Been a while

Nancy is recovering and getting stronger each day. She's driving; going out in the morning and resting in the afternoo. She fixed dinner tonight. The plan is for her to go back to work for a full day on Feb 15, 18 and 19 and take a week off. Then she will begin her normal work cycle.

We drove up to Portland to see Dr. Billingsley last Friday. He was very pleased with her progress and told us that we would not have to come up to see him again unless we wanted.

Again, we wish to thank wveryone for your support it has helped us both emotionally (spritually) and materially.

Thanks, Franz

Day 9

Short entry,

Nancy seemed to have more energy today; she's getting cabin fever, but she's got to lay low because she's got a way to go.

Her appetite is good and she is "spunkier".

Peter is home for tonight and most of Saturday so both of us are feelin' good.

Thanks Mom and Dorothy and Leonard. Thanks to the Social Workers for their generous gift! Thanks to all of the family (both sides) for thinking of us and letting us know it.

-Franz

Day 8

Peter surprised us last night and came home from OSU unannounced. Nancy (and I) were thrilled. What a guy. Oma fixed us some great talapia-Nancy had a great appetite.
Nancy's only medications now is Advil. The post surgery narcotic is still working out of her system. It makes her very restless.

She had a good day, was ravenous for breakfast, walked out to pick up the mail after mom fixed her some lunch. She rested (slept) for most of the day.

We had Mom's great spaghetti sauce with a green salad for dinner. Nancy ate heartily again; had some dulce de leche ice cream.

Nance continues to improve in very small increments. I can visualize that liver increasing in size.

-Franz

Day 8-our first full day at home

Thanks to all of you for your support and love.

Nancy is resting-I'd estimate that at least 80 to 90 percent of the time she is sleeping. Her pain level is relatively low (2-3) and is being handled by over the counter Ibuprofen and Tylenol. She eats (lightly) and sleeps. She has gone up and down the stairs three times today. Taking a shower exhausted her-at least she can take a shower on her own.

We've got lots of support...my Mom stayed with Nancy for much of the day, fixed her lunch and fixed us a great dinner. Nancy's parents were here early and stayed after I left until my Mom came over. They provide care for our dog, Beau, who is doing rather poorly.

Several people at work wanted to fix us a dinner, I turned some of them down because we have more than we need coming in. The Radiation Oncology staff has given us 12 dinners from Super Suppers-this is much appreciated-thank you. Many of the staff who knows that Nancy loves to garden gave her a very generous gift certificate to Johnson Brothers nursery in Junction City/Coburg. Nancy is really excited and appreciative of that-thank you all.

-Franz

Day 7-Home

We were discharged from the OHSU hospital today. Twas a long drive home; arrived safely. Nancy was extremely fatigued from the trip. She is resting in her own bed now. Finally at home.....

Day 6-afternon

We are still here at OHSU. Nancy is having probs with getting all systems online. It will happen, but until it does she won't be discharged. She's in a lot of pain with nausea. Dr. Billingsley is significantly reducing the oxycodone which he feels will help get things moving. We will be adding some tylenol.

So its touch and go. We may still be discharged today, but the chances of that are dwindling as the day goes on.

Day 5 PM-Sunday 1/20/08

We thought we'd be discharged from OHSU today and home by now, but Nancy has had a very painful, nauseous day and will need to stay overnight. This is not totally unexpected, her systems have not come online yet. Anyway we feel that things are under control, they're just not to the point where they feel comfortable discharging Nancy.

We hope to be discharged tomorrow.

-Franz