July 31, 2008

Well we found the way to a good night sleep for dad; work him. I had him walk around the pool last night sweeping the bottom of the pool and picking out leaves and bugs. He got in with his cigar and walked around for about two hours. This act allowed his mind to turn off for a while and he earned much needed excellent rest. Which considering how the day started was a great relief. He was watching a story on the Today Show about cancer that got him all worried and upset his belly. But after I explained a few of the items it helped, but the mental damage had already been done and the pacing began.

I had a touch of a bug and had to go to bed early last night so it was a long rest night for both of us.

So far today we are just getting ready for tomorrow's appointment. Tracker and dad already got the morning paper and both are ready for a great day.

July 30th, 2008

Sorry about the last couple of days and lack of information. Sometimes we get a little busy around here with doctors appointments and what nots. Dad had a really bad Sunday and Monday night. Lots of built up nervous energy I think about the upcoming appointments. He Did get some help from Show Low and Irene that made him perk up a little which was good.

The first consult that we went to was on the 29Th with Dr Wang. Hes a general surgeon. After a quick visit with him and a few minutes of exam, he has decided that his speciality isn't really needed at this time but rather he would like dad to see a GI doctor. (belly and bowel doc) That appointment will be the 13Th of August. Dad felt a little better now having met at least one doctor down here and feeling a little more like we are getting the ball rolling some. His pain seem to subside a little too. Friday is our next appointment with the Urinary Doctor and hopefully we will have some treatment options thrown at us. Of course dad still is not real big on a lot of extra attempts at killing this thing.

Little side note to all of you who are offering support and love. We both want to thank you for checking in on us and offering help in many different ways. We Clarke's' are stubborn, pigheaded, and just down right tough to deal with but we thank you with all our hearts. And for me personally I want to thank my friends who have all stepped up and given way more than I probably deserve. And at some point I will need help from all of you. But right now dad and I are just doing our thing and getting by. He likes his independence and I like him to have it. Someday that will not always be the case.

Thank you.

Love, The Clarke's (Big Earl and Little Earl. I still hate that)

July 27th, 2008

Last night was a long one. The evening started out fairly well. We sat outside with a cigar and talked about what we were going to do to the yard in the fall. But as the night progressed it seemed dad just couldn't get settled down. He was up and down most of the night.

Today he's acting like a rat in a cage. Very anxious and having trouble getting comfortable. His head and neck on that one side is really giving him trouble. So much so that its scaring him that the cancer has maybe entered his mind/neck. I was upstairs taking a nap when he called out for me. I came down stairs rubbed some icyhot on the spot and hopefully it will help with the pain. Still two days out for his first doctors appointment. I hope the wait isn't starting to get to him a little bit.

July 26th, 2008

Dad was having a really great day yesterday. So after much consideration, we took a little field trip to the CASINO. And for a man who has periods when he doesn't want to eat, he made short work of a hot dog and piece of cheese cake. We did not win any money but we were gone for about 3 hours and he had a blast. Got home with visions of naps in our heads so we rested a while.

Marie had the day off and he wanted to thank her for all her help so he sent us to the movies. We Went to Batman: The Dark Knight. It was three hours, but it was good. Returned to the house to find father watching TV. He had a good dinner and him and the dog were hanging out.

So far this morning he is having a great day. He's sitting here reading his morning paper.

July 25th 2008

After a long morning of fighting with doctors office people and running around taking care of paperwork, my father was able to take a little time and do some pool fishing. He actually had a really good day. We finally got his pain under control and with a little back rub and some good dinner fixings he had a pretty good night. Walked up the stairs last night twice. Once for a shower and once just for what he called exercises. (It was actually to check on me.) Hoping for a strong weekend so that the appointments next week are not too hard on him. I know his mind wonders a lot and sometimes it gets the best of him. But we Clarke's' are world famous for thinking too much.

I think Monday was hard on him because it was five years ago we lost mom. Always seems to hit him quietly.

July 24th Morning

July 24th, 2008

Long night last night for dad. Lots of pacing and not a lot of sleep. I stayed downstairs with him till 2:30 in the morning. I think that was partly from all the rest he got on Wednesday. He had to rest with his feet up a little bit do to increased swelling. Breathing is good and his blood pressure is wonderful. Still having trouble with some belly pain and his bowel movements are still affected. He's a little more upset this morning than usual. It upsets him when his body isn't doing on well on its own.

Pool therapy went well last night. We walked around inside the pool and killed flies last night. We are not real sure why there was an increased number of the little buggers last night, but it gave us some exercise. One theory is the house next door has been vacant for a while and there was a couple looking at it yesterday. When they opened the door maybe it is full of dead things. It was something to do.

His neck pain responds well to icy hot patches and cream. I believe that pain has to do with him holding his head up when he doses off.

Overall today he feels full, tired, and just uneasy. Hopefully after breakfast with the help of coffee and an enema we will have a better day.

July 14th 2008

Dad had been feeling pretty poorly this spring. So much so that the thought of leaving and going to Oregon for the summer just didn't appeal to him. His stomach pain was every increasing without relief in sight. So we (dad and I) worked out a plan for him to spend the summer in Show Low Arizona. Its closer to my work and I already had a place for him to stay up there. He lasted a few weeks without too much trouble. Then, after several trips to the Emergency Room, he wanted to see a doctor. After much searching for a doctor that accepted his insurance, we found that my doctor could take him. Dad had an appointment with lab work and a few tests but no real answers as to why he was having trouble. So his follow up appointment was for Monday July 14Th. A day full of information and some of it good. We found out that dad's prostrate cancer from years ago was more active then ever and it seems to be spreading rather rapidly throughout his body. So much so that we need to prepare for the worst. With this information in hand, dad felt it would be best (with my subtle hints) to move in with me in the house in Avondale Arizona so that I could work and he could have access to the doctors that he will be needing to help him with this newest challenge. We have set up a little apartment for him in the bottom part of my house and it seems to be helping. He does his pool therapy every night by walking around my pool. We have been managing his pain a little better and he sleeps well. Eating is hit or miss but has greatly improved.

His brother was here for a visit for a few days and it really perked him up. I also had my best friend from Show Low, Irene, here who helped take care of dad for me in Show low. Dad calls her his angel because she was there when he was in the ER. Marie, my partner in crime, set up the house in Avondale with a closet and dresser and also help bring the bed and chair from Quartzsite to the house. It has been a little bit of chaos but as things start to settle it should get better.

We have a surgery consult on July 29Th and a urology consult on August 1st. Hopefully then we will have a plan.

If you have any questions or want to send dad well wishes, e-mail me here or post a comment.