It's been a while...

Well hello everyone! It has been a long time since I have posted on here. The last time I posted it was right after dad passed away. It has been a rocky time since then to say the least. But I am able to say that I am truly at peace now. (at least for this moment) My mom is hanging in there also. There are times where I find myself crying at the oddest moment and my middle son will say something like "don't cry over Papa mom; he is in a much better place and is not suffering anymore". Profound for a nine year old in my opinion.

Anyways, I feel that it is time to begin updating the blog when I have the chance. We are excited, it is Spring Break and the entire family has earned and deserves some time off! We are headed to Winter Park tomorrow and CANNOT wait! I am going to try to ski (attempt) ... in the past I haven't because I hate it that much. But now that E and D are older they will ski with me.... I will try to post some pictures and updates. Basketball practices, baseball practices, doctor's appointments, allergy shots, basketball games... NONE of those for at least a week! :)

To give you a brief update on everyone:

Big D - his team did not make the playoffs but they had a good one, finally bought himself his "dream" truck in September

E - has to get braces, is now in full swing middle school mode (interesting to say the least), playing basketball and baseball right now, about to begin golf for the summer

D - took the family to Dallas with the Elks Lodge basketball freethrow state contest (FUN :), had ear surgery last summer - doing better, allergies improving, playing basketball and baseball

T - Is at school with his brothers, PreK - smart as a whip! Cannot believe this little man is like a sponge, played basketball for the first time, and will play tball in two weeks!

Me - graduated in Dec with Masters in Education (FINALLY!), training for first triathlon to be on dad's birthday in Galveston at Moody Gardens (:)), began internship last week for principal certification ; will finish up after taking 4 classes this summer, HAPPY :)

Anyways, that is all of us in a quick one paragraph nutshell :)

Will post again soon .

Arrangements have been made...

Services for my father will be this Thursday, June 4th in Lumberton, Texas. A rosary will begin at 9:30 followed by a mass in his honor at 10:00. It will be at Infant Jesus Catholic Church.

Following the mass a private burial will occur at Veteran's Memorial Cemetary in Houston as per his wishes.

My dad was very specific in his wishes following his passing.

Thank you once again to all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

God bless each and every one of you,

-Natalie

Dad passed away today.

I was hoping that I would not ever have to post this to this blog. But today my dad and best friend passed away. At about 3:00 he was deemed terminal by the team of doctors due to the returning leukemia and the pneumonia. He passed away peacefully at about 6:00.

Thank-you once again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Please continue to pray for my father's soul. And also pray for strength, comfort and peace for my mom and me.

God bless all of you,
Natalie

An update

I am in Houston right now with my mom and dad. As of yesterday the doctors were not hopeful. My dad has orders that if he is deemed terminally ill that he does not want extraordinary measures made for his life. Yesterday the doctors were pretty certain that his lungs were filled up with leukemia that is back though the only was to find out for sure would be another bone marrow aspiration or a biopsy of his lung which would involve a surgery. It would be difficult to find a surgeon who would open him up while on a venilator though. My mom and I had some tough decisions and things to discuss yesterday. I spent last night with him and not much happened overnight though I had some strange dreams about him. When I got up this morning at 6 (they wake you up at 6 because there are no visiting hours from 6-8) his oxygen level was at 50% which is great considering that when I got here yesterday he was at 100% (meaning that the machines were giving him that much oxygen). At 50% he is holding his own; the respritory therapist also adjusted his pressure (we are shooting for a 5 on this one) and when my mom and I left at lunch time he was at a 8 (down from 12 yesterday). The doctors met with us this morning and said that his lungs appear to be better today and he hasn't run any fever in a day and a half. So, though we are at a crossroads on decisions to make right now his body appears to be healing though really slowly. God's will will be done; just as dad would want it. We just don't want him to have to suffer any more that he already has had to. His doctors also mentioned that the longer you are on a respirator the harder it is to get off of it. He has been on for 7 days now. We are on our way back up to see him.

I know that my mom has talked to most of you and if she hasn't please keep praying.

Pray for strength, comfort and peace.

