Ruby T (Lillian's Mom)

Ruby on Aug. 3, 2008

On August 3rd, 2008, my Mother was honored for teaching Sunday School at Madison Avenue Baptist Church for 47 years. That's 2,256 Sundays! Granted, there were short periods when she didn't teach, like when she and Dad went to Florida for the Winter or when they were camping one weekend a month, but that still left a lot of time spent each week in studying and lesson preparation.

She will be 91 years young in December and continues to teach every Sunday. Her "Faithful Gleaners" ladies class gave her the flowers she is wearing in this photo.

Mom, I'm proud of you for your many years of service to the church and your dedication to your Lord and Savior.

I Love You,
Lillian

Update on Earl's Mother

Thanksgiving 2007

I finally decided we had let Opal put off long enough going to the doctor. Good thing we took her. She has a very bad bladder or urinary infection. I had noticed her urine was very dark first few days she was sick. I had asked her if she had any burning or stinging, but she said no. I still started getting her to drink more water. Kept a mug of ice water by her all the time. Her urine had lightened up a LOT the last couple of days, but she continued to have the low grade fever and seemed to be getting weaker.

I came home at lunch today to try to get her to eat something. Decided to help her with her shower. She took a very short one and then needed help drying off. I could see right then, she was even weaker than I knew. So, I had Earl call her doctor. He wasn't available, but an intern was available, I told Earl we would go see anyone.

The intern, Doug, drew blood and ordered a chest x-ray. X-ray was clear. Her heart rate was 120. (She has been breathing very hard for last few days.) White count should have been 10,000. It was 30,000! Infection somewhere!! Urine test showed signs of blood and lot of infection. He said elderly can have these bladder infections and never have anything other than fever and feeling bad.

Antibiotic prescribed. We were sent down to outpatient lab for them to draw LOTS of blood from both arms to do a blood culture. Doug said bad infections like this in the elderly can get into the blood stream. They will grow a culture to make sure she doesn't have this infection spread all over.

She was told to drink a lot of fluids. Anything goes, except caffeine. Doug also mentioned dehydration. Opal never drinks much water. Mainly just tea with her meals and coffee in the morning. Nothing else was ever mentioned about her heart rate being high. If that doesn't get better as the antibiotic kicks in, I will check on that again. We have to take her back for check up on Monday.

Liana says dehydration can cause fever, dizziness, weakness. All of which Opal had. She fell three times between Fri afternoon and Sun. night. So, her symptoms could have been caused by either/both dehydration and bladder infection.

Doug said Opal would have continued to get worse, so hope we got her to doctor in time.

Lillian's nephew, Ryan (Oregon)

My nephew, Ryan Overstreet, has cancer that has spread basically all over his torso in last couple of months. If the treatments he got every day last week don't help, he's been told there's not much else that can be done for him. He's 35. He & wife, Cindy, have two small children ages 4 & 7.

Wish I had some good news about something.... just not much right now.

If you are looking for something to pray about, you've come to the right place. So many needs here! Read on..... three more posts today.

Lillian

Lillian's Dad - Sam T

Dad is having a lot of leg pain. He went to Dr. last week. Was told that circulation in his left leg or maybe both legs was at 50% five years ago. In 2005 it was only 70%. Now, Dr is saying he has very little circulation in his left leg. He goes tomorrow, Tuesday, for tests to find out just how bad it is. Dad is practically dragging his left leg. He can't climb steps or ladder. He steps up with right leg and drags left one up.

Dad told me he has been to four doctors over the years and not one of them told him anything about what might be wrong. Now he has no circulation!

Dr. told him if the blockage needs action, they can clean out the arteries in his legs with something like a roto-rooter. Also same deal with his neck arteries. He seems concerned about having this done. He knows of a couple of people who died following the procedure because of clots breaking lose and hitting brain or heart. Don't know what he will opt to do or if he will have much choice.

