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Hey, all!
The doctors planned on discharging Rick today. However, Rick's blood pressure has been abnormally high since he started the chemo. The medical folks have been pumping so many fluids in to counteract how he cancer is attacking Rick's sodium levels in the blood, as well as make sure Rick is hydrated enough to eliminate the dead cells from the chemo.
When it was time to discharge Rick, his blood pressure was 198/118. Sharon insisted they keep Rick for one additional day to make sure the blood pressure meds are stabilized.
We had a hospital bed delivered to Rick and Sharon's house today. We plan on bringing Rick home tomorrow. We will start with an easy exercise routine, just helping Rick move around the ground floor of the house for the first couple of days. The hospital is to deliver a walker to the house on Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Once we have that, we can start having Rick walk for 5-7 minutes several times a day. The physical therapist instructed us to increase the walking time by 1-2 minutes per week for 4-6 weeks, then work on increasing the pace of walkng. Once Rick is able to walk for 20 minutes at a fairly brisk pace, Rick should be able to golf.
Rick's spirits remain very good. He is positive about his chances of recovery, and is determined to lick this thing with the help of his Higher Power and with the support of your prayers. PLEASE keep positive energy coming this way. We need that much more than gloom and doom!
Sharon continues to be a pillar of strength for Rick. She is at the hospital most of the time, and is amazing with what she is able to do.
We had a meeting in the dayroom on Rick's ward last night. Arthur & Julie, Patty & Carl, Nancy & Rick, and Carol (from Montana) were at the meeting. It was like sitting back in the room in building 1034 at Vogelweh again! Except there wasn't a dry eye in the house!
Sharon is exhausted but doing very well with asking the right questions and taking the right actions. Please pray for her around the sleep issue, she is struggling with geting enough rest (understandably).
Both Rick and Sharon are continuing to be a power of example of dignity and grace in the face of adversity.
Check in tomorrow...
Aug 11
This web log is for everyone to use in keeping track of Rick's condition. Please feel free to post comments, ask quesitons, or provided updated information. This is Carl, and I'll work on keeping the site current. Please include your name in any additions to the site.
We spent the afternnoon and evening with Rick in the hospital. Rick is in excellent spirits, and is determined to beat this thing. Sharon is in a state of shock, but has been outstanding in her support of Rick.
Rick underwent his second chemo treatment today. He is feeling great, and is not experiencing any negative side effects. Rick says he is not in any pain, and has not felt the effects of the cancer in any way.
We expect to take Rick home from the hospital this weekend. They are hydrating him now so that his body can eliminate any dead cells. The next chemo is scheduled for next Wednesday.
I'll keep this updated as often as possible.
Carl
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