Hello all,
Just a quick update on my dad. He is back at it with the chemo treatments. Radiation is completed and we will not have to travel that road again. Due to some dehydration and an "in general not feeling well", he was admitted yesterday to the hospital. My mom, Michelle, Marty and me all hung out with him while waiting for admission, while he was poked and proded and hydrated. He finally got into his own room around 9pm. The absolute only perk with chemo... you get your own room in the hospital (can't risk other's germs). He is having a shunt placed today to remove the fluid that has gathered around his right lung. He'll stay again tonight and hopefully be home tomorrow. They are placing a shunt versus simply draining it to avoid anything so invasive should the fluid return. The shunt will allow it to be drained more easily in the future if we need to go that route again. Michelle and Al will visit tonight, along with my mom who has been there all day.
He is fighting like hell and knows how much support and love he has behind him. We all appreciate it so much.
Love to all,
Jody
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
January Blah's
So here we all are, some of us frost bit, some a little warmer, but winter is moving very slowly through our lives right now. We can only look forward to March.
Dept. of grand children:
Krista is getting an early start to be ready for prom. She is dating a Junior, so she will be going; got to get that perfect dress.
Kevin usually enjoys wrestling and does well. He is on a weight cusp, so he will soon be wrestling bigger boys. His big news is he will be graduating from 8th grade this year.
A couple of weeks ago, I learned that I would need radiation therapy to remove or reduce the main mass of cancer in my right lung. I've had 7 daily treatments as of today with 8 more to go and I am fortunate that the side effects are not too harsh. I am still eating ok and sleeping ok. I had to take another break from the fitness center, though.
One thing: the doctor said today that it will be several months before all of the cancer will be cleared up from the radiation treatment. Some of it dies hard.
looking forward, we have plans for a trip to central coast of California and Yosemite Dational Park in the first week of May. That will be the subject of a later journal.
thanks for allowing me to check in with the latest from classic 1970's Oregon, Illinois, one place I can say Blago never comes to.
love,
Grandpa, father, uncle, cousin Mike
Dept. of grand children:
Krista is getting an early start to be ready for prom. She is dating a Junior, so she will be going; got to get that perfect dress.
Kevin usually enjoys wrestling and does well. He is on a weight cusp, so he will soon be wrestling bigger boys. His big news is he will be graduating from 8th grade this year.
A couple of weeks ago, I learned that I would need radiation therapy to remove or reduce the main mass of cancer in my right lung. I've had 7 daily treatments as of today with 8 more to go and I am fortunate that the side effects are not too harsh. I am still eating ok and sleeping ok. I had to take another break from the fitness center, though.
One thing: the doctor said today that it will be several months before all of the cancer will be cleared up from the radiation treatment. Some of it dies hard.
looking forward, we have plans for a trip to central coast of California and Yosemite Dational Park in the first week of May. That will be the subject of a later journal.
thanks for allowing me to check in with the latest from classic 1970's Oregon, Illinois, one place I can say Blago never comes to.
love,
Grandpa, father, uncle, cousin Mike
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The latest News from Oregon, IL
Hi, all!
I know, if you're not here, you are in a warmer place than we are. We will probably see a high temp today of zero. Still, we are plenty busy. Doctor's visits take up some time. Today, I went to see Dr Schultz, my oncologist, who wanted to see the results of a CT Scan; tomorrow, Dr Retzer, for my annual checkup. He wants to test my cholesterol. Don't these people understand that at 71 years old most of my parts can be assumed not to work very well and testing may be unnecessary.
The Ct Scan revealed that my illness refuses to give up and go away so I need to sign up for more treatment. Looks like Radiation Oncology is in my future and soon, along with more Chemotherapy.
So whatever happens at tomorrow's Doctor visit, the results of my cholesteral test may seem less significant than they might ordinarily be.
You all know I don't want to let my medical problems get everybody down and I don't want to conceal the truth. I need to say things in these journals to deliver a truthful message. Thanks for letting me do it.
