Greetings,
We unexpectedly find Rick back in the hospital at UCSF this evening for some tests. We attended our regularly scheduled office visit today, only to find that his blood tests showed that 2 different Liver functions were “grossly abnormal”. This condition has developed in the last 2 weeks since our previous visit. The Physician’s Assistant stated numerous times that she was very concerned, and upon conferring with the doctors, it was decided to admit him to perform a liver biopsy and possible colonoscopy to see if they are able to understand what is going on and how to “get it under control”. It may be GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease) or possibly a reaction to a medication that he is taking. Peggy Albertine, who is happens to be here on a visit, states that the irony is that Dad looks good, and walked around San Francisco today while waiting for a bed to become available.
It was originally thought that he would remain in the hospital until Saturday, however the team of physicians in the hospital need to review his case and tests and then a more “solid” release date will be provided. At this time we just don’t know….
We left home at 6am and only arrived back at 9pm tonight, minus one person. It has been a long and unexpectedly eventful day. What Mom has decided, and I whole heartedly agree, is that a change of clothes in all vehicles is essential! Be prepared shall become our new motto :o)
As always your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated, keep your fingers crossed.
Much Love,
Rick, Beck, Emily, Tori & Sean
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Life Sets In
All,
It’s day 149, it’s been 49 days since our last post. Since that last post, life has sort of settled in. I’ve made my required trips to the clinic every two weeks; the numbers that we use to evaluate progress remain good, and I do what I have the energy to do. A typical day is breakfast, read the paper, computer time or sleep, lunch, computer, TV, errands and/or nap. Dinner, TV, bed. Fun huh?
Currently I am going through a bout of GVH. We think it is a result of the fact that we reduced the steroids to 7.5 mg daily on day 135. I began to experience lower than normal stamina. I also slept more than normal. McCarthy’s visited during that period. Boy was I a ball of fire! On day 145, the steroids were increased to 15 mg daily. Although it’s early yet, I seem to be more energetic. While McCarthy’s were here, I felt lousy all the time. Kerm completed all the items on my list but he said it wasn’t as much fun working alone and I know it was a real bummer lying down while he toiled in the hot sun. Thank you Kermit.
Take that, tree. Beck and Maria.
You may recall I told Dr. Linker that I would not authorize another bone marrow biopsy unless it was done while I was anesthetized. He said OK and began fighting for use of an operating room. He now says he will cancel the one scheduled for now and allow me to have it done at one year in Stockton by my oncologist there. Yeah! On a related note, my steroid induced diabetes has declined markedly. I have eliminated Novalog altogether and reduced Lantas to 5 units daily (from 10). Both drugs are injectable insulin.
I have had tingling and numbness in parts of my left hand and two fingers. We have assumed it’s a side effect of chemo, but in order to find out, an MRI was ordered for my spine. The results showed a compression fracture in my lower back. That has completely healed at this writing. It also revealed a bulging disk in my neck. A nerve test was done yesterday and proved that the tingling is a problem at my left elbow with my ulnar nerve. It can be surgically repaired, but we’ll not do that until much later. It may be treatable with braces and/or a sling which I am not opposed to. I’ll know more when I see the nerve doctor next week. Another issue has developed in the form of a spinal cord problem. When I move my head just right, I get a tingling feeling all the way to my knees. The doc at the Spinal Center is aware of it and will evaluate me on Monday when he receives the results of the nerve tests done yesterday.
Some good news, took my first bike ride on day 134. I only rode two miles and it felt great. When I got off the bike, my thighs were like rubber. A wonderful sort of inconvenience. There have only been a few rides since then. As you may have heard, there have been more than 900 fires in CA in the last few weeks. The smoke has cleared substantially, but it was pretty smoky for the better part of 3 weeks which kept me inside.
My first ride (Kerm escorts)
In addition to a visit from the McCarthy’s, our daughter Tori and her husband Sean visited for a week. I was still under the weather so it was a relaxing visit. It was great seeing them again. If you have any influence with them, encourage a move west. Also on the family front, Emily has decided to stay in California for now. She recently received a promotion and will be working with a different group of people in a different area (department) of Risk Operations/Fraud. We don’t see much of her as she spends much of her time with her boyfriend. Also, she and a long time friend of hers will be moving into a rental house on September 1. Congratulations to her as she takes the next steps into independence.
