Dads Update

Hey Everyone,

A quick update for the week. I had a lab on Friday and my red blood count was down. Part of the reason I am low on energy. Sooo I had a transfusion on Saturday and it's beginning to help. Looks like it will take longer to get through the recovery but of course I'm impatient. I also have a home care company helping for a few days. They have sent in a PT to give me some exercises tips. They also send a home nurse to check my vitals and general condition about 2 days a week. I will have another lab next week to check the blood. Usually takes me about 2 to 3 days to get the full benefit of the transfusion.

Looks like Mike and Deb & Terry with family will be here for Thanksgiving. It will be pretty simple so Mom can enjoy our first holiday in the house. It will be the first time in who knows how many years the turkeys will be cooked inside in the oven. Hopefully all that will change next year.

Well that's about it for today. I want to thank all of you for your support and visits while I was in Baltimore. Your help is greatly appreciated. Also all of Mike's transportation aid here at home and watching over everything at the house.

Love to all.

Dad

back home in texas Nov 20

We have spoken to most everyone, so there really isn't much to tell. The flight home was uneventful-- it just made for a long day. We had lots of help at the airport in Baltimore. Dad was wheeled from the taxi all the way to the gate. Luckily, even with all the changes, we kept our first class status. Barbara and Jack Murphy picked us up and took us out to Michael's to pick up my car. Dad was tired when we got in. I'm glad I put a few things in the freezer. A quick microwave and dinner was ready. Dad has not fared to well since the trip. He has been exceedingly tired and still is eating very little. We decided to call home health and set up a few appts. They came out and checked his vitals. Everything, including the oxygen was okay. They set up a physical therapy session which he had today and a few follow up visits next week. The biggest issue is the appetite. When he weighed yesterday morning, he was at 123 pounds. That is a 20 pound loss for those 3 weeks in the hospital. He is taking some pill that is suppose to increase his desire to eat. It is not working to great just yet.
Once we got home we hit the ground running, catching up on bills, orthodontics yesterday and MD eye treatment today. Michael had to come out to the house and drive me to the eye doctors. I find it difficult to drive after the injection.
This weekend we will be planning time for a Thanksgiving celebration. No smoked turkey this year or the special dressing. We have to keep it simple with so little time to get things done.
I hope you all have a good and happy holiday season. I know the economy is a mess and is affecting everyone's finances, so we will have to focus on our blessings and pray for better times ahead.
Hugs to you all,
Mom/Sandy

Nov 14 RE: Baltimore

After reading the news from Debbie, it is hard to celebrate, but we do have some good things to share
. After working with the physical therapist today, trying to get out of bed and walk, the PT figured out in a hurry that the tube on the right side was indeed a problem. I had a feeling they were thinking that Dad was gold bricking, maybe for pain meds. We think the PT talked to the Dr. on the floor because the next thing we knew they decided to take out the offending tube. The plan this morning was to leave both tubes in until tomorrow. The pain is GREATLY diminished, and he is even getting up on his own. Dr. A came in about 30 min ago and most of his report was very positive. In a nutshell, he said all the fluid was pretty much gone, and we could check out Sun if we liked. Well we like. The other news is that he felt Dad had positive results from t he surgery. The plans are for him to relax and recouperate over the next couple of months. At 3 months from date of surgery, they will do a base line CT and labs. Probabilty they will do 3 to 4 rounds of chemo just to stay on the safe side. Of course this disease has its own mind -- as we know -- but for now all things are pointing in a positive direction.
When we check out of the hospital, we will stay at the Holiday Inn Sun and Mon night. Our flight is around noon on Tues. We are soooo ready to get home, and especially sleep in our own bed.
Just a little side story: After Dad worked with the PT I went down to the chapel. I said some prayers and told God that we really needed a miracle, that we were so tired and had little or no energy left... Five minutes later, Dad called as I walked down to the food court to tell me that the Dr. had ordered removal of the offended tube. I call that our miracle.
Now we have to continue to pray as a family for all of us -- jobs, financial security, good health.
I know Christmas will be lean for all. We just cut our retirement withdrawal by more than 50%. So it won't be like years gone by. We will have to focus on the meaning of Christmas and try to have a great time in spite of all the economic woes out there. Please do not worry about Dad and me, as you know, we have lots of "stuff".

