We are in Augusta GA this week, visiting Ruby, Julie and Eric for a week. My back surgery is in 7 days, so I wanted to get here before I would need to be more careful about how long I can sit in a car.
Adele will be my caretaker for the next few months, until I can get back to a more normal schedule. The first month will be no more than 10 pounds lifting. Then I think it is More like 20 or 30 the next month. Physical therapy only starts after the first month, and after an X-ray to verify the setting of the rods and screws and discs. I trust the Lord will help me do the correct things, so I do not hurt my healing. I thank Him now for the patience I will need for this time.
We are thinking of coming home in 2 days, as I have more pain than I would like every day. Maybe 6 hours the first day, and then 5 the next day.
See you all for Easter Sunday.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March 14 2012
Nothing new on Adele is good news. She did visit her local Oncologist and he set another appointment for her in August, and she will get checked at Johns Hopkins in February 2013. In other words she will have a good checkup every 6 months, and that pleases her greatly. Sometimes yearly seems too long of a period without a checkup.
I (Rick) am an unhappy patient right now. My back surgery scheduled for March 1st was cancelled by a heart doctor wanting to see more tests run on my ticker. OK, so he sees me on Feb 29th and says "I see muscle damage" upon looking at his computer screen for 10 seconds. Then he tries to make sure I know that surgery will not happen until he OKs me, and that he needs to do a 'stress / echo' exam right away. OK, but then we need the insurance company to OK that, and when I call the heart doctor on March 2nd they say they are waiting for the insurance company to give the go ahead. Now I am ticked off, so I call the insurance company, and find out that they (the insurance Co) has had no request for any 'stress / echo' exams from the Heart Group. So now I call back the Heart Group and get to the person that should have sent in (or called) the request for the tests, and she says they do not have any authorisation - and then I say, the Ins Co has no record of a request for the tests. After I get put on hold for almost 3 minutes, she is back and magically the tests are approved by the Ins. Co. Maybe she called them while I was on hold????
OK - now I was told by the Heart Group doctor, that the test will be run ASAP, so scheduling says we can do the tests on March 9th at 2:30 pm. Of course there is a 12 hour fast included, so I cannot eat when I get up and am not allowed caffeine - until after the tests.
Tests are being done, and the echo tech asks if anyone had ever said anything about a 'hole in your heart' before. My answer was no, but she said nothing else about that. I did the echo / stress on a treadmill / echo and asked if I was to make an appt upstairs with the doctor. No, he will call you or set up an appt is what I was told. I worry Sat and Sun about a 'hole in my heart' then do a google on it and find that up to 20% of adults have the condition and the treatment is to do nothing, unless a cardiac problem is suspected. I call the Heart Group on Mon noon, and find out the results are done, but no - the doctor will call you or make an appt to see you. Tuesday was lousy and I just worried every minute wondering if I should call them back again.
OK - News - I am writing this out and got a call from the nurse at the Heart Group, who informed me that I am cleared for surgery, and that they will inform Lancaster Neuro and Spine of that. Thank God, I no longer have to worry about that, and have all these scenarios going through my head about, what if the hole in my heart gets larger????
Relief - now to wait to hear from Lanc Neuro and Spine, they are on the ball and I am sure will call me today about the schedule.
I (Rick) am an unhappy patient right now. My back surgery scheduled for March 1st was cancelled by a heart doctor wanting to see more tests run on my ticker. OK, so he sees me on Feb 29th and says "I see muscle damage" upon looking at his computer screen for 10 seconds. Then he tries to make sure I know that surgery will not happen until he OKs me, and that he needs to do a 'stress / echo' exam right away. OK, but then we need the insurance company to OK that, and when I call the heart doctor on March 2nd they say they are waiting for the insurance company to give the go ahead. Now I am ticked off, so I call the insurance company, and find out that they (the insurance Co) has had no request for any 'stress / echo' exams from the Heart Group. So now I call back the Heart Group and get to the person that should have sent in (or called) the request for the tests, and she says they do not have any authorisation - and then I say, the Ins Co has no record of a request for the tests. After I get put on hold for almost 3 minutes, she is back and magically the tests are approved by the Ins. Co. Maybe she called them while I was on hold????
