Just your old dad calling...

I didn't realize I would miss hearing Dad on the phone so much until he called me last night. I missed the call of course. (I always miss calls) But Dad left me something close to his usual message and it was AWESOME.  He sounds really good and like he is getting back to normal. I really wanted to spend more time with him over the break but a nagging sore throat has kept me from getting too close. I certainly don't think he would enjoy getting sick right now.
He went to the doc yesterday to remove some leftover surgery goods;)  He told me he felt 100% better every day so it must have been a good visit. He and Mom seem like they are in better spirits and that gives us all a lot of hope. Hope for a happy, healthy, cancer-free new year!

Biopsy Results

Can't remember if we posted the results to his biopsy. Dr. Hamilton said it was a Stage T3 Urothelial Carcinoma. It was into the tissue of the kidney but it didn't get any farther. The lymph system is not involved and it has not metastisized. He said it is an aggressive cancer that needs to be watched closely but he can see Dad living a good healthy life now that it is out. He did not suggest chemo or radiation.
We kept Christmas pretty low key this year but Dad was happy to have us all over for lunch and gifts. He is getting around a little easier and feeling better each day. Thank you for your visits and phone calls as they break up his days a little.

Things Are Looking Up

Another good night. Another good day. Things are looking up!

Rough Night

Dad had a rough night after such a good day, but by morning he was doing better. He is walking and drinking and sitting up and trying to behave so he can get better. Go Dad! You can do this!

It's Real

I didn't dare write anything until it was real, but WE ARE HOME!!! Dad did awesome all day and handled my scary driving and the bumps and pot holes really well. He is home and looking great. Mom has a little bit of a deer in the headlights look but I'm sure she will be fine now that she's home. We will still update occasionally as needed but thank you again for caring about us and our Dad.

Still Waiting

Apparently Sundays are a really bad day to be discharged. Waiting for prescriptions and oxygen and a few other supplies before we go. I guess we can handle a couple more hours.

GOING HOME!!!!!

The doctor said that they don't have any reason to keep him any longer so we are starting the discharge process. Dad is too tired to be too excited but Mom and I are doing the happy dance! Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. I will let everyone know when he's really there. Feel free to come by any time. He may sleep through your visit but all is good.

Still Good

Everything is still going well so I think they nailed this one on the head. He has been walking and eating and is taking a well deserved nap. I'm going to be Nurse Bruhilda in a minute and wake him up for his walk. Wish me luck!

Not So Fast...

Sorry this took so long but we had a pretty serious set back and we needed to wait and see what happened. Sooooooo glad we didn't head home before his tummy decided to start doing jumping jacks. After a bout of severe stomach spasms he is back on the road of recovery. All xrays and tests came back normal so there are not any other serious problems to be concerned about. He has walked around the block twice and is still eating well so it's just a matter of time. So glad the doctors played it safe and kept him one more night. Love the amazing people up here. Heaven forbid anyone need to hang out here, but when you have cancer or are here to support someone that does, there is no better place. I will forever be grateful to Mr. Huntsman and his vision of this amazing place of hope and healing.

Amazing Man

Four days ago I was doubting that Dad would be home for Christmas but he is AMAZING! He is unplugged from everything but his oxygen and doing great. Food services are hopping as he's making up for all the meals he missed out on and he's wearing a path in the carpet where he's spending time walking. The trip home will be a long and exhausting one so we hope that no one will be offended when we ask for no visitors tomorrow. We will give him time to rest and let you know. He is so touched that so many have been following his blog and care about him. It doesn't surprise us. We think he's a pretty great guy and he has an equally amazing wife. Mom has been a rock. She has stood up for her husband when needed and just been a hand to hold when needed. She has been a fun room mate but next time I hope it's just for fun. Goodnight!

YUM

I didn't think anyone could make a bowl of potato soup, a container of tapioca and a chocolate shake look so good. He should have done a commercial! Also had a special experience as an amazing group from Alta High School came into his room and gave him his own personal concert. Pretty cool. Merry Christmas Everyone!

GREAT NEWS!!!

We don't dare get too excited but it sounds like the plan is to go home tomorrow morning! YAAAA!!!! He's been up, had an english muggin and a cup of coffee for breakfast, is showered and looking like a million dollars! Happy Days!

