Still Alive, and Kicking

Now that I'm home and somewhat coherent the boss tells me that I need to update the blog.  And certainly we are overdue as it has been nearly three weeks.

During those three weeks I have become rather familiar with all of the comfortable and not so comfortable spots in our home.  I have spent significant time, including many nights, on a large chair in our family room.  I have found I can zone out while sitting straight up nearly anywhere.  I've gotten pretty good on a recliner too.   The famous fireplace spot in our basement works well to get heated up, but it's nearly impossible to get up.   I have been limited to sleeping on my left side until just a few days ago.

I've had to deal with some infection, a fever here and there, swollen feet, heavy fatigue, self-administered blood thinner shots, and a plethora of daily pills.  Each by itself has been a blast.  I asked the doctor about work last Friday, when they took out half of my staples, and pretty much got a laugh and that's about it.  My next parole hearing is on June 6.

I talked with my main nurse today to find out when next steps will happen.  Based on her response, that parole hearing may be irrelevant.  I will see the radiation oncologist on June 6 and will receive my radiation tattoos that day.  June 13-17 will be radiation days.  They will be hammering me with five total treatments, but they will be five times normal dosage so we're done in five days with what normally takes 25 days.  Once again this should be a real blast.

Next they'll give me a few weeks to come back to life again, then it will be time for colon surgery.  That will be mid-July.  I've at least been guaranteed a recovery room at Huntsman, not at the U of U, which I am extremely grateful for.  The bed alone at the U of U could have killed me.

Colon surgery will relegate me to the hospital for three, maybe four weeks.  After that another few weeks of recovery before I'll be allowed to lift as much as ten pounds.  Finally, and hopefully as the final chapter, I'll have some number of chemo treatments, somewhere between three and seven.

Thanks, as always, for all your support.  We feel the prayers, love the visits, appreciate the meals and other treats.  We certainly appreciate every other gesture you all have made. We are blessed!

We will update again in the next couple of weeks as the next steps unfold.

Go fight win!!!!

HOME SWEET HOME!!

Cliff is coming home today!  (Thursday, May 5th)  Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to come visit, we enjoyed seeing you.  GO FIGHT WIN

Hoping to Head Home

Hey everyone, just wanted to give a quick update.  Dad is still recovering and hoping to be discharged on Friday. They are still monitoring some lab work with his liver, but he is off of his oxygen and EKG monitor, and they removed his central line from his neck.  Thank goodness for getting rid of more cords! With that being said, Dad has enjoyed each and every one of you that have stopped by. If you would like a chance to come see him at the hospital, tomorrow might be his last day. Text or call my Mom to see when a good time to stop by would be. Thanks again for all your support!

Such a good Papa! <3

Coming out of the fog...Come say HELLO!

Mikell here, time for another update on Dad!  The last couple of days have been a little rough.  Pretty quickly after surgery Dad was complaining of shoulder pain, and difficulty breathing.  Although we knew the surgery would be quite intense, I think we can all only imagine how aggressive it really was! For those that aren't faint of heart and have a minute to spare, watch a liver resection on You Tube.  It is quite incredible what modern medicine can do, but also to see the human body go through something so traumatic and have the ability to recover.  Dad's surgeon explained that these were normal post surgical symptoms and that he actually had to lift Dad's rib cage out of the way a little bit to get to his liver.  Also during the procedure they were working in very close proximity to his diaphragm (your big breathing muscle) which in turn can irritate a nerve that runs down your shoulder that makes that muscle work.  This is to blame for the shoulder pain, and considering everything else that took place, the doctors were not surprised that Dad was having a little difficulty breathing.  They mentioned that it was possible that one of his lungs might even be partially collapsed. The doctors obviously recommended that he be mindful of managing his pain through his IV meds, and that keeping up on it might also help him breathe easier because his body would be more relaxed and not "muscling through the pain."  Although Dad wasn't complaining of pain a ton he followed their advice and tried to get as much rest as possible.

The next couple days Dad became very groggy and tired and it was quite difficult for him to stay awake for long at all.  Everything we eat, drink, and breathe is processed by the liver, and this is not limited to medications.  Because Dad just had 60% of his liver removed (still crazy to think!), his body was processing the pain medication at a much slower rate than it was used to and was causing him to react like this.  On top of this the Doctors were trying to manage bouts of high blood pressure and tachycardia (increased heart rate) among a few other problems.  The doctors have kept a close eye on Dad, and they are quick to tackle the post surgical hurdles as they come.  So far there is nothing that they have been gravely concerned about, and we hope to keep it that way!

Watching my Dad and family go through this has brought on so many different emotions, some I have never felt before in my life!  I really have yet to hear my Dad complain once about all that he has had to endure through this journey.  He has stayed so positive and been so strong, gone to work, and tried to carry on as normal as possible. He is truly our hero!  I can't even imagine how heavy the burden of cancer really is, and I think we all wish we could take on some of it for my Dad.  With that being said, my Dad is starting to feel up for some visitors and would LOVE to see anyone that would like to stop by.  He was initially supposed to be spending his recovery at the Huntsman hospital, but they are at capacity so he has been recovering at the University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake. Although he is feeling better, we ask that you keep visits short (around 20-30 minutes) as Dad still tires out easily and is trying to get as much rest as possible.  You can ask for his room number at the front desk when you come through the main entrance.  You can also send a text message to my Mom or anyone in the family if you are wondering what a good time to come is or have any other questions!  Thank you again SO MUCH for all your thoughts, prayers, good deeds, everything!  We could never thank you enough, and it has all been so helpful.  Come say HELLO!  GO FIGHT WIN! WE LOVE YOU DAD!