I am sure that most of you know that my Dad passed peacefully at home on Sat June 14, 2014. He was exactly one month from his 84th birthday. Mum and Dad's 62nd wedding anniversary was June 27. We had his memorial service on June 25. It was a lovely service, very true to him, and very well attended.
It still seems like a very bad dream. He lived his life well. We love him dearly and will alway remember his love and care for us.
I have been back to work since June7 and it has been going well. My probation time is now complete and my position is permanent. I thoroughly enjoy my evening position.
Jeff should be starting back to work in the next 2 weeks.
Thanks to everyone who has followed along during the most challenging 4months of our lives. It is so good to have caring family and friends in times such as these. I don't know if there will be any more entries on this blog. Blessings to all, Dorothy
Jeffery's Journey
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
I know that this blog was supposed to be about Jeffery's journey through open heart surgery but as you know that is not the only challenge our family has been going through in the last 4 months.
To update you about my Dad, he had a total of 2 rounds of chemo and 5 days of radiation. The radiation was needed to try and shrink the tumor in his esophagus because it had started bleeding. The bleeding caused him to vomit blood during the night and he went by ambulance to the Victoria General Hospital. Unfortunately, the radiation hit him really hard. It left him incredibly weak. About a week later, Dad decided to stop all cancer treatments. That was about 4 weeks ago.
He is now on palliative care and is remaining at home. He receives an IV every other day- overnight. The IV makes a huge difference in the following day. Without it, he sleeps most of the day,eats and drinks very little. With the IV he still feels weak but he gets up in the chair, sits in the sunroom, drinks better. On a good day he may even eat something! That is huge!
He is incredibly thin, but he has NO pain for which we are very thankful for. He is having much better quality of life on palliative. No more running seeing doctors, having tests, waiting for treatments etc etc.
He now uses a wheelchair to go from bed to anywhere in the house.
Have I mentioned CANCER SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the overnight IV run with a pump, Hilary has been staying overnight as well. She is SO good with the medical / physical part of all this and works with the palliative nurse to get er done. Dad is receiving wonderful care at home. Mum has been taking care of EVERYONE. She is wearing herself out. While we are there helping she refuses to go take a nap, or take much time for herself. So we bring meals, spend time with her when Dad sleeps, do the yard work, take care of Dad's car, bring baking etc. Everyone in the family has been helping and visiting. That is wonderful.
Jeff is now finished the cardiac rehab program at the Wellness Institute. It is a very good program of education and exercise. Now he will continue to go there 2-3 times a week on his own. Not sure when he will go back to work, he needs the doctor's OK on that. He still goes for weekly blood tests and changes of his Coumadin meds but now his own GP is looking after that. He is gaining his strength back but at times he does too much and feels dizzy. His incision has healed nicely.
I will be going back to work on June 7. I will let you know how that goes!
Finally an update on the blog! Take care everyone and thanks again for you prayer support! Dorothy
To update you about my Dad, he had a total of 2 rounds of chemo and 5 days of radiation. The radiation was needed to try and shrink the tumor in his esophagus because it had started bleeding. The bleeding caused him to vomit blood during the night and he went by ambulance to the Victoria General Hospital. Unfortunately, the radiation hit him really hard. It left him incredibly weak. About a week later, Dad decided to stop all cancer treatments. That was about 4 weeks ago.
He is now on palliative care and is remaining at home. He receives an IV every other day- overnight. The IV makes a huge difference in the following day. Without it, he sleeps most of the day,eats and drinks very little. With the IV he still feels weak but he gets up in the chair, sits in the sunroom, drinks better. On a good day he may even eat something! That is huge!
He is incredibly thin, but he has NO pain for which we are very thankful for. He is having much better quality of life on palliative. No more running seeing doctors, having tests, waiting for treatments etc etc.
He now uses a wheelchair to go from bed to anywhere in the house.
