The Red Oaks are Here!

Mom shows off the Red Oak trees that will be planted on Sunday at Dale's Celebration!
Can't wait to see everyone this weekend and celebrate my Dad.

Dale's Final Resting Place

In accordance with Dale's wishes and with the final approval of Royal Caribbean cruise lines, Dale's remains will be "Buried at Sea" at a ceremony held during the Jan. 24, 2010 sailing of the Voyager of the Seas out of Galveston, TX.

This cruise had been planned month's ago to celebrate my 50th birthday. We will add this ceremony to our itinerary.

Dale is surely smiling today....his ultimate wish...fulfilled!

Those interested in joining us, should contact our Travel Agent and friend, Kay Sanderford at kay.sanderford@americasvacationcenter.com or 800-374-8108.

Please join Dale Stover’s family as they honor
his memory and celebrate his life at a
Tree Planting Ceremony
November 1, 2009 at 4:00 pm.
Services held on the grounds of the historic
Hiller House
3003 N. Vine
Victoria, Texas 77901

You are invited to participate in the service. Please bring a small
packet of soil from your own garden to help nourish Dale’s trees.
Trees will be tended by the Keep Victoria Beautiful project.

Reception to follow:
First United Methodist Church
407 N. Bridge Street
Victoria, Texas 77901

Richard Dale Stover, 80, of Victoria, passed away on Oct. 7, 2009. He was born Sept. 1, 1929 in Chickasha, Okla. to the late Clara and Asa Cox. He was a member of FUMC Victoria. He was a member of Point Comfort UMC for 44 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, served on the Point Comfort City Council for many years, and often assisted Keep Point Comfort Beautiful. He served as a master sergeant in the Korean War from 1951-1953, where he received a Bronze Star. He worked at Alcoa for 37 years. Dale's hobbies included fishing, gardening, cruising the Caribbean, and attending family reunions. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Dale is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jacqulyn Stover; daughter, Marzetta Gaskamp and her husband Ted of Phoenix, Phyllis Boedeker and her husband Dennis of Pearland, Melissa Gaubatz and her husband Maurice of Colorado Springs; grandchildren, Michael Gaskamp and his wife Rachel, Lauren Wallberg and her husband Bill, Shelley Whistler and her husband Stephen, Emily Boedeker, Naish Gaubatz, Elise Gaubatz, and Julia Gaubatz; great-grandson, James Richard Gaskamp; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Willard Stover, Pauline Cleveland, Charlene Robertson, Minnie Loftin, and Jackie Malone.

The celebration of Dale's life will take place on Nov. 1, 2009. The celebration and tree planting will be held in the gardens of Keep Victoria Beautiful's Hiller House. (3003 N. Vine, Victoria, TX) . Times TBA.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The Stover Memorial @ Keep Victoria Beautiful, 3003 N. Vine, Victoria, Texas 77901, or the charity of choice.

Celebration of Life

The Celebration of Dale's Life will be held on Nov. 1, 2009 on the grounds of the Hiller House (3003 N. Vine, Victoria, TX). http://www.keepvictoriabeautiful.com/

Please check back for more details as they are made.

Oct. 7, 2009

This evening at 10:05, Dale peacefully passed away. While we all come to terms with this sad event, we are grateful that his suffering is over and know that God has healed him.

Arrangements for the party that will celebrate Dale's life are pending.

3:00 pm Update on 7 October 2009

Dale's vitals:  9:00 am,   Heart rate: 90 -100    BP  119/69      Blood O2  89 (with oxygen in the nose)

 

At 12 noon,  Heart rate:  115     BP   150/75       Blood O2  91  using a BiPap machine

 

At 3:00 pm,  Heart rate:  129     BP  138/74       Blood O2   88  still using BiPpap machine.

 

Today, Dale's blood oxygen levels were the item that required the most attention.  Following the morning visit, the BiPAP machine was used to try to raise the O2 levels -  this is a breathing apparatus that covers the mouth and nose and pumps air / O2 into the lungs although Dale still has to breathe in and out with a bit of effort.

 

The pulmonary doctor, Dr. Adams, saw Dale a little after 12:30 (the BiPap was put in place around 11:00 am) and called Jackie and Melissa with his recommendations going forward.  He recommended taking off the BiPAP and installing an intubation tube in order to relieve Dale of the struggle his heart seems to be having breathing with the BiPap machine.  The heart and blood pressure reading both went up after starting the BiPap, the thought is to take away the labor of the breathing and let his body try to heal from the multiple problems:  possible pneumonia, pulmonary edema, kidney response to dehydration.  Dr. Adams did state that the pain medicine Dale has been taking can cause some respiratory depression; however, the CO2 levels in Dale's blood were around 30 (some unit) and a opiod drug overdose blood level would be in the 60 - 90 (some unit) range, so Dr. Adams does not believe the pain drugs are at too high a level for Dale. 

