The nurses call brain surgeries "crannies" or "cranny" in the singular form. Dad had his fifth today and everything went well. They placed 11 chemo wafers in the tumor cavity and those should last around 6 weeks. We hope this chemo works better than the last. Dad is luckily back in his room and not in ICU. He has been in some pain, which is expected with surgery, and sleeps a lot. We're glad he sleeps, he's recovering well. We hope to bring him home soon.
Thank you all for your prayers.
Melanee
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Emergency Surgery and Update
Dad had another headache that would not go away, so he went in for a scan. They found some bleeding in his brain, and another tumor, so they set him up for emergency surgery. The surgery went well and he is now resting in the ICU. Miracles are happening again! They said that he would lose vision in his left eye and motor function on his left side, but only hours after surgery, he had not lost any of his eye sight or his motor functioning!
I got an email from Danielle explaining his recovery. I'll post it here and you can here it from her!
"Here is the latest update on Dad. This morning he was looking so much better than yesterday! His swelling has gone down dramatically, even though there is still some. They are still draining fluid, and that could be for a little while longer. The doctors came in and took out one of the pumps, and let him sit up and eat solid foods. He also got up and walked around a bit! The best news though, is that he hasn't lost any of his vision in his left eye like they told us he would, and even though his left side of his body is a little weaker than the right, he has full function!! So he is mending!!
The doctors told us that we are figuring out what is going on with his blood first before we make any other plans for the cancer treatments. The plan is to have him heal up from his surgeries and then we'll figure out the next steps. But remember, he is doing much better than the doctors were expecting!
He was also unblinded from the study. He found out that he was taking the placebo, not the Avastin which could be a blessing itself because the Avastin can cause bleeding so it might have made all this even worse. We are seeing miracles and good things happening so keep up all that praying! It's working!!
Love to all,
Dani"
I got an email from Danielle explaining his recovery. I'll post it here and you can here it from her!
"Here is the latest update on Dad. This morning he was looking so much better than yesterday! His swelling has gone down dramatically, even though there is still some. They are still draining fluid, and that could be for a little while longer. The doctors came in and took out one of the pumps, and let him sit up and eat solid foods. He also got up and walked around a bit! The best news though, is that he hasn't lost any of his vision in his left eye like they told us he would, and even though his left side of his body is a little weaker than the right, he has full function!! So he is mending!!
The doctors told us that we are figuring out what is going on with his blood first before we make any other plans for the cancer treatments. The plan is to have him heal up from his surgeries and then we'll figure out the next steps. But remember, he is doing much better than the doctors were expecting!
He was also unblinded from the study. He found out that he was taking the placebo, not the Avastin which could be a blessing itself because the Avastin can cause bleeding so it might have made all this even worse. We are seeing miracles and good things happening so keep up all that praying! It's working!!
Love to all,
Dani"
Monday, August 30, 2010
Update!
Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. We’ll do better from here…promise.
Dad and Mom went on an awesome trip the last week of July funded by an anonymous donor. If you’re reading this, Mr. Anonymous, THANK YOU! They had the best time. They came out to visit ME in Florida! It felt like Christmas having them here all to myself. They also went on a cruise and had an amazing time. They said they didn’t even think about the cancer the whole time they were on the ship, they just relaxed and enjoyed their time together.
On August 3rd, Dad started radiation and Temodar (chemo). He goes to radiation 5 times a week Monday-Friday, and as I type this he only has two weeks left! He also takes his chemo medicine everyday. As their insurance is not paying for the chemo, we thought they would have to pay out-of-pocket the 10,000 a month price tag, but the Commitment To Care Foundation, thanks to many prayers, is providing the chemo free of charge. We are SO GRATEFUL. It is truly a miracle.
The radiation makes Dad tired, but he is starting to feel better as he gets off the Decadron. The Decadron also gave him some diabetes issues, but he will hopefully get off insulin soon. He is also starting to lose his hair, but he looks cool bald. The doctor found some blood clots in his legs, so he also now gets two injections a day for that. My dad, the walking pin-cushion.
Good news! Dad starts the study on September 8th. The study is an experimental drug that has shown amazing results. It is a miracle that he got into it and we are so happy! He will get a 90-minute infusion the first day, then in 2 weeks, a 60-minute infusion, then in two weeks a 30-minutes infusion. If he handles those well, he will continue on the 30-minute.
All in all, Dad is doing well. He is the toughest man alive. Please keep him in your prayers. He is so grateful for all the prayers and help so far. Thank you!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
My Dad, My Hero
My dad's the ultimate hero.
He's a man's man with a sensitive heart.
He's humble with the brain of a genius.
He works tirelessly to make everyone's life better.
He's a spiritual giant that teaches me about Christ by example.
He taught me about love by his always adoring love for my mom.
He taught me about life by living it to the fullest.
By Stefanie
He's a man's man with a sensitive heart.
He's humble with the brain of a genius.
He works tirelessly to make everyone's life better.
He's a spiritual giant that teaches me about Christ by example.
He taught me about love by his always adoring love for my mom.
He taught me about life by living it to the fullest.
By Stefanie
By Stefanie
He smiled as he told us the prognosis:
50% chance and 18 months.
I cried. He smiled.
He bore his testimony in Christ and told us of the peace he felt.
I cried. He smiled.
He starts a painful and lengthy process of healing now.
I cried. He smiled.
He spoke of dancing with Mom in five years.
I smiled.Saturday, July 10, 2010
Prognosis
During surgery they took a biopsy and said they would not have results for a week. Yesterday, July 9, Mom and Dad went to the Doctor to learn more.
