November 28--Final Entry

Dear Friends,

This final note is to thank all of you who have followed our journey from June, 2008, through yesterday, when nearly 1000 people came to St. Mary Parish to see Den for the last time. It was, I thought, a beautiful tribute to a wonderful, special man. I want to give special thanks to all of the alumni who returned to sing -- that meant more than you'll ever know.

While I can't begin to imagine what life will be like now, I know that Denny will always be with me. I know he is at peace and I hope he is golfing, playing basketball, biking, or even correcting papers--all things he loved but has been unable to do for far too long.

Thank you for all of the wonderful things you said about Denny. I was lucky to be married to such a remarkable man and we were fortunate to be blessed with wonderful kids and grandkids. We both loved our jobs and the extended family we have had at Xavier. The support and love they have always shown, but particularly these past months, has been phenomenal, and I know that will continue when I return to work.

So, although it ended way too soon, we had a great life and our memories will keep Den close to all of us. God Bless all of you and thank you, again, for everything.

With love and gratitude,
Carla

November 24

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that Denny passed away this afternoon. His death was peaceful and gentle and we are comforted knowing that he is happy once again.
Your love, concern, and prayers over the past year and a half will never be forgotten. You provided the strength we needed to get through the challenges and were there to celebrate the small victories. Thank you.

With much love,
Carla, Chip (Jenn, Connor, and Grant,) Shannon (Doug, Ryan, and Keira,) and Dave

November 22

Hi,

There really isn't much to report since my last entry. We've had some very long nights--that seems to be the time Denny is most restless. He will calm down for a few minutes if he hears my voice (or Shannon's on the nights she has stayed here with us.) But the calm doesn't last very long. Last night we left the lights and television on, thinking he would sense some activity and possibly feel more secure. It did seem to work for a few hours, so tonight I will try that again. I rearranged his bedroom today so the recliner is next to his good side because it also helps just to hold his hand. I think it helps me as much as him.

I still read to him and every so often he will make one of his deadpan remarks that have always made me laugh. I appreciate all of the e-mails, blog posts, and cards--
it's that special time of the day when he can hear, again, what a great role model he has been to so many students and athletes. When his time does come, he will certainly leave this life knowing he made a difference in this world.

Until next time,
Love,
Carla

November 16

Hi,
It was a busy weekend with lots of visitors. Although those visits are often brief because Denny is sleeping so much of the time, he is always delighted to see friends and family. He had an extremely rough night Saturday, and that seemed to take a lot out of him. Sadly, he hasn't been out of bed since and communication seems to be more difficult for him. He clearly comprehends what is said to him, but finding words to reply is a challenge. I have so much admiration for how he is handling all of this. To be such a gifted athlete and scholar all his life and now being unable to walk, use his right hand, or speak must be so frustrating for him. Yet, there is neither complaining nor anger for what has happened to him. After all of these years together, I'm really not surprised at the dignified response he's had to this horrible disease and the aggressive treatments he endured, but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit to profound sadness mixed with fear and anger. If Den had written a lesson plan about all of this, I just know he would have had a way to make sense out of everything. I guess that's what made him such a gifted teacher.
Love to all of you who are following this blog. I'll continue to update every couple of days. Please keep our family in your prayers.

Many hugs,
Carla

November 13

Hi,

Surprisingly, time is going by faster than ever. I can't believe it's Friday already!
The daily routine of the hospice RN and CNA coming and going, along with the social worker and spiritual director checking in, friends stopping in to visit and/or bring meals after school each day, and the kids coming over at night when I sometimes need help, makes for some pretty busy days. I hope everyone who has helped us in any way know how much we appreciate everything.

Today was the annual Help Your Neighbor Day for the Xavier student body and staff, and we were fortunate to have a group come to our house. Under the supervision of Dave Kubisch, one of Denny's best friends and fellow track coach, that great group of kids completely cleaned out and then reorganized our garage! What a gift!! I'm hoping that the weather is mild enough tomorrow so I can get Denny outside in his wheelchair so he can see the "makeover." I took him out earlier in the week so he could see the renovation going on across the street and he really enjoyed the fresh air and change of scenery. It was tiring for him, and I know it will be again tomorrow, but I know he'll marvel at the orderliness the Kubisch/Bires teams achieved!

All in all, I guess things are going okay. Denny definitely has some periods of time that are much better than others, and there's no denying that his right side has lost just about all of its strength and feeling, but we're adapting. Last night we watched all of "Grey's Anatomy" together and whenever Grant is here, it's a given that he crawls up next to Papa and they watch "Blue's Clues." There's a medicine you can't bottle! Other times there is confusion but I can usually figure out what is troubling him. And the only medicine for that is sleep, because the confusion and fatigue go hand in hand.

That's it for now~I hope you have a great weekend~and I'll write again in a few days.

Love,
Carla

November 9

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that everything is pretty much status quo here. We had an uneventful weekend and today the nurse and I figured out that when Den has been up too long and/or feels really weak, we have to just let him be. Today the nurse just wanted Den to scoot backwards onto the bed and it simply caused him to collapse. It was scary, because for about 20-30 seconds he wasn't responsive, but when he did come to he remembered everything, including what he said to the nurse as his legs gave out. So whether it was a mini seizure, a fainting spell, or something else, I hope we know how to avoid another one.

Otherwise, his appetite is still good. he has no pain, and he has enjoyed the visits with those who have come over. His mental clarity goes hand in hand with the fatigue, so there is a range. I continue to be amazed at the hospice personnel and the care they give. I am even more amazed by the patience and faith Denny exhibits every single day.

Time to head for bed and pray for, among other things, a full night of sleep for both of us.

Love,
Carla

November 6

Hi,
Life, as we know it here, has settled into somewhat of a routine. That is because Denny continues to be an incredibly good patient, the hospice nurses are so incredibly helpful, and the kids and friends have been so incredibly available.
Denny is probably sleeping nearly 75% of the time, but when he is awake he enjoys visiting and watching television. His visitors have included classmates from his days in the seminary, colleagues (past and present) from Xavier, friends, and family. The four grandkids continue to light him up when they arrive with their artwork and/or crawl up onto his bed. We are surely trying to create happy memories for all of us.
The hospice nurses don't visit on weekends, but Dave is coming home to help me and I'm sure we'll handle things okay. He and Chip are going to find a way to build up Den's king-sized Lazy-Boy recliner so it sits higher off the floor. That will be a major help for me when I'm here alone and need to transfer him back to bed or to the
commode.
We are delighted to see that the XHS volleyball team is in the State finals tomorrow. GO Hawks!! We'll be with you in spirit when you beat Memorial!!!! We were sorry to see that the football team was defeated tonight, but we know that those boys put 110% in to their season. Congratulations guys and coaches.
Enjoy what is predicted to be a beautiful weekend. Our love and appreciation to everyone reading this entry. It's comforting to know that so many are hanging in there with us!

Love,
Carla

November 4

Good morning,

After a great day Monday, yesterday may have been one of Denny's worst to date. He also put in a very rough night, so I'm anticipating he'll get lots of sleep today.
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers today, so that his rest is peaceful and, if possible, refreshing, so he is able to visit with the friends he misses so much who usually visit in the late afternoons. You have all been so incredible and I am so thankful for your dedication to the great guy I've been lucky enough to be married to.

Love always,
Carla

November 2

Hi,

A routine is starting to fall into place with the help of the wonderful caregivers from Heartland Hospice, our kids, and friends. Denny sleeps quite a bit, but when he's awake he enjoys his company, watches TV, and looks forward to me reading any messages for him. I think today was exceptionally good as he was up a little longer than usual and was interested in watching both baseball games and the football game
all at the same time! His dad, brother (Pat), and sister-in-law (Julie) were here yesterday and I know he really enjoyed that visit. They came with rakes in hand, so our yard looks great, too! Angels all around!!
The other part of Den's routine is to wake up a couple of times during the night, so I am trying to get to bed earlier than usual for me. With that, I'll sign off for this time and head for bed.
Thank you, everyone, for your continued prayers.

Love,
Carla

October 31

Happy Halloween!

Today was a good day. Denny slept peacefully through the night until lunchtime. He ate well, went back to sleep, and then was up from about 5:00 until nearly 9:00.
He watched football with Dave and Chip, played with Connor and Grant, and then we watched the end of "Footloose." I read him your cards, e-mails, and blog responses
which still seem to take him by surprise when so many credit their successes to lessons learned from him, either as a teacher, coach, or the outstanding role model he has been throughout his life. He always smiles and shakes his head and sometimes says, "I was just doing my job."

Our day began with Xavier's very own Merry Maids (that would be Kathy Bates, Sarah Simon, and Beth Rippl) showing up to clean our house! Of course, Sarah brought enough food for our family for the weekend, so that was a wonderful surprise. (There is one lucky guy out there who just hasn't met her yet! She is something else!!) Other neighbors and friends stopped in, too, so the day went by quickly. Now it's time for some sleep.

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend. Hug someone you love extra tight!!

Love,
Carla

October 29

Dear Friends,

We are home. The last two days have been a whirlwind of activity, but with Denny sleeping in his "new" room, I finally have some time to write.

Yesterday our day began with a visit with Steve Howard, who met with Drs. Mehta and Robbins (both nationally known for their expertise with brain cancer and treatment for it) on Tuesday. Denny's cancer is very unique. It's location, size, and response to treatment have all been very unusual. Steve told us that patients with similar tumors rarely survive six months even with treatment. That was news to us--we never wanted to know the numbers in relation to "time." I'm thankful we never knew that fact because it allowed us to live with lots of hope these past sixteen months.