God bless all of you,
-Natalie

Please pray ...dad is in ICU on life support
Hello everyone. I apologize for not posting sooner but things have been crazy and this was the last thought on my mind. This week has been bad. Dad was doing some strange things like talking to himself, slurring his speech and acting confused since Monday. They thought it was his meds. On Tuesday he went for his daily blood and blood work and his oxygen level was 90% so then transferred him to the ER and kept him on oxygen until they got him a room. He finally got a room Wednesday night. He had a rough night that night and on Thursday morning he stopped breathing. They called a code blue and took him to ICU. He has been there ever sense. I got her Thursday at about 12 and spent last night. At first his heart was having some issues. beating out of sync. That did straighten itself out but now his lungs are in bad shape. When we left last night he had gone from 100% to 60% oxygen. When my mom and I got there at 8 this morning they had bumped him back up o 80%. We met with the doctors and his lungs are filling up with fluid and white blood cells. He is on anti fungal, anti viral and anti biotics to fight whatever kind of infection is in his lungs. He is sedated and has been since they took him to ICU. He also had a procedure to see if there is blood in his lungs. Preliminary reports were that he did not. I stayed they day with him and they did an ultrasound on his arm and he has a blood clot in it but since his platelet count is so low they can't do anything about it. The doctor said they are scared his lungs will begin to fill up with blood since his count is so low. I am in the process of finding out if he can get my platelets. I know that will help. To be completely honest it does not look good. We are waiting to see if he is responding to the medications and if his lungs hold out. Right now the machine is doing all of the breathing for him. My mom and I had a priest come today and bless him, anoint him with the oils of the sick and give him absolution.I am about to leave to spend the night at the hospital (right now I am with at their appointment because there are no visiting hours from 6-8).Thank-you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Dad has fought a long and hard battle and God will do what is best with him. I am trying to remember that. If you would like to email me at nfikac@yahoo.com my iPhone does work there at the hospital (I don't have my laptop) and I can let you know how it is going.Thanks.-Natalie

Please pray ...dad is in ICU on life support

Hello everyone. I apologize for not posting sooner but things have been crazy and this was the last thought on my mind. This week has been bad. Dad was doing some strange things like talking to himself, slurring his speech and acting confused since Monday. They thought it was his meds. On Tuesday he went for his daily blood and blood work and his oxygen level was 90% so then transferred him to the ER and kept him on oxygen until they got him a room. He finally got a room Wednesday night. He had a rough night that night and on Thursday morning he stopped breathing. They called a code blue and took him to ICU. He has been there ever sense. I got her Thursday at about 12 and spent last night. At first his heart was having some issues. beating out of sync. That did straighten itself out but now his lungs are in bad shape. When we left last night he had gone from 100% to 60% oxygen. When my mom and I got there at 8 this morning they had bumped him back up o 80%. We met with the doctors and his lungs are filling up with fluid and white blood cells. He is on anti fungal, anti viral and anti biotics to fight whatever kind of infection is in his lungs. He is sedated and has been since they took him to ICU. He also had a procedure to see if there is blood in his lungs. Preliminary reports were that he did not. I stayed they day with him and they did an ultrasound on his arm and he has a blood clot in it but since his platelet count is so low they can't do anything about it. The doctor said they are scared his lungs will begin to fill up with blood since his count is so low. I am in the process of finding out if he can get my platelets. I know that will help. To be completely honest it does not look good. We are waiting to see if he is responding to the medications and if his lungs hold out. Right now the machine is doing all of the breathing for him. My mom and I had a priest come today and bless him, anoint him with the oils of the sick and give him absolution.

I am about to leave to spend the night at the hospital (right now I am with at their appointment because there are no visiting hours from 6-8).

Thank-you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Dad has fought a long and hard battle and God will do what is best with him. I am trying to remember that. If you would like to email me at nfikac@yahoo.com my iPhone does work there at the hospital (I don't have my laptop) and I can let you know how it is going.

Thanks.
-Natalie

FANTASTIC NEWS!!