Love you all,
Mom/Sandy

Greer Family update

Hello to all and Happy Birthday to Ashlie and Dad, Saturday and Monday.

I have disappointing news. The economy woes have come to visit the Greers. Terry was laid off from his new job after just two months. Rumors are the owner would have to pay the headhunter $14,000 if he kept Terry on after 90 days and didn't want to pay it. We were both very surprised as things with the job seemed to be going well. In addition, Danny called today and said he was laid off as of today. Of course, that means no child support will be paid. I know things are stretched tight for all anyway. I would like to suggest no name drawing this year for Christmas. I know we were pretty much just doing the kids names, but at this point we may be limited on what we can do for our own kids. If you have the means and want to, then buy for any or all that you can. I personally will be happy with a Christmas card with a family snapshot or recent school pictures of kids to put on my fridge.

I hope all are doing well. We're looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad back home in Texas!

Love,
Debbie

Thursday Nov 13 Baltimore

yep we are still here! Dad is having severe pain still, resulting from the tube insertion on the right side. They are giving him pain meds to keep it tolorable until they take the tubes out tomorrow. It is very localized pain, but keeps him pretty immobile -- moving hurts. The good news is that there has been little drainage since this morning. Maybe the tubes have done the job. If they get them out tomorrow, we will focus on moving and walking. It will take a day or two to be certain that the fluid does not accumulate again. We have rescheduled our plane flight for around noon Tuesday of next week. If he gets out of the hospital before then, we will stay at the hotel. That way, if there are any problems, we will be close to the hospital.
I talked to Carole today. They are planning an excursion to Disney World next summer. Jessica tells them it will be her last summer at home; after all she will be 17 by then. Hard to believe so many years have gone by. I remember watching Johnny Carson's last Tonight show at their little A-frame house the week she was born. I also heard that Amanda made honor roll last report card.
Friday is Ashlie's birthday. I won't say how many years. They are going to spend Thanksgiving in San Antonio with Scott's Mom. It has been a while since they visited her. Krista and family will be visiting them over the Christmas holidays.
Michael tells me that Deb starts her new job training program sometime soon. I hope this means more money and benefits for her. I have to check with him about picking us up at the airport on Tues afternoon.
At least by getting in on Tues., I can make my ortho appt on Wed. Rumor has it that I should be getting the braces off. Thurs. is the eye appt. I will be 4 weeks late for this injection, but, fortunately, there hasn't been too much deteriatation. (not sure about spelling of that last word) Do blogs have spell check?
Time to wrap up. I usually tidy up Dad's area and tuck him in before I leave. We are both so very anxious to get out of here and get home!
Love you all,
Mom/Sandy

Tuesday Nov 11 Baltimore update

I think we are being held hostage here. The procedure they determined yesterday needed to be done and scheduled for today-- never happened. After having blood drawn and waiting nearly all day without anything to eat or drink, we find out that radiology wasn't going to get to him today. His nurse called down to find out about him having something to drink, and that is how we found out he wasn't on the schedule. Dr. Alex. intern came in about 3 pm to apologize saying that radiology had so many emergencies, it had shoved back all the scheduled procedures. Thirty minutes later, a nurse practicioner came in from radiology telling us they we sorry, but they just found out about the Dr's request that the procedure be done. She implied that the request had gone through the wrong channel. Later still, Dr. A's resident came in and told us that we might need to come up with a plan B because it didn't appear that we could make a Friday discharge. I wish I had told him, we were already on Plan B. They don't want to send him home oxygen dependent or with any drainage tubes hanging out. What a mess. I certainly don't want to get cross ways with Alexander's group. Who knows, we could need them again in the future. I am angry that they weren't more proactive about the breathing situation last week. Plus the fact we have wasted about 3 hospital days as well as 3 hotel days sitting around waiting for something to be done.
Other than this issue, he is doing well -- not even taking any pain pills.
At this point we are not even sure they will get to him tomorrow morning, so we are not sure what we are going to do. I am at a point of renting an Enterprise car and start driving home.
I hope you are all doing okay. It is fun hearing the family news -- learning about grandchildren making honor roll and better jobs and job situations in the future. I am glad for both Debbies!
We will keep you posted over the next few days on our plans. I told Dad we needed to get out of here soon. I am becoming fast friends with the shuttle drivers, learning about their families etc.
Love and hugs to all
Mom/Sandy

