Praise day everyday

Last Thursday home health came out to check on me and take blood sample for my blood clot and all my vital signs as usual. When Jose was taking my needle out I got little dizzy and faint.He asked if I was O.K. and I said not really somethings not right. At that time I started seeing nothing at all and started sweating really heavy. The next thing I remember was him asking me if I could hear him. When I came to he said he could not get a pulse or blood pressure for at least 7 minutes. I actually thought this is it! He said my blood pressure was 54/32 when I came to. He called an ambulance out  then he called Judy. Loaded me up and took me to Idabel Hospital to the emergency room where I stayed for about 6 hours. More needles and more blood drawn, EKG whole 9 yards. Everything came back good. Got released came home packed our bags got up 5:00 AM Friday, had to be at Baylor at 9:00 AM with app. With my ENT. He said my jaw was 80% healed and he felt like it was going to heal alright. I was worried it was not going to heal. Thank you Lord!  Later I had to do a CT scan, of course another needle for my IV who would have guessed that. Later that afternoon we met with my oncologist Dr. Nadler. He said my scan showed no signs of cancer anywhere! Thank you Lord again!! He was not happy with my weight loss since surgery on June 4. I weighed 168 lbs. I weighed 158 when I checked in. He told Judy and I that if I did not start gaining he was going to put a feeding tube back in, that I needed more calories than I was getting. He also said the problem with me passing out was from dehydration. So now I am on a mission to get my weight up. Him and Dr. Oxford wants me back in 4 weeks.  We left Friday afternoon and went to Cedar Creek lake to Mother-in-laws lake house and stayed till Monday and came home. I can really heal better there than I can at home for some weird reason. It is so peaceful and beautiful there, we didn't want to leave. While there we visited with Sandi and Mick went boat riding and Pickin Willy and Lisa came down Saturday. We had a great visit with everyone and we ate very well, did not want to come home. Brian Cole Young a good friend  of mine came by and visited us for awhile Sunday we really had a good visit. He went to school with Judy and Sandi back in the day. Long story short I gained 3lbs. while we were there. So yes it was a Praise Day for our God!!! He is an awsome God !!! He gets all the credit even through the bad times as well as the good times! One day I know I will be pain free. Thank you Lord!!! Everyone stay safe, catch ya"ll later.

pain still hanging on

Saw this post, that Robert typed, but did not hit publish, so I am....



Hows everybody, still dealing with pain issues. Judy and I will be going to Baylor Friday for my CT SCAN and will also meet with Dr. Oxford to see if my jaw is healing or not. When we seen him on June 26 he felt like it was not healing like it should, so he said lets give it till July 30 and look at it again. I called him back last week and told him I could not wait that long that the pain was to much. My prayers is that it will heal, if not we will have another more invasive surgery to deal with. We will know something Friday

Quick Update!

Hello, wanted to post a quick update on Robert.  His home health nurse Jose came today and drew blood.  When he finished and was leaving he handed Robert the notebook to sign for his records and said all of a sudden Robert did not look good.  Robert told him he was dizzy.  Robert then became unresponsive and Jose could not get a pulse, blood pressure, lips turned blue and he had no eye responses, the episode lasted 7 minutes.  When Robert started coming around Jose told him he called an ambulance and needed to call me.  Robert had him cancel the ambulance and then call me.  Thanks to Jose being so calm and collected I did not freak out, I got home in 5 minutes and we called for an ambulance again, I did not feel comfortable driving him.  Robert is doing good now, they did blood work and cardiac tests which all came back good.  The Dr. said he feels that it was a vagal nerve issue from having the blood drawn. 

Robert has a dr. apt. with his ENT Friday at 9:00 am and then CT Scan and apt. with his Oncologist.  We have to leave at 5:30AM so I am headed to bed.  We will get the results from the scan tomorrow and will update again.

