Monday went fine

Dave's keeping up with 2 to 3 quarts of water a day. Eating is okay, he did pretty good today. His homecare nurse came by to draw blood and PT came by too. He likes both of them, so does Nancy-boy. Since we put Nikki and Ruthie outside when we had visits today, Nancy-boy was the greeter. He had a great time getting lots of extra love. Palliative care NP called and will stop by Friday am. She wanted to make sure everything was okay, call her anytime. I bought grab bars for the bathroom today ( in anticipation for an OT visit tomorrow) and decided that was a good enough reason to get new "stuff" too..... towel bars, hooks, etc. Talked twice to the insurance company today...got work done...and mowed the lawn while Tim and Dave talked about getting more mics up on eBay. Dave got a nap in too, I missed mine. I'm aiming for tomorrow.

All and all a good day. Best of all...we're home.

peace, love, groove

Where do we go from here.....

So it seems to be time to get a few thoughts off of my shoulders...again. I was not happy that Dave ended up in the hospital when lab work had been drawn on him the afternoon before. I still haven't seen those results, but I find it hard to believe his potassium jumped that high in about 14 hours. To be fair, I need to get the information, and will. Anyway, we started talking to his MDs in the hospital about Dave getting IV fluids at home from now on as needed so he doesn't have to spend his energy going to clinics and hospitals, instead he'll be at home. Having worked for years at Lakeland, I know the homecare staff pretty well and started being honest with my frustrations. I stopped Dave's potassium pill about 2 weeks ago when I noticed on some lab work we got that it was just above normal...etc. The discussions with homecare and other clinical friends was good and lead to thinking about "Palliative Care". This is a newer practice, at least in our area, and focuses on keeping the patient at home instead of in hospitals and living a quality of life we are certainly working toward. Don't let "palliative" fool you. I don't think it's the best name they could have chosen since it has some other meanings. Please look at the link above...it explains it wonderfully.

So, Dave will have homecare this time. That means he'll have PT to keep him doing exercises to improve his balance and leg strength. A nurse will draw labs in our home and make sure the office is doing the right thing (instead of me). I can just make sure the nurse is doing the right thing (hee hee). The "palliative" part includes an MD and a NP who keep an eye on the overall picture. They'll help us to manage the symptoms better and improve Dave's quality of life as we continue our journey. And I hope they will help to fill the void we've had since we lost our first oncologist when he retired. There was such a connection there and we've just never felt that again.

Dave and I slept well last night. It's good to be home with our dogs and "dog-cat", Nancy-boy.

peace, love, groove.

Home is where the heart is....There's no place like home

We got home. The nephrologist said....drink, drink, drink, and eat, eat, eat. The hospitalist got to Dave about 12:50 and we were out the door at 1:30 pm. Had to get a prescription filled and home we went. Dave tried to lye down while I took a long shower and dried my hair for the first time in 5 days. All refreshed, we went to Al's in South Bend to meet family and celebrate Ev's 86th birthday. Dave did pretty good eating dinner and we headed home around 6:30. After sitting on the deck for an hour or so....we got into out comfy bed. I'm doing a little facebook and emails and then to sleep. Nothing on the schedule tomorrow. Rest, rest, rest...that's what we say. Thanks to everyone who kept the positive vibes coming our way.

peace, love, groove

Friday evening in hospitalville

Pictures: Dave with his new glasses on Thursday; Phil listening in on the girls tonight; Al, Jennie and Loni; Jennie and Dave.

