Hi everyone,
Well, my dad is out of the hospital...Again! The blood clot seems to be under control and he is home. It’s still been a rough past few days. It’s amazing how much weight he has lost. Unfortunately, his system still isn’t absorbing food the way it should which also means that there isn’t any nutrients been absorbed. So, everything is just kind a flowing through him. He has been really weak because of it. For the most part, he has been stuck on the couch. There were a couple days where even talking was a struggle because of the energy it took. I did talk to him today and things seemed to be a bit better. The big thing he told me is that mentally he is in better shape today which is huge! He still has a lot of shots to take for blood thinners, etc.
So, it will be a long summer for him but we are so thankful for everything God has already brought him through. An enormous part of that has been the love and support from my mom. She hasn’t stopped supporting my dad since this whole thing started. She has been there in so many ways and I know she has been such a huge encouragement for my dad. She has even found time to listen to me and my problems!!
On another note, I am looking forward to the next few days. I am taking July 1st-July 5th off work and am excited for the break. I think I will play some golf and just hang out. So, if anyone out there wants to get together send me an email, Facebook message, or give me a call! The patio is calling!
Anyone have any thoughts on the new Alexisonfire album?
DJ
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
back in the hospital
Well,
the trip home was a short one for my dad. On Thursday, he became very sick and he was up all night vomiting. Early Friday morning my mom rushed him to the emergency room where they immediately admitted him. He was extremely dehydrated and his blood sugar level was dangerously high; around 30 (a normal level is about 7). After getting hooked up to the IV and getting some rest he was feeling much better. They believe this likely happened because there was a blockage in his system caused by some scar tissue. They decided to keep him overnight on Friday for observation. We had hoped he would be out on Saturday or Sunday, unfortunately that has not been the case. Through regular blood work they noticed his white blood cell count was too high, and was continually increasing. This is usually the sign of an infection. So, although they were very tentative to order another CT scan because he has had two fairly recently, they felt they had no choice. The CT scan discovered a blood clot near his liver. Initial indications suggested it was very serious. Thankfully, the doctor said late last night that it was only a partial clot, which is still serious, although it likely won't travel to the heart or brain which can cause serious damage and even death. So, he is on an anti-biotic and blood thinners and will likely be in the hospital until Wednesday. Dad is looking really low in energy and looks very sad. I'm also starting to feel very warn down from all of this and am getting frustrated.
As many of you know the one thing that breaks my heart in this world (as I'm sure it does yours), is the suffering. I know all of us have felt those hopeless emotions when we know someone we love is suffering. And it just plain sucks!
I really pray this is the last major hiccup in what looks like a long recovery.
Thanks for your continued messages and kind words everyone.
I let my dad know about each and everyone of you who have provided words of support and encouragement. He is so grateful, as am I.
the trip home was a short one for my dad. On Thursday, he became very sick and he was up all night vomiting. Early Friday morning my mom rushed him to the emergency room where they immediately admitted him. He was extremely dehydrated and his blood sugar level was dangerously high; around 30 (a normal level is about 7). After getting hooked up to the IV and getting some rest he was feeling much better. They believe this likely happened because there was a blockage in his system caused by some scar tissue. They decided to keep him overnight on Friday for observation. We had hoped he would be out on Saturday or Sunday, unfortunately that has not been the case. Through regular blood work they noticed his white blood cell count was too high, and was continually increasing. This is usually the sign of an infection. So, although they were very tentative to order another CT scan because he has had two fairly recently, they felt they had no choice. The CT scan discovered a blood clot near his liver. Initial indications suggested it was very serious. Thankfully, the doctor said late last night that it was only a partial clot, which is still serious, although it likely won't travel to the heart or brain which can cause serious damage and even death. So, he is on an anti-biotic and blood thinners and will likely be in the hospital until Wednesday. Dad is looking really low in energy and looks very sad. I'm also starting to feel very warn down from all of this and am getting frustrated.
As many of you know the one thing that breaks my heart in this world (as I'm sure it does yours), is the suffering. I know all of us have felt those hopeless emotions when we know someone we love is suffering. And it just plain sucks!
I really pray this is the last major hiccup in what looks like a long recovery.
Thanks for your continued messages and kind words everyone.
I let my dad know about each and everyone of you who have provided words of support and encouragement. He is so grateful, as am I.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
DAD IS CANCER FREE!!!!!!
Hi everyone,
I just received a call from my mom, and dad is doing great!!! His white blood cell count is normal, he is going home today, and the mass they removed from his pancreas was benign!!! Praise the Lord. He still has a long recovery ahead of him, however things look really good. let's just hope his diabetes stay's in check with only half a pancreas. But, so far so good!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
Love to all of you,
Dan
P.S. Oh, and I will be getting back into the blog thing again. Not just about my dad, but just updates on what's going on with me in my little part of the world. Thanks!
