Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Update # 122
13 months
Good Evening,
We hope everyone had a Happy New Year ringing in 2008.
Jeff has been having some health issues since this last weekend. He had a cough which on Saturday worsened. Sunday when he noticed a slight fever of 100.2, he went to a convenient care center to be seen by a doctor. They did a CBC and chest x-ray. Of course, the white count was up and Jeff was given an antibiotic and cough syrup. Just to be on the safe side, on Monday, Jeff went to see his oncologist in Waterloo. Dr. Masri thought the x-ray showed a bit of pneumonia in the lower right lung. He also thought Jeff might be somewhat dehydrated so he gave Jeff a bag of IV fluids. There was some discussion of Jeff going in-patient at the hospital in Waterloo. Jeff spoke again with Dr. Masri on Tuesday and he felt Jeff was improving so would not need to be admitted to the hospital. Jeff continues on the medication and cough syrup and is to return for another chest x-ray. Jeff was fortunate to have friends in Waterloo who helped him over these past few days.
The worst part was Jeff having to miss 4 days of work. Many of you do not know that Jeff was offered his "old shift" back at KWWL on January 23rd. So the 26th was his first day back being official weekend director and then on Sunday he had to call in sick! The main company in Quincy decided on Jan. 15th to change the weekend director position from full time to part time (25 hours). The guy who replaced Jeff during his illness then quit on the 18th. Jeff immediately applied for the job and was, fortunately, rehired. Jeff is thrilled to be back doing what he loves but part time does not include insurance. Jeff is hoping to find a second part time job with insurance. The only dilemma is the time crunch of April 30th -- that's when his Cobra and disability will end.
Jeff's appointment in Iowa City is scheduled for February 11th. He will have his next round of immunizations and meet Dr. Carter. I will be driving up for that meeting so I'll update that night.
So Jeff's life is really going well. He's on cloud nine being back as a director at KWWL. That's what he's wanted since the day of his Leukemia diagnosis. We pray God will continue to guide things so Jeff will be able to get a second part time job with insurance. And we thank God again that He protected Jeff through this round of pneumonia. Jeff sounds even better today when we spoke with him on the phone. It seems we constantly request your prayers but are so thankful that each of you do remember Jeff. It truly does help him. Thank you.
love,
Marcia