Have I mentioned CANCER SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the overnight IV run with a pump, Hilary has been staying overnight as well. She is SO good with the medical / physical part of all this and works with the palliative nurse to get er done. Dad is receiving wonderful care at home. Mum has been taking care of EVERYONE. She is wearing herself out. While we are there helping she refuses to go take a nap, or take much time for herself. So we bring meals, spend time with her when Dad sleeps, do the yard work, take care of Dad's car, bring baking etc. Everyone in the family has been helping and visiting. That is wonderful.
Jeff is now finished the cardiac rehab program at the Wellness Institute. It is a very good program of education and exercise. Now he will continue to go there 2-3 times a week on his own. Not sure when he will go back to work, he needs the doctor's OK on that. He still goes for weekly blood tests and changes of his Coumadin meds but now his own GP is looking after that. He is gaining his strength back but at times he does too much and feels dizzy. His incision has healed nicely.
I will be going back to work on June 7. I will let you know how that goes!
Finally an update on the blog! Take care everyone and thanks again for you prayer support! Dorothy
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
APRIL FOOLS WINNIPEG--STILL WAITING FOR SPRING!!!!!
Hey everyone,
I guess I have not posted yet this month and now it is half way through the new month. We saw a small taste of spring last week and it was great. Yesterday was a cold wind day. Enough of that, Bring on the Spring!
This morning Jeffery will have his blood drawn again to check the clotting time. He has been doing well. Still finding he is tired early in the evening. We were able to get the last available spot in April for the cardiac rehab class at the Wellness Institute connected to Seven Oaks General Hospital. The next class would start the end of May. There is an intake interview where his baseline info will be gathered and then exercises can be developed from that. April 28 will be the first class. It runs for 12 weeks and I believe it is 3 times each week. There is a learning component of cardiac conditions, diet, exercise etc. I will go with him for the first couple of weeks until he can go on the bus himself. The one bus takes us from our front door to the Wellness. Jeff is a member at the Wellness, he also did the respiratory rehab there 2 years ago. That really helped him to be in shape when we found out that he needed heart surgery.
I will be having eye surgery this week on Thursday morning. I stay overnight and will be discharged the morning of Good Friday. We are having lunch with John's side of the family at Donwood Manor with his Dad. After that, I will come home to rest and the rest of the family will probably head to Gerhard and Cindy's for coffee. I worked my last shift Sunday and now I will be off work until the first week of June. I guess that is my "Spring Break".
My Dad has had some rough days lately. He is very weak. He went for bloodwork yesterday; they feel he has more fluid gathering on his lung and he is loosing weight. They have cancelled chemo for this week because of the weakness. He may go to Oncology on Thursday for IV fluids before the long Easter weekend. The oncology at the Victoria Hospital is closed Friday and Monday. They will try to give the second round of chemo next week. I am heading over there this afternoon to spend some time.
We still have home care for Jeff until this week. I cancelled the service after that. John and Ian are home all weekend and after that Jeff and I will look after each other. I am trying to get groceries, medications ahead of time because I won't be driving now for a couple of weeks.
Please pray for my Dad and Mom as they walk this journey and us kids to support them the best we can. Please also remember Jeffery and myself this week.
Blessed Easter wishes to everyone. HE IS RISEN!!! INDEED. Blessings, Dorothy
I guess I have not posted yet this month and now it is half way through the new month. We saw a small taste of spring last week and it was great. Yesterday was a cold wind day. Enough of that, Bring on the Spring!
This morning Jeffery will have his blood drawn again to check the clotting time. He has been doing well. Still finding he is tired early in the evening. We were able to get the last available spot in April for the cardiac rehab class at the Wellness Institute connected to Seven Oaks General Hospital. The next class would start the end of May. There is an intake interview where his baseline info will be gathered and then exercises can be developed from that. April 28 will be the first class. It runs for 12 weeks and I believe it is 3 times each week. There is a learning component of cardiac conditions, diet, exercise etc. I will go with him for the first couple of weeks until he can go on the bus himself. The one bus takes us from our front door to the Wellness. Jeff is a member at the Wellness, he also did the respiratory rehab there 2 years ago. That really helped him to be in shape when we found out that he needed heart surgery.
