Saturday, October 30, 2010

Dad went to UCSF on Thursday, but was released today due to extremely low blood counts. When he arrived, his numbers were so low that they needed to give him 4 units of blood, a bag of platelets, and 2 shots of Neupagen. They said that they were quite surprised that he could even walk and talk with the lack of red and white blood cells in his body.

Becky went and picked him up today, and she said he looks a lot better (that would be the 4 units of blood!!!). He should be going to Feather River to see Dr. Maj twice a week for blood tests to ensure that his counts are improving. They estimate he'll be at home for another week or two before he can return to UCSF strong enough for another round of chemo.

Due to the info on his blood counts, I have once again revoked his driving privileges. He wasn't too happy about that, but I just want to see what his blood tests look like before he starts endangering himself and others on the road! I'm sure he'll be fine, but he needs to take it easy and try to get his body to start fighting back before he uses his energy and brain power for anything else.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Dad is back at UCSF today for his last 3 week treatment. After this, it's 2 months of 3 - 5 day stays. Yippee! We're nearing the end!

If all goes as planned, he should be back well before Thanksgiving. Good timing!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Dad got his platelets on Thursday and he's been feeling better every day. He and Becky even made it down to Chico for Lucy Jean's 1st birthday party Friday night. The chaos and the noise seemed o.k. for a bit, but then he either get overwhelmed or tired and quietly snuck out after cake. 

Wendy, Mom and I saw him again briefly yesterday when we stopped by to bring him some of our leftover food from the party. He really enjoyed the food, so much so that he ate too much of it and made himself sick. He ate things like green chilies in the enchiladas and spicy guacamole and it tore up his esophagus. After some milk and ice cream, he was feeling just fine and begging for more! I left out the spicy stuff this time and just brought him the pulled pork.

He did very nicely ask me if he's allowed to drive yet, and I told him no. But after some consideration, I told him I'd give him some reflex/dexterity tests and if he passed, I'd give him the green light. I don't know if he'll pass, but it sure will be fun to make him lean his head back and touch his fingers to his nose!!!

Here's some pictures from the party - he's looking much better!

Dad and Wendy

Cute!

Check out Great Grandpa in the background - look familiar?!

Grandpa and Lucy Jean

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dad got his blood drawn this morning, but no transfusion until the results come back and prove that he needs one. The cancer Dr. at Feather River called him back this afternoon and told him that he didn't need a transfusion but that he did need platelets. So, he'll be getting those tomorrow around 3 p.m.

He seems to be feeling better this afternoon and sounded like he had more energy. 

He did call me yesterday afternoon and admitted defeat after searching the house for an hour and a half for that second set of keys! I told him where I hid them, and he agreed to finally lay down and take a nap. He said he searched everywhere - couch cushions, shirt pockets, etc. The first set I put in the junk drawer, not so tough, and the second set I placed on top of the piano, right behind a book. Little did I know Becky's keys were sitting right there on the table, so he could have driven anyway. But, he promised me he wouldn't, and I believe him.

He said he's not scheduled to go back to UCSF until the 28th, so hopefully he'll recoup a bit more energy by then and be ready for the next round of chemo. This will be his last 3 week stay, then he'll be on two C cycles which are the 3 days in, 10 days out. He deals with those much better and has lots of energy. Plus, his appetite comes back and he actually gains a bit of weight!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Went to see Dad today. He's a wreck. I tried to get his transfusion bumped up to today but they need the head cancer doctor there to do the transfusion and he won't be there until tomorrow. The UCSF nurse told me to take him to the ER but he refuses to go. It's too long of a wait in a loud, bright place with lots of sick people around. Not good. So, we'll stick with the 8 a.m. appointment tomorrow morning.

I talked to Becky and she's going to take the day off tomorrow to take Dad to the appointment. I think that's a great idea. He really shouldn't be left home alone right now. He's not real steady on his feet and he needs to be reminded to eat.

I brought him a latte, a sandwich and some cookies which he devoured. I gave him some pain meds before I left and then mistakenly told him I'd hidden his keys. After that, the game was on! I heard him go to the bathroom and check the toilet tank. I think I saw him checking the wrapping on the spigot next to the front door where we used to hide a key when we were in school. Too funny! He was determined to find those keys. He called me about 5 minutes after I left his house and he had already found the first set and was on his way to finding the second. 

Next time I'll hide them MUCH better...  

Jen

Monday, October 18, 2010

I talked to Dad today and he sounds terrible. Not only has he been attempting to drive (not very successfully), but after they went out to dinner on Sunday, he fell and went headfirst into some bushes. His energy is at an all time low, he's lethargic, and his brain and the rest of his body don't seem to be working very well together. He really needs that blood transfusion, but it's scheduled for Wednesday.

I'll be heading up there in the morning for a playdate with the kids, but I'll be swinging by his house to check on him and hide his keys.

Jen

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Talked to Dad briefly tonight. He got home last night from UCSF. He doesn't sound so great. He said he had a lumbar puncture before he left UCSF which always seems to mess with his neck and shoulders. He's complaining of a really bad headache and neck pain. Last time it was from the position they had him in where he had to lean really far forward and kind of hunch over for a long stretch. It really strains those muscles and causes some serious aches and pains for him for quite awhile. Becky was getting him some pain meds while we were on the phone, so hopefully those will help and he can get some sleep tonight.

He also said he's down to 188 lbs. That means he lost quite a bit of weight this last round in the hospital - somewhere between 12-14 lbs. in 3 weeks.

I'll call him tomorrow and see how he's feeling.

Jen

Sunday, October 10, 2010

I talked to Becky today who is at UCSF with dad for the weekend. He's not been feeling great with all the chemo/meds they've been giving him, but the end is near. He has one more dose of Vincristine on Wednesday, then they're looking to release him within a couple of days after that if his counts come up enough. He's been getting the Nupagen shots to try to help boost his counts which were at their lowest today. They also gave him 2 units of blood and platelets to try to help bring up his counts and his color. 

Becky says he's pretty pale right now. He's not been sleeping well at all and is really itching to go home. Hopefully with the shots and the blood transfusion his counts will bounce back up quickly and he'll be released by the end of the week.

Monday, October 5, 2010

No real update, I just wanted to post this picture I found today while going through my Flickr photos looking for pictures to print. This picture was taken almost a year ago when Lucy Jean was born on October 22.

I'll post another picture this December when baby #3 is born to see the difference! He's looking much better than he was when the pictures were posted of him a month ago. He'll still be skinny, but he might have his mustache back!!