Love,
Uncle, brother, dad, grandpa, cousin Mike
I know, if you're not here, you are in a warmer place than we are. We will probably see a high temp today of zero. Still, we are plenty busy. Doctor's visits take up some time. Today, I went to see Dr Schultz, my oncologist, who wanted to see the results of a CT Scan; tomorrow, Dr Retzer, for my annual checkup. He wants to test my cholesterol. Don't these people understand that at 71 years old most of my parts can be assumed not to work very well and testing may be unnecessary.
The Ct Scan revealed that my illness refuses to give up and go away so I need to sign up for more treatment. Looks like Radiation Oncology is in my future and soon, along with more Chemotherapy.
So whatever happens at tomorrow's Doctor visit, the results of my cholesteral test may seem less significant than they might ordinarily be.
You all know I don't want to let my medical problems get everybody down and I don't want to conceal the truth. I need to say things in these journals to deliver a truthful message. Thanks for letting me do it.
Love,
Uncle, brother, dad, grandpa, cousin Mike
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Best wishes for the New Year
Look at the calendar. It's a brand new year; and the bad, old year is fading away and disappearing behind us. Everything in the future looks good seen through my rose colored glasses.
It's not really fair, what I am saying, however. I may not have liked 2008 very much, but there were some really good things happened in 2008. people got promoted at work; there are new babies in the family; Steve Sr. is slim and svelt; and, we got together and enjoyed the holidays.
New baby:
I spoke to Grandma Patsy, today. She has held Jeff's new baby and he is healthy and cute just as he should be.
Shopping with grandchildren:
Krista and Kevin took us shopping last week. They are really good shoppers. Carolyn and I saw them grab clothes quicker than we could follow with our eyes. Then they went in and tried them on and came out looking great. They also go to stores that I never heard of. Hollisters?, that's not JC Penneys! It was all great fun.
Photos:
Jeni and Tracy brought some great pix to Oregon on the 20th and gave us copies. Like from Sarah and Brian's wedding. There were also some great pix taken that day. Those are slowly making their way around, I hope.
Thanks to all for letting me check in with you. These are the good days, so let's all take advantage and hope every day in our lives is this good.
Love,
Uncle, grandpa, brother, cousin Mike
It's not really fair, what I am saying, however. I may not have liked 2008 very much, but there were some really good things happened in 2008. people got promoted at work; there are new babies in the family; Steve Sr. is slim and svelt; and, we got together and enjoyed the holidays.
New baby:
I spoke to Grandma Patsy, today. She has held Jeff's new baby and he is healthy and cute just as he should be.
Shopping with grandchildren:
Krista and Kevin took us shopping last week. They are really good shoppers. Carolyn and I saw them grab clothes quicker than we could follow with our eyes. Then they went in and tried them on and came out looking great. They also go to stores that I never heard of. Hollisters?, that's not JC Penneys! It was all great fun.
Photos:
Jeni and Tracy brought some great pix to Oregon on the 20th and gave us copies. Like from Sarah and Brian's wedding. There were also some great pix taken that day. Those are slowly making their way around, I hope.
Thanks to all for letting me check in with you. These are the good days, so let's all take advantage and hope every day in our lives is this good.
Love,
Uncle, grandpa, brother, cousin Mike
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry medical Christmas letter
First, please don't miss Jody's journal just below mine. It's good that we were both inspired to write today. I guess we both felt the love and wanted to express it today. Also, on my part, I've been waiting for my DSL provider to get a new modem to me so I could get back on the internet.
It was great that so many of us were able to assemble in the little town of Oregon, Il. on Saturday, Dec. 2o. Those who could not come were missed but between a generous luncheon spread (at Maxsons Buffet on the grand and glorious Rock river) and a gathering of the Egan and Rice clans at Michelle's house afterwords it was a day that made my heart feel good. We were very lucky that we caught the only day of good weather in the last week.
I hope that everyone is as well as can be and you are getting what you want for Christmas. I'm sure that for many of us that is the same thing. I know that my current recovery from my symptoms is the best present I could have received for Christmas.
