SUMMER DAZE

It's hot, it's humid, and Dad's still wearing his sock cap to sleep in, his sweater during the day when we have the AC on, and doesn't want a fan on because of the draft!! BUT - He's taking his med's on his own, gets his own snacks, starts breakfast on his own, and still does his shower and dressing on his own. (OK, so it's more info than you needed, but damn, he's so independent, and that's not just good, it's GREAT!!)

Dad's still feeling good - Yippee! He's working hard at eating better and more, and it's showing! Some problems with edema in his feet, but we're working on that. Had to take mom to the Doc for a follow-up on a hand laceration from a fall on Saturday that earned her six, yep, six stitches, so Dad got to see the Family Doc for the first time since his diagnosis. WOW! Was the Doc ever surprised, especially when he learned Dad had driven mom to the appointment! He was actually pleased with how good Dad looked, and commented on his color improvement. (Personally, I think it was the lack of winter coat, hat, and blanket this time that made the difference!)

Oshkosh fell thru, but not because Bill David, EAA, didn't work his tail off, so it was meant to be - or not; I'm not sure which language is accurate right now! In any event, it's clear that Bill did more than HIS part, the problem was on the other end, so, life goes on!

Dad does have an interview with Dave Kleck, News Director at the Napoleon, Ohio Radio Station, on Aug. 6th, here at home, as a direct result of the Fly In publicity. Mr. Kleck called just after Dad's diagnosis, when he was so ill, and I kept his info, promising to call him when Dad was feeling better, and I think he was surprised when I did. As always, Dad's excitedly anticipating talking more about his favorite topic! I've already e-mailed close to 200 pics to Mr. K to help him get an idea of Dad's journey.

On the lighter side, my four cats have now joined us here in Fremont. Blackie, at 15, came a week before the other three, and has adjusted beautifully. Boots, (age13/14?), Patches, (age 7/8?), and Elf, ( age 7/8?) serenaded me all the way from Columbus with their plaintive cries of complaint. Whether they were more upset about riding in the car or the crates remains a mystery! Boots is quickly resuming his old habit of stalking Blackie, jumping on the sleeping cat and biting him or chasing him for no reason. And we wondered why Blackie hissed at him when he arrived?

Elf and Patches remain in "isolation", having arrived on Monday afternoon (last week) and gone to the vet for spaying and declawing last Tuesday morning. As adult cats, they've handled the surgery well, but Elf is having trouble adjusting to all the "stress", and is being followed by the vet pretty closely. Patches visited mom this morning in bed, staying just long enough to wake her up, and wandering away. Boots wants to chew on her Sleep Apnea machine hose, which is not winning him any bonus points!

And Thistle? The poor dog thought he was rid of the cats for good and celebrating being King Dog and only Animal of the House for over three months! Boy, did that bubble burst big time! They are a great distraction for both mom and dad, especially when someone moves suddenly and Thistle, Boots or Blackie goes sliding across the wooden floor in the Kitchen on their butt! What a hoot! Thought you'd all get THAT visual picture and enjoy it!

Now, IF I can figure out how to upload/download or whatever load pics of the cats, I'll try to share them for a slightly different and broader conversation piece!

On the other hand, it may just be too hot for that! Maybe I'll focus on getting Dad to write here and update everyone!

Deb

GREAT DAYS!

Last week, Dad wanted a Big Mac, so we went out for dinner and he at an ENTIRE Big Mac (minus the top bun, of course)! No small feat for him!

Tonight we went out for dinner and he ordered his typical chicken fajitas, again without the tortillas, and ate almost half of them! Then he ordered and ate the small hot fudge sundae!

Obviously, he's feeling great, and we're doing our best to get him out and about more, now that he's feeling better. He had an interview with Cynthia Nowak this morning, Editor of the University of Toledo Alumni Magazine, and a photographer, to be published in the January, 2009 issue.

He needs to keep moving, so there isn't so much fluid build-up in his feet and legs, and he keeps threatening to run a marathon, but personally, I don't think he can decide which one to train for/run!

All four cats are here, although Boots is in hiding at the moment, and a joyous chorus was produced by today's trio ALL the way from Columbus - I'm not sure who was more exhausted; the cats or me! Blackie and Dad are getting along famously, especially since Blackie remembers Dad feeding him during meals at home from years ago! YUM!

This morning Blackie headed for the window beside Dad's chair, bumping the lamp in the process. Luckily, only the bulb stopped working, and didn't break!

Stay cool in this heat!
Deb

FINALLY, IN MY OWN NAME!

I'm so excited - I finally figured out how to post in my own name! Now all I have to do is persuade Dad to do postings! Gotta run - he's calling, but this is a first! Thanks to all for prayers and good wishes! Keep them coming! Hugs to all!
Deb

GOOD NEWS!

GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE! Word from the Oncologist came last night, via e-mail, that Dad's blast cells aren't nearly as low as previously thought, so leukemia may not become as aggressive as quickly as anticipated. YIPEEE!

Dr. Steven Roshon is a wonderfully compassionate and gentle man, who genuinely cares about his patients, something quite rare these days in a physician, as we have learned the hard way. I'd sent him the links for the Fly In, etc., and he responded with this info, AND that he'll be buying the Forgotten 500 book.

