Happy CFF!!!!

That is the mantra for today my friends and family...Oh...CFF???? CANCER FREE FRIDAY!! Today will be etched in my life now and forever. Todd's post said it all. Now we can begin the long road back to what I refer to as the "new normal".

It still is so overwhelming for me as I try and put these last few weeks and months together. I would be lying to you all and to myself if I didn't honestly tell you that this has been the most difficult and daunting road I have ever traveled. Were it not for the support, love, and prayers, and my boys, and most importantly my Superman...I'm not sure I could find the strength to take that walk too many more times. You have all been there for me, and I will never ever let any of you down, I promise!!

There will be challenges ahead, we all know that, but we can do this...together. Hang in there Harley and Tico...Momma and Daddy will be home soon!

No Way

I was taught, as a news reporter, to never bury the lead.

Dr. Fergany told Mom & Dad that it looks like, as of now, follow-up chemo will **NOT** be recommended!

Dad said "Well, I don't want to take this to the bank yet...but finally...some good news!", after eating some semi-appetizing hospital oatmeal.

That, and it looks like we're still on target for a Sunday release from the Clinic.

This is a good day. A very, very, very good day. Keep channeling those good vibes this way.

Little Saints Everywhere

Howdy and hello out there. I just got off the phone with Mom (it seems like that's a perpetual motion these days) and she told me that she and Dad were going for a little walk. With Dad's progress coming along (even at the slower-than-desired rate) she even manged to sound upbeat, and for those who know her (which I assume is 99.9% of the people reading this blog), it's very easy to detect even trace amounts of tension in her voice. That "tension" was still there, but quite far removed from the intensity it's reached over the past couple of days, weeks, and months. "It looks like we've really turned a corner today" as she put it. Anyway, it was just nice to hear that kind of tone, and in a way, when she told me that they were going for a walk, it almost seemed...romantic. I am all but positive, however, that the 7th floor of the H building at the Cleveland Clinic is far from the tunnel of love, but does make me feel good that right now, an upbeat Mom and thoroughly beat Dad are walking together, making progress.

In any event, as I learned that the date for dad's release is now set for Sunday, my plans to head down there tomorrow are now scuttled. So the call was made to my friend who agreed to doggy-sit Benny that the need for his services would be placed on hold for short while. His response (to what I am sure was a frantic, over-apologetic, babbling stream of consciousness): "Whatever you need, whenever you need it." Those seven words seem to be a common theme when it comes to all of the people who have been helping out myself, Todd, Mom and Dad in this (and there's no other way to put it) strange time. It really is jaw-dropping to learn how much support you really have out there when something goes wrong, and we're blessed to have such caring people in our lives.

Thanks gang!

-DG-

Day Eleven

Yuck. Just the sound of that is nasty. Dad's on his 11th day in the hospital after what was supposed to be just 7-10. Now it's officially 'too long'. That's OK though, because it again seems like things are moving in the right direction. The digestive system is still waking up and doing some things it's supposed to be doing. The nutrition bag Dad is getting intravenously is making him feel stronger. This morning, the nasal-gastric tube just 'fell' out of his nose, and the doctors decided not to put it back in. Swelling is down in his abdomen; and today we're trying clear liquids. If the liquids stay down without problem, then it's onto solid food. The doctors talked a little bit about a release day and put it at Sunday for right now. That would be great if it would happen, but we are just focusing on one day at a time for now.

Today is a big day...let's hope everything goes smoothly and continues marching FORWARD!

Tom Petty Was Right

If you've ever had the delightful pleasure of a hospital stay, you know that you are basically in the middle of a giant machine. The nurses, doctors, orderlies, attendants, pillgivers, pressuretakers, ad nauseum are all part of a well-oiled machine. That said, the machine rivals that of an old tube TV from the 70s sometimes where you have to give it a whack on the side to adjust the picture. I learned in a couple of days there that you do have to stay on top of things, because with so much going on -- it's easy to have things slow down a bit, become delayed, or, get mixed up. I'm not talking about major medicine doses or whatever -- it's the orders. Like the fact that even though the doctors/nurses had ordered a bedside X-ray of Dad's abdomen on Sunday, TWICE someone came up with a wheelchair, ready to roll him down to some other floor in the depths of the hospital. Or the fact that when his diet was switched back to liquids only, a cheerful woman brought in a nice tray of semi-appetizing tuna salad (which should never be a liquid).

