After almost a week at the beach with only six days of sunshine, Lee and I were glad to be back in Vale. We closed the house for the Winter months, said our good-byes to our friends there and packed the car and headed home on Thursday October 15th.
Our "borrowed" animals, Bella the great blond dog that belongs to our granddaughter next door, Flo, the sweet beagle that lives across the road, and Tommy the vagabond white cat were overjoyed to see our return. Flo, the beagle was so excited she almost turned cartwheels. Even though they belong to others, they claim us and we love them all. It is good to be missed!
It seems our calendar filled rapidly with doctor appointments, reunions, and other obligations that have become a part of our daily lives. It is good to go away, but sometimes better to return home! Many times I have been asked why we do not spend more time at the beach. Perhaps if we were younger, that would be good, but at this age, home is always better!
The Kanipe reunion was held on Sunday, October 17, and Lee's middle son and family spent the night of the 16th with us. On Monday, October 18th, we left for a visit in the mountains of Virginia with younger son and family. It was a good trip. The weather was beautiful and the view from the Shenendoa Valley was spectacular. In spite of a chilly evening, we enjoyed watching both grandsons play football. Elizabeth prepared a picnic supper complete with hot soup, and a warm apple crisp dessert! It was a beautiful night as we sat under the crescent moon and enjoyed time with our family.
The following day we met one of our transplant couples who live near Roanoke for lunch at the Cracker Barroll. Returning home that evening we were tired, but very happy!
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
15 to 18 inches of rain on Oak Island!
There were some anxious moments here last Friday as we were watching the weather channel. When hurricane Joaquin was upgraded from a category 3 to a category 4, I announced to Lee that I was not staying here in a 3, and certainly not a 4! He was calm, as usual, and suggested we wait until morning before we made a decision to leave. He explained to me that things can change and it was possible that it would not make landfall here! Knowing how much I would need to pack for a fast departure, I immediately began planning our escape. I packed those items in the car that were necessary for taking home and put his pharmaceutical supplies ( they fill two large baskets) adjacent to the exit door upstairs. Next, I placed all necessary clothing in hangers ready for grabbing and running!
We decided to make the best of the evening and invited five of our neighbors over for oyster stew. We spent the evening watching the weather channel and speculating on the outcome of this particular hurricane along with all the rain covering North and South Carolina. Only one of the five is a permanent resident here so the rest of us were concerned about travel contraindications in the event mandatory evacuation was announced!
Fortunately for us and sadly for South Carolina, you know the rest of the story. Sunday did bring an abundance of heavy rain with an accumulation of 15 to 18 ". We do not have the official count, that count was recorded by one of our neighbors. During a two-three hour period on Sunday afternoon, it rained so hard we could not see the street in front of the house! It was a stormy day with lightning, thunder and wind. The only reassuring information was from the weather channel as we learned that the hurricane was stalled and would be moving North and Eastward toward the Atlantic.
Yesterday we rode with our neighbors in his high truck to survey the damage at the end of the street which is Beach Road. The beachfront and second row houses were sitting in water and the street looked like a small river. I am sending pictures we took from our vantage point at the end of the street. There was no damage and no high water level around our house and the houses adjacent to us. There were quite a few streets closed to traffic due to high water levels throughout the east end of Oak Island.
Today the rain had stopped and the waters are receding. The sky is overcast and there is a slight gusty wind from time to time. I am hoping the wind will speed the drying process! We anticipate some sunshine tomorrow, Wednesday and will be her for the remainder of the week. Lee is hoping for a few more fishing expeditions before we leave on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Hoping all of you were safe from the storm and let us all remember our South Carolina neighbors as they recover from their tragic loss.
Here are the pictures:
Monday, September 21, 2015
Finallly! Some Fishing time for Lee!
Lately I have met with some acquaintances who continue to be faithful followers of my blog. They kindly reminded me that they would like to see more writings. I have to admit that I am feeling very guilty for leaving you with an incidence in July and no follow-up! I am apologizing and asking for your gentle forgiveness.
The incident in July, to refresh your memory, was that Lee had a bacterial infection in his lung and that we needed to return to Duke within the next 5-6 days. This information was given to us as we were en route to a two-week vacation with our families. Now I will finish the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say.
That trip to Duke involved a series of tests to rule out the possibility of the bacteria spreading to his brain or other organs. We learned that it can be a very dangerous and aggressive one, thus requiring aggressive treatment. Fortunately for Lee, the bacteria was only confined to his OLD LUNG! There was no evidence of it being in his new lung and so far that continues to be the consensus from both the infectious disease doctor and the lung doctor. We stayed for a couple overnights in the hotel and were relieved that he did not have to be admitted to the hospital. A Picc-line was inserted and he was able to return home for antibiotic I.V. which I was able to administer there. Because he was progressing so well, the line was removed after two weeks! Yay! Lee cannot stand being restricted and home-bound (which is the only way Medicare will cover all expenses!). He is on a strong oral antibiotic and will have to be retested after a period of six months. Even with the bacteria in the old lung, it can still migrate to other organs if not treated aggressively. Amazing that it was caught so early. He had no symptoms, no cough, no fever or any other neurological symptoms.