I will be having eye surgery this week on Thursday morning. I stay overnight and will be discharged the morning of Good Friday. We are having lunch with John's side of the family at Donwood Manor with his Dad. After that, I will come home to rest and the rest of the family will probably head to Gerhard and Cindy's for coffee. I worked my last shift Sunday and now I will be off work until the first week of June. I guess that is my "Spring Break".
My Dad has had some rough days lately. He is very weak. He went for bloodwork yesterday; they feel he has more fluid gathering on his lung and he is loosing weight. They have cancelled chemo for this week because of the weakness. He may go to Oncology on Thursday for IV fluids before the long Easter weekend. The oncology at the Victoria Hospital is closed Friday and Monday. They will try to give the second round of chemo next week. I am heading over there this afternoon to spend some time.
We still have home care for Jeff until this week. I cancelled the service after that. John and Ian are home all weekend and after that Jeff and I will look after each other. I am trying to get groceries, medications ahead of time because I won't be driving now for a couple of weeks.
Please pray for my Dad and Mom as they walk this journey and us kids to support them the best we can. Please also remember Jeffery and myself this week.
Blessed Easter wishes to everyone. HE IS RISEN!!! INDEED. Blessings, Dorothy
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Happy Saturday Everyone
Hey everyone;
Thursday Jeff saw his own family doctor and we delivered the envelope of information sent home with us from the hospital discharge. His blood pressure was excellent and his incision is healing well. We mentioned to Dr Johnson that Jeff had some numbness in his left hand and lower arm, Tuesday evening. It was brief but it involved his pinkie and ring finger and went to his elbow. Felt like his arm had fallen asleep. The doc did not think it was related to his surgery. Also, Jeff had a brief nosebleed on Wed. Thursday Jeff had blood drawn to check his INR- tells how well the coumadin is working at thinning the blood. We went to the lab in Dr Johnson's office . We normally get the results in 2 hours when it is drawn at the hospital and then we are informed how much coumadin to take. Well because it had been done in the community the results took longer. The hospital called and said to keep his coumadin at 3 mg until they get the results on Friday. That was fine.
That same day, Sherry came to stay with Jeff in the afternoon. I was able to get things caught up at home, and also laid down for a nap. Then in the evening I had a great evening with my best friend Shel having supper out and doing some shopping. Meanwhile, back at the ranch......Jeff got picked up to go visit with some of his buddies. They had a fun evening playing games etc. Ian got an evening off to rest and relax and John was working his usual Thursday evening.
Friday came and, Jeff and I did some errands and Jeff had planned to have a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. He was up a bit too late Thursday evening for him right now. I had planned to get my hair cut, get the van gassed up and washed etc. I had just finished my haircut when there was a call from home. The hospital had called because of Jeff's blood results and they wanted him back at the hospital in 30 min, and they would send a cab! So I quickly got home and took him to the hospital. Sherry had called and she was hoping that I wasn't upset that she had called. Bless her heart. So she only was at our house for one hour before we had to leave. The hospital was concerned because Jeff's blood was too thick and could have clotted. He was given an injection and we were instructed to give a needle on Sat/Sun and possibly Mon along with the coumadin pills each day as well. Then to return on Monday to have more blood drawn. We also needed to get this med at the Shopper's Drug mart in the hospital. It probably wasn't available in our own pharmacy they told us. We waited about 30 min for the med. In the meantime, Jeff was tired from all the walking but he wouldn't let me put him in a wheelchair for the ride through the tunnels back to the main hospital.We sat on the comfortable arm chairs outside the pharmacy and I got us each a Timmy's. We got home at 1700 hr from our adventure. When Jeff's surgeon had called and talked to Jeff, Jeff said, "I was 6 min away from having my nap!!" and then he also asked, "whose paying for the cab?" My boy, my boy!!
He was ticked off that he missed a nap that he REALY needed. When we got home at 1700hr I convinced him to lie down for an hour until supper was ready and then go to bed early. Which he did. This whole week he had not napped in the afternoon, but Friday he needed one. Go figure!!
