A Request

I had this idea tonight, to ask those of you who check in frequently, to post a memory or two that you share with Diane.

I don't know if you have noticed this, but if you scroll WAY down to the bottom of this website, there is a counter. From this I can see who is visiting this website. It doesn't tell me who you are, but it just gives a city and a state. (and not for everyone, a lot of times it just says "unknown." But I've got Millboro, Stafford and Burke, Virginia: Rudd, St. Charles, Cedar Rapids, Huxley, West Des Moines, Knoxville, Iowa: Lincoln, NE...+ others.

I don't know who you all are, but you obviously know Diane. It's impossible for any of us to know the extent that our lives have reached, or the influence we've had over those we've known.

But if you wouldn't mind, and if you could make your memories public, please send them to hnandell@gmail.com. I will post them as is, I will not edit them. If you have a picture to go along, that's even better.

And PLEASE sign the guest book! All you have to do is click on the small blue words, "leave a response" and then fill in the blanks. If you have a comment for any of the photos, just click on "comment" and fill it in.

Bob and Diane check the website frequently and look forward to your comments.

God Bless,

Heather

Saturday Update from Bob

The hospice nurse told me to quit trying to make her eat stuff. if she doesn't want it, she doesn't want it. If she decides she wants something and we don't have it, run over and get some. don't worry about how much she does or doesn't eat.

The idea of the other hospice nurse to have one pill sooth the duodenal ulcer followed by one to coat the stomach to prevent nausea ( a so called one-two punch) for the greater part is working. yay.

The hospice people mentioned that as things progress they may change to a pain med. that is not 'stomach reliant.'

The Fentanyl patch was upped from a 12 to a 50 every 72 hours.

The hospice nurse today told me to get the hell out of here for an hour every so often so I don't get overly whacked out about every cough and every sound. While Kara and Phil and their urchies were here I did the grocery shopping so was gone for almost an hour.

We also changed her scenery.

We got her into one of her new zipper dresses and got her out to the couch. The dogs love it.

The Basenjis are sleeping at her feet. They very very happy.

I have my computer out here with me.

I asked diane if she wanted anything. all she said was 'just sit here.

so, here we are.

two old swans. one on the couch, one in the chair, fox news on the tv, sun going down behind the pretty trees across the street. I wouldn't trade the moment for a million bucks.

love you all - dad

A Good Night

we were sitting out on the couch for awhile talking, huddled together like a pair of old swans. I treasure that moment. This morning we did the one-two punch. pill for duodenum first, then anti-nausea, then some vanilla pudding. so far so good. if she can keep that down, and then follow with a few sips of milk we may have a good day start. She kept her 4:00 a.m. hydrocodone down with water. The dogs gave us a helluva break. they slept in until 8;00.
thanks again for coming down here yesterday. although i didn't have time to play with my old minimilitary junk with my little men, it was great to see them and have them around. good guys.
love-dad

Today we met with the hospice nurse, Jennifer, and the Mercy social worker, Nancy. They were both very nice. Jennifer called in a prescription for a couple new nausea meds that will hopefully work better than the two current ones. (Through hospice, these two meds cost $.54/each. A lot better than the $1000. pills that weren't working!)

She also ordered a wedge pillow so it will be easier for Diane to sit up in bed and might also help with the nausea. Bob asked her to come over twice a week for now. Hospice offers a lot of different services that can be added as needed. The nurse will come again on Saturday morning.

Saturday afternoon, Kara and family will be down for some "photo-therapy." (which means sitting around looking through photos) You can't even imagine how many boxes (and boxes and boxes) of photos there are!!

David's family will do the same on Sunday.

Friday will be a rest day for both Bob and Diane.

Please remember to sign the guest book! Thanks. =]

Hospice

Going over soon to be there when the hospice nurse arrives. Will post an update when I get home.

International

We've had visitors from Stockholm, Sweden and Australia!

Please be sure to sign the guest book! Thanks!

Here we go again

From Bob:

we will have consultation with oncologist at 11:30 next Wed. Aug. 4. IF there is a chance for mild chemo decision at that time will be made. Dr. said he does not want to do harm. If chemo would do more harm, or risk infection, will not be done.

No chemo today

There is a blood test that has not come back yet, so they are not doing chemo today. Dr told Bob there wasn't any point in doing it anyway.

????

Aren't doctors great?

Update from Bob

update
don't have time to write much. we're waiting for call from dr. hettinger himself.
we may not have a chemo appt. today.
the one cell type test (usually takes 10-12 days to get back) is not back..
preliminary blood tests on samples from week ago wednesday are indicating that chemo may do more harm than good at this advanced stage.
they are afraid that chemo could possibly trigger infection since immune system already weak.
nurse called 15 min. ago when I had her in shower.
dr. himself supposed to call any moment.
at this point we don't know if were gonna have an appt. today at all.
is chance that could have chemo appt. next wed. if tests indicated okay to use the one drug.
we're at a critical point here.
will let you know instant we're done talking to doc.
will let you know if we still have an appt. today for consultation.
weight is holding at 143. same as July 25.
is becoming a bit more groggy. unsteady on feet at times to and from bathroom.
stay in touch'

From Dixon and Marlene Marsh

We are totally shocked in hearing the news. We'll be praying for you daily.

Dixon and Marlene

From Bob

The nausea is becoming worse, she is down to just straight milk, ice water, and an occasional HyVee vanilla pudding cup. The two anti-nausea pills together work only some of the time. The crucial thing is to be able to get her six-hour Hydrocodone pain pill down and kept down. I called the office and they said don't worry about the other meds., do what it takes to get the Hydrocodone down.

She starts what they call Palliative Chemo tomorrow (Wednesday.) Palliative is a type of chemotherapy that is given specifically to address symptom management without expecting to significantly reduce the cancer.

The Mercy social worker and hospice nurse will come Thursday morning.

Submitted by Mary Stephens

So far we've had visitors from Leasburg, MO; Huxley, IA; Chicago, IL; Des Moines, IA; Whitewater, WI; Rudd, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA and Mountain View, CA.

(Not all locations show up, so don't worry if your city/state is not listed.

Fourth of July Parade 1998

From Bob

new nausea pill is working. she wanted watermelon. i ran and got her some. so far so good.

she is down to 143 pounds. That's down seven from last Wed. when we went to the oncologist.

Oncologist said to expect that. It is typical at this stage of things.

From Bob: we are in process of getting another anti-nausea drug if we can get the nurse, who is right now at an out-of-town clinic, connected with our pharmacy. Otherwise she is resting okay this morning.

Submitted by Kara Berg

Submitted by Kara Berg

Submitted by Kara Berg

Submitted by Kara Berg

Three Generations

Some recent pictures