Follow Up Appointment

Dad's appointment with Dr. Hamilton was pleasantly uneventful. He reviewed the diagnosis with us again to confirm that this is a aggressive cancer but that he felt confident that it was caught soon enough that it was still fully encapsulated in the kidney and has not spread. He wants Dad to follow up for xrays and a scan in 4 months. He released Dad and Mom to leave town. They are thinking Mesquite is a good, warm destination.

We love this doctor! The guy next to him isn't too bad either! Love you Dad!!!

Happy New Year!

Well, Dad's recovery is going full steam ahead. He is getting up and about and has even ventured out of the house a few times. Becky took a picture of us all our to lunch but someones boys pulled faces instead of smiling so it didn't get posted...but lunch was nice. Don't know if he's ready for Wendover just yet but it's getting close.
We knew he was feeling better when he decided that it was time for their little dog to come home. Wickett was more than happy to be back with them. (The babysitters didn't let her eat table scraps or ice cream!)
He has enjoyed having lots of time to watch all the football games but is ready to return to the land of the living. He has his follow up with the Doctor on Thursday so we will keep you posted. Here's to an extremely low key, peaceful 2015!

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.