Friday, October 23rd

It's a good day! We don't know why, but the hospital didn't receive the results from the blood they drew yesterday until this morning. The platelet counts were good, so I begin the next round of chemo tonight. I'm feeling a little bit stronger every day. During this morning's physical therapy, I walked across the kitchen twice with the help of a walker - that felt good. The occupational therapy is also helping make my right side stronger. I'd love to be able to just hop out of bed and walk around the house, but right now that's just not possible. Before it got so rainy, Andy and Brian managed to take me for several walks (wheelchair rides) around the block, and took me out to dinner twice. It was great to get out. It's tough for me and I think it's tougher on Carole. Speaking of Carole, she returned to teaching half days last Monday. That gives her a chance to feel like she's doing something besides babysitting me all day, plus it's good for the kids. In the meantime, I'm working about half time from home via my laptop.
Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts, prayers and gifts.

Friday, October 16th

Today was a pretty good day - I logged in to my work email, plus when my physical therapist (torturer) was here, I was able to walk about twenty feet with the help of a walker. Things do seem to be improving daily. I know you'll all have trouble imagining this, but Carole makes a great drill sergeant, and she's making me do all my exercises. I was supposed to start my next round of chemo last night, but it got postponed until next week because my platelet count is a little low. The nurse at the UIH&C didn't seem overly concerned about the delay.
My family has been here helping a lot the past few weeks. My mother-in-law. Ailene, left here today after being here about 10 days and my brother-in-law, Jim left today after being here about three days. They both helped a bunch. My mother, two sisters and brother-in-law were here last weekend. Andy visits almost daily, and Brian drove down from Minneapolis tonight. It's kind of exhausting, but it's always good to see family. I think Brian is taking me out for dinner on Saturday night.
Today was my 20th anniversary with Genencor, and that family continues to surprise me with their generosity. They gave me a ton of gifts that I can't begin to thank them for appropriately.

Monday, October 12th

It's been a rough few weeks. I returned home last Friday, but I can't walk alone, and I'm pretty much wheel chair bound. It's really hard on Carole which makes me feel really guilty. I'm thankful Carole's mom and Andy have been here and so available. Brian was here last weekend and did a lot of work. Jeff and Cathy were also here last weekend, and helped a lot. Two of my sisters and my mother also visited last Sunday. It was exhausting, but it was good to see everyone.

Here are a few pictures from our Bengals party on Sunday. They pulled off another big win...earning the title of Cardiac Cats!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Home at last! A successful two weeks in rehab has reached its conclusion, and I am home again. I can't believe that Carole gave me her Linn-Mar bell to set on the TV tray beside the bed. I wonder if she will truly respond?? Modifications to the house were made by Brian, Carole and Ailene (Carole's mom) so that I would be safe to come home. Andy also joined us in going down the to the University of Iowa Hospitals on Thursday where we received some pretty decent news. The MRI seemed to indicate no new growth of the tumors, so we are keeping the same course of treatment with chemo starting again on Thursday.
Right now I am lying in bed watching golf on my new television. I can't believe how awesome the picture is. Several people were involved in making this happen for me, and I especially thank my mother, Shirley, for the gift. I appreciate all the support from family and friends who visited or sent their well wishes while I was laid up at the hospitals.

Monday, September 28th

The move was finally made on Saturday (insurance hold up again!) and therapy has begun. The St. Luke's rehabilitation unit is very nice and the therapy gym has tons of space and activities. Today was my first full day of physical, occupational and recreational therapy - I was exhausted when I finished. They say that is a good thing, because they want to push you as hard as possible without hurting you. Yesterday my sister, Beth, and her husband, Jeff, came to visit from Illinois. Beth brought excellent cookies and we had a good visit. I have decided that I want a large screen HD TV for the living room when I get home, so Carole and the boys are busy scoping out what we need to make that happen. Jeff Sikkema is going to take care of the wiring.
We are expecting a lot of company this weekend. Jeff and Cathy are coming for a long weekend, and Brian, Karen and Connor are coming as well. Both my mom and Carole's mom are visiting on Sunday and brothers and sisters are involved in helping them to make that happen. Carole's mom is going to stay for awhile to help with rehabilitation. We go back to the UIHC on Thursday, the 8th of October to see what the doctors have to say. Hopefully that trip won't have to take place the way the past two have.
The good news is that between the steroids and the therapy there is a chance to get back to where things were before.
Thanks for all the calls and support from family and friends - it always helps!

Thursday, September 24

Moving day is tomorrow. I will be going to St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids to stay in the rehabilitation center. I'm hoping to be able to go home in a little while. For now I'll be working on getting strength back in my right side and being able to move around with some assistance.

I've really appreciated having malts and drinking buddies for the last couple nights! Tory also brought some Hawkeye flowers but was kind enough to put "Purdue" on the other side of the ribbon. The colors worked perfectly, and everyone has enjoyed the nice smell. I also received a gift bag of goodies from Carole's mom, Ailene -- they sure taste great. I hear I'll be burning off some of those calories and getting quite a workout in the next few days.

Wednesday, September 23rd

It's been a long weekend. I took a fall on Friday and then again on early Saturday morning. Carole ended up calling 911, and I was taken to St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids. On Sunday evening I was transferred down to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and have been there ever since. There is swelling that is effecting my movement and especially my right side. I have been on a major dosage of steroids to get the swelling down, and I am getting limited function back on the right side. They did an MRI last night, and the preliminary results show that there are no major differences which could be good news if the tumors are not growing. Andy, Tory and Carole have been here pretty much non-stop, and friends and co-workers have also made some visits, and have even brought a malt (thanks CA and Sherry). My appetite has not been impacted! I hope to hear today what the plan will be to get me home. When they asked what my goal was on Sunday evening, I said it was to "Get out of here". I will write more when I get home again. Thanks for all the support and caring thoughts.