To a healthy New Year

Hi all.  I'm back...I'm so sorry for my absence!  I had a lil' issue with blogger/google+ and copyrights.  But don't worry, I'm back :)

You all didn't miss much (which is a good thing).  Larry continues to recover from the surgery.  His staples are out, doctors are happy with his recovery and each day he's getting stronger.  The hardest part is getting used to the quantity he can eat at each meal.  His appetite is normal, but his body is only willing to tolerate small portions.  He is still off work and will be for awhile.

I hope you all had a great holiday!  

To a HAPPY & HEALTHY New Year....

Sox it to it Lar...

Incredible fighter...

Larry had a great day at home.  His energy level is still low, but that is to be expected.  He goes in for blood work this morning and has a follow-up appointment with Dr. Salti next week.  We couldn't be happier with his recovery.

Please keep my friend, Shannon, and her family in your thoughts.  It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that Leah passed away yesterday.  Leah was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor last December.  She was an incredible fighter with a positive attitude and endless energy.  Leah, you will be so missed.

CANCER SUX!!!!

Leah enjoying the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K

Leah, James, Larry and I

Sox it to it Lar...

Home Sweet Home!

Larry kept down his lunch, so at 4:00pm. he was able to go home!!!  YAY!  He was so happy to be home and out of the hospital.  Of course he has follow-up appointments with the doctor, but his main job for the next few weeks is to rest and recover.

Sox it to it Lar...

Bases loaded...

The only way that I can describe the last week is with baseball.  I went back and re-read the entire blog last night and determined that we are in the top of the 4th inning in this game with cancer.  Not only is my brother an incredible hitter but did you know he is an ace pitcher, as well?  It's not very common in baseball to be good at both but it's my brother so what did you expect?!

So, let's take a look back....

Larry's team dominated the 3rd inning!  Cancer threw it's best stuff, but Lar's team wasn't phased.  Dr. Stein, Larry's oncologist, was up first.  She confidently stepped into the batter's box dug her heels in, looked cancer straight in the eye and with a 3-2 count (cancer threw it's best stuff at her) nailed it's 6th pitch out of the park.  In her laid back manner, she dropped her bat in the box and sauntered around the bases, while the crowd went wild!  When she hit home plate she had tears in her eyes because she knew she just gave her team the lead in the most important game of the season.  Larry was sitting on the bench icing his arm and breathed a giant sigh of relief, knowing that he was going back on the mound with the lead, for the first time in the game.  

After a couple groundouts it was Dr. Salti, Larry's surgical oncologist, turn to face this beast on the mound. He was experimenting with a new batting stance.  Well, he had the off-season to work on it.  He assured the fans, at the training camp press conference, that he had worked the kinks out- hitting hundreds of balls each day.  He was right, the fans were very happy with his performance so far this season.  But this was an important game and he knew it.  You could feel the energy in the crowd as Salti stepped out of the on deck circle and headed to the box.  In the entire American league, Salti is the player you wanted to be walking to the plate.  The fans had grown to love his personality, his confidence and 'can do' attitude.  He spoke his mind and expected the best of his team.

The catcher called time and walked out to the mound to settle the pitcher down.  He had never seen his pitcher lose composure. But after Stein's home run and now facing Salti, he could see the sweat dripping from his brow.  The ump now walked out to break up the meeting on the mound and the catcher walked back concerned -he was starting to lose confidence that Cancer could get out of this inning or even worse that he could go the distance and finish the game.  They didn't have a good reliever or closer.  Cancer was it!

Salti senses this and takes his time to step into the box.  Once he does he puts his right hand up and calls time.  Steps back out of the box, takes a few more practice swings and adjusts his gloves.  Salti knows damn well what he is doing - he's got cancer where he wants it.  Salti steps in, grips his bat and is now ready to face the weary pitcher.  The effects of Stein's home run on the pitcher were apparent from the start.  Cancer wasn't throwing it's best stuff, it made Salti's at bat much easier than expected. Salti waited for his pitch and when he saw it, you could hear the crack of his bat from a mile away.  There was no doubt the ball was gone the minute it left the bat.  The fans were on their feet in disbelief - their team was dominating cancer?!  Not many teams can say this, especially after a strong performance at the start of the season.  All the scouts predicted Cancer to be unstoppable....

So, it's now the top of the 4th.  Larry walks to the mound confidently, with a two run lead.  He knows he has the best defense behind him and the most supportive fans in the league.  The bottom of the 4th was not perfect... he loaded the bases, which had his fans worried (and not sleeping), but he kept his composure and struck out the #4 batter to end the inning.... you could hear Hawk say "he gone".

