Dan’s Victory

Seattle Space Needle -- from the Pete Gross House

Dad exercising in the room at the Pete Gross House

Dan and Jane Grauer, Pete Gross House

My dad and I at the Cancer Clinic during hydration

during hydration

From Dawn:  I just returned home from visiting my dad.  It was good to see him, but it was difficult to see how hard this battle is.  He had to go into the clinic every day for blood work plus four hours of hydration.  He was still in isolation because he continued to have cold symptoms.  He had nausea both days, but the anti-nausea medication did its job and kept the food down.  It also made him even more tired.  The nurse kept telling him he needed to drink more liquids and he was trying.  The kindness of the staff was impressive.  I was also very pleased with the Pete Gross House, where my dad is staying.  Since it is entirely for cancer patients,  it is designed specifically to be kept germ and moldfree and all the patients and caregivers are careful with germs. 

Today, my dad’s youngest brother, Dick, came to be his caregiver for the next two weeks.

Please pray that my dad feels encouraged, that God gives him joy despite the difficult circumstances, that the cold symptoms heal, and that he will be able to drink and eat enough.  Thank you.

I had a good night sleep; the cough syrup the doc gave me  helped.  I woke up at 7 am so I could be a physical therapy at 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Then Randy and I walked back “home.”   We went back to the Hutch again at 12:15 for a blood draw and 4 hours of hydration. My blood pressure has gone back up to what is pretty normal - I think, 111 over 88. We walked “home” again.   So, I got some exercise three times including physical therapy.  I had a good lunch and dinner - so I have been eating pretty good.  I still have some cough, but am feeling better pretty much each day. I helped clean up the apartment by doing the vacuuming.  It will be an early day again tomorrow and afternoon hydration again.  But that’s okay - if that is what I need, the Lord knows.
For those who read this, I love to have a comment!   Sherry you are doing well.

My dad sent me these pictures to post.  His mustache is gone now.

The x-rays came back clear!  No pneumonia!

Last night was a good night sleep. Although I had to put four pillows under my back and head so I would be almost sitting up, I was able to sleep well - only up twice.   I had a good breakfast and a good lunch, and Jason (Randy’s oldest son) came over and helped make dinner.  I ate quite a bit.  I did have trouble getting down the amount of liquid I needed. It seems to be harder since I was told I need to cut down the amount of water and drink more juices etc.  I would think that would be easier, but it hasn’t been!  I was quite a bit short [moody] today. I had to be under respiratory isolation  because of the viral infection that I have right now. It generally feels like it is getting better, but the doctor said I pretty well have to just let the healing take place.  Of course, God does the healing anyway - so this is in His hands too!!!   I had to have a blood draw, see the doctor and nurse (being taken off some of the pills I have been taking) and found my blood pressue quite low (88 over 65) both laying down and standing up. Then, I went one floor down for the hydration; my creatin level had gone up some again, so I needed more liquid to go through my kidneys.  I had decided that since in was only one floor, I would walk the steps.  They took my blood pressure then, too, and it had gone up to 99 over 67.  Just to be sure the viral infection doesn’t get to my lungs, they had me take another chest x-ray. I won’t know the results of that until tomorrow. Randy and I then walked back to the Pete Gross House, and I kept my isolation mask on so the cold air wouldn’t bother my lungs and I was able to walk quite a bit faster today.  I have have some coughing spells, but that does bring up stuff that goes to my sinuses, so I can get rid of it.

Please pray that I am able to drink what I am supposed to tomorrow.
-Dan

Test results showed that the infection is viral and they did a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia.  Please pray that it will not be pneumonia, as that is very dangerous.  – Dawn 

Today was a day off from The Hutch. That meant no hydration, no blood draw, and no seeing the doctors and nurses.
The sinus infection seems to be getting a little bit better too. Had a better night sleep last night and a few good naps during the day. Randy and I went for a couple walks - one back and forth in the hall for 15 minutes and one around the block, but it was too cold. Randy also drove me around a little to see some of the sites of downtown Seattle.

Probably didn’t eat as much as I need to but I am real close to the 100 oz. of various fluids.

Expect even a better night sleep tonight.

Last night, sleep was again constantly interrupted by having to empty my bladder.   Also, my nose was getting stuffed up and if I laid down flat in bed, I would cough and cough and cough.  I also had to prop up pillows so I could sit up in bed.  That prevented the sinus drainage and conjestion, but was a very difficult way to try to sleep.  So it was another difficult night of sleeping. But, God is good, and I did get some sleep.  At the Hutch, the nurse recognized the sinus problem and put me in insolation - which means when I go into The Hutch I have to wear a mask and go to the place designated for those who are to be in isolation. Then they get me in faster, trying to keep me away from the other patients and I get an individual room instead of the shared one.  The nurse checked me out and said everything was looking good except what appears be to a sinus infection. The doctor came in and went through the same stuff and concluded the the same thing, but took a throat swab and sinus sample to be taken to the lab.