Love,
Judy

Dr. appointment in Paris

Want to thank our dear friends William and Lisa for coming up this weekend, had a really great visit. Got up this morning had Dr. appointment in Paris with my oncologist, pain still very high,weight was 158 lbs. not very good . Changed pain medicine, maybe this will help. Still praying for healing. Next Dr. appointment July 5 with Dr. Lofton. in Dequeen,Ar.

Another hot day in hochatown

Hey everybody, pain level today is down quite a bit from yesterday thank goodness. I pray this is the turning point for my healing. Home health nurse will be here around 5:oo this afternoon to check my right arm and shoulder to see how blood clot is doing. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thankful to be back home

It is nice to be back home. Thanks for all your comments. I am so thankful that I am still here, how much pain can I endure only God knows the answer to that. Thanks to my daughter for coming and staying with me and giving Judy time to get away from all this hospital madness. I would not be able to continue to go on through all this if you were not here with me, I love you so much! Please pray for me that my jaw will heal and I don't have to go through another surgery. The pain is so intense it is hard to think straight sometime. My right arm is sore from the blood clot and upper shoulder is black and purple and ugly looking. I have been poked and prodded with so many needles this past week is unbelievable. Home health comes out once a week to draw blood to stay on top of the blood clot. Thanks again everybody love Robert

Home Sweet Home!

We are home.  We left from hospital in Paris and went to Baylor for check up with the surgeon.  Robert's jaw is not healing, the stitches have ripped open leaving all the work they did exposed.  Dr. Oxford wants to give him another month to see if his jaw will start healing then and was happy to see the outside stitches have healed nicely, so he said that gives him hope he will heal on the inside.  Robert is very discouraged right now, and is having a  hard time keeping pain under control.  I told him he had several comments to read and he is looking forward to reading them.   Praying for healing! 

Still in hospital!

Robert is still in the hospital.  Sorry we have not updated, but I could not get internet access at the hospital.  They have been giving Robert coumadin and another blood thinner, not sure the name.  They need to get his blood at a 2.0 or higher and as of this morning it was 1.68.  He was hoping to come home by now. 

Cassie spent the weekend with her Dad and I can not thank her enough for the break.  Robert really enjoyed the time with her and she took really good care of him. Sandi and my cousin Greg and his wife Heidi had planned on being at Sandi's last weekend, and with Cassie staying with Robert I was able to go ahead with our plans and spend the weekend with them.  It was a wonderful weekend and they just do not know how much I needed the break.

Robert is still having quite a bit of pain, but they are managing it better in the hospital than we can at home, so with the stronger pain meds., Robert is able to eat better.  Robert is suppose to see his ENT tomorrow, and they do not want him to miss the appointment.  They are suppose to release him to go to the follow-up, or that was the last word we heard.  Robert has seen 4 different doctors since he has been at Paris Regional, and seems they all have different opinions on his care and when he can be released.  Robert is very anxious to see his ENT, the stitches inside and outside need to be taken out, Robert can not open his mouth very wide, but he feels that he has an ulcer where they have put in the plate.  That is why it is really important that he makes the apt. tomorrow.  I came home this evening and if all goes well I will pick him up in the morning and we will head to Baylor.  Robert has not been able to read your comments, but when he comes home he will get on here and read them.  Thanks so much.  Love, Judy

Back in hospital!

Robert is in Paris Regional with blood clots.  He has a big clot in the chest area and a smaller clot in his arm right below where the PIC line was.  They are giving him blood thinners, the dr. said this morning it will be a slow process and he may have to be in the hospital 3 days.  Robert's jaw pain is better being in the hospital, they are able to give him stronger pain meds.  He was having sharp pains last night where the bigger clot is, but the pain has been better this morning.  Not sure how much more we can handle, but we are thankful for our family and friends for all their prayers and support, it means everything to us during these struggling times.  Love to all, Judy