The general weakness to Den's entire body and specific numbness to his right side is
most likely from the combination of radiation, chemo, and steroids. Steve explained in lay terms just how the thalamus works and how the treatments affected the cancer and the areas around it. I'm thankful, too, that he didn't share that information earlier. That's why he is so special to us--as is Dr. Meena. Both seemed to know just what we needed to know at the time.

We came home via Cabulance and were greeted by members of the hospice staff. Denny's nurse is a tall, soft-spoken young man who already seems to be a great match for our family. He spent just the right amount of time as we got Den settled in.
Then last night Dr. Richter came over to check on everything and go over all of the medications. He and Dr. Meena will work together to make sure Denny gets everything he needs right here at home.

Today we met the aide that will be here to help. He endeared himself to me as I watched him take care of Denny this afternoon. I believe that God had a hand in sending these two angels to help me take care of Denny, because I felt immediate trust and Denny feels very comfortable with both of them.

So, here we are, and we will take each day as it comes just like we have since June 11, 2008, when we first learned about this dreaded disease. With God and all of you with us, those days will be much easier. Please continue to communicate if you have time--I read every single note, e-mail, blog comment, and card to Denny. It always amazes me how many details he can remember about former students from Xavier, St. Mary's, St. John's, and even those he taught the one year he spent in Denmark. It has been fun for him to hear from so many of you.

"Yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well-lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day."
---Sanskrit proverb

Love and many thanks to all of you,
Carla

October 26 (P.M.)

Hi again,

Today was busy--it seems like I was just sitting here writing the previous blog. I went to the hospital right after that entry and just returned. Den had a more comfortable day and even participated in a limited physical therapy session. We never did see the neurologist who ordered the MRI, but another doctor told us that there is a small area that is new since the September scan. I am anticipating a far more detailed explanation from Steve Howard when we see him Wednesday morning. We had this appointment with him long before any of the recent hospitalizations (he just happens to be coming to Mercy that day.) I know that Denny is looking forward to seeing Steve.

After that appointment, we will be coming home. The hospice nurse and aide will meet us here so they can get Denny into the house in a wheelchair. Then that night Dr. Richter will stop over just to go through all of the medications, etc., with me. Today they showed me how to fill the insulin needles that he'll be needing on a sliding scale, so that's the only really new thing. The plan is to decrease the steroids slowly (again) so I'm hoping at some point Denny won't need the insulin at all. Everything, literally, depends on the steroids.

So, we will take each day as it comes. I know that the hospice care is a Godsend and
I know I will be forever grateful for their help. Needing help, asking for help, accepting help--it's a hard place to be. But then I think of what Denny is going through and I realize that without the help of others his life will lack the joy of friendship that he so deeply deserves and really needs at this point of this challenge. So please know that your messages, visits, etc., will always be greatly appreciated. Once he's settled in to his new room and the routine of the hospice people, we'll have a better idea of what we need to make this situation the best it can be for Denny. Thank you, everyone, for your kind notes, concern, encouragement, and prayers.

Love,
Carla

October 26

Hi,

I debated whether to write today but all of you have been with us for so long and today I really need the comfort of knowing you are still there. It's been a very emotional few days and I know today will be another. Denny has vacillated between the depths of despair and periods of time when he still sees that there could be hope. Today we will learn the results of Friday's MRI, so we will know more about what is causing his incredible weakness. He can no longer walk and turning himself in bed is exhausting for him. Also today, we are meeting with the social worker from Heartland Hospice to finalize plans with them. The kids, Pat and Patti Voss, and I worked this weekend to convert the dining room into a bedroom for Den, so I am as ready as I can be to bring him home.

Last night Denny asked for the kids and their families to come to the hospital. We were all there for a couple of hours and although he didn't say much, he smiled whenever he heard the voices of the little ones, and his voice was clear when he expressed his love for everyone. Everyone felt a little better when he asked for a bite of a cookie. I had planned to stay through the night if he wanted me there, but soon after the others left he assured me that the wave of fear and panic had been calmed and he just wanted to sleep, knowing we were all safe at home.

I will update this when I know more later on today.

Love,
Carla

October 21

Dear Friends,

It's been a chaotic week of physical and emotional ups and downs for all of us. I didn't want to write until there was a real plan and I didn't know what it would be until this afternoon.

Denny's stay at Mercy for physical/occupational rehab has not gone nearly as well as anyone expected. After a great start, his strength diminished significantly so he isn't able to meet the criteria to continue in the rehab unit. Tomorrow he will be transferred to the sub-acute unit at Mercy for about five days and then he will be discharged to come home. We had originally been told that he would be going to a nursing home for more therapy, but the insurance has deemed him ineligible for skilled nursing care. So, he will come home and I believe we will be eligible for hospice care. I'll be learning more about that over the next couple of days.

Because of his limitations, I am converting the dining room into a bedroom for him.
The kids will help me with that over the weekend so we are ready. I still don't know how we are going to get him into the house but where there's a will there's a way, I guess.

I suppose I should have been more prepared for this, but he was doing so well....
but we will continue to take each day as it comes and with God's help we'll do the best we can. As much as he'd like to, I know Den won't be responding to all of the e-mails he received, but please know how much of a morale booster those notes are for him.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your continued support as our journey continues.

Love,
Carla

October 13

Hi to everyone,

This will be brief as not much has changed. Denny continues his rehab at Mercy, where he will be for at least another week. He has good days and not-so-good days. He is still taking 16 mg. of steroids, which is causing high blood sugar numbers, which, in turn, causes blurred vision and other annoying side effects. Today was a pretty good day, so he accomplished a lot in all four therapy sessions. Now we just wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Thanks for your continued support. It keeps us going.

Love,
Carla

October 7

Hi,

With all of the blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and MRI's in, it all comes down to the steroids. The last test Denny had was last night when an eye doctor visited and gave him a fairly complete exam (because of the blurred vision he's recently developed.) His vision is 20/20, the eye pressure is fine, and things should go back to normal once the steroids are lowered. The issue with his blood sugar should also take care of itself--but until then he'll get insulin as he needs it.

Deemed stable enough for transfer, I got a call this morning that he was to be taken back to Mercy Medical in Oshkosh as soon as I could get him there. So, that is where he is, ready for some intense rehab so he can get strong enough to come home.

Thanks to all of you who have sent e-mails. Those replies will come from him as soon as he gets home. In the meantime, I read your messages to him and he is so moved by your words of encouragement and/or memories of your time with him. He is still the wonderful man you remember.

Until next time, grateful thanks for keeping Denny in your prayers. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful friends.

Love,
Carla

October 5

Hi,

Just about a year ago, Dr. Mortara, Denny's first oncologist, told us that steroids are the most evil of all drugs. Now I know why. They are the only thing that helps any swelling in the brain, so a person with a tumor pretty much has to take them in order to have mental alertness and a certain amount of physical strength. At the same time, those steroids are eating away at all of the large muscles in that same body, weakening it. They also cause the skin to become paper thin, the face, stomach, and limbs to swell, and bruises to appear all over the body. Put those all together and you get big purple bruises with skin so fragile that it tears at the softest touch. May I also add that prolonged use of steroids can cause high blood sugar levels, which must be treated with insulin.

Denny is now experiencing all of the above. He looks like he's been beaten with chains. Dr. Meena and Dr. Richter are working together to manage all of his health issues as the brain cancer is just one component. Tomorrow there will be a consultation with a urologist, but because of Den's general health, it's somewhat questionable as to what the doctor will be able to do to minimize the number of times Den has to get up during the night. Dr. Richter has ordered more blood tests to assess just how the platelets are working and is having Den start a high protein diet. I think Denny's days of being the original cookie monster are over.

It's possible that once he is stabilized he will go back to Mercy Medical in Oshkosh for either rehab or to their sub-acute unit just in hopes of getting stronger. He has to be assessed and recommended for admission there, just like last time, so we won't know anything until those doctors see him. There's also the possibility that he will be sent home and we will have to get health care for him here.

I hope I have some positive news when I write the next time. The "new normal" we have tried to adjust to just continues to redefine itself.

Love,
Carla

October 3

Happy Saturday!

This is just to let you know that Denny is still at St. E's and will most likely be discharged Monday. As suspected, his extreme sensitivity to the steroids caused his near collapse on Thursday, so now it's a guessing game again. We took quite a long walk throughout the hospital halls last night and today he told me that his right arm and hand seem somewhat better.

My guess that we might have to see a cardiologist proved to be wrong. I had a lengthy conversation with the pulmonary doctor yesterday and he said that given all of the clots that packed Den's lungs last November, this lungs are weak but with rehab he will gain some strength. The doctor has also ordered a CPAP machine to help Den get a more restful sleep at night which, in turn, may help with his daytime fatigue. There is a tiny bit of pulmonary hypertension, but nothing treatable, and his heart is basically healthy except for the irregular beat. Most people with that condition are given a blood thinner, but since that causes bleeding in Denny's brain, he cannot take that. Basically, he is going to have to fill his days with lots of different types of therapies to try to build up his strength. He's been relatively sedentary for a year, so this will take some discipline. I think it will fall into place if we can just get the steroid amount right and keep him hydrated.

So, he's been thoroughly checked and rechecked and his MRIs have been reviewed by all of the specialists. Dr. Mahindra (the lung specialist) said that tumor, whether it's active cancer or has turned cystic, is still there and Den's body recognizes it as foreign so it keeps fighting against it. That, in turn, causes the edema around the mass, which requires the steroids to calm it down. It's a vicious cycle, that's for sure.