Beck is currently suffering from an unknown illness. Her doc thinks it may be Epstein Barr Virus. Blood tests show an elevated level for the disease. She is to wait and see how she feels in a day or two. She has been lethargic and tired, generally feeling crummy for two weeks now. We make a great pair!
And finally, Dr. Linker, the head honcho that everyone knows and admires, the one I am so fond of, is retiring effective the end of this month. He will continue to handle his national research and board activities, but is retiring from practicing medicine. I met his replacement this week. He seems to be as remarkable as Linker. We shall see. I look forward to exchanging pleasantries with Linker when our paths cross in the clinic as he seems to think they will.
That’s it from here. Again, life has set in. I’ll keep you posted as things change. Love to you all…
It’s day 149, it’s been 49 days since our last post. Since that last post, life has sort of settled in. I’ve made my required trips to the clinic every two weeks; the numbers that we use to evaluate progress remain good, and I do what I have the energy to do. A typical day is breakfast, read the paper, computer time or sleep, lunch, computer, TV, errands and/or nap. Dinner, TV, bed. Fun huh?
Currently I am going through a bout of GVH. We think it is a result of the fact that we reduced the steroids to 7.5 mg daily on day 135. I began to experience lower than normal stamina. I also slept more than normal. McCarthy’s visited during that period. Boy was I a ball of fire! On day 145, the steroids were increased to 15 mg daily. Although it’s early yet, I seem to be more energetic. While McCarthy’s were here, I felt lousy all the time. Kerm completed all the items on my list but he said it wasn’t as much fun working alone and I know it was a real bummer lying down while he toiled in the hot sun. Thank you Kermit.
Take that, tree. Beck and Maria.
You may recall I told Dr. Linker that I would not authorize another bone marrow biopsy unless it was done while I was anesthetized. He said OK and began fighting for use of an operating room. He now says he will cancel the one scheduled for now and allow me to have it done at one year in Stockton by my oncologist there. Yeah! On a related note, my steroid induced diabetes has declined markedly. I have eliminated Novalog altogether and reduced Lantas to 5 units daily (from 10). Both drugs are injectable insulin.
I have had tingling and numbness in parts of my left hand and two fingers. We have assumed it’s a side effect of chemo, but in order to find out, an MRI was ordered for my spine. The results showed a compression fracture in my lower back. That has completely healed at this writing. It also revealed a bulging disk in my neck. A nerve test was done yesterday and proved that the tingling is a problem at my left elbow with my ulnar nerve. It can be surgically repaired, but we’ll not do that until much later. It may be treatable with braces and/or a sling which I am not opposed to. I’ll know more when I see the nerve doctor next week. Another issue has developed in the form of a spinal cord problem. When I move my head just right, I get a tingling feeling all the way to my knees. The doc at the Spinal Center is aware of it and will evaluate me on Monday when he receives the results of the nerve tests done yesterday.
Some good news, took my first bike ride on day 134. I only rode two miles and it felt great. When I got off the bike, my thighs were like rubber. A wonderful sort of inconvenience. There have only been a few rides since then. As you may have heard, there have been more than 900 fires in CA in the last few weeks. The smoke has cleared substantially, but it was pretty smoky for the better part of 3 weeks which kept me inside.
My first ride (Kerm escorts)
In addition to a visit from the McCarthy’s, our daughter Tori and her husband Sean visited for a week. I was still under the weather so it was a relaxing visit. It was great seeing them again. If you have any influence with them, encourage a move west. Also on the family front, Emily has decided to stay in California for now. She recently received a promotion and will be working with a different group of people in a different area (department) of Risk Operations/Fraud. We don’t see much of her as she spends much of her time with her boyfriend. Also, she and a long time friend of hers will be moving into a rental house on September 1. Congratulations to her as she takes the next steps into independence.
Beck is currently suffering from an unknown illness. Her doc thinks it may be Epstein Barr Virus. Blood tests show an elevated level for the disease. She is to wait and see how she feels in a day or two. She has been lethargic and tired, generally feeling crummy for two weeks now. We make a great pair!
And finally, Dr. Linker, the head honcho that everyone knows and admires, the one I am so fond of, is retiring effective the end of this month. He will continue to handle his national research and board activities, but is retiring from practicing medicine. I met his replacement this week. He seems to be as remarkable as Linker. We shall see. I look forward to exchanging pleasantries with Linker when our paths cross in the clinic as he seems to think they will.
That’s it from here. Again, life has set in. I’ll keep you posted as things change. Love to you all…
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