Larry was released from the hospital this morning. The doctors were able to get him stableized and get his oxygen levels back to a preferred level. Let's hope that Larry will be a "good boy" and use his oxygen more at home.
Please continue to pray for both Larry and Sherry. These are very trying days on so many levels and they could both use some large doses of TLC.
We will give another update as soon as we know more about his recent hospital stay.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Back to the hospital...
Today, Larry had to make a trip back to Portland Adventist Medical Center. He has been in allot of pain lately, very lethargic and has had much trouble breathing. He has been incoherent at times, forgetful and speaking in mumbles and slurs. He has had other situations more personal than we need to go into here. He has been dropping and spilling things, so much so that Sherry called the doctor this morning and was told to bring him in.
We are grateful for Sherry's sister Charlene and her husband Chuck (pictured to the left) who were able to make the trip to PAMC with Larry and Sherry. On the way, Larry was very confused as to where they were and where they were headed.
Upon arrival, the admitting nurse asked him what day it was and he said "April......or it might be July". He is really out of sorts. Doctors ran several tests. They did say that the breathing challenges were "normal" but that the slurred speech was not. They did a cat-scan to check his brain but the test came back negative for that (well, he has a brain...but no cancer in it!!). They also did an EKG and determined that his heart was good. So, while doctors scratch their heads trying to figure out what is causing the speech challenges and his confused state, they did decide to keep him overnight as a precaution. They will likely run more tests. They did discover that he has a severe urinary tract infection. You may recall he had that same infection the last time he was admitted to the hospital.
Larry is not too happy with Sherry right now because he did not want to stay in the hospital. In fact, we are to understand he was downright angry about it. But, Sherry knows what is best for Larry right now - far more so than he even realizes or understands. So she heads home to an empty house to try and get some rest and maybe pick up a few things. Sherry is hopeful that they will keep him for a couple days so he can get his oxygen back in check and have some energy.
Please continue to pray for Larry and Sherry. This road just seems to get a little more rough each day.
We are grateful for Sherry's sister Charlene and her husband Chuck (pictured to the left) who were able to make the trip to PAMC with Larry and Sherry. On the way, Larry was very confused as to where they were and where they were headed.
Upon arrival, the admitting nurse asked him what day it was and he said "April......or it might be July". He is really out of sorts. Doctors ran several tests. They did say that the breathing challenges were "normal" but that the slurred speech was not. They did a cat-scan to check his brain but the test came back negative for that (well, he has a brain...but no cancer in it!!). They also did an EKG and determined that his heart was good. So, while doctors scratch their heads trying to figure out what is causing the speech challenges and his confused state, they did decide to keep him overnight as a precaution. They will likely run more tests. They did discover that he has a severe urinary tract infection. You may recall he had that same infection the last time he was admitted to the hospital.
Larry is not too happy with Sherry right now because he did not want to stay in the hospital. In fact, we are to understand he was downright angry about it. But, Sherry knows what is best for Larry right now - far more so than he even realizes or understands. So she heads home to an empty house to try and get some rest and maybe pick up a few things. Sherry is hopeful that they will keep him for a couple days so he can get his oxygen back in check and have some energy.
Please continue to pray for Larry and Sherry. This road just seems to get a little more rough each day.
Ultrasound
The urologist has ordered dad to have an ultrasound appointment at the hospital today at 3:00. They are going to keep him there until the doctor gets the results. Mom called the oncologists office and talked to a nurse and she said that the shortness of breath is normal but the slurring of speech and mumbling is not. The office was going to contact the doctor and get back to mom. Mom has still not heard back from them.
Dad is very, very angry (which I think we all understand) and he is taking it out on mom. He is dropping things like a glass of apple juice because "it was too heavy". He is very shaky and still very cold.
When I know more I will pass it on.
Dad is very, very angry (which I think we all understand) and he is taking it out on mom. He is dropping things like a glass of apple juice because "it was too heavy". He is very shaky and still very cold.
