More Happy Pictures

- Shelley

Happy Pictures

Just gonna throw up some happy pictures - feel free to add to this post (use the "Edit post" button at the bottom).

-Geoff

(Our last day at 4244 Shoreclub)

(Geoff and Jaime's wedding reception, w/ Peter and John Graves included ;) )

Just a quick blog. i don't want this blog to get lonely .Thank you all family ( and friends), If love could have slain the beast, this blog could've gone on for months. I know that we would've blogged on for years for the love of Uncle Chuck.
So I don't know what to say at this point, except that our family is awesome and I love you all!
Love, Kathy AKA Mom

Food Suggestions

NOTE: Please read the updates from Aunt Bev and Kathy below before this post:

After reading both Aunt Bev and Kathy's posts, I didn't know if I should post this guidance for food. But we must be positive and I know we will all pray, hope and plan for the best. In that spirit, please find below the food guidance that Kathy meant to hand out at Easter Brunch to everyone. We can refer to it when Chuck starts eating again.

The first, second and last pages seem the most appropriate. They are small on the blog, but you can click on them to view them at the large size (I think).

ulncle chuck

Bev and I were with U. Chuck all day - he was admitted to the hosp. again this A.M. We knew he would go pretty low after the chemo, but were not quite prepared for just how low! They spent all day trying to find a vein so they could do bloodwork. Found one or two and got enough blood to do 2-or 3 small tests before the vein collapsed. We needed a good vein so they could do bloodwork to test clotting. Bev just called - they finally got one! They cannot do the parenthesis until they have his clotting ability. He is very uncomfortable with the new round of acides, so now they should be able to draw off fluid by tomorrow morning. I will go back to Swedish after dinner to check on him and then will probably stay again tomorrow, to see if they get it done.
Both Bev and I also met with Dr. Goodman. We had several questions and could never seem to find answers. The nurse asked if we wanted to talk to him and of course we said YES! Went over to is office and garnered as much info as we could. I was concerned about where he should go after leaving the hosp. or should we get a housekeeper or what should we try and plan to keep him safe. Dr. Goodman said - this is it in a nutshell- We will know by the end of this week as to what we need to plan. I asked about hospice - and he said - no - no need. He will either survive this week and continue to plan on him having more chemo. and take the beast and beat it, or he may not survive this week and I guess that would be end of planning. I don't know quite how else to explain this. For him to beat this, his liver has to kickstart very soon and then we can follow a more positive outlook. So I quess this might be the week for heavyduty prayers!
Right now Chuck is so sick - it's very difficult not to feel kind of discouraged, but I think we all feel the same way - I and all of us - refuse to throw in the towel! So all- send good thoughts and prayers and with us surrounding him he can't lose!
Love, Kathy

From Aunt Bev - a tough day

Uncle Chuck has had a really tough couple of days. Since discharge from Swedish Hosp. last Wed., he has worsened daily, whcih was not totally unexpected, but shocking at the speed of it. Kathy called his Oncologist and made arrangements to have him admitted to the hospital this a.m. Bob and I arrived this a.m. to get him and found him on the floor of his bedroom. He had fallen during the night and could not get up. We were able to get him on his bed, dressed, and in the car with much shortest of breath. From the Dr's office, he was admitted to Swedish rm. 1243 by the nurses station. They tried all day to get blood from him to run his blood tests prior to tapping his abdomen. His ascites is so bad making it hard for him to breathe. Finally, this afternoon, they got the blood work done. The nurse will call us as soon as he can be transported for the tapping of the fluid. This will make him much more comfortable and able to breathe better. He was severly dehydrated which is why they couldn't get much blood. The Oncologist talked to both Kathy and myself about what is happening. If the chemo works to kill the tumor, and IF he has enough Liver left to repair itself, he may survive. He is so sick right now because the liver is struggling. We'll know a little more as the week progresses how he is doing. He cannot go home ever again in this condition. If he survives the week, then we will be looking for somewhere to take care of Chuck 24/7 until he can do that again. He is so confused and not able to keep track of meds, whether he is drinking etc. Thankfully, he will be taken care of this week in the hospital and only discharged if he is recovering. Keep Chuck in your prayers. It is really painful and so sas to see him so uncomfortable. Looking forward to better news tomorrow. Bev

from Shel and Jason

We just ready Lindsey's blog and want to share our profound sadness, but also hope, for Uncle Chuck. This is the time for our family to bond together and rally behind Uncle Chuck during his treatment process.

Lindsey - I (Shel) can't imagine how lonely it must feel for you to be so far away with this happening here at home. Please know that you are always in our thoughts. We miss you terribly and look forward to your visit in June. The boys ask about "Aunt Linney" frequently and they'll be so excited to see you.

I've prepared 5 or 6 meals that I've frozen for Uncle Chuck. I will bring them with us to Aunt Kathy's house tomorrow (Easter) to take over to Uncle Chuck's with her. All the meals are really just a thaw and heat in the microwave. Hopefully he'll be feeling a little better soon and want to eat.

I will continue to make some extra meals here and there. I also like Aunt Kathy's Idea of making shakes with fresh fruit, banana, etc. We could freeze them like ice cream and then just thaw them a bit and blend them for a nice milkshake with fresh fruit. I'll take a shot at making up a pitcher of fresh fruit smoothies that we can freeze and we'll see how he likes those.

Let us know what else we can do. Hope remains always.

Love,
J and S