OK - now I was told by the Heart Group doctor, that the test will be run ASAP, so scheduling says we can do the tests on March 9th at 2:30 pm. Of course there is a 12 hour fast included, so I cannot eat when I get up and am not allowed caffeine - until after the tests.
Tests are being done, and the echo tech asks if anyone had ever said anything about a 'hole in your heart' before. My answer was no, but she said nothing else about that. I did the echo / stress on a treadmill / echo and asked if I was to make an appt upstairs with the doctor. No, he will call you or set up an appt is what I was told. I worry Sat and Sun about a 'hole in my heart' then do a google on it and find that up to 20% of adults have the condition and the treatment is to do nothing, unless a cardiac problem is suspected. I call the Heart Group on Mon noon, and find out the results are done, but no - the doctor will call you or make an appt to see you. Tuesday was lousy and I just worried every minute wondering if I should call them back again.
OK - News - I am writing this out and got a call from the nurse at the Heart Group, who informed me that I am cleared for surgery, and that they will inform Lancaster Neuro and Spine of that. Thank God, I no longer have to worry about that, and have all these scenarios going through my head about, what if the hole in my heart gets larger????
Relief - now to wait to hear from Lanc Neuro and Spine, they are on the ball and I am sure will call me today about the schedule.
Monday, February 20, 2012
What Great News!
Yes, I can keep Adele!
We did all the Johns Hopkins appointments on Feb 16th and we got to our final appointment with Doctor Meade around 1 PM. He was waiting at the door of his small exam room. He had already looked over the blood work and CAT scan reports, along with the PA's reports. The bone marrow report takes a week or so.
His first words were, "Your report is boring!" Or in other words, Adele is now 3 years after stem cell transplant and still free of all cancer! Among other things he said, Adele was most happy with the fact that she only needs to go to Johns Hopkins another 2 years, and that further testing after 5 years clear is optional. With more boring reports like they had this year, she will be able to stop worrying about it so much. She does have an appointment with the local oncologist next month, and probably will continue to have yearly checks with him for a while.
Cancer Free is such a freeing statement.
In other news, you might see Adele tooling around in her new Victory Red Sonic, learning to shift gears all over. We bought the Chevrolet Sonic to replace a van, that we had no use for anymore, and to get better gas mileage (29 City - 40 Highway). The color is her choice, the engine (Turbo charged / 6 Speed manual trans) is mine. We might just drive it to GA, even though the Malibu gets a good 30+ mpg on that trip.
I am scheduled to have major back surgery on March 1st, with 3 days in the hospital and probably 5 - 10 weeks of recovery. My lower back is so painful, I had trouble turning over in bed without grunting in pain - woke Adele up a lot! The discs are severely compressed and there is also spinal stenosis. Pain in both legs now, and it gets worse every day as the day progresses. I grew tired of living on LoriTab (Vicodin) and refuse to take it most days. I will keep you posted on this blog, as the surgery and my recovery continues.
We did all the Johns Hopkins appointments on Feb 16th and we got to our final appointment with Doctor Meade around 1 PM. He was waiting at the door of his small exam room. He had already looked over the blood work and CAT scan reports, along with the PA's reports. The bone marrow report takes a week or so.
His first words were, "Your report is boring!" Or in other words, Adele is now 3 years after stem cell transplant and still free of all cancer! Among other things he said, Adele was most happy with the fact that she only needs to go to Johns Hopkins another 2 years, and that further testing after 5 years clear is optional. With more boring reports like they had this year, she will be able to stop worrying about it so much. She does have an appointment with the local oncologist next month, and probably will continue to have yearly checks with him for a while.
Cancer Free is such a freeing statement.
In other news, you might see Adele tooling around in her new Victory Red Sonic, learning to shift gears all over. We bought the Chevrolet Sonic to replace a van, that we had no use for anymore, and to get better gas mileage (29 City - 40 Highway). The color is her choice, the engine (Turbo charged / 6 Speed manual trans) is mine. We might just drive it to GA, even though the Malibu gets a good 30+ mpg on that trip.
I am scheduled to have major back surgery on March 1st, with 3 days in the hospital and probably 5 - 10 weeks of recovery. My lower back is so painful, I had trouble turning over in bed without grunting in pain - woke Adele up a lot! The discs are severely compressed and there is also spinal stenosis. Pain in both legs now, and it gets worse every day as the day progresses. I grew tired of living on LoriTab (Vicodin) and refuse to take it most days. I will keep you posted on this blog, as the surgery and my recovery continues.
