August 31, 2010 Update

Hi everyone,
The PT person came this morning to evaluate dad. He doesn't feel that he is needed. Neil is exercising in bed and Carrie and I walk him to the kitchen table for meals. He was quite surprised that he still had muscle strength. We were encouraged and pleased as I didn't think he was exercising enough. He sleeps a lot.

We are still trying to find things that he will eat. Yesterday he wanted a big mac and vanilla milk shake from Mickey D's so off Carrie went. He threw up last night but we aren't sure it's from that. The nurse said to give him whatever he wants...which isn't much...since he's now lost 80 pounds.

Carrie (Carice) from the visiting angels is a big help to me and it seems that 6 hours is about the right amount of time for her to be here. She is pretty flexible to work around the hours we need her.

We have concerns about the white blood cell counts, the high pulse readings and of course the food and exercise. All in all I think we're managing quite well.

Tony wants to take us to chemo on Wed. so he can help me with the wheelchair. He'll leave and come back for us. He enjoys the time he gets to spend with Neil. Steve calls for updates as he now knows the drs., nurses, etc. involved in this production.

Our thanks once again for prayers, concerns and support.
Neil and Kay

Update August 26, 2010

This week Neil is having a shot every day to bring his white blood cells under control. He is also having two hour drips to keep him from dehydrating. Steve has been getting both of our cars serviced and taking Neil to the doctor. We have our good days and not so good days. He is really trying to drink liquids and exercise. Thanks to all of you who brought dinner every night this week and for the continuation of prayers from so many. Ellen will arrive this afternoon for the weekend.
The Gilmer Family

August 21, 2010 Update

Neil finished his 3 days of chemo. The first two were ok but the third one made him very restless. The visiting nurse comes every other day to wet/dry pack his wound. The visiting angels have been a big help to me but he still wants me by his side quite often. I took time out today for a haircut and pedicure. Everyone keeps telling me to take care of myself. Please continue your prayers for him and strength and health for me to carry on. Dean is going to take care of our finances which is a big burden off my shoulders and Ellen comes as she can. Her visits make him light up and we are so thankful that Dean is able to help out from Indianapolis.
Love to all. Kay

Update August 19, 2010

Neil has had several good days. He's eating more, exercising more and sitting up more. It's a good feeling for both of us. He will start chemo this afternoon.

I've started to recover by having help 24 hours a day. I've been able to get more sleep and catch up on a few things.
Next week his friend Steve will be with us and the following week we'll try with 6 hours a day with the Visiting Angels.

We're taking one week at a time to figure out what is best for the whole family.

Thanks to all of those who have helped us in oh so many ways. It seems that God sends someone at just the right time and I am so thankful.
Kay

Cancer Is So Limited

Cancer Is So Limited

It cannot cripple love.

It cannot shatter hope.

It cannot corrode faith.

It cannot eat away peace.

It cannot destroy confidence.

It cannot shut out memories.

It cannot silence courage.

It cannot invade the soul.

It cannot steal eternal life.

It cannot conquer the spirit.

Cancer is so limited!

-Author Unknown

Update August 14, 2010

We've hired round the clock care starting Monday so I can relax
a little and all of you can quit worrying about me. I have to admit after about 100 days I can hardly keep going.

Neil still is only drinking McDonalds milk shakes, milk and Carnation Instant.He also likes my black cherry jello. He'll have chemo Wed., Thurs. and Fri.

Ellen is able to get him to walk a little more. We can't let her continue coming here all of the time. She has to have her own life. It takes two of us to walk him and he can't go very far so we have to have the wheelchair behind him to let him sit down.

We're not sure of our future plans ...only take one day at a time. Thanks to all of you for prayers and concern.

Update August 9, 2010

Today Neil and Kay started out the day expecting a busy morning.... up early awaiting the PT guy (who didn't show or call), then Jean came at 9am to get Neil ready for his outing to the oncologist at 11am. Ellen was on duty today to get him there... since Kay had her own dr appt. The orders were to leave the house by 10am due to all the transporting, loading and unloading, standing, moving, shifting, etc. to get there by 11am.I truly do not know how Kay does all this by herself, the wheelchair isn't light for a 70 year old. I guess I do things a bit faster since we left on time as instructed but arrived by 10:30am only to wait, and wait, and wait til 11:10am to get in to see the doc. Neil was worn out by this time, and cold... so with blanket in tow he slept and waited for "the appearance" of one said, Doctor Vinnie.
The doctor was in and out about 3-4 times, not sure why but sure seemed busy... came in to talk to him briefly...and Neil mentioned he had a sore throat.... he left to return with a flashlight to examine the throat situation. Indeed he felt it needed some attention so returned with some samples of some type of numbing medicine to alleviate the pain and since Neil is already on some anti-biotics there was little else to do. During chemo he is just highly suseptable...the swollen leg was much improved after much elevating.... so of little concern today it would appear. Then the doctor informed Neil he would need some blood work drawn.... which brought on much anxiety when the nurse wanted to get it out of his veins instead of the port.... but upon looking and not seeing any veins.... they went "port" instead, much to his relief. The blood results came back super fast and his white blood cell count was low...so immediately a nurse, Valerie came in to give him a shot in the back of the arm... which is now going to need to be done daily at least this week to get those white blood counts up! Got to fight, fight, fight!
Kay showed up just after this and after finishing her own appt with the doctor's wife.... to set up appointment times with calendar in tow. Alas, after 4 rounds of cancer you apparently have some free time to come and go as you need to for said, shots! So they need to go every day for the next 4 days, so friends will be coming to take him each day.... Me tomorrow and then Dan Rapp offered and then Kay is back on duty unless I can get some time off work to help out?
That's the update... ooh, I made the mistake of giving dad some pain killers upon returning causing him to get sick.... live and learn! Around here we take one day at a time and learn with each moment... the whole time praying for a "miracle" to take all the pain and suffering away so they can both have their lives back! Keep those prayers coming, we believe they are keeping him with us...and that God's not through with him yet!

Love to all, Ellen

Update August 6, 2010

Today added another dimension to our lives. Neil has an infection so the surgeon opened something that a visiting nurse will need to pack with wet and dry gauze for the next 10 days or so. Thankfully this is one thing I don't have to do. I did the shot with her supervision today and didn't hurt him....at least he didn't yell.

I took him in the wheelchair to Walgreens so he could pick out some glasses. His regular ones aren't working for reading and computer work. No promises but you might be hearing from him.

Subway sandwiches are the meal of choice now...makes it easier for me. Of course Gatorade is still way at the top of the list.

Have a great week end. Ellen is coming to tell us all about her 132 campers since camp ended today. She reports that she's enjoyed it but is exhausted!!

love, Kay

Update August 4, 2010

Today was quite an eventful and tiring day for both of us since Neil started back to chemo. John and Linda came to help me get him in the car safely and off we went. He received his 3 hours or so of chemo and a 22 hour pouch to bring home. In the meantime the nurses gave him his Aristra shot in his stomach ..for blood thinning... since cumadin didn't work. I'll be giving those shots by the end of the week. Dr. Hernandez reviewed the meds given in rehab and changed a few. We left the prescriptions at Walgreens and came home so John could help Neil back into the house. I do okay at the doctor's office with the wheelchair, etc. but a small step in our garage requires some help from neighbors. Mike will help Thursday and Helene and Ron will help on Thursday. Today's visit was an answer to prayers from many of us that he would be strong enough to endure the chemo. Please pray for strength for both of us as the months go on and we, with God's help, fight this battle. Love and blessings to all. Kay