Denny really does love hearing from family and friends, so please don't hesitate to call, e-mail (doudenhoven@new.rr.com) or leave a message on this blog site. Part of his occupational therapy is to use the keyboard, so having someone to write to would sure beat typing random word and sentences!

I hope you are enjoying the weekend. Fall is really here!

Love,
Carla

October 1

Hi,

I didn't think I'd be writing again so soon, but Den is back in the hospital after just a few days at home. I'm sure it has to have something to do with the steroid
dosage going from possibly too low to a booster amount and then the attempt to come back down too quickly. A CT was ordered to check out his stomach and pelvis and we'll get those results tomorrow. He will have been scanned, MRIed, and ultrasounded from top to bottom and every blood test has been run. If there is any good news, it's that he doesn't have any pain at all. (Actually, he hasn't taken so much as a Tylenol since he left Mercy Medical last June!) I'm sure that we'll be seeing a cardiologist to cover all of the bases, but that appointment has not been made yet.

So, that's the update. I hope he will be home soon and there will be some plan of attack to this debilitating weakness. There are no words that can adequately describe how sad I am for him. Please pray.

Love,
Carla

September 29

Hi,

We finally got home from the hospital about 8:00 last night. The MRIs showed nothing new, and the 3-D MRI done on his neck showed no blockage in the artery they were concerned about. It seems this is all coming back to the steroids, so he's back at a very high dosage again. I think the plan is to lower it Thursday and then again next Monday, but then he will stay at that dosage indefinitely. He's definitely clearer-minded and doesn't feel dizzy when standing. But the stroke-like symptoms in his right leg and arm remain. Hopefully, time and therapy will diminish those symptoms.

Not much else for news. We're just hanging in there and hoping for improvement! Thanks for checking in.

Love,
Carla

September 25

Hi,

It's been a very long day. To make that long story short, Denny is back in the hospital. His physical therapist assessed that right-side weakness I wrote about and contacted Dr. Meena. Today, before all of the scheduled tests, we had an appointment with her and she gave him a very thorough exam and determined that he should be admitted to the hospital. She added two more MRIs to the one already scheduled, so poor Denny was in that tube for almost three and one-half hours this afternoon. In addition to his brain, they scanned his spine and lower back.

We were both pretty scared for any results and were relieved to get a call from the doctor with the preliminary reports, most of which are inconclusive. The tumor appears unchanged, and the spine and lower back look normal. There is some kind of scar tissue in both lungs (which we knew) so another pulmonary doctor will be seeing Den tomorrow. He is also scheduled for another type of MRI to look more closely at an artery in his neck. So, we wait while someone tries to get to the reasons for the weakness, dizziness, and fatigue. This is getting so frustrating!

So, once again we ask to have Denny included in your prayers. So many others are also in need, and all I can say is it isn't until you are on the receiving end that you realize that your strength is coming from the prayers of friends and family. Thanks for talking to God about Den and all of the others you know facing challenges
that can't be handled alone.

I'll keep you updated,
Carla

September 18

Hi,

It was just about a year ago that Denny started feeling tired and weak. At the time we thought it was the reaction to the radiation and chemotherapy. Little did we know that it would become a chronic condition that seemed to get worse with every setback, i.e. blood clots, pneumonia, shingles, etc. Although he hasn't had any chemo since May, the condition remains and it seems he has experienced a minor setback over the past three or four days. Dizziness has returned and the weakness has intensified, so he is feeling pretty bummed.

A sleep study done at Mercy Medical Center last night did not show any signs of obstructive sleep apnea. I was really hoping that it would have been as simple as that, but the technician said she was surprised at how good his breathing and sleep patterns were throughout the night. Today we saw Dr. Meena, who suspects that Denny may be suffering from pulmonary hypertension, an opinion shared by the pulmonary specialist Den saw two weeks ago. All of the answers should be revealed next Friday, when we will spend most of the day at St. E's while he has an eco-cardiogram, a CT of his heart, and another MRI of his brain. We will get the results of all of those tests the following Monday. It sure seems like a long time to wait now that he's experiencing so much dizziness again.

The good news from his appointment today is that, on paper, Denny is pretty healthy! All of his blood work is completely normal, so Dr. Meena won't be ordering
labs for another month. His appetite is good and he doesn't have any pain at all, so we are thankful for that. Usually there is chest pain/discomfort associated with pulmonary hypertension, but he hasn't been "typical" with anything else medical, so nothing surprises me.

The State Street house has a new family calling it home, so that saga is over. We are so grateful to all of our friends who helped with that renovation: Sarah Simon, Kathy Bates, Mike Mauthe, Dan Riordan, Lori Schuh, Adam Bates, the Voss and Lingg families, and the wonderful service group from Texas. Chip did a ton of work and is going to oversee things there so Den won't have to worry about that, Dave came home and painted with me, and Shannon took good care of her dad while I was gone so much of the summer. So, thank you, everyone -- we will never forget your gifts of time and talent. Really, that house has never looked better.

Enjoy what is predicted to be another beautiful weekend. Thanks for staying with us throughout the last year. Your thoughts and prayers help keep things positive!

Love,
Carla

September 11

Hi,

Another Friday, another medical report. Today we met with a new doctor, a pulmonary specialist. It has been a concern of mine that there was never a follow up after Denny had those blood clots, to measure his lung function. Because his progress has been at a snail's pace and because his breathing seems (to me) to be labored and shallow, I asked Dr. Meena if Denny could see a specialist. After reviewing today's chest X-ray and the other test results, this new doctor is sending Den on for further studies including a CT scan, another eco-cardiogram, and a sleep apnea study. Maybe one or all of these tests will shed light on why Denny just cannot overcome the fatigue that has plagued him for nearly a year.

The weather is too gorgeous to stay inside, so I am going out to use our new trimmer!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Carla

September 5

Hi!

We saw Dr. Meena yesterday who immediately remarked that she thinks Denny is looking much better. She decided to lower the steroid dose, so now he's at 3mg. daily. She also lowered the dosage of a medicine that affects his heart rhythm and blood pressure. Both could and should make him feel a lot better if his body reacts like we are hoping it will.

After Den's next appointment there will be another MRI to see what's going on with that tumor. Regardless of the outcome, we will go to see Steve Howard, who is back at the UW, and get his opinion. We love Dr. Meena and suspect that she and Steve will have the same thoughts, but we've learned that it never hurts to have a couple of people take a look at test results. We always ask Phil Yazbak for his take on the current status of everything, too. He's been with us from day one and we value his evaluations as much as any. I just can't imagine what would have happened if Phil hadn't taken care of that trigeminal neuralgia that hit Denny so hard. I believe life would be a whole lot different--and not for the best. We have been so very fortunate to have such wonderful doctors right here.

I'm down to the two final projects at State Street. Once I paint the powder room and the porch floor I will know that every square inch of the house has been given some type of attention. It really has turned out nice, but I'm happy to be done with it.

Hopefully, everybody reading this will enjoy this long weekend in the company of family and/or friends. Take care of each other!

Love,
Carla

August 29

Hi,

It's hard to believe that another week has passed so quickly. I had a very busy schedule, with school starting, getting Denny to his doctor appointments, plus the continuing project at State Street. Den managed quite well on his own here at home. It seems that the reduction in just one of his medicines (one he takes for irregular heart rhythm) has made a huge difference in his sense of balance. It's probably all tied to his blood pressure.

Den enjoyed visiting with all of the friends who stopped by this week -- colleagues, former students, and old friends. We saw all of the grandkids a couple of times, Dave is home for the weekend, and tomorrow we are going out for dinner with Pat and Patti Voss. Oh my gosh, it sounds almost like a normal life!!

As we watch the memorial service for Ted Kennedy, who was diagnosed with the exact same type of tumor just weeks before we received the news about Denny, we are grateful for these weeks of uninterrupted recovery and are reminded again to appreciate each day and give thanks for all God has given us. That includes you!!

Have a great week!

Love,
Carla

August 22

Happy Saturday!

The good news is that things remain stable and there is definite improvement in Denny's strength. The recent med changes have really made a difference. Sleeping 10-14 hours at night seems to be the norm, but the daytime sleeping has tapered off to one short nap in the afternoons. He is reading, exercising, watching movies, and getting ready to make some "guest appearances" in the senior English classes. The last one will hold the key to his future progress--I truly believe any connection to the classroom and doing what he truly loves will stimulate him in a way no therapy or drugs can do.

Other good news is that the repairs/renovations at State Street are nearly completed, so now for me it's just a matter of some final painting and once again cleaning and polishing all of the woodwork. It won't be so bad this time, because it's just the dust from all of the floor sanding that I'm working with. We have renters who will be moving in at the end of September, so that gives me time to get it all done. Dave is coming home next weekend, so he will help, Chip has been helping with painting the ceilings, fixing basement windows, and has plans to do some landscaping. Shannon and the kids entertain Papa so he doesn't have to spend so much time alone while I'm gone, so it's been a family endeavor, plus all of the help from friends that I've written about in past blogs. We are all glad to see the light at the end of this tunnel!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Love,
Carla

August 15

Happy Saturday,

We had a normal week, going to physical therapy and chiropractor appointments as well as seeing Dr. Richter. He is increasing one of Denny's medicines in an attempt to help break the fatigue barrier that the medicine is helping. The goal is to regain some muscle tone, especially in Den's now unusually skinny legs. Hopefully the medicine increase, use of the inhalant, and additional exercise will help him make some measurable improvement. The slow pace of the recovery has definitely got Denny down. Plus, I think the enormity of everything he's dealt with over the course of the past year has finally hit him and sunk in. It's funny how our brains protect us from certain reactions, even when there's a tumor in there to remind us!