Our Summer kept us back and forth to Durham either weekly or every two weeks as he was now under the care of three specialists. 1. Cardiologist (follow-up from ablation in April and continued Tikosyn medication). 2. EENT ( follow-up from excision of cancer on forehead that did not heal due to previous radiation). 3. Routine visits with Pulmonary 4. Routine visits with infectious disease doctor. Whew! Good news is he is now released from Cardiac, only return as needed, and the forehead wound is healing ever so slowly. I apply wet to dry dressings two to three times daily and when necessary a gentle debridement. So far, success! Hoping for complete closure by Christmas! (Radiated skin does not repair and heal easily). Our next trip to Duke (unless called) will be for November 10.
We were not able to return to the beach and unfortunately missed the time we were looking forward to with our children and grandchildren. Even though we were not able to return, it was good to know that the rest of the family was able to enjoy a wonderful summer at the beach!
Amazing that in between all those Duke visits, we were still able to can some green beans, freeze some corn, and put some pickled cucumbers on the shelves for later use. We enjoyed birthday celebrations, Father's day, and of course Mother's day. We were given a surprise announcement that my grandson, Daniel and wife Stephanie are expecting their first child, a boy, September 23......this week! That will bring to a grand total: Five Great-grandchildren: Three for me and two for Lee. Actually, they belong to both of us!
So, now we are at the beach and hoping to stay until Lee can get his fill of fishing with Ted and all the other guys. Today they left at 7:30 for breakfast, all four of them in the truck, pulling the boat along the way. They will troll the waterway, and perhaps go for the ocean, and return early afternoon. We are both thrilled that he is once again able to enjoy this time.
As for me, I have to admit I arrived exhausted and plan to catch - up on several things.
1. Take as many walks on the beach as I can
2. Enjoy some sunsets with Lee
3. Write
4. Finish two or three books I have started
5. Find a good gym and continue the exercise and weight program that Lee and I began last month.
6. Spend time with good friends enjoying good food and companionship
I began today with a long walk to and on the beach.
Finally wrote a blog!
Did my weight work-out!
Time to sit in the swing and read my book!
We are off to a great start!
More Later.......................................................Brenda
The incident in July, to refresh your memory, was that Lee had a bacterial infection in his lung and that we needed to return to Duke within the next 5-6 days. This information was given to us as we were en route to a two-week vacation with our families. Now I will finish the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say.
That trip to Duke involved a series of tests to rule out the possibility of the bacteria spreading to his brain or other organs. We learned that it can be a very dangerous and aggressive one, thus requiring aggressive treatment. Fortunately for Lee, the bacteria was only confined to his OLD LUNG! There was no evidence of it being in his new lung and so far that continues to be the consensus from both the infectious disease doctor and the lung doctor. We stayed for a couple overnights in the hotel and were relieved that he did not have to be admitted to the hospital. A Picc-line was inserted and he was able to return home for antibiotic I.V. which I was able to administer there. Because he was progressing so well, the line was removed after two weeks! Yay! Lee cannot stand being restricted and home-bound (which is the only way Medicare will cover all expenses!). He is on a strong oral antibiotic and will have to be retested after a period of six months. Even with the bacteria in the old lung, it can still migrate to other organs if not treated aggressively. Amazing that it was caught so early. He had no symptoms, no cough, no fever or any other neurological symptoms.
Our Summer kept us back and forth to Durham either weekly or every two weeks as he was now under the care of three specialists. 1. Cardiologist (follow-up from ablation in April and continued Tikosyn medication). 2. EENT ( follow-up from excision of cancer on forehead that did not heal due to previous radiation). 3. Routine visits with Pulmonary 4. Routine visits with infectious disease doctor. Whew! Good news is he is now released from Cardiac, only return as needed, and the forehead wound is healing ever so slowly. I apply wet to dry dressings two to three times daily and when necessary a gentle debridement. So far, success! Hoping for complete closure by Christmas! (Radiated skin does not repair and heal easily). Our next trip to Duke (unless called) will be for November 10.
We were not able to return to the beach and unfortunately missed the time we were looking forward to with our children and grandchildren. Even though we were not able to return, it was good to know that the rest of the family was able to enjoy a wonderful summer at the beach!
Amazing that in between all those Duke visits, we were still able to can some green beans, freeze some corn, and put some pickled cucumbers on the shelves for later use. We enjoyed birthday celebrations, Father's day, and of course Mother's day. We were given a surprise announcement that my grandson, Daniel and wife Stephanie are expecting their first child, a boy, September 23......this week! That will bring to a grand total: Five Great-grandchildren: Three for me and two for Lee. Actually, they belong to both of us!
So, now we are at the beach and hoping to stay until Lee can get his fill of fishing with Ted and all the other guys. Today they left at 7:30 for breakfast, all four of them in the truck, pulling the boat along the way. They will troll the waterway, and perhaps go for the ocean, and return early afternoon. We are both thrilled that he is once again able to enjoy this time.
As for me, I have to admit I arrived exhausted and plan to catch - up on several things.
1. Take as many walks on the beach as I can
2. Enjoy some sunsets with Lee
3. Write
4. Finish two or three books I have started
5. Find a good gym and continue the exercise and weight program that Lee and I began last month.
6. Spend time with good friends enjoying good food and companionship
I began today with a long walk to and on the beach.