Friday, February 3, 2012
John Hopkins 2012
Last year (2011) Adele contacted John Hopkins about her annual checkup, and JH never followed through.
This year, we have a day of appointments at John Hopkins on Feb 16th. What a difference, they called and set it up for her like they were supposed to last year. Now we will be able to get everything checked in one day, and get results the same day! What a great way to limit the suspense we both feel every year!
Jan 21st, 2012 was her 3rd birthday for the stem cell transplant, and I think we both are doing much better this year - better than any year in the past 4 1/2. We will of course accept prayers for a good outcome and NO Signs of cancer, but I believe that is the case already, there is nothing to fear as it is gone for good! Thank the Lord for His Healing Power in her body.
On Feb 15th, I will meet with the back surgeon again, and I imagine schedule the back surgery shortly after that. I see a 3 - 7 week recovery time, with a know 3 weeks of no lifting anything even close to 30 pounds. That will mean - no computer lifting, or crawling on the floor to get a computer out of its hiding place to see if it is resurrectable. I could use prayers for a fast recovery and freedom from the pain I have every day. From what I heard so far, there will be a new tailbone and rods used to fuse in place the 3 discs above the tailbone add-on. I will be setting off all kinds of metal detectors if I get near them.
Adele is keeping fit at Curves, many weeks going 3 times and having a great time there. It has helped her with stamina and is keeping her healthy. She is starting to organize coupons for us also, and we are both enjoying her retirement.
On the accident front, I am still trying to get the police department here in Ephrata to respond to errors that I found on their Reportable Accident Report, and will soon resort to just sitting at the Police station and waiting for the chief of some other officer to come out and talk with me about the bad reporting they are doing. Wish me luck on that front, this is the 11th week since the accident, in which we were T-boned (hit in the side of the car, driver's side) and their report says we were hit in the front of the car. My pictures show no damage to the front end, and the police have those pictures for ? over 4 weeks now, with no response to us. Could go on - but it just brings up the anger again - and I had to go on medication to stop the worry about it, so - That is all.
Thanks - Rick
This year, we have a day of appointments at John Hopkins on Feb 16th. What a difference, they called and set it up for her like they were supposed to last year. Now we will be able to get everything checked in one day, and get results the same day! What a great way to limit the suspense we both feel every year!
Jan 21st, 2012 was her 3rd birthday for the stem cell transplant, and I think we both are doing much better this year - better than any year in the past 4 1/2. We will of course accept prayers for a good outcome and NO Signs of cancer, but I believe that is the case already, there is nothing to fear as it is gone for good! Thank the Lord for His Healing Power in her body.
On Feb 15th, I will meet with the back surgeon again, and I imagine schedule the back surgery shortly after that. I see a 3 - 7 week recovery time, with a know 3 weeks of no lifting anything even close to 30 pounds. That will mean - no computer lifting, or crawling on the floor to get a computer out of its hiding place to see if it is resurrectable. I could use prayers for a fast recovery and freedom from the pain I have every day. From what I heard so far, there will be a new tailbone and rods used to fuse in place the 3 discs above the tailbone add-on. I will be setting off all kinds of metal detectors if I get near them.
Adele is keeping fit at Curves, many weeks going 3 times and having a great time there. It has helped her with stamina and is keeping her healthy. She is starting to organize coupons for us also, and we are both enjoying her retirement.
On the accident front, I am still trying to get the police department here in Ephrata to respond to errors that I found on their Reportable Accident Report, and will soon resort to just sitting at the Police station and waiting for the chief of some other officer to come out and talk with me about the bad reporting they are doing. Wish me luck on that front, this is the 11th week since the accident, in which we were T-boned (hit in the side of the car, driver's side) and their report says we were hit in the front of the car. My pictures show no damage to the front end, and the police have those pictures for ? over 4 weeks now, with no response to us. Could go on - but it just brings up the anger again - and I had to go on medication to stop the worry about it, so - That is all.
Thanks - Rick
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Christmas Is Here - We are doing fine!
