It's a new walk on an old path!

It's a new walk on an old path! We've been here before and are not taking it as slow this time. Dave had his CT scan of his chest and abdomen on Thursday, June 4, he no sooner walked in the door than we turned around and went back to the emergency room. He was having difficulty breathing. They did there tests including an x-ray and discovered that he has pneumonia. They gave him antibiotics and sent him home. The next day we had and appointment with University Hospitals (Cleveland) to see the specialist Dr. Rezaee. Daves sister Julie took us up there to take notes and ask questions, thank you Julie your awesome! We were very concerned about Daves breathing and what was going on with that. He said it could probably be from the pneumonia or some scar tissue blocking his airway from the radiation treatments. He did take a look with the scope and we feel he did not like what he saw. There is a possibility that Dave may have to have a tracheotomy for breathing which would be done when the biopsy is done in two weeks at University Hospitals. Dr. Rezaee also told us that the spots on his lungs could be from the pneumonia, it is to small to even do a needle biopsy on. As for his tongue Dave was probably moving it around during the scans in May. All of the above I just mentioned plus any scar tissue in his throat could cause what they call a false/positive result. When Dr. Rezaee does the biopsy he will be looking at the tongue, throat, stomach and his lungs very thoroughly. We came away feeling a bit better about this but still full of questions.

Dave had a three month follow up appointment with Dr. Simmons, the radiation Dr. yesterday. He is in agreement with Dr. Rezaee about the biopsy that is scheduled and feels that any further treatments given should be at University Hospitals in Cleveland. Just to let you know we live about 40 miles south of Cleveland in the Akron area.

I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to my wonderful friend Linda in Austin, TX. Her mother is in the last stages of lung cancer and Linda and her brother are having a difficult time with her. Please keep her and hers in your prayers.

Dave and I would like to give special thanks to Tommy (Daves Brother) for taking out the old dilapidated concrete steps in the front of the house and to Kevin and his friend Rich for getting new ones built. They are really nice and we thank each one of you for your part in getting them done.

Thank you for listening and God Bless. We love you all.

Now What?

Dave is doing the best he can at this point. Our appointment with Dr. Koenig, the chemotherapy Dr. was not a good one. Dave had the best chemo medication available and he told us there is nothing more that he can do. Once someone has had the cisplatin the other chemo meds. don't work as well. Dr. Koenig did give Dave a pain medication patch to see him through the next couple of weeks till the ride gets really rough. We will be seeing Dr. Rezaee from University Hospitals on Friday, June 12, 2009. We already know that Dave will be losing his larynx (voice box) in the very near future, no one had to tell us that.
We did go to see Dr. Lutz yesterday, as Dave is having difficulty swallowing, his voice is going and in some pain. Dr. Lutz gave him some more steroid meds. to hopefully help with the swelling and get him to Dr. Rezaees office. Dr. Lutz also wrote the order to do the CT scan of Daves chest and abdomen.
Daves brother Tom came by yesterday and visited with him for a couple of hours which was really nice. Dave does enjoy his brothers company.
Yesterday was the kids last day of school for summer break. The kids and I made a fire and roasted marshmallows last evening. The kids were playing in the yard and I was sitting there alone and started feeling really sad. Dave was not there beside me to enjoy the fire, he was in the house. He gets cold really easy. I started to cry and Candi my dog crawled up onto my legs and the kids came to. The kids all hugged me and stayed with me till I got over the moment. I had not so openly showed my emotions to them before. They knew why I was crying and they realized to that Dad should have been out with us as well. We did enjoy our time by the fire, despite a few moments of sadness.
Thank you for listening, God Bless, we love you all.