Finally wrote a blog!
Did my weight work-out!
Time to sit in the swing and read my book!
We are off to a great start!
More Later.......................................................Brenda
Friday, July 3, 2015
What Price, Normalcy?
Arrived at Oak Island yesterday afternoon after the usual five-hour journey from Vale. We were both excited to be able to finally be with our families for an extended time of two weeks. As we were discussing only recently, "maybe this Summer will be without those many trips to Duke!" Our optimism was without caution.
After reading my last blog written on June 24 in celebration of Lee's five-year victory, I realized that we are guilty of becoming complacent at times, and are temporarily drawn into a feeling of what is "Normal" for most everyone we know. Whenever Lee has good days with a surge of energy, it becomes easy to overlook the rules. It becomes alright to attend a large gathering, or it is O.K. right now because there is no flu, etc. We forget and give hugs to those we greet. It will be fine for Lee to enjoy his garden, after all, how can a small amount of time in a place he enjoys create harm? The temptation for both of us is too great! We break one rule and all is fine. We receive a great report from Duke and we drop another rule or two. We rationalize by saying, "Isn't this why he got the lung, so he could enjoy his life?"
On our way to the beach yesterday, we received a call from the pulmonary department at Duke. It seems that one of the cultures from the bronchoscopy on June 19th, after being incubated for 21 days is positive for a bacteria that requires treatment. No, the treatment cannot wait until after our two weeks at the beach. The answer was that the treatment would have to begin next week.
On Thursday, July 9, Lee will have a Pic-line inserted into his arm for him to begin receiving I.V. antibiotics that can be administered at home. We will learn how long this treatment will take after the visit next week. The good news is that it is in the beginning stage and perhaps can be stopped with this treatment. Where did this bacteria come from? It is everywhere; in the soil and water, in the dust of the air. To those of us with a normal functioning immune system it is harmless, but to a transplant recipient with a lowered immune system it is dangerous. It is not contagious from person to person, and is only bad for the person who has no immunity.
The plan is to leave from the beach house for the appointment (possibly a 2-night stay) , return to the beach on Friday, enjoy the last of the week with one family and look forward to the other half of the family arriving next week. We also understand that this could change. We may have to return to Vale to begin the new treatments.
Now you understand why a normal day is special to us. Maybe we will have some more when this treatment passes. We thank you for being there, even in the absence of my staying faithful to this blog. It is comforting to know as you sometimes remind me when I see you, that you still follow my blog. Thank you, and thank you for your prayers.
More Later................................................................Brenda
After reading my last blog written on June 24 in celebration of Lee's five-year victory, I realized that we are guilty of becoming complacent at times, and are temporarily drawn into a feeling of what is "Normal" for most everyone we know. Whenever Lee has good days with a surge of energy, it becomes easy to overlook the rules. It becomes alright to attend a large gathering, or it is O.K. right now because there is no flu, etc. We forget and give hugs to those we greet. It will be fine for Lee to enjoy his garden, after all, how can a small amount of time in a place he enjoys create harm? The temptation for both of us is too great! We break one rule and all is fine. We receive a great report from Duke and we drop another rule or two. We rationalize by saying, "Isn't this why he got the lung, so he could enjoy his life?"
On our way to the beach yesterday, we received a call from the pulmonary department at Duke. It seems that one of the cultures from the bronchoscopy on June 19th, after being incubated for 21 days is positive for a bacteria that requires treatment. No, the treatment cannot wait until after our two weeks at the beach. The answer was that the treatment would have to begin next week.
On Thursday, July 9, Lee will have a Pic-line inserted into his arm for him to begin receiving I.V. antibiotics that can be administered at home. We will learn how long this treatment will take after the visit next week. The good news is that it is in the beginning stage and perhaps can be stopped with this treatment. Where did this bacteria come from? It is everywhere; in the soil and water, in the dust of the air. To those of us with a normal functioning immune system it is harmless, but to a transplant recipient with a lowered immune system it is dangerous. It is not contagious from person to person, and is only bad for the person who has no immunity.
The plan is to leave from the beach house for the appointment (possibly a 2-night stay) , return to the beach on Friday, enjoy the last of the week with one family and look forward to the other half of the family arriving next week. We also understand that this could change. We may have to return to Vale to begin the new treatments.
Now you understand why a normal day is special to us. Maybe we will have some more when this treatment passes. We thank you for being there, even in the absence of my staying faithful to this blog. It is comforting to know as you sometimes remind me when I see you, that you still follow my blog. Thank you, and thank you for your prayers.
More Later................................................................Brenda
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
It's true! Today marks the fifth year since Lee received his lung! Many times since January 2015, we have made tentative plans for a special celebration when he reached this important landmark. Should we go to the beach? Maybe we should invite all our family and celebrate at home! Perhaps getting together with friends would be a good thing. Wouldn't it be great if we could get together with those we left behind in Durham, who are also celebrating their five-year anniversary. At any rate, we really should do something unusual, don't you think?
