Home.
Tonight he dines at home with Caren.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Up
Moved floors up to 7. Quieter, better view and a larger room. If all goes well, in 24 hours we can blow this taco stand.
The food however is getting progressivly worse. Today's meatloaf looked like day old canned cat food. We decided to take matters into our own hands - Papa Johns is in route with a XL and cheese sticks.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
The food however is getting progressivly worse. Today's meatloaf looked like day old canned cat food. We decided to take matters into our own hands - Papa Johns is in route with a XL and cheese sticks.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:St Clair Ave,St Paul,United States
Hair
More good news... the latest procedure appears to have reversed his hair loss. Not sure though, you be the judge.
He also has a new passion for country music.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
He also has a new passion for country music.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Sleep
Last night he had a rough night.
The kept putting a nebulizer on his face, which he kept throwing across the room. Being in the ICU, the noise doesn't subside at night which kept him awake. Seems like all the staff in the room this morning was aware of his "heightened excitement".
They got him up and walking today with a walker and he even did some stairs!
They're going to be moving him today up a few floors and possibly discharging tomorrow!
It's pretty remarkable the rate of recovery this time around. He's stronger than he was a week ago already, he seems a lot more chipper and his swelling has gone done. I'm really wondering why it's going so much better - mental prep? Prayer? Support? I'm choosing to believe it's all of the above.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
The kept putting a nebulizer on his face, which he kept throwing across the room. Being in the ICU, the noise doesn't subside at night which kept him awake. Seems like all the staff in the room this morning was aware of his "heightened excitement".
They got him up and walking today with a walker and he even did some stairs!
They're going to be moving him today up a few floors and possibly discharging tomorrow!
It's pretty remarkable the rate of recovery this time around. He's stronger than he was a week ago already, he seems a lot more chipper and his swelling has gone done. I'm really wondering why it's going so much better - mental prep? Prayer? Support? I'm choosing to believe it's all of the above.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sitting
More baby steps today. Up 3 times standing, spent a couple of hours out of bed in a chair, ate solids and of course had a cookie dough blizzard.
It seems like every hour he's getting stronger. They said if a room were available they would have us up a few floors for therapy.
On the outside of the room they have these signs warning about the patient having had Chimo. Because of this they use special gloves when they work with him. I asked "why do you wear the special gloves"? The nurse said "it's to protect ourselves from catching anything, because of the chemo". I asked, "Why, would that be bad?". She thought for a moment and replied "yea, and and it's for our safety and hers" pointing to other nurse whose pregnant. I then followed up with "Well what about me or Caren? She's been living wih him and I've been in the room all day". She paused, then blamed protocol. I couldn't help but chuckle.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
It seems like every hour he's getting stronger. They said if a room were available they would have us up a few floors for therapy.
On the outside of the room they have these signs warning about the patient having had Chimo. Because of this they use special gloves when they work with him. I asked "why do you wear the special gloves"? The nurse said "it's to protect ourselves from catching anything, because of the chemo". I asked, "Why, would that be bad?". She thought for a moment and replied "yea, and and it's for our safety and hers" pointing to other nurse whose pregnant. I then followed up with "Well what about me or Caren? She's been living wih him and I've been in the room all day". She paused, then blamed protocol. I couldn't help but chuckle.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States
Risen
They took his turban bandaging off this morning along with some of his lines from the surgery.
They got him up, out of bed twice so far today. He even got as far as standing and marching in place. His reward? Ice cream. Life is good.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
They got him up, out of bed twice so far today. He even got as far as standing and marching in place. His reward? Ice cream. Life is good.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States
Chips
Late yesterday before I left he got his first oral anything - some ice chips along with a few mL's of water.
This morning he's a little more chipper and is asking questions of us between his cat naps. There is talk in the air that he may get out of bed today and into a chair - and out of the ICU... the one of many baby steps.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
This morning he's a little more chipper and is asking questions of us between his cat naps. There is talk in the air that he may get out of bed today and into a chair - and out of the ICU... the one of many baby steps.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Slow day
It's been a slow day today. Lots of rest and recovery. He's had a little fluid in his lungs which is expected. In the next 24 or so his lungs should open up and be clear.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:N Smith Ave,St Paul,United States
Sleeping
Lots of drugs, lots of naps... repeat.
