Celebrating Christmas with Family

The following slide show gives a glimpse of the Christmas Celebration with those in the family that were able to attend. Good food, good fellowship and thankful for each moment.......

Preparing for Christmas. . . .

Dad's hair was growing in nicely and then the full head Radiation caused it to start falling out again. In preparation for the family Christmas Party, he had a meeting with the razor!!!

Kevin had to help out as Connie didn't know what she was doing with a razor and shaving cream on the head!!! After looking in the mirror, Dad said, "I look like Eric" (his nephew with the same hair cut).

Due to severe hip pain, he has not been sleeping well at night. The doctors said he could only take a baby aspirin, which obviously didn't help much. Mom was able to convinced the doctor that Dad needed relief. Way to go Momma Bear!!!! He now has a prescription for a pain medicine which helps. It is a low dose of a addictive narcotic that makes him too sleepy, therefore, he will only be taking it when absolutely necessary. His hip is so bad that he has to use his walker even in the house. Dad has had significant hearing loss since December 1. Mom has been patient and is taking great care of her guy.

Other than the pain, he is doing well - last night he said he was feeling pretty good. He has been snuggled up at home in his chair watching the snow pile up!! He is planning to go to the doctor on Friday and to the Family Christmas Party on Saturday. Thank you, God, for every day that we have with this wonderful man!!! It will be a Blessed Christmas in our family - thank you for uplifting us in prayer.

Levi and Bumpa

This picture was taken while Dad was in the hospital.

This is Levi and his Great-Grandpa (better known as "Bumpa").

These two guys are buddies and they love each other very much.

A nice picture of Grandpa, Tera and "little" Kevin

Grand-daughter, Tera, drove up from Indiana this past week-end to visit her Grandpa. Her son, Kevin enjoyed time with Great-Grandpa Bob!!

Grandpa sure looks happy to see them.

Good Time!!!!

Radiation Treatments complete.....

Dad had his 10th Radiation Treatment today. This completes the radiation treatments to the brain for now. He is scheduled for "possible" GAMMA Knife procedure on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. On that day, an MRI will determine if the radiation treatments reduced the tumors enough to qualify him for the GAMMA Knife procedure. It will take 5-7 hours for the entire process, he will come home that day with little to no side effects. The wind chill is bitter today - it is a blessing that he is finished with this round of treatment so that he doesn't have to go out in the cold each day.

His dosage of medicine (Steroids) that reduce the swelling of the brain will be gradually decreased over the next couple week - we must look for neurological changes as the medicine is changed.

Specific prayer requests:

• Radiation does it's job and reduces the size of the tumors


• that Dad will qualify for GAMMA Knife


• no neurological changes (such as seizers, blurred vision, slurred speech, dizziness, etc)


• Dad really needs a MIRACLE --- continued healing, strength & freedom from the Cancer
  

Thank you for your prayers, love and support ..... Bless you all.

So Glad to have him Home.......

A Blessed Family

On Friday evening, the family gathered at Mom & Dad's for holiday cookie decorating, birthday celebrations and (of course) good food.

Dad enjoys having his family with him. He has make an amazing recovery over the past 12 days!!!

God's Healing Touch.....

The following slide show gives a peak at the fun fellowship that we had with Dad (Bumpa) this week.

• Gabe & Katie Build Gingerbread Houses
• Lindsey, Elle and Mattie have a December Birthday
• Decorating Christmas Cookies
• Great Family Fun
• Treasuring Each Moment!!!

Creating "Sweet" Memories with Bumpa

Homecoming!

Dad is back home, all snug in his comfy chair. His homecoming was pretty uneventful, which is a blessing since there's so much snow outside and the roads are very slippery. He's relaxing and chatting on the phone. It seems like he likes being home with his bride again. We are still praying for continued progress and safe travels to radiation each day. He finished his sixth radiation treatment this morning and should be finished on Monday.

A Healing Touch

This is very touching......

Great-Granddaughter, Kaya places a bandaid on Bumpa's forehead, gave him her blanket and said "this will make you better"!!!

She didn't let him keep the blanket long but the bandaid stayed on all afternoon!!!!

Dad is gaining strength each day.....here's a few more pictures of Dad spending time with his family......