We had a great evening last Tuesday with many of the Honors 4 class of 2009 plus some current and former track athletes. Mike Stumpf, Tyler Birschbach, and Sara VanDeWalle read an excerpt from "Othello" for Den and the others, and the choir/drama kids entertained with songs from "Beauty and the Beast." There was lots of laughing and camaraderie with Ryan Powley acting as the King of the Barbeque
and the VandeWalle's for providing an original "O" cake. The evening ended inside with everyone watching a great CD created by Thayer Juergens. It was filled with memories of Xavier, which touched us all -- and provided more laughs, as well. The entire evening was medicine that can't be bottled. Thanks, everyone, for giving Mr. O. (and me, too!) another lasting memory of your class. Please know that you and all of your classmates will be in our prayers as you enter this next phase of your lives.

With that, I will close until next weekend, after we see the oncologist. Until then, enjoy what remains of the summer, and give extra hugs to those you love. Ours certainly go out to you.

Love,
Carla

August 7

Hi,

There's not much to report this week. We went to the oncologist this afternoon and everything is about the same. On paper (i.e. his lab reports,) Den is very healthy, with all of the numbers in the normal range. The doctor had a second radiologist look at the June MRI, and he confirmed that the "stable, lobulated cystic mass does not demonstrate any definite (blood) flow....most likely due to radiation induced necrosis." Another MRI in mid-September will be the next time things are evaluated. In the meantime, we are going to reduce the amount of steroids, begin the use of an inhalant, and step up the exercise program at home. Hopefully, these efforts will result in less fatigue and more endurance for Den.

We are looking forward to completing things at the State Street house and are hopeful that we will find good renters. Next Tuesday all of the students who have been bringing us suppers and visiting throughout the summer are returning for a cookout here. Considering that Denny really only spent a month or so with the class of '09, this group of kids has become very, very, special to both of us. We will never forget their many acts of kindness throughout this past year. They will soon be leaving for colleges and universities all over the country, with a few already in Germany. We will miss them and follow their futures as they are all destined to make positive impacts in this world.

Thanks for checking in with us and praying for a continued recovery for Den. Pray, too, for Dan Kenneavy, Hunter Eagan, and Andrew Hippert. It is amazing how those prayers get us through times we could never endure on our own. I hope the weekend will find you enjoying the days with those you love.

Take care,
Carla

July 31

Hi,

It's been a very busy week. Denny has been working diligently at his occupational and physical therapies and the kids and I think his progress is quite measurable. He's up to 670 steps and once we made it all the way around the block. Right now I'd have to say he's at about the same place (strength and endurance-wise) he was before the whole shingles thing hit. What is noticeably better is the swelling in his legs and feet from the blood clots--that is nearly gone.

A second radiologist reviewed the most recent MRI and concluded, too, that there is no blood flow to the tumor. I also had a long talk with Dr. Yazbak because we wondered just how often something like this happens, etc. Like Dr. Meena, he said that the real miracle is that Denny at home, able to participate in physical activities and has the energy and ability to be helping with lesson plans for next year. Being cautiously optimistic is good for all of us and we will just live from one MRI to the next, enjoying each day. Grade 4 glioblastomas are nasty and no two are the same or react the same to treatments. We are just continuing to pray that this one has given up on its quest to bring a great guy down!

Because so many people have asked if we tried something new, i.e. vitamins, minerals, etc., I do want to share that there is one thing that we started using shortly after Denny returned home from Mercy Hospital. In view of what has transpired, we call it "miracle water," and really want to share this information.

Many of you know Amanda Lauer. She is a Xavier mom and is the one who organized the "O Team" in Appleton's Sole Burner for cancer. Her daughter has two autoimmune diseases, both of which, her doctors say, cannot be cured. She and her husband, John, have been been looking for anything that would offer hope to her. A few months ago they heard about alkaline water from a gentleman from Utah. This water is ionized and has antioxidant properties as well. The technology for transforming tap water into two streams of water, one alkaline and one acidic, has been available in Japan for more than 30 years. One out of five households and most hospitals in Japan have these water machines. That may explain why Japan is the healthiest nation on the planet. Enagic brought this technology (called Kangen water --check it out at www.checkoutkangen.com) to the U.S. three years ago.

The Lauers tried the water for three weeks before purchasing their own machine. The results they have witnessed in their daughter's health and fitness have been amazing. Amanda told me about this one day while I was at work and she was there answering phones and selling Scrip. She explained that the water itself isn't a miracle, but the human body is. Diseases can only exist in an acidic state. If a body is in an alkaline state, a person should have ideal health. Aging and diseases are the result of oxidization (like an apple turning brown after it's been cut open). That's why antioxidants have been so heavily promoted in the health field lately. This machine that they purchased is hooked up to their tap and filters that water to make it alkaline.

Shortly after Denny got home in early June, Amanda brought over two gallons of water. While at Mercy, Den was told over and over the importance of drinking lots of water to hydrate his atrophied muscles. So, he started drinking the "magic water" each day. His MRI was on June 25.

John and Amanda are more than happy to give water away to anyone who will stop by their house and pick it up. If you want to contact them, please call (920) 739-5717 or e-mail them at allauer@att.net.

A year ago I might have read such a testimonial and the word "gimmick" might have come to mind, but when you've put in a year like we have, you regard things like this differently. The Lauers have talked to people with a range of medical issues who have had amazing changes after drinking this water.

As long as this blog is, I thought I had to share this story. We'll never know what part this drinking water has played in Denny's health. We do know that God's hand is in everything that has transpired since June '08, and we are eternally grateful for whatever number of extra days we have because of Him.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I am still painting over at the State Street house, but soon that entire renovation will be complete. If you know of anyone who would like to rent or buy a nice 4 bedroom home in a quiet neighborhood, tell them to call us!

Love,
Carla

July 24

Hi!

We have just returned from the appointment with the oncologist, and things are good. The written report from the radiologist regarding Denny's most recent MRI indicates that there is no perceived blood flow to the tumor. In essence, the tumor appears to have died as a result of the chemo and/or radiation. The mass itself is still there, which is the unusual part of this. Dr. Meena's theory is that Denny's body has been working so hard to overcome the incredible hit it took when he had the blood clots, that it couldn't absorb the dead cells in the tumor.

Naturally, nobody is telling us he is cancer free, but she did say that there is no need at this time to consider more chemo. We are just going to stay the course with all of his current meds, physical therapy program, and keep thinking very positive thoughts!! He will be closely monitored and will have another MRI in September.

This is all because of you and your prayers, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This business of taking one day at a time will be a little easier with this new optimism!

Love to all,
Carla

July 22

Hi,

It's been a very good week in so many ways. First, Denny continues to get a little stronger each day. His physical therapist has stepped things up a notch, which means Den has to follow through on the days he doesn't have pt. Starting tomorrow we have to walk at least 600 feet (no stopping) with a goal of increasing that 10 feet per day. It's quite a workout because he is still feeling weak, but this is the only way to build up endurance. We tried to establish a walking routine when he got out of the hospital, but it's better that he has to be accountable to someone else.

Next, I am grateful to report that the mess at the house on State Street is diminishing. What was so overwhelming at first has now become a real project that I don't resent anymore. So many people have helped the kids and me--it's been an incredible couple of weeks. Besides Kathy and Adam Bates, (for any alumni reading this, Adam is off to college next month! Time flies!!) Sarah Simon, and the Voss family, Lori Schuh also helped me paint. Then last week, a service group from Texas
spent three full days working there. Eleven students and two chaperones divided themselves into groups and during their time there accomplished more than I ever could have imagined. They cleaned out and painted the basement, finished painting all of the bedroom closets, and scraped and painted the lower half of the entire house. They were the greatest group of kids. Their dedication to serving others and to helping us was inspirational, to say the least. I'll never forget those kids or their leaders, David and Troy. I was happy that Denny was able to get there to meet and talk to all of them.

But, it doesn't end there. As I write this, the wonderful Lingg family is over at that house refinishing the hardwood floors in the upstairs!! They came over to see how the service group was doing, and suddenly Mike was hauling all of the junk from the basement to the dump, taking down the old clothesline poles, and he and Jackie were offering to refinish the floors! It's all so humbling. I took Denny over there last night so he could see the transformation and he left with tears in his eyes. When people say that Xavier is like a big family, it's true. You just don't realize how true it is until you are on the receiving end of all of the prayers, meals, and incredible gifts of labor and love. That's the real Xavier--not the circus portrayed by the media last spring.

So, that's been life with the O-Team for the last couple of weeks. Den has an appointment with the oncologist on Friday, so I'll write again then. I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer!

Love,
Carla

July 24

Hi,

Just a note to let you know that Denny is doing well. His therapists and doctors are very satisfied with his progress. It's slow, but steady. He doesn't need the walker anymore, but occasionally he'll use my shoulder to steady himself. He has disciplined himself to just a single nap each day, so the fatigue is definitely decreasing. The reduction in his steroids is likely responsible for all of his improvements. It's so odd how he reacts to steroids--opposite of everything the doctors would expect. It was the same thing with the narcotics and the anti-seizure meds. The doctors just shake their heads.

The kids and I have been busy working over at the State Street house. That's another slow but steady project. Sarah Simon, Kathy Bates, Lori Schuh, and Patti, Pat, and Ryan Voss helped me paint. What a huge help that was!! And tomorrow Sarah is sending a group of 15 teens over to help scrape and prime the outside of the house. She is hosting a service trip of over 200 kids from all over the country
and has placed them all for three days of service to various non-profits and families
who are in need of help. Sarah Simon is an angel to so many people. She is an inspiration to all of us.