Today was one of those normal summer mornings. I awoke at my usual hour of 6:00 a.m., started the coffee and proceeded to the sun room for my morning ritual of reading and enjoying the awakening of the good earth. Lee joined me around 7:00 a.m. with coffee in hand and we had a leisure hour or so of just doing what retirees do at our age........nothing! Around 8:00, I busied myself with breakfast preparation while Lee made his routine inspection of the garden, fed all the neighborhood dogs, and retrieved the papers. We read the papers while having a breakfast of French Toast and fresh fruit.
By 9:00, Lee left with grandsons in tow to daughter Julia's house in Morganton to begin the installation of a hand rail beside steps leading up to her house. (This being done for our benefit when we visit.) He had John and Will as his able assistants and was ready to hopefully have this job completed by lunch in spite of the 90 + degree heat!
After they departed, I realized the bushel of tomatoes Lee purchased yesterday had to be canned and could not wait another day. I used the rest of the morning keeping busy as I washed, peeled, cored, cooked and finally canned 11 quarts of tomatoes.
So far, on this day, June 23, 2015, neither of us has realized that it is the five-year anniversary of his new lung and his renewal of life! This epiphany did not hit us until we sat down to supper and when Lee finished the blessing that not only was thankfulness for our bounty, but also for life, that we both looked at each other and with surprise, gave congratulations for all the accomplishments that have brought us back to this day.....................a perfectly normal day........................a day like those days before Lee's catastrophic illness! Praise be to God!
It was also on this day that we received an e-mail from Duke stating that his bronchoscopy with biopsy was negative for rejection! All cultures and tests were normal! He does not need to come back for an entire year unless he has a problem. See you in a year! He has arrived! He beat all the odds! He is our Miracle Man!
This is the best blog I have had the privilege to write! A normal day with my wonderful husband. A day that I never thought would be given back to us. Prayers are answered and dreams really do come true!
More Later.........................................Brenda
Today was one of those normal summer mornings. I awoke at my usual hour of 6:00 a.m., started the coffee and proceeded to the sun room for my morning ritual of reading and enjoying the awakening of the good earth. Lee joined me around 7:00 a.m. with coffee in hand and we had a leisure hour or so of just doing what retirees do at our age........nothing! Around 8:00, I busied myself with breakfast preparation while Lee made his routine inspection of the garden, fed all the neighborhood dogs, and retrieved the papers. We read the papers while having a breakfast of French Toast and fresh fruit.
By 9:00, Lee left with grandsons in tow to daughter Julia's house in Morganton to begin the installation of a hand rail beside steps leading up to her house. (This being done for our benefit when we visit.) He had John and Will as his able assistants and was ready to hopefully have this job completed by lunch in spite of the 90 + degree heat!
After they departed, I realized the bushel of tomatoes Lee purchased yesterday had to be canned and could not wait another day. I used the rest of the morning keeping busy as I washed, peeled, cored, cooked and finally canned 11 quarts of tomatoes.
So far, on this day, June 23, 2015, neither of us has realized that it is the five-year anniversary of his new lung and his renewal of life! This epiphany did not hit us until we sat down to supper and when Lee finished the blessing that not only was thankfulness for our bounty, but also for life, that we both looked at each other and with surprise, gave congratulations for all the accomplishments that have brought us back to this day.....................a perfectly normal day........................a day like those days before Lee's catastrophic illness! Praise be to God!
It was also on this day that we received an e-mail from Duke stating that his bronchoscopy with biopsy was negative for rejection! All cultures and tests were normal! He does not need to come back for an entire year unless he has a problem. See you in a year! He has arrived! He beat all the odds! He is our Miracle Man!
This is the best blog I have had the privilege to write! A normal day with my wonderful husband. A day that I never thought would be given back to us. Prayers are answered and dreams really do come true!
More Later.........................................Brenda
Saturday, April 11, 2015
After the Rest
We have now been at the beach for ten days. Lee began to feel his strength returning slowly. For the past couple of days he has been able to do some work in the yard
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Beach Time
After the cold Winter, it is indeed wonderful to be able to spend some time at the beach! There were so many medical issues immediately prior to our scheduled departure that we weren't sure whether or not we would be able to make it! Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous with a temperature of 72 degrees and brilliant sunshine. Today is overcast, with periods of light showers, but comfortable. There is just something about the salty air that seems to invigorate Lee as I can see his strength return each day.
We got here on Wednesday afternoon after five days of medical issues that had to be resolved. Lee had previously been scheduled for a heart ablation ( I believe I had explained that in an earlier blog); however we had to cancel that one in February due to the ice storm. It was rescheduled March 30, and required an MRI of the heart, Tee (esophageal ultrasound), labs, and pre-admission the Friday before. After finishing all those pre-requisites, we hurried home to Vale for a short two days in order to pack for both the beach and a return to Duke for overnight hospitalization following the heart ablation.
In spite of anticipating a shorter ablation this time as compared to the 10-hour one done in August, 2010, it still required 7 hours! The report afterwards from the electrophysiology doctor was promising. He said the reason it took so long was because he inspected all those areas that had been ablated five years earlier and reinforced them once again. In addition, a new one was identified and resolved. He added that he felt like the procedure was very successful and that we should go on to the beach and enjoy ourselves, but Lee should take it easy and rest for about a week. He needs his heart to heal from the scarring of the ablation.
