Doesn't he look good? DAD I MEAN, NOT THE DOG! I keep telling you he's doing great; maybe this will convince some of you!
Deb
Deb
Friday, August 29, 2008
HE'S REALLY DOING PRETTY WELL
I keep telling folks there needs to be a manual for this crap, and they just look at me and shake their heads, and smile at the poor, crazy woman uttering such nonsense. Several interesting things to share with one and all may help clarify some of the perceptions many of you have regarding Dad and his condition.
One of the Hospice Nurses visiting Thursday confirmed what I've been saying for the last seven weeks: the docs didn't think Dad would make it those first two weeks after he was diagnosed. Doesn't change anything, except confirm how really "deathly ill" - pun intended - he was on July 1.
However, I don't think folks recognize that he's actually NOT at "Death's Door" these days, in spite of my many efforts to communicate that. A recent visitor who shall remain nameless, expected to see a "cadaver", altho they speak almost on a weekly basis. I keep trying to tell folks exactly what's going on, but apparently my initial deliverance of the diagnosis blew any credibility I might have had, and many just don't believe that he's doing as well as he is.
I'm tempted to ask Bill David, our buddy from the EAA, for a testimonial. He and/or Bill Hirzel speak to Dad at least on a weekly basis, and Bill just visited Dad this weekend. It was great for Dad to just sit and shoot the breeze with another guy for awhile - I know he gets bored with just mom and me sometimes!
I figure a picture is worth a thousand words, so after finishing this, I'm going to do my best to add a photo of Dad that should show the world in general just how healthy he is. Can he go out and run a marathon? Obviously not, and he does well some days to get his shower done. He tires easily, and gets weak, but he's feeling pretty good, overall. So don't write him off, count him out, or any of those other tired, old cliches'! He may surprise all of us, and hang around for a good long while! We should be so lucky!
Deb
One of the Hospice Nurses visiting Thursday confirmed what I've been saying for the last seven weeks: the docs didn't think Dad would make it those first two weeks after he was diagnosed. Doesn't change anything, except confirm how really "deathly ill" - pun intended - he was on July 1.
However, I don't think folks recognize that he's actually NOT at "Death's Door" these days, in spite of my many efforts to communicate that. A recent visitor who shall remain nameless, expected to see a "cadaver", altho they speak almost on a weekly basis. I keep trying to tell folks exactly what's going on, but apparently my initial deliverance of the diagnosis blew any credibility I might have had, and many just don't believe that he's doing as well as he is.
I'm tempted to ask Bill David, our buddy from the EAA, for a testimonial. He and/or Bill Hirzel speak to Dad at least on a weekly basis, and Bill just visited Dad this weekend. It was great for Dad to just sit and shoot the breeze with another guy for awhile - I know he gets bored with just mom and me sometimes!
I figure a picture is worth a thousand words, so after finishing this, I'm going to do my best to add a photo of Dad that should show the world in general just how healthy he is. Can he go out and run a marathon? Obviously not, and he does well some days to get his shower done. He tires easily, and gets weak, but he's feeling pretty good, overall. So don't write him off, count him out, or any of those other tired, old cliches'! He may surprise all of us, and hang around for a good long while! We should be so lucky!
Deb
Sunday, August 17, 2008
UPDATE
Okay - so Dad doesn't think folks are interested in MY cats on HIS blog - and for those of you who aren't, I apologize. Trying to diversify and talk about something besides being sick, low blood counts, doctor visits, and the latest crisis. It's all so redundant after awhile; and I'm afraid I'm losing folks. But then again; doesn't appear that anyone is reading this besides us, so guess it doesn't matter. Golly - need a BIG piece of cheese with that whine, Deb - didn't mean it that way, but wowie! Sure came out that way! Again, my apologies to one and all. It was meant as an observation, not a whine, nothing more.
Ok - for those of you who don't already know; dad was doing pretty well, red and white blood counts, and platelets, no less, all are out of critical range, for the first time since, oh, well at least mid-June! Unfortunately, his hemoglobin and hematocrit are way down, resulting in tremendous fatigue and weakness. Dr. Roshon, Oncologist, saw him on August 5th, recommending transfusion of two units to see if his energy level would pick up. Couldn't persuade him until the 11th, got the type and cross done on the 12th and finally got the transfusion on the 13th. Seemed to help somewhat.
We'll probably never know the full benefit, since I went home, to Columbus, mid-morning on Thursday, "abandoning" Thistle, my dog. At some point Thursday evening, Thistle escaped the fenced-in yard, and mom and dad spent the rest of the night hunting the little monster - oops, I mean darling; postponing calling me until morning since I worked until mid-night. Of course, the damn dog had his new rabies tag and was wearing old tags from their other dog for just such a "problem", and 30 minutes after sharing the news with me, mom and dad got the call that he'd been found. Thistle had a lovely overnight stay, making friends with a big lab 2 - 3 miles away, got fed canned dog food instead of the dry stuff served at home, and just had such a great time he didn't want to leave after greeting mom and dad with open arms and wagging tail!