While I hope you are enjoying an exciting, fun-filled summer, please pray that ours continues to be a little boring!

Thanks for checking in -- we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Carla

July 7

Hi,

Things are going well. Today we saw all of the doctors and everyone is pleased at Denny's progress. He is walking much better, usually without the walker, and seems to be getting a little stronger each day. His doctor appointments will now be two weeks apart, physical therapy will be reduced to twice each week, and his visits to the chiropractor will diminish as he gets stronger. There's no doubt that adding the chiropractic element has certainly enhanced what he's accomplished in physical therapy.

It's great to be able to say that Denny is pain free and is regaining the mental strength he lost when he was given all of the pain and anti-seizure medicines. His short term memory still isn't the best, but all of the doctors have said that it will improve over time. He's been meeting with Amy, the teacher who took over for him last year, and he plans to be as involved as much as possible with those classes this year.

We know that the thoughts and prayers of all of our family and friends have made this possible. None of us knows what lies ahead, but we do know that today was a good day and we are thankful. The steroid amount has been reduced, so our only immediate worry is how his body will tolerate that adjustment. There's always something specific to pray for in addition to thanking God for all of His blessings.
Thanks for thinking of us!

Love,
Carla

June 26

Good Morning!

We are up bright and early today. Connor and Ryan had a sleep over here last night; it's been a while, so they have been pretty charged up since arriving yesterday. It's only 8:30, but we've done a lot already this morning!

Our doctor and friend, Steve Howard (radiation oncologist) is returning to the UW Madison Hospital, so we met with him Thursday to discuss future plans. He decided to do an MRI yesterday so we could have peace of mind for the remainder of the summer. He did not expect to find any changes with the tumor, and, thankfully, he didn't. In fact, the MRI showed that the swelling around the tumor is slightly decreased, so that is a good sign, too. We have decided to dedicate the summer to getting Denny stronger so we can go to Madison in September where he will become part of the Tumor Clinic. The UW hospital is part of the top 50 cancer research hospitals and those who are part of the Tumor Clinic are included in any of the short trials that are appropriate for a particular type of cancer. Denny's tumor and it's location are both rare, so we really don't know what options, if any, will present themselves, but at least the possibility will be available.

That's our news for now. Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Carla

June 21

Hi,

Just a quick note to those who are still checking the blog. Den seems to be getting a little better each day. All of his blood work numbers today were normal so we don't go back to the oncologist for two weeks. Physical therapy is tiring, but good, and the extra walking that he has to do everyday will find us talking the walker to new places with smooth floors. Walking out on the street here is just too bumpy and slow.

On Thursday we'll see Steve Howard (our favorite radiology oncologist) for the final time at St. E's, as he is returning to work at the UW-Madison. He'll be deciding when Denny will have the next MRI and we may just decide to travel to Madison for that if it is an option.

Otherwise, except for the mess we have at State Street, life is good. We had a wonderful Father's Day party at Chip and Jenn's with both of our families there and our immediate family will celebrate Dave's 25th birthday this upcoming weekend. Party animals, that's us!

Take care, and try to stay cool on these hot, muggy days.

Love,
Carla

June 17

Hi,

A routine of sorts is settling in and things are going well. We have seen all but one of Denny's doctors, and that is on the schedule for next week. We have decided on no more chemo for a few months and a continuation of fairly intense physical therapy. A new medicine seems to be giving some relief from the chronic fatigue, so that is the best news we have to report.

Last night Macaire, Thayer, and Ryan (Knott) brought supper and spent a few hours chatting with Denny about all sorts of things. It was a delightful evening for him and once again Den said that the biggest regret he has of the entire year is that he didn't get to teach and get to know better the class of 2009. And once again I have to say that visiting with these graduates is great medicine for him. I wish I could bottle it!

I'll keep you posted on Denny's recovery. As long as no weird set-back comes along, I'm hoping we will only have good news to share. I know it sounds redundant, but please accept our heartfelt thanks for all of the prayers you have said for Denny and our family. I'm sure it is what has gotten us through this past year.

Love,
Carla

June 14

Good morning!

It appears to be another perfect summer day and today we have nothing on the calendar. This weather has been great for Den. He spends a lot of time outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun while reading the cards and letters that still arrive daily. He re-reads the letters from the Class of 2009, and seems to get a little stronger each day. The progress isn't nearly fast enough for him, but I'm hoping that will accelerate with the help of his physical therapy appointments. He has those three times weekly.

We will have a busy week as Denny has to see all of his doctors in addition to PT. We are trying to get some kind of routine in place, which isn't always easy because he still fights the chronic fatigue. Before we left Mercy (at the final staffing,) the doctors and therapists made it very clear to Denny that he has to fight through the urge to sleep, so he is allowed just two short naps or a single one hour nap each day. They also encouraged him to nap in his recliner or even sitting up as that will prevent that deep sleep that often leaves him confused.

So, staying busy is a must and we had plenty to do this past week. We celebrated Keira's first birthday yesterday, so we had a party at Shannon and Doug's. Friday night Sara VanDeWalle and Andi Zinkgraf brought over a delicious lasagna dinner and spent time talking to Denny about class this year and their college plans. Earlier in the day we had to spend a few hours over at the house Denny owned before we married. We've rented it for years and never had any landlord nightmare stories, but this time our tenants left a mess that will require some skilled maintenance as well as a lot of hard work and cosmetic repair, i.e., painting. So, I got started on the yard last Friday and will return there today for a few hours. It looks like we'll spend a lot of afternoons there. (It's not exactly what I had in mind for the summer!)

Enjoy this beautiful Sunday, wherever you are, and take time to count your many blessings. Your love and friendship are surely among ours.

Love,
Carla

June 9

He's home!!!!!

June 7

Hi,

I just returned from taking Den back to Mercy. The 30 hour pass at home went very well and I expect he will be released on Tuesday after the regular staffing. They may even call tomorrow and tell me to pick him up.

The weekend wasn't without a few hitches, but I think those can all be worked out. We realized that the stool I bought for his shower is too short, the walker they sent us home with was too wide, and the couch in the family room is probably too low and too soft because he had some difficulty standing up. It's probably time for a new one anyhow.

They sent us home with the "bag 'o meds" for the weekend and I'm happy to say that he didn't need any pain medication at all. That is probably part of the reason he was able to stay awake longer and actually focus on a movie. We watched "Marley and Me" and reacted the way everyone else who has seen it did. Tears all around.

So, all in all, things are better and we just hope that each day finds him a little stronger and more able to enjoy life. I also hope that soon he will be able to write these blogs so you can hear his voice again.

Thanks for all of the prayers!! Have a great week.

Love,
Carla

June 2

Hi,
Another Tuesday, another staffing. It seems Denny has finally turned the corner and is making significant progress in all areas of therapy. He has been weaned from several of the medicines, which, I think, played a major role in all of this. He is completely off the anti-seizure meds, as well as two others that caused his blood pressure to drop, which caused so much of his light-headedness. I also asked the doctor to stop giving him the sleeping/pain pill he was being given every night because I was certain that tied into the "blackout" periods he seemed to have each morning. Lastly, all of our kids and I noticed that whenever the nurses offered Den pain medicine, he just automatically said yes, even if he hadn't complained of any pain. So, when I was there Sunday, I asked the nurses not to offer him any pain medicine but to wait for him to ask for it. He's only need those pills twice since then. Den and I have an on-going phrase that we've used for years. It's something like "if I were the type of person to say 'I told you so' now would be the time for me to say it." I kind of feel that way in regard to the drugs and his reactions to them. I am just so happy that the doctors at Mercy listened.
The really good news is that Denny will complete this week of therapy and then will come home on a 30 hour pass for the weekend. I have to go there on Friday for a crash course in all of the therapy sessions so we can continue those at home. Then on Saturday they will send us home with the medicines he'll need until he goes back on Sunday evening. If all goes well, he will be discharged on Monday or Tuesday.
I know this blog is way too long already, but I just have to thank the seniors for the booklets and gifts they sent to Den. Amy Metlach, the teacher who took over Den's classes, brought everything to the hospital yesterday and Den was overwhelmed. I started reading the letters you wrote and I have to admit that it was good there was a box of tissues nearby. There were a few laughs, too!! You guys are awesome, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you've done to remember, inspire, and recharge Mr. O. Our invitation for you to stop over any time during the summer is sincere--you will be his best medicine (right behind the grandkids!) If you are out on the water, just tie up to our dock, or find us on West Palisades Drive. All of your parents raised some great kids -- you will forever be in our prayers of thanks.
Here's hoping everyone reading this will have a safe and happy summer!

Love and hugs,
Carla

May 29

Hi,

This is just a short note to thank everyone who has called or sent an e-mail regarding the wonderful article about Denny in yesterday's Post Crescent. When I took the paper to him last night and he read Dan VanderPas' kind words, he got very choked up and said it was like reading about somebody else.

For those of you who don't live nearby or do not receive the PC, the article is available on-line. It really is a special tribute about a very special guy.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend,
Carla

May 26

Hi,

The tone at today's staffing for Denny was generally very positive. He is much stronger, although still quite fatigued by the end of each therapy session, and his attention span is noticeably improved. The chemo definitely took a toll on him last week and the reduction in the Keppra had a positive effect, so that drug is being reduced again and we are all hoping he will be off of it completely by the time he is discharged from the rehab program.