So, we're still here. Dave's getting his second unit of blood soon. He is sooooooooooooooo much better already. Hoping to get sprung by early afternoon so we can help celebrate Dave's mom's 86th birthday and spend a little more time with Jennie, who's in town from North Carolina this weekend. Have to say we've had great care. Dave's had a great tune-up and hoping he'll stay a new man for awhile. More tomorrow.

peace, love, groove

Wait a minute....cancel all discharge for today

Darn....almost out the door. Dave's hemoglobin dropped again, down to 7.1 or so. He needs 2 units of blood tonight. Now home is back on the table for tomorrow. Hoping to make a family picnic in South Bend tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed.....

peace, love, groove

We're going home

Tomorrow's the day. Going home with homecare and IV fluids every other day. PT come over to help Dave with balance and leg strength. Glad he won't have to go somewhere for fluids and friends can come over and just have quality time with him. Had a few more visitors today- Loni stopped by, Al and Dave's mom, Chuck and Cookie, Tim, and two Catherine's. Dave had a couple short naps. Walked some in the hall with PT. We even took him outside to get a little sun the afternoon around 4 pm. All and all we're ready to go to bed. Lots of pictures tomorrow. Can't wait to lay in bed with the dogs ( I know it's bad, I don't care!)

peace, love, groove.

What is sleep?

Up early with the nephrologist...the beauty of being in the hospital and having 24 hour care. He says Dave has to be able to drink at least 3 quarts a day ( 2 is absolute minimum). He felt we should hold the Tarceva for a little longer. Dave's labs continue to get better. They added bicarb to the IV fluids yesterday because that was low. Back to normal by 7 pm yesterday. He's thinking home on Friday....?? Dave continues to be less confused a little at a time. I'm going to continue to push for IV fluids at home for awhile. That way his energy can go toward doing things at home and with friends/family, not going to the MD.

We do have an appointment with the oncologist next Friday and the radiation oncologist next Thursday.

peace, love, groove.

Pictures- today and last weekend

Pictures: Dave sitting up in the chair this afternoon with Lindsey; Nancy-boy's new favorite place- on top of Dave's amp; Dave likes his new pillow, he doesn't usually wear it as a hat; Nikki thinks the pillow is a dog toy.

MD was here

I made it back from taking Audrey to her vet appointment in plenty of time. I was here when the hospitalist came in today. Potassium is down this morning, still high but not dangerous, it was 6.7 yesterday. Dave is keeping the catheter until at least tomorrow. We are having PT come in to work with Dave. Around 1 pm the nephrologist came by. He feels the kidney problems are related to dehydration and medications..not the tumors in his kidneys. Fluids is the goal. We talked with both MDs today about getting the IV fluids at home. The nephrologist agreed with the plan and stated if we give Dave 1 liter of IV fluids every day, we could keep him out of the hospital. I vote for that one!!!! So does Dave. We're going to look at traditional homecare vs palliative care.

Julie came by while I went to a dentist appointment. Dave had a chocolate malt. Then Lindsey and Phil stopped by. Dave is more alert and conversational this evening. Had part of a roast beef sandwich and the ever popular healthy shot for dinner. He sat up in the chair all afternoon and walked better back to bed about 4:30. Hoping we'll be home before Saturday.....

I have some pictures from the last few days I'll put in later.

peace, love, groove

A better Wednesday morning

We went to sleep before 10 pm. Dave slept great. I got some good sleep too. He's more alert this morning and less confused. The nurse noticed that too. Urine output is going up. Labs we're still high last night, we have a little work to do. Good thing is every thing's going the right way. Going to ask for dietitian and physical therapy referrals today. I'll keep the posts coming.

peace, love, groove

It's Tuesday? Boy, I missed a few days

And they were busy. Saturday we had dinner with the Kings and naps during the day. Early afternoon we went searching for peaches....ended up in Coloma and they weren't ripe enough. Sunday I let Dave sleep in and got a lot of yard work done. Watered, mowed, weeded the garden beds....and started laundry. I did one batch of peach jam with the first peaches I bought last week. They look pretty. Dave did good Sunday and stayed up until midnight on the deck, but still confused at times.