Dad and His Girls

Daughters......Lynette, Connie & Stephanie

with Wife Phyllis

Troy, Teresa, Steph, Tim, Joe, Kevin & Bailie

The room has been full all week . . . sometimes even flowing into the hall . . . The hospital has been very patient with our family - they haven't kicked us out yet!!!

Lindsey, Bailie, Dad and Kaya

Today was a VERY good Day . . .

Niece Teresa spends time Loving on Uncle Bob

&

Grandpa snuggles with his girl Lindsey

This was a very GOOD Day - Dad walked up and down a full flight of stairs - Ate three full meals without assistance - No visible seizures - Received Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy with great success - Received the 4th Radiation Treatment - spent the entire day chatting with friends and family.

The only explanation .... GOD IS GREAT!!!!

Thankful for every moment of every day . . .

This picture is of a proud man

and his four sons

Tim, Jeff, Mike and Shawn

Dad's children are gathering around him - by this weekend he will have all seven of his children by his side. He had a very good day. With medication and answered prayer, the swelling in his brain is reduced and his ability to recall past events was amazing today. He is speaking clearly and can carry on a pretty good conversation with small amounts of confusion. Eating better than he has for months. He received his third radiation treatment today. He had one seizure tonight at dinner time. The IV is out, he is getting up and moving around with assistance and will be going home within the next couple days. He loves to be home and he loves being with his family. Please pray for a miracle - this job is TOO big for man or medicine -it is a "God-size" job and God is able. We are thankful for the wonderful prayer support, the meals, the visits, phone calls and love that our family is feeling from all our friends and family. God Bless you all.

What a difference a day makes . . .

Wow - take a look at that cute face!!! Dad took a walk down the hall with the help of a physical and occupational therapist. He then sat up in the chair for quite a while today. He started eating last night and is eating well as his swallow study went great. He had an EEG this morning and radiation this afternoon. His communication skills and ability to process information changes from hour to hour - he often surprises us with complete clear sentences that make total sense - other times he gets stuck on a word or sentence and repeats it many times. In his mind, he is at Dow working today and a machine is down so we are playing along to help keep his frustration at a minimum. He was really into numbers yesterday and really into spelling today. Not a lot of seizure activity was visible this morning but the tech could see it on the EEG. We are getting new information all the time and it is clear that they are preparing Dad to return to his comfortable chair at home soon. A lot of support services will be needed in order to make that happen.

Thank you for praying - we definitely can feel the hand of God on this situation. God is in control and knows the future. Bless you for lifting up our family in your prayers.

Change in treatment plan

After further review of the images taken on Monday, the plan for treatment has been changed. There are at least 5 tumors with other small spots. Overall head Radiation has been started so that all areas can be treated that would possibly get missed with GAMMA Knife. GAMMA Knife may be an option in the future. His seizures increased last night. His spirits are up and he is happy when he sees people that love him. His vital signs are very good. He ate a little last evening and took sips of liquid.

Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and the family as many decisions have to be made. Also, please pray for Mom - that she will get the rest she needs and that she takes good care of her own health - four of Dad's children will be traveling home in the days ahead - pray for safety and peace. Bless you all.

Update: Monday evening

The episode of cluster seizures followed by weakening and affected speech has been diagnosed as Todd's Syndrome.

The contrast tests revealed three tumors in his brain approximately two cm each. The neurosurgeon recommends the Gamma Knife procedure to treat the tumors. This procedure has a 90% success rate and rare side effects. Dad is scheduled to have this performed on Wednesday.

Tomorrow they will do a swallow study to see if he can start to eat and drink. Tonight he is resting comfortably and appreciating your prayers.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

At approximately 1:00 a.m. this morning, Dad fell in the living room. Mom called 9-1-1 and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital - he was unresponsive upon arrival and was having seizures. Initial tests show that the cancer has entered his brain. Additional tests have been taken with a contrast to give a better look at his brain and we will know more later today. He has been admitted to the hospital. He is responding more and more as time goes by. He is trying very hard to speak and appears to understand what we are saying to him. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, peace for the family and travel safety for family members trying to get home. Thank you all for your love and support and we will try to keep this blog updated.