When I know more I will pass it on.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tough Day
Just a quick note. Dad had a pretty bad day today. Mom called him from work and he wasn't answering the phone. She decided she needed to go home at lunch and check on him. He was laying on the couch and she said he looked dead. She was very scared. Turns out he was just sleeping but he was very lethargic. She got him to put on his oxygen and told him he needed to eat and drink something. She got him to drink an Ensure and a bit of water. She decided she couldn't go back to work and needed to be with dad. He slept all day. She did get him to drink a smoothie with some protein powder but not much solid food. She told him that she was going to give him until tomorrow morning and if he wasn't doing better she was calling the doctor to see what needs to happen.
I talked to him tonight and he is still slurring his words and then all of the sudden he is speaking clearly and then he is mumbling. Mom said he is very clammy and sweaty but very cold to the touch despite the tempature being in the 90s. He is having a hard time keeping the oxygen on while he is sleeping. I suggested that they use some medical tape and tape it down on each side of his nose. Maybe a night with a good dose of oxygen will be helpful. He thinks he is using it all the time but mom and I both believe he isn't using it as much as he thinks he is.
He is also in a lot of pain. Mom called the urologist and then went to the store to get some groceries for dinner. She came back and asked dad if the doctor called and he said no. A little bit later he said he had to go to the doctor tomorrow and mom told him he said the doctor didn't call. He said that he did have an appt for tomorrow so mom asked what time and he didn't know. So now she needs to call the urologist in the morning and find out if he really does have an appt and if so what time. We both agree that in his current state, the doctors should be talking to mom and not dad.
I will let you know what happens in the morning. At this point, if there is no change mom will call the doctors and see what to do. It is very hard to be 3 hours away and not be able to help. I am so sorry mom!! You are doing a great job and you are doing the right thing even though dad is getting angry at you. I know that this is a very difficult situation for you in so many ways. I am proud of you and I love you.
We appreciate all of your prayers.
Melody
I talked to him tonight and he is still slurring his words and then all of the sudden he is speaking clearly and then he is mumbling. Mom said he is very clammy and sweaty but very cold to the touch despite the tempature being in the 90s. He is having a hard time keeping the oxygen on while he is sleeping. I suggested that they use some medical tape and tape it down on each side of his nose. Maybe a night with a good dose of oxygen will be helpful. He thinks he is using it all the time but mom and I both believe he isn't using it as much as he thinks he is.
He is also in a lot of pain. Mom called the urologist and then went to the store to get some groceries for dinner. She came back and asked dad if the doctor called and he said no. A little bit later he said he had to go to the doctor tomorrow and mom told him he said the doctor didn't call. He said that he did have an appt for tomorrow so mom asked what time and he didn't know. So now she needs to call the urologist in the morning and find out if he really does have an appt and if so what time. We both agree that in his current state, the doctors should be talking to mom and not dad.
I will let you know what happens in the morning. At this point, if there is no change mom will call the doctors and see what to do. It is very hard to be 3 hours away and not be able to help. I am so sorry mom!! You are doing a great job and you are doing the right thing even though dad is getting angry at you. I know that this is a very difficult situation for you in so many ways. I am proud of you and I love you.
We appreciate all of your prayers.
Melody
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Update - Finally!
I know it has been quite a long time since my last update. I hope you all read dad's update he did himself yesterday. I know that mom and I had both considered fixing a few things but we decided it was a bit of insight into dad's current status.
I talked to both of the them this evening. Both of them have had a rough day. If you haven't read mom's facebook status, she was eaten alive by mosquitoes the other night. One of the doors got left open and their bedroom was filled with them. They finally got up and dad sprayed them and they could see them dropping dead on their bed. The next day dad went to the pharmacy to find the best medicine he could for mom because she had bites all over her body and was miserable. She was taking Benadryl and covered in Calamine lotion. Dad didn't get one bite. Everyone says it's because his blood has poison (chemo) in it. Whatever the reason, mom thinks that perhaps she may be reacting to all the bites.
As for dad, like his blog entry said, he had a reaction to one of the chemicals in his chemo this week. I don't know what was different this week then past weeks but they had to give him something for his reaction. Then when he went back on Friday to get his "buddy" (his take home chemo bag) removed, it wasn't empty so they sped up the draining process. It was the first time he got nauseous with the chemo.