Monday nov 10 -- baltimore update

As some of you may have heard, we have had to change plans about leaving on Wed. Dr. Alexander visited this morning a said they needed to do a CT scan to see what they could determine about the fluid around the lungs. They took Dad about noon -- he wasn't in a great mood because he had to drink that awful tasting contrast junk. Dr. A said to plan to stay a few days extra. They do not want to send him home oxygen dependent. Of course that has meant changing Dr. appts at home and the all important flight. We managed to get most of everything done by phone, but I had to call Pat Lucht for help in changing the flight. She managed to get one out for us Friday morning around 9 am. I did not even ask if we were able to keep the first class status. It doesn't matter if we can just get home.

Dad has been tired all day although we did get up for one short walk down the hall. I think the breathing problem is taking a toll. Dr. A came in at 6pm to give us the results of the CT scan. He said there is a fluid build up around the lungs -- almost serum like. It is not a usual thing after this surgery, and especially for it to go on this long. There is also some fluid in the lower abdominal area, but that should resolve on its on over time. The plan is to go in tomorrow and draw off the fluid around the lungs. That should make him feel a lot better. The will have the fluid analyzed and determine then if any additional treatment is needed. There is a slim possiblity that there is some meso around the lungs. Whatever the problem, Dr. A seems to thinks it can be resolved. We asked him the preverbial question about getting the "95%". He reponded very positively, and actually Dad is recovering just great from the surgery itself. without this fluid issue we would be planning for our trip home with "bells on".
So for now, we are both very tired, and hope that the procedure tomorrow puts him back on track. Pat did tell us that if we need to change the flight again to let her know. I sure hope that won't be necessary.
I am so glad that the hospital changed his room now that he has to stay longer. It is nicer and much quieter, and I can stay if it becomes necessary. We need a few more prayers to get us through the next few days. I will update you all as the news comes in. It is difficult to call all of you in a timely manner, but will do my best.
Love and hugs,
Mom/Sandy

november 8, 2008 -- update

Here we are at the hospital, Me, Jason and Jess. Jason has had Dad up for a walk two times today. That makes three which is good. Dr. Alexander's intern was here this morning. She checked his oxygen level without O2, while resting, and it dropped to about 86 within 4 minutes. So he is still hooked up. She indicated that they didn't want to send him home oxygen dependent. The real concern I believe is that there is some fluid in the lower lobes of the lung. Today is the first that I heard about that fact. I always thought it was just some fluid pressing around the lungs causing the breathing problem. We have a great respiratory therapist and she is helpful about giving good info. I can see them sending him home on O2, but not with fluid in the lungs. It might not be good to fly in that condition.

News flash! The nurse?, aid?, someone just came in and gave Dad a pain pill. She then tells us he needs some immunizations: flu shot, Pneumonia, and Meningitis. All of these he just had 2 days ago. I had to show the girl the paper work they gave us about "possible side affects" She then tells us that, by the way, a room came up on the surgical oncology floor and he would be moving. When? right now! Of course on hospital time that could mean 4 am in the morning. Here we are, the last to know. I do get concerned about the lack of coordinated communication.

We were told Friday that he would most likely be discharged on Sun. We had planned to stay at the hotel until Wed. when we would fly home. I can't believe that they will release him until the issue is resolved. I wish they would be more pro active in getting rid of the fluid on the lungs. All other things are progressing along pretty good.

The Dr. said he would recommend at least 4 rounds of chemo after we got home. It would be at least 6 weeks before starting up chemo again. The path. did show a protein in the tumor that reacted to a certain medicine. Dr. A said he would recommend the drug be included in the chemo treatment. Only problem -- it isn't covered by insurance. Here we go again. We have yet to find out if the Dr. thought he got at least 95% of the cancer out. That question is on the list for Monday when he is back in the hospital.

It has been good to see Jess and Jason. They worked on guitar lessons for a couple of hours last night before turning in. They come over this morning to take care of Dad while I got another load of clothes done. The Holiday Inn people are beginning to think of me as family. We will both be so happy to get back home. Say prayers that he get the oxygen problem resolved so we can get out of here.

Jess and Jason both leave tomorrow, but, hopefully, we will be on our way home too, shortly!!!!

