Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Settled in
My dad left Birchwood today after he finished his lunch. It was pretty sad; it's funny how attached you can get to people after just a few months. They were helpful to my dad and really nice to us. My dad's childhood friends, Doug and Mary, have also been helpful. They helped my mom and me transport my dad's belongings. More to come soon! His birthday post and this one are both placeholders.
Tomorrow my dad has a follow-up appointment with his neurologist here. Thursday some of his other childhood/college buddies will visit. More soon!
Monday, January 23, 2012
BIRTHDAY!
 |
| clockwise from back: Randy, Marie, Ann |
In addition, one of his exchange students was able to find a ride up to Traverse City from the kindness in Laura's heart. She drove some of the exchange students up to do some fun winter activities so that Dimitar was also able to celebrate with my family, as well.
 |
| Mary, Ed, and Doug |
In the afternoon we also had a meeting at the Munson Hospice House and all decided that my dad will move there tomorrow.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Birthday Party Invitation: Saturday, January 21st, 12 - 4pm
This is a friendly reminder of my dad's 67th birthday party this Saturday, January 21st.
My sister will be flying in and arriving at 3:30, so I'm going to extend the party a little to 4pm or so. We'll have a party sub, some snacks, cake, and ice cream. There's no need for gifts; it'll be great if my dad can just be surrounded by adoring fans. :) He might fall asleep at some point for a nap, but I hope we can all enjoy each other's company and swap stories, anyway.
Call, text, or email if you have questions or need directions or anything: 231.750.6906 / elrobins@gmail.com
What: Sherm's 67th birthday party
Where: Birchwood (map) "Resident Lounge"
@ the front door, punch in the code 0112* (the month, the year, and star)
when you get to the nurses' station, the Resident Lounge is to the right.
When: Saturday, January 21st, 12pm - 4pm (come and go as you need to)
My sister will be flying in and arriving at 3:30, so I'm going to extend the party a little to 4pm or so. We'll have a party sub, some snacks, cake, and ice cream. There's no need for gifts; it'll be great if my dad can just be surrounded by adoring fans. :) He might fall asleep at some point for a nap, but I hope we can all enjoy each other's company and swap stories, anyway.
Call, text, or email if you have questions or need directions or anything: 231.750.6906 / elrobins@gmail.com
Monday, January 16, 2012
Back @ Birchwood
My dad was discharged this morning from Munson and returned to Birchwood via a swanky ambulance ride. (Birchwood's transportation service was booked.)
He spent the majority of this past weekend sleeping. My mom had to wake him up for his meals, which he eventually ate. He would sort of fall asleep during the meal, sometimes. Today, after he was discharged from the hospital at about 11:30am, he slept until almost 3pm, when we fed him a little soup. He did have old high school and college friends, Doug and Mary, stop by for a really nice visit. They filled in some great stories about my dad's life before I knew him, and it was fun to hear those. Doug was having trouble remembering the names of my dad's two English Springer Spaniels. He remembered one was "Barney" from the Barney Miller show, but he couldn't remember the name of the other dog. I said it was Wilbur, and when my dad woke up we tried to ask him. If you ask me, I think I heard him say "Wilbur" in response . . .
Much of today was spent discussing the possibility of hospice. My mom and I toured the Munson Hospice House yesterday, and it's a beautiful facility. My family and I are trying to decide whether to stay this last week at Birchwood for a final treatment of chemotherapy or whether to move him to hospice this week. I think that my dad improved a little under the chemo last time, but the CT scan from the hospital on Friday said that there hasn't been much of a change in the size of his tumor. The oncologist said that if we didn't want to go with hospice this week, the he would recommend it after this final round of chemo.
It's been tough, and it's hard not to be able to ask my dad what he wants. He's looking a little more uncomfortable now. His nose has been really stuffed up. He has been receiving saline treatments to try to clear the blockage, but he's having trouble making the conscious effort to blow his nose, so that when he speaks he sounds extremely nasally and difficult to understand. He has started breathing through his mouth a little more, which I think is good because it helps him get the oxygen he needs, but it also has the side effect of making him look like a pretty sick man. I wonder so much about what he's thinking when he opens his eyes and looks around, and I really wish that when he spoke, it was loudly enough for me to understand what he's saying. I think that not being able to communicate has been the most difficult thing about all of this.
