Checkup report from Dr. Henry

Dale went to see Dr. Henry today. Dr. Henry explained that Dale's recovery from this latest hospital stay will take several weeks. Dale had bloodwork done and has lost quite a bit of weight. He's down 14 pounds from last month. Dale isn't on any specific diet, he can eat whatever he tolerates. Dale's taste buds are still sleeping and so far Jackie hasn't been able to figure out anything that Dale likes.

BIL Bill will head home to Lake Charles tomorrow. He's been a great help with errands and household tasks. Sure am glad he was able to come over and spend a few days!

Melissa will be heading to Victoria on Friday for a long-weekend visit! YEAH! Lauren and Bill (Dale's granddaughter and her husband) will be in from Salt Lake City, too!

Tuesday

Dale is at home today and trying his best to get his digestive system back to normal. He is struggling to find something that actually tastes great and doesn't tax his stomach to digest. So far yogurt is getting the nod along with fruit juices.

He has an appointment with his primary care doctor Wednesday morning at 8:45. BIL Bill is still there assisting!

Home health care came by today and suggested adding "Ensure" or "Boost" to his diet. He has good bowel sounds and still having activity!

Everyone keep their fingers crossed that Dale keeps improving!

Real Food

Latest update: HE'S COMING HOME TODAY!!!!

I spend most of Sunday with Dale at the hospital and things are certainly better! Dale has had his IV fluids removed and is now on a regular diet. He's starting out slow on the real food, but tolerating it well.

His throat is still pretty sensitive when he drinks any liquid and his taste buds are apparently asleep!

Jackie's brother, Bill arrived around 4pm and he will stay with them for a few days to help out. I can not thank him enough for dropping everything and coming to my rescue.

I am back in Pearland and hoping that Dale continues to recover. Dr. Henry (Dale's primary doctor) should be in this afternoon and hopefully making plans for Dale to be discharged! Dale said he would have Dr. Henry call me when he made rounds, I have a few questions about changes made to Dale's medications.

Oh, and apparently the voting results show St. Thomas as the port-of-call to have Dale's "name" on it!

What a Birthday Gift!

I'm still at Jackie and Dale's house, but Dale just called to wish me a Happy 48th Birthday. My report from Mom (at hospital) is that Dale is getting so much stronger that Dr. Sandigo (Dr. Henry's substitute) thinks Dale may be able to come home in the next day or two.

The IV fluids will be decreased as Dale takes more liquid meals. His daily chest xrays will continue.

They have put Dale on oxygen assist (not sure what that's all about...I'll investigate as soon as I get up there).

Jackie's brother, Bill is coming from Lake Charles to help out! I'm so relieved to hear that - because I really need to get back to work for a few days and take care of things.

I'll update later today - but for right now, I'm thrilled with the report!

Looking better!

Dale had his NG tube removed today. He's had one bout of nausea since the removal, but his lower GI track is working - so we are optimistic.

His xray today looked better than the day before. He's allowed clear liquids. He still struggles with a very sore throat, left over from the NG tube.

We're all keeping our fingers crossed that his lower GI track continues working and he gets out of the hospital soon. None of the doctors will speculate when that will be...

Friday

Things are looking a bit better today. Dale is having more bowel activity and the NG tube is doing it's job. The xrays are minimally better, so we're happy to see some progress.

Dale is in better spirits. Mostly because, I think, he's feeling better.

We're looking through old photo albums and reminiscing to pass the hours!

The next procedure

Dale had a visit with Dr. Rohas from the Victoria Surgery Associates today. The decision today was to insert an NG tube into his stomach.

Dale will use this method to hopefully clear the obstruction.

Looks like he'll be in the hospital for a while. Please pray the obstruction clears!

Thursday am

Dale is back to battling nausea! A step backwards I'm afraid.

More later after we talk to doctor!

Wednesday night

Dale is feeling less pain in his belly. Still sleeping all the time?!

This morning's xrays were not very pretty. There is concern about lots of gas trapped in the small intestine. Surgeons are hoping that this will correct itself.

Still nothing by mouth. Dale's getting some medications to help with the post operative depression. Hoping to see some improvement soon!

Visits by minister today and a big bouquet of Star Gazer's lily are filling the room with some cheer!

Wednesday update (morning)

Dr. Henry thinks Dale will be in the hospital "for a while". He does not think surgery will be tolerated, so he's hoping that medication and movement can remove this small bowel obstruction.

Dale's respiratory therapist thinks his sleep apnea is really affecting his sleep at night and further causing him to drop off to sleep "at the drop of a hat" during the day. We'll address this again on another day, for now
we're focused on the small bowel obstruction.

I will call MD Anderson with a new update of Small Bowel Obstruction for Dr. Rice.

(I'm home for a quick lunch and then back to the hospital)

Small bowel obstruction

Dale's latest diagnosis came today after a second CT scan. Dr. William Wagner (general surgeon) came by this evening to exam Dale. He is hoping that treatments in the hospital over the next 48 hours can clear this obstruction, as Dale is not a "Good" candidate for surgery at this point.
GULP!

