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!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Again???
Well, I had hopes of of never reviving this blog, but............
Some of you have been aware that there were issues that were concerning us about Dwayne's health over the past couple of weeks. He was having some balance problems, falls and then very quickly lost sensation and movement in both legs.
After an MRI on the 14th of August, a visit with the neuro-oncologist at UCLA on the 18th and a PET scan on the 19th. He was admitted to the hospital on the 20th. The lymphoma is back in his brain and spine. He has now had six radiation treatments to his spine and one course of one chemo-retuxin, and three doses of another chemo, temadar, he has two more of this over the next two days. The goal is to shrink the lesion in his spine, quickly before it does any permanent damage. He can't have radiation to his brain again. The chemo will hopefully shrink those. These are the same to chemo drugs he took for a year and a half. He has been cancer free for almost three years. The UCLA doctor said you have to look at this type of cancer as chronic. You manage it. He has a patient that he has treated three different times over a ten year period. He said that the man will have 3-4 good years, then needs a tune up!
We have had some battles with the insurance company about keeping him at the hospital he's in, I feel it is the best place for his care. Today, we got the ok-that he can stay!! An answer to many prayers.
Hope to be on this floor a couple more days, then move to the rehab unit in the hospital. He would not be safe at home at this time.
We appreciate your prayers as we make this journey again.
Lisa & Dwayne
Some of you have been aware that there were issues that were concerning us about Dwayne's health over the past couple of weeks. He was having some balance problems, falls and then very quickly lost sensation and movement in both legs.
After an MRI on the 14th of August, a visit with the neuro-oncologist at UCLA on the 18th and a PET scan on the 19th. He was admitted to the hospital on the 20th. The lymphoma is back in his brain and spine. He has now had six radiation treatments to his spine and one course of one chemo-retuxin, and three doses of another chemo, temadar, he has two more of this over the next two days. The goal is to shrink the lesion in his spine, quickly before it does any permanent damage. He can't have radiation to his brain again. The chemo will hopefully shrink those. These are the same to chemo drugs he took for a year and a half. He has been cancer free for almost three years. The UCLA doctor said you have to look at this type of cancer as chronic. You manage it. He has a patient that he has treated three different times over a ten year period. He said that the man will have 3-4 good years, then needs a tune up!
We have had some battles with the insurance company about keeping him at the hospital he's in, I feel it is the best place for his care. Today, we got the ok-that he can stay!! An answer to many prayers.
Hope to be on this floor a couple more days, then move to the rehab unit in the hospital. He would not be safe at home at this time.
We appreciate your prayers as we make this journey again.
Lisa & Dwayne
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Two Years!
It was two years ago this week that Dwayne had the MRI that landed him in the ICU at our local hospital. We had no way of knowing what our life would be like two months from then, let alone two years.
Many of you have followed and been a part of this journey. We have appreciated your prayers, kindness and practical help. We would not have made it through without you!!
Dwayne is going through a job search workshop that Edison is providing for the retirees. He has enjoyed the classes and has one more week to go. He has found them to be beneficial, especially for someone who has not looked for a job in nearly 30 years.
The biggest news is that the local oncologist and the UCLA neuro-oncologist both agreed that he had enough chemo, he has done more than anyone else in the study. Some people only did 2-8 rounds after radiation. Dwayne had 19! We had expected the chemo to go through July. But he is done! So, we'll see how his strength and endurance does as the drugs get out of his system. He will continue to have MRIs every three months and do a follow up visit with the local doctor at that time.
Many of you have followed and been a part of this journey. We have appreciated your prayers, kindness and practical help. We would not have made it through without you!!
Dwayne is going through a job search workshop that Edison is providing for the retirees. He has enjoyed the classes and has one more week to go. He has found them to be beneficial, especially for someone who has not looked for a job in nearly 30 years.
The biggest news is that the local oncologist and the UCLA neuro-oncologist both agreed that he had enough chemo, he has done more than anyone else in the study. Some people only did 2-8 rounds after radiation. Dwayne had 19! We had expected the chemo to go through July. But he is done! So, we'll see how his strength and endurance does as the drugs get out of his system. He will continue to have MRIs every three months and do a follow up visit with the local doctor at that time.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
It's been awhile....
It seems like the past couple of months have flown by. Let's see if I can catch you up a bit.
Dwayne's retirement did come through and he was 'officially' retired the end of November. We think all the paperwork is finally done. He has been doing some 'honey dos' around the house, that have needed to get done. His stamina is getting better. He also has been enjoying reading. Something he has not be able to do for the past couple of years. He said it is nice to read a book and be able to remember what you read the day before! He will start looking for something part time in the next month. Edison has a couple of agencies who place former employees, so he will be looking into that.
We were able to get up to northern California for Christmas. That was a special time. Big THANK YOU to my sister Kerri for hosting all of us! Some of the relatives had not been together in about seven years. It was great.
The school year is going well. So glad to be teaching with Shannon again this year. We have a great class! It's hard to believe that the school year is nearly half over. We began parent/teacher conferences last week and will finish them up this week.