There have been Christmas' in the past 4 years, that we just made it through the season. Without Our Lord, Jesus - leading us by the hand - there were times of deep depression, sorrow and "Why Us" times - that could have not allowed us to see the Joy that is Christmas. Adele and I thank the Lord that He was with us as always, and helped us get through the past years.
Adele will have more tests in Jan or Feb - her 3 year tests since the stem cell transplant. We have enjoyed this year greatly, since we both have gotten on a regimen that allows us to continue to be strong. She is now my care taker as I look forward to getting my chronic back problems fixed. It would be wonderful to live without so much pain everyday.
On Nov 22, we were in an automobile accident, having been hit in the driver's door by a car making a left turn into our path. The Malibu (only 2 years and 3 months old with 24,000 miles) now has about $10,000 in damages and I have just gone to the doctor yesterday, since I have been unable to get rid of this stress headache and shoulder pain. State Farm Insurance (the at fault party's insurance) has yet to give us a determination on fault, so I had to rent a car by myself - letting them pay for it later, and our car cannot be started until they OK the repairs. What a bunch of ... It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the crash - hopefully we will hear from them next week.
Other things not helping include: Julie's Mother in Law, Cathy passed on Sunday Dec 6th, Julie and Ruby were here to get last visits in with Cathy the week before. Ruby is great and I love taking care of her, but it does add stress and worry about how she (at 3) will take the death of her GrandMom. Last Tuesday we drove to Phila (Adele stayed home) and picked up Eric for the funeral on Wed. On Wednesday we traveled about 260 miles, Ephrata to Quakertown to Philadelphia to Ephrata and then crash on the sofa. Of course the rain all day made it so much easier? to drive - wipers on as high as they could go most of the trip to the airport.
Everyone knows the small business environment is also doing poorly, and some months it seems like a lost cause, after 20 years - is it time to go with just one customer? I am 63 in Jan, Adele is already on Social Security Disability and always asks if I want to get on SS also. I am at a 'Why Not' stage, work with 1 customer, and a few charities, and drop the rest? Oh well, that decision is stressful but is not chief in my concerns.
Oh, Julie, Eric and Ruby missed the flight from Charlotte SC to Augusta on Wednesday, then they went to the US Air meeting the people called and were offered a night's stay and flight out the next morning. Julie and Eric both had to be at work around 7 the next morning, so they looked for a rental car, and all cars had been rented. So standing there they thought about other options and found a man driving a Lincoln Town Car that offered to drive them home for $big buck$, so they did finally get home in Augusta GA (Evans actually) by 12:30am and thankfully Ruby slept most of the way. She even was laughing at the severe turbulence they experience from Phila to Charlotte - plane was flying sideways is what Julie said.
Neat stuff - Swatara Township just received their new squad car, a Chevy Impala, rear wheel drive, with a 6 Liter engine - tons of torque and HP for them. My son Tom was anxious to see it, as Ford's Police package is either front wheel or all wheel drive, no rear wheel drive available from Ford. It sounds like Swatara Twp likes the new Chevy - Way to go GM!
UPDATE ON THAT POLICE CAR: It was a loaner and just available for a day from a local dealer.
My stress is slowly subsiding, and we will be getting ready for 2 weeks to visit GA for Christmas. The Chevy Malibu will not be done until January, so we will use the rental HHR we have for the trip.
Next post after all yearly tests are done and commented on by all of the doctors.
Have a safe and Joyous Christmas Season. Let your Love of Jesus shine for others to see!
Thank You - Rick and Adele Stauffer
Adele will have more tests in Jan or Feb - her 3 year tests since the stem cell transplant. We have enjoyed this year greatly, since we both have gotten on a regimen that allows us to continue to be strong. She is now my care taker as I look forward to getting my chronic back problems fixed. It would be wonderful to live without so much pain everyday.
On Nov 22, we were in an automobile accident, having been hit in the driver's door by a car making a left turn into our path. The Malibu (only 2 years and 3 months old with 24,000 miles) now has about $10,000 in damages and I have just gone to the doctor yesterday, since I have been unable to get rid of this stress headache and shoulder pain. State Farm Insurance (the at fault party's insurance) has yet to give us a determination on fault, so I had to rent a car by myself - letting them pay for it later, and our car cannot be started until they OK the repairs. What a bunch of ... It's been 2 1/2 weeks since the crash - hopefully we will hear from them next week.
