Gratitude

Today is the best day by far since the Chemotherapy treatment last Friday. Breathing and energy were up and we were able to do the monthly finances. It is hard to remember a day of such ease in doing regular things since before early February. We are so grateful for the respite before we gear up for next steps in what lies ahead. Thank you to each of you for your prayers and support.

Back to Doc's Office

Following a relatively quiet and satisfying Tuesday filled with tangible expressions of love and caring from family and friends, today started back the the "other" new normal. Pattie saw Dr. Richard Fox, who placed the port in her chest for the chemotherapy regimen. He reviewed her last two chest x-rays and noted the fluid buildup and her commensurate diminished respiration.
It was his recommendation that the fluid be drawn, in spite of the fact that it has not been as long as the previous six times. To make a long story short, he performed a thorocentisis which yielded about a litre of fluid. Some fluid remains, but he drew out most of it. We are all hopeful that the effects of chemotherapy as they kick in will be able to overcome the rate of fluid buildup so that she will have less dependence on procedures and visits such as today. The follow-up chest x-ray showed a positive result with the lung being well inflated. In addition to calls, cards, and visits, at Session last night there was such an outpouring of love for Pattie and me that we have only praise and thanksgiving for the church family to which we belong, and for the grace and love of Jesus Christ which embraces us all.

OOOOOOOOOOhhhh What a Monday!

Following up on the Thorosentisis from last week, we had yet another x-ray this PM. After that we saw Jenny Fox's Physician's Assistant, who said that there remained some things about the lung that Jenny should see . We set up ANOTHER x-ray and appointment with Jenny for Wednesday. (We just happened to have the day free!) Also today Pattie began developing a reddish rash on her chest. Upon examination, the PA pronounced it to be shingles, and wrote a prescription (which costs a king's ransom, even in generic!) and gave a review of how to treat it; including no hot showers, no scratching, use an oatmeal paste, etc... We are supposed to be very grateful that it was noticed so early and will hopefully not develop further. (We're trying!) Pattie is experiencing the tiredness and weakness associated with chemotherapy, and it is hard for her to give in to it, but any other choice is rapidly vanishing. We are feeling the wrath of the treatment "beast" and looking forward to a time when it is gone along with the much larger cancer "BEAST".

Sunday

Tiredness characterizes today. Pattie's lack of energy is consistant with the aftermath of the chemotherapy we have been told. She is resting after having a husband cooked meatloaf dinner. (With any luck, we both might survive!) It was not as fancy or sophisticated as the meals which your generousity have brought our way, and we thank you so much for those. Yesterday was a chest x-ray and again tomorrow to monitor the fluid buildup and its location. Again, thank you for your many kindnesses and expressions of concern and hope.

Milestone Passed

The anxieties and fears attendant to allergic reactions and negative bodily response to chemotherapy proved to be unfounded. Nausea and other side effects were well controlled leaving only tiredness and weakness to oversee the entire process. This is a BIG, positive answer to many prayers! Upon reflection, Pattie has done well since beginning this road on April 6. Surgery went well and the healing process has been more than satisfactory Fluid buildup with its attendant breathing difficulty has been the single largest continuing issue. We are assured that the second chemotherapy session will begin to turn off the sources of the accumulation. Other than having a major case of "medical fatigue", she is making good progress against significant challenges. There is no mystery as to whether or not God is answering our prayers and honoring your faithfulness in standing with us in this unforeseen detour onto the unknown road of cancer. Daily we feel the underlying peace that surpasses our understanding. Praise Him and thank you!

Big Day

Fluid was taken yesterday with the resulting ease in breathing, plus a little hitch. The lung collapsed a bit and then seemed to recover after two plus hours of observation. Throughout the night various preparations necessary for today's CT scan and Chemotherapy Treatment Number One were taken. It promises to be a very long day, but the sunrise was spectacular. We cannot thank you sufficiently for your prayers, generousity, and varied expressions of love.

