There wasn't much news last night...so I waited.
It's not good stuff to say, but I figure we need to be honest.
Andrea was at the hospital for the doctor visit this morning. The doctor was frank and said that this is as bad as Dad can get...he either gets better or he dies.
His liver isn't reacting to the chemo as well as they'd like. It was smaller this morning than it was Friday, which is good, but not enough to breathe a sigh of relief. Basically all of his organs are in distress. If any of them quit working, he'll probably go. And anything else goes wrong, he'll be in ICU.
They are giving him a diuretic today in order to get the water out of him...it has now moved into his heart, and the doctor said he has a gallup--which is some kind of murmur--because of it, but this should help.
They are also giving him more platelets.
Last night he was having a hard time not making messes when he'd urinate, so they have catheterized him and had an aide with him through the night. (His urine is contaminated with the chemo, so any mess is a HUGE ordeal to clean up and it was risky for Mom to be near it too.) Mom went home and slept.
He didn't recognize Andrea at one point this morning, but did later, so he's not very coherent at all.
Despite how bad it is, I am still very hopeful. He had a blessing before he ever went into the hospital which said that this illness was very serious, but that his mission was not done. I am realistic and know that maybe his mission was only a tiny bit more of this life, but I still hope, even among the tears and sadness.
Thanks so much for everyone's love and prayers. It helps so much. I wish we could tell everyone what they could do to help, but we feel helpless too.
And if you want to call, feel free to call me, 801.930.9934. I'm not sure what to say about calling the hospital, Dad can't talk and I know Mom isn't much of a talker anyway, use your best judgement and only make it a minute, if you feel like you need to. I'll probably go up later and can deliver messages too.
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Crap... I can't type anything. Every time I try I get too emotional. My wife and I love you and pray for you every day Uncle Jeff.
ReplyDelete-Jared and Camille Black
You are always in our family prayers! We Love you! I have to just share how much I love your father. When I was growing up I would come to see Andrea and hang out. I always recieved a 10 min bear hug from him. Jeff never discriminated between his own children or anyone elses, we all were loved.
ReplyDeleteDeborah Raymond
I'm so sorry for the struggle in all of your lives right now. I love all of you and love Uncle Jeff so so so much. Me and all my siblings send their love.
ReplyDeleteNancy Black