RD Update

Monday, November 15 I took RD to the Chemo Lab for bloodwork. He was suppose to go on the 18th but he needed to go earlier. His bloodcount was still low but up from the last visit. He was also slightly dehydrated so they gave him a bag of fluid. He goes back on the 29th. He fell on Tuesday last week and then again on Saturday. He is feeling better today, so I'm hoping that the Procrit shot is helping and I'm keeping a glass of flavored water by his chair all day. Thanks for your prayers.

RD Update

RD had bloodwork today and his blood count had dropped so he is back on the Procrit shots. He got the Procrit shot and B12 shot today. They are going to try to give him 20 units every other week instead of 10 every week so we don't have the drive every week. He goes back on the 18th and see what the count is then and go from there. He hasn't felt well the last couple of weeks and we thought that his blood count had dropped. When it got up to 12, we were hoping that his bone morrow would kick in and keep it up but it had dropped to 9.9 today. He will have a CTscan, breathing tests and see the pulmonary doc on Dec. 6th. Thanks for your continuing prayers.

RD Update

Last week RD's bloodcount was 12.3 so he didn't get a Procrit shot but they wanted him to come back this week for his B12 shot and to check bloodwork. It was 12 today so he doesn't have to go back until Oct. 5, when he sees the doc, unless he starts feeling bad and/or weak.We are praying that the Procrit has 'jump started' his bone morrow to make the blood cells that he needs. He goes to the Pulmonary doc on Sept. 16 and he will check him out and do bloodwork if needed. Thank you all so much for your prayers!!!!

RD Update August 26, 2010

RD's blood count was 12.3 today!! That is good if it stays up but if it starts falling they have to wait until it is 10 or below before he can take more Procrit. I'm hoping that since they increased his dosage the first of August that it 'jump-started' his bone morrow to start making the blood cells. We go next week for blood tests and B12 shot and if it is still up we may not have to go for 2 weeks and then once a month if it continues to stay good.

Today was my Dad's birthday, he would have been 82. It will be two years in September since he passed away. I miss him so much.

RD, etc.

RD's bloodcount was up last Thursday!! It is up one week, down the next but at least it is within the bounds so he doesn't have to have a transfusion. When we were in the chemo lab a lady was getting treatment and she was crocheting. We started talking and found out that her son was my son's PT when he hurt his back. She also sews!! She is a very sweet person and now we are friends on FB!!

I have been tracing some patterns, getting ready to sew this week. Bridget, my daughter by marriage, is coming to sew on Thursday, I'm so excited. She is wanting to learn and I know she will do great!!

Abigail's Solo

Our church is having revival this week. Last night (Monday 8-17-2010)Abigail sang a solo. She did GREAT. She sang Amazing Grace, the one that has an upbeat to the music. She is loving Kindergarten, she enjoys learning sooooo much!!

My Fun/Crazy Day!!

I have to tell you about my day. We picked up Hunter yesterday around 4:00 and his Dad just picked him up. Today he went in the bathroom and yelled, "Nanny, Nanny there is a lizard in here!!" RD was sleeping and didn't feel too well but Hunter ran in there to tell him. Sure enough there was a lizard!! I have never had anything like that happen before and hope I never do again; haven't had a mouse in years!! I keep those sticky pads in my closets just in case a spider should get inside. So I closed the bathroom door, put down the sticky pads and told Hunter to go to the other bathroom...LOL. We kept checking on 'the lizard'. Hunter went to check and came back jumping up and down telling me that we had caught it. Sure enough, we had. I was standing there looking at it and said, under my breath, I don't know what to do with it. He just marched right over there, picked up the sticky pad (other side from the lizard) and wanted to know what I wanted him to do with it. I did atleast go with him to take it outside. Yes, I am embarrassed that my 3 year old DGS had to rescue me. He didn't want to touch the lizard but he didn't mind at all picking up the pad. He is 'all-boy' when it comes to bugs, frogs, etc. and Abigail is 'all-girl'....LOL. That's enough excitement for me for a loooong time....LOL.!!.