Last night, the Nutrition Team decided that it was time to get Dad some vitamins and calories since his digestive system SEEMS to want to get started. A doctor (another whose name I can't remember, but he's only like the best nutrition doctor ever) made a special concoction of stuff in a bag to get Dad's strength level back up. The IV was set to begin at 10pm.

However, due to an 'order mixup', it wasn't started. So when Mom came in this morning, the bag wasn't going. And another emotion - anger - gets to come into play. Actually, it was good to hear Dad was angry. He's starting to feel better almost everywhere else and just needs something to bolster his strength! Needless to say, after Dad threw the nurses out of the room and Mom worked it like only Mom can, and just a short while later -- that bag was going. So we're hoping by the end of the day today, Dad will feel stronger. His digestive system has shown more signs of 'waking up' as well, and that's very promising. It's really the last thing left to get kickin' -- since his vitals all look good, white blood cell count is back to normal, etc.

So at the risk being cliche:
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card/
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart/
The waiting is the hardest part

True dat.

This Is The Longest Car Ride Ever!!!!

For those of you who don't know, my Superman and I can be in a car for oh whatever and we just don't have much conversation. Not a problem...music playing...an occasional exchange of words and we continue on our way. Chook has not been real responsive today, but I know he is feeling better if even a little...not much to say to me but then again he usually doesn't have a tube running down his nose to his stomach...he looks better and we went for four walks around the unit today, and the best news is....HE IS GETTING A NUTRION BOOST BAG TONIGHT...although you won't find the recipe in any of his issues of Bon Appetite collection...it will be a 4 star delight in terms of helping him get his strength back. Ido not recommend losing 15 pounds his way to anyone!!

The quote of the day..."I just want to get this thing moving forward."
Chuck Gladfelter

I know that all of you who are supporting and loving us share in that thought for sure. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It is really really really working, and Todd, Darin, Chook and myself are so greatful to have all of you in our lives!!

Love and kisses and sweet dreams to all my guys!!!

Tuesday AM update

Since I'm still sifting through the backlog at work here, just a quick update. Dad had a much better night and is feeling WAAAAY better today (that's 'way' with four a's). The G-N tube relieved a lot of pressure, got out a lot of nasty stuff, and helped a lot with his infection -- Dad's white blood cell count is much lower than yesterday. Hooray! Mom says he is much more comfortable and got some sleep with the help of an Ambien.

Should have some more update later on today. Thanks again for your continued support, love, and good thoughts/wishes/prayers.

One Giant Step Forward...One Little One Sideways

Today was a really really really long and lousy day. My guy didn't have much fun at all. Hiccups...all day...and this time Todd, Darin, and myself will give him a pass...really having post-op gastro stuff going on as well as an infection somewhere that needs to be addressed. More antibiotics and the dreaded NG tube...no you guys...not that one...the Naso Gastric Tube!!!!! Really unpleasant experience to get but started doing the RIGHT job almost immediately. So instead of looking 8 months pregnant...he looks like he's in about his sixth.

Deep breaths everyone, I know he will be better by tomorrow morning. He was already starting to feel some relief by the time I left around 9:00.

Good night my babies, Momma loves you, and to my Superman...remember Red and Navy Blue!! We'll be on the porch listening to the "munchers and the crunchers" real soon!!! Promise!!!!