Sorry that it has been almost a week since I have posted. A lot has happened. In my last post I mentioned how terrible my dad was doing; well since then he has had a turn around!! His WBC count is now as of this morning up to 1.5!!!! He is set to go home tomorrow!!! WOW!! His new bone marrow is engrafting and this morning he had a bone marrow aspiration as is protocol every thirty days.... not really sure why though. He is feeling well and his spirits are high. He is a little bit weak and tired but that is definitely expected. On Mother's Day we went to Houston to see my mom and we spent some time with dad... he looked pretty good and his spirits were high! When he is released it will be difficult as well. He will come to MD Anderson every day for 4-6 hours to take blood and possibly get blood products..... every day since he has been in he has gotten whole blood, platelets, plasma or gamuglobin. This is normal.

So, THANK-YOU to all of you for your daily thoughts and prayers,,, they are working!

Please continue to pray for strength for my mom and dad, healing and remaining healthy!

God bless all of you!

-Natalie :)

A Few Bad Days and FINALLY Another Good One

Well, the past few days have been really bad for my dad... he has been dizzy and very out of it. He hasn't felt like doing anything.... and when I have spoken with him he has was slurring his words and not making a whole lot of sense. Yesterday the nurse walked with him and he said that he felt a lot better. And, his white blood cell count went up to .10 which is great!

Well, today is a much better day for him. I have spoken to him several times and each time he sounds better and better. The doctors have ordered a bone marrow aspiration this week IF his white count does not come up anymore. In previous posts I gave wrong information. A normal white blood cell count is between 4.0 and 7.0 . And today his went up yet again to .2!!! YEAH!!! I truly feel like the reason that he felt so crappy the past few days was because his new bone marrow was grafting with the old and his body was just working overtime to accomplish just that! I hope that I am right anyways. He told me today that when he gets to 2.0 he may get out of the hospital. Each patient is completely different as our bodies are such awesome machines we all react differently to different things. His is just taking a little bit longer but it will be worth the wait for sure! He is remaining positive and has made the comment to me the past two days that he is ready for whatever comes... if God wants him to stay here he is ready and if God wants him to come home he is ready. This of course was unsettling to me since I am selfish and want him to stay right here. But, I do find peace in the fact that he has found peace.

I love my dad very much and will continue to pray vigilantly each day.

Thank-you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

God bless all of you!

-Natalie :)

Playing the Waiting Game

Well, we are now still playing the waiting game and thank goodness dad is feeling somewhat better! He is eating and walking which are the two most important things right now... besides the fact that he is not running any temperature!

This is GREAT news for him and from his doctor! His spirits are high and he is ready for his white cells to go UP! They crept up to .02 a couple of days ag0 (2.0-4.0 is normal) but they went back down... this is normal according to the doctor though.

PLEASE continue to pray for healing, peace, serenity, and hope! With these four things I know that things will continue to improve each and every day!

Go bless ALL of YOU!!!

Have a great weekend !

-Natalie :)

Wednesday Update

Well, today has NOT been a good day for dad.... I talked to him this morning and he was pretty out of it... said that he was really weak and loopy. He said this is the worst day yet. I didn't talk to him long because he was slurring his words and I didn't want to confuse him or upset him anymore that he already was.

But, this afternoon I talked to my mom and she said that this afternoon he was asleep when she got there but he had eaten a little bit because his stomach is beginning to settle. She said that he was still in pretty bad shape though.

At least in my conversation with him he said "I am giving it all to the Lord, that is all that I can do... better days are coming".

Please continue to pray for him, I have a feeling the en grafting has begun and it will be rough for several more days for him.

Thanks to all of you again!

-Natalie :)

Tuesday Update

I apologize for not posting before today but once again life has been busy!

When I saw dad on Sunday he was not doing so well, wasn't feeling well, still had diarrhea; wasn't eating and thus he was weak. At this point it had been three days and nothing to eat (beyond the fluids he is getting in his IV). Spirit wise he was good; not down and out; just longing to feel better after his new bone marrow grafts with his old bone marrow.

Yesterday he had a much better day; he got up and exercised three times and went to PT. His spirits were really high and I believe that he ate some jello and soup. He also had a "normal BM" which was a real plus for his stomach pain and feeling like he was finally on the upswing.

Today was another story.... he is weak because he has eaten in so many days and his diarrhea has returned. When I talked to him this afternoon he was out of it from a pain pill they had given him his stomach pain (due to not eating) but he did say that he had exercised today. His white blood cell count is still 0.0 which tells us that the new bone marrow has not grafted with the old yet. He has been getting neupogen shots several times a day to help with the white blood cell growth promotion.