Brer-Rabbit-Designs

My friend Laurie has a new site. She is having a great giveaway going on now!! http://brerrabbitdesigns.com/Home.html

Her blog is http://brerrabbitdesigns.blogspot.com

Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brer-Rabbit-Designs/142997532393265?ref=ts

Congratulations, Laurie!!

Hunter Update

Hunter went for his recheck yesterday and he received a clean bill of health. Poor little guy, he went to his first day of preschool today and was pushing a dump truck and fell on the truck and cut his lip. I just love that sweet little fella!!

RD Update August 4, 2010

RD's CT showed that the tumor has decreased alittle more and they are saying it is 'stable'. We will have to keep up the weekly trips to Jackson for Procrit shots each week. The emphysema has gotten worse. Prayers that he will continue to improve.

Hunter's Miracle!!

Before I start a long story, let me say that he is okay!!

Monday, July 19, 2010 approx. 6pm Jeremy & Bridget took Abigail and Hunter swimming at a local members only pool. They were the only ones there and the kids were having a ball. There is a 9 foot slide and Hunter and Abigail were having so much fun sliding. Bridget looked up and saw Hunter flying through the air. He was hitting the steps as he fell down the ladder. He hit the concrete, head first and just crumbled. They rushed him to the hospital where they immediately did a CT scan. He was unconscious, he was whining some when he got to the hospital but not crying. He would open his eyes some but would not talk at all. When they put in the IV, he barely flinched. The ER was FULL of church members from their church. Prayer chains were started everywhere. Then they came in and told us that he had a severe concussion and the best place for him was Lebonheur in Memphis. They sent the helicopter for him and secured him on a board and a neck brace. They would not let anyone go with him. Jeremy asked him if he would be okay on the helicopter and he barely nodded 'yes'. Then Jeremy said, "I love you" and Hunter said, "I love you, too". The first words he had spoken since the accident and it was then 2 hours later. He did GREAT but when they landed he cried for his Mommy & Daddy. It hurts me when I hear one of my grandchildren cry, but I was so happy to hear that he was crying. His Mom was almost to the hospital because they left early so she would be there when he landed or at least close. Jeremy stayed with him. I took Abigail and went by their house to get her clothes.

Now, for the miracle....The docs checked him over and he vomited, they admitted. He vomit the next morning around 6:00am but then he ate breakfast and lunch and around 2:00 pm he was discharged to come home!! If you could have seen that baby, it was awful. My oldest son posted to facebook that if you could see him, you would know that the Lord had his head in his hands!! I'm sorry to be so late writing but as you can imagine, I have had my hands full. Hunter stayed with us for a few hours tonight and we enjoyed him so much. He is still pale and you can tell that something has happened. He is SOOOO active and they are suppose to keep him calm for 2 weeks, which is so hard for a 3 year old, then take him back to Memphis for a follow-up. RD hasn't felt well this week, been dizzy and weak. I think it is because of Hunter, they are BIG buddies!! Please pray for him and for the family, poor Bridget looks like she is sick and they feel so bad about not watching him close enough, but you would have to know Hunter and you would understand, they are not to blame. I'll let you hear from him after his doc visit.

Abigail's Learning

Abigail stayed overnight with us on Thursday and Friday we got in the sewing room. She trimmed two patterns and cut out a top. She is really learning to use scissors, she does great! When I started sewing she was helping and then she wanted to play a game, so we did. She enjoyed trimming the patterns and then cutting out the top. Hunter was bouncing when they came to pick her up, he was excited to see her and he loves coming to Nanny & Poppa's house.

RD Update

RD had an appointment with the pulmonary doc today. He reviewed the CTscan with us that he had in June and said mostly what the oncologist told us. He ordered lots of bloodwork and an echocardiogram, he will have that on Thursday. RD asked him if he would ever breathe better and the doc said that he hoped he would get some better but didn't think that he would ever be as well as RD wanted.

