Terri has brought you up to date on Wes' physical progress - which in itself is amazing.
But I want to speak to amazing friends, old classmates, and out of town family. From grade school pictures dating back nearly 50 years to CDs and VHSs of favorite music and artists, to even a check noted for "another ice cream party", loving wishes from everyone (it seems like) he has ever known in cards and e-mails - e-mails from some of you twice. I have thought about a scrapbook for everything but the subject is daunting so I probably can't.
Our neighbor across the street has just completed a complete yard overhaul and it is on it's way to looking like a park again. This weekend family is expected to tear into repairs in the house - and I do mean tear - lots and lots to catch up on.
I am in the process of securing a Scooter for Wes when he comes home - he specifically asked for one - and can't you just see him scooting around the house like a big kid.
Terri told you about his returning appetite - the lost 30 pounds will come right back! And - the male nurse at the hospital shaved his beard - the first time anyone saw him after that, they were greeted with a big grin all over his face.
Our dogs have really missed him but are responding to a new master (MaryAnne) with 'good boy' treats (Toby) and the promise of a trip to visit (Honey). Although Mary Anne hasn't gotten much sleep in the transition, walking like a zombie is OK if it gets results.
Wes seems to be happy where is - sucking up all the attention he can get - he might just want to stay there.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Making good progress
Well, Wednesday found Daddy moving to the next level of his recovery from his surgery. He's been moved to Walnut Whitney Care Center. This is a place that can provide him up to two hours (or as much as he can tolerate) of physical therapy each day to support his return to independence. The nurses there are very sweet, and very caring. Everyone wants to know what Daddy likes to eat, and of course Daddy loves being VERY SPECIFIC about what he wants and doesn't want!
There is a nice activities area in the front where they have a big-screen TV. Today when Mary Anne went to visit it was "movie time". They serve bowls of popcorn (Daddy took two, he can go through the popcorn!) and were showing "Police Acadamy". There is also a piano, hopefully Daddy notices that soon and wants to try a few tunes. The staff has been clued in to his musical abilities, but I also asked them not to "push him" since we're not sure what he can do at this point. We've told his nurse (Marilyn, a real sweetie) that if he wants to eat with others, bring him to the FRONT dining area, that's where all the lively people are!
He's getting stronger every day, I arm-wrestled him a bit yesterday and his upper body strength is good. He's a bit wobbly on his feet, but I think that gets better and better as we go along. His spirits are exceptionally high, the nurse commented on what a sweet man he is. Of course we know that.
There is a nice activities area in the front where they have a big-screen TV. Today when Mary Anne went to visit it was "movie time". They serve bowls of popcorn (Daddy took two, he can go through the popcorn!) and were showing "Police Acadamy". There is also a piano, hopefully Daddy notices that soon and wants to try a few tunes. The staff has been clued in to his musical abilities, but I also asked them not to "push him" since we're not sure what he can do at this point. We've told his nurse (Marilyn, a real sweetie) that if he wants to eat with others, bring him to the FRONT dining area, that's where all the lively people are!
He's getting stronger every day, I arm-wrestled him a bit yesterday and his upper body strength is good. He's a bit wobbly on his feet, but I think that gets better and better as we go along. His spirits are exceptionally high, the nurse commented on what a sweet man he is. Of course we know that.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
FIRST FROM MRS WES
OK - Let's see if I can do this:- News from Terri and Mae and Wes himself - he definitely has his sense of humor back - he is almost silly. He called me this morning at least 4 times in 20 minutes to chat about something - what to bring, when to come, where he is now (E-3) which is first floor straight back from the lobby. He is getting up 3 times a day to walk the hallways and to get to his chair for meals. He needs lots of physical therapy to strengthen his legs, and he really does not have the same appetite for the foods the hospital affords, but prefers to eat very light which is easier on his tummy. Mostly he wants to come home.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Welcome Friends and Family!
I'm pleased to welcome you to Wes' little slice of the web. This is where you will find news and updates about all things Wes. I apologize for making you have to register to see this web page, but I'm very protective of Daddy's security and privacy. I also want to keep the spammers away from this page. Thanks so much for your understanding!
I will be adding my mother and sister as authors to this page, so they can add news too. If anyone else would like to contribute please send an e-mail to either of the addresses listed on the left. You can either e-mail what you would like posted, or if you're pretty internet savvy I'll add you on as a contributing author directly to the blog! All imput is welcome, and thank you so much for caring about Wes!!