Other things not helping include: Julie's Mother in Law, Cathy passed on Sunday Dec 6th, Julie and Ruby were here to get last visits in with Cathy the week before. Ruby is great and I love taking care of her, but it does add stress and worry about how she (at 3) will take the death of her GrandMom. Last Tuesday we drove to Phila (Adele stayed home) and picked up Eric for the funeral on Wed. On Wednesday we traveled about 260 miles, Ephrata to Quakertown to Philadelphia to Ephrata and then crash on the sofa. Of course the rain all day made it so much easier? to drive - wipers on as high as they could go most of the trip to the airport.
Everyone knows the small business environment is also doing poorly, and some months it seems like a lost cause, after 20 years - is it time to go with just one customer? I am 63 in Jan, Adele is already on Social Security Disability and always asks if I want to get on SS also. I am at a 'Why Not' stage, work with 1 customer, and a few charities, and drop the rest? Oh well, that decision is stressful but is not chief in my concerns.
Oh, Julie, Eric and Ruby missed the flight from Charlotte SC to Augusta on Wednesday, then they went to the US Air meeting the people called and were offered a night's stay and flight out the next morning. Julie and Eric both had to be at work around 7 the next morning, so they looked for a rental car, and all cars had been rented. So standing there they thought about other options and found a man driving a Lincoln Town Car that offered to drive them home for $big buck$, so they did finally get home in Augusta GA (Evans actually) by 12:30am and thankfully Ruby slept most of the way. She even was laughing at the severe turbulence they experience from Phila to Charlotte - plane was flying sideways is what Julie said.
Neat stuff - Swatara Township just received their new squad car, a Chevy Impala, rear wheel drive, with a 6 Liter engine - tons of torque and HP for them. My son Tom was anxious to see it, as Ford's Police package is either front wheel or all wheel drive, no rear wheel drive available from Ford. It sounds like Swatara Twp likes the new Chevy - Way to go GM!
UPDATE ON THAT POLICE CAR: It was a loaner and just available for a day from a local dealer.
My stress is slowly subsiding, and we will be getting ready for 2 weeks to visit GA for Christmas. The Chevy Malibu will not be done until January, so we will use the rental HHR we have for the trip.
Next post after all yearly tests are done and commented on by all of the doctors.
Have a safe and Joyous Christmas Season. Let your Love of Jesus shine for others to see!
Thank You - Rick and Adele Stauffer
Friday, August 19, 2011
August is almost over!
What a month!
We found Ruby Rose is super allergic to dogs and cats. Their yellow lab, Molly will have to be adopted out, and they are all very sad, Eric raised her from a puppy and loves her very much. News yesterday is that Molly has found a new home in Quakertown, PA with a couple that helps to train service dogs. They have been looking for a yellow lab, a few years old, for their household to love. Sounds like a perfect match for Molly, and Julie, Eric and Ruby will be taking Molly 1/2 way to PA and meeting this couple along the route.
Of course, most of you also know Ruby's problems started with her trip to the hospital in early July, while Adele & I were there. Severe Asthma attack and she was turning blue when we got her to the emergency room. Immediately the ER staff got working on her, up to 6 people at one time, and got her admitted and treated quickly. Three days later she got home and we had a great visit. Her allergy tests on Aug 2nd showed a sever allergy to dogs & cats. We will need to send Bathory to 'Bobbie Camp' whenever they come and visit from now on.
Eric's mom, Cathy has been taking chemo, and will for the foreseeable future, but now they found nodules in her spine and brain. They started radiation the next day on both areas, and hope to see some shrinkage. The finding of the nodules cancelled Cathy & Pete's trip to see their grand daughter Ruby Rose in August, and now they hope to be able to travel in Sept some time.
Of course, when it rains, it pours.
In June, my father fell while rushing to get altar flowers on June 12 or 19th, and he skinned off a patch of skin so large that we needed to get to the emergency room and get it fixed. Ephrata Community Hospital did that, with derma bond glue. He had gashed his arm and nose, with the arm being the worst looking. Then a few days after that, while enjoying a weekend lunch at a friend's house in Mt Gretna, he was so dizzy and weak he could not walk without support. Mom took him to the Doctor's office and they told her to go to the emergency room with him. She called me (very upset) and asked if I could help get him there, thankfully I heard the phone (the Vette is loud) and was able to help her. That trip culminated with him getting a pace maker, his heartbeat was around 44 when we got him to LGH. After three days or so, he went back to Luther Acres and their apartment.
