Happy Birthday !!!

Well, what a difference from last year at this time! In case you have forgotten this was Dad a year ago.

 He was in the hospital on his 70th birthday having just received his new liver and valve less than 4 weeks before. He was dehydrated and very weak.

This picture was taken in late September 2010 at a birthday party for my cousin's son, Jonathan.

He is looking great and feeling pretty well most of the time. He and Mom are headed out next week to visit Sarah and Jared at Harding University in Arkansas. They will drive to Tennessee to spend some time with Bill, Amanda and the girls and then it's off to Disney World!

One Year Transplantiversary!!

Yesterday was Dad's one year anniversary of his transplant. He went to Cleveland on Wednesday for his one year check-up. The doctors were very happy with how he is doing. He can now go for blood work once every three weeks and they said come back in 9 months. On the way to Cleveland Mom and Dad stopped to visit with a longtime friend- Clarice. It is the most recent picture of Dad. He is at a healthy weight now and goes to the gym every day to walk on the treadmill and lift weights.

 As we celebrate we realize that someone is remembering the family member that they lost a year ago. We are very thankful for the donor and his/her family that gave Dad this chance to live another year.

Washing the Car

I thought I'd add this photo Mom just sent me via cellphone. It is Dad helping Jared wash and clean out his car in preparation for leaving for college next week. Dad had already washed their car when he called Jared and said bring your car over and I'll help you clean it up. A year ago he could not have done one car let alone two. He would have been exhausted and out of breath. God certainly has blessed us this year !

And for those of you who haven't heard our latest news yet. Nathan and Becca are engaged !

A Sunday in June

All of us were in Findlay the last week of June. Bill And Amanda brought the girls up to spend a week with Poppy and Grandma, and Nathan and his girlfriend, Becca, came up for a friend's wedding. So Mom took advantage of the opportunity and had a friend at church take a picture of all of us.

Back row: Bill, Isaac, Jared, Mike, Nathan.
Middle row: Amanda, Emery Cate, Sarah, Me.
Front: Mom, Ellery Grace, and Dad


Dad continues to do well, he is still working at the pool. He and Mom will be driving the girls back to Tennessee this weekend and staying for a week or so. Ellery Grace will be celebrating her 6th birthday next week.

Happy Father's Day!

This photo was taken yesterday at church. Dad continues to do well. He seems to be enjoying his job at the city pool. He has had a few doctor's appointments but everything has came back good. Bill, Amanda and the girls are coming to Ohio for a few days.  Nathan and Becca will also be up for the weekend to attend a friend's wedding. It will be busy but Dad (and Mom) love having the family around.

A-OK

Well, the results from the biopsy showed no signs of rejection. The doctor is tweaking Dad's meds a little and then we wait to see what the next blood work shows. He seems to be feeling really well and he is looking great. He will have a few doctor appointments in Findlay in the next week or so. Just routine things that were already set-up before they left for AZ.

In other news, Dad got a job!! He will be working the admissions at the City pool this year - five days a week and every other weekend. It is a short shift just 3 1/2 hours but will keep him busy and give him lots of people to joke around with. The local YMCA is running the pool for the city this year. The kids are joking that our family is taking over the Y. Both Sarah and Jared guard for them, Mom teaches water aerobics and now Dad is employed there as well. They are still planning a couple of trips to Nashville over the summer but don't know when yet.

That's all for now!

Indian's Game

They made it to the Indian's game - unfortunately the Tribe let them down - they got beat by the White Sox. Today's plans are to make an informal visit to Dad's liver doctor at Cleveland and then head home -unless they get news that tells them otherwise.

Biopsy

Dad is finished with his biopsy and has had something to eat and drink. They were told that they would have results in about 48 hours. They are planning on staying in Cleveland to go to tonight's game and then head home tomorrow.

In Cleveland

Dad and Mom made it to Cleveland from Nashville last evening. The biopsy is this morning at 10:00. We don't know when we will know the results. I believe they are going to try and catch an Indian's game so they will probably spend another night in Cleveland before heading back home. I will update as I hear from them.

In Nashville but headed for Cleveland

Dad, Mom and Nathan flew into Nashville on Thursday. Some wonderful people from Bill and Amanda's church family offered them a house to live in until the repairs are complete on their house that was damaged in the flood. So Friday Dad, Mom, and Amanda's parents helped them move some of their things into the "new" house. They all slept there last night.