Monday Tim took Dave to IV fluids and I left a message that Dave was more confused. They did draw lab work, but I didn't hear anything back. Then came last evening. Dave got up twice and fell, first in the bedroom and then around 6 am in the kitchen. I woke up, he wasn't in bed and he didn't come right back. I went looking for him and he had fallen backwards on the floor. He was very confused and clammy. I had to call the neighbor, Kevin, to help me get him up. He was so confused....calling me doctor and Tim. I asked Kevin to help get him to the car and took him to the ER. Because he fell they did CT scans of the brain, neck and spine. No bleeding in the brain and no obvious tumors on the spine (yeah). But Dave's kidney function continues to decrease and his potassium was very high. They gave him 1000 cc IV fluids over an hour, also got a urine sample and blood culture. He got to drink Kayexalate which decrease the potassium and gives the person diarrhea. It seems to be working. He has a urinary tract infection. Dave gets to have a catheter too! I went to my scheduled inservice in GR while Tim stayed with Dave. Phil and Loni came by too. I got back around 7 pm...working at home the next few days. Dave is starting to get less confused....labs in the morning and we'll go from there.

A very long day, but Dave's safe and getting better and we're together.

peace, love, groove

The week just flew by

Friday already.... we just got back from MD appointment and IV fluids. Dave seemed kinda confused this morning.....yet spunky. We talked about why his hemoglobin has slowly dropped some. It's probably related to his kidney function. MD thinks that could be making him a little confused too. Creatinine is up to 3.7. It went down to 3 following a high of 5. Probably fluid related, but we're going to see a nephrologist in the next couple weeks to check medications and function...etc. And we're back up to 3x/week IV fluids since they helped before. I'm going to get a container so Dave can keep track of the water he drinks everyday too. Ready for a nap. Keep on truckin'

peace, love, groove

Late summer evenings are the best

We got our eyes checked this afternoon. Dave's eyesight is a little better...and that's why he can't read with his glasses. He got a groovy black pair of Ray-Bans and I got a kinda purple pair (a different brand though). We had a good time with everyone there. Honest...they were fun. I stopped and got everything for peach jam but it's gonna be tomorrow before I start. By the time I watered and filled the very empty bird feeders...had a couple beers...it was time to make dinner (and it was about 10 pm). We just finished tomatoes and corn on the deck by candle light with jazz playing. How priceless is that? Hopefully Dave will eat some ice cream and drink 1 protein drink and it's off to bed.

Tomorrow is oncology appointment and IV fluids. Dave will probably start the Chemo pill. He has to take the same time everyday. I'm thinking early evening may work best. Will update tomorrow.

peace, love, groove.

Hump day and catch up.

Pictures: 2 of the YaYa "stones" from Sunday- Lee's and Catherine's; Tim and Dave Tuesday selling stuff on eBay; Nancy boy in the dog's cage; Dave's new pillow is working out well; Blueberries cooking for jam tonight; canned and hopefully good!

Tuesday was another busy day. Tim came over and helped Dave get some more things on eBay after his IV infusion. I had to go to a CPR class in Niles for the afternoon. When I called to see if we needed anything Dave said "Tim thinks you're almost out of beer"....code for get more? I did. Dave didn't get many naps in Monday or Tuesday. This morning he was a little confused and soooooo tired. I had a lunch to go to in Holland. Good luck to my faithful work partner for 4 years, Linda, who has a wonderful new job. I was concerned about going, but knew Dave was "pooped".... I went. Dave was in good hands with Tim. I only called twice. Dave got in a couple good naps and by 6 pm he was a lot more awake and less confused. I did call the MD to check his labs from yesterday. His hemoglobin has trended down from 11.7 to 9ish... he may need blood again. Dave ate good this afternoon...fruit, a fine portion of pork chop and a large slice of tomato. Then he had ice cream too! Two protein drinks and I'm feeling good about today. I got Dave a cool "flower" pillow from Walgreens the other day. He loves it! Then this evening we went to Best Buy to look for something to play an iPod on the deck. Dave tried but couldn't walk in all the way...it was up to me. I hate those electronic decisions. I got something small and <$100. It seems to be just the thing.