Consolidation and Anticipation

The morning was as good as the night was bad. Fluid is certainly an obstacle to breathing well, and it hinders a good night's rest. The birds were especially vocal during this warm (almost 70 degree), Spring morning. The afternoon appointment for chemotherapy orientation went well. The nurse matter-of-factly went through the good, bad, and ugly of the process and gave a helpful preview of coming attractions. Following our orientation we met with Dr. Jenny Fox and she wants another fluid draw and CT scan tomorrow in preparation for the initial chemotherapy session on Friday at 10:30 AM. Thank you for your continuing support and generous expressions of caring for us.

Another Step

Yesterday AM was calm and relatively "normal" for these unusual days. In the afternoon, Pattie had a 3:30 appointment with Dr. Richard Fox (no relation to Jenny) to surgically place/implant a port so that the chemotherapy regimen can begin thereby avoiding the roulette IV placement process. Dr. Fox was running late, so Pattie did not have the outpatient procedure until after 6:00. With recovery and the dismissal procedure we were able to return home by 9:00 PM. After a long, restless, painful night, Pattie is hoping for a respite from the medical marathon today, before resuming with evaluation, tests, and chemo orientation tomorrow.

Grateful for Good Days

Saturday and Sunday have been two good days back-to-back. Together Willie and I have been able to get some laundry done and to cook a couple of meals for ourselves. However, we definitely are grateful for friends and neighbors who have brought wonderful soups and other tasty food for us to enjoy without our having to prepare it! I have been able to work on correspondence and some phone calls to friends who don't have computers to give them updates. So grateful for every thought and every prayer expressed in our behalf. With appreciation, Pattie K

Saturday

This day was a "breather" (literally and figuratively) . A respite from interacting with the medical extablishment and a time of Pattie feeling relatively back to a new normal. The irritating, problemmatical coughing and shortness of breath were in thankful abeyance.
Thanks for continuing to care for us in amazing ways.

All's Well That Ends Well

An 8:20 AM appointment with Oncologist Jenny Fox began this adventurous day.She as pleased with Pattie's progress from surgery, explained that chemotherapy would likely begin sooner rather than later, and gave a preview of the chemo schedule; six 4 hour treatments once every 3 weeks. That is a shorter, more intense regimen than we had thought from earlier conversations. Dr. Fox was also very concerned about the lung fluid buildup and the continued pain in the lower legs. She therefore made arrangements for a thorosentisis and an ultrasound of the legs to search for clots. There was a hitch which necessitated an observation admission ("no more than 23 hours) to Boulder Community Hospital. This is in order to conform with Medicare regulations. After 8 hours in the hospital the two procedures were complete and we were able to return home by around 7:30 PM. Although it was a stressful, frustrating day from several perspectives, tonight Pattie can breathe and be assured that her leg pain portends no lurking, hidden clot. This is the fifth time to drain fluid from Pattie's lungs. Each time, except when we exited Rose Medical Center, they have taken about 1400 ccs off. WOW! no wonder she has labored breathing! This should diminish and subside with the chemotherapy treatments.

Surgery Follow-Up Consultation

We had a good conversation with surgeon, Dr. Donato this morning. He said that the healing process was well under way and we were cleared for round II of dealing with this beast. Pattie and I got all our accumulated questions answered. Tomorrow at 8:30 AM we meet with oncologist, Dr. Jenny Fox at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Boulder. Then and there we hope to set a schedule for beginning chemotherapy as soon as practicable.

Consolidating Progress

Today has been a day to recover from yesterday when our enthusiasm outstripped our judgement about how much we could do. We have now scaled back to attending to the basics; eating on a regular schedule, personal grooming, walking, resting, and being up for reasonable periods. Last night was not comfortable due to achey and swollen legs and feet and the frequent companion, pain. Considering the distance Pattie has traveled from surgery to now, she is doing incredibly well. In light of where we are I would appreciate a "Sanctuary Time" away from the telephone and doorbell between 1:00 and 3:00 PM for the next several days so that Pattie can have the certainty of a time of rest. Thank you for your love and understanding, and thank you also for supporting in so many creative ways.