Soon after that we traveled to GA and fun with Ruby, in the hospital and at her home. Ruby started coughing and having problems breathing Thursday night July 7th, and Adele & Julie took her to the emergency room at 5AM. See above for rest of story.
On arrival back home, Dad again needed to get to the hospital, this time via ambulance. I picked up Mom and found Dad at the emergency room with her. Lower GI bleeding, which he has suffered every 4-5 years over the past 20 years or so, got him so weak, he need a transfusion. His hemoglobin levels were low and kept bouncing around. Again (like so many other lower GI trips to hospitals) they found nothing, and sent him home once everything stabilized. This time they also sent a mini walker / seat on wheels, that he can use to steady himself and rest if he needs to. He is doing great and about ready to ditch the mini walker any day now.
Of course all the while Cathy's problems are on our minds, and Adele's 6 month checkup is on her mind. Adele will get a CAT scan next week, and see the doctor around the 6th of Sept. for the results, which I know will be good. The thought of getting the CAT scan, a week before she thought she needed it, threw her off so much yesterday, I thought we were back and in the "The Cancer is back again" stage from 2 years ago. She loves that the doctor's visits are 6 month apart, but she then starts worrying about the results as soon as she know the testing will start again.
Prayers for Ruby Rose, Julie and Eric Barna - Asthma and loss of a great friend Molly.
Prayers for Dick & Elly Stauffer - Strength and Understanding
Prayers for Cathy & Pete Barna - Strength, Healing and Understanding
Prayers for Adele - Strength to keep positive through this next 2 weeks.
And of course - Prayers that Congress will see fit to Do Something - Anthing - other than stonewall each other.
We found Ruby Rose is super allergic to dogs and cats. Their yellow lab, Molly will have to be adopted out, and they are all very sad, Eric raised her from a puppy and loves her very much. News yesterday is that Molly has found a new home in Quakertown, PA with a couple that helps to train service dogs. They have been looking for a yellow lab, a few years old, for their household to love. Sounds like a perfect match for Molly, and Julie, Eric and Ruby will be taking Molly 1/2 way to PA and meeting this couple along the route.
Of course, most of you also know Ruby's problems started with her trip to the hospital in early July, while Adele & I were there. Severe Asthma attack and she was turning blue when we got her to the emergency room. Immediately the ER staff got working on her, up to 6 people at one time, and got her admitted and treated quickly. Three days later she got home and we had a great visit. Her allergy tests on Aug 2nd showed a sever allergy to dogs & cats. We will need to send Bathory to 'Bobbie Camp' whenever they come and visit from now on.
Eric's mom, Cathy has been taking chemo, and will for the foreseeable future, but now they found nodules in her spine and brain. They started radiation the next day on both areas, and hope to see some shrinkage. The finding of the nodules cancelled Cathy & Pete's trip to see their grand daughter Ruby Rose in August, and now they hope to be able to travel in Sept some time.
Of course, when it rains, it pours.
In June, my father fell while rushing to get altar flowers on June 12 or 19th, and he skinned off a patch of skin so large that we needed to get to the emergency room and get it fixed. Ephrata Community Hospital did that, with derma bond glue. He had gashed his arm and nose, with the arm being the worst looking. Then a few days after that, while enjoying a weekend lunch at a friend's house in Mt Gretna, he was so dizzy and weak he could not walk without support. Mom took him to the Doctor's office and they told her to go to the emergency room with him. She called me (very upset) and asked if I could help get him there, thankfully I heard the phone (the Vette is loud) and was able to help her. That trip culminated with him getting a pace maker, his heartbeat was around 44 when we got him to LGH. After three days or so, he went back to Luther Acres and their apartment.
Soon after that we traveled to GA and fun with Ruby, in the hospital and at her home. Ruby started coughing and having problems breathing Thursday night July 7th, and Adele & Julie took her to the emergency room at 5AM. See above for rest of story.
