For those of you that missed it, Morley Walker wrote another article about Dad in the Winnipeg Free Press yesterday. I haven't checked yet to see if it's been posted on the website, but I'll update if gets added....
And for the big news, Dad will be receiving another CT scan to check on the swelling around the tumor. It's been scheduled for this next Monday, February 2nd at 9 pm. Then Dad goes back in for bloodwork and to find out the results on the 6th of February. From what Mom told us last night, I don't think they are looking much at the tumor, just at the swelling around it. I guess we'll find out for sure on the 6th when we get the results!
Also wanted to post a reminder about the art exhibit, "Unfinished Business". It opens tonight at the Outworks Gallery @ 7 pm (address and more details @ www.folkerts.ca). The whole family, including Dad, will be there and we're looking forward to a night out with family and friends.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Antibiotics and Outings
Well, I will share the bad news first. Dad had a bit of rattling in his chest a few days ago and the nurses checked him over and determined he was getting a cold. Normally, not such a big deal. But Dad's immune system is still in a very weak state. The doctors put him on antibiotics, and so far, he is doing well. He has to take them for five days, but the effects are supposed to last about another five days after he's done taking them. Hopefully they do the trick and it doesn't develop into pneumonia.
Now for the good news.....where to start is the question?!?!? Dad has been feeling really good the last week or so, despite having a cold. He's been up and about in the house on a regular basis, and he's been more coherent in the last week than he has been for quite a while. It's so nice to see glimpses of the 'old' Dad. Since he's been feeling so well, Dad has been spending a lot of time on the phone calling friends and family. I know he's been thoroughly enjoying the converstations he's been having, and I'm sure he has many more people that he'd like to talk to yet.
His other exciting news is that he actually got out of the house on Saturday. Mom and Dad went out for supper to the Inn at the Forks with a few friends, and Dad told us on Sunday that it was absolutely amazing. I think he was really glad to finally be outside again after being cooped up in the house for so long. I know he is also getting very excited for the art show this weekend, and is looking forward to seeing friends and family.
And finally, as always, we continue to ask for your prayers. Even though the art show is only a few short days away, a lot can change in that short amount of time. Please pray that Dad would continue to feel well enough to come to the show, and that the antiobiotics would clear up his cold before the weekend is here.
Now for the good news.....where to start is the question?!?!? Dad has been feeling really good the last week or so, despite having a cold. He's been up and about in the house on a regular basis, and he's been more coherent in the last week than he has been for quite a while. It's so nice to see glimpses of the 'old' Dad. Since he's been feeling so well, Dad has been spending a lot of time on the phone calling friends and family. I know he's been thoroughly enjoying the converstations he's been having, and I'm sure he has many more people that he'd like to talk to yet.
His other exciting news is that he actually got out of the house on Saturday. Mom and Dad went out for supper to the Inn at the Forks with a few friends, and Dad told us on Sunday that it was absolutely amazing. I think he was really glad to finally be outside again after being cooped up in the house for so long. I know he is also getting very excited for the art show this weekend, and is looking forward to seeing friends and family.
And finally, as always, we continue to ask for your prayers. Even though the art show is only a few short days away, a lot can change in that short amount of time. Please pray that Dad would continue to feel well enough to come to the show, and that the antiobiotics would clear up his cold before the weekend is here.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Visit from the Palliative Doctor
Well, Dad had a visit last week from the Palliative care doctor, Dr. Garcia. They decided to increase his dexamethazone (steroid) medication in order to improve Dad's cognitive functions. So far it is working, and Mom started to see improvements beginning Tuesday of this week. Dad has been more alert and awake the last few days than he has been for quite a while, and also has an increased appetite. It's been so nice to see him up and out of bed a little more often, and able to joke and carry on much longer conversations than he was able to a few weeks ago.
Another new piece of equipment has arrived in the last few weeks as well. Mom and Dad now have a Hoyer Power lift for the days that Dad doesn't have the strength to get up out of bed. This has made it much easier for Mom to get him up when he isn't able to help, although I don't think they have had to use it much since it arrived.
The doctors and nurses are continuing to moniter his condition and his medication levels. And we continue to pray that we would see healing in Dad's brain. We are also getting excited for Dad's art show at the end of January, and are very hopeful that Dad will be able to make it out for the show.
Another new piece of equipment has arrived in the last few weeks as well. Mom and Dad now have a Hoyer Power lift for the days that Dad doesn't have the strength to get up out of bed. This has made it much easier for Mom to get him up when he isn't able to help, although I don't think they have had to use it much since it arrived.
The doctors and nurses are continuing to moniter his condition and his medication levels. And we continue to pray that we would see healing in Dad's brain. We are also getting excited for Dad's art show at the end of January, and are very hopeful that Dad will be able to make it out for the show.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
In the Papers
Mom thought it would be a good idea to mention this here, in case anyone may have missed it. Dad has been featured in two different papers in the past few weeks. The first article was printed in the Winnipeg Free Press before Christmas. And we just found out today that there is an article in the latest edition of Christian Week as well.
For anyone who missed the Free Press article, it can be found on the website for Dad's art show: www.folkerts.ca. Click on 'Article' and it will display the whole thing. Since the Christian Week article just came out today it's not on the website yet. I'll update on here if it does get added.
That's it for today. We saw Dad today after church and he's doing about the same as he has been the last few weeks. He's not necessarily any better, but he's also not really any worse, which is always good news. We continue to hope and pray for a few more months with him, but we just have to keep taking it one day at a time, trusting that God knows best how much longer he'll be here with us.
For anyone who missed the Free Press article, it can be found on the website for Dad's art show: www.folkerts.ca. Click on 'Article' and it will display the whole thing. Since the Christian Week article just came out today it's not on the website yet. I'll update on here if it does get added.
That's it for today. We saw Dad today after church and he's doing about the same as he has been the last few weeks. He's not necessarily any better, but he's also not really any worse, which is always good news. We continue to hope and pray for a few more months with him, but we just have to keep taking it one day at a time, trusting that God knows best how much longer he'll be here with us.
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