Feeling pretty good

Dad continues to feel pretty good over all. His appetite is coming back nicely and he feels he is gaining weight ever so slightly. He does tire easily and feels cold most of the time. 

He is now going to Vancouver twice a week instead of every other day which is good news. He is still on a ton of medication and so far his appointments are mostly about adjusting the levels. His rash from GVHD is gone but he is still on medication to keep it at bay. 

Mom and Dad have fallen back into a routine at home. They have even gone out for small outings when the weather has been nice; even just for a short drive. They have had some visitors since they have been home and I know they appreciate that. 

We are very thankful to our Heavenly Father for what He has done for Dad. We are so happy they can be home and for the progress Dad has made to date. We pray that his health continues to improve.

So happy to be home!

Dad and Mom have been home since Monday afternoon and are loving it! Dad is considered an outpatient right now which means he will have to go back to Vancouver for tests and things every other day. We do not know for how long this will be; they are trying to take it one week at a time.

This week Dad's tests were good and the stay in Vancouver was not a long one. We're hopeful all the trips will be like this and they can be back home again quickly. The drive to Vancouver is about an hour from Mom and Dad's place so it's nice to not have to stay too long at the hospital and get back on the road again.

Dad has an appetite again and is almost like a pregnant lady craving certain foods. He is enjoying being home and being able to watch Canucks on his own tv with his boys.

Mom has given the house a big spring cleaning and keeps busy caring for Dad. Dad still tires easily and rests a lot but it is sure nice to have them back home again.

I will most likely update the blog once a week to update on how Dad is doing. Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

Dad's Going Home!

I am very happy to report that Dad has been given the go-ahead to go home! It will still be a few hours from now when they can actually leave but after almost 9 weeks in the hospital they are so excited to be going home!

All of us kids visited Mom and Dad yesterday for their 35th anniversary. We brought dinner along and had a very nice time. It was good to see Dad out of his room and in plain clothes, and without his medication tree. He looks better every time we see him. How truly thankful we all are that this day has come!

Dad is on prednisone (steroids) for his GVHD and will continue to take that at home. He will be an outpatient for the next while and have to go back to Vancouver every other day for tests and medication etc. 

At home they will need to continue the health and safety protocols they have learned at the hospital. This means constantly washing hands, no flowers or potted plants and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly to name a few. As much as Mom and Dad would appreciate baking or meals they will not be able to accept them. As Dad's immune system is not like yours and mine everything he eats will have to be carefully prepared. 

We THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for all the cards and visits Dad received at the hospital. It was the highlight of Mom's day to get the mail and read all the well wishes. I know the visits lifted Dad's spirits and made the days go by faster. Only a few weeks ago we didn't know if this day would come and we prayed every day for God to spare Dad's life. We put our trust in Him that His will be done and now words cannot express the joy we all share in Dad's progress.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Graft vs. Host

A quick update: 

Mom is feeling better and is now back with Dad.

Dad has been hungry of late and he's been eating toast with jam, so far so good!

The rash Dad has is graft versus host disease and they are treating him for this. We've been told GVHD can come in many forms and also come and go. The rash may go away and then something else may come later in a different form. We're always learning new things!

The doctors have requested when visiting Mom and Dad that we do not hug, kiss or give them a handshake just in case of colds and other potential illnesses.

We haven't heard much more about going home, the rash will most likely need to go away first and Dad will have to have more continued success with eating.

All of us kids plan to visit on Sunday for their anniversary; I'm sure Mom and Dad are looking forward to having all their kids together!

That's all for now, thank you again for your cards and best wishes!

Out of isolation

Just a quick update...Dad is out of isolation now. No symptoms developed so he is able to leave his room again. He did have a blood transfusion today and then was given Benadryl so he was drowsy for most of the afternoon.

We are still waiting to hear about the rash that he has to see whether or not it is graft versus host disease. It has spread to his chest, arms and legs and if it is GVHD they will start him on steroids tomorrow.

The eating is still not going as good as it should - every day he tries and his body has other plans. This frustrates Dad a lot but he is trying to take one day at a time.

Mom is feeling better but will be staying at the hotel again tomorrow to make sure she is fully healed before visiting Dad again.

It would be wonderful for Mom and Dad to be able to go home this week but it's not looking like that is going to happen. This coming Sunday (the 15th) is their 35th wedding anniversary and it would have been so nice for them to celebrate at home. How thankful we are however that Dad is doing so much better and that they are able to reach this milestone!

Please note that just like at the hospital Mom and Dad will not be able to have real plants or flowers at home. Good thing Mom prefers fake plants!

Still trying to eat

There is not much new to report, Dad is still trying to eat so he can go home. He is having trouble keeping food down and this is discouraging to him as he wants to eat. 

Dad does have a red rash on his face and neck which may be Graft versus Host disease but we have not had that confirmed from the doctors yet.

He loves having visitors to help pass the time and likes leaving his room for little trips around the hospital. However for the next 24 hours at least Dad is in isolation. Mom is currently sick with a cold and sore throat so she has not been at the hospital with Dad these last few days. They want to make sure Dad doesn't get sick so any visitors will have to wear a gown and mask and Dad will not be able to leave his room during this time. We pray Mom will recover quickly so she can again be by Dad's side.

As a reminder if you would like to visit Dad please make the arrangements with Ed jr. or Ang de Haan. Thank you all for your kind words and support! We are taking it one day at a time and praying Dad can come home soon!

Patience

There is not much to update since the last post. Dad is waiting to hear from the doctors when he can start to eat as there are things he is hungry for. This is a good sign but we think the doctors are giving it a little more time to let his body adjust. 

It is hard to be patient especially when you see the light at the end of the tunnel but we do know it is important not to rush the body. 

Dad has still been getting out of bed and going for little walks but this takes a lot of effort. This too can be frustrating for the mind when you know how to do it but your body just won't cooperate. We pray that God will give Dad the patience he needs and the strength to start feeling like himself again. We know this healing will take many months and we also pray for Mom as she cares for Dad and is a support to him. She too is anxious to be able to go home!