Terri
I will be adding my mother and sister as authors to this page, so they can add news too. If anyone else would like to contribute please send an e-mail to either of the addresses listed on the left. You can either e-mail what you would like posted, or if you're pretty internet savvy I'll add you on as a contributing author directly to the blog! All imput is welcome, and thank you so much for caring about Wes!!
Terri
Getting Stronger
Daddy is getting up and walking with help......when the nurse gets him up and walks him around he calls it the doe-si-doe. Walking back is the cha-cha-cha. You can see he hasn't lost any of his sense of humor. The objective now is for him to regain strength so he can come home.
His legendary appetite is back in full force.....I wouldn't say he's a picky eater, but he certainly knows what he likes, what he doesn't, and WHAT DOESN'T LIKE HIM.
I'm still amazed at the outpouring of love and support. We're hearing from so many people, we're so thankful for all of you!
Terri
His legendary appetite is back in full force.....I wouldn't say he's a picky eater, but he certainly knows what he likes, what he doesn't, and WHAT DOESN'T LIKE HIM.
I'm still amazed at the outpouring of love and support. We're hearing from so many people, we're so thankful for all of you!
Terri
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Surgery update
Daddy's surgery could not have gone better. The doctor came out while most of us were in the cafeteria, but Julie and her Auntie Gail (from her and Joe's Dad's side, many of you remember Dale I'm sure) were the only ones in the surgery waiting area. That's okay, Julie's face when she came running down to the cafeteria to all of us said it all. The doctor said it went "as smooth as silk" and that he safely removed about 90% of the mass he could get to. We originally thought he might only get 70% at best, and we discussed the philosophy of conservative removal to preserve Daddy's functions.
There was no bleeding and no swelling, and the likelihood of this happening was high. But with each hour that goes by and it doesn't happen, the threat is diminished. When Mary Anne went into his room (about an hour after he came out of surgery) she asked him "Daddy, do you know my name?" He looked straight at her and said MARY ANNE. When I went in I said "so was that a load off your mind?" (this was a running joke from yesterday). He smiled and said "yeah, load off my mind". Talking, smiling, remembering yesterdays jokes, moving all of his limbs without jerking, it's all pointing to a good outcome. He remembered the ice cream he had last night. He smiled at Mary Anne when she told him that she had taken his dirty socks off his feet last night (before surgery) and gave one to each of his dogs, who prompty buried their faces in them.
We know this is a one-day-at-a-time thing, and there are a lot of unknowns in front of us. We're just thankful that Daddy is strong and seems to have the fighting spirit he's going to need to withstand the treatments he has coming up. I'm sure part of it is the EXTREME outpouring of love and support from all of you. It's amazing how many lives he's touched, music friends, school friends, family close and far, neighbors, childhood friends, they are all there for him. We are thankful for everyone.
Terri
There was no bleeding and no swelling, and the likelihood of this happening was high. But with each hour that goes by and it doesn't happen, the threat is diminished. When Mary Anne went into his room (about an hour after he came out of surgery) she asked him "Daddy, do you know my name?" He looked straight at her and said MARY ANNE. When I went in I said "so was that a load off your mind?" (this was a running joke from yesterday). He smiled and said "yeah, load off my mind". Talking, smiling, remembering yesterdays jokes, moving all of his limbs without jerking, it's all pointing to a good outcome. He remembered the ice cream he had last night. He smiled at Mary Anne when she told him that she had taken his dirty socks off his feet last night (before surgery) and gave one to each of his dogs, who prompty buried their faces in them.
We know this is a one-day-at-a-time thing, and there are a lot of unknowns in front of us. We're just thankful that Daddy is strong and seems to have the fighting spirit he's going to need to withstand the treatments he has coming up. I'm sure part of it is the EXTREME outpouring of love and support from all of you. It's amazing how many lives he's touched, music friends, school friends, family close and far, neighbors, childhood friends, they are all there for him. We are thankful for everyone.
Terri
Monday, August 20, 2007
Thanks family!
Hello family:
Thanks so much for all of your love and support. It means so much to us. Daddy's surgery is 7:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Tonight he's having an ice cream party with Joe and Erica, and whoever else drops by for the fun. I guess they are waiting for Mary Anne to show up with the ice cream. I spoke with him for a bit on the phone, and he is in good spirits. Joe told me that he's feeling a lot better today than even yesterday, is even more verbal and communicative. The medicine to help with swelling seems to be doing what it's supposed to do.
I will try and e-mail everyone tomorrow a.m. when we get an update from the doctor after the surgery.