I just received a call from my mom, and dad is doing great!!! His white blood cell count is normal, he is going home today, and the mass they removed from his pancreas was benign!!! Praise the Lord. He still has a long recovery ahead of him, however things look really good. let's just hope his diabetes stay's in check with only half a pancreas. But, so far so good!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
Love to all of you,
Dan
P.S. Oh, and I will be getting back into the blog thing again. Not just about my dad, but just updates on what's going on with me in my little part of the world. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More energy, but still need some answers!
Hey everyone,
Well, today is day nine and dad is still in the hospital. However, he is doing much better. His spirits are up and he has a lot more energy. They have removed all of the tubes from him (which added up to ten when we counted!!!) except for his I.V. They also removed all 39 staples from his incision which I think was a big relief for him. Yesterday, he went in for another CT scan because they noticed his white blood cell count was a little high. We don’t know if they found anything yet. Also, we have yet to hear back on the results from the mass on his pancreas. Although that is still nerve-wracking, it’s great to see him with more physical and spiritual energy. As soon as we hear anything new, I will give you an update!
Thanks again everyone for the prayers and thoughts!
Dan
Well, today is day nine and dad is still in the hospital. However, he is doing much better. His spirits are up and he has a lot more energy. They have removed all of the tubes from him (which added up to ten when we counted!!!) except for his I.V. They also removed all 39 staples from his incision which I think was a big relief for him. Yesterday, he went in for another CT scan because they noticed his white blood cell count was a little high. We don’t know if they found anything yet. Also, we have yet to hear back on the results from the mass on his pancreas. Although that is still nerve-wracking, it’s great to see him with more physical and spiritual energy. As soon as we hear anything new, I will give you an update!
Thanks again everyone for the prayers and thoughts!
Dan
Friday, June 12, 2009
Update on Dad
Hi Everyone,
Sorry this update has taken so long. It’s been a crazy few days. My dad is doing so,so. After talking to the doctors on Tuesday, things went as well as they could. The initial surgery, the removal of the colon went well. Unfortunately, they had to remove about half of my dad’s pancreas to remove the mass growing on it. The doctor said this mass was the cause of his diabetes and we won’t know until next week if the mass in cancerous or not. We pray it is benign and that with only half a pancreas his diabetes won’t get worse. They also removed a benign mass from a lymph node while they were in there and they also had to remove his spleen that got nicked by the knife during the procedure. So, needless to say, a lot of unexpected work had to be done which is taking a toll on my dad. Unfortunately the pain for the first couple days was excruciating. They had placed my dad’s epidural to high on his spine so the medication wasn’t hitting the surgical area. Luckily yesterday was better pain wise and they were hoping to try a new pain drug today and take him off the epidural. Unfortunately, my dad’s spirits have been pretty low; something I have never seen much in my dad. Usually, he plan’s everything out and research’s everything related to medical issues he encounters. Unfortunately, we only found out about the mass on his pancreas and the extensive surgery the day before we went in. He really didn’t have time to process the whole thing and it has taken a lot longer and has been a lot more painful than he anticipated. He has been in bed for four straight days and he just looks very depressed and frustrated. So, that is my prayer request; that God will fill him with his spirit and give him strength and energy as he continues to fight. We also pray that the mass on his pancreas was benign.
Thanks again everyone. I have said it before, but you don’t know what it means to know all of you are with us.
Be blessed,
Love Dan
Sorry this update has taken so long. It’s been a crazy few days. My dad is doing so,so. After talking to the doctors on Tuesday, things went as well as they could. The initial surgery, the removal of the colon went well. Unfortunately, they had to remove about half of my dad’s pancreas to remove the mass growing on it. The doctor said this mass was the cause of his diabetes and we won’t know until next week if the mass in cancerous or not. We pray it is benign and that with only half a pancreas his diabetes won’t get worse. They also removed a benign mass from a lymph node while they were in there and they also had to remove his spleen that got nicked by the knife during the procedure. So, needless to say, a lot of unexpected work had to be done which is taking a toll on my dad. Unfortunately the pain for the first couple days was excruciating. They had placed my dad’s epidural to high on his spine so the medication wasn’t hitting the surgical area. Luckily yesterday was better pain wise and they were hoping to try a new pain drug today and take him off the epidural. Unfortunately, my dad’s spirits have been pretty low; something I have never seen much in my dad. Usually, he plan’s everything out and research’s everything related to medical issues he encounters. Unfortunately, we only found out about the mass on his pancreas and the extensive surgery the day before we went in. He really didn’t have time to process the whole thing and it has taken a lot longer and has been a lot more painful than he anticipated. He has been in bed for four straight days and he just looks very depressed and frustrated. So, that is my prayer request; that God will fill him with his spirit and give him strength and energy as he continues to fight. We also pray that the mass on his pancreas was benign.
Thanks again everyone. I have said it before, but you don’t know what it means to know all of you are with us.
Be blessed,
Love Dan
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