We're Home

We are home now! Yesterday Ric got more blood platelets to get him further "boosted" up. He could have nothing to eat or drink after midnight last night in case they had to do any "surgical repairs" after the plugs are removed. This morning at 7:30am the ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor removed one of the nose plugs, waited 10 minutes with no bleeding and then removed the other one. They made him wait until 10am to make sure no bleeding then allowed him to eat. Of course with his appetite he was STARVING by that time! After hanging out all day in the hospital room and him finally getting a shower with no bleeding, doc released him from the hospital. Of course with all that went on this last week and basically no sleep with the nose plugs in, he's very tired. So now that he can breath and at home in his own bed we expect he will be sleeping very well tonight! We will see his oncologist next Tuesday to find out what the cancer attack plan is from here forward. He will probably have to take a break from the Avastin that was working so well and switch to some other treatment which makes us a bit nervous. It's really a bummer as he was doing so well. But we know that this is all in God's hands and we just give it to Him every day. We thank you all for your prayers, love and support during this recent bump. It's really an encouragement to have all of you there for us. Love you all!

A short Sunday update

So we are still here at the hospital. They gave Ric a blood transfusion yesterday since his platelet count dropped some more from when he originally went to ER on Thursday. Counts are back to normal now and he's had no further bleeding so that is good. Got the MRI done this afternoon finally. They may attempt to take out one side of the nose packing to see if there are any issues tomorrow. Our guess is that he may be here till Tuesday at best case. We'll find out more tomorrow. Thanks for all your support & prayers!

Another bump

It's been quite the week. I started back to work parttime on Monday but then the weather took over and it went downhill from there. All Ric's doctor appts this week got pushed out each day until there were no days left in the week. All the snow caused power outage at our place and with the temperatures dropping in the house we went to a friends house close by who still had power. Shortly after we got there Ric's nose started bleeding badly. We couldn't get it stopped and he kept saying he was going to pass out. His blood pressure was fairly high so we called for EFR to come. They transported him to Swedish Issaquah where he got his nose packed on one side, had some blood tests done and several hours later released. We headed back to our friends house and within a couple hrs was bleeding again alot out of the other side. So drove him back to Swedish Issaquah ER and they packed the other side of his nose. Back to our friends house. I was getting pretty good at driving in the mucky, slushy, icy, snowy stuff by this time. The rough ride back caused the packing to move a little so more blood - but was able to get it to stop for awhile. Basically all night it was off and on. Since he had the packing in his nose the main place it was going was down the back of his throat. So he did not get any sleep and neither did I. This morning he was still having issues and was also having really low blood pressure. He wanted to get up to go to the restroom and proceeded to pass out. I was right beside him so he just basically crumpled to the floor. It was very scary as I wasn't sure exactly what was going on so had my friends call 911 and I kept talking to him to stay with me. He came to fairly quickly and was pretty confused about what had just happened. He was transported to Swedish First Hill in Seattle. His blood count was down from the night before so the Docs said they may have to give him blood but so far they have not. He will be getting an MRI at some point tonight so they can take a look at what's going on in the area of his nose and the bleeding. It does happen to be one of the side effects of the Avastin that he is being treated with. And Ric has had a history of nose bleeds. It's just this was much more than he's had since he was a kid. He had his nose cauterized as a kid and that may end up being what has to be done again. He has eaten today but is pretty much napping in spurts. His blood pressure went back up to normal but on occasion has been a bit high. They gave him some valium to relax him as he still has some occasional bleeding and down the throat. Saw the Ear Nose Throat Doc and he said Ric has to keep the packing in for 3 days so maybe Sunday but probably Monday will get them out. Once they get the MRI done tonight they may release him tomorrow if nothing else is going on. Poor guy - this is not fun at all but once again no complaining from him! He told me after he got into the room that "We are gonna get through this - this is just another bump". He helps me keep my attitude positive. Prayers for Ric's nose bleeds to stop so that when they take out the packing he won't have any other fun stuff done and that he gets the rest he needs now. I am very tired so would appreciate prayers for good sleep tonight and to be re-energized. We are also really bummed that we won't be able to make it to the MacMiller Company Party tomorrow night. We were so looking forward to being able to see everyone!

2012

Realized the other day that it's been awhile since I posted last so thought I'd better update. Those who are friends with me on Facebook know that Ric is up 20 lbs as of last Tuesday - we certainly had to celebrate that!

Things have been going very well. Nothing exciting for New Year's. I think we were in bed by 10:30pm - this exciting life that we lead :).

Ric has been doing alot of art work lately which I love! I have been trying to get him back to drawing & painting for about 15 years now. He's done several dog sketches, Holly's boyfriend and just recently finished a couple portraits of my brother-in-law Randy who lost his battle with brain cancer a little over 3-1/2 yrs ago. I've posted a picture of him with the portraits although they weren't complete at the time.

Ric's blood work numbers continue to improve. Of the 3 liver panels that they track, he is back in the normal range in 2 of the 3 and the last one is moving in the right direction. We are doing everything we can to help his liver - beets in our juicing, milk thistle, lemons....seems to be working.

We are back to eating most everything but be healthy as possible. He is still taking some supplements but not as many as before.

Ric will be getting another CT scan & Brain MRI on the 24th with results on the 31st. Prayers till then is that the tumors continue shrinking (disappear) and that all the side effects from the treatment continue to stay away.

I will be going back to work part-time starting next week. Am really looking forward to it as I really do enjoy my job and the people I work with. Please keep us in your prayers that it will go smoothly during this transition.

Appreciate all the well wishes for 2012! We are glad that 2011 is behind us and are looking forward to whatever path God has us on for this new year.