About 60 of my fb friends are former students of my dad and another 30 are family so I thought I would post a little update about the last few days.
My mom called me Sunday morning and was very, very concerned about my dad. He had not eaten anything for three days and was quite unresponsive to conversation. They had some close friends from Germany who were visiting and my dad wasn't visiting or talking to them, which if you know my dad it is quite the opposite of his character.
I headed up there later in the day and spent from Sunday night til Wednesday evening there.
Monday was pretty amazing, it was like a miracle had occurred and prayers had been answered. He was talking, he ate a pretty decent breakfast and even split a steak with my 4 year old at dinner. He had color and personality. My mom jokingly kept saying - I didn't mean to make you panic, he really wasn't this well yesterday.
If Monday was one step forward Tuesday was two steps back. He slept about all day and had severe cramping and constipation that eventually landed us in the ER. I'll give credit where credit is due, we were in and out of the ER in 2 hours. If you are ever in N. Indiana go to Elkhart General Hospital. They relieved 3 weeks of misery, at least in that area of frustration.
I stayed today to take him to his radiation, which he will complete Monday and to do an errand with him. He didn't talk much, it seemed to put him out to answer questions (again, if you know my dad...) But I will say he had a decent breakfast and even a few small cups of water while we were doing an errand.
What's next? Well radiation ends Monday, that will be 15 treatments. He has a follow up with oncologist 2 weeks after that. He has at least one tumor that isn't even being treated for all the other more prominent ones. For good measure let me add that he has diabetes, which was under control with diet and has had lukemia for years. And as you may or may not know he actually had a go 'round with this same cancer 12 years ago, in fact he was still in Germany and combined his hospital trip in Cleveland with a trip to this area for my wedding.
So that is essentially what I know. I'll add that I have never truly felt the presence of prayer as much as I have the last few days. It has been overwhelming and humbling. So thanks for the prayers and kind words of encouragement. I envision heading back and forth a lot this summer.
I don't know where this kidney cancer came from. I know we were in Germany in 86 when the Chernobyl nuclear plant exploded in Russia. I know he was around a lot of second hand smoke as a child and adult and even puffed on a pipe from time to time himself. If you know me at all you know I am far from judgmental but let me, while I have your attention, implore you if you are a smoker to quit smoking yesterday.
That's my update, that's my soap box. Go hug your kids, call your parents and pet your dog because life is short and uncertain. I have people on my friends list I have known my whole life and people I have met once or twice and know only professionally. I have a few former students and a few former teachers, but I have to say this week and these upcoming weeks have been made a little more bearable with the kind words and encouraging messages from you all. God Bless you and thanks for reading.
My mom called me Sunday morning and was very, very concerned about my dad. He had not eaten anything for three days and was quite unresponsive to conversation. They had some close friends from Germany who were visiting and my dad wasn't visiting or talking to them, which if you know my dad it is quite the opposite of his character.
I headed up there later in the day and spent from Sunday night til Wednesday evening there.
Monday was pretty amazing, it was like a miracle had occurred and prayers had been answered. He was talking, he ate a pretty decent breakfast and even split a steak with my 4 year old at dinner. He had color and personality. My mom jokingly kept saying - I didn't mean to make you panic, he really wasn't this well yesterday.
If Monday was one step forward Tuesday was two steps back. He slept about all day and had severe cramping and constipation that eventually landed us in the ER. I'll give credit where credit is due, we were in and out of the ER in 2 hours. If you are ever in N. Indiana go to Elkhart General Hospital. They relieved 3 weeks of misery, at least in that area of frustration.
I stayed today to take him to his radiation, which he will complete Monday and to do an errand with him. He didn't talk much, it seemed to put him out to answer questions (again, if you know my dad...) But I will say he had a decent breakfast and even a few small cups of water while we were doing an errand.
What's next? Well radiation ends Monday, that will be 15 treatments. He has a follow up with oncologist 2 weeks after that. He has at least one tumor that isn't even being treated for all the other more prominent ones. For good measure let me add that he has diabetes, which was under control with diet and has had lukemia for years. And as you may or may not know he actually had a go 'round with this same cancer 12 years ago, in fact he was still in Germany and combined his hospital trip in Cleveland with a trip to this area for my wedding.
So that is essentially what I know. I'll add that I have never truly felt the presence of prayer as much as I have the last few days. It has been overwhelming and humbling. So thanks for the prayers and kind words of encouragement. I envision heading back and forth a lot this summer.
I don't know where this kidney cancer came from. I know we were in Germany in 86 when the Chernobyl nuclear plant exploded in Russia. I know he was around a lot of second hand smoke as a child and adult and even puffed on a pipe from time to time himself. If you know me at all you know I am far from judgmental but let me, while I have your attention, implore you if you are a smoker to quit smoking yesterday.
That's my update, that's my soap box. Go hug your kids, call your parents and pet your dog because life is short and uncertain. I have people on my friends list I have known my whole life and people I have met once or twice and know only professionally. I have a few former students and a few former teachers, but I have to say this week and these upcoming weeks have been made a little more bearable with the kind words and encouraging messages from you all. God Bless you and thanks for reading.
Jer-
ReplyDeleteScott and I are praying for you and your Dad. These times will be tough but with God's love and guidance, you will make it through. God Bless. Karie