In the hospital, I mentioned my dad's birthday on the 23rd and how I'd like a party in Traverse City and a party in Grand Haven. My family has decided that because of my dad's condition, we'll just have one party here in Traverse City. I apologize to everyone who lives downstate because I know my dad would love to go to a service at C3 Exchange (he definitely lived and breathed for that organization), but it sounds too risky. From what the doctor said, moving him around too much might cause the blood clot in his leg to dislodge, which would be a pretty quick end for my dad. The doctor at the hospital had also said that passing away on your way to see your friends might not be such a bad way to go, but I think that comment sort of gave my family cold feet.
The doctor did say that for most patients with brain cancer, the cause of death will usually be either a blood clot somewhere or swelling in the brain. Eventually the swelling will expand so that it looks for the only way out of the skull: the opening through which the spinal cord travels. At that point, it's difficult for the heart to get the signal to continue beating. The doctor also said the swelling is probably what is causing my dad to be so sleepy because it's limiting the functionality of his brain; eventually he may slip into a coma. This was all hard news to hear, but I do appreciate the ability to let that information sink in.
So again, you are all invited:
We'll have sandwiches or pizza or something and some cake and ice cream. No need for gifts or anything; your presence is wonderful. Let me know if you'd like to attend: 231.750.6906 or elrobins@gmail.com or simply post a comment on the blog here.
He spent the majority of this past weekend sleeping. My mom had to wake him up for his meals, which he eventually ate. He would sort of fall asleep during the meal, sometimes. Today, after he was discharged from the hospital at about 11:30am, he slept until almost 3pm, when we fed him a little soup. He did have old high school and college friends, Doug and Mary, stop by for a really nice visit. They filled in some great stories about my dad's life before I knew him, and it was fun to hear those. Doug was having trouble remembering the names of my dad's two English Springer Spaniels. He remembered one was "Barney" from the Barney Miller show, but he couldn't remember the name of the other dog. I said it was Wilbur, and when my dad woke up we tried to ask him. If you ask me, I think I heard him say "Wilbur" in response . . .
Much of today was spent discussing the possibility of hospice. My mom and I toured the Munson Hospice House yesterday, and it's a beautiful facility. My family and I are trying to decide whether to stay this last week at Birchwood for a final treatment of chemotherapy or whether to move him to hospice this week. I think that my dad improved a little under the chemo last time, but the CT scan from the hospital on Friday said that there hasn't been much of a change in the size of his tumor. The oncologist said that if we didn't want to go with hospice this week, the he would recommend it after this final round of chemo.
It's been tough, and it's hard not to be able to ask my dad what he wants. He's looking a little more uncomfortable now. His nose has been really stuffed up. He has been receiving saline treatments to try to clear the blockage, but he's having trouble making the conscious effort to blow his nose, so that when he speaks he sounds extremely nasally and difficult to understand. He has started breathing through his mouth a little more, which I think is good because it helps him get the oxygen he needs, but it also has the side effect of making him look like a pretty sick man. I wonder so much about what he's thinking when he opens his eyes and looks around, and I really wish that when he spoke, it was loudly enough for me to understand what he's saying. I think that not being able to communicate has been the most difficult thing about all of this.
In the hospital, I mentioned my dad's birthday on the 23rd and how I'd like a party in Traverse City and a party in Grand Haven. My family has decided that because of my dad's condition, we'll just have one party here in Traverse City. I apologize to everyone who lives downstate because I know my dad would love to go to a service at C3 Exchange (he definitely lived and breathed for that organization), but it sounds too risky. From what the doctor said, moving him around too much might cause the blood clot in his leg to dislodge, which would be a pretty quick end for my dad. The doctor at the hospital had also said that passing away on your way to see your friends might not be such a bad way to go, but I think that comment sort of gave my family cold feet.
The doctor did say that for most patients with brain cancer, the cause of death will usually be either a blood clot somewhere or swelling in the brain. Eventually the swelling will expand so that it looks for the only way out of the skull: the opening through which the spinal cord travels. At that point, it's difficult for the heart to get the signal to continue beating. The doctor also said the swelling is probably what is causing my dad to be so sleepy because it's limiting the functionality of his brain; eventually he may slip into a coma. This was all hard news to hear, but I do appreciate the ability to let that information sink in.
