The Latest...

I spoke with Mom a little while ago. Pop needs to be admitted again today. He has been in a lot of abdominal  pain since his colonoscopy. The doctors did a CT Scan and found some sort of blockage in his intestine. They do not feel it is related to the liver or to the kidneys, but need to admit him in order to clear whatever it is. 

No real updates other than that as of right now. As I find out more I will post them.

Thanks for the continued prayers and positive thoughts....

~Susan

Liters Liters Everywhere....

Good Afternoon, Everyone :)

I hope this post finds you happy and well. I spoke with Mom earlier today. Pop had the fluid drained from his abdomen this morning. Nearly 7 Liters of fluid (18 pounds) was drained and he is looking good :) Mom said, "We are gonna have to get your skinny pants!" Today is a busy day for them. He had the drain completed, he had another test this morning, and this after noon a Kidney test. He will stay in the hospital overnight tonight for observations to make sure that there is no bleeding or anything from the Kidney testing.

Keep those prayers a'coming!

Thanks!

~Susan

Good Morning!

Just a quick Update on stuff :)

Mom and Pop went to Cleveland again last night (this will be a weekly trip, I am understanding) because he has some more appointments and tests this week. An -oscopy of some kind, some kidney checking, some fluid draining (YAY!) and some other miscellaneous appointments to attend.

Mom said he is doing well - doing what he needs to do. As far as contacting them, your best bet is to leave a comment in the "Guestbook" on here. I know they would love to hear from all of you - but since they are traveling to the different appointments so frequently, this is easier.

Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers, and smiles.

Please leave some love for Pop when you get a chance.

Thanks!

~Susan and Jennifer

Pictures

This is where I will post pictures for everyone to see :)

From Aimme's Wedding Fall 2008:

Way back at Susan's High School Graduation:

Pop's favorite picture of Jennifer!

Giving the Bride Away - Jen's wedding June 11, 2005:

Mom!!

Getting ready for the wedding:

Us, being us:

The girls:

All Smiles at Susan's Radford Graduation - May 2003:

Mom and Susan taking over the World at Pike's Peak:

Susan and Sam contemplating.... something:

Pop at Christmas:

The Man Himself:

Again - in Ohio:

"Over Yonder...."

One of the infamous "I can take the picture myself" shots that we are all so good at!

Brother-In-law Love?

Susan and her Pop:

Getting Comfy:

Mom Called

Just got off the phone with Mom. Pop and she are doing well. I am on a mission to find a pair of large, thin, warm gloves for him. I know there is a type of silk that is used for long johns that is super thin and very warm. Any ideas there?

They are waiting for one more appointment today - a CT scan of the chest. then they can go home until Tuesday. They will go back to Cleveland on Tuesday for 2 days of testing including a Kidney biopsy. He needs to get some vaccinations as well, including pneumonia, Hepatitis A and B and a few others. Not sure when those will happen, but I am guessing soon. He is scheduled to have the fluid drained from his abdomen next week. The doctor performing that will do it IN office (less uncomfortable for Pop). This is great news because the fluid and swelling are making the gent a tad uncomfortable.

More news to follow soon.

Thanks!

~Susan

No new news yet....

Hi everyone :) Now that the blog seems stable enough, we can start posting!! There are already a few posts in the guestbook, and it just warms my heart to read them!

I have not spoken with mom yet today, but will try calling her in a bit. Yesterday they met with the heart Doctor and a few others. Today I think the menu of physicians included lung doctors and liver doctors again. They need to monitor his weight every day due to the increase of retained fluids and of course watch his blood pressure. 

I just want to let everyone know that he sounds good. he hasn't lost his sense of humor AT ALL. He jokes and laughs about the weather and "normal" things as usual. It is refreshing to hear him giggle and make cracks about EVERYTHING. 

It is cold and grey in Colorado today... so much for the 90 degree weather earlier this week! It was gorgeous in Ohio yesterday, so Mom and Pop went outside for awhile to soak up some sun and all of its warmth. 

I can't say it enough, but Thank You to everyone who slips in an extra smile, thought, prayer, hug, whatever. It means a lot to all of us.

Love,

~Susan

Guestbook

Hi All! This post will be an ongoing one. We will use it as a Guestbook of sorts for now. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and encouragement for Pop and Mom here.

The latest and greatest

Hi All -

So just to bring everyone up to speed - Pop had a 10 day stay between two different hospitals. The 1o days (May 6th - 15th) included a multitude of tests and poking and prodding. Pop said to me, "I am human Swiss Cheese." Mom agrees! He is doing well, although very tired. The doctors are continuing tests throughout tomorrow. There really is not too much conclusive news to report. We know that he is need of a new liver so that is the priority. The amazing team of specialists at Cleveland Clinic are really incredible. They are working actively, aggressively, and compassionately to get this transplant show on the road. There is a waiting period (I will explain) before Pop can be placed on the transplant list. This period is approximately 3 months, but the team seems to feel that he is a good candidate for the transplant. In the 3 months or so between now and then, Pop needs to go to a gazillion appointments, tests, check-ins, you name it and he will go there. 

Mom is doing well. She is very tired, as I'm sure you can imagine. This has been draining in every possible sense and situation. She is such a trooper! 

What we really need now, and for a while, is positive thoughts and prayers. I guess to some this goes without mentioning, but I thought I would throw it in just in case.

Please feel free to post comments on this blog in lieu of calling Mom or Pop. Jennifer and I will answer any questions you may have to the best of our abilities. We really appreciate all of the love and support from our families - both immediate and extended. Jennifer and I will post updates as we get them.

Oh yeah - if you have any fun pictures you want us to post, let us know :) We are going to look through our albums (in my case hard drives haha) and start posting, too.

We love you all!!!

Hugs and kisses....

~Susan

Welcome

Hi Everyone.

Jennifer and I decided that creating a blog to update everyone on our father's progress might be more convenient for everyone. I am in the process of setting it up now and will post the story soon.

Check back soon.

Love and Hugs,
Jennifer and Susan