He has had a bad weekend; no energy. When I talked to him tonight it was the worst I have heard him since he was in the ER back in March. His words are very, very slurred and slow. He couldn't remember what he was talking about and couldn't recall words. He would stop himself in a sentence and say "why did I say that?". He sounded like he was drifting off to sleep while we were talking. I asked if he was using his oxygen and he said he was but I don't think he is. When he went in for his treatment his oxygen level was 84, normal is 94. His last chemo treatment 3 weeks ago it was 98. He doesn't have treatment again for 4 weeks because his doctor is going on vacation. It is hard to understand what the doctors are thinking and why they aren't treating as aggressively as they were a few months ago.
Dad really wants to come to visit us here in Sisters. He says he needs to come take some pictures of sunsets (which we do have amazing sunsets here). We are hoping that he can feel better to at least come for a weekend. He has told me that he thinks he needs to give up driving. I definitely do not want him driving 3 hours over the busy highways and curvy mountain roads to our house. We'll keep you posted.
I would ask for prayer that he wouldn't give up. I cannot know what he is feeling or thinking or what physical pain he is in. I can't even really imagine what it would be like to be told that I have cancer and it is in stage 4 and in multiple organs. Mom and I have both seen signs that perhaps he does not want to fight this disease anymore. I have told mom that this is his choice and she says "but I have to live with the outcome of that choice". We have seen some personality changes which have not been easy for mom, yet she continues to be thankful for every day that she has with him. Pray for patience and endurance for both of them.
With gratitude...
I talked to both of the them this evening. Both of them have had a rough day. If you haven't read mom's facebook status, she was eaten alive by mosquitoes the other night. One of the doors got left open and their bedroom was filled with them. They finally got up and dad sprayed them and they could see them dropping dead on their bed. The next day dad went to the pharmacy to find the best medicine he could for mom because she had bites all over her body and was miserable. She was taking Benadryl and covered in Calamine lotion. Dad didn't get one bite. Everyone says it's because his blood has poison (chemo) in it. Whatever the reason, mom thinks that perhaps she may be reacting to all the bites.
As for dad, like his blog entry said, he had a reaction to one of the chemicals in his chemo this week. I don't know what was different this week then past weeks but they had to give him something for his reaction. Then when he went back on Friday to get his "buddy" (his take home chemo bag) removed, it wasn't empty so they sped up the draining process. It was the first time he got nauseous with the chemo.
He has had a bad weekend; no energy. When I talked to him tonight it was the worst I have heard him since he was in the ER back in March. His words are very, very slurred and slow. He couldn't remember what he was talking about and couldn't recall words. He would stop himself in a sentence and say "why did I say that?". He sounded like he was drifting off to sleep while we were talking. I asked if he was using his oxygen and he said he was but I don't think he is. When he went in for his treatment his oxygen level was 84, normal is 94. His last chemo treatment 3 weeks ago it was 98. He doesn't have treatment again for 4 weeks because his doctor is going on vacation. It is hard to understand what the doctors are thinking and why they aren't treating as aggressively as they were a few months ago.
Dad really wants to come to visit us here in Sisters. He says he needs to come take some pictures of sunsets (which we do have amazing sunsets here). We are hoping that he can feel better to at least come for a weekend. He has told me that he thinks he needs to give up driving. I definitely do not want him driving 3 hours over the busy highways and curvy mountain roads to our house. We'll keep you posted.
I would ask for prayer that he wouldn't give up. I cannot know what he is feeling or thinking or what physical pain he is in. I can't even really imagine what it would be like to be told that I have cancer and it is in stage 4 and in multiple organs. Mom and I have both seen signs that perhaps he does not want to fight this disease anymore. I have told mom that this is his choice and she says "but I have to live with the outcome of that choice". We have seen some personality changes which have not been easy for mom, yet she continues to be thankful for every day that she has with him. Pray for patience and endurance for both of them.
With gratitude...
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