So far Lee has been doing well. He is weaker, and more fatigued than prior to the procedure. His blood pressure is a bit on the low side, so he is a little perturbed that I insist on driving! It must be really exasperating to have a nurse as your wife! And I must admit, "one that can be excessively bossy at times!
Today we are looking forward to youngest son, Doug, wife Elizabeth , sons, Alex and Max to join us for this Easter vacation. We will enjoy their companionship, the good food (Elizabeth is an excellent cook ) and will all work together to restore the house to Pristine condition for the Summer!
We look forward to visiting one of the churches here on the Island for the Easter service. We will lift our hearts in joyful acknowledgement of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! May your lives be filled with the promise of hope as we celebrate this most joyful time of the year!
Happy Easter Everyone!
More Later........................................................Brenda
We got here on Wednesday afternoon after five days of medical issues that had to be resolved. Lee had previously been scheduled for a heart ablation ( I believe I had explained that in an earlier blog); however we had to cancel that one in February due to the ice storm. It was rescheduled March 30, and required an MRI of the heart, Tee (esophageal ultrasound), labs, and pre-admission the Friday before. After finishing all those pre-requisites, we hurried home to Vale for a short two days in order to pack for both the beach and a return to Duke for overnight hospitalization following the heart ablation.
In spite of anticipating a shorter ablation this time as compared to the 10-hour one done in August, 2010, it still required 7 hours! The report afterwards from the electrophysiology doctor was promising. He said the reason it took so long was because he inspected all those areas that had been ablated five years earlier and reinforced them once again. In addition, a new one was identified and resolved. He added that he felt like the procedure was very successful and that we should go on to the beach and enjoy ourselves, but Lee should take it easy and rest for about a week. He needs his heart to heal from the scarring of the ablation.
So far Lee has been doing well. He is weaker, and more fatigued than prior to the procedure. His blood pressure is a bit on the low side, so he is a little perturbed that I insist on driving! It must be really exasperating to have a nurse as your wife! And I must admit, "one that can be excessively bossy at times!
Today we are looking forward to youngest son, Doug, wife Elizabeth , sons, Alex and Max to join us for this Easter vacation. We will enjoy their companionship, the good food (Elizabeth is an excellent cook ) and will all work together to restore the house to Pristine condition for the Summer!
We look forward to visiting one of the churches here on the Island for the Easter service. We will lift our hearts in joyful acknowledgement of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! May your lives be filled with the promise of hope as we celebrate this most joyful time of the year!
Happy Easter Everyone!
More Later........................................................Brenda
Monday, February 23, 2015
February!
What more can I say......FEBRUARY! Full of weather surprises! After a remarkably mild December and January, in comes the little guy with a wallop! Now that I am beginning to thaw and my fingers are no longer numb, I can bring you up to date on the happenings around here, especially the main man, Lee.
Our trip to Duke the first week of February was very good! He was dismissed from the oncologist unless he has a need to revisit, and his pulmonary reports were all excellent! The good news from his bronchoscopy with biopsy showed NO REJECTION! He had been experiencing a "swimmer's ear" feeling in his Right ear since completing radiation and was told to schedule a visit with his local EENT physician.
That was completed on Friday afternoon with EENT in Hickory. The Oncologist at Duke suspected a ruptured eardrum, however, after careful exam with a high-powered microscope, the eardrum was intact , but the ear canal was very irritated. The doctor explained that the loss of hearing that Lee now has was not unusual after the modified radical neck surgery and radiation. His hearing test showed a 50% loss of high-frequency sounds, however, a hearing aide was not recommended. The ear was cleaned of debris and treated with medication. We decided to celebrate last Friday with a special treat at Olive Garden. Today, his ear is already feeling better and the roar is beginning to subside!
As I write, Lee is having another Moh's procedure in Gastonia. He has a very small squamous cell on the tip top of his Left ear. Even though the eruptions of squamous and basil cell Ca. are still appearing on his face, etc. they are very small and are being eradicated quickly. His anti-rejection medication is about as low as it can be and still keep him from rejecting his lung. Hopefully, the main aggressive branches are under control!
The next step in Lee's course of treatment is to get him off the drug that interferes with all his anti-rejection medications. The drug has done wonders for controlling his arrhythmia and AFIB, and he feels very good on it, however, it has to be stopped in order for him to stay out of rejection. Therefore, on March 30, he will have a cardiac ablation to hopefully correct that circuit in his atria that causes the problem. This will be done @ Duke and we will plan to stay in Durham a few days. If the outcome goes as the doctors expect, the heart drug can then be removed!
Lee feels he is off to a promising beginning for 2015, and I have to agree. He has a lot of energy, his outlook is still positive and his determination is still strong. Our miracle man is truly a superman!
More Later...........................................Brenda
Our trip to Duke the first week of February was very good! He was dismissed from the oncologist unless he has a need to revisit, and his pulmonary reports were all excellent! The good news from his bronchoscopy with biopsy showed NO REJECTION! He had been experiencing a "swimmer's ear" feeling in his Right ear since completing radiation and was told to schedule a visit with his local EENT physician.