Debi

BELATED UPDATE

It's hard to believe that I've let a week go by without updating this site! Wow! Sorry, but it's been a busy one. Hospice has been wonderful, but anyone who's ever experienced them knows how many people we need to meet in these first few days. We had another visit to the Oncologist, who only confirmed everything we already knew. Unfortunately, we also learned that Dad has a rare form of leukemia, undifferentiated, which less than 4% of the population has. Why are we surprised? He's a rare guy, so it's understandable! MY main concern is that he lost 8 precious pounds between visits (July 1 - July 8), and anyone who knows him, knows he doesn't have 8 ounces to lose, much less 8 pounds!

Neighbors and friends are visiting, which has helped keep his spirits up. Phone calls from Serbs all over the U.S. continue to surprise him, and give him so much pleasure! Mim, Sam, Alex, and Draza are regular callers. And the e-mails - good golly, Miss Molly! They are burning the I-net with good wishes and comfort to him! He enjoys reading them!

He's getting around most of the time without the walker, using it only when he has those occasional bouts of dizziness. He maintains that fierce independence of his, which keeps him going, when any of the rest of us would simply cave! It's only reluctantly that he consents to a rare, and I do mean rare, pain pill. He sleeps pretty much like he always has; a few hours here, a few hours there, up at 4 a.m. for breakfast, and a nap until 8 a.m., and another small breakfast then; and we're up and running for the day.

Again, thank you for your support, prayers, phone calls, and e-mails. They help ALL of us more than words can express.

I'm still working with him on how to post here directly, which is why he made the comment response, but we'll get it soon!

Debi

So much gratitude

I was caught by surprise at the "Fly In" on June 14th, by the recognition that Mim brought from the Serbs. That was but the tip of the iceberg, as I've discovered in the last 5 days. The outpouring of comfort, prayers, genuine concern and love, not just for Dad, but for out entire family has been absolutely stunning! We've heard from folks from all over the U.S., and you have been wonderful. Rarely am I at a loss for words, but your demonstration of the true meaning of unconditional love and support has left me almost at a loss. Thank you doesn't seem adequate, but it is all I have, and please believe me when I say that it comes from the bottom of my heart. I could never have made it through these last few days without your comfort and support. Sam, all the guys from EAA, but especially Bill H, Danny Boy, and Micky Mouse, and of course, his wife, Bridget; Alexandra, Cynthia, - you deserve special recognition for the multiple phone calls and e-mails at all those gawd-awful hours that you responded to without complaint!

To bring those of you who haven't heard up to date: Dad had a really, really rough day on Thursday, and facing the holiday weekend, after consulting with the Oncologist, Dr. Roshon, who called unexpectedly, and the new primary care physician, Dr. Hoelzle, we agreed that it was time to initiate contact with Hospice. I can't begin to describe how helpful they have been. On Friday morning, remember, this is a Holiday, a hospital bed was delivered and set up, along with an over-the-bed tray on wheels, and a wheeled walker! Early afternoon, I was able to pick up Lasix for his water retention, and an oral mouthwash to help with problems there, and he's already noted improvement! He even agreed to take the Morphine Sol Tabs (under his tongue) each night at bedtime, to help him sleep. Using the walker maintains his independence and keeps him safer in moving around the house. The hospital bed is in the corner of the living room, so he's more a part of the "regular home routine" and it's so much easier to keep an eye on him. In addition, he much closer to the computer room, and as a result, he's actually been reading some of your e-mails himself, instead of hearing about them from me, and waiting until he feels better to go thru them! I expect him to be adding to this blog tomorrow!

He's eating much, much better than he was on Wednesday and Thursday morning. That alone is helping to increase his over-all strength and well-being! I've figured out that as long as we make sure that he gets primarily soft foods until his mouth heals, he'll do much better with eating!

Hope folks are reading this and will comment.
Debi

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Okay, I've been promising this for two or three days now, so here it is! Just a couple of housekeeping details before we get started. Please stop for just a moment and say a BIG, BIG THANK YOU to little brother, Mark, who is responsible for so quickly setting up this blog. Thank heaven we have a computer genius in the family! Couldn't have done this without him!

Second, we are sharing this with you, our trusted friends, who we consider family. It is our chronicle of this private war of Jibby's that we will have forever. It is not now, or ever, designed to be for public consumption. I'll say this only one time, and move on: my wrath will be without precedent and I will hunt you down and haunt your descendants for all eternity if this privacy is invaded in any way.

This has been such a roller coaster week for all of us, and we're all, obviously, still in shock. Daddy will be adding his thoughts and comments as he's able to.

He's having a great day today, and enjoyed a visit from three of the guys from the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) that honored him just two weeks ago at the "Plane Fun Fly-In". What a great time they had! I'll try to get pics posted later today, and more details, along with their comments here!

Right now, I need to get this posted and then an e-mail out to all of you about this! Please continue to keep in touch with Jibby - he is so touched by all the concern and it means so much to all of us!

Debi

Art Jibilian

Diagnosed July 1, 2008 with Acute Leukemia.