April Fool Month

Well my post titled *Beware the Ides of March* was overly optimistic.  Everything has been shifting around all month so there were way to many questions so I did not post updates. I think we are more organised now.   Basically April was spent trying to find out what was going on with Dave's belly.   Now after CT scans, blood tests, and seeing various doctors the picture is starting to take shape. A group of doctors meet on Wednesdays to discuss cases. Dave's case was presented last week and and the team developed an action plan. Doctors were concerned that the tumor had already caused the bile duct to clog once and could again.   Additionally, we were told that the tumor is very close to a major artery, making surgery a very risky endeavor.   They would like to try and shrink the tumor prior to surgery, but the oncologist was not happy with the inability to collect enough material for a the biopsy.  That is the one doctor we want to be happy. 

The first step will happen on Thursday May 3rd for another endoscopy.  It is hard to wait, but that is the earliest the various doctors could get together. This time they will use a bigger needle and have a pathologist standing by to decide if the samples have enough material to analyse.  From that point on there are several paths depending on the results.  Assuming they are able to get the samples they want, we then see the oncologist on May 8th.  So until then we only know possible paths.   At least now we have an idea of what these paths might be.   And even better we know the docs are talking to each other.  

On Friday we enjoyed the benefit of these conversation . The surgeon called to cancel the Friday appointment because the oncologist had covered everything on Thursday.  This gave us time to go to see plays put on by Sam's first grade class, along with the other first grade class.  Both classes had 10 minute plays that all the kids were in.  Many of the kids had speaking parts and included group singing. One of the parents led the kids last year and had so much fun that she did it with this years first graders too . There is a growing group of parents working very hard to provide music and art to the students.

SPRING!

Yes, spring is here with brilliant blue sky.  The boys have started spring sports so we have to spend time outside watching them.  :-)  Walker is on two soccer teams, one is just casual.  He decided baseball was fun for fooling around but he didn't really like the games. Sam is playing both baseball and soccer and is serious about both.  Miles is having a good time with T-ball.  I am the official watcher.Whoever goes with me,so far Dave and Kari, becomes the person that gets stuck cleaning the mud out of my tires. Did I mention we have had alot of rain lately ?   It  is rather funny to hear the  kids complain about being hot when it is only in the low 70's.  Of course that is 20 or more degrees hotter than 2 days before.

What is your name?

We have an interesting problem.  We know too many Cindys.  As one friend wrote,  I can't believe I have to put my last name when I send you a card.  Here is our list.  Todds wife is called our Cindy or Todd's Cindy..  The person that takes care of me is caregiver Cindy or Broome Hilda after the comic strip because of her laugh.  Then there is Cindy at church or sewing Cindy.  And Bakersfield or painting  Cindy. Not to be forgotten is long time friend or Texas Cindy.  Just to keep life interesting the woman that does my nails is Cindy. Now you can see or problem if someone says ask Cindy.

Oscar The Grouch

Okay, so I said April was going to be a good month.  That was before mother nature showed how fickle  she could be.  Yes, Easter Sunday was beautiful with the highest temperature of the year - 68. We have some sun and days nice enough to have the door open.  And then there is today. Cloudy and rainy and gloomy.  On top of that this is the  day Dave is doing the preparation for his colonostomy.  Pretty hard not to be a grouch.  This the kind of day I would hide in the sewing room and work on a project.  Looks like Yuki is going to have to do it for me.  There is something very satisfying about seeing pieces of cloth come together to form a quilt or clothes. Fortunately she is enthralled with the process too.    Now that I have complained  I do feel better.

Contrary to the impression in my last post, March was not all bad.  I already shared about the ALS gala that was fun and profitable for our local chapter.  The previous week was the second annual fundraising event for the boys school.  It too was a great evening.  Knowing parents and staff at the school makes us feel good about being part of the evening.  This is a school that is in the process of improvement as the families of the students change.

Another high point was when Yuki, one of my caregivers, finished her first quilt.  I have introduced several people to quilting, but this was the most fun.  She had not sewn since high school in Japan and wanted to keep it a secret.  This was for her mother in Tokyo.  When it was all finished we had her family for dinner and the unavailing of her  quilt.   Her college student daughter and high school son both said they wanted one.  The older son probably would not turn one down either.  Her husband figured he would be buying a sewing machine soon.  The next quilt  is for Yuki.  I think she will continue to make beautiful quilts because she focuses on cutting and sewing accurately.  She has started on hers now.  I have become a better teacher with each person.  Now I am having her follow directions in a book, and I am a reference.  By the time she makes several quilts I want her to be able to do it without me.

As you can see March was not all bad.  The biopsy from Dave's surgery came back benign, so that was good news.  He is scheduled for more tests this weeks to find out why he is having problems.  Hopefully that will be the end of the tests.  April is starting off good.  Easter Sunday was the warmest day of year so it was a new beginning in many ways.

Beware the Ides of March

As Shakespeare said, "to beware March 15th", Dave says "beware the entire month".  It has been long and difficult trip, starting with belly discomfort that would not go away, everything was up and down after that.  The doctor did lab work and a Ultrasound, and arrived at a diagnosis of diverticulitis.  This started a 2 week session of two strong antibiotics that leave an awful taste in the mouth.  He was feeling pretty good for a few days, but still very tired . 

When he started hurting again he went back to the doctor where they did more lab work, ran a CT Scan and told him he had been very sick and had pancreatits as well as diverticulitis.  Both of which would take time to heal, and he was to stop drinking any alcohol.  So he continued trying to get lots of rest and had some good days that would fool us.  Then wham he would hurt and be exhausted again.  Once again he felt terrible after a few good days so back to the doctor again.  This time looked terrible, pale and a bit yellow .Again lab tests and a new CT scan.  This time the doctor called saying he had a blocked bile duct that needed to be opened. 

Talk about timing.  It is spring break, and Todd's family is in Bakersfield for a family reunion.  And many of the hospital and doctor's staffs are away too.  Eventually that all gets worked out and Kari is able to come up to drive him .  So Friday, the 30th, was the big day.  The doctor sent a scope down his throat and determined that the bile duct was pinched between the pancreas and the gallbladder.  He was able to put a stint in the duct to straighten out the kink, which took care of part of the problem.  While in there, he is able to take a tiny brush like a bottle brush and collect samples to be biopsied.

Now it is April so all the bad stuff is going to be over .  Yes, we are waiting for test results, and they will have to take the stint out in 4 months.  Additionally they going to do an ultrasound from inside his stomach to try and find out why the bile duct kinked.  But  March and the yucky stuff are over (we hope), and we are looking forward to a new month and all the wonders of spring.