While we were in the lab they went ahead and tested his blood for the Procrit shot and it was 11.4 this week from 10.8 last week....YAY!!!!!!!!!! We are hoping he hits the 12 mark soon.

He has an appointment for a CTscan on August 2nd and then an appt. with the oncologist on August 4th. His pulmonary doc will get a copy of the CT results and will call us if he needs to see RD before his appt. in September.

Please keep us in your prayers, we appreciate them so much!!

Dinner out!!

I know this doesn't sound very exciting but it is to me. RD wanted to go out to eat this evening. Just went to a local place but it was so nice to to out with him. We have been out but it is either fast food or a birthday party, just a quiet dinner was so nice. When we got home he was so tired, so he went to bed early. He told me that he enjoyed the evening.

He sees the pulmonary doc tomorrow, we are hoping the doc can give some meds that will help with the emphysema. He takes breathing treatments 2x day and is on oxygen 24/7. We just hope there is more help!!

RD Update July 10, 2010

We were so excited last week because RD's blood count was 1We1.3 coming up from the last week from 10.8. Well, Thursday the count was back to 10.8.

We thought the food we were eating was helping but for our meals we still ate lots of green, leafy veggies and red meat for him, I'm not that fond of meat but love veggies. So, we'll keep eating a healthy diet and pray for good results.

Sara's Giveaway

My friend, Sara Norris, is having a giveaway at her blog. Check out her latest designs visit her blog for more details: http://saranorrisltd.blogspot.com/

RD Update

RD's blood count was 10.8 last week and this week it was 11.3!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited. The nurses had told him to eat lots of green leafy veggies and red meat and I've been pushing these for the past weeks. He likes it all, so that is a good thing!!

Brennan didn't come home with us. He wanted to stay home and play with his brothers and all their toys!!

Cannon

Cannon wanted to come stay overnight with Nanny & Poppa. His Mom & Dad brought him on Sunday and his Dad picked him up yesterday since he was in the area regarding his job. We had soooo much fun. He is really a good and sweet little guy...

Got my hair cut very short & colored today. I feel so much better. It is amazing how a new 'do' helps lift my spirit.

RD is having bloodwork tomorrow and a Procrit shot. Brennan is suppose to come home with us after the lab work, that is if he hasn't changed his mind, which he often does...LOL!!

RD Update

RD's bloodcount was 10.8, not very higher but at least it is going in the right direction.

RD Update

The CT showed that the tumor has decreased some. Called cardiologist and she increased his Lasix which has helped a lot with the swelling.

My brother took our family out last night and RD enjoyed it so much. He always takes us all out in June and that is his birthday dinner to us. After we ate we went to Danny & Debbie's for homemade ice cream and brownies. We enjoyed watching the grands play and swim.

RD's blood count is still going up, the Procrit and all the leafy green vegetables are helping. It was 10.7 last week, when his count reaches 12 the shots will be discontinued and he will be monitored monthly. Still short of breath but he can walk to the bathroom and to our bedroom now.

A FOLLOWER!!

YAY, my first follower.....thanks, ShirleyC!! Maybe I'll get better at updating....LOL!!

I went to Memphis yesterday for a check on my liver. They did bloodwork and I go to Jackson this Thursday for a CTscan. I have ultrasounds but have only had one CT. The ultrasound that I had on the 12th was stable.

RD went to the oncologist for his checkup today. The doc told him that he had two terminal illnesses and each time he has an infection, etc. he would not get back up to the level he was at before the illness, he doesn't think RD will get any better than he is now. He is mostly in the wheelchair, he is so short of breath. He will have a CTscan soon. Doc seems to think that the cancer is stable but the COPD is a big problem.