Dad and Mom will be headed for Cleveland tomorrow. Dad's doctor in Cleveland did not like the results of his biopsy from Arizona and told him she wanted him in Cleveland Monday for another biopsy there. They couldn't tell from the Arizona results what the problem was. It could be the hepatitis, rejection or something much simpler but they won't know until they can get another sample. Of course they were both very disappointed. They were hoping to stay in Nashville until the 27th. They are really enjoying the granddaughters and want to help Bill and Amanda get settled.

We certainly would appreciate your prayers as they travel from TN to Cleveland on Sunday. Also for the biopsy results to be something easily treatable. Dad has been feeling so great this really has him bummed (although his is hoping to catch an Indians game while he is in Cleveland).

Here a couple of pictures of Dad and Mom with Emery Cate and a one of Amanda reading bedtime stories to the girls. They were taken with Mom's cell phone so they are a bit blurry.

Nathan's Visit

As a graduation present for Nathan, Dad and Mom flew him to AZ to spend a few days with them. One on one time with Poppy and Grandma. It sounds like they have been showing him the sights. Today they visited the Art Museum in Phoenix. Yesterday they went on a boat ride at Canyon Lake. Tonight they are "summerizing" the house in preparation for their flight back to Nashville tomorrow. (Still no word on the results of Dad's biopsy.)  Here are a few pictures of the graduate.

Mother's Day, Golf and a Prayer Request

Just a few pictures to share and a prayer request: Dad will be having a liver biopsy today in Phoenix. I guess his "numbers are up" according to Cleveland and the doctor wanted to have a biopsy done to find out what is happening. It could be caused by several things - some more worrisome than others. This is an outpatient procedure and will be around noon, Arizona time. Nathan flew out there last night so he will be with Mom while Dad is having the procedure. Dad has had these done several times before they went to AZ and they always showed no rejection and nothing else to be concerned about. That is what we are praying for this time too.

The following pictures are of Mom at a Mother's Day brunch with some of the Monta Vista ladies. She won an iPod Touch!!!! She was very excited and is learning to use it with a little help from Jared. The golf photos are of Dad and his friend, Jack at Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa.

Visitors

Dad and Mom had a visit from some long-time friends, Bill and Phyllis Hall, who have retired to Arizona from Findlay. Dad continues to workout by walking both outside and on the treadmill and does some weight lifting. Mom says we will be surprised at his improvement.

Flooding in Nashville

This week has been stressful for Dad and Mom - all of us actually. Our thoughts have been with Bill, Amanda and the girls. Their home was flooded this past weekend. They managed to get most everything out before the water got too high. Bill said when they started water was ankle deep but by the time they were finishing getting things out they were wading through chest deep water. They are all safe and living with Amanda's sister, Jennifer. Jennifer also had some water damage but it only affected the lower level of her home. Their church family has been wonderful to help them get things moved washed up and  into storage. I pulled this photo off of Amanda's sister, Benja's, Facebook page so I don't know how well it will post here. This is early Saturday afternoon before the water had actually gotten into the house.

Time for a Check-up

Update: Dad tolerated the procedure fine. He is back home resting. The doctor said that the narrowing that was there in February is still there but the bile was flowing fine. He replaced the old stent with a new one so he is good to go for another 8- 10 weeks. He is still on liquids/ soft foods for today but back to normal tomorrow.


Today Dad will have a procedure to check the stent that was inserted in Cleveland. One of the biliary ducts had developed some scar tissue so a stent was inserted to keep it open. He is supposed to have it checked every 8 to 10 weeks. Dad has a liver doctor in Arizona that he really likes and he will be doing the procedure. It involves being put under anesthesia and basically a scope goes down the throat etc. to look at the stent. We were told at Cleveland that sometimes they need to remove and then replace the stent. He has tolerated this procedure very well in the past. He will be going in this morning (Arizona time) and have the procedure around lunch time. It is outpatient so he should be back home in time for supper.

Dad did have a couple of falls several weeks ago - one while hiking a trail to see the "waterfall" I mentioned in a previous post. Some very wonderful Canadians happened by and helped Mom get him up and walked with them back to the car. He didn't hurt himself but the doctors in Cleveland wanted him to have a few tests to check some things out since he seemed to be unsteady. He was also experiencing some short term memory problems. So the last couple of weeks they have been getting those done. All of those have come back normal or as expected. Mom says his memory is much better and he is steadier too.

All in all his health and strength have been improving during their stay in Mesa. He works out at the exercise facility at Monta Vista three days a week, walks the other three then takes Sundays off.

Happy 47th Anniversary !!

April 14, 2010 - 47 years of marriage. Here are a few pictures. I think the lava cake picture was for me - Mom and I can devour one of those in minutes ;)

Fore!