Dr. Gu emphasized to Denny once again the importance of forcing himself to stay awake for longer periods of time. The nurses are going to make an attempt to have him eat with other patients and participate in some of the activities offered in their sub acute unit. This is a huge step in the right direction -- Denny has been a patient far too long. I am already anxious for next week's assessment.

They did say that Den will need someone with him 24/7 for at least the first few weeks when he gets home, so the timing for all of this will work out as school will be over by then. What a year it's been!

Hoping to see many of you soon,
Carla

May 24

Happy Memorial Day weekend,

Now that the immediate effects of the chemo are over, Denny is regaining his strength and will make progress this week, I'm sure. Also, the reduction in the Keppra has once again shown to help with his memory problems and processing issues. Dr. Gu will be reducing that again on Tuesday, and I am pretty confident that there will be even more cognitive improvement. It's one of those drugs that has to be tapered slowly--we can't wait until he's off of it completely. It's simply amazing how many things have happened to Den because of his adverse reaction to most medicines.

I just can't say enough good things about Mercy Medical Center and the staff in the rehab unit. Those doctors and nurses are extraordinary. Denny being there is just another of the many "coincidences" that have happened during this last year.
Right now we are looking forward to spending the summer with our kids, big and small,
and visiting with any of you who may want to stop over. Sitting out on the deck, talking and laughing with family and friends will be better for Denny than any medicine, that's for sure. Once he's home I hope we will see many of you.

God Bless and have a wonderful Memorial Day.

love,
Carla

May 19

Hi,

Today there is good news and not-so-good news. I met with the staff at Mercy today for our weekly meeting and the general concensus is that Denny has taken a big step backward in his therapies. The good news is that everybody thinks the incredible fatigue that is limiting him this week is due to the chemotherapy, which ends tonight. I guess I never realized just how tired that drug made him because he was sleeping so much of the time anyhow. Chemo or not, he has to participate in all of his therapy sessions down there, so he is truly exhausted and unable to achieve what he had mastered last week. Everyone is hoping to see things turn around by Thursday.

Dr. Gu has also agreed to reduce the dosage of the anti seizure medicine, starting today. As I have said, I believe that Den's reaction to that drug is responsible for his impaired thinking and processing. It's just too much of a coincidence that the disjointed thoughts and speaking difficulties started within an hour of the first time he was given the medicine. Dr. Gu said that if Den tolerates this reduction, he will reduce it again next week. If there isn't a big change in his capabilities, then I guess we are in for one long haul of rehab -- so please pray that my hunch is right!

Other good news is that the pain in his face seems to be diminishing at times. Yesterday he didn't need any pain medicine at all, but today he did complain about it. From what I've read, that's the nature of post herpetic neuralgia. It could go on for a long time, I guess, and there's not much that can be done. We are just so thankful that the procedure Phil Yazbak did for the trigeminal pain seems to have worked.

If the doctors at Mercy are granted their request, Denny should be there for another 10 days or so. Hopefully our insurance will grant that extension. It's hard to believe that we've been on this roller coaster for nearly one year. I think that's long enough for all of us.

It's a beautiful day to mow the lawn, so that's the next thing on my to-do list.
As always, thanks for checking in and keeping Denny in your thoughts and prayers. I take all of the cards, e-mails, and responses left on the blog to him. He appreciates them all so much.

I'll let you know if my theory is worth anything toward the end of the week.

Love,
Carla

May 15

Good morning,

Things finally caught up with me and I came home from work yesterday with a touch of the flu. I slept most of the afternoon and night, so I hope that was the extent of it.

Denny's chemotherapy pills will be delivered here sometime today and I will have to get them down to Oshkosh so he can start this five day process tonight. This will be the first time he's ever taken his chemo in the hospital, but with all of the new medicines he is on, I'm glad he's there for this.

In general, we all think he is making some progress. His speech is much better and his processing skills are improving. He's still very weak and is using a walker for his physical therapy. I know he hates that, but he also knows he needs to use it until he's more stable. His short term memory is what bothers him the most -- most days he has no recollection of anything that happens from the time he gets up until after his morning nap. It's all very weird, and once again I am thinking it has something to do with the anti-seizure medicine that he takes at night and again in the morning. It's on my list for the next staffing on Tuesday.

I hope you will have a wonderful weekend! So many flowers to plant, and so little time...

Love,
Carla

May 12

Hi,

Today I attended a staffing at Mercy Medical Center/rehab unit. Present were Dr. Gu, who heads the unit, another neurologist, Den's nurse for today, and his physical, occupational, and speech therapists. A social worker with whom I had spoken to prior to the staffing was also there. Denny and I listened to their observations, assessments, concerns, and plans going forward. After they spoke, we could ask any questions we had and they listened. Everyone there agreed that there are obvious inconsistencies in Denny's abilities and general demeanor. They allowed me to explain the chronological sequence of how things have come to be. It appeared that they found Denny's history with adverse reactions to medicines believable and already one step toward reducing what I believe to be the culprit in all of this has been ordered. Dr. Gu has reduced the amount of anti-seizure medicine, starting tonight, and it won't be a surprise to me if Den is less confused, etc., by tomorrow night or Thursday.

Tomorrow I have to pick him up and bring him to Appleton to see Dr. Meena because it's time for his chemo again. Hopefully, this will be the only time I have to do this, because everyone is hopeful that Denny will be home in a couple of weeks. Again, please keep praying for him. He is so frustrated by his impaired communication skills and the short term memory black-outs -- my heart literally aches for him. I know that a person shouldn't ask "why?" but I can't deny that I do.

His rehab program is like a boot camp, so I'm hoping to see improvement daily. I'll keep you posted!

Good night,
Carla

May 8

Happy Saturday morning!

The O Team finished the Sole Burner in somewhat damp weather but in great spirits.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Regardless of your team, the cause is a great one. To be honest, neither Denny nor I have had a member of our immediate families ever had to battle cancer. Friends, yes, and we have prayed and cried with them, but within our families cancer has not been an issue. I'm sure that's why Denny's diagnosis threw us into a state of panic. (It's hard to believe that it's nearly a year ago since that diagnosis.) The American Cancer Society needs all of the financial support people can give. It was so inspiring to see the thousands of people out walking for this wonderful cause.

Yesterday Denny was transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. I was only there from 3:30 until he went to bed, but my first impressions are stellar. He is on the rehab unit (room 528), which has its own director. He met us and evaluated Denny; he and his associate, a neurologist, will see Den every day. There will be physical, occupational, and speech therapies each day -- the amount of time spent on each will be about double what he received last time at St. E's. Every Tuesday there will be a staffing with all of the doctors, therapists, and nurses, plus Denny, myself, and any other family members that want to attend. I certainly got the feeling that it's a real team oriented program. The doctors will stay in communication with Jim Richter, and it's possible there will be new efforts at pain control. Once they can get a real grasp on that, I believe the physical rehab will
come along faster. Mentally, Den just has to get back to that athlete/competitor
place where he spent his first 58 years!

That's really all I know for now. I am going down there this afternoon and tomorrow, but Den's real work won't begin until Monday. I'll write again then!

Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Carla

May 7

Good morning!

The update today is that this is Denny's last day on morphine. Already everyone has noticed a marked difference in his mental clarity and communication skills. His dose of Keppra, the anti seizure medicine, has also been reduced, so I believe that is also a factor. Physically, he is still very weak, and he still prefers sleeping to anything else. Right now there are tentative plans for him to be transported to Mercy Medical in Oshkosh tomorrow, where he will begin an aggressive therapy program. It's a reasonable guess that he will be there about two weeks. Everything, however, is contingent on Dr. Richter giving the thumbs up that Denny is medically stable and ready for this type of work.

On another note, Amanda Lauer, who has organized the O-Team for the American Cancer Sole Burner, has asked me to inform everyone participating that the team picture will be taken at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday on the tennis courts at City Park. All of this will be a very big surprise to Den. He will be humbled to know there are so many people supporting him with his cancer battle. I, too, am humbled and moved by all of the ongoing support given by so many to us each day. God Bless you, one and all.

Love,
Carla

May 5

Hi,

My theory that Denny's confusion and speech problems are related to his morphine and anti-seizure medicines was reinforced today. Those meds were withheld yesterday for a few hours before and after his nerve-block procedure. His demeanor last night was, I believe, because those drugs had not been administered. Today, back on the drugs, he was having the same confusion and speech problems as before. I spoke to Drs. Lindo-Drusch and Yazbak about this and am hoping to connect with the neurologist tomorrow. The weaning off of the morphine has begun and I am hoping Dr. Bannusch will agree to decrease the anti-seizure drug.

Plans are for Denny to be transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh for his rehab. That will happen after Jim Richter gets back on Thursday and gives the okay, so Denny could be starting that program as early as Friday. Like most of the last eleven months, we are just taking each day as it comes.

I'll let you know when things change. Have a great rest of the week!

Love,
Carla

May 4

Hi,

Everything went as scheduled today. Denny was sleeping comfortably when I left at 9:30. I think I will also get some good sleep, because I believe I've already seen signs of improvement. Even the nurses and the techs commented on his clearer diction and speech tonight. There will be some discomfort from the procedure itself, but the pain should be substantially less. May I just say that Phil Yazbak is a wonderful doctor and friend!

We are all hoping that Den will be able to stay right where he is until his meds are straightened out and he has regained a little more strength. We just go from day to day with that whole issue.

Thanks for your prayers--I truly believe God heard you!