RD

RD is about the same as he was when he came home from the hospital. Still weak and very short of breath. Went to the Radiation Oncologist on Thursday and everything checked out okay, the doc ordered a head/brain MRI. He will have this done on Wednesday just to be sure there are no tumors. If this is okay then he doesn't have to see this doc again unless something shows up later. The tumor was 4cm in Dec and in March it was between 2-2.5cm, so that is great. He also has a very good appetite. All the docs are saying the same thing, that he has emphysema, lung cancer, 3 types of fungus, and there has been some changes where he had the heart by-pass surgery and all of these things cause shortness of breath. Plus the treatments that destroyed the cancer cells also destroyed some of the healthy cells so they are going to have to rebuild and that takes time. He goes back to his regular oncologist on the 27th and then he will have a CT around the first of May to check the size of the tumor, hopefully, it will be smaller. We will know the results of the MRI either Wed afternoon or Thursday, I'll email when we hear.

RD

Saw Dr. Kovalic today. We didn't get home until after five. We stopped in Jackson and brought home our supper. Jeremy had class tonight and Bridget & Abigail had play practice so Hunter stayed with us. Between RD & Hunter I was finding myself coming and going. Neither one was any problem, it is just like having two babies. Hunter is really good and he helps me a lot with RD. He loves to take him his meds for his breathing treatments and turn on the machine...LOL. When we got Poppa in the bed, I always tuck him in, kiss him and hold his hand for awhile. Hunter was walking around looking at everything then he came over and wanted to know if Poppa was okay. That's how bad his breathing is and then he walked over and started rubbing Poppa's hand. He is such a sweetie and I love having him here, he just turned 3.

Everything checked out okay at the doc. RD is so confused so much of the time and today the doc saw it. So, RD is having a MRI on Wed., I don't think the cancer is in his brain but there is something not right. I told my brother that I have noticed this for awhile and it could be some of the meds he is taking. Today I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said that he wanted to feel a lot better. Then in a few minutes he wanted to know if today(Thu) was his birthday, his birthday is April 10th. If he asks once he asks 50 times a day when is his next doc appt., on the way home he said, "Now day after tomorrow which doc do I see?" I told him that he didn't have another appt until the MRI that the doc ordered. He wanted to know which doc. I told him it was the doc we just left. I always try to answer him very sweetly because he can't help it. I could tell by looking at him that he was still confused so I explained where we had been and which doc. Now, a lot of this is because he is tired and he doesn't do well when he is tired. I try so hard to be positive but sometimes I am so concerned.

RD

Got home last night but by the time we stopped for his meds, we were so tired, he went to bed and I slept for awhile in my chair.

He is feeling some better, just so happy to be home. Home health will come for awhile. The nurse, PT and CNA will all come 2 times a week so that will help out with his exercises and baths.

He goes back for a checkup with the oncologist on Monday. They will order another CTscan in a few weeks to see if there are any more changes in the tumor.

I can't thank you enough for your prayers, I know that is why he is home. We still need your prayers...Bless you...

RD

RD has 3 types of infections in his lungs. They have called in the Infectious Disease doc to see what type of antibiotics are needed to clear his lungs. They want him to stay and see if the antibiotics are working so don't look like we will be home before Monday. I was getting ready to get my shower and he said that he was having trouble breathing. Vital signs were all good so they gave him another breathing treatment. He is short of breath and not feeling good at all today. I'm going to take a nap and wait for the doc and then try again to get my shower...LOL.

RD

The doctor just came in and said that he might go home tomorrow but probably Saturday. The culture that they are doing from the lungs is growing something and he said that it would take 24-48 hours before they would know what it is that is growing. Also, they need to know if he needs antibiotics through an IV which means he has to stay or oral meds which means he can go home!! So, more waiting but I am so thankful that he is better!!

