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Now Playing: Joel visits Wes
Topic: Update
Updated: Monday, 26 January 2009 7:50 AM CST
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Sunday, Jan.19
It's now mid-Jan. & I'm writing this update, alot has happened since I became a resident here at Eventide.
Occupational & physical therapy became part of my daily routine, helping me gain strength, to prepare for the
fitting & use of my prosthetics.
So many get-well & Christmas cards received by me during the holidays were welcomed & appreciated, even
though I can't promise to respond anytime soon. Several of you visited, called, sent or delivered gifts or
goodies at Christmas, for which I'm also grateful. My family, including my sons, my siblings, and their
spouses, and my friends have
been my support system, my helpers, & to them I owe "Thanks" too, since it's
been impossible for me to do these tasks.
A set-back occurred on Dec.31, when an ambulance took me to Meritcare Hospital, after an EKG determined
I had suffered a heart attack! A tightness in my chest twice that week gave nurses & the resident Dr. here
reason to suspect it was more than acid-reflux. The staff in ER was so responsive, & the procedures showed
100% blockage in an artery & 3 stints to "Fix" the problem. After 4 days/nights I came back to Eventide. I will
see a cardiologist on Feb.6 for a follow up appointment.
As for my prostenetics, I've had sessions for the fitting of these custon-made legs/feet, plus training on how to
put them on & take them off, plus rise from sitting to standing. I've walked several times, using the parallel
bars & will be using a "Walker" soon as well. It's challenging, but also encouraging for me to get
independent & return home.
Sincerely, Wes
Dad ended up back at Merit Care on Wednesday (12/31) afternoon. Turns out what felt like acid reflux was actually a heart attack!
They loaded him into an ambulance about 3 pm and by 4:30 or so they had him stabilized. A femural cath, 3 stints, and the 100% blockage was corrected.
He returned to Eventide Saturday afternoon and is preparing to get his prostetics sometime this week.
"Magic legs... Leuitenant Dan's got magic legs..."
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Talked to Wes last night. He was in good spirits, all things considered...
He went for a wheelchair ride, met with physical therapy people, got poked and prodded. Figures he'll be released from the hospital on Monday and will then end up in one of a couple possible rehab facilities in Fargo.
Will update all you folks with an address and phone number at that point.
Got back from Cabo late Tuesday, stayed at John's place.
Left Wednesday morning for appointment with accountant, then off to Ed & Martha Karels' place.
Thursday morning 'tongue biopsy' at the U of M (results yet to be determined), then on the road north.
Spent Friday mostly unpacking and getting caught up on things after being away for two weeks. The cats seem to like me being back...
Sunday, March 2nd: arrived with son John - stayed in old, quaint hotel in downtown San Jose del Cabo, chatted with lots of friendly people from all over, art gallery visit, mostly took it easy.
Monday, March 3rd: met son Joel at airport - ran into Ann Dosch, shuttled to Finisterra, checked into room, unpacked, got acclimated, hung around the resort and pool remainder of the day.
Tuesday through Thursday: Cabo San Lucas - Lazy mornings, day trips to Marina and downtown, plenty of sun at the pool, dinners out, walking and shopping improving stamina, rest and relaxation.
Friday, March 7th: Joel goes home - time flies fast down here, got a massage, manicure and pedicure, packed way too much stuff.
Saturday and Sunday: more R & R - took a boat taxi to the main beach, explored more around town, met the Dos XX girls, lots of sun.
Monday, March 10th: tour other resorts - breakfast at Playa Grande turned into a fullscale presentation, by 3 pm was proud owner of a timeshare at Solmar.
Tuesday, March 11th: stayed at Solmar - after checking out of Finisterra yesterday, moved down the beach to Solmar, spent last two days there.
RECAP: What started with apprehension turned into a lovely, much-needed vacation.
Wes/Dad wants me to post, so that he doesn't have to repeat this over-n-over again...
Clinic visit went well! Described the symptoms I'm experiencing, answered doctor's questions, batted around a few theories. Those of you who got my belated Christmas letter know what I'm talking about... Doc and Kathy (Nurse Coordinator) both agreed I looked better (less purple), the rash was much better/gone in most places, and they were sympathetic to the request that 'I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired." Son John and my friend Ed Karels accompanied me - Connie (Malmquist) Vanderhulst also joined us for lunch while we waited for test results.
Blood work came back great. Vitals fine. Weight steady (sort of). Doc determined that I need a 'Minor Mouth Biospy' for him to determine once-and-for-all whether I have Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD). Told me they'd have known right away after the transplant if it was the acute version of GVHD, so good news there. Trying to schedule that test for pre-Cabo departure, but limited time available so will see...