Love to everyone,
Terri
Thanks so much for all of your love and support. It means so much to us. Daddy's surgery is 7:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Tonight he's having an ice cream party with Joe and Erica, and whoever else drops by for the fun. I guess they are waiting for Mary Anne to show up with the ice cream. I spoke with him for a bit on the phone, and he is in good spirits. Joe told me that he's feeling a lot better today than even yesterday, is even more verbal and communicative. The medicine to help with swelling seems to be doing what it's supposed to do.
I will try and e-mail everyone tomorrow a.m. when we get an update from the doctor after the surgery.
Love to everyone,
Terri
Wes' illness
Hello everyone:
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I let you all know that my dad is seriously ill and in the hospital. He underwent many tests over the weekend, yesterday the doctor called a family conference (with Daddy) and notified us that he has a horribly large mass in his brain, most likely a stage 4 Gleoblastoma, very fast growing, and most likely malignant.
I could go into a lot more medical stuff right now, but most importantly I want all of you to know that my mother and sister are staying as strong as possible (as we all are) but it's a lot to handle. I am home right now (I live about an hour and a half away from Sacramento) and will be going into work today to discuss flexible work options with my boss, and I'm going to encourage Mary Anne (since she lives there and is their primary caretaker) to request FMLA leave at work and take advantage of the state's Paid Family Leave benefits.
After much family discussion, daddy has decided that he would like the doctor to operate to get a biopsy so he can get some radiation therapy. They will remove as much of the mass as possible, but cannot get everything without risking damage to his brain. There are many risks to this course of action, but it is the option that gives him a chance to be with us longer. We haven't gotten word yet if the surgery is scheduled for today or tomorrow. I got the four of us (me, Mary Anne, Mom, Daddy) in the room together alone yesterday and we said a few words to God to ask for guidance and acceptance of his plan and for him to place his hand on the surgeon's while he is working on Daddy.
I also took some time last night to go over some questions with Daddy that were in a booklet in his room. It was about advance healthcare directives. I think it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and some of the questions he wasn't really able to answer right now. He said "your Mom knows" and that's probably true. However, I wish that there was a document so I wouldn't have to burden my mother with this right now. Please, if you haven't already, have these discussions with your kids NOW and better yet, put it all down in writing.
Daddy's spirits are pretty good, he talks a lot and asked to see his psychologist to go over some things. He's accepting of the hospital routine, and takes everything with hardly a complaint. His heart rate is strong, his blood pressure is stable, but he's very weak. He has TV in his room, but was wanting us to change it to his "big band" channel, which the hospital doesn't have. So I loaded up an Ipod with all kids of big and and jazz, it's on battery operated speakers and he can listen to his music to his hearts content.
Love to you all,
Terri
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I let you all know that my dad is seriously ill and in the hospital. He underwent many tests over the weekend, yesterday the doctor called a family conference (with Daddy) and notified us that he has a horribly large mass in his brain, most likely a stage 4 Gleoblastoma, very fast growing, and most likely malignant.
I could go into a lot more medical stuff right now, but most importantly I want all of you to know that my mother and sister are staying as strong as possible (as we all are) but it's a lot to handle. I am home right now (I live about an hour and a half away from Sacramento) and will be going into work today to discuss flexible work options with my boss, and I'm going to encourage Mary Anne (since she lives there and is their primary caretaker) to request FMLA leave at work and take advantage of the state's Paid Family Leave benefits.
After much family discussion, daddy has decided that he would like the doctor to operate to get a biopsy so he can get some radiation therapy. They will remove as much of the mass as possible, but cannot get everything without risking damage to his brain. There are many risks to this course of action, but it is the option that gives him a chance to be with us longer. We haven't gotten word yet if the surgery is scheduled for today or tomorrow. I got the four of us (me, Mary Anne, Mom, Daddy) in the room together alone yesterday and we said a few words to God to ask for guidance and acceptance of his plan and for him to place his hand on the surgeon's while he is working on Daddy.
I also took some time last night to go over some questions with Daddy that were in a booklet in his room. It was about advance healthcare directives. I think it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and some of the questions he wasn't really able to answer right now. He said "your Mom knows" and that's probably true. However, I wish that there was a document so I wouldn't have to burden my mother with this right now. Please, if you haven't already, have these discussions with your kids NOW and better yet, put it all down in writing.
Daddy's spirits are pretty good, he talks a lot and asked to see his psychologist to go over some things. He's accepting of the hospital routine, and takes everything with hardly a complaint. His heart rate is strong, his blood pressure is stable, but he's very weak. He has TV in his room, but was wanting us to change it to his "big band" channel, which the hospital doesn't have. So I loaded up an Ipod with all kids of big and and jazz, it's on battery operated speakers and he can listen to his music to his hearts content.
Love to you all,
Terri
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