Larry's surgery was a success.  Dr. Salti was pleased at what he saw or I guess didn't see.  We are a week and one day into his recovery - there have been bumps along the way but we finally have the light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr. Salti took out the NG tube yesterday and he started on an all liquid diet.  Soon after, he pooped!  He has been able to keep everything down with little to no discomfort.  This morning I stopped there on my way to work and his IVs are coming out and a tray of food is ordered!  Dr. Salti's resident said that if he tolerates the food and his blood counts are good he can come home TODAY!!!!  Gosh, what a differences hours make in this recovery process.

Good guys - 2

Cancer - 0

Sox it to it Lar...

One week in...

Larry surgery was exactly one week ago today.  We are so thankful to have the actual surgery behind us, its now concentrating on his recovery.
You all will be happy that he did fart yesterday morning!  YAY!  We are so excited for that fart.  We thought we were on our way to getting the NG tube out, drinking, bowel movement, eating, and then going home.  But his body had a different idea.
He started kicking more 'junk' out of his NG tube.  This is the tube that runs through his nose down into his stomach.  After many discussions with the doctors, this is not a big concern to them.  They keep reminding us that he has had MAJOR surgery.  Even though he farted, his bowels are still not working enough to get rid of the 'junk'.  We did know the bowel would be slower to wake up this time because of a med that Dr. Salti had to give him during surgery.  
Since it has been one week since surgery, he is now on nutrition.  He gets this through his PICC-line.  Here's a picture:

The big brown bag mixed with another bag is the meal of choice for Lar right now.  One bag runs for 24 hours!  So, it's a slow drip (and it looks like milk in the IV).  It's packed filled with sugar, so hopefully his energy level will increase.

We still have no idea when he will go home.  We are now waiting for the 'junk' to decrease out of his NG tube.  Once that happens then they will clamp it for 4 hours.  If he can tolerate that they will remove it and start him on liquids.  
As you can imagine he is getting frustrated!!  He just wants out of the hospital!!  Especially, since we don't know when that will be it has taken a toll on his morale.  
It's a new day with sugar...I'm looking forward to seeing what today brings.  

Sox it to it Lar...

All Cleaned and ready to fart

Today, Lar had his first 'shower' since his surgery.  He felt and looked like a million bucks after!  He continues to do laps around the floor and his time per lap is definitely improving.  The other patients on the floor are quite jealous of his speed and agility.
All we are waiting on is a fart...once that fart comes he will be on the fast track out of his penthouse.  We heard his tummy rumbling this afternoon, I am hoping that fart comes anytime now.....

Sox it to it Lar...

One popular boy

The visitors keep comin' to room 9204 to sit and chat with Lar.  In a matter of an hour, he had 10 people coming in and out of his room.  His nurses didn't know what do!
Cousin Kelly and her daughter Leighanne took the train from Champaign to visit Lar for the weekend.  The highlight was seeing Lar and Livia's wedding pictures for the first time.

As you can see, he is looking great.  He still has the NG Tube in his nose, hopefully that will come out soon.  The drain that was in his belly was taken out last night, so he will have a little bit more mobility while lying down.  We're still waiting for that fart.  The nurses hear rumblings in his tummy...so hopefully soon.
Lar's room keeps getting more and more festive.  The Fulton girls sent cool signs - 

And Aunt Gwin got the frosty flowers and Livia brought the poinsettia for a little Christmas spirit -

Larry is up and about doing many laps around the floor, trying his best to get his body moving.  He is very anxious to break out of the hospital and relax at home.  Hopefully....soon.

Sox it to it Lar...

Progress.

Slowly but surely Larry is making progress.  He peed on his own today and got up and walked twice!  Each day he gets stronger and more antsy to get out of his penthouse in the sky.

Phil and Jill came to visit today.  They brought along a bunch of snowflakes that Tyler made for Larry's room.  They definitely brightened up his room!

She also wore her Get your Rear in Gear t-shirt to school the day of Larry's surgery to show her support - how cute is she???!!!

Uncle Bill and Aunt Carol sent flowers with a balloon, Livia's parents brought him a Christmas cactus, Shannon brought him a funny card and Phil and Jill brought him a great framed picture of Livia and Larry at the Get your Rear in Gear 5k.

Larry is one spoiled boy - he deserves it all!!

We still do not know when he will be able to go home.  The doctors are happy with his recovery so far.  We are still waiting for the fart, so he can get the NG tube taken out.  It's not much fun to have a tube stuck up your nose 24/7.

Sox it to it Lar...

Movin' on up...

Movin' on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky.... 

Anyone remember these lyrics?  It's the Jefferson's theme song.  I loved that show!