One thing that I did learn this weekend is that when he gets better he will have to have all of his immunizations again as if he is a new born baby because his immune system is starting over. He is VERY concerned about the swine flu right now; he said that when he was younger and was in the military he got the swine-flu immunization but now he does not have the immunity for it since he is starting over.

Thank-you once again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Please continue to pray for my parents.....I am sure that my dad just wants to feel better and he is growing impatient.

God bless all of you!
-Natalie:)

Today is Dad's 62nd Birthday!

Well here I am sitting in my parents' apartment in Houston. I spent most of this afternoon/evening with dad for his birthday! He was feeling pretty average and I enjoyed our time together. As of today his white cell count is 0.0 which means that he is EXTREMELY susceptible to any type of illness. The doctors are waiting for his white cell counts to go up when his new bone marrow begins to "graph" with his old bone marrow. He really looked great... his color was good and his spirits were even better. He still has an upset stomach and some sort of bladder infection. But, he feels "okay". The next few days could be rough since the "en graphing" is taking place. One thing that I can say about my dad is that his mind is perfect.... he is still smart as a whip and able to discuss very deep things.

Anyways..the boys spent the afternoon with grannie and she took them bowling and out to dinner. I know that the wore her out but I am sure she enjoyed the break from the monotony. The boys can't see him because no one under 12 is allowed on his floor. Duane made it down this evening to see dad after being in Huntsville for the annual rugby alumni game. Then he took the boys home and I stayed here.

I plan on spending some time with him tomorrow and will write tomorrow night.

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and prayers.... we all feel them!

God bless all of you!

-Natalie :)

Thursday Update

Well, talked to dad at least six times over the past two days but I have been swamped with both school work and work work....and stuff with the kiddos.

I am sorry that I have not posted but the past two days have been yucky for dad! He has had terrible diarrhea and has felt like crud! His nurses suggested the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) and this will help him to feel better. All of this is very normal with both the chemotherapy and the transplant. Better days are ahead I know that for sure. His spirits are great and he tells me each time that we talk that he is giving it all up to God. I know that will help him for sure!

I will be going down on Saturday after my son's golf clinic for his birthday and will be donating my platelets. There is a shortage and I know that my mom called many people to come and donate. I know that at least five confirmed that they would come down and donate.... maybe I will see some of you on Saturday!

He says that this is just a bump in the road..... I will update soon.... thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers!

God bless all of you!

-Natalie :)

Tuesday Update

Well, it has been exactly one week since the transplant and so far so good..... Easy for me to say since I am not the one who probably feels like I have been run over by a MAC TRUCK! I didn't blog last night because I got home too late. But, I did talk to my dad about three times yesterday and it was an average day for him.... a little groggy... a little out of it.

Today I have spoken to him three times as well and he sounded pretty worn out. He always seems to feel better after he walks and gets his blood pumping and oxygen pumping. He is on lasiks (sp?) and is having to use the restroom a lot, feels pretty groggy and his stomach has been upset... though no vomiting. Today he said was a yucky day.

I am pretty certain that the new cells are trying to mingle with his old cells and they may be battling.... this is normal or so says the doctor. The next few days will probably feel the same for him.

My mom is doing well... brings him lunch and visits him a lot during the day. She is one tough cookie too dealing with all of this has to wear on her spirit as well.

This Saturday, April 25th is my dad's 62nd birthday.... please reign him with emails and emailed cards, I know that he would enjoy that.

I can't wait to see him, they boys and I have a surprise for him!!!

Until next time,

Thanks again for the prayers!

-Natalie :)

Weekend Update

Well, I apologize for not posting yesterday..... but I have news to share today.

I talked to my dad twice yesterday and twice today.

Saturday he was pretty nauseaus and tired... but didn't feel "that bad".

