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
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
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
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
Saturday, August 15, 2009
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
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
Friday, August 7, 2009
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
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
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