Dale had lots of lower digestive tract treatments/medications this afternoon and reports some level of relief from the abdominal pain.
These will continue along with as many walks as he can handle.

Dale is now restricted from taking anything by mouth until this obstruction is resolved. UGH!

Jackie and I will rest this evening and head back to the hospital for another day tomorrow!

CRAPPOLA!

Tuesday update

Dale is having abdominal pain and a tender belly. He's not had any nausea. He had an additional CT scan today of his belly and lots of assistance getting his lower GI track functioning. He really is "down in the dumps". Can't find anything to talk about or do that puts a smile on his face.

Anybody got some suggestions? Any fixes for what appears to be a post operative depression?

Dale's heartrate is being monitored and he continues with IV fluids, pain medication, nausea medication and antibiotics. His white blood cell count has come down more but is still slightly elevated.

I've cancelled Dale's appointments at MD Anderson tomorrow. Dr. Rice knows about Dale's current setback.

Jackie and I are at home for a few minutes break and then we'll head back up to the hospital for a few hours this evening.

Dale's voice appears to be recovering slightly from the strain of his surgery, but he's not much in the mood for conversation.

Afternoon update

Dale is holding down small amounts of ice chips. Still no diagnosis. IV fluids and anti nausea medications.

UPDATE: Dr. Henry thinks Dale picked up a bug. No signs of obstruction or infection anywhere. Still not eating anything, maybe he will feel like eating tomorrow.

Jackie and I are at home now (10pm) - we'll head back in the morning.

Slight bump in the road to recovery

Dale has been troubled with lotsa nausea today. After a call to his primary care, he's being seen at the ER at Detar Hospital in Victoria. (6pm) Tests are being ran. He's not able to keep anything down.

Update at midnight!
Dale has been admitted to Detar Navarro (Room 326). Testing continues to figure out what is the cause of the nausea.

I'll be heading to Victoria in the morning....

Pathology Update

Sharon Myers, (PA for Dr. Rice) called today with a more indepth pathology report. Dale's tumor measured 3.5 cm and was a squamous cell carcinoma. The lymph node removed scored as a 2. (T2N1M1 or Stage 2B) Recommended meeting with the Thoracic Oncologist (Dr. Tsao on Feb. 13th). Margins on primary tumor were "close". Not sure exactly what that means, will ask more questions next week at Dale's appointment.

Day 3 - Now in Victoria

Marcy took Jackie and Dale to see Dr. Henry today. Dale's bloodwork remains normal, so they have reintroduced the Lasiks that was removed temporarily. Lungs sound good, incision is doing well and Dale is a little stronger each day.

Mom's cold is getting better. Now if the Post Office could just find all the mail they've held while they were in Houston for the surgery! :(

Dale will return to MD Anderson on Jan. 23 to see the surgeon for a checkup. Unless something unusual happens between now and then...I'll update after that appointment.

Day 2 at Home

Dale is getting stronger as the hours pass. He's up most of the day, with only a couple of catnaps in the recliner. His appetite is better, thanks to the scrumptous meals Marcy has been preparing!

Dale, Jackie and Marcy headed to Victoria this morning about 9:30am. I know that Dale is anxious to get home! He'll have another round of bloodwork to check his electrolytes and also a quick check of vitals to make sure all is well.

He still can't talk well, so emails to him are the best method of communicating. His email address is dalestover@sbcglobal.net and I'm sure he'll be checking it later on today!

Thanks for everyone for their cards, flowers, calls and prayers. Dale has so many things to be thankful for and you are one of them!

At Home Day 1

Dale slept some in the recliner and some in bed last night. He'll have to re-learn sleeping in a flat bed after so many nights in a hospital bed. He's up and around quite a bit, very little napping and he's coughing more. That's all good!

We've had some medication changes due to possible interactions with other meds, but Walgreens has been very careful about "flagging" those meds that don't work well with others.

Dale will have some additional bloodwork tomorrow in Victoria at his primary doctor's office. Marcy will stay in Victoria til Wednesday, then I'll take over through the weekend. If anybody is going to the San Antonio area from the Victoria area on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, please let us know. Otherwise, Marcy may have to hitchhike to San Antonio! HAHA!

The Houston Marathon is next Sunday and Dennis is registered to run it again, for the 3rd time. So I'll be back in Houston for that!

Dale's body has really worked hard this week to recover from the surgery. While he hasn't always been the easiest patient to help - he has made steady progress. His voice remains hoarse and volume is low. This is frustrating for all of us, because we ask him to repeat himself alot and then he gets winded talking so much. I know - my dad getting winded talking sounds foreign to those of you who know him! But it happens! He also has his own idea of the amount breathing exercises he needs to do - and that's pretty much 1/10th of what the doctor's want!