RD

RD has improved today. No fever, ate good, sat up for about an hour and he just looks like he feels better. Thank You, Lord, for touching RD!! Thanks to everyone for your prayers!! Hope to go home in a few days

RD

The oncologist came in and he ordered 2 units of blood for RD. He seems to think he is bleeding and they are running tests to find out if he is or not. Week ago Thursday his blood count was okay at the chemo lab. He has been anemic but not bad. Wed. he went to the local doc and he said that his blood count was low but not low enough for a transfusion, so something has happened in the last few days. I have told them about the nose bleeds and the confusion, so we'll see what happens next. He does have an infection been coughing more than usual and he is getting IV antibiotics. Looks like we will be here for a few days. Thanks again for your prayers.

RD

It seems like lately all I ever do is ask for prayers but I'm sooo thankful that I have friends that I know will pray. RD hasn't done well at all the last week. Doc put him on oxygen this week, he just kept getting weaker and having such a hard time breathing so doc said to bring him to the ER. We got here around 4:00 pm on Friday and he has just now got in a room and settled. I'm so tired but can't sleep. He did so great with the chemo and radiation; chemo ended on 2/11 and radiation on 2/18. They told us that he would gradually start to get his strength back and start feeling better. Well, last Friday he started gradually getting worse and more so each day. They really don't know what's wrong. Going to do some tests and give him IV antibiotics. Sure hope he feels better soon. Thank you so much for your prayers.

He is in Jackson General in the old part of the hospital; Room....989.

RD

Thought I would let you know that RD has a kidney infection. They are also 'growing' some cultures to see if there are other infections, the cultures will take some time. They are going to do a CTscan & possible MRI on his head tomorrow to make sure there aren't any masses or bleeding. He is feeling better tonight, I think the IV antibiotics are kicking in now. He is on the 2nd unit of blood and they are hoping that this will make him feel better. They don't think he will have to have anymore blood, they feel that these 2 units will be enough to kick up his low levels. The lab will be in tonight to do a CBC and PT and then the nurse is suppose to call the doc tonight with the results. So I'm hoping that all the levels have improved. We will be here another 4 to 5 days. If you don't hear from me you will know that there has been no changes and that I haven't found out anything further. I'll email as soon as I know something. Thanks for your prayers.

We are finished with the trips to Jackson!! He goes back on the 16th for a CT scan and then later in March to see the doctors to get the results. He is still really weak and tired but the chemo nurses told him today that it is going to take time. All his bloodwork was good today, still has some anemia but that had improved since last week. So I guess now we wait.

If anything comes up, I'll let you know.

Thanks everyone for your prayers!!

RD

Not much new to report. He is still very tired and is now bald. His hair started coming out this weekend. He wanted me to clip his hair, and then he wanted me to shave his head. He looks good and our neighbors told him that he needed to wear his 'hair' like that all the time. He said that he would as soon as he gets a tan on his head...LOL.

He was dehydrated last Thursday and got 2 bags of fluid. He goes back to chemo in the morning to get blood checked to see if he needs more fluid. He is finished with the chemo treatments and will finish radiation on Thursday. Just as he has gradually gotten weaker the doc told us that he would gradually get stronger, he sure is hoping for that soon.

He is still in good spirits.

RD

RD had a port implanted today. They were having problems getting blood and getting an IV started. He did great, after the procedure he went to radiation. He sees the oncologist tomorrow and then chemo. So Thursday and Friday will be radiology only, our 'short' days.

He doesn't seem to feel as well today but we were up at 4:30 and got home around 4:00, plus the procedure and radiation, it was a LONG day! Today was the half-way mark for the radiation!! I'll let you know what the doc says tomorrow.

Thank so much for your thoughts and prayers.
Love you all...

Notes on RD

Notes on RD...

RD went for his regular checkup last Friday, the 11th and this week the doc called to say that there was a 'shadow' on his left lung. Went for a CAT scan on Thursday and it showed a mass. Had a biopsy done today, Friday. We may find out something on Monday, if doc didn't get enough of the mass for a biopsy, then he will have a needle biopsy on Tuesday. Didn't want to go that route because RD is a medium risk of getting a hole in his lung, then he would have to stay in the hospital until the hole heals. RD doesn't seem to be upset but I know he has to be concerned. Sure hope we find out something on Monday.