Some of you are aware of what has gone on the past week in the family. Last week, Jared was having some health issues that landed him in the ER in Monterey. After some tests, he was found to have a hiatal hernia and some other stomach issues. God provided for him to get back to southern California on Wednesday. Not the best week for us to travel, since Dwayne was doing his chemo week. Round 18 is now completed. Hopefully, only 6 more to go!
Jared will have follow up visits with a GI doctor and an ENT on Tuesday. We are not sure if this is related to the drug trial he's been undergoing. The oncologist at UCLA doesn't think so, but we'll see. Please pray for wisdom in dealing with this. We feel for the time being it is best to bring him back down to San Clemente. He needs to be careful of his diet, rest, etc. for awhile. Dwayne and Nathan will go back to Monterey to get his things in a week or so. Jared has had wonderful landlords who have kept a good eye on him. We are grateful to them.
Never dull here......
Dwayne's retirement did come through and he was 'officially' retired the end of November. We think all the paperwork is finally done. He has been doing some 'honey dos' around the house, that have needed to get done. His stamina is getting better. He also has been enjoying reading. Something he has not be able to do for the past couple of years. He said it is nice to read a book and be able to remember what you read the day before! He will start looking for something part time in the next month. Edison has a couple of agencies who place former employees, so he will be looking into that.
We were able to get up to northern California for Christmas. That was a special time. Big THANK YOU to my sister Kerri for hosting all of us! Some of the relatives had not been together in about seven years. It was great.
The school year is going well. So glad to be teaching with Shannon again this year. We have a great class! It's hard to believe that the school year is nearly half over. We began parent/teacher conferences last week and will finish them up this week.
Some of you are aware of what has gone on the past week in the family. Last week, Jared was having some health issues that landed him in the ER in Monterey. After some tests, he was found to have a hiatal hernia and some other stomach issues. God provided for him to get back to southern California on Wednesday. Not the best week for us to travel, since Dwayne was doing his chemo week. Round 18 is now completed. Hopefully, only 6 more to go!
Jared will have follow up visits with a GI doctor and an ENT on Tuesday. We are not sure if this is related to the drug trial he's been undergoing. The oncologist at UCLA doesn't think so, but we'll see. Please pray for wisdom in dealing with this. We feel for the time being it is best to bring him back down to San Clemente. He needs to be careful of his diet, rest, etc. for awhile. Dwayne and Nathan will go back to Monterey to get his things in a week or so. Jared has had wonderful landlords who have kept a good eye on him. We are grateful to them.
Never dull here......
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Answers are coming slowly, but they are coming!
Dear Friends,
This has been a difficult couple of weeks on many levels. A lot of decisions to make, some without much information. We have had to trust that God is in control of our future.
Dwayne did turn in his paperwork for retirement last Friday. It can be accepted, delayed or denied-if the 'powers that be' decide they need him to stay there for awhile. We wait and see. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks we should have some answers.
Nathan had the condo he was renting sold unexpectedly. He had a few days to move because he was working in Santa Barbara last week. So, he is back with us while he looks for a new rental.
Jared was down from Monterey for a few days last week. The drug trial at UCLA is going well, the doctor is pleased with the results. He is still looking for a job.
On the other front-we met with Dwayne's oncologist yesterday. The MRI he had last week was CLEAR-no changes from July! Next week will be round 15 of the chemo.
So, it has been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster the past couple of weeks, hope it will settle down some. Maybe, I can get a good night's sleep. Feeling drained.
Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement!
This has been a difficult couple of weeks on many levels. A lot of decisions to make, some without much information. We have had to trust that God is in control of our future.
Dwayne did turn in his paperwork for retirement last Friday. It can be accepted, delayed or denied-if the 'powers that be' decide they need him to stay there for awhile. We wait and see. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks we should have some answers.
Nathan had the condo he was renting sold unexpectedly. He had a few days to move because he was working in Santa Barbara last week. So, he is back with us while he looks for a new rental.
Jared was down from Monterey for a few days last week. The drug trial at UCLA is going well, the doctor is pleased with the results. He is still looking for a job.
On the other front-we met with Dwayne's oncologist yesterday. The MRI he had last week was CLEAR-no changes from July! Next week will be round 15 of the chemo.
So, it has been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster the past couple of weeks, hope it will settle down some. Maybe, I can get a good night's sleep. Feeling drained.
Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Update on the Update!
Dwayne's meeting with the supervisor was postponed last week. It has not be rescheduled. So, things are up in the air. We would appreciate prayers for wisdom. Really unsure how to proceed. He did confirm today that his birthday being 11 days after the cut off will not be a problem. So that is one answer.
He will have an MRI tomorrow afternoon-2:30 California time. Praying that there are no changes from the July MRI.
Thanks for standing with us.
Lisa
He will have an MRI tomorrow afternoon-2:30 California time. Praying that there are no changes from the July MRI.
Thanks for standing with us.
Lisa
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