Earl's mother, Opal

Opal, Earl's 91 yr old mother, fell twice Friday afternoon within about two hours. First time in her living room. Second time she fell in the bathroom & hit her head on the bathtub and got a knot on back/top of her head where I would call the crown. She had just fallen right before I walked in from work. She was laying with her head/neck cocked up on the bathtub. Wonder she hadn't broken her neck.

She couldn't hold her head up straight for last two days. We have been so torn about taking her to the hospital. She keeps saying she is ok, that her neck is just stiff/sore. I know she doesn't want to go, but we'll feel terrible if she has injuries that need attention. She was already feeble, so it's hard to know what is "new" feeble.

She's had a fever last 3-4 days, not feeling well. Barely eating. She got a flu shot on Tues. this week & thinks this is a reaction to the shot. I doubt that, since she has had flu shots for years with no problems before. But, she sure seems to have flu like something. Says she aches all over, which could be from the falls. Earl had a fever Wed, so I guess they could have picked up something at the Dr. office.

Then, she fell again last night about 8 p.m. She was in bed but wanted a TV remote. I'm not sure where it was. Probably on her dresser. Anyway, she fell and her head was wedged between her bed and the night stand. I had a time trying to get her out and into a sitting position. She was on her side and didn't bend the way I needed her to in order to sit her up. Every time she fell, we called my Dad to help pick her up. I shouldn't try and Earl isn't strong enough. Lucky Dad was here.

She had a dime size raw place on her forehead and scrape place across her forehead. Scrape, more like redness or bruising on the side of her neck from below her ear almost to collar bone. No idea how that happened. Or even which fall it came from. She has a big bruise on the back of her left elbow. No telling where all she is black and blue. I'm amazed she doesn't seem to have broken anything!

Last time she was up about 5:30, she said she wasn't dizzy anymore. She didn't feel like she still had fever. When she wakes again we can try to assess the situation and decide what we're going to do. Call doctor or take her on to the hospital. Maybe both? Maybe nothing! She can be one stubborn lady!

Earl update

I'm sorry I haven't had the heart to update this lately. We got news on the 29th that Earl's CA19-9 had gone up this last time. When they found the cancer was back in late July, it was 43. As treatment progressed it fell to 39 and 30. This last time it had gone up to 58. Dr. did say the CA19-9 will go up/down during treatment. Will be doing another test on that, too.

Earl will have PET scan on Oct 8 & will see Dr for results on Oct 13th. Scan is only thing that will show, for sure, what is going on. We're hoping for some good news. Would make a good birthday present. (His bday is Oct. 9th)

If the cancer is spreading/growing, there are other things that can be added to current chemo. In other words, doubling up on chemo. This will also be harder on him.

No chemo this week.

Please continue to remember Earl in prayer.

Gladys update from Sandra

Everyone,
Thanks so much for your prayers and concern during mother's
recent hospital stay. She spent a week - 9/9-9/17 - because
of inflammation in her abdomen around the surgical site of
her bowel resection.  The main treatment was IV antibiotics
and pain medication.  She is doing some better, but will
remain on a mainly liquid diet for another couple of weeks.

We took her back to her apartment in Morningview Assisted
Living yesterday afternoon, so she is much happier!  Please
continue to pray that she will improve, and regain her
strength.  She continues to be very weak, and time will
tell if she will be able to continue living in the assisted
living apartment.

We really appreciate all of your prayers, calls, messages
and visits!

Thanks so much.
Sandra

Earl - Monday 9/15/08

Blood work today showed Earl's potassium is low, so he was instructed to eat bananas. He also has a bladder infection again, which is likely the cause of the fevers. So, he's back on antibiotics. This just makes round 5 or 6.... I've lost count.

He did get chemo today. He also got two shots for the diarrhea. Hope it works better this time. Just hope the double dose doesn't stop .... everything! When I got home today, he was so pale. He looks so washed out! When I mentioned it, he said I was the second person to tell him that today. He said he felt ok, just tired. Guess it's no wonder with all that's going on with him right now.

