Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Update # 152
54 Months
Good Morning,
We are sitting up on a hill in Jefferson City, MO enjoying the cool morning breeze. Ken's brother built a new home (first in this new subdivision) and moved into it in January of this year. When Ken and I were last here in Feb., there were 2 other homes being built. Now there are 7 more under construction. Jeff and Meridith, of course, wanted to see Uncle D's new place and have already taken advantage of the basement game room. We got here yesterday around suppertime and were joined by a high school friend of mine and her husband. They live about 15 minutes away so we all enjoyed a wonderful evening of dining and visiting.
Jeff's return to Waterloo in May went fine. He rested at home a few days and continued to gain strength. His hope of returning to work on June 1st was pushed back to the 4th. The station needed an official doctor's release and it took a couple of days of emailing, calling, and faxing to get the proper document. During that May illness, Jeff's co-workers graciously stepped in to cover his shifts and he (and we) is forever grateful to them.
I'll back up to this Sunday the 19th when Jeff and Meridith met Ken and me in StL. Since Jeff had early Monday appointment times, and we knew we were also going to be driving quite a few extra hours, we decided to get rooms at the hotel connected to the hospital for Sunday night. Ken and I got there about 4:30 and Jeff and Meridith arrived about 9:15.
Jeff was the first person yesterday at Labs at 6:30 AM so he could be at his CT Scan at 7:00 AM. Since Jeff could not eat before the scan, we then went back to the hotel for the breakfast buffet. It worked out perfectly and we returned on time for Jeff's 8:45 appointment with Dr. DiPersio.
Dr. DiPersio said Jeff's counts were perfect. The result from that morning scan of the lungs also came back very well. He was pleased to see how well Jeff looked and that he was working full time with good energy.
The only concern is the level of the liver enzymes. That level began to rise when Jeff was in the hospital. When Jeff returned to Iowa, Dr. DiPersio sent orders for Jeff to have weekly blood work. Each week the liver enzymes continued to rise. Dr. DiPersio feels the anti-fungal pill is causing the problem so yesterday that medicine was stopped. Today Jeff will begin taking a different type of anti-fungal med. This is a lozenge that you suck like a cough drop -- 5 times a day. Dr. DiPersio still wants the liver enzymes checked but instead of weekly he was thinking every 2 - 4 weeks. He was going to call Dr. Masri and set it up so we don't yet know the time length he determined.
Jeff left his car in the hospital parking garage and the 4 of us headed south 1.5 hours in our van to visit with Ken's mom in Perryville. Jeff and Meridith usually see Grandma once a year after his June appointment. (They have less time at the Dec. appointment plus the weather is usually iffy.) We also stopped in town to see Ken's godmother, Aunt Dorothy, who celebrated her 95th birthday on Saturday. Ken and I did not travel down for the party since we knew we were going to be there 2 days later. We enjoyed our time visiting with both ladies but we had to leave to travel the 3.5 hours yet to Uncle D's.
A few months ago, Jeff scheduled this week as vacation time. Even though he was ill in May, his station still granted him the vacation time. So after relaxing here today, the 5 of us are heading to Branson tomorrow morning for a couple of days. We'll see 2 shows plus tour The Titanic. Friday we'll bring Uncle D home and we'll then continue on to StL for Jeff and Meridith to get their car. Ken and I will go on and drive back to our house but Jeff and Meridith will stay in StL Friday night and drive to their home to IA Saturday morning. Jeff will be there in time to work his night shift.
Since returning to Iowa in May, Jeff was able to keep 2 scheduled dental appointments. And remember, his re-rescheduled oral surgery is July 12th. I'll go up the 11th and stay till Friday. The next six-month StL appointment is set for Dec. 5th.
The sunshine outside reminds us of how blessed Jeff continues to be graced in his life. Co-workers, family, and friends help in anyway possible whenever it's needed. Love and prayers that are sent are part of your daily lives for which we are eternally thankful. This fun vacation week will be especially rewarding after the scary month of May. Our love and gratitude to each of you continue daily.
love,
Marcia