BOUNCING BACK

Wow - what a challenge the last few days have been. This last episode in the hospital really left Dave weak, thin and always light-headed. He was much happier being home, but at the same time it was quite a worry. Monday, D.J. took him to his Dr. appointment where they quickly gave him 2 units of blood, IV antibiotics for an infection of an IV site, and also fluids. That was a whole day ordeal. Dave's brother, Richard, picked him up from the hospital and brought him back home. THANK YOU, RICHARD and D.J. I was able to go to work and not worry! Today, Dave again went for IV antibiotics and some fluid, and tomorrow will be a repeat of the same. His brother, Robin, came up from Missoula and brought Dave home. THANKS, ROBIN! He is doing better, getting stronger and balder. Yes, he's bald again! This evening we shaved his head and vacummed the hair up. It was easier than waking up to a pillow full of hair. He's a good sport, and cute too! Let's pray for continued strength and health.

Letter to "Boppa" from Stella (age 4)

HE'S HOME

Thanks to the Whitefish Ambulance crew for bringing Dave home safe and sound. That sure relieved my anxiety and Dave's too. He's pretty weak from the extended hospital stay so we have a wheelchair for him to use until he gets stronger. D.J. will also be staying here with us for a week or so to be the "muscles" and help with the physical stuff that I can't manage on my own. Dave's really happy to be home and ate a whole bowl of homemade chicken and noodles! Thanks to Carol Newbury for the dinner; it was nice not having to cook, and Dave really enjoyed it. It should be a nice weekend with Dave being home and me not running back and forth to the hospital. Even having time to mop the floor sounds exciting. Ripley and Nels will be much more settled too. Thanks also to Mitch who pitched in and hauled off all the branches and clippings from my "hedge and tree" trimming so the yard would look nice when Dave arrived. Thanks, also, to everyone who has helped make this last setback easier for our family. YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL and WE APPRECIATE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE! God has blessed us with such great friends and family.

MAYBE TOMORROW

Just when we were planning on Dave being released from the hospital, he went back into atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm). Today he did go back into normal rhythm so, hopefully, if he can maintain that rhythm, tomorrow he can come home. He's getting pretty tired of being in the hospital, but he is doing pretty good at keeping his spirits up. Much better than I could that's for sure. It's going to take awhile for him to gain strength back, but being at home and eating better will help a lot. The hospital food is really pretty good with a great selection, but he still prefers "home cooking". Good news is, he is offically "retired". He certainly deserves time to enjoy himself after putting his whole heart and soul into the Whitefish Fire Department. What a big step for him, but a positive one.

NOT HOME YET

We were hoping for Dave to come home today as his confusion caused by all the drugs has cleared, and he is eating again. Unfortunately, at around 4 a.m. he again went into atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rate) so they began IV drugs to get him back into normal rhythm. This has happened before (twice while in Seattle). It looks like he won't be coming home today after all. In order for him to be discharged, the rhythm will have to be controlled on oral meds. He's anxious to get home, and I'm anxious to get him here so I can ,again, try to fatten him up!

TREATMENT

After seeing Dr. Boehme on Tuesday, Dave was again admitted to the hospital - this time for chemotherapy. It is an inpatient treatment with high dose chemo drugs which will take 3 days to administer. The plan is to continue treatment once every 3-4 wks with the hope to put him into remission or at least control the growth of the cancer and free him of pain. He is doing quite well as far as side-effects from the drugs, although the treatment has caused him with a lot of psychosis (confusion.) After the treatment, the confusion will clear. Dave has gone through this phase with each hospitalization, including his stem cell transplant in Seattle, so it isn't anything new. He doesn't remember any of this after treatment, so that is a blessing. His discharge date is July 4th, but he will stay in an extra day if his "head hasn't cleared" by that time. Please continue those prayers coming, he's a fighter!

BACK HOME

Dave came home yesterday about 5 p.m. Unfortunately, the biopsy was lymphoma, which wasn't a surprise to us at all. It looks like more chemo, and we have an appointment with Dr. Boehme tomorrow morning. Am not sure if they will start chemo the same day or not. When they get that mass shrunk down, the pressure in his abdomen will be relieved and, hopefully, he will be able to eat better and be pain-free. Please continue the prayers, it's a tough road right now. Thank you.

BETTER DAY, BUT STILL IN HOSPITAL

I had to work today, so I only spent the evening with Dave. He did have other company though, so that helped the day pass a little faster. He definitely has regained his sense of humor, telling the doctor that I have coffee with the squirrels in the morning that's why I wasn't there! He is definitely processing better, if we could only get him to eat and be more comfortable. I did coax him into having some milk with Instant Breakfast this evening. They will be starting him on an appetite stimulizer too. His blood work looked pretty good this morning, and they will check it again tomorrow. It is possible that the pain is from his biopsy site where he may have a small "bleed". Please pray for continued strength so he can come home!!! He's got a lawn to mow!!! (Just kidding)

STILL IN HOSPITAL

Dave had a rough night. The pain meds (we think) have caused quite a bit of confusion. The pain has returned, but with his confusion it's hard to tell to what degree. His abdominal x-ray didn't show anything unusual with the stent and it's doing its job. He still doesn't want to eat much, but we are hoping that tomorrow is better. I expect the doctor(s) to call me tomorrow so we can figure something out, as I have to go to work. We haven't gotten the biopsy results back yet. He will have visitors tomorrow to keep me posted. Please pray for a good day tomorrow.

HOSPITAL DAY 3

Things went well today with the insertion of the stent; his pain is relieved!!! He also had a biopsy of the soft tissue that was pressing on the ureter; we won't know the results of that for a few days. Dave is feeling better now that the pain has subsided. It looks like he will be discharged tomorrow. Let's pray this soft tissue isn't more active lymphoma. Thank you everyone.