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.