So Friday was also the morning that my parents were meeting at Cancer Care to be assessed for radiation. The stint that was inserted in Dad's esophagus is doing the job to let him eat more. Because it is working well it was decided to forget radiation and go forward with chemo. They said the side effects of the radiation would be worse and they did not need this added treatment to shrink the tumor if the stint was doing the job. They hope to start chemo at the Victoria hospital on Wed April 3. I say, GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!!
This morning Dad was able to eat Cheerios with milk, special K breakfast drink and he is also enjoying a protein shake recipe given to them to try.
I now go to work Sat and Sun evening from 16-24 hours. Next week I only work Thurs evening. Thank goodness. TTFN, Dorothy
Thursday Jeff saw his own family doctor and we delivered the envelope of information sent home with us from the hospital discharge. His blood pressure was excellent and his incision is healing well. We mentioned to Dr Johnson that Jeff had some numbness in his left hand and lower arm, Tuesday evening. It was brief but it involved his pinkie and ring finger and went to his elbow. Felt like his arm had fallen asleep. The doc did not think it was related to his surgery. Also, Jeff had a brief nosebleed on Wed. Thursday Jeff had blood drawn to check his INR- tells how well the coumadin is working at thinning the blood. We went to the lab in Dr Johnson's office . We normally get the results in 2 hours when it is drawn at the hospital and then we are informed how much coumadin to take. Well because it had been done in the community the results took longer. The hospital called and said to keep his coumadin at 3 mg until they get the results on Friday. That was fine.
That same day, Sherry came to stay with Jeff in the afternoon. I was able to get things caught up at home, and also laid down for a nap. Then in the evening I had a great evening with my best friend Shel having supper out and doing some shopping. Meanwhile, back at the ranch......Jeff got picked up to go visit with some of his buddies. They had a fun evening playing games etc. Ian got an evening off to rest and relax and John was working his usual Thursday evening.
Friday came and, Jeff and I did some errands and Jeff had planned to have a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. He was up a bit too late Thursday evening for him right now. I had planned to get my hair cut, get the van gassed up and washed etc. I had just finished my haircut when there was a call from home. The hospital had called because of Jeff's blood results and they wanted him back at the hospital in 30 min, and they would send a cab! So I quickly got home and took him to the hospital. Sherry had called and she was hoping that I wasn't upset that she had called. Bless her heart. So she only was at our house for one hour before we had to leave. The hospital was concerned because Jeff's blood was too thick and could have clotted. He was given an injection and we were instructed to give a needle on Sat/Sun and possibly Mon along with the coumadin pills each day as well. Then to return on Monday to have more blood drawn. We also needed to get this med at the Shopper's Drug mart in the hospital. It probably wasn't available in our own pharmacy they told us. We waited about 30 min for the med. In the meantime, Jeff was tired from all the walking but he wouldn't let me put him in a wheelchair for the ride through the tunnels back to the main hospital.We sat on the comfortable arm chairs outside the pharmacy and I got us each a Timmy's. We got home at 1700 hr from our adventure. When Jeff's surgeon had called and talked to Jeff, Jeff said, "I was 6 min away from having my nap!!" and then he also asked, "whose paying for the cab?" My boy, my boy!!
He was ticked off that he missed a nap that he REALY needed. When we got home at 1700hr I convinced him to lie down for an hour until supper was ready and then go to bed early. Which he did. This whole week he had not napped in the afternoon, but Friday he needed one. Go figure!!
So Friday was also the morning that my parents were meeting at Cancer Care to be assessed for radiation. The stint that was inserted in Dad's esophagus is doing the job to let him eat more. Because it is working well it was decided to forget radiation and go forward with chemo. They said the side effects of the radiation would be worse and they did not need this added treatment to shrink the tumor if the stint was doing the job. They hope to start chemo at the Victoria hospital on Wed April 3. I say, GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!!
This morning Dad was able to eat Cheerios with milk, special K breakfast drink and he is also enjoying a protein shake recipe given to them to try.
I now go to work Sat and Sun evening from 16-24 hours. Next week I only work Thurs evening. Thank goodness. TTFN, Dorothy
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Hi everyone,
Jeff had his follow up appointment on Monday and all went well. He also had a chest Xray and blood drawn for his Coumadin level. Monday was also the start of respite. A lovely lady, Sherrie is now coming Mon-Fri to stay with Jeff while I leave for work and until John is home. It has been working out well. Jeff wants to play checkers and Sherrie said she is a little rusty, that's OK Jeff thinks he will have an advantage and win!!