I did more rest and nap time. My brother and sister-in-law brought me some Shepherd’s Pie - it was kind of greasy (lamb) so I didn’t eat very much.
I had the four hour hydration and then was able to go “home.”  We walked “home’ again and it was good exercise.
We had a good dinner but I had to take a couple nausea pills to keep it down and help it taste good.

Tomorrow we don’t have to go in to The Hutch at all. I think they want to give me a little time to heal before possibly exposing others - although I have to wear a mask now until they say otherwise.

Jane and I miss each other and I miss the rest of the family as well.  I have all week to go without Jane but am looking forward to her and Dawn being here over the weekend.

-Dan

Please pray that the infection will go away quickly and that it isn’t anything serious and will not develop into anything serious, like pneumonia.  And pray that my dad gets some sleep. -Dawn

Actually had a pretty good day and night. Of course, I was up a number of times during the night because of the 100+ oz. that I have to drink not including the liter of hydration. Was able to take some time in the morning after Randy made breakfast for us, to walk the halls for 15 minutes and do the stretching/exercises etc. Got the blood draw done as usual then saw the nurse - a new one for the next few days - so she went through all the meds etc. with us to make sure everything was updated. The we got to the 6th floor early - where the hydration is done ——- but ——- all the rooms were full and we got in an hour late! I did get a little sleep during that hour. And today I did not have a headache at all, all day. We did keep all the lights dimmed, but I think my eyes are doing better in the light. Was able to listen to some of the Christian music I brought with me and finish one book today and sleep more during the 4 hour hydration. They expect that I will soon be able to not have to have the hydration. I don’t remember if I told you that all the tests I had taken yesterday or the day before - all turned out good. Do be praying about a bit of a sinus drainage and gunk in my lungs, some sneezing and coughing goes away during the night. I need that gone before tomorrow. Had all the fluid required today, but I think I was a little lax on the eating part, as the wait to get to hydration was during lunch time, but we had no idea when they would call us to go to one of their rooms to have it done.
Randy and I walked home again from Fred Hutch - about 4 blocks. Slow on the hills - but not much faster down-hill. Don’t want to overdue it.
Jason brought us dinner this evening, and Beth got here just we started dinner. She will be staying the weekend. She has a meeting in Belleview tomorrow while we are at The Hutch.
As always, the Lord is faithful and good. Still have weakness, but that is just part of the process right now. I am still being told that I am really doing well.

Had a pretty good day today. Last night too. My temperature last night before bedtime went up a little but in a short time had gone down again and this morning it was pretty normal.
Things didn’t get started at Fred Hutch until almost noon. I had the usual blood draw (which turned out that things continue to improve), saw the nurse and doctor and they were happy with what I was eating and drinking. They were a little concerned about the headache I have been having — it seems after I have been using my eyes more that I should and they tire out and I get a headache. That could be my doing the computer stuff and TV and reading etc. But they wanted to be sure to be able to eliminate annthing else. So I had a chest x-ray, and some more blood draw and urine sample. So we’ll see that to be all negative (nothing wrong) tomorrow. Then I started the 4 hr. 2- min. hydration at about 2 clock. Se I was there until about 6:30pm. and then Randy and I walked home again getting some exercise even though in the morning I had walked the hallways for 15 minutes.

So all is doing very good and they are hoping in another day or two to be able to take me off the hydration. I just have to be sure I drink 100 oz. of liquids every day!!!!!

Had a pretty good day. During the night I was up a lot because of all the fluid they pumped into me, Took an Imodium - however that is spelled. Now my system needs to start up again as it hasn’t yet since I took the Imodium. Creatin count was down like they want it to be. The white blood cells are growing very well the nurse said. Did have to go through 4 hours of hydration again, but I got a couple good naps during that time. Started a little bit of a headache and was told I could take a Tylonal which worked pretty quickly. Uncle Randy and I did wank the four block back to The Pete Gross House. Went nice and slow but I hadn’t gotten any walking in today like I was supposed to, so this way I did. The nurse is really, really happy with the way things are going! She said things are moving along really well.

Had a pretty good day today. …the nurse said she would order Imodium …
My ceratinum count was higher again that they liked so they put me on a liter and a half of liquid through the tube for - would you believe 6 1/2 hours!
On the other hand - a very positive thing - the nurse said the white blood cell count has jumped up, so obviously the stem cells are not being produced in my bone marrow. She again said I am really doing excellently.
Have eaten pretty good today. It seems I have figured out at what point I need to stop eating before I get any vomiting - which a lot of people go through. Thank you, Lord!

Randy is doing well with his caregiving.   He is getting me to do some of the cooking!!!   Beth told him, “I thought you were suppose to do that!”