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Dad was discharged from the hospital last Friday. He has an infection believed to be caused by the stint. He's been put on antibiotics to help fight the infection and bacteria. Antibiotics will be given from now on. He went back today to get the fluid drained off his left lung. Mom continues to drain the right lung. He's home resting now. Fluid is building up in his abdominal area and in his legs. We thought they were going to drain the fluid in the abdominal area today but he has a liter of fluid built up and they want to wait and let it build up some more before they remove it.

Have a good evening,

Talk to you later,

In the hospital

Dad's in the hospital at Cape. A couple days ago one of the nurses came to the house and dad's pulse rate was 150+. Mom took him to Cape and the hospital admitted him. He had 103.5 temperature and his blood pressure was extremely low. The doctors are currently in the process of trying to pinpoint the source of infection. Some of the results of the blood tests should be in tomorrow morning. The source can be the port, tube in his lungs, stint, bowels, etc. They've done a CT Scan and are thinking about doing a colonoscopy. They think he's got two different bacterias. He's on several antibiotics. He has double pneumonia, and both lungs and the stomach have fluid in them. The fluid in the stomach is new but they currently don't want to remove it because it contains proteins his body needs. Mom still drains the right lung but the doctors are draining the left with a procedure called thoracentesis. If you remember, this was the same procedure they used in the right lung prior to inserting the tube that mom drains. They drained 1200 cc's (about the same as millileters)off the left lung yesterday. Mom drains about 300 cc's off the right lung every two days. I'm assuming they'll eventually have to put a permanent tube in the left lung. He's starting to turn jaundice again so it's possible the tumors may be growing around the stint, eventhough it was just put in a couple weeks ago. If its the stint causing the problem he'll have to go up to St. Louis. His oncologist,an infectious disease doctor, and a pulmonologist are currently in charge of his care. We're currently in a holding pattern, we should know more tomorrow.

I spoke with dad a few minutes ago. He was up eating and he said he was feeling better. He always says not to worry about him, but that's hard for me to do. Things are getting a little harder to manage and problems are getting harder to pinpoint. Some of these problems we have experienced before, others are new. That's to be expeceted although I've told myself many times, surely it can't get any worse. Unfortunately, it can and probably will. This is a scary experience, I feel sorry for dad or anyone who has a terminal illness. I also have much respect for all caregivers.

This experience has opened my eyes in many ways. I always new cancer was bad, but until a couple years ago, I had no idea a life like this existed. I know through reading this and taking this journey with us it's probably touched many of you in different ways. I hope this online documentation can help those recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Currently, it is a death sentence, but as you can see, with a strong will to live, good doctors, good friends, and a solid foundation, you can make it longer than the 3 to 6 months the doctor is going to tell you you have when you get diagnosed.

I had no idea that this blog would last this long. I don't neccessarily consider myself a blogger. I was actually against the idea when my brother in law first set it up for us. But as I look back on it this has been a great communication tool and the documentation of this fight will hopefully make someone elses battle a little easier. It's definitely been an outlet for me. I wanted to thank all of you who care about dad enough to follow dads fight through this blog. The family appreciates the comments and the words of advise. Please continue to pray for mom and dad.

Dad is extremely lucky to have such good friends. I know he appreciates them. We've talked about it.

Have a good day,

Onward....

The last few weeks have been tough to say the least. Mom and dad traveled to St. Louis where dad had a new stint placed in a bile duct and underwent a nerve block to help with the pain management. While there, it was discovered that he had double pneumonia. A recent scan revealed the cancer has metastasized significantly and vastly. Mom and Aunt Joan have to empty the chest tube that was placed in his right lung every other day. Fluid has now started building in his left lung. He is home now. Nurses come into the home a few times a week, though mom does the majority of his care. Dad is determined to continue to fight the disease with everything he has. It is a remarkable fight.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Angie

Conservation Relay For Life Garage Sale

The Conservation Relay For Life Garage Sale is right around the corner. Come out and spend some money if your in Columbia Saturday May 2nd.