They gathered the family together that night to tell us the prognosis.
Dad asked me to tell it straight. This cancer is terminal. There is no known cure for his cancer, but there are many therapies that will help.
Dad has anywhere from 3 months to 2 years, and with these new therapies it could be as long as 5 years.
The peace that my Dad feels right now is so amazing. He bore his testimony of Christ and how he heals us all. He spoke of the truthfulness of the Gospel and how we are an eternal family, never to be separated. He spoke of his life--it has been well lived. He spoke of his love for our Mother and for us children and how that has been the greatest joy in his life.
Then he insisted we have an ice-cream party. And we always do what Dad tells us to do.
They gathered the family together that night to tell us the prognosis.
Dad asked me to tell it straight. This cancer is terminal. There is no known cure for his cancer, but there are many therapies that will help.
Dad has anywhere from 3 months to 2 years, and with these new therapies it could be as long as 5 years.
The peace that my Dad feels right now is so amazing. He bore his testimony of Christ and how he heals us all. He spoke of the truthfulness of the Gospel and how we are an eternal family, never to be separated. He spoke of his life--it has been well lived. He spoke of his love for our Mother and for us children and how that has been the greatest joy in his life.
Then he insisted we have an ice-cream party. And we always do what Dad tells us to do.
Surgery
Surgery was scheduled for Thursday, July 1st.
Dr. Reichman said he never gets a phone call from a Family Practitioner for this type of brain tumor, he only gets phone calls from the emergency room when the patient is already fighting for his life. This was an amazing miracle as far as early detection because it gave Dad some time to visit with all of his children, family and friends. It also gave time to give him steroids to help shrink his tumor before surgery.
Family, friends, and ward members all joined together in a Fast before his surgery. We believe miracles came from this outpouring of faith and love, and we thank everyone.
Surgery day came and Dad had his head shaved. (He looks quite dashing bald.) The procedure went very well and Dad was taken to the ICU to recover. Within hours we was awake, talking, and making jokes.
They took him off the morphine drip as he said his pain was minimal. The nurse said Dad was the toughest man he knew. But we already knew that.
Within a day, Dad was walking around with a walker, so they moved him out of the ICU to a normal room.
The next day, Saturday, he surprised us all when the Doctor sent him home.
Two days out of surgery and Dad could recover at home. We were all so happy. Miracle number 277 and counting....
Dr. Reichman said he never gets a phone call from a Family Practitioner for this type of brain tumor, he only gets phone calls from the emergency room when the patient is already fighting for his life. This was an amazing miracle as far as early detection because it gave Dad some time to visit with all of his children, family and friends. It also gave time to give him steroids to help shrink his tumor before surgery.
Family, friends, and ward members all joined together in a Fast before his surgery. We believe miracles came from this outpouring of faith and love, and we thank everyone.
Surgery day came and Dad had his head shaved. (He looks quite dashing bald.) The procedure went very well and Dad was taken to the ICU to recover. Within hours we was awake, talking, and making jokes.
They took him off the morphine drip as he said his pain was minimal. The nurse said Dad was the toughest man he knew. But we already knew that.
Within a day, Dad was walking around with a walker, so they moved him out of the ICU to a normal room.
The next day, Saturday, he surprised us all when the Doctor sent him home.
Two days out of surgery and Dad could recover at home. We were all so happy. Miracle number 277 and counting....
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
We'll Start At the Beginning
Which is a very good place to start.
June 21, 2010. On Dad's birthday he woke up in the night with a terrible headache. He had a virus for a while, so we figured it had just moved in as an infection. But the dizziness and disorientation was troubling so he went to the doctor who ordered an antibiotic and an MRI.
June 28, 2010. Dad went in for the scheduled MRI, as the antibiotic had no effect on his symptoms. The news that came next startled us all.
Dad had a large tumor in his brain. The shape of an egg, but bigger.
That afternoon he was in the doctors office, an hour later the films were brought to Doctor Reichman, and an hour after that, he was brought into the emergency room to prepare for surgery.
Quite the day.
June 21, 2010. On Dad's birthday he woke up in the night with a terrible headache. He had a virus for a while, so we figured it had just moved in as an infection. But the dizziness and disorientation was troubling so he went to the doctor who ordered an antibiotic and an MRI.
June 28, 2010. Dad went in for the scheduled MRI, as the antibiotic had no effect on his symptoms. The news that came next startled us all.
Dad had a large tumor in his brain. The shape of an egg, but bigger.
That afternoon he was in the doctors office, an hour later the films were brought to Doctor Reichman, and an hour after that, he was brought into the emergency room to prepare for surgery.
Quite the day.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
By Janelle:
Hello all followers, friends and family. We have an adventure ahead of us, as Dad called it, and know you all are wanting to be along for the ride. There was great advice given today from good friends of Alice and Joe, the Dennings. Kyle has just been through these same experiences and suggested keeping a blog. There are many contributors to this family blog, so many different voices and experiences will be heard. We hope most of all to chronicle the feelings, the blessings and the miracles which we, as a family, have faith will happen.
Hello all followers, friends and family. We have an adventure ahead of us, as Dad called it, and know you all are wanting to be along for the ride. There was great advice given today from good friends of Alice and Joe, the Dennings. Kyle has just been through these same experiences and suggested keeping a blog. There are many contributors to this family blog, so many different voices and experiences will be heard. We hope most of all to chronicle the feelings, the blessings and the miracles which we, as a family, have faith will happen.
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