Two Steps Back

Dad fell at home yesterday and has a broken hip.  Mr. Independent was trying to do things on his own while Mom was out doing some yardwork.  Of course, Dad did not want to bother her and ask for help.  He is now in Lakeland Hospital awaiting surgery.  He is very uncomfortable, but they were able to put him in traction and that has relieved some of the pain.  The surgeon has met with them and said the ball of the hip will need to be replaced.  The surgery is scheduled for today between 4 and 5pm.  The good news is that they plan to have dad up and moving the day after surgery.  I don't think he could handle another extended hospital stay of just bed rest.  Dad's health is pretty good right now, so hopefully this surgery will not be too much of a set back for him.  Please keep Mom and Dad in your prayers today as they prepare for this surgery.  

Happy Easter!

An update on Dad - overall he continues to do well, all things considering.  He has good days and not so good days.  He has a hard time not getting discouraged on the not so good days.  He sees them as setbacks, although the doctor has told us that down days are quite normal with a chronic illness.  Dad did have a two week period where he was fighting a urinary tract infection and he had to go in for IVs several times.  His blood work was good indicating that he wasn't dehydrated, but his blood pressure continued to be low.  It was decided that his blood pressure meds needed to be increased.  Hopefully this will help to maintain his blood pressure at a healthy level.

Mom and Dad were able to take their annual trip to Gatlinburg.  It was good for both of them to have a change in scenery.  Dad did pretty well, but they are both glad to be back home.  

We all had Easter dinner together today.  Below are a few photos.

Please continue to pray for Dad's treatment.  Each round of chemo has gotten harder on Dad physically.  The chemo is necessary to control his disease, but it is also taking a toll on Dad.  Pray for the doctors as they direct Dad's treatment.  Pray also for Mom as she is Dad's primary caregiver.  She does it all with a happy heart and not a word or complaining.  But, we all know it is hard on her as well.  She daily sacrifices so much to take care of Dad.  

Good Test Results

Dad got some good news from the Dr. last week. His test results show that his amyloid levels are continuing to go down. This means the chemo treatments are doing their job. This is great news for a couple of reasons - obviously, it means Dad is improving. But, it also means that at this time he can continue with his current course of treatment. The chemo he is taking is the most mild treatment for his amyloidosis. Other treatments are available, but they have more side effects and a much higher mortality rate. We are grateful that at this time we do not have to consider other options. Dad's health continues to improve. He is looking forward to good weather, his annual trek to Gatlinburg in April, and being able to spend time outside. Stop by, he'd love to take you on a "jitney" ride.

Still Plugging Away

There really hasn't been much to report lately. No news is good news. Dad continues to do well at home. He has learned to monitor himself and knows when he needs to go in for an IV. He usually needs a little boost every two weeks or so. Dad enjoys being out and about or having visitors stop by. He is walking pretty well with a cane around the house. But, he still uses a walker or wheelchair when he is out.

Next week, Dad will see the local doctor that is treating his amyloidosis. We hope to have more test results that will determine if the chemo treatments are successfully reducing the amyloid level in his blood.

Thanks for all you do for all of us. Your prayers, help and words of encouragement are so meaningful to all of us.

Moving A Little Slow

I haven't updated in awhile as there really has not been much change. Dad has gone to the Dr's office a few times for IVs. The home health nurse comes almost everyday to check on him. Mom and Dad chart very carefully Dad's input and output to be sure he is getting enough fluids and nutrition. There are concerns that the amyloidosis is interfering with Dad's absorption and that is why he has to get periodic IVs even though he is drinking what should be plenty of fluids. The Dr's are all pleased that Dad has been able to stay at home this long.

Dad is also getting much better at communicating to us and the nurse when something doesn't feel quite right. Last week, he just kept feeling a little dumpy. His normal bloodwork looked good. But he just didn't feel good. Well, they discovered that Dad has a urinary tract infection. He is being treated for that with antibiotics. After doing further testing, they realized the antibiotics that were originally prescribed were not the right ones for the particular type of infection Dad had. So, he started new antibiotics this week. In the meantime, the infection had gotten worse. So, Dad is just moving a little slow this week. The infection is taking its toll on his already weak body.

Dad goes back to his hematologist next week. They will discuss his continuing treatment plan. When Dad was at Mayos, the original chemo treatment was scheduled for 5 rounds. Dad has completed all 5 rounds. They will do another light chain test which measures the amyloid levels to see if the chemo is effectively reducing the levels. Based on test results and Dad's overall health, the next phase of treatment will be discussed.

Thanks for all your prayers. Please continue to pray that Dad will be able to fight this infection and get back to work on improving his mobility and strength.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday.  I won't tell you how old she is, but she turned 60 last year!

Dad is doing well.  He continues to work at getting stronger and regaining mobility.  Some of his muscles have forgotten what they are supposed to do and they don't seem to be remembering quite as quickly as Dad would like.  Dad is able to get out most days now whether it is a trip to Lowes, a doctors apt. or out to eat with friends.  We are grateful for each day and all your prayers!

"Look, Ma, no hands!"

Dad is becoming quite the show off!  This week, he has decided that he is going to start walking - by himself, no walker, no cane, no nothing.  We were at Mom and Dad's house a few days ago and Dad started to get up out of his wheelchair.  I asked him what he needed.  He said that he was going to walk to the couch.  I said, "do I need to be close by?"  He said, "Oh, probably".  But before I could get there, he was off on his own.  When he plopped down on the couch, he just beamed!  

Dad is progressing very well.  He still has his ups and downs.  Yesterday, he had what he would call a dumpy day.  He had to go to the doctor's office to review blood work to be sure all his levels are OK for his chemo next week.  While there, they decided that Dad needed an IV bag since his blood pressure was too low and he was looking a little, well, dumpy.  They could only give him a small bag since it was very close to time for the office to close.  He probably could have used a little more, but hopefully that will give him the boost he needed.  That is the first IV Dad has had in almost 3 weeks.  That is quite remarkable since we were expecting him to be sent home from the hospital with orders for regular IVs and possibly TPN feedings.  Dad also saw the GI doctor this week.  He was very pleased and has released Dad.  He no longer needs to see the GI doctor on a regular basis unless complications develop.  Dad's blood levels have all improved, he has gotten good test results this week and overall he continues to do very well. 

The photo below is from Christmas Day.