Sunday, September 28, 2014

Roller Coaster Week

Most of you who know me well, know I am not a fan of roller coasters. Especially the ones that involve heights!

This week has had a roller coster feel to it.

     Monday involved dealing with a doctor who I have never actually met, but I am not a fan. I've only dealt with him on the phone and seen an order he wrote. This is not the guy you would not want cheering you on in any competition.

     Tuesday was the beginning of Dwayne's second round of chemo. This involved him being transferred to a hospital about five miles away. This is a different one that he was at before, but they were good.  At least this time he was able to be transported by a wheel chair taxi instead of an ambulance. The chemo was done as an inpatient and then he went back to the skilled nursing facility that evening. The second part of the chemo could be done there, since it is tablets. He finished the five days yesterday. Dr. Cheng, his oncologist had some hard things to say about Dwayne walking again. He is not sure weather the damage is permeant or not.

     Wednesday was tough in that Dwayne was tired and his speech and coordination were worse. It was a hard day for me to watch him.

     Thursday we were blessed again with the group of men that have been so wonderful about helping to get the house accessible,  came and finished our bedroom floor with laminate flooring. They have done the living room, kitchen, hall and our room. All rooms are now easy for a wheelchair to get around in and no thresholds! These guys have given up their time in some of the hottest days we have had all summer to do this for us! The contractor told me that he will start to work on the bathroom on the 6th of October. Such great news!


Friday, God provided for a need that we had, in an unexpected way!

     Over the weekend one of Dwayne's former coworkers call to say that they are hiring back at San Onofre. He was looking to see if Dwayne was interested. He didn't know what was going on with him. Then  two of the guys he worked with before came to see him today. This was good for him. Dwayne was more animated than I have seen him in a couple of weeks. His speech was clearer and louder too. Very good signs!

Please keep praying that the chemo does its job!

After a hard week emotionally and physically for both of us, I can still say "God is in control of this and all of our needs are going to be met."

Thanks to all of you who went out of your way to make my birthday special!  Alice, who thought to leave a card with Dwayne to give to me,  Shannon who planned a nice happy birthday celebration with the class, one of the kids asked me if I was 15, that's old to a 5 year old.  Esther  surprised me with tea, always a treat! Dinner with Tim and Alice Friday evening and then a visit with Tim and Cindy on Sunday.  Along with the cards and emails too,  I felt very loved!




Thursday, September 18, 2014

Four Weeks!

Yesterday marked four weeks since Dwayne was admitted to the hospital. After two weeks there, he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility. He is making progress, but it is slow. Feeling and strength are coming back to his legs, but he can not bear weight at this time. The PT is using a standing table for him everyday. He is standing-with support for about 11 minutes. He has three more radiation treatments that should end on Monday. Tuesday he will be admitted to the hospital and get his second round of chemotherapy.

Today we have a progress meeting with the rehab team to see where he is on meeting his goals and setting some new ones. We would appreciate your prayers.

We have been blessed by so many people in the past month, I couldn't list everything. Thanks to all of you whom we call family and friends!


Monday, September 1, 2014

Progress!

God has been so good!
Dwayne was able to stay at our local (best, in my opinion!) hospital. After, many prayers and a strongly worded note from his oncologist, the insurance agreed. On Thursday, the hospitalist doctor, saw me in the hall and ran to catch me. He said "I don't know who you know or what you did, but Dwayne can stay at Mission and they are working on the rehab referral." He came into Dwayne's room a few minutes later, and talked to both of us. He said this only happens once or twice a year! He was very surprised. I told him that there were people praying all over the country for Dwayne and the situation. He looked at me kind of funny and went on with the conversation. At the end of our talk, he said "Will you pray to bless me?" I said we would.

Ralph Van Persuem, ( a very sweet, long time friend) was there on Friday when Dr. "D" (his name I have a hard time pronouncing, and even harder time spelling) came by to check on Dwayne. Ralph  thanked him for all his care for us and told him he was praying for him. Think Dr. D was surprised. We have know Ralph and his wife Pat for over 30 years. They adopted us a long time ago and have been like another set of grandparents to Nathan and Jared.

Friday night, Dwayne was moved to the rehab unit at Mission. Hopefully, his stay will be about two weeks. He will receive physical therapy about 3 hours a day. The PT told him on Saturday, that she doesn't expect that he will be walking by the time he leaves there, but he will in time. Her goals are strengthening, safe transfers, and beginning to bear weight. This will be with a lot of hard work on his part, and time for the radiation and chemo to do their jobs.

Thank you again for keeping us in your prayers.