Good Day

Well, he lasted the whole day. Pain kept under control, lots of walking and they just suggested he might even get to enjoy some real food. He is just contemplating what his first choice might be. Here is looking at a peaceful night and a promising tomorrow. Goodnight!

Look who's hungry!

He is upright!  Dad had a good little walk and now he's enjoying a nice visit with Que and Gayle. Yay!  He needs a few holes plugged. (His words.)  But hopefully there is a end in sight to this vacation. He's getting a little hungry too. This photo shows his dismay at not being allowed a cup of hot cocoa.



However, I did catch this little grin just a minute later. 

It's nice to see him smile. 

Party in room 5516!!!

Well that might be a little exaggeration, but things are going well at the moment. Dad is sitting up and trying real hard to hold conversations. His meds make it tricky to make any sense but he is trying.  Oxygen needed to go up a bit again. All the air they put into him is working so hard to come out again. Mom just offered to burp him like a baby. He wasn't too keen on that idea. They have his pain under control for now which makes him much happier. (He does have plans to single handedly change the pain management system at this hospital.)  He probably would be more apt to have visitors today if anyone feels the need to come visit.  
Thanks everyone

One Step Forward...

Good job, B! He felt bad about doing so well without you that he decided to not do so well again. Just kidding. It is one step forward and two steps back though. Was sitting up "drinking" his breakfast when we got here but had a little bump in the road and isn't doing so well right now. We will keep you posted on when he is receiving visitors again but right now he's just trying to rest.

What the?!

So apparently Dad does much better when I (Becky) am not there. Humpf!  He is obviously so stoned he doesn't remember that I (BECKY) am his favorite!

Moving & Shaking

Happy Days! They are preparing to move Dad to a regular room!!! He will still be on the 5th floor but not in ICU. He has only had one nap today, pain mostly under control, enjoying broths and italian ice, walking and talking and sitting up. The Physicians Assistant asked what time it would be good to discharge him and got our hopes up but no one else has said anything about home so we are thinking it might be Friday or Saturday. We shall see.

Full Steam Ahead

Wow, what a difference a day makes. He has sat up most of the day and had an amazing meal of beef broth and jello. What more can a man ask for? He looks tired but better and we have high hopes. He is doing well enough that he doesn't need to be in ICU anymore, but the whole hospital is full to overflowing so they are keeping him here. He thanks you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Making Progress

This morning has been a whirl of activity with doctors, nurses, respiratory therapy and physical therapy. We spoke to Dr. Hamilton and he said they will move him into a regular room today. He is up sitting in a chair and will be walking in a little while. All tests are looking good. I think I dare say that it is going to be a better day...knock on wood. :)

Ready to Get Better

Well, Dad is sick of being sick and in the hospital and is buckling down. He is pretty much demanding that they get him up so he can walk and get better and get out of here. That's our DAD! We are going to call it a night and Dad is ready to send us on our way so this is the last post for the day. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. They are definitely felt. You are all wonderful and he is touched that so many care about him. Thanks!

Let's be honest

This sucks!  But I've learned some lessons from my friend, Andy Shipley at lifelovelaughter5.blogspot.com. Always look on the bright side. So, here is my feeble attempt at making today a little brighter.

Our cute mom is a champ!  She is so good at just making Dad comfy and doesn't take it personal when he is not in the best spirits. 

There's a library here!  I haven't ventured into its aisles yet so it may be that I enjoy it from afar. (I am secretly afraid that there are none of my usual reads in here.)

I love this building though. It is beautiful and such a blessing to have so close. And the view!!!

So our experience here is not ideal, but we have each other and the support of awesome friends and family and for now that is pretty bright!

Dad is OK right now!  He is enjoying a bath right now. (No cursing included.)  Oxygen is his most pressing need along with good doses of dilodid. Things hopefully get better from here. 

Rest

Finally resting. Keep your fingers crossed.

