Thursday, July 29, 2010

Update # 141

43 months

Happy Summer to All, 

Heat, rain, and flooding have been the trials of this summer across the country.  We pray all of you are surviving (without too much damage) in your own area. 

Ken and I have had a relaxing summer.  We took a two week vacation driving south through TN, MS, and explored part of the Creole Nature Trail in LA.  No, we saw no oil at the Gulf of Mexico.  We continued on to TX, OK, and KS to visit family and friends.  After a brief week at home, we headed north to Chicago for a few days to see family and friends before heading to Iowa.  Jeff and Meridith hosted us for a week in Waterloo and we had fun spending time with them.  One day we visited with Meridith's family in Ames and continued on to Des Moines to see "Jersey Boys".  Next week is August so that means Ken and I start gearing up for church and school. 

I need to first fill you in on the rest of Jeff's June tests.  The pulmonary function test showed results have really not changed since the last one so that is good.  He continues with the inhaler once a day. 

The cholesterol test did not show such good numbers.  The numbers are up and they only plan to watch it for now.  But they were concerned with the elevated Triglyceride level so Jeff began taking daily Omega-3 pills. 

Jeff had his first phlebotomy (removal of one pint of blood) in June and we accompanied him on his 2nd one in July.  The nurse practitioner in StL informed us they are really more concerned with the Ferritin (iron) level in Jeff's blood than the hemoglobin (HgB).  She indicated that the Ferritin number will decrease slowly and that Jeff should plan on a monthly phlebotomy for about a year.  And even if Jeff had kept the port, they would not use it to remove a pint of blood since it was too close to the heart.  

The high blood pressure pill Jeff began in June is working.  He keeps track of his weekly reading and the numbers have decreased. 

Now on to today's Iowa City eye appointment.  Meridith was helping out at the county fair so Jeff went down by himself this morning.  Dr. Wagoner again was pleased with Jeff's corneas and tears.  In fact, after almost three years of 3-month appointments, he changed Jeff's schedule to 4-month appointments. 

So things are going well for Jeff.  He did spend part of a day at Dr. Masri's office in June for blood work, x-ray, and fluids due to what seemed to be a sinus infection.  Dr. Masri gave him 10 days of antibiotics.  Jeff knows when he does not feel well to get in quickly and not let anything take a strong hold on him. 

Meridith continues helping at their church as temporary secretary through the middle of August as an interim pastor will begin August 1st.  This summer position has helped not only the church but also Jeff and Meridith.  We pray something full time with benefits is just around the corner for her. 

Jeff's next appointment is the Iowa City eye one on Nov. 30th.  Since his StL appointment is 2 weeks later (12-13), I think I will just plan to wait till Dec. for the next update.  So remember the saying from my dad -- no news is good news. 

Monday was Ken's birthday and of course that means the date of when Jeff's cancer journey began in 2001.  In some ways these nine years have flown by and then in some ways, it seems like forever.  We are most thankful for God's blessings on Jeff's health and extremely grateful to all of you who have been by our sides through every step of the way.  Our thanks do not compare to the love and support you have given Jeff and us.  We keep all of you in our prayers and send big hugs. 

love,

Marcia