No Change

Harry is sleeping day and night with very little response. I am praying that the steroids change that - staying very quiet and praying for a recovery..

Please check here regularly - the phone makes him jump..

I promise to keep posting updates..

Decent Night

Changed his medicines last night. His body is still aching quite a bit but he slept through the night without too much trouble. Yesterday we were able to talk for a little while and that made me feel better. Hopefully this medicine change will show some improvement over the next day or so. His Mom is coming today and my sister and her husband are coming for the weekend to help.

I am calling home health today to see if they did anything about getting a hospital bed. He would be more comfortable in that I think. Anyway - we'll see how all the new things work out ..

I'll update more this afternoon..

Spoke with a couple of doctors today

They are changing up his meds a little in hope of getting him some energy and hopefully eating, the consequence is higher blood sugars but if it gets him moving.. we'll deal with that..

thanks for all your prayers..

Both the Nurse and Physical Therapist Came today

I spoke with both of them and we agreed so I have put some calls into the doctors to see about adjusting his medicines to see if that helps at all...

Now just waiting on the calls...

Both said he seemed better today..

A little better this morning

I am a little encouraged by his reaction to me staying home today. He has already had a glucerna and turned in the bed. I am going to talk to the home care nurse today - I think I may know what is causing the extreme fatigue. Anyway - thank you for all the prayers - please pray for his strength to return...

Mona

Not So Good

Harry is sleeping all the time now. I am not sure where we are headed but I have taken tomorrow off to spend the day at home taking care of him. Pray for Harry ro have the strength to tell me how he wants to go forward, give me the will to accept the answer he gives me.

Please if you have it within your heart - ask God to help me give him what he needs and ask God that his will be done for Harry and that Harry gets peace, comfort and if my prayers are answered health and energy.

Thanks to all of you - I will post again tomorrow after the nurse comes in the morning.

Too Much for a Short Title

Harry Mom came over yesterday and was able to get him to eat a little more than he has been, he also asked for pudding last night when I have him his meds so that was encouraging. He was unable to do much with Physical Therapy yesterday - maybe on Friday with his CNA - exercising his legs.

And in the Of Course category... my neighbor AL came by to let me know that one of the teenage boys that roam the neighborhood threw a large rock through one of my windows. So I had to call the cops and deal with the one of the kids of that group who of course "didn't know who did it" in front of his parent and the cops but sure boasted to a bunch of other kids yesterday afternoon. I explained to the brat in front of his parents that - had they thrown the rock into the next window - they would have hit Harry and I cannot begin to tell them what kind of -ell they would have paid. So with everything else - now I have to have a window fixed.

Stephanie and her friend Courtney (Al & Bonnie's daughter - my neighbors) helped me tape it up for now. Also Mike Sr & Jr. Al has offered to cut my grass with a riding lawnmower - if I can get someone to weed eat - (that is probably spelled really wrong)

Anyway -that is how my day ended and begins - there is good and bad everyday and as someone who was really wise one told me - it's not the event - it's how you handle it.

God - I give today over to you.

Mona

Sleep

Harry was able to sleep soundly from 6pm until this morning. His mother is with him today - I hope she can coax him into eating - I was not able. She sure is good for him and I am glad she was able to visit today. Physical Therapy is starting at 11am - hopefully he will work with them to get his strength back. thanks to all for your prayers - more after lunch

Still Nauseated - Still tired

Harry had another long day. The physical therapist came by and Harry stood for a few seconds but was too weak to continue. Not really interested in eating but I am going to try a little later to push - he'll probably hate me for a while but that's my job if he wants to get better.

Next try tomorrow at 11am..

I will be moving furniture again tonight to help him get PT on track with him. His mom may come by tomorrow - that could help because I do not seem to be motivating him today - no matter what I do.

A very special thanks to my job.. the grace in which you have treated me has lifted my heart and eased my mind and refreshed my spirit.

Mona

Chemptherapy - giving Harry a run for his money

Harry is doing ok. This chemotherapy is supposed to make you nauseated...and it is living up to its expectation. He has not thrown up but he feels not so good. Hopefully that will start to subside. The physical therapist is supposed to come today and Ms. Lillie also starts with us today.

Harry is very tired and nauseated as I said - so I will post as often as I can to update you. He really is not up to chatting just yet - maybe in a day or 2.

Also our congratulations go out to my Godmother and her Husband they were named Golden King and Queen of the Frog Festival in Rayne Lousisana yesterday - wish we could have been there...Prayers to my Uncle Wilmur - may God's plan for you be revealed as it is supposed to be. And Please say a prayer for Harry's Aunt Ethel - in the hospital with a combination of issues..