Struggling

Experiencing a lot of pain. Probably not a good day for visitors. Not the best of hosts right now. Nurses still positive that he can be in a regular room by tonight. He's kind of stuck in a vicious cycle. He would feel better if he could get up and move around...he can't get up because he has a IV in his ankle...they can't remove the IV because they are giving him two meds that don't get along in the same IV and it is required that they have two IV's in ICU just in case...so they can't remove the IV in his ankle until he goes to a regular room...but he can't go to a regular room until they get his pain under control...and so on and so on and so on. Wish we had better news but he's pretty unhappy right now. Pretty sure he is ready to start denying treatment and he's saying bad words at the nurses...maybe he is feeling better...
1:37pm

A Bright New Day

Sorry it took so long to update. Mom slept really well and even slept in a little so we got a late start. Dad's nurse said he did really well during the night. Dad said he loved the full face bipap because it kept the machines from beeping at him all night to remind him to breath. The nurse said all of his labs have came back good and he shouldn't need to be in ICU very long. He is not looking forward to when they make him get up and start walking but he knows it will help him feel better. He was a little unhappy when a reeses peanut butter cup came on the TV. Mom told him if he hurries and gets better she will buy him one. Bet it works. If anyone knows Dad they know he loves to eat so a day and a half without food is making him a little grumpy. Beware visitors!

ICU bound

8:30 update- FINALLY moved from post op to a room. Dad had a little set back with his oxygen levels. They decided to send him to ICU so they could keep a better eye on it. He is doing ok. They finally got his pain under control too. The Dr said they might try to get him up and moving tomorrow. I am sure they will get an earful of Spencer attitude when that goes down.
Mom is exhausted!  She literally was growling at the door every time someone came out but didn't come to talk to us. She is a fighter and a caregiver so don't mess with her. We are proud of her though. She held up well all day and was really anxious to be by Dads side.
So far, the day was successful and Dad can now begin healing. He is aware of everyone's concerns for him and he and Mom are very grateful. Thanks again everyone. We love our amazing friends and family
-Becky

One less kidney

6:00 Update- Dr just came out and said the procedure went well. They took the whole kidney and all the plumbing to the bladder on that side. It looks like the cancer was contained at this point but that it was pretty advanced and would surely have been fatal if not addressed. They made 4 small incisions and one a bit bigger to actually get the kidney out. Dad tolerated it well but they are watching him pretty close. His heart and lungs usually do give him trouble. He will be here until they feel he can manage being home without having to come right back. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We have been very impressed with Huntsman and the professionals here. He is in good hands.
Becky

"Give it your best shot"

He's under the knife!  Dad went into surgery around 1:00 and we are waiting for a report.
For those that don't know about Dad, I will try to give the low-down. Dad was having a lot of pain and discomfort in mid October.  He saw several doctors and was finally referred to Dr. Hamilton at the University of Utah. It was concluded at his appointment with him that a mass in his left kidney was most likely cancer. They were also looking at a spot in his bladder. The mass in the kidney is large enough that they scheduled Dad for surgery to remove the whole kidney.
So here we are at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. We spoke with the Dr this morning and had a few questions answered. Let's see if I can recap.
-Dads right kidney is looking good. There had been talk of some kind of "stone" on it but the Dr says it is just a cyst that is not unique to someone Dad's age. (Who knew that we all could get kidney cysts.)  But right side is a go!
-So far it looks like removing the kidney will take care of things. The Dr feels like it won't be necessary to do chemotherapy or radiation unless the cancer has spread to his bladder.  
-Dad will likely not have any lasting effects or even notice he is down a kidney.
-He will be here at the hospital for probably 3 days. Mom is staying at the guest house down the street. They have a shuttle to get her back and forth.
-Mom is ok and a bit impatient. She is ready to have this week behind them for sure.
-Dads oxygen and heart are being monitored closely. They are obviously very cautious.
We will be updating as we hear. Please comment any other questions you may have as this is our crazy effort to keep everyone in the know.
Thanks for thinking of us- Becky
3:15 update- They scoped the kidney and decided to go ahead and remove the kidney. As we spoke with the surgical nurses, I told them to sing to Dad. I said he would love it.  They turned some music on for him and he relaxed considerably.   We are planning on a long afternoon as they said it would be about 2 hours until the next update. He is stable and doing well so far. -Becky