 

Even though the pain meds are not too high, at this point, Dale is still sleeping a lot and not able to speak with the BiPap covering his mouth.

 

This evening (after getting agreement of Jackie and all daughters), Dr. Adams is going to insert the intubation tube and we will monitor Dale for the next 2 days to see if there is some improvement in his other body issues.  Prayers are always welcome from all.  We are trying to think of ways Dale can communicate during this, if anyone has ideas, we welcome them.

 

 

 

 

   

 

8:00 pm Visit Update 6 October 2009

Dale's Heart rate is 93 - 99, BP is 110/68

Dale is sleeping alot still.  There is a bit of a rattle in his chest.  He is having pain in the abdomen which is being treated with dilauted (sp) - doses at noon and at 6 pm.

A KUB scan was performed in the afternoon and a sonagram on the abdomen and finally a CT scan.  The outcome of the tests was the identification of air in the large intestine (horizontal section) and some in the small intestine.  At this time, Dr. Henry has not ordered an NG tube, the nurse says the air is too far down for the tube to help.

Dale is still on the cardizem drip, glucose and NaCl.

The kidney's are not as suspect at this time.  The abdomen will be evaluated in the morning by Dr. Henry.

The nurse is trying to give as little as necessary of the dilauted as it can retard the digestive tract.

Update from Noon Visit 6 October 2009

Melissa and Jackie spoke with Dr. Henry at the noon visit on Tuesday.   Dr. Henry is still treating Dale with antibiotics for infection of either the lung or the kidneys.  The diagnosis is still not certain.  Dale's heartrate was around 100 - 105 during the visit, it seems that the metropolol is helping a bit.   Dr. Henry stated that Dale had complained of a little pain when Dr. Henry arrived (11:50 am) and so had administered a dose of delotted (sp) for the pain.  We are thinking the pain is from an injection he had in his upper stomach area previsouly.  Dale was still sleeping mostly during the visit (probably due to the pain medicine) but did listen to the tale Melissa related to seeing Bill drive the big moving truck pulling the car with the little cats in it!  

 

Dr. Henry had spoken to Dr. Karp (MD Anderson clinical trial doctor) this morning, but at the time Dr. Henry talked to Dr. Karp, Dr. Henry was unaware of the heart issues that Dale is having (atrial fib) due to Dr. Henry's pager problems.  Dr. Henry will be calling Dr. Karp this afternoon/evening to let him know of the heart situation.

 

Another blood test will be taken tonight to monitor the kidney function, so maybe there will be more certainty in what to treat.   There is still the stated case of possible pneumonia or kidney infection.

 

Dr. Henry said that since Dale's heart was not behaving normally and he thinks there is some liquid in the lungs from the previous hydration push, he could not give a higher dose of liquids at this time.  (A higher dose of liquids may help the kidneys better).  So we will take this slowly and pray the kidneys get repaired, if that is the problem.

 

 

C1D13

9am: Dale has taken a step backwards overnight. His lungs continue to show a growing pnuemonia threat. His kidney labs are puzzling the doctors. Creatinine and BUN are way out of whack. Dale's heart has begun an arrythmia (Atrial Fib). He's sleeping fitfully and it's very hard to understand anything he says. Lots of heart medications, antibiotics and fluids continue. He will remain in ICU for a while. Melissa (Colorado sister) is here now and I'll be headed back to Pearland, so she will be providing the updates until Saturday.

More updates

9pm: Dale's potassium levels remains high. He is getting D10 (dextrose) and subcutaneous insulin every two hours to help lower his potassium. He has developed a bit of a rattle in his chest, so fluids have been discontinued and Lasix has been given to help relief some of the "over hydration" and hopefully lower his potassium more. He's still a bit disoriented, but his vitals remain good. He will be given another anxiety drug this evening at bedtime.

5pm: Dr. Karp (chair study at MD Anderson) called to discuss the difficulties Dale was having. He will consult with Dale's primary doctor here at Citizens.