That was completed on Friday afternoon with EENT in Hickory. The Oncologist at Duke suspected a ruptured eardrum, however, after careful exam with a high-powered microscope, the eardrum was intact , but the ear canal was very irritated. The doctor explained that the loss of hearing that Lee now has was not unusual after the modified radical neck surgery and radiation. His hearing test showed a 50% loss of high-frequency sounds, however, a hearing aide was not recommended. The ear was cleaned of debris and treated with medication. We decided to celebrate last Friday with a special treat at Olive Garden. Today, his ear is already feeling better and the roar is beginning to subside!
As I write, Lee is having another Moh's procedure in Gastonia. He has a very small squamous cell on the tip top of his Left ear. Even though the eruptions of squamous and basil cell Ca. are still appearing on his face, etc. they are very small and are being eradicated quickly. His anti-rejection medication is about as low as it can be and still keep him from rejecting his lung. Hopefully, the main aggressive branches are under control!
The next step in Lee's course of treatment is to get him off the drug that interferes with all his anti-rejection medications. The drug has done wonders for controlling his arrhythmia and AFIB, and he feels very good on it, however, it has to be stopped in order for him to stay out of rejection. Therefore, on March 30, he will have a cardiac ablation to hopefully correct that circuit in his atria that causes the problem. This will be done @ Duke and we will plan to stay in Durham a few days. If the outcome goes as the doctors expect, the heart drug can then be removed!
Lee feels he is off to a promising beginning for 2015, and I have to agree. He has a lot of energy, his outlook is still positive and his determination is still strong. Our miracle man is truly a superman!
More Later...........................................Brenda
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Working with the Guys
It may seem like a strange title of the post today, but it seems appropriate for describing what Lee is doing today and what he has been doing for the past few days. He has been acting as supervisor for a group of neighbors who cut down some trees.
For those of you who do not know, Lee Kanipe has always been THE EXPERT in "felling trees"! That is in this neighborhood. He has certainly enjoyed all the fellowship that accompanies those events. There have been several in the group, some much younger, and some older or about his age. I'm sure this calls for remembrance of past times and the stories about the biggest tree, or the one closest to the house, or the one that took about two weeks to finish cutting up into small pieces of firewood. At the end of the work, the men usually gather in an outdoor building for some refreshments and to continue the back and forth banter that men do. I suppose I would compare it to fishing and the one who caught the biggest fish!
At any rate, it is good to see him enjoying some of the activities he was able to do over five years ago! I am cautiously aware that he is doing some things that could create complications to his lung, or place him in harm's way. I also realize that he is a man, not to be confined and that one day working with the guys doing something he enjoys is better medicine than one prescribed by the physician.
We will return to Duke the first and second week of February, Feb. 10, 11, & 12 will be routine pulmonary recheck. Feb. 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20 will be for cardiac. At that time Lee will have many tests on the 17th and a cardiac ablation on the 18th. This will require at least one overnight and possibly more if there are complications. This procedure is necessary to remove a heart medication that is interfering with his anti-rejection drugs. He had an ablation done in 2010, and I feel comfortable with this one. If all goes well, he will be able to resume those other important drugs.
Unfortunately, squamous cell continues to be a menace. He is waiting to have three more Moh's on his ears, and face. Hopefully this can be done next week!
More Later..........................................................................Brenda
For those of you who do not know, Lee Kanipe has always been THE EXPERT in "felling trees"! That is in this neighborhood. He has certainly enjoyed all the fellowship that accompanies those events. There have been several in the group, some much younger, and some older or about his age. I'm sure this calls for remembrance of past times and the stories about the biggest tree, or the one closest to the house, or the one that took about two weeks to finish cutting up into small pieces of firewood. At the end of the work, the men usually gather in an outdoor building for some refreshments and to continue the back and forth banter that men do. I suppose I would compare it to fishing and the one who caught the biggest fish!
At any rate, it is good to see him enjoying some of the activities he was able to do over five years ago! I am cautiously aware that he is doing some things that could create complications to his lung, or place him in harm's way. I also realize that he is a man, not to be confined and that one day working with the guys doing something he enjoys is better medicine than one prescribed by the physician.
We will return to Duke the first and second week of February, Feb. 10, 11, & 12 will be routine pulmonary recheck. Feb. 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20 will be for cardiac. At that time Lee will have many tests on the 17th and a cardiac ablation on the 18th. This will require at least one overnight and possibly more if there are complications. This procedure is necessary to remove a heart medication that is interfering with his anti-rejection drugs. He had an ablation done in 2010, and I feel comfortable with this one. If all goes well, he will be able to resume those other important drugs.
Unfortunately, squamous cell continues to be a menace. He is waiting to have three more Moh's on his ears, and face. Hopefully this can be done next week!
More Later..........................................................................Brenda
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
A Better Day
I found the answer to why Lee was so "bored" on Monday. He was not bored, he was getting sick with probably the intestinal flu! It hit him shortly after midnight, and he was up the rest of the night with all his discomfort! His misery lasted for about thirty hours at which time he was not able to eat or drink. I don't know how he managed, but somehow, he was able to keep down his very important medications that must be every 12 hours!
His miserable night was followed by a miserable day yesterday! By evening, he was able to begin small sips of coke, even though running a fever. Fortunately, he was able to sleep in spite of all the sleep he had during the day. The frequent visits to the bathroom finally ceased!