Jackie's still battling a cough but seems to be getting better. We'll get her in to see Dr. Henry on Tuesday or Wednesday and make sure she's not getting something worse!

Plan remain for Jackie, Dale and Marcy to head to Victoria tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

At Home in Pearland

Dale arrived home today about noon. He's very happy to be in familiar surroundings.

He will go to see his primary care physician, Dr. Henry sometime early next week, for some additional bloodwork. His creatinine level was on the high end of normal this morning. Dale has a couple of followup appointments with Dr. Rice and Dr. Tsao later on this month and then again February. For now, Dale will stay on his normal medications + his new heart medications. His voice strength fluctuates quite a bit. Sometimes very weak and hoarse, other times robust! Walking is slow, but each day he gets a little more sturdy!

Jackie and Dale will stay here until Monday and then the plan is for Marcy to drive them to Victoria. Melissa flew back to Colorado Springs last night to tend to her family and get the kids back in the swing of school, dance, scouts, sewing, etc!

Whew

In the car!

Running for a Reason

Please join us in supporting the efforts of the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association - and help Dennis "Run for a Reason".

http://www.active.com/donate/houstonmarathon08/DBoedek30

YIPPEE!!!

What a difference a day makes!

He's coming home tomorrow!!!!
Dale's heart converted to a normal rhythm last night and the last IV meds have been switched to oral meds!

He's made a remarkable recovery from 48 hours ago and is too healthy to qualify for the rehab floor!

He'll stay in Pearland for a few days to make sure all is well - then head home to Victoria!

WHEW! What a ride that was!

Back on Terra Firma

The Queen is home from the high seas! (18' swells to be exact)

Dale is walking more each day and sitting in a chair for the better part of the day. Today we expect all medications to become oral instead of IV. Dale's chest tubes have been removed.

The pathology report showed all but one of the removed lymph gland to be cancer-free. The one pesky gland that did test positive will change Dale's staging from a 1B to a 2B. No further treatment is recommended even though cancer was found in one lymph gland.

Dale has been in an abnormal heart rhythm since Saturday. This is not a new occurrence for Dale. He battled this in February when he had the pnuemonia. They are giving lots of cardiac medications. CT scans have all been negative for pulmonary embolisms and cardiac issues. All chest xrays have been negative, too.

Dale may move to the rehab floor tomorrow. Currently, the plan is to stay in rehab for one week. Visitors are welcome during that time. He needs to improve his stamina during his walks. He continues breathing treatments and occasionally coughs.

Dale's voice remains strained. Volume being the main deficit. His appetite isn't great, we're trying to figure out what might strike his fancy! Suggestions are appreciated.

Jackie is battling a nasty cold, so she has been staying away or using a mask when she visits. Marcy, Missy and Jackie are all staying at my house now and taking turns going to visit during the day.

Day 3 and 4

Substitute blog-writer, Marcy here, with news of Day 3 and Day 4.

The five of us, mom-Jackie, my sister Melissa and her two daughters, Elise and Julia and I are maintaining residence at The Rotary House Hotel near MD Anderson. We are Dale's fearless and able servants during Queen Phyllis' brief soirée on the high seas. I'm happy to report that she did NOT run out of the hospital with her hair on fire after her fun nights "on call" but that she is actually enjoying (we hope) a marvelous time on her long-awaited vacation cruise. Through the miracle of modern communication, she IS calling in often to check on Dad's progress.

Day three was challenging, FATIGUE being Dale's word of the day. The results of a Videostroboscopy of the Larynx, performed in Dale's hospital room, showed that his vocal chords were not closing as completely as they should under normal circumstances (the vocal chord nerve was stretched during surgery). The doctors were encouraged though, that the chords were functioning well enough that aspiration of food and/or drink into the lungs does not seem to be a concern. For now, there is a pronounced hoarseness in Dale's voice along with a marked decrease in volume. Those issues combined make communicating difficult for him but we are improvising with elementary sign language and one word requests! We expect that his voice will return to full strength as he heals.

Today (Sunday) Dale had a chest x-ray; his doctors were very pleased with the images they saw. The epidural has been problematic so that was removed this afternoon. Oral pain meds seem to be doing the job nicely. Recent problems with nausea and itching remain under control. Dale walked twice today, standing straighter and taller each time. He's eating small meals and continues with respiratory therapy and breathing exercises hour by hour. Obviously, there will be up and down days to come...coughing is painful, tubes are a nuisance, healing takes time, hospitals are noisy...and we remind ourselves we have many reasons to rejoice.

As Phyllis mentioned earlier, email messages--via the MD Anderson website--are delivered twice daily and really brighten Dale's day! The page takes a bit of searching, so if you'd like to send a cheery message, here's a handy link: https://www2.mdanderson.org/sapp/contact/message.cfm It appears that you only need to use dad's "legal name" Richard Stover, the birth date and patient ID are not required. We are especially grateful for this method of communication considering Dale's temporary vocal chord issues.

Have a very Happy New Year Y'all!

~Marcy