He goes back next Monday for blood work and follow-up. He will see the Doctor on the 29th.

Please pray for strength for Earl to get thru the treatments, the infection, the diarrhea. He has so much going on, it's hard to even know how to ask you to pray. Just remember him.

Update on Aunt Gladys from Sandra

Everyone,
Some of you are aware that mother was readmitted to the
hospital last Tuesday evening for excessive pain near her
recent incision site.  She was doing very well after her
bowel resection done on Aug. 9th, and had returned to her
apartment in assisted living on Sat. Sept. 6th.

Unfortunately, that was very short-lived. She has been in
the hospital for a week this time, and the doctor informed
me this morning that her pain is coming from the lower
right side of her colon.  Apparently, it is very inflamed
and swollen, which causes her extreme pain each time she
eats. They are able to control the pain with morphine,
but that isn't a good long term solution.

The doctor says poor circulation in the area is the main
cause of it not healing as it should.  At 91 years old,
mother's circulation isn't good, so the healing may take
a long time, if at all.  I am not sure whether or not she
will be able to return to assisted living if she must be
on strong pain medication - probably not.

She is very alert, and aware of all that is going on with
her. Just pray that the Lord will do whatever is best for her.

Thanks for your support!
Sandra

Gladys back in hospital on Sept. 9th

Gladys spent three days back in her room. She called Sandra Tues. afternoon saying she was having a lot of pain. At recommendation of the assisted living staff, Sandra took Gladys to the ER. A CT scan without contrast showed swelling and inflammation in the area of her surgery.

She was admitted that night and has continued to have pain, which seems to be much worse in the evenings. She has been on IV antibiotics since being admitted.

A CT scan with contrast was done Saturday and they should get results of it on Monday and find out what the Doctor recommends next.

When Sandra went to see her around noon today, Gladys was sitting up eating her lunch. Seemed to be okay then.

Saturday 3 a.m.

Earl woke me Saturday 3 a.m. with a fever of 103 degrees. This is the third round of fever he has had in last 10 days. He goes for chemo tomorrow and will let them know about this before he gets lab or chemo.

Thursday fever again!

Thursday was another rough day for Earl. He had a fever again. Felt bad all day. Did not even try to work much. Still has the diarrhea. Not as bad, but still a problem. I worry about dehydration.

Earl feels better today. Just weak.

Gladys is back in her apartment

Talked to Sandra today. Gladys was moved back into her apartment in Assisted Living on Saturday, Sept. 6th.

Sandra was met at the door by staff yesterday when she went to see her Mother. Gladys did not go to breakfast or lunch on Sunday. She promised Sandra she would go for the evening meal, but she only ate a couple of bites. She is still drinking her Strawberry Ensure.

It's only been four weeks since her surgery. We hope she will begin to regain her appetite, so she can build up her strength.

Please continue to pray for the family during these trying times.

Lillian

Earl's test results from Sept. 3rd.

Guess we got some good news. I would have been happier with better, but Dr. seemed satisfied that the numbers have come down some. Count started out at 43, dropped to 39 (we didn't even know that) and today (last Wed.) it was 30. At least, it isn't going UP!

Earl was down to 159 lbs. today. Lost a little. Not surprised.... since he is still dealing with the diarrhea. Plus, he had a fever from Thurs until late Saturday. We don't know what that was all about.

Earl will go back tomorrow for chemo, then again next Monday. Off on the 22nd and will see Dr. again on 29th. Earl will get another shot for the diarrhea on 29th, unless it is still a BIG problem next week, then he can get one on the 22nd. He has to wait 30 days between shots. Dr. said they would give Earl a larger dose next time to try to control it better.

Dr. was most pleased that Earl's back pain has been gone for last two to three weeks. He said that says more than the CA19-9 count.