So again, you are all invited:
What: Sherm's 67th birthday party
When: Saturday, January 21, Noon-3pm
Where: Birchwood, 2950 LaFranier Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686
We'll have sandwiches or pizza or something and some cake and ice cream. No need for gifts or anything; your presence is wonderful. Let me know if you'd like to attend: 231.750.6906 or elrobins@gmail.com or simply post a comment on the blog here.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Blood clot
Stupid Friday the 13th...I shouldn't have made that crappy "ominous" joke yesterday. My dad had an appointment with the medical oncologist today. We decided to go through one more round of chemo, starting Monday. Afterwards we'll get another CT scan to assess the situation. My mom, again, brought up the swelling in his left angle. He's actually had this swelling since November, I'd say. I also feel like I brought it up every time I saw a doctor, but no one seemed concerned or ordered an ultrasound today. I feel upset about that, but perhaps it's my fault for not making a bigger deal of it.
At any rate, my dad went back to Birchwood after the oncologist, in time to catch a visitor! John worked with my dad in Cadillac AND in Muskegon. It's pretty cool that he was able to stop by for a visit, despite the snow. At 4:30pm my dad returned to the hospital for the ultrasound, and it was immediately determined that my dad has a sizable clot in his left leg. He has been admitted to the hospital (Munson), where my mom and I are currently helping with dinner. He's getting some blood thinners. I guess it's common to get clots if you have cancer, but the thinning medication can really cause problems with excessive bleeding if he happens to injure himself. I'm not sure how long he'll be here, but of course I'll keep you posted.
At any rate, my dad went back to Birchwood after the oncologist, in time to catch a visitor! John worked with my dad in Cadillac AND in Muskegon. It's pretty cool that he was able to stop by for a visit, despite the snow. At 4:30pm my dad returned to the hospital for the ultrasound, and it was immediately determined that my dad has a sizable clot in his left leg. He has been admitted to the hospital (Munson), where my mom and I are currently helping with dinner. He's getting some blood thinners. I guess it's common to get clots if you have cancer, but the thinning medication can really cause problems with excessive bleeding if he happens to injure himself. I'm not sure how long he'll be here, but of course I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Birthday Plans
Thank you all for your patience! I'm thinking that we'll have a small party here in Traverse City on Saturday, January 21st, and then another party in Grand Haven on Sunday, January 22nd. I know my dad would really enjoy a service at C3, so I'll try to get him there for the service and then maybe a little gathering afterward. I'm still ironing out the details, but I know many of you are waiting for news. I'll post details once I have some...perhaps tomorrow or Saturday.
My dad also has an appointment with his oncologist (the cancer doctor) tomorrow, Friday, January 13th. (Ominous, I know.) We'll discuss chemo and whether we'll continue treatment and also the possibility of Hospice. My dad has a follow-up appointment with his radiation oncologist to see how radiation worked, but that appointment isn't until March, which feels like lightyears away.
We've got a little blizzard a-brewin' up here; I hope everyone stays safe and warm!
My dad also has an appointment with his oncologist (the cancer doctor) tomorrow, Friday, January 13th. (Ominous, I know.) We'll discuss chemo and whether we'll continue treatment and also the possibility of Hospice. My dad has a follow-up appointment with his radiation oncologist to see how radiation worked, but that appointment isn't until March, which feels like lightyears away.
We've got a little blizzard a-brewin' up here; I hope everyone stays safe and warm!
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Plans for a New Year
I hope you all had a happy and safe new year! Thank you very much to my Aunt Ann and her son Randy for making the drive from Cadillac to visit my dad on New Year's Eve. I wish I could have been there, but I know it meant a lot to my dad. You have been such longtime family friends and supporters!
On New Year's Eve, Chad and I stopped by with a bottle of champagne to celebrate with my dad at around 8:30 or 9pm, but my dad had just finished a bath and was put into bed when we arrived. He fell asleep within minutes of getting into bed so we didn't get to crack open the champagne, but it felt good to be together on New Year's Eve, anyway. On New Year's Day, my Aunt Oi and Uncle Liem came by my house and showed me how to make a delicious Vietnamese dish called "bahn cuon." My mom brought some to my dad for dinner, and he ate it all. Yippee!