Here are the photos I promised. The first is Dad and Mom with some friends, Bill and Helen, after lunch at Mimi's Cafe.


The others are Dad practicing his putting and chipping at Monte Vista. It seems as if he is getting stronger every day and finding interest in some of the things he did before he was too ill to enjoy them.

April is National Donate Life Month

I have some more photos to post of Dad doing something he hasn't done in a loooong time but first I wanted to make you aware that April is National Donate Life Month. Find out how to be a donor here: http://www.donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/

Here are some facts from the Donate Life organization.

Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors.

• More than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.


• Every 11 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.


• An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.


• In 2008, there were 7,984 deceased organ donors and 6,218 living organ donors resulting in 27,961 organ transplants.


• In 2007, approximately 30,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.


• According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.


• 90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

The last of Spring Training

Dad and Mom with with some friends to one of the last Spring Training games. Indians vs. Royals. Here are a couple of photos from that night.

They are now at their place in Mesa. Dad is feeling good. He met with the trainer at their resort and is working on improving his muscle tone. He has a few projects to work on - a few small repairs and the installation of a flagpole so he can fly his Ohio State flag.

More White Tank Mountain Pictures

Here are a few more photos Mom sent me from their hike to the "waterfall". She said that they did find water but the fall wasn't much to see.

Anyone for a swim?

6 Months Post-Transplant

Here is a picture of Dad six months post-transplant & heart valve surgery. He is at White Tank Mountain Regional Park near Surprise, AZ. Mom says he is doing well. His labwork has been coming back good. He has even put a few pounds back on which is something he was worried about. They have enjoyed going to several Spring Training games. The first of April they will be heading to the Mesa area for a couple of months.

A few Pictures from Arizona

Mom has sent me a few pics from her cellphone. The one on the left is Dad after his labs Monday morning. I don't think he looks too happy in that one - maybe because he is hungry and they just took several vials of blood????

The next one is Dad and Mom after watching the Indians win a Spring training game quite handily. It looks as if their tans are coming back. (They were getting pretty pale from staying in Ohio so long.)

The last is Dad "gator hunting". I don't know about you but I think this gator looks pretty tame and somewhat stiff.

Spring Training

They made it to a game. I don't have any details just this picture.

Arizona!!

Well, they made it! Dad and Mom are safely in Arizona. Mom said it was a long trip for both of them and they are tired. They flew down yesterday to Phoenix and were picked up at the airport by some friends. They stayed in Mesa last night and drove to Surprise today. Tomorrow they are planning on heading out to the ballpark to catch some Spring Training action. So far, so good. Please pray that Dad is able to keep hydrated in the new, drier climate. I'll post photos as soon as I get some from Mom. We all forgot to take any when we were in Tennessee.

Tennessee

Dad and Mom drove to Tennessee yesterday. They left Findlay around noon after Mom finished teaching her water aerobics class. We are headed down on Sunday. They are scheduled to fly out of Nashville to Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon. I will continue to blog occasionally and put up photos if Mom sends me some. Thanks again for all your prayers - we are now almost 6 months post-transplant and almost two months without having to be hospitalized!

Back Home again . . .but not for long!!

The doctor gave Dad the ok to travel so they will be leaving early March to visit with Bill, Amanda and the girls in Nashville. Sarah will be going to Nashville for Spring Break and we will be heading down as well. Nathan will stay around long enough during his break so that we can all be together for a few days. Then Dad and Mom will be flying to Phoenix on March 9th.

The tests that were run at the Clinic have all come back okay so far. We are still waiting for a few results but don't anticipate anything that would require them to stay here. The doctors there seem very happy with his progress and his coordinator told him to hit the putting greens when he gets to Arizona (;

Check-up Time

Dad will be going to Cleveland this week for some tests and a routine visit with the liver surgeons. It will be the first clinical appointment that he will make (all the others were cancelled due him being hospitalized). The plan is to go up on Tuesday afternoon and come back home on Thursday. He has been doing fairly well - continuing with heart rehab. and walking at the mall. The nausea has come back a little though. He is fighting what appears to be a cold this weekend. We are hoping that the doctors will say he is fine to go to Arizona for awhile. The snow is really getting to him (and mom). They are planning on heading west early to mid-March if all goes well.

I'll update later in the week.

Feelin' Good

Dad has had several good days - no more nausea since the procedure. He has actually been getting hungry! He started back at rehab. today. Just wanted you all to know that prayers are being answered.

