Carol's dad back in the hospital

Carol's dad was taken from the Assisted Living apartment to the hospital on Friday when his blood work came back looking very bad. His white blood cells were rising rapidly and he was to get another transfusion. They also discoverd that the reason for swelling in his leg was that he had a blood clot. Today, his white cell count was higher still. We were advised today that the next couple of days were to be very critical. He continues to be frustrated because of his sudden hearing loss he suffered a few weeks ago. We use a chalk board to try to keep him informed about conversations being carried on around him. This seems to calm him somewhat. All we can do now is continue to love him and pray for him.

Carol's dad update #2

We just got home from a meeting with Carol's dad, sister Marlene and us with his Oncologist. He took his Citoxin (sp) for a week and, while some aspects are still even, the white cells with the "bad gunk/cancer" have expanded. His treatment by pills is still not as severe as if it were injected into him but will be slowly increased for three weeks along with a few days of steroids and we go back in three weeks to see how it is working. The doctor said that the cancer is now at Stage IV, which I believe is not good. Dad is tired all the time and very frustrated after losing his hearing. At meetings, I try to keep him informed about what is being said because he is so frustrated because he knows he is being talked about but does not know what is being said. I can get him smiling upon occasion and at least once a visit he tells me "Don't get flippant!" so he is diverted a little. Any time we see him smile it is good for us all. Thank you God for the blessings you have heaped on Dad up to now and we know will be continued.

Carol's dad positive update

We got great news yesterday from Carol's dad's doctor. He has stabilized in many areas and improved in some. We will soon move him from his nursing home to an assisted living apartment to see how he can do. He is quite weak from the long inactivity and illness, but moving to assisted living and having a little help may help restore some independence. He will continue with a milder form of Chemo. Thanks for all of your prayers. They are much appreciated.

Spring has sprung?

It is officially spring and has been for a few days now. We have a couple of inches of snow and ice from a couple of days ago. This is not how I remember spring is supposed to be, is it? It looks beautiful out our front window - the ice crystals sparkling in the sunlight off the branches from the trees in our woods - but Sunshine slides all over the place just trying to take care of her business while we are walking (make that slip-sliding away, as the old Simon/Garfulkel song goes) outside. The temperature has risen up into the double digits in the last hour so maybe warmer days are in store? The birds and squirrels are using our feeder big time, now. Gotta keep 'em fat and sassy!

The "Big Moon"

Last night the moon was closer to the earth than it has been in 18 years. This is due to the eliptical shape of the orbit that the moon has around the earth. Here are shots of this beautiful giant through the trees of the woods outside our condo. It was just a bit cloudy and this only added to the beauty of this show!

We're home

We arrived home yesterday afternoon. Carol's dad is stable and has had another chemo treatment. We will head to the hospital soon. We are supposed to get freezing rain tonight and tomorrow so will take Monty back to storage as soon as the roads will allow. These long travel days take more out of us all the time. We hope for no more of these driving marathons. The distances are fine to travel, just not so many miles so fast in any given day. Last years trip through the Southwest was very long but fine because we only drove anywhere between one to four maximum hours a day.

We got snow!

After yesterday's big wind/rain storm, today was a dream. We moved from Sweetwater, TN to Wapakoneta, OH is a sunny, no wind, cool day. We are starting to see snow here on the south side of ditches and in shady areas, and edges of parking lots where it is still piled up. Tomorrow morning we will head home and should make it in time for Carol to see her dad later in the day. It is 35 outside now and heading for mid 20s. Can't say I missed this weather. Carol's dad always said he loves the four seasons of Michigan. I have just a slight difference of opinion - my four seasons are Spring, Summer, Fall and Florida or Arizona!