Apple Picking, Doctor Visiting, Birthday Partying

Hey everybody,

Sorry to be posting so late in the week- it's sure been busy! Last Thursday, we went to my dad's appointment with his surgeon. We call him the "I'm okay, you're okay" doctor- he never gets too concerned about any issue that has come up in my father's recovery from his procedure, despite the home care nurse's suggestions or our own personal frustrations. No matter what the case, he is always as cool as a cucumber. Anyway, we write up the Lunsford List for each visit, which contains a bunch of different key topics we bring up (most are repeats that we keep asking each time, hoping for a different answer) and try to get them all knocked out. So this past week's visit was a success, his lab results came back from the West Clinic: his red and white blood cell counts were good, so he could stop taking the iron pills he was prescribed since leaving the hospital, and his cholesterol was at 170, so he doesn't have to worry about taking medication for that right now. A huge progress in his recovery has been the output from his wound decreasing to a very small amount. The doctor ordered less Pancrease pills for him to take when he eats, as well as the injections he needs to have every day. Also, he recommended the Wound Vac come off fairly soon, and to do a wet to dry dressing twice a day after that. To celebrate this great news, we headed over to Jones Orchards (first time my dad went out of the house, other than to the doctor in a couple months) where I picked apples and dad watched for a while.

That night I made homemade apple sauce. You boil the apples, peel off the skin and blend them in a food processor til creamy, then sprinkle cinnamon! Delicious and easy.

So on 10-10-10 this year, my dad celebrated his 52nd birthday. My sister Lauren, her fiancee Dillon, and their almost 3 year old Adrian came in from Nashville for a couple days. That night, my dad and Gwen's friends and family came over for dinner, music and campfire. It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day, with lots of love and laughter.

This Monday, my dad has got his Wound Vac taken off, which is a huge step forward! I have been changing his dressing and keeping tabs on his output. His wound is drastically shrinking and becoming more and more shallow, it's really exciting!

We also loved having my older sister here for a couple days. Lauren's visit was incredible, her little boy brings so much light and life into the household, and Dillon and my dad get along so well, jamming together and hanging out. When they're here, there is a totally different dynamic in the house, it is so joyful and alive. My dad is so proud of Lauren and loves her so much, I really hope it will work out that he will get treated in Nashville, so we'll get to stay with them for several months. Next Wednesday, October 20th, we will be driving in to see an oncologist at Sarah Cannon, so until then.. thanks for all of the support and outpour of love from everyone. It is amazing and overwhelming and we are all just so grateful that my dad has touched so many.

Til next week, hope all is well with everyone!

Peace & Love,

-Katie