On arrival back home, Dad again needed to get to the hospital, this time via ambulance. I picked up Mom and found Dad at the emergency room with her. Lower GI bleeding, which he has suffered every 4-5 years over the past 20 years or so, got him so weak, he need a transfusion. His hemoglobin levels were low and kept bouncing around. Again (like so many other lower GI trips to hospitals) they found nothing, and sent him home once everything stabilized. This time they also sent a mini walker / seat on wheels, that he can use to steady himself and rest if he needs to. He is doing great and about ready to ditch the mini walker any day now.
Of course all the while Cathy's problems are on our minds, and Adele's 6 month checkup is on her mind. Adele will get a CAT scan next week, and see the doctor around the 6th of Sept. for the results, which I know will be good. The thought of getting the CAT scan, a week before she thought she needed it, threw her off so much yesterday, I thought we were back and in the "The Cancer is back again" stage from 2 years ago. She loves that the doctor's visits are 6 month apart, but she then starts worrying about the results as soon as she know the testing will start again.
Prayers for Ruby Rose, Julie and Eric Barna - Asthma and loss of a great friend Molly.
Prayers for Dick & Elly Stauffer - Strength and Understanding
Prayers for Cathy & Pete Barna - Strength, Healing and Understanding
Prayers for Adele - Strength to keep positive through this next 2 weeks.
And of course - Prayers that Congress will see fit to Do Something - Anthing - other than stonewall each other.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
GA trip 3 this year for Adele
OK - time to blog again. This is the third time Adele is in GA with the Barna family, our daughter Julie, son-in-law Eric and little princess Ruby Rose. We got here last week on Wednesday evening, the 6th. By Friday morning around 1 AM, Ruby was already in distress with asthma problems. At 5 AM, Adele and Julie took her to the emergency room at MCG.
Once in the emergency room, Adele said they immediately started working on Ruby - no waiting - and at one time there were 6 nurses and doctors working on her at the same time. Her lips were blue by the time she got there. They started her on steroids and other meds and kept her on those for the next two days. By Saturday afternoon, she was just on a treatment every 4 hours and moist oxygen through a nose tube, like an adult gets. She is so good when the doctor explains something, she is listening to every word and understands it. Once she wanted apple juice, on Saturday morning, and drank some, but the nurse said no, that she had to get off the ventilator first. Then the doctor came in to explain why, and Ruby never again asked for apple juice, until they said she could have it. Then and only then did she react wildly to that news and loved the drink as much as anyone could. Same reaction later that evening when they gave her the first food in two days.
Home on Sunday afternoon, and treatments continue, with Ruby getting more happy all the time. You would think she had never been to the hospital, she is a handful to keep quiet and relaxed.
Yesterday, on Tuesday, she visited the doctor and for the first time in the doctor's office, she talked with the doctor, without being afraid of him. She answered his questions, and he was amazed at how she did with him. Later in August she has an appointment with the allergist to see what are her triggers.
Adele and I will leave this weekend, but I think we both could stay longer. I need to work, and Adele is ? ready ? to come home then.
Once in the emergency room, Adele said they immediately started working on Ruby - no waiting - and at one time there were 6 nurses and doctors working on her at the same time. Her lips were blue by the time she got there. They started her on steroids and other meds and kept her on those for the next two days. By Saturday afternoon, she was just on a treatment every 4 hours and moist oxygen through a nose tube, like an adult gets. She is so good when the doctor explains something, she is listening to every word and understands it. Once she wanted apple juice, on Saturday morning, and drank some, but the nurse said no, that she had to get off the ventilator first. Then the doctor came in to explain why, and Ruby never again asked for apple juice, until they said she could have it. Then and only then did she react wildly to that news and loved the drink as much as anyone could. Same reaction later that evening when they gave her the first food in two days.
Home on Sunday afternoon, and treatments continue, with Ruby getting more happy all the time. You would think she had never been to the hospital, she is a handful to keep quiet and relaxed.
Yesterday, on Tuesday, she visited the doctor and for the first time in the doctor's office, she talked with the doctor, without being afraid of him. She answered his questions, and he was amazed at how she did with him. Later in August she has an appointment with the allergist to see what are her triggers.
Adele and I will leave this weekend, but I think we both could stay longer. I need to work, and Adele is ? ready ? to come home then.
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