A Long Day

Dad tolerated the procedure very well. The doctor did find some narrowing of the duct so he used a balloon to widen it and placed a stent in. It will need to be checked in 8 to 10 weeks. Dad was hungry once he was good and awake and ate well when we stopped on the way home. He didn't seem to be nauseated so that was an improvement. We are hoping he will feel better now. Most of his lab work showed improvement this week so that was also a positive sign things are on the way to being better.

Tomorrow he has an appointment with a gastroenterologist here in Findlay. Mom is trying to get him established with some local specialists so that if something simple crops up they can handle it here in town.

A Special Celebration and then Tests tomorrow

Dad was out and about for awhile today. He attended worship service this morning and then Jared's Eagle Scout Court of Honor in the afternoon. He still isn't feeling great - still having some nausea even with medicine to help with it. He stayed in tonight - as he told a lady at church this morning - to study for his test tomorrow.

He will be having an ERCP test tomorrow to check his duct work (ha) for any narrowing due to scar tissue or other causes. He isn't too excited about this but he should be asleep during the whole procedure. It is supposed to be an outpatient procedure. The procedure is at 2:00 and should take under an hour we are told.

Here is a picture from this afternoon. I'll update when we get home tomorrow evening with any news.

Biopsy Results

Dad's biopsy came back fine - no signs of rejection. However, his numbers are still somewhat elevated so the doctors will be running another test next week sometime. They will check his bile duct to make sure that it isn't narrowing. I believe this will also be an outpatient procedure.

Liver Biopsy

Dad and Mom are headed to Cleveland tonight. Dad has an outpatient liver biopsy scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:15. They will stay at a friend's home in Amherst tonight and finish the drive in the morning. On Monday when the labwork came back some of the liver numbers were high. The doctor wanted them repeated on Wednesday with the agreement that if they were worse they would do a biopsy Thursday or Friday. The results today were mixed - some better some worse. The biopsy will show if there is a rejection issue and then the doctors can adjust the medicines to treat it. Dad has still been dealing with some nausea but has been feeling better until the last couple of days. He doesn't let it keep him in though. He has been attending church services, doing heart rehab and going to the boys basketball games. I'll update again later tomorrow when we hear the results and have a plan of action.

Back in Findlay

Dad got home this evening. He looks and acts great! Mom said he even drove part of the way home - the last hour or so. The doctors have taken him off several medicines and it seems to have worked so far. He is to have his labs taken twice a week for the first two weeks home just to keep a close eye on his kidney and liver levels as well as the amount of anti-rejection medicine in his system. He will go back to Cleveland for a routine check-up in six weeks.

Encouraging News

Mom just called and said that the liver surgeon (Dr. Kelly - she is one of Dad's favs) had been in. They have taken Dad off one of the medicines that causes several of the worst side-effects. They are moving him to the transplant floor (now that a bed is available). He will probably stay in the hospital until Thursday, however they are going to take him off the IV fluids and see how he does. I know this doesn't sound so great but they are finally keeping him long enough to figure all this out instead of rehydrating him and sending him home only to have him end up back at the hospital on IV fluids again.

Also his liver numbers are better so they will not be doing a biopsy at this time.

Not today.

Dad's Prograf (anti-rejection med) levels are now too low. They are going to raise his dose a little and lower the dose of the other anti-rejection med and see if that works better for him. So that means at least one more day in Cleveland.

Dad has an appointment with a local gastroenterologist on Tuesday and they are praying that they will be home so that they don't miss that appointment. This doctor is very well respected and is difficult to get into. They are hoping that he can help Dad manage some of the side effects, especially the dehydration issue.

Please pray that the doctors can find the right combination of medicine this time so that Dad will feel better and that he will be able to make his appointment in Findlay on Tuesday.

This whole process has been amazing and frustrating but we know that your prayers have helped us through - Thanks!

And Back to Cleveland again.. .

It seems there is a pattern to these posts. Cleveland, home, Cleveland, home, Vanderbilt, home, Cleveland, . . . we are still getting more time at home than in the hospitals which is good. It is tough on Dad and Mom though. It gets discouraging.

From what I can see Dad is still heading in the right direction just not as quickly as he had hoped. It seems that most of his problems are due to medicine doses, side effects or a combination of the two. His anti-rejection medicine level has been running high and that seems to cause some shaking and just a general "I just don't feel well". It also affects his kidney function. The doctors asked them to come up to Cleveland to have an ultrasound and possibly a liver biopsy. They have decided not to do the biopsy and we don't have the results from the ultrasound back yet. The doctors that rounded this morning were saying that they would probably release Dad tomorrow. His kidney functions and liver numbers are improved, so we will see.