Nicholl Street

Home again, how sweet it is! Last night Pattie slept so well that this morning was the best awakening she has had in well over a week. Rest is a wonderful blessing. Her energy level was not sustained for too long, however, so she returned to bed. There is little pain and NO nausea. What a gift. Pastor John Hess stopped by with a colored Easter egg and a prayer. What a guy! We are so blessed to have such overwhelming support from dear friends and family! God has built a caring community around us to love us through this difficulty. Reality returned this morning as the switch to the sink disposal went on the fritz, not allowing it to turn off. Duct tape worked wonders! Also one of the kitchen lights burned out. These are curiously welcome distractions to the singular focus of recent days. These are small things over which I can have some positive impact and control. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Return to Boulder

Pattie is now at home, in her own bed, and loving the comfort of not having blood draws, temp checks, BP checks, O2 saturation checks, this procedure and that! Dr. Donato released us about noon and we got here by 2:30 PM. Pattie's AM activities included another Thorosintesis and an ultrasound scan of her swollen right leg to make sure that it was free of clots. Both turned out to reassure us that we can take over where they left off at the Med Ctr. We have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Donato on Thursday at 10:30 AM. He is anxious, as are we to get on with next steps along this uncertain path that we have happened upon. Thank you for your caring and sharing. Our best to each of you!

Easter Sunday

Beginning this glorious day buoyed by the benefit of a good night's rest, Pattie had a reasonably good day. There was some drowsiness, pain, and shortness of breath. Dr. Donato said that the fluid that has built up in Pattie's lung during this past week will be extracted tomorrow so that she will have a more comfortable time until chemotherapy can begin in a couple of weeks. That chemo process will be under the direction of Dr. Jenny Fox, an oncologist at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Boulder (Tebo Center at the Arapahoe Campus of BCH) and long time friend (daughter of Marsh Riggs) Pattie and I had a good evening Easter meal together in her room at Rose Medical Center (both of us had solid food!) We talked about the Easter Service at Macky Auditorium, Boulder today. I attended and returned to Denver. It was a marvellous service proclaiming The Risen Christ. Kurt, Barb, Ethan, and Megan stopped in again briefly on their way back to Fort Collins. Hopefully things will stabilize to the point that Pattie can be released to the custody of her Nicholl Street caregiver tomorrow. All in all this week has been one to remember in so many ways... In the midst of pain, we have seen evidence of deep caring and astounding answers to prayer. He is risen indeed!!

Other Saturday Highlights

Pattie and I were further encouraged and supported by 1)a visit from Kurt, Barb, Megan and Ethan who stopped by on their way to Colorado Springs to spend Easter with Barb's family. Also, 2)Peter's call while in the midst of dying Easter eggs with Hayley, Delia, and Spencer. Heather was out running, practicing for an upcoming marathon, and Peter was surviving being "Mr. Mom". Having been with them last month, it is one of life's great pleasures to see how and how much Peter and Heather love their little tribe.

Saturday

Today, Saturday was the kind of day we have been looking and hoping for. The great barriers to progress, pain, nausea, grogginess, gastro-intestinal distress, all seemed to be considerably diminshed. Walking the halls several times a day is becoming a "hallmark" of her improvement. Also Pattie was able to have her first meal of solid food since before surgery. The intravenous feeding was withdrawn as well. This is particularly good news since there have been 5 different veins called into service to accommodate the needles. Some of these were particularly painful due to various rookie attempts at finding and entering veins. The areas of continued concern are fluid buildup, the return of the cough, and pain in the area of surgery. In the meeting with Dr. Donato today, he indicated that at the present rate of progress, Pattie will be able to be dismissed on Monday.
Thank you for your continued prayers and other expressions of love for us. God has used you to bless us during this Easter season. Happy Easter.

