Sunday, November 28, 2010

And, he's back at UCSF as of today. There was an open bed, and he took it. Should be a short stay and hopefully he'll be home by his birthday on Friday the 3rd.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Dad and Becky stopped by today to pick up a pumpkin pie. He looks better than he has in a long time! His hair is growing back but he's not too thrilled about the texture and style. He thinks the left side looks nappy, the right side looks like a surfer, and the top looks like Charlie Brown. I say, beggars shouldn't be choosers, and he should take whatever he can get! 

He called UCSF on Wednesday and they said they've put him on the schedule for this Saturday and he needs to call back to see if there's a bed available, which there probably won't be. There's a long list of people waiting for beds so he might be bumped for several days until one frees up. Until then, he seems to be enjoying feeling the best he has yet and even plans on doing some digging in his backyard. He's determined to get some sort of muscle tone back on his arms. He is not thankful of the new found jiggle...

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Dad was released from the hospital today after finding out that his stomach pain was due to some sort of internal bruising and nothing too serious, and "passing" a temperature check to confirm he did not have a fever. Not really sure how he managed to trick the nurse who was standing right there, but I image with a little twist of the tongue and a few little sips of cool air, he was able to get the reading around 98. 

Am I right, Dad?!

He's due to call the hospital back next Wednesday to see when he needs to check in again for another round. Once again, not sure if it will be a short or a long stay.

Monday, November 15, 2010

They kept Dad over today to try to run some more tests to find the source of the pain. They did some sort of scan and found an internal bruise somewhere under his last rib. They don't know how it got there, but they have him doped up on Dilaudid, Morphine, etc. to deal with the pain. So, once again, he's a bit loopy and has a hard time remembering things and conveying what he wants to say. Becky will try to call the nurses station to see if she can't get some better answers and see if he will in fact be released tomorrow.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Talked to Dad today, his drip was completed the other day and his numbers have dropped as they're supposed to, and now they're building him back up and getting ready to send him home possibly tomorrow.

The only problem seems to be having a lot of stomach pain and they ran some tests and don't see any reason for it. Hopefully they'll figure out what it is, or it will go away!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Dad waited around for several days until they finally had a room free today. He's down for a 36 hour methotrexate drip and then he should be home sometime around the weekend or early next week.

Still no idea what will happen after this treatment though.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Yesterday's blood test results weren't good. Looks like all of his levels dropped dramatically and he was one point away from needing another shot of Neupagen. He called UCSF and they decided to have him return this Sunday for the 4 day treatment instead of the previously scheduled 3 week program. They'll build his levels up and then start the 36 hour Methotrexate drip, clear him out, then send him home again. 

He'll find out what the plan is for the next round when he's down there.

He canceled his trip down to Santa Maria when he realized on Wednesday that he feeling weak and needing to take a break when took out the trash. Hopefully they'll figure out why his levels are dropping when he's home instead of increasing and he'll feel stronger for the next round. 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Dad had a blood test on Tuesday and the numbers came out just fine, so no need for a Neupagen shot. He goes again on Thursday for another blood test to make sure his numbers aren't declining. He talked to UCSF who said for him to come back on Tuesday of next week after his a.m. blood draw as long as his numbers are consistent. That means he'll be spending Thanksgiving in the hospital as he won't be due back home until the 30th or so. But, he will be home for his birthday on December 3rd!


Nancy is planning on coming out for a week when he gets back to drive him around and handle things for him. These long stays seem to take a lot out of him and he really needs someone to keep tabs on stuff for him and make sure he remembers to eat. If all goes well, Nancy might just be here for the birth of our 3rd baby! I really hope the timing works out that way.

I have reinstated his driving privileges after being fairly impressed that he not only called Feather River to make his own appointments, but called UCSF after researching the side effects of his medications to ask whether or not one of the ones he was taking was causing his counts to be so low. I figured if he has the mental capacity for that sort of thinking and reasoning without blowing a gasket that he's o.k. to get himself to and from the hospital. Let's hope I'm right!

He and Becky will be making one last trip down to Santa Maria this weekend to finish up her move and tie up all the loose ends from her relocation to Paradise. After this, no more road trips!! They seem to wear him out pretty fast. I'll be sure to let him have Becky drive most of the way so he can rest.