So, Dave's still up...sitting outside for a little bit more. Time to get him in. Tomorrow I want to make peach jam and we get our eyes checked, one after the other. Now that's love.

peace, love, groove.

Great start to the new week

Sunday was YaYa day- a wedding in the afternoon and YaYa gathering in the evening with our annual "evening swim". Lindsey stayed with Dave through out the afternoon and they had pizza for dinner. We did too...Sue made homemade pizza for all. It was GREAT! Salad and drinks and ice cream sundaes and cupcakes. What more could a girl ask for. I was away from home for 10 hours and barely worried about Dave at all. Today was just as good. Dave ate a good breakfast and lunch. Then Tim came over to help Dave list some equipment on Ebay. THEN Jeri and Mark brought over homemade chicken and biscuits. Enough to feed a small crowd. Of course we had some for dinner. Ummmmm. Dave ate about 1/2 his plate...a pretty good eating day for him. Just 1 protein drink tonight.

Tomorrow is IV fluids and lab. We found out today that our copay for the chemo pill is $25/month. I made her repeat it 3 times. So that's coming in the mail and we'll get tomorrow. Dave will start very soon. All in all August is turning out to be a good month. I'll put some pictures in tomorrow.

peace, love, groove.

Saturday Night's Alright for.........watching

No fighting around here. Dave slept okay last night, said he was up several times. But he had a protein drink, fruit and a peanut butter candy bar so far today. The screw sites are looking fine. The front right site is still weeping some. Working through some constipation issues. And we're watching some movies this afternoon. We haven't done that in awhile. I finished up all of my work about 2pm and now I'm free (well almost) for a week. It's always something. Tonight Dave had Wendy's chili, 1/2 a fish sandwich from Burger King and most of a chocolate shake. Best meal intake for awhile. I'll let him slide on the protein drink tonight.

Tomorrow I have a wedding to go to with the YaYa's, then we're going to Julies for swimming and dinner and stuff. Lindsey is coming to spend time with Dave. We continue to be so lucky to have such great friends. And my mom is doing better with everything too.

Loading up pictures from last Friday night that Phil took to the photo section...check them out.

peace, love, groove

Black Friday

Well, it's really a lot better than that around here. Dave had a good day. IV fluids this morning. Labs are mostly better. No fluids or appointments until Tuesday. I took next week off...time with Dave and figuring out some bills. We sat on the front deck with the neighbors for most of the evening. Dave's doing well with his protein drinks and okay with food. I'm gonna get a lot in him over this next week. I think he is talking and walking better since the radiation. Hopeful that's a positive. More tomorrow.

peace, love, groove.

PS

Dave is sleeping well. His bandage wrap started coming off in the middle of the night, but there are band aids on the 4 screw sites. He ate pretty well last night. So far, so good.

Nobody Does it Better

.

Pictures: Dave sleeping after the halo got put on; Lee and Dave waiting for procedure time; Dave after the halo came off; Lee and Dave; Dr Lai, Dave and Wayne...ready to go home.

What an early day. Up at 6 am and barely made it to the radiation oncology office by 7:25 ( a little late). They were still waiting on the radiation oncologist and neurosurgeon, so we were okay. They let Julie and I stay in the room while the applied the halo. It hurt! But Dave was a trouper. The funniest thing was when the neurosurgeon said "what do you do, he has a big head". I'm thinking.....maybe plan B. Then we went up to the infusion clinic. Dave got IV fluids and slept most of the day. Tim and Joni came over a little before noon and brought lunch from Panera Bread. Dave didn't eat much. The hardest thing seemed to be that the halo was right in his vision line. We had some check up visits and cookies from Sue while we waited. About 3:45 they came to get Dave and he went in about 4. It took close to an hour. They were only able to radiate 2 of the lesions since the halo was blocking one. The MD said we'll get an MRI in 4 to 6 weeks and see where everything is at. They held ice and pressure to the halo sites for almost an hour and bandaged him up. Home about 6 pm. He says his head hurts where the screws went in. We're glad he's done and it went well.