Most of us are celebrating the holidays with all the joy and love of our families. Meanwhile, someone we may not all know, John DeStefano, Bette's husband and Joni Batchen's brother-in-law is recovering from major back surgery having just come home after weeks of physical therapy. They are cousins from the Ronayne family where our grandmothers (and for some of us our mothers) came from. Please give John a thought and a prayer over the holidays as he tries to deal with the pain that can't ever be far from his consciousness.
It was great that so many of us were able to assemble in the little town of Oregon, Il. on Saturday, Dec. 2o. Those who could not come were missed but between a generous luncheon spread (at Maxsons Buffet on the grand and glorious Rock river) and a gathering of the Egan and Rice clans at Michelle's house afterwords it was a day that made my heart feel good. We were very lucky that we caught the only day of good weather in the last week.
I hope that everyone is as well as can be and you are getting what you want for Christmas. I'm sure that for many of us that is the same thing. I know that my current recovery from my symptoms is the best present I could have received for Christmas.
Most of us are celebrating the holidays with all the joy and love of our families. Meanwhile, someone we may not all know, John DeStefano, Bette's husband and Joni Batchen's brother-in-law is recovering from major back surgery having just come home after weeks of physical therapy. They are cousins from the Ronayne family where our grandmothers (and for some of us our mothers) came from. Please give John a thought and a prayer over the holidays as he tries to deal with the pain that can't ever be far from his consciousness.
Family Gathering
Well, we had quite the busy weekend... The Egan clan came from the four corners to see my dad and it was a wonderful time! Jim and Christy were out from Colorado; Jenny came from Maryland; Brian and Sarah drove in from Tennessee; Tom, Tracy, Jake, Max, and Abby came in from up north; Steve and Vicki drove in from Rolling Meadows; Michelle, Al, Krista, Kevin and Marty and I were there of course, as well as the guest of honor, Mike, and my mom. Tracy was there as well, but unfortunatley Matt had to work and was missed... Patty and Harley and Mitch and Brit were snowed in up in Wisconsin and they were certainly missed as well.
We had good news to share as the latest chest x-ray showed no changes in my father's cancer, and that is the best Christmas present any of us will receive!!!
To all who came, thank you for such a lovely day! Please forward any pictures that were taken to my personal email so I can post them on the blog and facebook.
Love to all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Jody
We had good news to share as the latest chest x-ray showed no changes in my father's cancer, and that is the best Christmas present any of us will receive!!!
To all who came, thank you for such a lovely day! Please forward any pictures that were taken to my personal email so I can post them on the blog and facebook.
Love to all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Jody
Monday, December 1, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Well, it is officially December and all of the money in the world is still dried up. And it's five months since my big surprise. At least for now I am done with chemo and I am just taking my daily oral medication. I have a message in to Dr. Schultz because my cough hasn't gone away for four weeks. I am eating well, (watch me eat a meal and prove it to yourself) and sleeping well but I still can't get up in the morning and get to the fitness center.
I have joined many of you by signing up for Facebook to receive Jeni's photos. This is a big step for me since I have never joined a social networking site before. What are the advantages and what are the security concerns?
It is December eighth and I am now 71 years old for sure. Getting older is not better, but as long as I am hanging around with Carolyn I am willing to put up with it. She has had to pick up some more of the workload around here where I might have dropped it recently and she has made no complaints. One of these days when my excuses start sounding lame, I will have to take back some of it.
Oh, well, I am sending this missive off to you, one and all; I will check in again after my appointment with Dr. Schultz next Monday, Dec 15.
Love from,
Dad, Gran'pa, brother, uncle
Mike
I have joined many of you by signing up for Facebook to receive Jeni's photos. This is a big step for me since I have never joined a social networking site before. What are the advantages and what are the security concerns?
It is December eighth and I am now 71 years old for sure. Getting older is not better, but as long as I am hanging around with Carolyn I am willing to put up with it. She has had to pick up some more of the workload around here where I might have dropped it recently and she has made no complaints. One of these days when my excuses start sounding lame, I will have to take back some of it.
Oh, well, I am sending this missive off to you, one and all; I will check in again after my appointment with Dr. Schultz next Monday, Dec 15.
Love from,
Dad, Gran'pa, brother, uncle
Mike
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