Love,
Carla

May 3

Hi,

It is with hope that I await tomorrow. In the morning Denny is scheduled for another EEG to assess the seizure activity, or lack of. Then tomorrow afternoon Dr. Yazbak will do a procedure that should eliminate most of the pain in Denny's face. That should lead to getting him off the morphine and into a rehabilitation program. Because St. Elizabeth's is no longer accepting patients into the sub-acute unit (which is where patients get physical and occupational therapy,) Denny will most likely be transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. It is my understanding that their rehab program is very aggressive.

It is with prayer that everything above will happen and one day these past few weeks will all seem like a terrible dream. I'll keep you posted. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.

With love,
Carla

May 1

Hi,

Not much has changed since the last entry. Denny continues to have the pain in the left side of his face and temple and is being treated primarily with morphine. The procedure done last Monday has obviously not accomplished anything, so we are on to plan B.

Yesterday I asked Drs. Richter and Yazbak to take on the responsibility for pain management and any future procedure(s) needed to eliminate that pain. We dearly love Dr. Meena, who will continue as Denny's oncologist, so I feel as though we have a great team for Den. Steve Howard still communicates with Phil, so I am confident that there will be an answer to this situation. What Den is experiencing is unusual and it seems that his reactions are, too. He is receiving occupational, physical, and speech therapy, none of which is easy when there's so much pain medication involved.

We are grateful for all of the prayers and the concern shown by so many. We are hanging in there as a family, all eleven of us. Connor, Ryan, Grant, and Keira make Papa smile everyday, so that's the best medicine he gets!

Have a wonderful weekend -- go to Food Fair if you can!

Love,
Carla

April 29

Hi,

I just came home from the hospital for a few hours while Denny naps. The doctor is trying a new strategy for pain management. Den will get a longer lasting form of morphine twice each day. The doctor hopes that this will eliminate any breakthrough pain and possibly that nerve will heal. She also wants one of the pain doctors to come to see him yet today or sometime tomorrow.

The physical therapist did work with Denny today. I wasn't there, but the nurses said he was using a walker and doing much better than yesterday. He's still having trouble getting some words out, but the nurses also felt that he's articulating better in general. So, maybe we're headed in the right direction.

The doctor expects to transfer Den to the sub-acute unit either tomorrow or Friday.
That was a major relief to me, as I was concerned that he'd have to go to a nursing home for rehab this time. Neither of us is ready for that.

On another subject, the Sole Burner O TEAM is up to nearly 70 people and Amanda said she has a pile of checks for the American Cancer Society. Thank you, everyone, for this touching show of support. You have all been so wonderful.

Have a good evening. I'm going back up to the hospital and I'll make Denny watch American Idol with me. It's my brain that doesn't want to deal with anything deeper than that!

Love,
Carla

April 28

Hi,

The neurologist told me tonight to give it another day or two, but so far the pain injection Den had yesterday hasn't had the effect we had hoped for. The pain tonight was terrible, so they gave him a double dose of morphine. He's still having some confusion but until the pain is under control that will continue. He's as "down" as I've seen him and it breaks my heart that I can't do anything to make him feel better.

I wish I could add something positive, but unless you count Denny's appetite as still being just fine, there's not much to say. I just called his nurse to see how he is and she assured me that he was still sleeping soundly, so it's probably time for me to stop worrying (not too likely!) and get some sleep as well.

Thanks for all the support.
Love,
Carla

April 27

Hi,

I'm home for a couple of hours while Denny sleeps. He had the nerve block injection this morning, which I thought would give instant relief, but I guess it can take a while to actually affect the nerve. The procedure could be a one time thing, or it may have to be repeated--who knows?

His anti-seizure medicine has been raised, which was expected, and today they've added yet another pill to his ever-growing list of medications. The irregular heartbeat they said not to worry about now needs a beta blocker. The bad part about that for Denny is that it could lower his already too low blood pressure. I suppose there are more things that could go wrong, but I'm really praying that God will agree that Den's been tested enough.

It looks like he'll be at St. E's for a while. At some point they will transfer him to the sub-acute unit for rehab, much like he went through in December. Hopefully his recovery time won't be as long this time around.

Keep praying!
Love,
Carla

April 26

Hi, everyone,

Things are a little better today. Denny's communication skills seem to be improving and his memory also seems a little better. Shannon, Ryan, Keira, Dave, and I were there at the same time this morning and he interacted with each of us. It was especially good to see him talk to and be interested in the little ones. He had a good lunch and stayed awake for three hours. As soon as he gets the morphine, though, it's back to sleep.

While everyone was there, Jim Richter stopped by so we all had a chance to ask questions about seizures, the medicine Den's being given, etc. Dr. Richter is so patient, kind, and calming. I am glad that Shannon and Dave were able to meet him; Chip had that opportunity when Jim came to our home to evaluate Denny's facial pain.
I always feel just a little bit more hopeful after talking with Jim.

Tomorrow Denny is scheduled to have an injection that will block the pain coming from the nerve in his face that was attacked by the shingles virus. Assuming that it works, he shouldn't need the morphine anymore. Then we can start the rehabilitation process again. I'm sure someone will be letting me know what those options will be.

Right now it's just one day at a time. Hopefully, tomorrow will be even better.

I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday. What a great day to read a book and/or take a nap. Take care.

Love,
Carla

April 24

Hi,

It's been quite a day, but we learned a lot and are hopeful that things will get better. I know all of the positive thoughts and prayers must have helped.

The good news is that the CAT scan showed no bleeding going on in Denny's brain. The MRI shows that the tumor is still stable and there is no change since November. These two positive results make the rest seem not so bad because they are treatable.

Our day started at the pain clinic. The doctor there explained that the shingles virus actually destroys the sheath that surrounds a nerve, making the pain so unbearable. Denny is still having a lot of pain in his right cheek and jaw area, so the recommendation is to numb those nerves by injections. That will be done on Monday morning. Until then the pain will be controlled with morphine.

Next, he had an EEG to investigate the seizure activity. The neurologist read the test and came to tell us that there is significant spikes on the left side of the brain, which is contributing to Denny's speech and processing abilities. The doctor seemed confident that these problems will reverse themselves over a relatively short period of time. Den has already had his first dose of the anti-seizure medicine.

They repeated the EKG done yesterday and confirmed that Denny has a slight irregular heartbeat, but that is only going to be monitored for now.

Late this afternoon Denny's temperature was a little high, so another chest X-ray was ordered and the doctor started him on an antibiotic right away because she suspects the pneumonia is coming back. That's very possible since he's had so little activity the past couple of weeks.

So, if all goes right, there should be no need for pain meds and the anti-seizure medicine might even help the fatigue. That's just a wild hope, but the chronic tiredness is still the mystery to all of the medical personnel because Den is still taking a pretty big dose of steroids.

I left him sleeping soundly and with a couple of Tylenol PM's I plan to do the same.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Good night!

Love,
Carla

April 23

Hi,
Just a quick note to let you know that Denny is back in the hospital. He had what I believe was a seizure this afternoon, prompting me to call 911 when he was unresponsive. We spent a few hours in the ER while they ran preliminary tests, but then admitted him after they did an MRI. Tomorrow he will have a neurological evaluation, and will also see an endocrinologist as well as a doctor from the pain clinic. Needless to say, it was a hectic day. Right now I am just happy that he is safe and resting comfortably at St. E's.

Please keep him in your prayers; he's been through so much. I'll update this as we learn what the tests show.

Love,
Carla

April 22

Hi to all,

Another week, another medical report. We saw Dr. Meena today, who reported that all of Denny's blood work is perfect, which is a little surprising since he just finished a tough round of chemo and is still taking medicine for pneumonia. The nerve pain in his face is still very bad sometimes, but we have everything from pain patches to morphine to deal with that. Next week we are going to see a pain specialist, who, I hope, will have something other than oral medications to deal with this. The Tegretol takes care of the pain, but it leaves Denny weak, fatigued (even more than usual,) and somewhat confused.

We are going to make another slight adjustment to the steroid intake, now going down to 5 mg. per day. In all likelihood he will have to stay on these to keep the brain swelling from the tumor under control, but less is better, if possible. We will get another look at that tumor after the next five days of chemo next month. So far it's just staying put, which is the good news in all of this. Oh, and the other good news is that it appears that all of the blood clots in Den's legs have dissolved. So when he does get enough strength to get back to exercising, it should be more comfortable for him. He was carrying about 16 pounds of water around in those swollen legs!

Thanks, again, for connecting via the blog. We surely appreciate your comments and e-mails!

Love,
Carla

So, that's it for today.

April 18

Hi,

I hope this finds all of you enjoying the warm temperatures and the hint of spring.
We are having some work done here, so my job all week is to stay one closet ahead of the new doors being installed. So far I've taken loads to Community Clothes Closet, Harbour House, the Emergency Homeless Shelter, and Goodwill. I'm making an attempt, at least, to put our packratting days behind us. I probably should have gotten rid of double the amount I did, but that could cause a real shock to my system.

Denny is midway through this round of chemo and will see the doctor again on Wednesday. The new blood work ordered by Jim Richter showed nothing abnormal, so his wings are on hold. Tapering him off the new oral medicine for the trigeminal neurolgia is what we are now trying to do, because even the tiniest bit causes major confusion and increased weakness and dizziness. It's been a really rough couple of weeks for Den. I guess the good thing is that he doesn't seem to remember any of it from day to day.

There is a team in the upcoming Sole Burner Run (American Cancer Society)who will run in Denny's name. If any of you are interested, it's on May 9th and information for participation and/or donations can be found on-line. The Xavier mom who is responsible for organizing all of this for the O-TEAM (team name) is Amanda Lauer. This is just another example of the wonderful support we have received from the ACESXavier community. Her address is 1113 N. Hawthorne Dr, 54915, and her telephone number is 739-5717. All proceeds from the Sole Burner go directly to the American Cancer Society. Hopefully the day will come when we won't have to watch those we love suffer from this horrible disease. Right now prayers and donations for research is all we have to fight with.