Tuesday, a health care aid named Peter came to help Jeff take his first shower at home. Turns out this is the same Peter who used to come to Dad Wiens/Opa when they were still in their house on Devon and also in the high rise at Donwood. I recognized him. He remembers Dad and was happy to hear that he is still well.
Peter will come next week as well to help Jeff. After that he will probably be stronger and able to shower himself. We are very thankful for the help. I leave for work knowing that he is in good hands.
On days when I don't work like tomorrow I can get other things done.
Tomorrow afternoon I am going to visit my parents at their house. My Dad had a stint inserted into his esophagus last Friday (the day Jeff was discharged and came home). Today, Dad was able to eat/swallow mashed potatoes and gravy!!!!! On Friday this week, he is going to Cancer Care to talk about the radiation treatments.My nephew, Christopher will meet them there to hear what the doctor has to say. Then he can let the rest of us in on the visit. I am so thankful for our family.
Jeff is definitely feeling better. This morning when I got up he had washed the dishes left on the counter and proudly told me with a big smile on his face. I said '' THERE'S MY BOY BACK!!
Thanks for checking the blog. TTFN, Dorothy
PS- Jeff got a card today from his cousin in Alberta with gift cards to iTunes. Thank you Karen for thinking about Jeff and sending this. It made him smile. Love Auntie
Jeff had his follow up appointment on Monday and all went well. He also had a chest Xray and blood drawn for his Coumadin level. Monday was also the start of respite. A lovely lady, Sherrie is now coming Mon-Fri to stay with Jeff while I leave for work and until John is home. It has been working out well. Jeff wants to play checkers and Sherrie said she is a little rusty, that's OK Jeff thinks he will have an advantage and win!!
Tuesday, a health care aid named Peter came to help Jeff take his first shower at home. Turns out this is the same Peter who used to come to Dad Wiens/Opa when they were still in their house on Devon and also in the high rise at Donwood. I recognized him. He remembers Dad and was happy to hear that he is still well.
Peter will come next week as well to help Jeff. After that he will probably be stronger and able to shower himself. We are very thankful for the help. I leave for work knowing that he is in good hands.
On days when I don't work like tomorrow I can get other things done.
Tomorrow afternoon I am going to visit my parents at their house. My Dad had a stint inserted into his esophagus last Friday (the day Jeff was discharged and came home). Today, Dad was able to eat/swallow mashed potatoes and gravy!!!!! On Friday this week, he is going to Cancer Care to talk about the radiation treatments.My nephew, Christopher will meet them there to hear what the doctor has to say. Then he can let the rest of us in on the visit. I am so thankful for our family.
Jeff is definitely feeling better. This morning when I got up he had washed the dishes left on the counter and proudly told me with a big smile on his face. I said '' THERE'S MY BOY BACK!!
Thanks for checking the blog. TTFN, Dorothy
PS- Jeff got a card today from his cousin in Alberta with gift cards to iTunes. Thank you Karen for thinking about Jeff and sending this. It made him smile. Love Auntie
Monday, March 24, 2014
GOOD MORNING,
Well we had a full weekend, but not what you think. We weren't out "running the roads" as my friend from New Brunswick would say. Our Saturday consisted of meals and sleep. In the afternoon, all 4 of us had "horizontal hour"(that's a term from Faith Bible Camp in 1969). A time after lunch for quiet time, sometimes you slept, sometimes not. Well we DID sleep. I had intended to get caught up on laundry, get groceries in the house, organize Jeff's meds etc. Well we were all too tired to do any of that.(exhausted actually)
We don't usually go shopping on Sunday, but we had to this week. Seems like that is when EVERYONE else gets their groceries. What a crowd!! While John and I went for groceries etc, Ian took Jeff with him to get his car washed. Jeff sat in the car while Ian washed his car. Not too exciting, but exciting enough for the patient who had open heart surgery 10 days earlier. Sunday evening I organized Jeff's meds into the brand new super cool "med reminder",and got caught up on house cleaning and laundry.