They signed a referral for me to start Physical Therapy (PT) with Craig in Pelican Rapids. Stopped one of my perscriptions (a determining factor that I might have GVHD), re-started another (Bactrim). Talked about my diet and exercise routines. Found out I wasn't diabetic, suffering from depression, mixing the wrong medications, lacked calcium, or any of the other diagnoses people had been kicking around. They gave me the "Green Light" for a vacation to Cabo ("drink only bottled water, use sun screen, and what happens in Cabo stays in Cabo...").
My final one-year transplant follow-up visit is scheduled for mid-March. Another bone biopsy, more tests, with the ultimate goal of them saying "congrats, we don't need to see you again for another year, do the rest of your follow-ups in Fargo." If it turns out I do have GVHD, they will need to put me on limited steriod meds and I might need to have the clinic in Pelican do blood test more often, but we'll cross that bridge when/if we come to it...
All in all, feeling much better (mentally) about narrowing down whats been ailing me lately. Excited to start PT and get some strength/stamina back. Also excited to get out of Coldsville and bask in the warmth of Mexico...
Got a new baby grand piano - taking first lesson this weekend.
Next BMT clinic appointment is November 8th - hoping they figure out swollen joints and listlessness.
Docks and lifts are out of the lake - puttering with other pre-winter chores.
Agreed to a March '08 vacation in Cabo with son John - had to apply for new passport.
Getting back into the swing of "regular" life - cancer support group, church choir, card parties, pantry engineering, etc.
Feel free to call Wes: (218) 863-8119 just to say "hi"
or email him: wesonlida@loretel.net
Dad was discharged from the U of M hospital late Friday afternoon, after spending the week undergoing an assortment of tests. His team of doctors seemed a bit mystified about the cause of his digestive problems & weren't certain it was symptomatic of Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD)? He was de-hydrated, with weight loss (down 19 to 155# on Monday) & low blood-pressure. To help stabilize him he was given continuous IV infusions of saline solution at the BMT clinic before transferring him back to 4th floor (leukemia ward) in the hospital.
Tuesday throught Thursday he had a flex-sig "scope," ultra sound of his kidneys & an MRI of kidneys & bladder. Gastro-intestinal specialists studied the results of the tests, samples & vitals to determine what was causing the diarrhea, de-hydration, weight loss, fluctuating blood-pressure & loss of appetite. It wasn't until early afternoon Friday that his leukemia Oncologist announced their findings & suspicions. By then his weight was up to 160# (mostly fluids) & most "readings" close to normal, based on blood samples.
Whether GVHD was the culprit or not, the prognosis was 1) an inflammation of the lining of the bowel; 2) an infection, probably from within his system, in the colon. They wouldn't "label" it colitis, but prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication, two antibiotics, & continued use of imodium to help control the diarrhea. He was told to stay in the Twin Cities area through the weekend & report back to the BMT Clinic by 10:30 am Monday, July 16th.
He's been staying with me, son John (who is typing this explanation for dad), in Chaska, & told me Saturday was the best he's felt in the last month! He needs to drink plenty of fluids but his appetite doesn't allow him more than small portions of food. The Dietician placed no (immediate) resrictions on his diet, but that may change Monday? He sleeps through the night & has avoided daytime naps, unlike frequent napping while hospitalized. He's optimistic his "pick-line" will get "pulled" out Monday & that he'll be free to return to his lake home after his clinic appointments that day.
Ed Karels, his friend & former teaching colleague, will drive him home & stay to help with garden chores during this mid-July height of blooms-n-weeds. He may have to return July 25 for an original appointment (scheduled back on June 20) but will definitely see a Gastro-Intestinal specialist at the University on July 31. Another flex-sig probe (similar to being obducted by aliens) is scheduled for August, so his time at home will be interrupted again. Some medications have been stopped while 4 new ones were added for a total of 18 per day, & some "activity" restrictions are still "in place."
To those who had hoped to connect with him via telephone and/or e-mail, his stamina the last 4 weeks has made even social conversation exhausting. His blood pressure was so low, together with dehydration, he "blacked out" once while still home last weekend. Be patient, he's told, as recovery will be slow, so he asks your patience, should it appear he's not "up to" normal socializing or regular activities? Although discouraged by this set-back, he knows your prayers-of-concern & well wishes have helped before, & expects God's Will should see him through these "bumps." Thank you, again!
Brought Dad back to the U of M BMT Clinic yesterday to figure out what's the matter with him: lost 19 pounds in 2-3 weeks, can't eat/drink without it running straight thru him, etc.
They admitted him to the hospital: low blood pressure, kidney problems, dehydrated, etc. Not sure if it's GVHD, systemic infection, or what, but they're going run a boatload of tests. He's "about 5 quarts low" on liquids so they're pumping him full of saline via an IV.
I'm sure they'll figure it out...