Love to all
I will post again later..

Mona

Saturday - Home Health - Etc

Harry had a good night.. His blood sugars were really low most of the day yesterday but they are coming back up - which is good.

The side effects of this chemotherapy are more predominant than the last ones and they have greatly reduced the strength and kind of steroid he is on - so he has a little less energy for now.

Yesterday home health and occupational health came to the house to evaluate him and the house. Next up is a PT Therapist named Chris - have not met him yet.

We have hired one of his Mom's CNAs Lillie, to assist while I am at work and to be for him. She a very nice lady.

The occupational therapist will come back in a week to re- assess him, so the nurse will visit 2 times and the PT guy everyday except Sunday - I think.

He is asking to do things today he has not in the past week - so I am encouraged.

My husband is a remarkable man for fighting the way he has, I would not have his courage. Neither he nor God are obviously through yet. So it is in their hands and it is their decision.

Thanks to all who have been so kind and to God for dropping the right people at the right time with the things we need when we need them. This has not been an easy journey but it has been one that has opened doors, shown us grace and hopefully allowed us to do the same.

Now I have to straighten out the house..

Take care..

Mona

We got home last night

I am sorry I did not post last night - but there was a lot to do to get him settled in. I still have a lot to do around the house but he is where he wants to be. I am waiting to hear from physical therapy to see what their orders are. I have also hired a nursing assistant so I can go back to work and he can get assistance all day.

So I will let you know how this all goes. I have an appointment to get my hair done - his mom will be here while I do that.

Thanks you again for all you have done...

Waiting on one more doc and a couple of more prescriptions

We are waiting for the diabetes doctor to write the his insulin prescriptions.. And the air conditioner problem was just a fan motor -YEAH... his oxygen has been delivered at home - so we are one step closer to wheeling out..

Thank you Bobby, Mike Sr and Mike Jr - your efforts today are remarkable - I could not have handled all this without you

going home

we are going home at sometime today. and since it is not like checking out of a hotel - this could take all day.. but he is very happy and we are going home with oxygen and physical therapy. And we have not figured out the air conditioner yet but a friend thinks it is just a fan issue.. I sure hope so. Maybe Harry's luck is wearing off on me.

I will post again when we get home

6am - update

I am guessing Harry had a restful night because I slept through it and he did not wake me up. He woke up for a moment this morning and he seems to be alright. We start lobbying this morning to be sent home and praying that the air conditioner at home was just frozen and that it starts working, otherwise my luck is continuing at its usual rate. Oh well one event at a time.

I will update as the day goes on..

5pm Update

Well - he is still doing well.. he blood sugars are getting in line with a tremendous amount of adjustments to the type, amount and frequency of insulin. They have also dropped the oxygen from 4 to 2.5 and his oxygenation is staying around 93%.

We are pretty sure he will get out either tomorrow or Saturday. He will have to take Neupogen shots for the next 8 days - so we are not home free with the chemo yet but he sure came out on top this morning. One of the reasons they treatments are so far apart is what it does to your blood. So I am praying that it does not knock him down too far.

So early tomorrow we start lobbying the physicians to go home..

Thanks to everyone who has had a hand in prayer and those who actually cared for him.

We could be going home with oxygen and respiratory treatments - we'll see..

take care

Mona

Noon Update

Well - we've already had a full day. Harry managed to make it completely through chemotherapy with no nausea - in fact he ate while it was going on. They have given him lots of nausea meds. He also ate a full breakfast and worked extremely well with Physical Therapy - he walked 6-8' and did some leg exercises but got very tired from that and I am sure the chemotherapy. Anyway - while he was doing therapy - I was able to change the bed and clean him up. Jan and Vincent came to visit and gave me a break - thank you and while I was gone he had a chest xray. His blood sugars have been down 100 points today on average which is spectacular and it is looking more promising every hour that we can go home.. We are still waiting to see the Diabetes doc.. but overall a very very good day so far.

If you are not sure - it truly is liberating to turn over to God all that is in front of you and only request that his outcome be the one that happens..

Thanks to all of you for your support & prayers and I will post again later this afternoon..

right now I am going to try to nap - I think they are through with us - except for lunch.