This morning he was up and about and able to have coffee and toast. He has been able to eat small portions of yogurt, cottage cheese and take fluids most of the day. I believe he has conquered this bug! Now I am hoping I do not catch it. I have spent part of the day trying to decontaminate his areas! Thank Goodness for Clorox and Clorox wipes!
Just wanted to follow-up on the last blog. You would think I would know by now that when Lee gets very quiet, does not talk a lot and appears withdrawn, he usually has a physical ailment that he does not want to share with me! Sometimes he is just too strong and stoic!
Hoping you do not get visited by the intestinal virus! Stay in, use wipes on grocery and W-mart carts and stay out of public bathrooms!
Good Luck!
More Later.............................................Brenda
His miserable night was followed by a miserable day yesterday! By evening, he was able to begin small sips of coke, even though running a fever. Fortunately, he was able to sleep in spite of all the sleep he had during the day. The frequent visits to the bathroom finally ceased!
This morning he was up and about and able to have coffee and toast. He has been able to eat small portions of yogurt, cottage cheese and take fluids most of the day. I believe he has conquered this bug! Now I am hoping I do not catch it. I have spent part of the day trying to decontaminate his areas! Thank Goodness for Clorox and Clorox wipes!
Just wanted to follow-up on the last blog. You would think I would know by now that when Lee gets very quiet, does not talk a lot and appears withdrawn, he usually has a physical ailment that he does not want to share with me! Sometimes he is just too strong and stoic!
Hoping you do not get visited by the intestinal virus! Stay in, use wipes on grocery and W-mart carts and stay out of public bathrooms!
Good Luck!
More Later.............................................Brenda
Monday, January 12, 2015
Dreary Weather!
Today has been unusually foggy and dreary. One of those days when Lee would love to see the sunshine and be able to do anything outside. Unlike me, he is miserable on days like this! I can usually find some chore around the house to do, even if it is just a few drawers that need cleaning. I have kept myself busy with laundry, some cleaning of clutter, and catching up on reading. I have also taken time to clean the e-mail to trash, practice the piano, and make a few phone calls to check on some sick friends and family members.
Lee is not complaining, it is just that he is an outdoors person, and a day like this is really one he dreads. On the good side, we are at home, not in the car driving in this dangerous fog. We are not having to endure another long day in the clinic at Duke. He is not having any difficulty at the moment with any medical issues, so I believe he is having a really good day!
It is hard for a person as busy as Lee has always been to be confined to the house. Even his "old easy" recliner offers no solace on a day such as this. This morning he had his monthly labs done in Lincolnton and visited some of his buddies at Bo Jangles for a sausage biscuit. This afternoon, he dove to his neighbor's for their usual afternoon meeting, but returned early because, he too, was apparently suffering from the same boredom!
The day is almost over, it is soon time for our supper
Lee is not complaining, it is just that he is an outdoors person, and a day like this is really one he dreads. On the good side, we are at home, not in the car driving in this dangerous fog. We are not having to endure another long day in the clinic at Duke. He is not having any difficulty at the moment with any medical issues, so I believe he is having a really good day!
It is hard for a person as busy as Lee has always been to be confined to the house. Even his "old easy" recliner offers no solace on a day such as this. This morning he had his monthly labs done in Lincolnton and visited some of his buddies at Bo Jangles for a sausage biscuit. This afternoon, he dove to his neighbor's for their usual afternoon meeting, but returned early because, he too, was apparently suffering from the same boredom!
The day is almost over, it is soon time for our supper
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Welcome to 2015
A Happy New Year To All!
As my friend often reminds me, "Brenda does not blog when all is well"! I will add to that "when Brenda is very busy with all the details of Holiday celebrations!" I am amazed that I am still standing!
I did remind all our children this year to please be aware that the year ahead will most likely take away even more of my ability to keep up the pace. I keep hinting and hoping one of our five children will take the hint and unload a bit of the celebrating to either their house or change our venue to include smaller gatherings with smaller meals! They are listening and some have begun to step up to the plate.
Lee and I were able to host two large gatherings at Christmas. One on Sunday evening before Christmas with 12 ( there were three absentees), and the following was on Christmas Eve, again with 12. Both of these were with a large meal followed by the sharing of the many gifts that were exchanged. It was busy and wonderful, but still very draining and exhausting. I know that this is partly due to our heavy schedule during October because we had to stay in Durham three weeks for Lee's radiation treatment. Seems as though as soon as we returned home there was much to do in preparation for seating of 20 at our house for Thanksgiving! All this with only three weeks until Christmas! In spite of the pressure ( shopping, doctor visits etc.) it was truly a magical Christmas! Our great grand daughter Alyssa was here for Christmas Eve, and Sunday before we had two-year-old Emily, and three-year-old Easton! It is always wonderful to have a baby to pass from one to another, along with others who kept us entertained! We delighted in having twelve of our thirteen grandchildren here for all the celebrations.
We count among our many blessings, our family. How fortunate we are to be surrounded by all our children , grandchildren, and now great grandchildren during these special times of the year. We are sorry the confines of this age place some restrictions on our ability to follow through with all the activities. None-the-less, we push forward, constantly reminded that life would indeed be sad if there was no one to share on these joyous occasions!