Hey Guy's

I am so glad the williams family has a blog. Why did we not think of this before? I am so happy for dad it sounds like he is going to recover. I just hope they don't push him to fast, just to get him out of the hospital asap. I think that sux. anyway I wish I could have went with mom and dad. I feel so useless. forgive my spelling if I get a few words wrong. spelling never was my strong point in school. Deb and I are doing ok. Deb is going into the RLD program this November which means I am going to be her driver cause she can't find our back yard even with directions.
Anyway she will be a asst. store director after that but she might be transferd to another store anywhere in TX. that means we probably will move. but that could be 12 to 18 months. when she is in training she will be going to all of the stores around TX. oh well at least I will get out of the house and get some fresh air. As for savannah she is doing very well in school. She is on the A B Honor role. She may be going back home with her mom but who really knows. The guy she is with is a real winner. he got her preg. hell he cant take care of his dog. I guess he expects us to take care of the baby. well that aint happening. Anyway. I just want to say to Dad, Mom and family, hang in and be strong all our prayers will be answerd. just have faith in GOD and do not let anybody think neg thoughts.
Love to all .
Mike, Deb, Savannah

Greer Family Info

Hello all,

I'm about done with work for the day. TGIF!!!!! Mom...I can't believe you almost lost your wallet. You are sooooo lucky that nice shuttle driver found it and kept if for you. Remember, you left the all important crossword pencil in the cup holder in the shuttle van while I was there.

I have very exciting news. Some of you know I have one of the worlds worst managers on the planet and she has made my life miserable for the past 8+ years. I'm working on my 10th year with SSA. She wasn't my boss in the beginning. But....Halleluia she is finally retiring on Jan 3rd. I have been doing the dance of joy since I got back from Baltimore. Apparently, she announced it while I was there. (She probably did that intentionly so I wouldn't find out for a while). I am counting the days.

As for Mr. G (Garrett) he had straight A's on his report card that also came while I was gone. Tomorrow, he has Regional Band competition/tryouts. He did it last year, but didn't make the second round. The competition is pretty tough and middle school band students from all over the County will be participating. I can vouch for the fact his trombone playing has improved since last year and hopefully he will have a better chance to move on to the second round. We just wrapped up football season on November 4th and the mighty Tigers ended up with a 1-9 record. Not really all their fault as they had a new coach and Terry and I thought he lacked a lot. Oh well, basketball tryouts are Monday next week. Garrett's going to try out, but considering he just started practicing this week, I don't hold out much hope for that.

Terry started a new job in September with Security Control Systems which is corporate security system sales and service. Back into the industry he was in before and thankfully out of the mortgage industry. So far it is going well and he is enjoying reconnecting with people in the industry he has not seen in a couple of years.

Taylor is in the 5th grade and doing very well with grades also. He has been playing flag football 'cause his Mom still won't let him play contact football yet. I know how she feels, but she's gonna have to get over it 'cause he has the potential to be a natural athlete and do very well. He will be 11 in February. We are hoping he gets to come and live with us in another year or so. That's the plan anyway.

Well it's about time to finish up my work and get out of here for the weekend. A friend is turning 40 this weekend, so we will be attending a big bash Saturday night. I'll be waiting to hear the update from Jason and Jess after their visit with Dad.

Love to all,
Debbie

Thursday Nov 6

Here it is 5:00pm and still no second walk for the day. That is our only complaint, we can't get follow through from the nurses on the necessary walks for Dad. The Dr. says about three a day. The PT will come only once a day, and they won't let me walk him -- too many tubes, oxygen etc. Plus he is unsteady on his feet and could fall. He tried the walk this morning without Oxygen, but his O2 saturation fell quickly, and the PT hooked him back up. He may need to be weened off. I hate to think of him oxygen dependent once we get home. There is enough for him to deal with. We still do not have a definite discharge date. No way Friday. Dr. A. said possibly Sat or Sun, but with oxygen problem, still being hooked up to the catherter, staples still in -- there is a lot to be accomplished before they let him go. They have, however ordered a walker for him--I guess that is progress. His room mate went home today. I can't say I like having a room mate because of all the privacy issues, but we weren't given a choice. You have to discuss everything from insurance to bowel movements in front of total strangers. Dad doesn't seem to mind. With everything else going on who cares if someone else is in the room with you, that is the least of his worries.
I had a real mishap today. I went to pay for lunch at the cafateria only to find my wallet missing. I remembered taking it out to get a tip for the shuttle driver this morning. After that, I had no clue. Fortunately for me, the shuttle driver found it and turned it in at the hotel where they kept it safe and sound. Not a thing was missing. I gave the driver a big tip when I went to the hotel to pick it up -- along with a big THANK YOU.
That is about all for now. I'll keep you posted as things come up.
Mom

11-5-08 Update

Big news today! Gas was passed! I guess it's important because it's the common question from all medical staff when they enter the room. Soooo, the next step tomorrow is to go to solid food. Once that is done I will go off the pain pump and to pill form pain meds etc. So a small step each day. Mom or I will send updaes each day or two to keep all informed. Look to seeing Jason and Jess Friday.

