Some of you know that we were hoping Bobby would have his radiation here in Boise so we could be available 24/7. He has consulted with a radiation oncologist in this area, but has decided to continue treatment in California. He feels very comfortable with the team he has been with since his diagnosis, his stuff (not that he has that much stuff) is there and there aren't any good hikes on Deer Flat Rd. It is called "Flat" for a reason. We don't particularly like that decision but can understand it and support it.
He was schedued to have his PEG, stands for percutaneous (through the skin) endoscopic gastrotomy (stomach tube) or feeding tube put in on Wednesday, October 20th. The PEG feeding tube is placed directly into the stomach so proper nutrition and weight maintenance can continue during treatment if swallowing becomes an issue because of pain and mouth sores and the inability to make saliva. We, of course hope that doesn't happen but "in case" he'll be good to go.
The PEG was installed on Wednesday morning and he went home (I think with the Doctors permission but not under her advice) Wednesday evening. He was having pain but thought he could manage it from home as well as it was being handled at the hospital. We received a call from Caroline at 1:00 a.m. letting us know they had gone back to the hospital via the emergency room. He was admitted. He was having severe stomach pain and had been vomiting. Thursday morning his stomach became hard and distended. A CT Scan was ordered on Thursday afternoon resulting in a diagnosis of Ileus, a temporary paralysis of a portion of the intestines. He had a build up of gas that he wasn't able to pass. He ended up spending four uncomfortable days in the hospital. The upper GI came back to life on Friday but the lower GI remained asleep until Saturday night,. He was finally able to pass gas and hold down solid food and was discharged on Sunday morning. He said he'd never had so many people rooting for him to pass gas. It was difficult not being there with him. We kept waiting to see if we should go or not. Seems there's always waiting.
Radiation was scheduled to begin on Monday, October 25th along with the first infusion of Cisplatin. However, things have been delayed a bit and won't start until Wednesday at the earliest.
I'm working with my manager to be able to return to Californina sometime mid November and stay through Thanksgiving and then go back again mid December. The details aren't worked out yet but good people are working on it.
Meanwhile David's dad is home. He was discharged from the hospital but has been back via the emergency room a couple times. He is home again and seems to be doing much better. David's mom has a wound on her leg that hasn't healed and she will be visiting the doc again on Wednesday. We know the time is coming soon that all the Grangers will be well at the same time. We're looking forward to that.
Thank you for your prayers.
"The Lord bless you and keep you."
Numbers 6:24