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all dads out there! Still dealing with pain, its really getting old have a spot on back of tongue that is really bad. Judy asked me this morning how much longer can I continue going with this much pain, I said I don't know surely it will be over soon. Judy went shopping today with some friends, she needed a well deserved break. Pray that tomorrow will be better than today. Have a great weekend!

trying to stay strong

good morning everyone, nurse has come and gone everything is good so far weight is down 7 lbs from surgery day. That is expected since I can't chew very good . Judy made me some pinto beans and blended them with cornbread and it was really good. Pain level about 3 which is better than 7 or 8 I've dealt with for 2 and half years. Still swollen a little. Thanks everyone for your words of  encouragement and prayers. H ope ya'll have a great day. LATER

MONDAY FIRST DAY OF BLOG FOR ME

HELLO EVERYONE MY FIRST DAY TO BLOG , EVERY MORNING 1ST THING THANK GOD FOR ANOTHER DAY,COFFEE,GET MEDICINES OUT READY FOR HOME HEALTH, CREME OF WHEAT FOR BREAKFAST, TREATMENTS TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR. MORE PAIN TODAY THAN USUAL. HOPE TO GET OUTSIDE STITCHES OUT TOMORROW OR WEDNESDAY. HAVE QUITE A FEW INSIDE BUT THEY WILL DISSOLVE ON THEIR OWN. I WILL BE ON SOFT FOODS FOR AWHILE. IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG 6 WEEKS OF HEALING. STILL USING ICE PACKS FOR SWELLING. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CALLS. THANKS TO MY WONDERFUL WIFE FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR ME, I WOULD NOT BE HERE IF IT WAS NOT FOR YOU, I LOVE YOU .      LATER

Home and settled in!

Robert and I got home last Wednesday night.  Home health came out Thursday for first iv antibiotic treatment.  Robert is to have the treatments everyday for 6 weeks.  Robert's pain level has been about a 2, until yesterday and it has been increasing and up to 6 now.  Not sure if some of the nerves are wakening up.  He is not able to eat anything but pureed foods.  I baked fish tonight thinking it would be soft enough, but it was not.  He is already tired of the pureed vegetables, so any suggestion on what he can eat will be appreciated.  He starts his day with Cream of Wheat, he said this morning "it's a good thing I like it".  Robert needs to stay at home, does not need to be around a bunch of people, we have to be careful of infections, but he does have internet and he will start tomorrow blogging himself.  Words of encouragement will be appreciated and I know he will look forward to blogging. 

Headed home soon!

Robert will be discharged today as soon as home health is set up.  Dr. Oxford has prescribed daily antibiotic treatments which will be given through iv for 6 weeks.  Robert had a good night and his pain is under control.  We are looking forward to getting home, but have enjoyed having our family together.

Robert is able to eat soft foods and has discovered my Raspberry Vanilla cookies.  Between him and Sandi I  have to make a Target stop on the way home. 

Day 1 Post Op

Robert had a good night, he has been taking Dilauded (pain medicine) every 2 hours, he says the old pain is gone, but this is a new pain.  Dr. Oxford came in this morning and Robert will be here at least another day.  When Robert gets to go home he will have IV antibiotics for 6 weeks and will have to have home health.  He is on a liquid diet and as Sandi and I are enjoying our biscuits, bacon and sausage he is just glaring at us.  Thank goodness they have us in a suite room so we are just out of throwing range from him.

It's a Miracle!

That was Robert's words after surgery!  The doctors said the surgery went very well.  They removed all the dead bone and implanted the metal plate.  They did not have to remove any teeth and said they were very pleased that there was blood in the bone under the deterioration.  Best case scenario is the jaw will heal and no more surgery.  The nurses ask Robert what his pain level is and he just says "I do not know how to answer that", he has had such pain for so long and this is a different pain.  They had a very difficult time intubating, he said that it took 4 people to hold him down while they put the tube down his nose.  That was the worst part of the day. 