This morning he continues to sleep between nurse checks and drug doses. He looks better than yesterday but still has the expected swelling. I think like last time we will be doing a lot of waiting until he regains some strength. He can talk and has all of his cognitive functions which is good. Hopefully in the next day or so we can have a little more two way communication.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
This morning he continues to sleep between nurse checks and drug doses. He looks better than yesterday but still has the expected swelling. I think like last time we will be doing a lot of waiting until he regains some strength. He can talk and has all of his cognitive functions which is good. Hopefully in the next day or so we can have a little more two way communication.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States
Monday, June 14, 2010
Night
The last of us are heading home for the evening. Thanks to everyone that has been praying and offering support in various ways. It's been a long day. Please pray for healing, pain relief, comfort and rest. God bless and good night.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Post-op visit
We were able to get in and see him. His eyes are open, he's responsive, able to squeeze hands, but definitely still sedated. He is on a CPAP which helps to breath deep. We are looking forward to the morning already where he should be able to communicate.
A special thanks to Dwayne - thank you for your generosity while hanging out in the waiting room!
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
A special thanks to Dwayne - thank you for your generosity while hanging out in the waiting room!
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Movin'
Up to the ICU! We should be able to see him in 15 minutes once he gets situated.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Closed
He is closed up and heading to recovery. The cyst is gone and 90+ percent of the tumor.
Wow. How a day can swing.
Thanks for the continued prayers.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Wow. How a day can swing.
Thanks for the continued prayers.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Big change!
The surgeon came in with an update.
They tried two plugs and they couldn't get the fluid from inside the cyst to come through it because it was too thick. They then tried to endoscopically to remove the cyst, which also didn't work. She then decided the bleeding was under control enough (he had a transfusion) that she could open him up. She went in and was able to take out the cyst fully, cauterize the tissue in that area and then take out more tumor.
The bad news is the recovery is now back to a week or more, which was the original plan when the day began.
He's currently undergoing another MRI and when they get the results back they will either take more out or close him up.
Well, now we know what the delay was. In my opinion it's really best case. The plug is no longer needed and they got more tumor out.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
They tried two plugs and they couldn't get the fluid from inside the cyst to come through it because it was too thick. They then tried to endoscopically to remove the cyst, which also didn't work. She then decided the bleeding was under control enough (he had a transfusion) that she could open him up. She went in and was able to take out the cyst fully, cauterize the tissue in that area and then take out more tumor.
The bad news is the recovery is now back to a week or more, which was the original plan when the day began.
He's currently undergoing another MRI and when they get the results back they will either take more out or close him up.
Well, now we know what the delay was. In my opinion it's really best case. The plug is no longer needed and they got more tumor out.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Update
Well, looks like my estimate was wrong. Goes to show you how much longer things take around here. Rush, rush, rush... waaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiit, wwwaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiit, wwwwwaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiit.
The crowd continues to grow.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
The crowd continues to grow.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Scanning
The plug is in and the cyst is drained. He's being sutchered now and then having another MRI. In 2 hours I'm guessing he will be out.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Time
Surgery time went from 12+ hours to maybe 2 because of the change in scope.
We're getting more people here in the waiting area.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
We're getting more people here in the waiting area.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Surgeon
Last time the surgeon was Dr. Greggory. Well, he's on vacation so his boss is doing the surgery.
Please keep Dr. Dunn in your prayers.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Please keep Dr. Dunn in your prayers.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Update
The surgeon came out not too long ago. His platelets aren't doing their job when they put his central line in (blood isn't clotting well). She thinks they might change the approach on the surgery and not try to take out more tumor and only focus on the cyst. Everyone is on board with this decision - it's the best for John and poses less risk.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Under
We just left John in his pre-op room. He should in surgery in the next hour or so.
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the big day. His surgery starts at 730 in the morning and will go 12 hours or so. He is heading to pre-op at 530am and I plan on arriving around 6. Please keep everyone in prayer, including the surgeon, staff, family, friends and of course, John.