In this new year, my family is faced with a couple of decisions. The Medicare coverage of my dad's stay at Birchwood will end on January 19, so we have to decide what to do after that. Hospice is covered under my dad's insurance, so I my dad and I met with an admissions coordinator from Hospice on Friday. For me there has always been such a stigma around Hospice, and I'm worried my dad will also "give up" if he knows Hospice is working with him. He fell asleep during the meeting, almost as soon as the woman from admissions introduced herself. I was wondering if that's the only way my dad can cope with this idea. I don't know. I know that when my grandmother and my great aunt moved to Muskegon to be closer to our family so my dad could help them, they were not at all themselves in an unfamiliar town surrounded by unfamiliar neighbors and no friends. I've often thought about that, and now that experience seems especially poignant. I do know that I can offer more help to my father here, and I know he has so many good friends who are willing to travel to see him, but I'm definitely concerned about taking him away from his environment and his friends. Hospice could come to visit him at a nursing facility or at my home (or his home, if we chose that), but the most important thing to me is that my dad is where he wants to be. I've tried asking him on a couple of occasions, but even if he has been answering my previous questions with a nod or shake of the the head, he doesn't respond when I ask, "Would you like to stay in Traverse City or would you like to return to Muskegon?" I'll try asking again, but if any of you have experiences that you'd like to share or any direction or advice, I'd gladly listen.
With this January will also come my dad's 67th birthday. His joke is that his "birthdate is a poker straight," which means his birthday is exactly 3 weeks from today, on the 23rd. I was thinking it might be nice to have a birthday party, and I would be willing to drive him to Muskegon or Grand Haven for a Saturday or Sunday. I have two questions, then: (1) Is there interest for this? and (2) If so, would anyone like to help me plan/coordinate something?
All righty, that's all for now. Talk to you soon!
On New Year's Eve, Chad and I stopped by with a bottle of champagne to celebrate with my dad at around 8:30 or 9pm, but my dad had just finished a bath and was put into bed when we arrived. He fell asleep within minutes of getting into bed so we didn't get to crack open the champagne, but it felt good to be together on New Year's Eve, anyway. On New Year's Day, my Aunt Oi and Uncle Liem came by my house and showed me how to make a delicious Vietnamese dish called "bahn cuon." My mom brought some to my dad for dinner, and he ate it all. Yippee!
In this new year, my family is faced with a couple of decisions. The Medicare coverage of my dad's stay at Birchwood will end on January 19, so we have to decide what to do after that. Hospice is covered under my dad's insurance, so I my dad and I met with an admissions coordinator from Hospice on Friday. For me there has always been such a stigma around Hospice, and I'm worried my dad will also "give up" if he knows Hospice is working with him. He fell asleep during the meeting, almost as soon as the woman from admissions introduced herself. I was wondering if that's the only way my dad can cope with this idea. I don't know. I know that when my grandmother and my great aunt moved to Muskegon to be closer to our family so my dad could help them, they were not at all themselves in an unfamiliar town surrounded by unfamiliar neighbors and no friends. I've often thought about that, and now that experience seems especially poignant. I do know that I can offer more help to my father here, and I know he has so many good friends who are willing to travel to see him, but I'm definitely concerned about taking him away from his environment and his friends. Hospice could come to visit him at a nursing facility or at my home (or his home, if we chose that), but the most important thing to me is that my dad is where he wants to be. I've tried asking him on a couple of occasions, but even if he has been answering my previous questions with a nod or shake of the the head, he doesn't respond when I ask, "Would you like to stay in Traverse City or would you like to return to Muskegon?" I'll try asking again, but if any of you have experiences that you'd like to share or any direction or advice, I'd gladly listen.
With this January will also come my dad's 67th birthday. His joke is that his "birthdate is a poker straight," which means his birthday is exactly 3 weeks from today, on the 23rd. I was thinking it might be nice to have a birthday party, and I would be willing to drive him to Muskegon or Grand Haven for a Saturday or Sunday. I have two questions, then: (1) Is there interest for this? and (2) If so, would anyone like to help me plan/coordinate something?
All righty, that's all for now. Talk to you soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)