Dr. went to M.D. Anderson conference last week. He said nothing he learned there indicated anything else would work any better than what Earl is already getting in the way of chemo. Nothing suggested that giving Earl a combination of drugs would work any better, either. Would just be a lot harder on him.

So, I guess we just keep hammering away with the current treatment and PRAY a lot!

Blood work on Wed. 9/3/08

Earl has completed four treatments and will be going for blood work tomorrow. The main test we'll be anxious to see the results for is the CA19-9. This was 40 before he began this series of chemo. Please pray that the chemo is working and that count will be much lower. We are to get the results on Sept. 8th.

Earl is optimistic that the chemo is helping. His pain at night has been much better the last couple of weeks. We hope this is an indication that good things are happening!

Earl fell twice on Sunday. Once at church as he was walking down front right before he started up on the stage for practice before the church service. He was carrying his trumpet case. Might have bumped his foot on it. Knocked skin off the back of his arm above the elbow about 3-4". Place less than the size of a dime. No idea how he did that.

Later Sun. evening he stumbled and about fell over the coffee table in the LR. Julie had been coloring with Liana's markers earlier in the day. He hit his wrist on the small metal suitcase like box with the markers it it. The lid was up and the corner sharp. He has a gash about 3" long. It's kinda ragged. Hope it doesn't get infected!

Monday, he hit his hand on something.... he doesn't even know when/how.... and knocked a hunk of skin off the back of his hand. His skin is so thin. It doesn't take much to bruise or tear his skin.

We appreciate your concern, encouragement and definitely all your prayers.

Update on Aunt Gladys

Spoke to Sandra this morning. Gladys will be staying in transitional care for another week or so. She is just not strong enough to return to her room at this time.

She gets short of breath when she walks any distance (Still using walker). She is still not eating enough to regain the strength she needs to be able to go back to her quarters.

She is very disappointed! She wants to go back to her room!!

Please continue to pray for her.

Earl's third chemo treatment

Earl received the third round of chemo today. He will get a fourth treatment next Monday. Then he will go in on Sept. 3rd for blood work to see what his CA19-9 is. This will give them some idea as to how the chemo is working.

He also got a shot today to help with the diarrhea. He got the shot around noon and can tell tonight that it is helping. The shot is supposed to work for 30 days!! This has been such a big problem for weeks. I know he will be so happy, if it really works.

Earl will go back to get results of blood work on Sept. 8th.

Update on Aunt Gladys

Email from Sandra on 8/18/08:

Everyone,
Thank you so much for your prayers, visits, and encouragement
for mother. Ten days after her bowel resection, which is a
major surgery for a 40 yr. old, she is leaving the hospital
today to go to Morningview Transitional Care. 

She is doing well with the pain, and is determined to get
her strength back again.  At 91 yrs. old, it may take a few
weeks to get her back to the point she can again live in her
assisted living apartment, but she is determined.  Mom is
having difficulty eating, as nothing tastes good wish I had
that problem!), but she is faithfully drinking Ensure each day
which will provide some nourishment.

She is most upset about missing so many Sundays at Madison
Avenue!  I appreciate all who have come to visit her.

When she gets to Morningview Transitional Care, she will be
listed as Gladys Russell.

Thanks so much for caring!

Sandra

Up on Aunt Gladys

Aunt Gladys is having good days and not so good days. Her bowels and kidneys seem to be back on course. They have been getting her to walk some. She sits up on side of bed to eat. When she walks she has pain at her incision. Pain seems to be her main problem. She may get out of the hospital Monday or Tuesday.

Update on Earl's treatments

Took Earl back to the doctor last Friday for his second shot. Turns out he wasn't supposed to get another one that soon. We didn't find out why he had been told to come back. Wasted trip!

Blood work on Monday showed his white count is much improved. He is scheduled for the third treatment next Monday. Then a scan to see if the chemo is doing anything. No schedule yet for scan.

Please continue to pray!

Lillian