Wow, seems eerily familiar.... http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2009/11/tomorrow.html
- Adam
Wow, seems eerily familiar.... http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2009/11/tomorrow.html
- Adam
Group prayer
I got to take part in a prayer group today for my dad at his house. He's so fortunate to be a part of a church like Encompass. It's small enough that everyone knows everyone, and because of the "small town feel", you can really see the passion and care that everyone has for each other. Thanks, Kevin, for leading!
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Adam
- Posted from a mobile device
Friday, June 11, 2010
Portacath
John's first stint in the hospital and all his subsequent doctor visits have turned him into a human pin cushion. The top of his hands always have a little hit of purple to them thanks to all the lab work that's been drawn. So, now John has his very own portacath which was surgically implanted on June 8th. Having this will allow him to no longer have his hands tied up and it will give the nurses the advantage of being able to get meds to him and into his blood stream faster.
More info on a portacath can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)
More info on a portacath can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)
The now and then
As promised, here is a very high level summary as seen by me (Adam).
The past few months have seen there fair share of ups and downs. We've had some good days and bad, happy times and sad. The chemo and radiation is not an easy thing to forgo, but all things considered, John did remarkably well and didn't get too physically sick.
A little less than a month ago John finally had a follow up MRI which revealed that there was a cyst that has formed in his head. A cyst in the brain in case you were wondering is a sphere filled with fluid, similar to a miniature balloon filled with water. This one is isolated in the rear of the area where the tumor was. We were told that getting a cyst after this type of surgery although rare, usually doesn't cause too much worry depending on what its doing. In John's case, we found out that this cyst is pushing against his left brain hemisphere. Because of the pressure it has begun to mess with his motor skills. With all this new information, and after his case being presented it was unanamously recommended that another surgery should be done. This unfortunatly was not what we wanted to hear - as John said he would NEVER go through that again.
About three weeks ago, and after a lot of prayer, a decision was made that he would go through with a second surgery. In this surgery they would drain the cyst and remove as much of it as possible and then place a sort of plug in his skull to allow for future draining. The plug is... well... imagine a cork being stuck in your head. Through this cork someone can take a needle and go through the cork to get into your skull. This is essentially what he is getting. Once it's in, it will sit below the surface of the skin but will allow a doctor access to drain the cyst in the event that it fills back up.
Also shown by the MRI was new growth of the cancer. Although it wasn't entirely expected, it was inevitable. The good news is it has spread only a little and while the surgeon is in his head working on the cyst, he can take out a little bit more of the tumor.
The surgery is set for Monday, June the 14th early in the AM. It is pretty much the exact same surgery as last time.
Please keep John in your prayers, as well as his family. Thanks.
The past few months have seen there fair share of ups and downs. We've had some good days and bad, happy times and sad. The chemo and radiation is not an easy thing to forgo, but all things considered, John did remarkably well and didn't get too physically sick.
A little less than a month ago John finally had a follow up MRI which revealed that there was a cyst that has formed in his head. A cyst in the brain in case you were wondering is a sphere filled with fluid, similar to a miniature balloon filled with water. This one is isolated in the rear of the area where the tumor was. We were told that getting a cyst after this type of surgery although rare, usually doesn't cause too much worry depending on what its doing. In John's case, we found out that this cyst is pushing against his left brain hemisphere. Because of the pressure it has begun to mess with his motor skills. With all this new information, and after his case being presented it was unanamously recommended that another surgery should be done. This unfortunatly was not what we wanted to hear - as John said he would NEVER go through that again.
About three weeks ago, and after a lot of prayer, a decision was made that he would go through with a second surgery. In this surgery they would drain the cyst and remove as much of it as possible and then place a sort of plug in his skull to allow for future draining. The plug is... well... imagine a cork being stuck in your head. Through this cork someone can take a needle and go through the cork to get into your skull. This is essentially what he is getting. Once it's in, it will sit below the surface of the skin but will allow a doctor access to drain the cyst in the event that it fills back up.
Also shown by the MRI was new growth of the cancer. Although it wasn't entirely expected, it was inevitable. The good news is it has spread only a little and while the surgeon is in his head working on the cyst, he can take out a little bit more of the tumor.
The surgery is set for Monday, June the 14th early in the AM. It is pretty much the exact same surgery as last time.
Please keep John in your prayers, as well as his family. Thanks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