Mona

4am - chemotherapy

Thankfully Harry has been asleep 95% of the day. It is 4am and they actually after 7 hours of fluids and pre meds have finally started his actual chemotherapy treatment. This should take another 2 to 3 hours - hopefully he will sleep through it all and no one will come to draw blood, take his blood pressure etc until this is complete. I am praying that he gets no nausea or other common side effects. The one I am sure he will get it one of the drugs causes food to taste metallic - but I hope it is less this time than before. After spending the last few hours researching the protocol - it appears he will get this treatment every 3 weeks for up to 6 rounds. He will have to have B12 and Folic Acid to help his body through this - these were started earlier this week.

Harry and God are now in control and I trust that the outcome will be what it is supposed to be.

Thank you all for your prayers - I will let you know in a few hours how he does.

Mona

chemotherapy is starting tonight

Dr. Schwarzenberger is treating harry tonight with chemotherapy.. they are about to start the pre meds then chemo should begin around 1am and run through 3am. Pray that he does not get too sick from it. So I will be up watching him tonight to be sure that if he needs anything I can get it for him.

Please pray for him..

Mona

chemotherapy and physical therapy

Harry will have chemotherapy this afternoon and they are also going to start physical therapy to strengthen his legs today.

He has never had a full dose of chemotherapy - so we have no idea how he is going to react to it. I will post again tonight when it is done.

Thank you again for all your prayers..

Good Night

Harry had a very good night - he got to eat and drink - waiting on the parade of doctors to see what is going on and when we are getting out.. I think we will be home by Saturday - let's hope..

Mona

Surgery is complete

Harry had surgery this afternoon to put in a Bard Power Port. They decided early this morning to avoid further complications to have the Radiology Doctor that did his biopsy to place the port under a CT Scan. He came through brilliantly and the first thing he asked for was a Sugar Free Chocolate Snowball - so I got him one. He has eaten very well this evening.

They have added a few new items to the medication menu and it seems to be working.. Dr. Murray has his hands full trying to control the diabetes with all the steroids but he is working on it.

Harry should have a full chemotherapy treatment tomorrow - and I have been told to expect a 7 or 8 hour infusion.

If all goes well and they get his sugars to cooperate - I feel like we could go home this weekend.

Oh BTW - the chemo treatment will be once every 3 weeks..
thanks for all the prayers and visits - without them we would not be where we are today - thank you thank you thank you

Mona

Tonight - things are a little calmer

Harry is doing better tonight. His lung is still partially collapsed but it is getting better with every passing hour. He has a new diabetes doctor and I think he will finally get control of it.. Still no idea when we are going to do the surgery - but he has once again "bounced back"..

Thanks to all of you for the prayers - your power is stronger than you think..

Mona

Biopsy Complete - No Surgery

Harry made it through the biopsy this morning, but he had a partial lung collapse. At this time they have decided not to do any intervention at this time - they are waiting to see if it increases or decreases. Dr. Sandoz that did the biopsy believes there is some sort of infection or pneumonia in his lungs which means no surgery today. They will make decisions about what to do next at 1pm and 3pm. So I will update you when I know what is going on.

Mona

Biopsy and Surgery

Today is going to be a very long day. Harry had a very decent night and is facing all of this with such a great spirit. I do not think if I were in his shoes I would have his strength and courage. We've been on quite the roller coaster ride over the past year. So anyway we are waiting for him to be taken down for the first procedure. I am sure all will go very well.

No indication of leaving the hospital yet - I will update later after things start happening.

Please pray for us today..

Mona

Harry got better as the day went along

Yesterday was a very up and down day. Harry was very very sedate yesterday morning.. by late afternoon - after some medicine and respiratory treatments he was more alert and by 10pm last night had taken back control of the remote - that is when I knew things were looking up a bit.

For all those who sent prayers out for him yesterday - thank you God answered your prayers and mine.

I will post more this evening - after all the doctors - visit.

Mona

Harry is in the Hospital

Harry was admitted to the hospital last night because his oxygen levels were low and his blood sugars were high. He is supposed to have a biopsy on Monday and they will try to put another port in then. The surgeon would not do that yesterday because of the other factors.

Now more than ever we need your prayers.

Update - procedures; surgery and chemo

Harry has a steroid shot in his spine today and it seems to have already lessened the pain. Tomorrow at noon Harry is having surgery to put another port in - please pray there are no clots and no staph infections. Monday - back to the hospital for a biopsy and Tuesday he starts chemo.

Dr. Schwarezenberger is really being aggressive and his staff is wonderful. So lots of prayers are needed..

Harry will be tired for a few days - and me too..

thanks

Mona

Rehearsal

Last night a wonderful group of musicians came over for a 2 hour rehearsal. Good time was had by all. You sounded great!