Friday, April 10

Today began well with energy and vitality. The old nemesis, nausea, soon came for an all too lengthy visit. Pattie said for me me not to be too "rosy' in my description because she feels too many "thorns". Looks like things are beginning to "move" a little. Dr. Donato is hopeful that the "release" will come this weekend. We are certainly anxious to go home.
-Willie

A little better today

Just got off the phone with mom and dad, and it seems as though mom's doing better today. The doctor came in this morning and was encouraged with her progress, although he definitely wants here to stay today and give her body the time it needs. Despite the rough day yesterday, she did get out walking the halls four times, and has already been once today. This is a HUGE improvement from when I last saw her on Wednesday morning. And it's a huge step toward going home. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see.
Happy Easter everyone. New life and the renewal of spring seem to be a little more poingant this year.

Frustrating Day

Thursday was not a good day. There was plenty of nausea, pain, and hard work walking, but things seemed to have reached a stalemate otherwise. We are disappointed, but hopeful for a better situation to report tomorrow. Again, we want you to know how much we appreciate your expressions of love and concern.
In other news, Congratulations to Santiago Kayan Esparza for choosing such a great family to join!

Wednesday PM

Dear Friends and Family,
There is more than ample evidence of your/our prayers being answered. The fact that Kurt (took off school and family to be here for Pattie) and Peter (took time away from work and family to be here for her. He left today, arriving safely at JFK mid-afternoon our time. and home for a late dinner) have made sacrifices to show the depth of their love and caring for us is one of the great blessings in this trying time. The fact that today Pattie spent sitting up and had the urinary tube removed was further significant evidence of progress. Dr. Donato's saying that it was time for the intestines to "wake up" and begin functioning again was taken to heart by the nursing staff, student nurses, and various others charged with Pattie's care. As we speak there is evidence of significant yawns and stretches, so the "awakening" is imminent. Praise for Pattie's resolve and strength as she works to do everything possible to heal from the surgery as quickly as possible. Pray for the hard parts of that process; pain, increasing breathing capacity, nausea, and allowing others to love her as much as she loves them. Time and words will not permit the expression of the depth of our gratitude for the many and varied ways you have shown your love for us. Thank you!

Better day today

I'm on the plane home, so I've got to make this quick. I'll post more tonight. I understand some people may be having trouble posting, so I'll also try to five a little more direction about that. Most importantly, I saw mom this morning and she seems to be in really good spirits and ready to get going on recovery. I trust that today will be as good as yesterday was bad. Pulling onto the runway. Gotta go.

Tuesday Night

As Peter indicated, today was a rough one for Pattie due to extreme pain. She was a real trooper and made more than adequate progress. Tonight she is resting well and the pain is diminished to the point that she will be able to get enough sleep to face a day of even greater progress tomorrow.
Thank you for participating with us in this challenging time. We are encouraged and uplifted by your meaningful support.

These hospital booties were made for walkin'

Mom just went for a short walk a little while ago. It caused a lot if pain, but it was an important step. She's still in a lot of pain overall, so we're all hoping for a great night's sleep that will help things along.
Mom's definitely not feelig up to seeing anyone any time soon, but she enjoys reading your comments. Keep 'em comin.'

Resting and recovering

Not much to report today. A lot of rest. A lot of pain. Sitting up this morning, and possibly walking this aftenoon. My guess is that walking will wait until tomorrow.

Home

No, not Pattie, silly. Just Peter, and just for the evening. Dad's still at the hospital where mom's resting comfortably, hitting that little morphine button to keep the pain at bay. But we were talking with her a bit this evening, and she seems in good spirits, and definitely relieved that the surgery is over. I think she's even a little empowered by the experience and ready for the rest of the fight.
But for the next couple of days, it's all about feeling a little better and stronger, minute by minute. I'm glad we were able to be there as a family, and although it was under extreme circumstances, it was good to hang out with the guys for a little while. I know we've all said it, but again thank you for your caring, prayer, and support. My mom's a pretty remarkable woman who's got some pretty remarkable friends. We'll all get through this together.
More tomorrow, including possibly even words from the woman herself. We'll see.