Unless something happens, I'll write again next week after we see Dr. Meena. Always know that we are grateful for every prayer and thought sent our way.

Love,
Carla

April 14

Hi,

It seems odd to be writing at this time of day (10:00 a.m.) I am somewhat of a night owl and usually do this toward the end of my day. But, we are on vacation this week, with no place to go except to doctor appointments, and writing beats ironing any day of the week, so here's the latest update.

It seems that now Denny has a combination of both types of pain--post herpetic neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia. That's the latest conclusion since the horrible sharp pains are gone but for the last two days he has a very sensitve reaction and a constant moderate pain across his face and into his head on the left side. That points back to the post-shingles pain and he has been completely weaned from that drug. We saw Drs. Meena and Richter yesterday and everyone is a bit baffled. New meds have been ordered and we will try to get this managed.

Let's add to everything the slight, loose cough that Den's had for about four days.
An X-ray showed that he has "early-evolving" pneumonia. More antiobiotics. Then tomorrow he will begin his sixth round of chemotherapy. He usually has no adverse reaction to that, so since it has been delayed so long we are both glad to get that underway, hoping that the tumor hasn't changed since the last MRI.

All in all, I'm glad that this is all happening while I am here full time with him.
I don't go back to work until next Tuesday, so by then things should be better. Dr. Richter is also investigating other reasons for Denny's chronic fatigue. I believe an answer to that could lead to resolving some of the other issues. I've been conveniently blaming the steroids for everything, but Jim doesn't think they are the source. I will personally make him his own set of angel wings if he can get to the bottom of the fatigue/sleeping issue. (Those of you who know me well realize that those wings will be made with a hot glue gun, but hey, wings are wings!)

I'll check in again by the end of the week. Now I will go look for another excuse not to iron.

Love,
Carla

April 7

Hi!

It's been 24 hours since Denny has experienced the horrendous pain he had been having, so I am pretty confident in sharing the news and how it came to be.

After being treated for post herpetic neuralgia for a week and getting absolutely no relief from taking the drug, Gabapentin, commonly given for that diagnosis, we had a guardian angel take over. You might remember my story of how Denny got a bed long enough for him when he was in the hospital last December. It was all because our friend and Den's family doctor, Jim Richter, went to bat to get a bed that actually fit Denny. This past Saturday morning our phone rang and it was Jim Richter, calling as a result of his wife reading the blog (thanks, Laurie!!) After listening to my description of what Den was going through, Dr. Richter told me that he believed Denny was being treated for the wrong nerve condition. A couple of hours later, he was at our house with articles written in layman's terms that clearly supported his opinion. With our oncologist on vacation and having no intentions of seeing Denny suffer any longer, Dr. R. called in a prescription for Tegretol. From the first dose, there was a noticeable decrease in the intensity of the attacks. By yesterday there was a decrease in the number and today Denny has not had any pain at all.

What Den has is called trigeminal neuralgia. It is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Denny's case seems to be limited to just one of the three nerves. While it is not usually attributed to another disorder (i.e. shingles) I suppose there could be a connection. It could also be connected to the radiation since that was on the left side, too. Most people experiencing trigeminal neuralgia have it on the right side. This might be a one-time thing or it could reoccur. We aren't even thinking about that!

So, gone are the pain patches, the pain medicines and the "pepper cream." We both got a decent night's sleep last night, and as I type Denny is looking over a few of the British Lit classes I-search papers from last term and the topic choices for the students in those classes this term.

Needless to say, it is with deep appreciation that we thank Jim Richter for what is a miracle to us. That is just the kind of doctor he is--I'm sure all of his patients get the same kind of attention. I don't know if they are accepting any new patients, but if anyone is looking for good family doctors, Jim Richter and Nancy Lindo-Drusch are the best!!!

Now Den just needs to rebuild his strength (again) and get healthy enough to get back on the chemotherapy, which seems to have stabilized the tumor. Hopefully, some decent spring weather will soon allow him to get outside to walk.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Carla

April 2

Hi,

Not too much has changed since our last entry. Denny is still experiencing sudden neuralgia attacks that do not seem to be diminishing in frequency or intensity. We saw Dr. Meena yesterday who gave us more prescriptions for our arsenal of medicines. She doubled the dosage of the Gabapentin, so he's at the maximum dosage of 1800mg each day. We got more Lidoderm pain patches, a tube of Trixaicin, and Oxycodone. The pain seems to start deep within his ear and radiate outward, so I'm not sure how anything will help, unless the Gabapentin kicks in. This "bump in the road" is the worst one so far. I sure hope it doesn't last as long as some reports say it can:(

Our love to all of you. Have a good weekend!
Carla

March 30

Hi,

By process of elimination, the horrendous pain Denny is experiencing is definitely a result of his case of shingles. The official name is post herpetic neuralgia and the pain associated with it is about as bad as pain can get. In Denny's case the pain is all in the area of his left ear and upper jaw. He rates it as a 12 out of 10! It comes on very suddenly and is so intense it takes him to his knees. He's back on Vicadin and tonight we applied a Lidoderm patch. Between the two, the pain has subsided and he is in bed for the night. How long the pain will stay gone is anyone's guess, so I know sleep will be fragmented for both of us.

If anyone has a suggestion regarding shingles, treatment, recovery, etc., I surely would appreciate any advice you might provide. Thanks in advance!!

Love,
Carla

March 27

Hi,
It's been another week of doctor appointments, tests, and new prescriptions. After repeated visits to Den's doctors, a CT scan of his skull, and the usual weekly blood tests, we are pretty much at the same place as last week, only the pain in his left ear and the area around it is worse. In short, Denny has had a miserable week. The doctors all agree that the pain is probably from the shingles, although most of them on his face, in his ears, and on his head have disappeared.

Today we met with Dr. Meena and Dr. Howard at the same time. Both advised that Denny should start on a prescription for nerve pain and stop the Tylenol and Vicadin because his liver function tests are always out of whack on those drugs. Plus, because he had developed thrush in his mouth from all of the antibiotics and steroids, he had to take an anti-fungal med for that, which also had a negative impact on the liver enzymes. Hopefully, this new drug will slowly diminish the pain
over the next few days and keep it at bay for as long as it takes to go away. Until things are better the next round of chemo is on hold.

Both doctors emphasized the positive, which is that the tumor remains unchanged.
That really is good news. Neither doctor expects Denny to be selected for the Cleveland Clinic trial because the tumor is stable, but the doctors there will have all of the records should we ever have to go there. Steve (Howard) personally knows all of the radiation oncologists at CC, so there certainly is comfort in that.

There's not much else for news. Like everyone else, we are hoping that the snow that is predicted for the weekend will find its way elsewhere. I'm ready to trade shoveling for scooping up geese poop from our front yard -- I'm really sick of winter and I'm ready for the yard work. In all honesty, though, I didn't have to do all of the shoveling this year because the seniors from school came over and took care of that most of the time. What great kids. As Denny has always said, "Only at Xavier....."

Thanks for checking in. Have a good weekend!

Love,
Carla

March 23

Hi!

Today was another learning experience (at least for me!) We went back to Dr. Meyer, the ear specialist, who confirmed what we had suspected: the ear infection wasn't completely cleared up and there was fluid behind the eardrum. That explains, in part, the earache Denny was still experiencing.

I watched on a screen as the doctor removed the infection/debris and then, after numbing the ear, he made a small incision in Den's eardrum, suctioned out the fluid, and inserted a tube (like toddlers have put in) to facilitate future drainage. It really was fascinating to watch. And what a relief for Denny! Everything sounds clear to him for the first time in a long time. It's probably my imagination, but I believe his balance is even better.

Then it was on to physical therapy, where Den's getting back on track after these past couple of weeks. Let's hope that we are back on a forward course.

Thanks for your prayers, notes, and calls. That's what keeps Den going!

Love,
Carla

March 20

Hi,

Well, there's never a dull day in O-Team Land. Today we started out at the dentist because Denny's been having an on-again-off-again toothache that we attributed to the sinus infection, shingles, etc., since it was on the left side. I called the dentist yesterday, who came in on his day off to take care of Den. It turned out to be decay under one of his crowns. The pain is gone and all is well, but we're wondering what oddball thing will happen next.

Then it was on to the oncologist, who decided to delay this round of chemotherapy because of all of the other medicines Denny is taking. A result of the potent antibiotics is the development of thrush in his mouth. So now we have a new prescription for that to prevent it from spreading to the esophagus, which would make eating and drinking very difficult. The downside of taking that medicine, which are anti-fungal pills, is that it can have a very negative affect on the liver. Hopefully, he will only have to be on it for a week, as the antibiotics end this weekend.

All in all, Den is on the mend. His ear is healing, the sinus infection seems to be gone, the shingles are slowly going away, and the swelling in his leg is going down a little each day. As he is able to do more, the increased fatigue should diminish and then he can get back to developing his strength again. Other good news is that his daily dose of steroids is being reduced, so we are happy about that.

We were so sad to see our team lose in their first game at State, but are very proud of these young men and all they have accomplished. This is surely not the worst thing they've experienced together, but I know they must be hurting. I also know that all of them are bound for success because they are decent, caring, and dedicated to achievement. We love you guys!!

I hope this finds everyone enjoying the beginning of this long awaited spring. Have a great weekend!

Love,
Carla