Rough Day

Just a quick update.  Yesterday I felt great.  Leann took me to work and I stayed the whole day for a meeting.  Today I finally was able to get up at 11 am.  My pain headache and back wise was intense.  I even had a few drops of fluid in my left ear.  I am doing okay now, I hope that lasts.  I want to work from home as much as possible.  Next week we have a family vacation at the end of the week so hoping that works out.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.  We have gotten many cards in the mail and they are encouraging to us.

Derek

Home again

Things went differently this time.  It was easy getting out of the hospital so they let me go this morning and we are now home.  I am moving really slowly and for short distances.  Luckily I am not in pain.  But my right leg is really weak.  I think it will take some time to build up the strength again.  I got out of the van a couple times on the trip home but walking and getting up is not as easy as it was.

Thanks for all the prayers.  It just seems like good times are followed by setbacks over and over.  But we just continue to take one day at a time.  We sure dont know what the future holds but we know Who holds it.

Love,

Derek & Leann

Surgery over

I'm back in my room now.  The surgery went to plan which was a bit different than first described.  They put a rod down the length of my femur so it just doesn't break again below what they fixed.  So there is a long rod, then the screw that goes up towards to hip joint to hold the fracture together, and a couple screws at the bottom to hold the rod in place.  I am not in any real pain but there is a dull aching in my right leg.  Tomorrow Ill start walking with PT who isn't in on the weekends, or they would probably have me up already.

M&D Stoller just left now and Mom Sauder is bringing the two oldest kids up tomorrow. I miss them and cant wait to see them.

Thanks for all the prayers and love we have felt.  For some reason I have been more emotional today.  I listened to Wed nights service early this morning and they sang "Ready to go, ready to stay, ready to do His will"  That should be our attitude all the time, that we are just ready to serve our Lord in any way He wants us to.

Love,

Derek & Leann

Fall

We came to mayos for routine followup and unfortunately I fell last night.  I ended up with a cracked femur right near the hip joint.  So I am in the hospital awaiting surgery.  The plan is to have surgery on Sunday morning where they will put a plate and three screws in my hip.  A long screw will go up towards the ball and hold the fracture together.  Till then I'm supposed to put no weight on my right leg.  Without the surgery they said I would not be able to ever walk again.  With it I should be able to take weight on it right away.  I am not in pain when still but moving causes me pain.  The recovery is not super fast, they said it usually takes 6 weeks to get back to normal.  They said to figure on three nights in the hospital after surgery.

As far as the scans, the tumors have grown slightly.  There is a new spot in my brain near the original tumor site.  The lung tumors have grown slightly as well.  The doctor figures we should stay on the pazoponib and we will decide on the somatostatin shot after all the leg stuff is over.

They did an EEG test to look at my brain function and that was all normal, so that is good.

I was really proud of Leann during the feeding tube replacement.  She helped the nurse so she can do it at home by herself the next time.  The new tube is a different style that is more compact and you can't do it for the first year.  We are still getting used to it cause it works a little differently.

Overall it has been a downer of a day.  The leg is a discouragement as well as the fact the cancer is still growing.  I have been doing well so it's a surprise.  Just pray the surgery is successful and that we can bear the disappointments we have had.  Also, pray for our kiddos and their caretakers.

Love,
Derek&Leann

Home!

In a surprise reversal of fortune, the bacteria was not resistant to anything so I was able to come home on two G tube antibiotics, not the IV like I thought last night.  I just credit the many people I know that prayed last night.  I am very glad to be home, hope to go to church tomorrow and work next week.

I had a visitor yesterday right after I had gotten what I thought at the time to be bad news.  He just encouraged me to use the blog to let the word out.  It lifted up my spirits to be able to talk.  I am just reminded of how much we can help each other along the way.  My life has surely been enriched and helped by many of you.  Thanks for that and your many prayers.

Derek

Discharged!

Now here til Monday

Unfortunately, we are still waiting on final blood cultures to determine what type of antibiotics to go home on.  The doctor doesn't think that will be decided until Monday now.  It could be 2 weeks of iv at home.  Derek is not that excited about spending fathers day weekend in the hospital.  he is feeling pretty good, not 100 percent but pretty good.  Have a nice weekend out there and pray for us that the time doesn't go too slow.

Quick recovery

Derek made a quick recovery this time, but we are still waiting for discharge.  Patience level is ok :)

In hospital

Derek is back in with aspiration, but we caught it early.  He needs oxygen and antibiotics today.  Hopefully, he will recover faster than last time.  Thanks for your prayers!

Eye doing well

Derek's eye stitch went just fine and his vision is nearly back to 100%.  Thank you for your prayers!!