Thanks to Julie, Tim, Joni and Sue for keeping us company and checking in. We're all good.

peace, love, groove.

Tuesday's Gone

Some may recognise this as the name of a Lynyrd Skynyrd song. I don't remember the words... but our Tuesday was pretty good. Dave went for IV fluids and lab. His calcium is going down. The medication is keeping his creatinine up so they want him to get fluids everyday the rest of the week. Tomorrow am is still on, he'll just get IV fluids while we're there. Have to get up at 6 am...better get to bed.

Dave did pretty good eating some different things tonight. Will update tomorrow as soon as I can.

peace, love, groove.

Rainy Days and Mondays aren't getting us down

Started out raining pretty hard this morning, by evening it was dry with a little breeze. Dave had the day off and took that literally....spent a lot of time in bed. I finally took my car in today to get fixed after the accident....geez almost 2 months ago? Great thing since it wasn't my fault at all, no deductible. Yeah!

Dave B and Catherine T came by this evening for a visit. We sat out on the front deck for awhile. So great to see both of them. Dave is heading back home to CA tomorrow. Safe travels Dave.

Tim is taking Dave (CW) for IV fluids and lab work tomorrow morning. I have so much work to do. Then Wednesday is brain radiation. Will update often.

peace, love, groove.

"The Morning After"

Pictures: the food table; I don't know who did this: the kegs are here....

What a morning after (which is a 70s song by the way). We had the best time and hope everyone else did. It was a long day for both of us, so we're laying low today. I'll probably pick some things up in the backyard later. It's another beautiful day. There's a nice cool breeze and its in the 80s. Late summer feel for sure. Here's a link to all the photos I got from last night. Phil took a lot too and hope to get some soon. I'll add them. Thanks to everyone who came by...Dave had a blast and really enjoyed all the live music. Singing around the campfire was awesome.

peace, love, groove

A great party, but we got busted.

Pictures: Set up for the band; Tim and DB got Dave's keyboards set up; Chuck, Dave and Audrey; Dave at the keys; Some great outfits- John, Kris, and Lisa; a watermelon lantern.

Wow! What an evening! Tim came over in the afternoon to set up the PA and drums. Chuck, Dave Bartz and Lindsey did set up too. We had gotten home from Dave's MD appointment and IV fluids about 11:30. Dave came out back to keep track of the set up (a little bit) and then he took a nice long nap. Alison and Mark came over about 3:30. Al and I went to get ice and the beer while Mark started smoking a pork roast. Friends and family started coming over about 6 pm and I went in side about 1 am. The band started a little after 7:30 and played until about 10:30 with a small break before 10 for fireworks....they stopped when the bust happened. All of a sudden there's a policeman with his flashlight saying "who's the homeowner here?" I fessed up. He said music down after 10 pm and no fireworks. I said no fireworks and he left. We listened to 70s music on our ipod while some of the band equipment tear down started. Then everyone begged for some unplugged music. We all sat around the campfire and Lindsey and Dave Carlock lead a sing along of mostly 70s music. It was a long day for Dave and we had a little help getting him to the house. The party was breaking up and over.... time for bed.

Less than 24 hours to the party!!!!!

Pictures: Dave ready for the music under the band tent.

We are ready for tomorrow....well almost. The yard is mowed, the tent is up, got a lot of hot dogs and buns, water, beer is ordered.....plate, cups, etc. It's gonna be a party. Tim and Lindsey came over this afternoon and set up the band tent. Helped out with a couple yard projects. We have an oncologist appointment in the am and Dave will get IV fluids. Hope to be home at noon and start getting tables out and stuff. Can't wait until 7:30....more to come.

peace, love, groove.

2 DAYS UNTIL THE PARTY

Pictures: rain!