Today we talked for about thirty minutes about lots of things (I can honestly say that my dad is the smartest person that I know) and his mind was just a ticking! We talked a lot about what his body was going through at that moment - basically he said that his white cell count is .2 (normal is 4.0) and that the new bone marrow cells will begin competing with his host (his own)bone marrow cells any time now. He is expecting to feel like he has the flu, high fever, etc. He said his body will try to fight the new cells that are in his body (or that have been in his body for 6 days). I reminded him that this was supposed to begin happening yesterday or today and that it had not started yet.... YEAH!! Maybe he won't react the way that others do.... we can only hope! He mentioned that he had an appetite, was eating, was exercising and walking as he was told. He also said that his arms had blue bruises on them (from low platelets). BUT, he feels good! I know that I mentioned this earlier in the week but that is not a word he ever uses to describe how he is feeling! Thanks be to God! I can only pray that my future posts will have such great news!

I also talked to my mom and she said that he is better than she has seen him in months! She said he looks great, has a great attitude and can tell that he is feeling well. I can sense the relief in her voice for sure.... she has been through so much also! She said that he has had a very spiritual Catholic nurse who said that she felt the Holy Spirit in his room and knew that he was going to be fine.

Thanks again to all of you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

God bless all of you!

-Natalie :)

Friday Update!

Well, it has been raining like cats and dogs here!! And from what my dad says in Houston as well.

I have talked to my dad three times today and each time he sounded great, he said he was feeling "good". He walked three times today (they have to walk around the nursing station a few times each day) and went to his "exercise class". He is eating well. When I spoke with him on the phone he was in good spirits, laughing and his voice sounded great!

My mom called me about an hour ago and said they are trying to build his white blood cell count now with neupogen shots. I asked if he needed white blood cells again (like he did in September/October) and she said that the doctors felt the neupogen would do the trick! What a relief. She also said that he may be getting out in two weeks which was news to me. I am not sure if that is because he is doing so well or if it is protocal? He now needs to build new white blood cells with the new bone marrow and then he is on his way to recovery.

I will update again tomorrow.

Thank-you again to all of you for your thoughts and prayers!

-Natalie

~~~ Thursday's Update ~~~

Today was an average day for my dad. He said that he felt pretty miserable and was just plum worn out when I talked to him this morning. I talked with him this morning and again this afternoon. This morning he was not doing well.....tired and groggy. He did go exercise and said that he felt better afterwards. That was a relief also.

This afternoon he called me and was doing much better. He had taken a nap and was rested. He talked to the boys and was joking around with them which really relieved me. Any laughter at this point is gladly accepted.

Tomorrow he says that he will begin his two days of chemotherapy and anti-rejection drugs. It may be a rough day. I will post tomorrow.

God bless all of you!

Keep the prayers coming!

-Natalie

Wednesday Update....

Well this morning my dad called me at about 7:45 to let me know that he was feeling well and that I did not need to worry. He said that he was a little bit woozy and tired but other than that he was feeling "good". This is a discriptive word that he has not used since September.... WOW!

We played phone tag off and on all day and he left me two voice mails. Finally after school I was able to speak with him and he sounded great! He sounded tired because they had given him benadryl before they gave him a bag of gamoglobin. He said that he has eaten, attended exercise class (PT) and had walked a little bit. I am just so thankful that his spirits are up and that things are looking up!

I will post tomorrow to let you know how he is doing.... honestly I feel that this next week will be a roller coaster ride.... he will have good days and bad days.

Thanks be to God for the good days!

Thank-you again for the prayers!

-Natalie

I got word.... all is well for now!

Well right after I posted my mom called me and I had to head out the door with the boys for baseball practice.

My dad got his four bags and all is well. He was not put to sleep like was originally planned. When I talked to him for a couple of seconds because he was so tired he sounded fine; just tired. He had been up all day awaiting the transplant and didn't get a chance to rest.

I pray that tonight he will get a good night's sleep and wake up feeling like a new man. The doctor says that it will take three or four days before he most likely will feel the efffects and his body may reject it... at that point he gets more chemo..

I will update tomorrow.

Please continue to pray!

God bless all of you!

-Natalie

Today is the day..

Well I am sitting here waiting for the call that all is good. He was supposed to have the transplant this morning, then he texted me and said 12:00, then he texted me and said 2:30. So, I am sure that he is finished but I haven't heard anything.

The four bag drip was supposed to take 45 minutes to complete and he was to be put to sleep for it and a nurse was going to be with him for the time.

I will post tonight about what happened.

Keep the prayers coming please!!!

-Natalie