During this time, Lee had several more squamous cell carcinomas to appear on his face and chest. There were numerous pre-cancerous growths on his neck and head that were (hopefully) stopped with the topical treatment! He had a rather large squamous cell appear on his chest area. The Moh's was bypassed in favor of large area removal with a successful pathology report. He returns to the doctor tomorrow for removal of sutures.
Our calendar is already filling up with appointments in Durham from January through April. Lee now has five services and many different doctors who follow-up on his continuing history of related developments. In addition to the lung-transplant visits, he now has: Oncology, Dermatology, EENT, and Cardiology! He is now a walking medical textbook! One, I might add, that should indeed have many major chapters about his amazing resilience, his wonderful attitude and his innate ability to overcome obstacles in his path! Even as I write, he is recovering from a cold, and after five days, appears to be on the mend.
Lee has been fortunate to have established friendly and compassionate relationships with his health-care providers. He is the only person I know that actually receives phone calls from some of his doctors who ask about his current condition and remind him of their availability to him whenever he needs them! He is always able to form friendships that are meaningful not only to him, but to all those who get to know him. He is well established among his medical professionals as a strong determined man, who never complains and is always willing to work with them to do whatever is necessary to recover. I believe this attitude of determination and compliance has earned him the respect of all those who meet him.
We will resume his journey toward good health beginning January when Lee has to return to Duke for a check-up with his Cardiologist. This will be a day trip with no overnights until we return in February for several overnights for Pulmonary check to see if he is still in a mild form of rejection.
I would end this with a promise to be more faithful to the blog, but am afraid I will break the promise. As my friend reminds me, " assume all is well with Lee, when Brenda does not blog!"
Thanks for being there during our difficult times. That is when I need you support and prayers the most.
More Later....................................................Brenda
As my friend often reminds me, "Brenda does not blog when all is well"! I will add to that "when Brenda is very busy with all the details of Holiday celebrations!" I am amazed that I am still standing!
I did remind all our children this year to please be aware that the year ahead will most likely take away even more of my ability to keep up the pace. I keep hinting and hoping one of our five children will take the hint and unload a bit of the celebrating to either their house or change our venue to include smaller gatherings with smaller meals! They are listening and some have begun to step up to the plate.
Lee and I were able to host two large gatherings at Christmas. One on Sunday evening before Christmas with 12 ( there were three absentees), and the following was on Christmas Eve, again with 12. Both of these were with a large meal followed by the sharing of the many gifts that were exchanged. It was busy and wonderful, but still very draining and exhausting. I know that this is partly due to our heavy schedule during October because we had to stay in Durham three weeks for Lee's radiation treatment. Seems as though as soon as we returned home there was much to do in preparation for seating of 20 at our house for Thanksgiving! All this with only three weeks until Christmas! In spite of the pressure ( shopping, doctor visits etc.) it was truly a magical Christmas! Our great grand daughter Alyssa was here for Christmas Eve, and Sunday before we had two-year-old Emily, and three-year-old Easton! It is always wonderful to have a baby to pass from one to another, along with others who kept us entertained! We delighted in having twelve of our thirteen grandchildren here for all the celebrations.
We count among our many blessings, our family. How fortunate we are to be surrounded by all our children , grandchildren, and now great grandchildren during these special times of the year. We are sorry the confines of this age place some restrictions on our ability to follow through with all the activities. None-the-less, we push forward, constantly reminded that life would indeed be sad if there was no one to share on these joyous occasions!
During this time, Lee had several more squamous cell carcinomas to appear on his face and chest. There were numerous pre-cancerous growths on his neck and head that were (hopefully) stopped with the topical treatment! He had a rather large squamous cell appear on his chest area. The Moh's was bypassed in favor of large area removal with a successful pathology report. He returns to the doctor tomorrow for removal of sutures.
Our calendar is already filling up with appointments in Durham from January through April. Lee now has five services and many different doctors who follow-up on his continuing history of related developments. In addition to the lung-transplant visits, he now has: Oncology, Dermatology, EENT, and Cardiology! He is now a walking medical textbook! One, I might add, that should indeed have many major chapters about his amazing resilience, his wonderful attitude and his innate ability to overcome obstacles in his path! Even as I write, he is recovering from a cold, and after five days, appears to be on the mend.
Lee has been fortunate to have established friendly and compassionate relationships with his health-care providers. He is the only person I know that actually receives phone calls from some of his doctors who ask about his current condition and remind him of their availability to him whenever he needs them! He is always able to form friendships that are meaningful not only to him, but to all those who get to know him. He is well established among his medical professionals as a strong determined man, who never complains and is always willing to work with them to do whatever is necessary to recover. I believe this attitude of determination and compliance has earned him the respect of all those who meet him.
We will resume his journey toward good health beginning January when Lee has to return to Duke for a check-up with his Cardiologist. This will be a day trip with no overnights until we return in February for several overnights for Pulmonary check to see if he is still in a mild form of rejection.
I would end this with a promise to be more faithful to the blog, but am afraid I will break the promise. As my friend reminds me, " assume all is well with Lee, when Brenda does not blog!"
Thanks for being there during our difficult times. That is when I need you support and prayers the most.
More Later....................................................Brenda
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