Saturday:
Today is a good day. Larry's blood pressure continues to be on the low side, but his oxygen is better. He is able to breathe better on his own but is still connected to the oxygen. Today the physical therapists came by and were able to get Larry out of bed and take a little stroll. He needed a walker, but with the aid of the therapists it was a welcome sight to see Larry up out of bed. He seems more alert then he has been and his coloring is improved. Right now he is actually sitting up in a chair. He hasn't done that for many days. He is enjoying the cards, comments and emails he has received.
We asked Larry if there was anything he wanted to say. Here it is: "I didn't know that there were such pretty girls in life - particularly the nurses that come see me. I just have to be thankful to be in a hospital where nearly everyone that has anything to do with doctoring is a Christian. I am so lucky to have a supportive family and neighbors and am anxious to get back to work. And I miss my daughter this morning".
The above sentences he could not have spoken even a day ago. He is slowly showing improvement and we are grateful for the many prayers being lifted up for him. It will still be a few days until he can come home but we are looking forward to that day.
Please feel free to leave a comment. It encourages him and Sherry to hear from you.
Many have asked how they can help contribute to the financial needs of Larry and Sherry during this time. An account has been set up at Washington Mutual (which will be Chase in a few weeks). You can visit any branch, or you can send a check with Larry Cameron / Acct 4421842398 on the memo line to:
Washington Mutual
435 N. Holly Street
Canby, OR 97013
www.wamu.com
We'll talk later.....
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Today has been a slightly better day for Larry. He was just recently moved from ICU to a "regular" room. The nurses wanted him nearby their station so they can keep a close eye on him. I don't think he will have a problem being near the nurses either!
Larry's blood pressure is pretty low but does not seem to be too much of a concern at this point to the doctors. Sherry will learn more about that this afternoon. Larry was able to sleep fairly well through the night. Doctors had planned on hooking him up to a special oxygen machine for the night that would force his lungs to take larger breaths. They ended up not doing that as his breathing has slightly improved. Still not out of the woods on that, but any improvement in anything is welcomed news. Larry is still a bit loopy from the significant dosed of morphine he is taking for pain. He is also trying to eat. I understand they are giving him some meat (or some type of meat product!). Hopefully he will be able to continue eating a little on his own, but it is too soon to tell. He is still very weak.
For now he will stay put in the hospital until at least Monday. A Tuesday or Wednesday release would not be unlikely. He has along road ahead of him once they can get his body to cooperate.
Sherry is grateful for your thoughts and prayers for her and especially Larry. She will be reading some of the emails and comments that have been left on this blog to Larry when he is more alert. I know it will mean the world to him to know that so many - some he has never even met - are praying and holding him in their hearts.
Until the next update.......
Larry's blood pressure is pretty low but does not seem to be too much of a concern at this point to the doctors. Sherry will learn more about that this afternoon. Larry was able to sleep fairly well through the night. Doctors had planned on hooking him up to a special oxygen machine for the night that would force his lungs to take larger breaths. They ended up not doing that as his breathing has slightly improved. Still not out of the woods on that, but any improvement in anything is welcomed news. Larry is still a bit loopy from the significant dosed of morphine he is taking for pain. He is also trying to eat. I understand they are giving him some meat (or some type of meat product!). Hopefully he will be able to continue eating a little on his own, but it is too soon to tell. He is still very weak.
For now he will stay put in the hospital until at least Monday. A Tuesday or Wednesday release would not be unlikely. He has along road ahead of him once they can get his body to cooperate.
Sherry is grateful for your thoughts and prayers for her and especially Larry. She will be reading some of the emails and comments that have been left on this blog to Larry when he is more alert. I know it will mean the world to him to know that so many - some he has never even met - are praying and holding him in their hearts.
Until the next update.......
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Greetings....
This blog is an attempt to keep you informed as to the current health crisis facing the husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, brother and dear friend we all know and love; Larry Cameron. Larry's current battle with cancer is exactly that...a battle. We won't go into allot of past detail but will update you as to what is happening today, or what has occured in the past few days, so that you can be praying, not only for Larry, but also for his dear wife Sherry who is trying as best she can to cope and make it through each day in spite of her own physical challenges.
Larry is currently in Portland Adventist Medical Center being treated for a very severe urinary tract infection - one that can only be treated by IV in a hospital. He was admitted to the hospital Monday evening. Tuesday night he attempted to make his way to the restroom without the aide of a nurse, and fell. He was in a fair amount of pain Wedensday so doctors ran some tests and found he had fractured a rib. He also has a nice goose-egg on his head. His oxygen saturation level was down compared to where it was earlier in the week. Doctors were concerned about blood clots in his legs that were potentially moving to his lungs. He underwent more testing for that but thankfully there were no blood clots. He does have pneumonia which, along with the fractured rib, are making it painful and difficult to breathe. Because of his infection and oxygen concerns he did not have his weekly chemo treatment on Wednesday. Currently he is in ICU to get the pneumonia under control. He wil be put on a breathing apparatus tonight that will allow him to take deeper breaths. Doctors have also found cancer in his spleen.
While all of this is difficult news for family and friends to hear, we are hopeful that doctors can get him stabalized soon and that he will be able to come home as early as Monday. He needs to eat, which if you know Larry, he would probably like a good prime rib and baked potato about now. If he doesn't muster up the energy to eat on his own, the doctors will feed him through a tube. In spite of it all Larry seems to still have that unique sense of humor and that ever present stubborn streak.
We will continue to update this blog as best we can as we learn more. Please be in prayer for Larry and Sherry during this time.
Steve and Melody Douglass
This blog is an attempt to keep you informed as to the current health crisis facing the husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, brother and dear friend we all know and love; Larry Cameron. Larry's current battle with cancer is exactly that...a battle. We won't go into allot of past detail but will update you as to what is happening today, or what has occured in the past few days, so that you can be praying, not only for Larry, but also for his dear wife Sherry who is trying as best she can to cope and make it through each day in spite of her own physical challenges.
Larry is currently in Portland Adventist Medical Center being treated for a very severe urinary tract infection - one that can only be treated by IV in a hospital. He was admitted to the hospital Monday evening. Tuesday night he attempted to make his way to the restroom without the aide of a nurse, and fell. He was in a fair amount of pain Wedensday so doctors ran some tests and found he had fractured a rib. He also has a nice goose-egg on his head. His oxygen saturation level was down compared to where it was earlier in the week. Doctors were concerned about blood clots in his legs that were potentially moving to his lungs. He underwent more testing for that but thankfully there were no blood clots. He does have pneumonia which, along with the fractured rib, are making it painful and difficult to breathe. Because of his infection and oxygen concerns he did not have his weekly chemo treatment on Wednesday. Currently he is in ICU to get the pneumonia under control. He wil be put on a breathing apparatus tonight that will allow him to take deeper breaths. Doctors have also found cancer in his spleen.
While all of this is difficult news for family and friends to hear, we are hopeful that doctors can get him stabalized soon and that he will be able to come home as early as Monday. He needs to eat, which if you know Larry, he would probably like a good prime rib and baked potato about now. If he doesn't muster up the energy to eat on his own, the doctors will feed him through a tube. In spite of it all Larry seems to still have that unique sense of humor and that ever present stubborn streak.
We will continue to update this blog as best we can as we learn more. Please be in prayer for Larry and Sherry during this time.
Steve and Melody Douglass
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