Forever,
Naaan

Sidestep

It's been a rough day today for Dad. The doctor checked out Dad this morning and said that he has some kind of infection. They're not sure what it is, but his white blood cell count is up and that indicates they need to zap somethin' somewhere. They did x-rays today for Pneumonia, and took a bunch of cultures....so they can isolate the infection. Meantime, digestive system is also havin' a tough time gettin' kick started on his own, so this evening Dad had a nasal-gastric tube put in. This is already helping to relieve the pressure and buildup of air and fluid in his abdominal organs (I think I have that right). This is NOT a fun tube to have -- Dad says it hurts like crazy...but if it's going to help get his digestive system reset, then it's a good thing.

Tonight Dad should get a little rest. We've told ourselves this is not a step backward...just a little rest stop on the road forward in recovery. So...send a few extra good thoughts out tonight, and hopefully we'll be talkin' about resuming the push to get on out of the hospital and get to gettin' back to feelin' good!

Get Out

I didn't get to meet Dr. Fergony (I'm going to try a 3rd spelling here. I'm still not sure this is right. Now that Mom can blog, she can correct me and tell me not to slouch at the same time), but I know the man means business. This is apparantly not a chatty, bouncy, sing-songy doctor who dispenses cheer with each bag of Cipro. He apparently comes in, does his doctoral duties extremely well, and then gets out.

So this morning, he told Mom that 'we are going to get him out of here in a couple of days. Not a few, a couple'. It's great to hear that he is as motivated to get Dad out of the hospital as Dad is to get himself out. Last night Dad had a little digestive action goin' on, which is good...and I think Mom said that the reflux was subsiding a bit. We have *not* had to go back to the nasal tube, which is really good, and let's hope it stays that way. Today Dad will have to have a few tests to figure out why his white blood cell count is slightly elevated. Doc doesn't seem too alarmed about it, but still wants to know what's goin' on. Hopefully between some tests today, Dad will give some real food a try again.

Some of the best medicine is still gettin' up out of bed and walking. Now that Dad's pain is almost down to zero, he's much more eager to get up and take a stroll (with his little IV cart and everything). Get up and WALK, Dad!

By the way, yesterday Dad got to read the blog for the first time. He really liked it and especially liked reading your comments and good wishes. It's one more thing that helped make him want to get out as quick as possible so he can see y'all instead of just reading your comments.

More later. Think OUT!

I KNOW I'M NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE

I just want to let everyone know that I am OK and trying to be the Lois Lane to my Superman…who knew that a stay in Cleveland Ohio could cost three times as much as a vacation in Maui…all things considered my loves…I’d rather be in Cleveland!!!

I am so greatful and in awe of all of the support that we have received from family friends both old and new...you are all treasures to Chuck, Todd, Darin and myself. The old addage of words cannot begin to express...I cannot find the words...

All of your kind words and mostly your prayers have added immensely to Chuck's healing process...if I may please enlist all of you to keep it up for him, we promise to "pay it forward".

And as another day in Cleveland draws to an end I look forward to the sun coming up tomorrow.

A special good night and love to my guys!!! Momma loves you!!!

Your Comfort Zone

Sometimes it's easy to find, sometimes it's tough to leave. I think we're all experiencing that again here on Sunday evening. First off, your good thoughts must have worked -- because Dad is much more comfortable today. In fact, most of the day he's described to the nurses that he has 'no pain'. The worst thing today has been some acid reflux, which Dad refers to with in the cutest of terms 'the pukies'. Hopefully they'll be able to square that away. For that reason, though, he hasn't felt much like eating, so he's back to a liquid diet. If they can get his reflux under control, and get back to eating and everything that goes along post-eating, we're goin' to be really close to being discharged from the Clinic.

I'm about to head to the airport to head home to Boston. I hate that I have to go...but there's just a few things that I need to check on back at the homestead since I haven't been there in about 13 days. I hate that I'm going back while Mom and Dad stay - I know it's been great for her that she can have someone else with her. And as I told her -- I'm always just a flight away. With any luck and your continued good thoughts and prayers, Dad will be out soon and the next time I head over to Cleveland will be next week to watch over him post-release while he's attending his follow up appointments. We're all moving in and out of our comfort zones here -- but I know that with great folks to lean on, and each other, we're in the zone no matter what.

Remember to hug someone ya love next time you see them...no matter where they are.