February 23, 2002

Update # 29 

Good Afternoon, 

Jeff had a great weekend with Key Club in Moline.  They got some work done, went to a hockey game, and heard Rudy Ruettiger (author of the movie "Rudy") speak.  Jeff has a lot of technology things to get ready for their convention in April. 

Moline still had some snow on the north side of the hills.  I didn't get much sleep at my motel on Friday night.  The fire alarm went off three times - someone pulled it.  I read a good book and messed around at the mall.  Not bad. 

Dr. Roy wanted a CBC from Jeff on Monday.  Counts were pretty good - white count was up a little and platelets were down some.  Everything else about the same.  On Wednesday, Dr. Roy was happy that Jeff continued to have no side effects from radiation.  

Thursday was THE DAY -- # 14 and Last Day of Radiation!!!!!!  The techs gave Jeff a certificate and home health made him a banner.  Jeff loved his shower that night when he was able to scrub all markings off his body.  Jeff was even more happy on Friday when I woke him up and saw the time was almost 7:00 A.M.!!! 

Jeff had  been up earlier in the morning with throwing up once.  Later he had one bout of diarrhea and slight fever.  The flu hit but not very hard.  Jeff felt just fine when he woke up this morning.  

Friday, March 1st is broviac removal day.  They'll call for the time but it's basically like the insertion.  Same day surgery -- we go down, he goes to surgery, and then later we return home.  No more daily flushing of lumens and dressing changes.  Then any future work will be the old fashion way - a needle into a vein. 

Next week will probably be the last update for a while. The PET Scan is set for Maundy Thursday, March 28.  It will be sometime in April when we get results and go back to see Dr. Chu and Dr. Roy.  Since nothing will be going on (medically) from broviac removal to results of PET Scan, I'll wait a few weeks to send another update. 

We thank you for all your continued prayers and concerns.  

Love,

Marcia