Obviously, this took a tremendous toll on Dad - thank God he'd had the transfusion. I can only imagine a much worse scenario had he not had it to fall back on. He's still recovering tonight, and when I go to Columbus from now on, the dog goes with me!
We see an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist tomorrow morning for mom, and if we can get some answers regarding HER health, it will be a tremendous relief to Dad. He's so worried and protective of her, that it's hard for him to focus on himself!
Hospice Nurses continue to visit twice a week, and we aren't utilizing many more services at this time, since he's maintaining. He continues to complain about the "miserable hospital bed", which in my humble opinion, remains a great indicator of his overall status! I'll do my best to keep this updated if he doesn't, but with moving out of my house in Columbus in the next month, it may be skimpy. Hang in there, and remember, "No news is good news!"
Deb
Ok - for those of you who don't already know; dad was doing pretty well, red and white blood counts, and platelets, no less, all are out of critical range, for the first time since, oh, well at least mid-June! Unfortunately, his hemoglobin and hematocrit are way down, resulting in tremendous fatigue and weakness. Dr. Roshon, Oncologist, saw him on August 5th, recommending transfusion of two units to see if his energy level would pick up. Couldn't persuade him until the 11th, got the type and cross done on the 12th and finally got the transfusion on the 13th. Seemed to help somewhat.
We'll probably never know the full benefit, since I went home, to Columbus, mid-morning on Thursday, "abandoning" Thistle, my dog. At some point Thursday evening, Thistle escaped the fenced-in yard, and mom and dad spent the rest of the night hunting the little monster - oops, I mean darling; postponing calling me until morning since I worked until mid-night. Of course, the damn dog had his new rabies tag and was wearing old tags from their other dog for just such a "problem", and 30 minutes after sharing the news with me, mom and dad got the call that he'd been found. Thistle had a lovely overnight stay, making friends with a big lab 2 - 3 miles away, got fed canned dog food instead of the dry stuff served at home, and just had such a great time he didn't want to leave after greeting mom and dad with open arms and wagging tail!
Obviously, this took a tremendous toll on Dad - thank God he'd had the transfusion. I can only imagine a much worse scenario had he not had it to fall back on. He's still recovering tonight, and when I go to Columbus from now on, the dog goes with me!
We see an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist tomorrow morning for mom, and if we can get some answers regarding HER health, it will be a tremendous relief to Dad. He's so worried and protective of her, that it's hard for him to focus on himself!
Hospice Nurses continue to visit twice a week, and we aren't utilizing many more services at this time, since he's maintaining. He continues to complain about the "miserable hospital bed", which in my humble opinion, remains a great indicator of his overall status! I'll do my best to keep this updated if he doesn't, but with moving out of my house in Columbus in the next month, it may be skimpy. Hang in there, and remember, "No news is good news!"
Deb
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hi, this is "Jibby",
Thanks for all your comments and prayers........and thanks to my daughter, Debi for taking over when I was unable to blog! I would like to make several things clear:
I have been blessed. I have lived 85 wonderful years, survived many close encounters, came back to my beloved country after WWII, and will spend the last remaining time among friends and loved ones. Can't ask for much more than that!
In addition, I have made some new, wonderful, friends. The members of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). Bill David, Brian McMahon, Bill Hirzell and the entire EAA have taken us under their "wings"....literally. They collaborated with WTOL and the University of Toledo to make the fly-in at Metcalf a huge success. Then, the made the Ypsilanti Museum available for Jennifer Boresz's interview with me and the rescued airmen which was shown of WTOL TV several times. They went way out of their way to transport "Mim" Bizic, Curt Diles , Clare Musgrove, and me to and from Metcalf and Ypsilanti. They really helped get our"story" out.
Thanks for all your comments and prayers........and thanks to my daughter, Debi for taking over when I was unable to blog! I would like to make several things clear:
I have been blessed. I have lived 85 wonderful years, survived many close encounters, came back to my beloved country after WWII, and will spend the last remaining time among friends and loved ones. Can't ask for much more than that!
In addition, I have made some new, wonderful, friends. The members of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). Bill David, Brian McMahon, Bill Hirzell and the entire EAA have taken us under their "wings"....literally. They collaborated with WTOL and the University of Toledo to make the fly-in at Metcalf a huge success. Then, the made the Ypsilanti Museum available for Jennifer Boresz's interview with me and the rescued airmen which was shown of WTOL TV several times. They went way out of their way to transport "Mim" Bizic, Curt Diles , Clare Musgrove, and me to and from Metcalf and Ypsilanti. They really helped get our"story" out.
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