We would like to say a very special thank you to our Angels of the day:  Sister Sandi, Mother and Benny, Linda and Jay, Cassie and Sandy and Kevin Nelson and Lisa Wood. 

Surgery Is Underway!

Robert is under going surgery now.  After the ct scan results Dr. Oxford and Dr. Potter have both decided that the best course of action is to remove the dead bone and implant a metal plate and not do the extensive surgery.  I believe there is more deterioration than they first thought.  They will consider going back in later to do the flap.  With the procedure they are doing today, it is not necessary for a trach, unless they get in and can not get an airway, which means a shorter hospital stay.  The surgery is to only last 3 hours.  Thanks for all your texts and support.

Love,
Judy

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial day!  Thanks to all those that serve and protect our nation. God Bless!

Robert's surgery has been scheduled for Monday, June 4th.  We will update the blog throughout the surgery and his recovery.  Thanks so much for your prayers and words of encouragement, it means everything to us.

Love,
Robert and Judy      

Blogging Again!

Update - May 21, 2012 

Hello to all our dear friends and family. Unfortunately I have an update on Robert, which means he is having health problems again. I am sorry that the only time we are updating the blog is when we have bad news to report. 

 Robert has been working full time since he returned to work after the third battle with cancer. He has had regular ct scans every 3 months since June 2011. The last scan on March 30th, 2012 showed some issues in the colon area and also in the prostrate area. His neck and chest are clear. Dr. Nadler, Robert’s oncologist recommended he get a colonoscopy and also see an urologist for the prostrate issue. 

Robert had his check up with Dr. Oxford (ENT) and Dr. Potter (Oral Plastic Surgeon) Thursday, April 26th. Robert has had a lot of pain due to his left jaw bone deteriorating from all the radiation. Dr. Potter took X-Rays and saw that there was quite a bit of deterioration from the last X-Rays taken 3 months earlier. Dr. Potter told Robert that he must have surgery now to remove the dead bone, which will be a jaw replacement surgery. Dr. Potter gave Robert 2 options for him to think about, and to see him again in a couple of weeks. Dr. Potter needed to consult with the ENT for the best course of action. The follow-up consultation was scheduled for May 17th. 

Robert had a colonoscopy on a Monday, April 22nd and Dr. Balasakran found a polyp and removed it and told us he did not think it was cancer but sent it to pathology and we would get results in about a week. 

Robert has had problems swallowing, and he had surgery scheduled Wednesday, April 25th with Dr. Burdick to stretch his throat. The surgery helped with his swallowing a little, but not much improvement. Dr. Burdick said he was able to stretch the throat as much as he was able to the year prior. 

In the mean time, Robert was to see an Urologist, Dr. Ann-Hong Tran, Dr. Nadler’s wife, the next day Thursday, April 26th she examined Robert and from the report of the CT scan felt like she needed to scope the bladder, all the prostrate tests were normal. She performed the test in her office and she discovered a polyp on Robert’s bladder. The test was very painful and she said she could not remove the polyp with Robert being in such pain, so she stopped and scheduled him to come in the following Tuesday, May1st, for a biopsy. 

 As you can imagine we were very worried at this point, such a coincidence 2 doctors found polyps. 

Monday, Dr. Balasakran called to let us know that the polyp he removed from the colon was cancer. He recommended surgery to remove part of the colon. We told him Robert had to be in Dallas the next morning and we would get with his Oncologist and go from there. 

We were very concerned about the biopsy scheduled the next morning with Dr. Tran. 

We called Dr. Nadler and informed him of the colon cancer and were told to come in Wednesday, May 2nd, morning and also he wanted Robert to go see Dr. Roberto Rodriguez. Robert’s biopsy went very well; Dr. Tran assured us that she did not think it was going to be anything to worry about; there were no characteristic signs of cancer. 

Wednesday, May 2nd, we went in to see Dr. Nadler and he told Robert with the cancer Robert had before that this was just going to be a chip shot, he would have part of his colon removed and in 2 weeks would not have to think about this again. 