Today there was rain. Let it come and be over with. The weather report is clear for Friday....let's hope it doesn't change. I worked out in the rain anyway. Finishing some weeding and mulch in the back yard. Had to give the birds more seed too. Hope the rain stops so I can get the lawn mowed!

Today Dave meet the neurosurgeon. He's an interesting guy. He agreed now is the time if we want this and the complications and side effects are next to none. Dave sees the radiation oncologist tomorrow and he'll have the procedure next Wednesday. I got nervous for a minute. Joni helped me think it through and everything is fine. Then Dave went for his IV infusion and they checked his lab again first. Calcium and Creatinine were higher. So he got a lower dose and they want him to get fluids tomorrow and Friday. All of a sudden his dance card is full. Joni came to me rescue and will take him to get IV fluids and the radiation appointment. Tomorrow Tim and Lindsey are helping with some set up for the party. I have inservices in Grand Rapids.

I just wanted to mention, 2 very good friends of ours each lost their mothers recently. Sending them love. We'll miss Linda and Mike Friday and hope Julie can make it.

peace, love, groove

ONLY 3 DAYS TO THE PARTY!

Picture: Lee's nails ready for the party!

So Dave had his IV fluids this morning. Lindsey was right on time. Of course they drew his weekly lab. We went through some song lists for the party when I got home. Then this afternoon the oncologist office called and Dave's calcium is high. This could be some of the reason for his continued nausea and fatigue. So tomorrow after the neurosurgeon, we go to the clinic for an IV infusion of Zometa. This could be due to the cancer. Hopefully we'll get more information tomorrow. We're just chillin' out and waiting for Friday to get here.

peace, love, groove

Monday Update

Dave had the day "off". I called to get his appointment with the neurosurgeon this morning, it's at 12:45 on Wednesday. Tomorrow, Dave has his IV fluids and lab. Lindsey's taking him this time. Then Friday is Oncologist appointment and I'm going along for that.

We had dinner on the front deck with my mom. Popeye's mashed potatoes and I bought extra gravy for the left over pork roast. I looked before to see if you could just buy the gravy since Dave likes it so much, but it didn't say on their website. Now I know, you can get it for under $2. Yeah! Unfortunately, Dave didn't eat great today. That's okay... a great day, a good day, a not so good day.

I continue working on 70's music for the party. We've got the beer under control. I'm getting so excited. Does anyone know how to have a live webcam?

peace, love, groove

Did I already say the weather is great?

Dave took some nice naps on Sunday. He ate pretty good as well. Fruit for breakfast, small tuna salad sandwich and a pickle for lunch, 1/2 ribeye stead cooked on the grill (by the new grill master) with cucumbers and tomato slices for dinner. We ate out in the backyard and then went up to the front deck for the evening. I went through 70's songs to prepare an ipod play list for Friday. It was fun listening to a few...ah, the memories.

It felt like a productive day for me. Got most of the laundry done, spread some new pea gravel by the backdoor (where does it go?) and covered about 1/2 of the walk around the herb garden with mulch. The week will go fast.....Friday will be here...... jammin' will be happenin'

peace, love, groove.

Love the campfire weather

Pictures: Dave; cooking potatoes on the campfire; happy Ruthie; Nikki; the fire.

We're spending some time getting ready for next weekend. Dave had his usual breakfast yesterday and then a nice nap. We went to Vitalie's market late afternoon and got a pork roast for dinner. I was in charge of the pork roast on the grill- I don't get the grill thing but it turned out okay. Cooked potatoes on the fire, had tomatoes and cucumbers too. We ate out in the back yard....what a great evening. Potatoes were great! The dogs were so happy for the yard time. They love campfires too.

Today is weeding and staining and prepping the patio for next weekend. Only 5 days! I have to call for Dave's neurosurgeon appointment on Monday. Then he has IV fluids on Tuesday, oncologist appointment Friday am.....then party!

peace, love, groove