Didn't get enough cells from the biopsy, will have a needle biopsy done on Tuesday.

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 20009 RD was admitted to the hospital because his lung collapsed during the biopsy. He is doing good, in some pain, but mostly sore. He has a chest tube and will have to stay until the hole heals in his lung. We may get the biopsy results tomorrow. December 22, 2004, he was admitted in outpatient for a heart cath. The degree and location of the blockages were such that the doc said that there was no way he could go home. He was admitted to the hospital. The doc's schedule was full for the 23rd so he had by-pass surgery on Christmas Eve, had some complications but he was discharged around 5:00 on New Year's night. It is hard to believe that he is here again on Dec. 22 for an outpatient test that has turned into a hospital admittance.

Dec. 23, 2009 We didn't get good news today. He has lung cancer. Don't know what direction we will be going...surgeon will be in to talk to us. Some of the options are: surgery to remove the cancer; surgery to remove the lung; radiation & chemo; the surgeon may want another opinion from a doc in Nashville. They aren't sure if he can tolerate surgery or if he can tolerate the surgery if he would be in worse shape than he is now. He gets out of breath just walking to the bathroom at home. He still has an air leak in his lung so we aren't going home for a few days, until the hole in his lung heals. Don't really know the type of cancer other than it is not 'small cell', we will know more about that later. The location of the mass is a big part of the problem as to have surgery or not. We may not know anything more for a few days.

Dec. 24 The docs have decided that surgery is not an option for RD. The tumor is too close to the main heart artery and the risk is high for a massive heartattack. He gets short of breath just walking across the floor so that played into the decision, too. As much trouble as he has now with breathing, because of emphysema, he doesn't need to have his lung removed. So he will be treated with radiation and chemo. This afternoon they did a MRI, CT and Bone Scan. The leak hasn't closed up in his lung yet but I'm hoping that we will go home as soon as it does.

Dec. 25 The doc just came in and told us that the tests from yesterday looked good, no apparent reason for concern. He still has the air leak in his lung, Doc increased the suction and told us that he wouldn't be here this weekend, another doc would check on RD and he would check back with us on Monday. Sooooo, looks like we won't go home until Monday at the earliest. RD is very tired today, he doesn't want any company he needs his rest. He remains in good spirits!! God gave us doctors and they are wonderful but we all know that God has the final say in this matter, so we are putting everything in God's hands, knowing that He always makes the right decision.

Dec. 27, 2009 There is not anything new today. The air leak is still there and he will have to stay 24 hours after it heals. He is feeling better, can move his left arm without pain so I hope that is a sign that he is healing. He is really wanting to go home, I know he will feel better once we get home to our own 'stuff'. I do have a special prayer request, please pray that he can tolerate the treatments and that they aren't too hard on him.


12-28-09, Monday No air leak this morning!! They clamped off the tube, will do another chest x-ray at 2:00. If his lung stays inflated, we may get to go home tomorrow!!
We won't go home today but probably tomorrow!! The radiation oncologist wants a scan before we can leave. He told us that the type of cancer RD has is the 'best' kind to have if you have cancer, doesn't spread as fast. There is a 25-30% chance of cure with radiation and chemo but in RD's case it is a 40-45% chance of cure because the tumor is small. ......Also, it was found in a routine checkup before he had any symptoms. The tumor is right against his heart so some of the heart may be damaged which means 6mos to a year down the road may require a balloon procedure

12-29-09 Tuesday...Going home today!! RD is in good spirits since he can go home.

12-30-09 Wednesday...Family Christmas....Had a great time and RD really enjoyed it.

12-31-09 Thursday...RD is still weak and he tires easily. Starts radiation on Monday.

01-01-2010 Friday...I woke up RD to start 2010 with a kiss and we agreed that we would do that again next year!!