We left there and met Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, he said since the report did not show him exactly where the polyp was that he needed to go back in and see if he could find where Dr. Balasakran removed the polyp before it healed over and he wanted to do an ultra sound to see if the cancer was in any lymph nodes. So another surgery was scheduled for Monday and another colon prep. 

Monday, May 7th we go to Dallas and Robert has the surgery with Rodriquez, it was difficult for him to find the area, but he eventually did. We then left to have a bite to eat, while having breakfast we received a call from Dr. Tran and the biopsy from the bladder was benign, Praise the Lord for our answered prayers. 

After breakfast we had to be in Dr. Rodriguez’s office for the ultra sound, which was more extensive then we thought it would be, Sandi and I were able to be in the room with him for that, and let’s just say, Robert is a trooper. The ultra sound did not show any signs of cancer in the lymph nodes and Dr. Rodriguez said he believed that the cancer was only in the polyp, but to be 100% sure he needed to go in and remove tissue from around the polyp. Yes another surgical procedure scheduled Monday, May 14th and yes colon prep for Robert. If you’re counting that is 3 in just over 2 weeks. Robert has lost quite a bit of weight lately, I believe due to the stress on his body from the jaw bone pain he is in constantly. 

We left Sunday, Mother’s Day and went to Cedar Creek to spend the night for the Monday, May 14th surgery. The surgery to remove the tissue was no problem at all. The complications were trying to get an air way on Robert. We told the anesthesiologists about the complications from all the scar tissue in Robert’s neck. It just so happened, his ENT was doing surgery the same morning so he was able to consult with the anesthesiologists on the best course of action to obtain an air way. They felt that they should not intubate as you would normally, but had to put a rather large tube up his nose. That was the most painful for Robert in recovery. 

We stayed at Cedar Creek until the appointment with Dr. Potter Thursday to determine what could be done regarding the jaw bone. 

Thursday – May 17th, - Dr. Potter has informed us what he has decided will be the best way to go: he will go in remove the dead jaw bone and insert a piece of metal, Dr. Oxford will also be assisting in the all day surgery and he will then try to find blood vessels in Robert’s neck to tie into. If he can find good blood flow, they will remove bone from Robert’s hip and pack the bone in the metal plate and then they will remove a vein out of Robert’s arm, from the wrist up to the middle of his arm and wrap the metal plate with the vein and then tie into the blood vessels. If Dr. Oxford can not find good blood vessels then they will not remove the vein and Robert will just have the metal plate. The risks from the surgery are: more bone deterioration will occur, the metal plate could break and the highest risk is that when they go back in Robert’s neck it will create more scar tissue and he will not be able to swallow at all. He has a really hard time swallowing right now as it is. Robert told Dr. Potter, go ahead and schedule the surgery that he could not live with the pain anymore. Surgery is being scheduled. Robert has to do another CT scan before the surgery, which we are hoping will be week of the 21st. 

 Friday – May 18th, - Dr. Rodriguez’s assistant called and said that no malignancy was found in the colon tissue, more answered prayers, thank you Jesus, You are gracious! Robert will not have to do any radiation or chemo, and they will just keep eye on him. 

 O.k., I know all this is over whelming and we know that God answers prayers, so we want to tell you what are specific prayer requests are: 

Our heavenly Father, please be with the gifted surgeons as they perform this difficult surgery, please let the surgery be a success. We ask that the surgeons find good blood flow and are able to tie the vein and give Robert a chance to build new bone and to be pain free for the first time in over two years. We ask you Father to please let Robert still have the ability to swallow as he heals. We thank you for your son, who died on that cross that horrible day for us and the forgiveness of our sins. In your name, Amen 

 We will keep you posted as we move through these very difficult times, and we will be posting our specific prayer requests as they change from day to day. Thanks so much for prayers.  Robert and Judy