The past few days was spending off the gout in both my legs. For those of you not familiar with gout, we will just keep it that way, others will know.
I did for the past few day started extented walks in the neighborhood. Like today when ivwalked almost a mile in my hiking boots. That was the first time out of my slippers in several weeks. Keep getting stronger.
Did you recognize a likeness?

First step to my treatment.

It looks as though my first treatment will be this Friday with 42 days of radiation and an oral chemo treatment thrown in. Then on Feb 26, I will be going to Duke again for a followup.
Staying busy and in need of continued prayer.

I do hope that tou enjoyed the holidays as much as I did.

I had both girls home and my son-in- low cleaned and organized my basement with my daughter. Can you ask for more?

Feeling stronger with hour helpful comments!

Love, me

 
Hi,

everyone, I am taking advantage of the European traditon, celebratiing two Christmas holidays and are wishing you a great Christmas

Personally, I had wonderfull Christmas, despite the gout making me immobile. If it is not one it is thing one another.
But enough with the complaing.
I had the family around me just sitting there around the tree, Chris an Hillary has put up. The lit fireplace lend the croom its ambiece. We just talked and talked and enjoyed each other' company.
At this time I want to wish you a very Eurepean Chistmas.

Love, Peter

HOME!

12/23/2012

11 Comments

 
It was a slow drive that took nine and a half hours but we did it in one car and we did it in good spirits and we did it. My dad seems to have slept through most of the night; there was a dialysis issue at about 2:30 but my mom woke me up and I called technical support and we got it sorted out. The house is quiet right now, while everyone recharges their batteries. As my brother-in-law Chris said, today will be Extreme Christmas Makeover: pick out, put up and trim the tree; ignite the fireplace; buy last-minute whatnot; pump out some Christmas carols; roll some bourbon balls; wrap some presents; hang some stockings. Hectic as it sounds, I think we're all looking forward to it, though I think everyone knows that the biggest gift of all is having my dad here with us.

Thank you so much for your prayers, thoughts and well-wishes. As always, you've been keeping us all afloat, my dad in particular. May your holidays be filled with warmth, love and happiness.

--your guest blogger, Margaret
 
Picture
...and he's ready for his close-up
Everyone breathe a great sigh of relief. Mr. Peter has finally been discharged from the hospital. We were all gathered in his room this morning, awaiting another full day on the fourth floor. Hillary and Chris had just landed after their two-part trip from Austin. We'd already been told not to expect any chance of release till early next week. I think we were even starting to wonder if we'd have to do our Christmas shopping in the gift shop downstairs. Is there a gift shop downstairs? Oh, hell; Starbucks gift cards for everyone! Then the nurse came in and announced that they were finished with him. Just like that. Actually it wasn't just like that. Tonight would have been his tenth night there. In the course of all that time, they had a team of nephrologists, a team of neurologists, a constant staff of nurses, even an infectious disease specialist and one of those heart guys, all them poking, prodding, drawing fluids, growing cultures, taking temperatures, blood pressure readings, EKGs-- all of without a clue what was causing this fever that would spike to scary highs. Finally, they decided that the cause was the root of his tumor, which is located near his thalamus, which controls his body temperature. Basically, his thermostat broke for a little while; the radiator fluid ran out; a bird flew into the cooling fan. However you want to see it, the problem seems to be under control and tomorrow morning, all five of us, are going to load up the car, hit the gas and blow this Popsicle stand.

--your guest blogger, Margaret
 
So. After telling all of you my parents were heading back to Athens this week, that is not the case at all. My father has had a very hard time shaking the fever and Duke doesn't want to let them go before he's been without a fever for 24 hours. Hence, they're still there. The doctors are still doing tests and have found no cause for the fever. I think they've tested every fluid and tissue that can be tested and the only thing that is surely getting tested is everyone's patience. Chris and I are scheduled to fly to Atlanta on Friday for Christmas but we may be headed to Duke instead so that we can help my mom drive my dad home. Again, thank you for keeping my dad in your thoughts. More updates as they come in.


Margaret, surprised us tonight, and was great assistance to Carol.

My week, with Lis was a total success. She spoiled me royaly!
I am due another 2 sessions after the holidays. I can't wait.

In closing, thank for the many comments' they realy are uplifting.

Sunday

12/19/2012

0 Comments

 
 
Hillary again. I just got off the phone with mom. After doing DAYS of tests there are still no conclusive answers but it looks like my dad is stable and they will be releasing him tomorrow (Sunday). They did get to talk to a lot of doctors and nurses and seem to have a decent support network at Duke now. That will be a big comfort as they both have lots of questions since the surgery.
They had a tough week but received some good news today and are very much looking forward to returning to Athens soon.
Thank you again for keeping us in your thoughts.

Update

12/13/2012

7 Comments

 
It's Hillary, your guest blogger again. This time I'm not at Duke with my mom and dad but I just got off the phone with my mom and she filled me in. They spent all night in the ER without many answers. They are doing blood tests and took a culture of some fluid in his abdomen to rule out an infection at his dialysis site. He was running a fever of 102 last night and they thought they may do an MRI this morning. Duke seems to think it could maybe possibly NOT be an abscess. Hopefully there will be more info today. In the meantime, keep your fingers and toes crossed and the positive energy coming. This is really hard on my mom and dad and they need all the good that you can spare. Thankfully Mary and Panos Katsibas were able to travel with them so they are not alone.
 
Just when I thought I was on the way to recovery, boom, I am winding up with brain abcess.

We are on the way to Durham.
Will let you know more later.

Thank You
 
I do hope that Chris and Betty celebrated a great birthday. For me, I forgot to post a couple of pix, since I left Athens.

My sister Lis came out with orders of bright yellow Margarita's. you should have seen them. They were like little suns. I hope when I return on Tuesday, that I capture their color.

The other bunch were pansies. From my oldest brother Gabriel. I am including a pix below. The nicest part is that both Lis and Carol did the planting