Anyway, Larry was moved out of the ICU tonight and put into the BIGGEST single hospital room you will ever see on the top floor of the hospital.  I swear it is almost the size of my studio!!  The lady that transported him said he was going to the penthouse and she really meant it.  He has a great city view, not as good as St. Joe's, but the room size makes up for it.
Larry not only sat up today but he also walked a lap.  All great signs!  Hopefully, the extra movement will start waking his bowels up so he can fart, drink, eat, poop and then go home.  In that order!
Dr. Salti did tell us that in the next few days fatigue will set in and Larry will be very tired.  We definitely saw signs of this tonight.  

Many of you asked so here is his hospital address:
Illinois Masonic Hospital
836 W. Wellington Avenue
Chicago, IL  60657
Room: 9204

Sox it to it Lar...

1st day after surgery

"Get a colonoscopy...."  Larry's famous phrase to EVERYONE (nurses, doctors, cleaning crew, etc.) that comes in and out of his room.  You gotta love Larry on morphine.

It has been 24 hours since Larry was out of surgery.  He is doing well.  He was in a lot of pain this morning, but nothing a little more morphine wouldn't take care of.  Once the addition of the pain meds kicked in, he was able to sit up for a bit.  And after sitting up for awhile, he ventured to a chair and sat for a good hour.  He is still in ICU.  We are waiting for Dr. Salti to come do his rounds tonight to see if they will move him out of ICU.  It is very bright in ICU which makes it difficult for Larry to sleep.

Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, he will be out of ICU.

Still waiting on a fart.... ahh...deja vu

Sox it to it Lar...

Surgery Update

Larry is out of surgery and in sleeping soundly in ICU.  The surgery went as well as to be expected.  They found one lymph node that they will send away to pathology - we expected this since the cancer had spread to some of the lymph nodes that were taken out during the first surgery.  They did take his gall bladder out, which we also knew was a possibility.  During the extraction of the gall bladder, a little piece of the liver did come off and that will also be biopsied but Dr. Salti was not worried.
Dr. Salti also is hoping his recovery time in the hospital will be shorter since he did not have to cut any of the bowel or surrounding organs.  This is fantastic news!!
The plan is to move him out of ICU within the next 24 hours. 

So, that is all for now.  We are just sitting in the room letting him sleep.  I will update you more once we get settled and he starts to wake up.

Thank you to everyone for your support today, last week, last month.... 
it means so much!

Sox it to it Lar... 

Dear Brother,

Dear Brother,

I rode the elevator with an old man today.  After work last night, I just wanted to get home, eat, put my pjs on and watch mindless TV.  Anything to distract my mind from your surgery.  I waited for the service elevator in the garage, but of course it was on the 29th floor.  So, I trekked up the stairs to the lobby elevators and there was a nice old man that held it open while I ran to catch it.  Before the elevator door closed, the man was taking off his top coat and hat and commenting on the unseasonably warm weather that Chicago is having. (for those that live out of state it was 72 degrees yesterday). I replied with something like "I feel like I can't enjoy it because it's not right, it feels weird". I regretted saying it because I thought I was going to get a lecture about how global warming doesn't exist, yada yada... As the elevator climbed, he looked at me and chuckled, "just enjoy it today, girl"  I looked up and smiled at him (little did he know), he replied to my smile with, "it's days like this that remind you any doggone thing can happen". The elevator door opened and I told him to have a great night and he said the same.  
I didn't think too much about the old man in the elevator until the mindless TV was not working.  I couldn't get my mind off your surgery, your awful recovery, your everything-I HATE to see you go through this!  As I opened my window to get some fresh air in my place, I noticed the warmth outside.  Gosh, how can I have my Christmas candles lit, and my windows open?! I stared outside and people were running in shorts and t-shirts - it's Dec. 3rd! 

 "it's days like this that remind you any doggone thing can happen" rang in my ear....

Brother, I am so sorry for what you are going through right now.  I wish I could take it all away.  But tonight I was placed in the elevator with the old man to make me realize how grateful I am that, although it's tough, the HIPAC surgery exists.  I know the surgery is long, I know it will be painful, I know recovery will suck....but it exists.  Knowing this surgery existed and you were a candidate for it, got us through the diagnosis, through your chemo and the days leading up to surgery.  I still wish you wouldn't have to go through this, but it's days like today that remind me that any doggone thing can happen - even a surgery that can stay ahead of your aggressive cancer!

So....

My head is lifted a little higher today,

My attitude is a little bit more spunky,

All because I rode in an elevator with an old man.  

I love you big brother! Your strength and positive attitude continually amaze me.  You have always been the calm to my spunk, the reason to my craziness, the weight that keeps my feet on the ground when my ideas get too grande, the person I can count on to put me in my place because it's your opinion that matters to me.  
Kick some butt today, brother!  I know you don't like to rely on anyone for strength (or worry anyone), but I'm okay with that - I know there are two people who are giving you the strength without you knowing it - thank you dad and Aunt Sharry!

Love,
Sister

Sox it to it Lar...