Dad

Update on Dad, Day 8

Apparently Mom Sandy is having issues with getting on the blog to update Dad's status. I'm at work, so just a quick update from my phone call with her last night. Dad walked down the hall and back three times yesterday. The physical therapist came in and walked with him once and then he insisted the nurse come in later that day and walk with him the other times. Jess and Jason, feel free to take this on when you get there. If Dad feels like walking, get him up and take him. Don't let the nurses intimidate you. It seems they are reluctant to do it. they want the PT to do it but he/she is only coming in once per day and that's not often enough. Dad also had a visit from a former co-worker and Mom said that seemed to really lift his spirits. Well, time to get back to work. I'll be interested to see what lies ahead with our new administration and how it affects my job.
Blessings to all,
Debbie

Seattle

Here is the news from Seattle.

It is raining.

Ha ha!  I know you are laughing.  Actually today was the first day it really felt like dreary old Seattle.  Colder and rained a bit plus daylight savings set in......  but we do have real seasons here and I like to count down till December 21st which is the winter solstice.  The days will begin to get longer by the minute at that point.  You never really pay attention to that until you move to a place like this.  

Actually, this has been on of the best falls I have seen since moving here.  We have had mostly mild days in the low 60 to high 70's  and plenty of sun.  Maybe it is global warming :)

We still have our house on the market.  It has been on for 3 months now and we plan to keep it on till just before Thanksgiving.  At that point we will take it off and wait three months so that we can put it back on as a new listing.

The market is slow of course but I hope to get lucky and sell ours so I can buy at the low end before things turn around....if they turn around.

I am sure that most of the country is waiting till Tuesday and then hopefully we can get some more interest in the house.  

Both Roseanna and I are working non-stop.  I have a bunch of students at Rosewood Guitar and then on Thursdays I drive up to Bellingham (about an hour and ten)  to teach at Western Washington University.  That is a day that begins with Eden (get up, feed, clean house for show, drop Eden off to daycare, drive to University, teach 6 hours straight, drive home, make Roseanna do the rest!) then I sleep.

I am still playing adult-rec soccer once a week.  I have a guy that played semi-pro that I work out with in trade for teaching guitar.  It has worked out to be a pretty good barter and my game has improved a lot over the last year.  

I have my classical guitar CD coming out soon.  I am finishing up with the artwork this week and then I will submit the CD to be pressed and packaged.  This is costing me a small fortune so make sure you tell your friends to buy one.  I should have a link and a website up soon.  I hope to have it out by end of this month.  Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas? :)

More on that later but for now all is well. Eden is great. She is walking and talking a lot.  Really beginning to say a lot of words.  We dressed her up for halloween but no trick or treat.  She would probably not know what to do yet.  I am looking forward to flying to Baltimore to see mom and dad this weekend.

That is the news for now.

Cheers,

Jason

Dad's status

It's day 5 at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore. Dad is doing pretty well. He got out of bed today and walked about 12-15 feet. He sat up in a chair two different times for several hours all together. Mom and I have to remind him to do his incentive spirometer, which is a fancy way of saying "suck on this tube thing and make the plunger go up." He hates it but it helps get his lungs back in shape and keeps away the pneumonia. He's had two chest x-rays but we won't know what the second one shows until tomorrow. There's probably fluid built up below his lungs due to the amount of work the doctor did in that area, at least that was the doctor's take on the first x-ray. It's about 9:00 p.m. Baltimore time and Mom and I will be headed back to the hotel soon. I have been here since last Thursday and will be headed back to Dallas tomorrow. Hopefully Mom will be able to update this daily so everyone can keep up with how things are going. Jason and Jess will be coming in on Friday to stay for the weekend.
Stay tuned for updates.