Long Awaited April 6

At this point, following a long day of activity, Pattie is comfortable, strong, determined, appreciative, and very groggy. Thank you for your demonstrated love, generosity, prayers, and encouragement.

Out of surgery

Just talked to the doctor. Mom's out and doing fine, and the operation went well overall. Sounds like they got most but not all of it, but the doctor's confident chemo will take care of the rest. That's pretty much the extent of the report, because truthfully, I'm not sure how much mom wants to share with everyone. Sorry about that, but I've got to respect her privacy.

15 more minutes

Should be starting surgery in about 15 minutes. Then it'll be at least an hour and a half, so the earliest I'll post next will be around 2:00. You'll know soon after we do. Let's all go get lunch.

Waiting

I'm sitting here with mom in pre-op waiting to hear when the doctor is out of his prior surgery. We've been told that he's going to be delayed, but no one knows quite how long. It's good because it means he takes the time he needs with each patient. It's just nerve racking when you're next in line.

Schedule

9:30 lungs. 11, surgery. T minus 22 minutes.

Surgery day

Kurt and I got to the hospital around 7:45, and mom's still in her room. As per usual, we're not sure what the schedule is. But as things happen, I'll keep you posted. Mom read through all of your comments, and they gave her a smile. Thanks so much, and keep them coming.
More to come when we know any more.

Bright and early tomorrow

Tomorrow's an early start because mom's going to get some fluid drained from her lungs before the surgery at 11. Not sure how early, but it means Kurt and I are piling in the car by around 6:30 and headed to Denver. Dad's spending the night, so at least someone's going to be there when they come a-knockin'. Hopefully we'll get there in time too. Sounds like Mom may be whisked from the Lung draining directly to prep for the surgery. Hopefully we'll have a few minutes to chat in between. I'll make sure if we do that Mom will get to read all of your beautiful comments. I know they mean a lot to her.
Thanks to Jerolyn Holland for some wonderful BBQ sandwiches tonight. Kurt and I managed to make them without even reading the directions. :) Back in the room in Denver, mom had to stick to Jello and cranberry juice.
G'night all.

Checked in

So mom was here mainly for a small lung procedure today, in prep for tomorrow. There's one guy who can do it, and he's not here today. (Well, he might come in.) So mom gets to spend the day in bed without much of anything to do. We should all be so lucky.

Off to the hospital

On our way for check-in and a couple tests today. Kurt, Barb and the kids will be over later. Then mom and dad at the hospital tonight, and Kurt and me to Boulder and back in the morning. I'm glad to pass any thoughts/wishes along before surgery tomorrow.
On a completely separate note, if you happen to watch Celebrity Apprentice tonight, it's going to feature one of my clients, All laundry detergent. After the show, check out work that my team did on all-laundry.com. I can't say too much about it or I'll ruin the show, but take a look if you have a chance.
Ok, enough about me. Back to mom. In the car now. More updates later.

Countdown to Surgery

Welcome to our blog. We're hoping this will be a good way for you to read family postings and to write comments if you would like. Today is a good day for me both physically and mentally; that is a positive. Peter will come in tonight, so he and Kurt will be with Willie and me both Sunday (when I check into Rose Medical Center for pre-surgery procedures) and Monday (surgery at 11:00 am). I thank all of you for your love, prayers and support. They give me much needed comfort, strength and encouragement. Pattie K

Trying a post from my phone

If this works, I can hopefully post more little updates along the way. We'll see how it goes.

-- Post From My iPhone

Welcome to Nicholl Street

Hi everybody, and welcome to our new blog. It's meant to keep everybody up to date with whatever's going on in the lives of Pattie and Willie. Much more to come. I'm sure we'll put this to the test within the next week or so. Hang in there as we figure this thing out. Hopefully it's a good way to get out the info.