Friday, July 31, 2009

The Latest on the Pop

Yesterday evening, dad was admitted into St. Edwards hospital. The oncologist made a cursory visit, more of an introduction than providing much information. During the next few days, he will be looking at dad's scans, test results, and what not. Hopefully, this will provide some good information to help us plan the next phase.

This morning dad is having a bone scan and an abdomen scan. We are assuming the doctor will round this evening.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

An Ambulance Trip

For family members and friends with concern:

Dad fell twice yesterday, adding to his "fall" totals. He had a really bad day overall, digressing more and more. He is losing control of his left arm and legs, not being able to make them move the way he wants. This morning he is having difficulty walking.

Bryan, his PCP, and the oncologist's office all recommended dad to visit the ER if symptoms worse, worrying about injuries sustained during his falls, swelling around the tumor, and the seemingly rapid progress of the cancer. Apparently, the doctor has already made preparations to have him admitted.

He is headed to the hospital now via ambulance.

Will post later with more info . . . when I get it.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

What We Know Now

If medical jargon is your cup of tea, then this is the blog posting for you.

Here's what we know: Dad experienced severe confusion and disorientation a week and a half ago. His symptoms were such to indicate a stroke. After a CT scan, a mass was found. The radiologist performing the scan gave an "off the record" diagnosis of a brain tumor. After a MRI the following Friday (only four days ago), Dad's PCP reported the brain tumor to be 3 cm large in the right front lobe of his brain. Due to its size and characteristics, he said "unofficially" it was brain cancer. The mass is too deep for surgery. Chemo therapy is not a successful treatment for brain cancers. Radiation is the common treatment, but his mass may be too deep for that as well. The PCP also unofficially stated, that a person in otherwise perfect health who had such a brain tumor would have a 5 percent chance to live five years if the most aggressive treatment was given. Not good, not good.

We are waiting for an oncologist to assess the scans and images, along with Dad's other health concerns for an "official" diagnosis and prognosis. We are expecting a call sometime this week.

And that's it for now.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Family Reunion via Brain Cancer

When I was in high school, I remember being in the living room with my parents. I was preoccupied with something, sitting in the floor. Mom and Dad were sitting in their respective chairs, talking about this and that. Although I do not remember much about the context (something about someone dying, etc.), I remember one bit of the conversation:

Dad said, "You know, Emily's going to be young when we die."

Until then, I had never thought of that--I could spend more years on earth without parents than I would with parents. Right now, I'm at 28 and will soon lose my father.

This weekend's trip to my parent's house did not reveal Dad to be bed-ridden, unable to speak, or on life-support. It did, however, show his brain cancer to be aggressive and destructive. He cannot see well. Because of that and other effects from the tumor, he walks very slowly with his hand out to guide him. He often bumps into things. He becomes very confused directionally, not knowing how to turn around or sit down properly, or which way to go--like what chair to sit in, door to enter, etc. He doesn't do well with processing more than one thing at a time. In fact, he didn't recognize me when I walked through the door. All in all, his processing is slower. Eating, bathing, drinking, walking, talking, and on and on takes much longer.

On the good side, he is still "with it." His knowledge and memory retention is wonderful. He can talk your ear off, follow your conversations, contribute to the conversation and such. But, he may leave his chair, stand in the middle of the room, or just start walking aimlessly with no notice and for no reason. Then, you have to say, "Dad, look here. Here's your chair. You can sit right here."

My father's health development brought many family members to Van Buren this weekend. I will post pictures later. This was the best weekend my often chaotic, dysfunctional family has experienced in more than 15 years. In fact, I cannot remember--literally--the last time all of my siblings were at my parents' house. On top of that, I REALLY can't remember when no one tried to kill the other--ha! I'm attributing such a gracious visit as a gift from a very gracious God. How He ministers to us in indescribable, deep ways.

The next few days will be filled with doctor's visit, more trips to Van Buren, and researching home health options and hospice care. We may not need it, but I want to be prepared, as do all my siblings.

Again, if you are the praying kind, please keep my family in your prayers. We need it!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Unexpected

Yesterday, my father was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He has been having confusion on and off for the last month or so. This weekend it became severe,with symptoms we thought might be a stroke. However, a MRI has revealed the cancer. He will go for another MRI on Friday and soon meet with an oncologist. Of course, this is on-top of the prostate cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and kidney troubles he's already experiencing. The next couple of weeks will reveal more about the cancer, treatments, and realistic prognosis.

This unexpected news has prompted unexpected trips too. We leave Friday for Arkansas to meet my parents, brother, sister, and other family members who are converging on Van Buren this weekend. We hope to get legal issues in order, review insurance policies, and touch base with his doctors, if we can. Also, I think a lot of us just want to talk to dad before the cancer takes his mind. There's a lot to be said, and hopefully a lot to be forgiven.

If you're the praying type, I'd appreciate the prayers.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Baylee



Last week was one of the best so far this summer! "Uncle Bryan" and I had a great time because our niece, Baylee, visited with us for seven days! Everyone involved, well at least the Yourees, had a GREAT time. I hope Baylee did too!

The weekend started off with a Texas wedding and church on Sunday. We also saw a great movie on the OmniMax. Yikes, I felt like was going to fall off the edge of the seat!

Then, we celebrated the hottest day of the year (105 degrees, actual temp) by visiting Six Flags! Bless. It was fun despite the heat. I believe, we made a roller coaster fan out of Baylee. How many times did she ride the Batman? That'd be three. By the end of the day, around 9:00 p.m., Bryan and I started feeling our, um, age. And for the record: I HATE the Judge Roy Scream.

Tuesday found us splashing around at NRH2O, a family-friendly water park in Tarrant County. The Green Machine water roller coaster was my favorite, as well as the wave pool. Baylee had fun frolicking around each section all afternoon. This was way cooler (literally!) than Six Flags!

Sadly, Uncle Bryan had to go back to work on Wednesday, but Baylee and I had fun visiting the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the Science Museum, where Baylee bought some astronaut ice cream. Let's just say it was weird both in taste and texture. :-)

Thursday we baked cookies, went swimming, and played with little Lucianne. It was a great day to recover from our big events earlier in the week.

Friday found us at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing--very interesting. Of course, all that talk about money inspired us to shop the afternoon away! We found some great deals and cute clothes for our 12-year-old diva. Teehee.

Needless to say, we were super sad to drop her off on Saturday. We can't wait until next summer!

Baylee, come back!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

One Month Later . . .


It's been awhile.

The Youree summer blasted off and is taking off!

The first weekend of June, we ventured north to visit the fam in Oklahoma and Arkansas. We had lunch with my mom; Chris, the birthday boy; and Baylee, who was boasting some new braces. She and I are looking very chic with matching metal mouths. Gracyn impressed us with her t-ball abilities while we watched her game. And we had a great time visiting with the Youree side of the family in Heavener. To end our weekend, we also stopped in Sherman, TX to see the grandparents. Boy, do they have onions in the garden!

The month of June also brought a visitor our way--my great friend Lori from the college days. She stayed a long weekend. We enjoyed her visit so much! We checked out museums, shopped, visited the pool, watched the Rangers in action, and chatted until our heads fell off. Well, not literally, but you get the idea. We talked a lot. Teehee. Sorry, Bethany. I didn't take any pictures while Lori was here. I'm so bad at that . . . .

July 4th was low-key this year. Bryan was on-call. I did what any American woman would do on a holiday when her husband is working--I shopped. We did get to see some fireworks that evening from the deck. God bless America.

Other than that, we've been eating, sleeping, watering the plants (because it's so HOT and DRY), and watching House Hunters. Ah, another Youree summer.