hoag.
I am still not clear as to exactly what is going on with Gary. He was in the Er with a temp of almost 104 and excruciating pain in his chest and upper back. They thought he had a bad reaction to the blood transfusion??? Then, they thought he might have pneumonia. Then a kidney infection. They did rule out a heart attack - YEAH. Then, after a CT w/ contrast, they inform us that they are fairly certain that he has 2 pulmonary embolisms - one in each lung. That would be 2 blood clots in his lungs stemming from his legs. Wait a minute..........back up. He has been doing so well. How does this all the sudden happen after a blood transfusion??
So, I will spend my night researching the burning questions I have before I head back up there. He is not in a private room as he is in the CCU - Critical Care Unit (it sounds so serious). I will leave for the hospital around 5 AM.
They are watching him around the clock as they are administering Heparin (this drug scares me and it could just be because I have not educated myself as to the effectiveness of this drug).
The kids will come to see Gary tomorrow and I am sure our Easter plans will change due to the circumstances beyond our control.
Today is a new day. I hope you all enjoy your Easter Sunday. We are having such beautiful weather!
Please keep Gary in your prayers today. Pray that these blood clots go away and pray that he has no further complications.
I am soooo tired! I am off to research!
Love & Hugs
Lisa
Monday, March 17, 2008
Our Simon Cowell
I watch Oprah from time to time and I am sitting here while Gary's sleeps watching this story about this family whose daughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Their daughter is 3 years old.
This family drives over 100 miles every day to get their daughter to and from treatment. They are in facing the loss of their home as one of them has had to quit their job to be with their daughter. So, Simon Cowell has stepped up and paid their mortgage - $162,000.00 worth! As he understands this will not change anything have to do with their child's life he hopes it will ease some of the burden. He told the family that he is their guardian angel.
All of you have helped to ease our burden in so many ways - notes, cards, visits, gifts, monetary gifts, time, meals, gas cards and the list goes on miles long it seems. You are our Simon Cowell!
Unless you have traveled down this road you have no idea how overwhelmed with heartfelt thanks our family is. It is sickenly difficult being in the position we are in and we really could not do this without all of you! Our kids do not understand but someday we will sit down with them and really make sure they know how blessed they were growing up!
Thanks to all of the "Simons" out there! Even if you are cranky like the real one! We love you anyway!!
Love, L
This family drives over 100 miles every day to get their daughter to and from treatment. They are in facing the loss of their home as one of them has had to quit their job to be with their daughter. So, Simon Cowell has stepped up and paid their mortgage - $162,000.00 worth! As he understands this will not change anything have to do with their child's life he hopes it will ease some of the burden. He told the family that he is their guardian angel.
All of you have helped to ease our burden in so many ways - notes, cards, visits, gifts, monetary gifts, time, meals, gas cards and the list goes on miles long it seems. You are our Simon Cowell!
Unless you have traveled down this road you have no idea how overwhelmed with heartfelt thanks our family is. It is sickenly difficult being in the position we are in and we really could not do this without all of you! Our kids do not understand but someday we will sit down with them and really make sure they know how blessed they were growing up!
Thanks to all of the "Simons" out there! Even if you are cranky like the real one! We love you anyway!!
Love, L
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