3pm: Dale's blood pressure is back to normal. He's had 500 cc of Levaquin (antibiotic). They are really pushing liquids. Xanax for anxiety seems to be helping. Clear liquids by mouth. Seems a bit more lucide this trip.

1pm: Dr. Henry thinks Dale is fighting an infection either in his lung or kidneys. Chest Xrays this morning look like one of his lungs may be starting to infect. Urine had some bacteria in it also. Blood presssures are slowly creeping back up. Other labwork looks normal. Ativan for anxiousness. Antibiotics to cure whatever is infected. Probably in ICU until tomorrow, then moved to a regular room. We will be able to see him again at 3pm. I've spoken with the folks at MD Anderson several times today. They are sending their most recent lab results to Citizen's for comparison.

9am:Dale is having renal issues. They are pushing fluids. Potassium is elevated. Blood pressure is very, very low. He is dazed and confused. Waiting for brain MRI report. Urine output is being monitored. Not much fight in Dale right now.

Oh No

Jackie called 20 minutes ago...3:45am.

Dale has taken a turn for the worse. He doesn't know who she is, can't swallow liquids, hasn't urinated in hours and she's scared. She's calling 911 and we're packing up our stuff and headed to Victoria.

6am update: Dale has been moved to 2nd floor ICU at Citizen's Hospital. He's had bloodwork, Chest Xray and a brain MRI. Bloodwork shows some renal issues. Jackie is waiting to consult with Dr. Henry as soon as he arrives. We're about an hour away from Victoria...

C1D11

Talked to Jackie last night and this morning. Dale is really sleeping alot. Spending most of his day in bed and dragging himself out for a few bites of food. Either a week spent hurting or just the chemo has really worn him out. He's using a walker to get around with because he's pretty weak. He'll end his script of Oxycontin today, so hopefully he'll be more alert and active tomorrow.

He's not in any pain and no nausea. Just exhausted!

C1D10

Just got off the phone with Jackie. Dale is still doing well without pain. Using Compazine now instead of Zofran for nausea. Dale is able to take short walks outside. He's pretty fatigued or either the Xycontin is making him sleepy.

Hopefully, the confidence gained from the new pain medication regime will encourage Dale enough to continue with more treatments.

C1D9

Oh what a difference a day makes!

Let us all breath a sigh of relief that pain has been alleviated. Dale can feel the fatigue that chemotherapy brings, but resting now helps fix that. He's not had to take the morphine for break through pain and that is also good.

What we have learned this week

1. Do not leave the Houston area until after you are confident you can handle the side effects of Cycle 1.

2. Go to the ER at MD Anderson if you are in severe enough pain that Tylenol can't fix.

3. Eat small meals often to avoid nausea.

4. An electric blanket is very comforting for sore joints.

5. Werthers Original candies soothe a sore mouth.

6. Oral mouth sponges help alleviate the coated feeling in your mouth.

7. Try either Biotene mouthwash and baking soda mix, alternating for mouth pain.

8. Get a chart to keep track of new "as needed" medications.

9. Chapstick on the lips helps the sore mouth sensation.

10. Chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, any non-spicy soup, watermelon, jello, milk shakes, and de-caf Iced tea are all good foods for a sore mouth.

11. Xyloxylin is helpful for a sore throat.

C1D8

Rough night. Accept defeat and head to MD Anderson ER as soon as Dale wakes up this morning.

I'll update more later!

Dale is getting a Fentanyl Lollipop to swab the inside of his cheeks with for pain. Fast acting. All blood work is done. Dr. Viets will give Ativan by IV next. Working on a plan to find a pain protocol that he can use at home. He's in Pod B Room 24. Only one person back there at a time. Mom and I are taking turns. Excellent care. Hope they can find a pain method that works at home and this doesn't turn into an admit.

10am: Dale is resting comfortable after an Xray and an Ativan injection. Pain level 2-3. Fingers crossed that his pain if finally under control!

11:30pm: Being discharged with an arsenal of pain medications!

2:30pm: My dear SIL went by and checked on the patient for me (while I was digging myself out of a week's missed work) and reports both the patient and his wife were sleeping soundly!!! Hurray...pain meds must be working!

6pm: Dale just left with Dennis to go grocery shopping! Apparently, the morning meds have "healed" him. Still praying this is long lasting! Dale's new medication regime is 2 Oxycontin - twice a day for 3 days, one 600mg Ibuprofen every 8 hours for 5 days and in case that isn't enough.....Morphine Sulfate every 4 hours for breakthrough pain!!!! EEEKK!! All of Dale's labwork today was fine.