Today, Jeff has a 1130hr discharge appointment back at St Boniface-IH Asper building. They will check his heart and lungs and take blood. Now that he is on Coumadin, he will need regular blood work to check his clotting time. Then we adjust his dosage according to how thin or thick his blood it. I don't know how long the appointment takes, but I phoned home care today to ask the worker to start at 1330 instead of 1300 hr to give us a chance to get back home.
I am also on the phone to make his follow up appointment with his family doctor. He will be the one to monitor Jeff's coumadin and blood work. Luckily, his office has a lab in it. Very convenient.
I have been thinking alot about the size of the aneurysm that Jeff had. It is no coincidence that a cancellation became available and his surgery was scheduled for two days later. The heart surgeon told us that the aneurysm was the size of a tennis ball. It is no coincidence that he was given that date. It is completely a God moment. There is no such thing as coincidences! Praise God that the surgery was done then after waiting 16 months on the waiting list. TTFN, Dorothy
Well we had a full weekend, but not what you think. We weren't out "running the roads" as my friend from New Brunswick would say. Our Saturday consisted of meals and sleep. In the afternoon, all 4 of us had "horizontal hour"(that's a term from Faith Bible Camp in 1969). A time after lunch for quiet time, sometimes you slept, sometimes not. Well we DID sleep. I had intended to get caught up on laundry, get groceries in the house, organize Jeff's meds etc. Well we were all too tired to do any of that.(exhausted actually)
We don't usually go shopping on Sunday, but we had to this week. Seems like that is when EVERYONE else gets their groceries. What a crowd!! While John and I went for groceries etc, Ian took Jeff with him to get his car washed. Jeff sat in the car while Ian washed his car. Not too exciting, but exciting enough for the patient who had open heart surgery 10 days earlier. Sunday evening I organized Jeff's meds into the brand new super cool "med reminder",and got caught up on house cleaning and laundry.
Today, Jeff has a 1130hr discharge appointment back at St Boniface-IH Asper building. They will check his heart and lungs and take blood. Now that he is on Coumadin, he will need regular blood work to check his clotting time. Then we adjust his dosage according to how thin or thick his blood it. I don't know how long the appointment takes, but I phoned home care today to ask the worker to start at 1330 instead of 1300 hr to give us a chance to get back home.
I am also on the phone to make his follow up appointment with his family doctor. He will be the one to monitor Jeff's coumadin and blood work. Luckily, his office has a lab in it. Very convenient.
I have been thinking alot about the size of the aneurysm that Jeff had. It is no coincidence that a cancellation became available and his surgery was scheduled for two days later. The heart surgeon told us that the aneurysm was the size of a tennis ball. It is no coincidence that he was given that date. It is completely a God moment. There is no such thing as coincidences! Praise God that the surgery was done then after waiting 16 months on the waiting list. TTFN, Dorothy
Friday, March 21, 2014
Discharge Day
Well, I just got the call from St Boniface that they have respite arranged. Respite can start Monday -Friday from 1300-1800 this coming Monday. Jeff will have his lunch at the hospital and then I can bring him home. We will need to stop at the pharmacy to pick up his medications on our way home.
I work evenings tonight but Ian and John will be here holding down the fort.
Tomorrow we will have a chance to set things upstairs for Jeff so he doesn't need to go downstairs.
We will be finally able to catch up at home with the things that have been left. We have had a busy last 10 days or so.
Thanks to everyone who sent cards, food, visited and especially kept our family in prayer. We felt that support.
Talk to you soon. TTFN=ta ta for now! Dorothy
I work evenings tonight but Ian and John will be here holding down the fort.
Tomorrow we will have a chance to set things upstairs for Jeff so he doesn't need to go downstairs.
We will be finally able to catch up at home with the things that have been left. We have had a busy last 10 days or so.
Thanks to everyone who sent cards, food, visited and especially kept our family in prayer. We felt that support.
Talk to you soon. TTFN=ta ta for now! Dorothy
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