New Biopsy on Monday July 20th

They called this morning and Harry is having a new biopsy on Monday July 20th - 6am

So thanks to Dr. Schwarzenberger - it looks like the new battle has begun.

Mona

Our Nephew Andrew, Niece Kaylin and Harry

Andrew came to visit us this weekend from Texas. He's our nephew that graduated from High School in June. He and Harry did lots and lots of work on all the drum sets in the house. He lifted Harry's spirits, found things I could have never found in a million years and made today a great day at our house.

Yesterday we went to Jack Dempsey's for lunch then took a ride down to the parish (St. Bernard) to see the Islenos Museum. You see my family is directly descendant of Juan de Alleman that came over on the 3 boats sent by Spain from the Canary Islands to America.

My niece Kaylin - is doing great and may be released from the hospital today. -

So Harry is doing good - hoping that the injection helps him get some strength back and Dr. S finds a way to beat this thing for a while longer..

Cypress Tree Band, College Inn Dinner and Doctor Update

Last night we went to the College Inn for dinner and it was great - then went over to Rock N Bowl to watch some friend - Willie T, Warren Storm and the Cypress Tree Band. You guys sounded great. So we got home pretty late.

Harry talked to Dr. Swarzenburger late yesterday afternoon and he told him they are going to have to do another biopsy to see if the new treatment he wants to do will work. So I guess we will find out more on Monday or so - when all of this will occur.
We see him again on Wednesday and Thursday Harry get the injection for his herniated disk - let's hope that works so he gets some relief.

My niece Kaylin had major back surgery in Dallas this week - she is doing very well. And our nephew Andrew is coming from Texas for a visit.

Jackie - thank you for alleviating my fears..

Take care and thanks for all the prayers

Dr. Paul Schwarzenberger - New Oncologist ; Dr. Martinez - DIsk Pain Management

The fight has only begun.

Harry saw a new Dr. today and he already has named off 3 different ways to treat Harry before we resort to standard chemotherapy. The doctor is going to look into some pathology tests and then decide which way to go. We should hear by Friday and see him again on Wednesday of next week.

Harry is also going to see Dr. Martinez - for the steroid injection to aleviate the pain in his herniated disk.

So we are very encouraged with the new path that he will be taking.

We so appreciate - all of you - there is no way to repay your kindness, support and friendship

Mona

Good 4th of July Weekend - New Doctor on Wednesday

Harry had a very busy beginning of July. Besides all the doctor visits - we went to Gonzales to spend the 4Th with Harry's family and we brought his mother along - she is doing remarkable since her surgery. Sunday we had a few friends and family over for Roast - he really enjoyed that..

And thanks to Bob - Harry got to talk to one of his heroes - Dino Danelli - the drummer from The Rascals - that was a real special treat for him. Huge smile for the rest of the day.

Wednesday we are going to see a "new" oncologist - at least he is new to us - for a second opinion.. We have a late afternoon appointment and I do not know when I will have information from him. I don't know if he just wants to meet Harry this time or if he is going to order new tests, treatments etc... but when I have a full grasp of it I will post..

We are waiting to hear from the Doctor that will be doing the steroid injection for his herniated disk - they are getting insurance approval - then he will have that done.. I hope that works - so he can get some relief from all the pain in his hip and leg..

Otherwise - he is maneuvering well and is generally good.

not so good...

We've seen several doctors today. Dr. Thomas is setting Harry up with a physician for a steroid injection to try to relieve the pain in his back and leg. We saw Dr. Cosgriff and were not at all happy with his suggestions - so we have asked one of his other doctors for assistance and will be seeing a new medical oncologist - sometime next week. Also many thanks to Moreau and Bobby Eichorn for your assistance at the eye doctor this morning.. do not know what we'd do without ya'll..

Both of us are pretty exhausted and need some sleep - so I am signing out for now and we'll get back to you guys after the 4th..

Love to all

Doctor Visit

We had a couple of Dr. visits today. I am sorry to inform you that the cancer tumors in his lymph nodes in his neck did not respond to radiation, in fact the tumors have grown. Dr. Monsour called Dr. Black's office and got us an appointment with Dr. Cosgriff because Dr. Black is out of the country, so he will have to have some kind of chemotherapy. The fight is not over yet. He is increasingly more tired and the tumor is pressing on a nerve - affecting his right eye.

So tomorrow we go to see the surgeon about his herniated disk and Dr Cosgriff about chemotherapy immediately. I will post more when I have more..

Thanks

Mona