Happy Thanksgiving

He is off and down south of the boarder! Bapo has hit the road and is currently enjoying a warm and sunny Thanksgiving in Mexico. He will be returning to Colorado and then off to Arizon where the sun is shining brightly! We had a wonderful weekend with him before he took off to celebrate his 65th Birthday as well as a "Taylor-smoked rib Thanksgiving". Blessing abound - thankful for each of you!

Scarey? NO WAY!

Nothing scarey about this post ... except my three goblins (the perks of updating - I get to add pictures of 3 of Bapo's 8 Grandkids!)

The last CT scan was hopeful and the cancer is stationary. With this new information ... that means Dad no longer will be (stationary that is)!

Selfishly we are thankful that Bapo hasn't taken off yet. We are all going to get together next weekend to celebrate Dad's birthday (yes, a little late) and Thanksgiving. Dad is rolling soon (around the 18th) - leaving the 20 degree weather behind - THANKFULLY! He will enjoy sun and warmth while we shiver for Thanksgiving...he is Mexico bound. Following Thanksgiving he will be back to Denver and then off to Arizona!

Keep an eye on the blog as I will be teaching Dad how to update it himself so we can try to keep tabs on him!

Keep the prayers coming - we will keep you posted. Praise God for 2nd opinions, great brother-in-law drivers, friends and family support and meds that are working!

Good News!

Great news on Tuesday - the "blood indicators" are normal and after a CT scan in 2 weeks Bapo should be on the move!

Although we KNOW he would enjoy warmer weather we have greatly enjoyed having him around here. We were able to go to a pumkin patch with him Sunday (the Higer crew) and the kiddos LOVED the "Razor" - they liked going fast and couldn't get enough. We will keep this up and going for sometime to let you know where he lands and what else is going on. I will try to get some pics up too!

God Bless Until Next Time!

He's Movin' On ...

To David City for the weekend and then down to Missouri more than likely for a spell! Not to as warm of climate as he might like, but his tether has been removed and he is now on oral meds! The "plan" is for him to be around the area (Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, etc ... just not Arizona or too far West just yet!) for the few weeks so he can follow up with docs regarding his progress. His infectious disease doctor is a very busy man (as is dad!), so scheduling an appointment in the next 2 weeks or so is hair-raising for his staff, but that IS their job! We will keep you updated as to what is going on. We appreciate the continued prayers and know that Dad enjoys the calls and emails - it is always comforting to know that your friends and family are supporting you with thoughts and prayers!

Just a Quick Note ...

Because blogs with pictures are so much more fun ... Bapo's arrival for Gus' baptism (M & and B's #5) last Spring in style! Jet was even along for the flight and did well.

Bapo continues to do well. He is driving back and forth each day for his antibiotics. Keep the prayers coming - we will continue to update with the happenings of H .... for now know that he is regaining his strength and getting rested up for his next adventure. So ... if you are out West ... watch out - he just might be headed your way!

He's Free ... Kind Of!

Dad is out of the hospital as of 4:30 this afternoon. My friend, Michelle, drove him over to his car that was parked at Gary's sister's home. (Thanks yet again, Michelle!) Last I spoke with him he was driving over to KOA and looking forward to some good grub. Thanks again for all prayers and well wishes.

There was a bit of a change in plan regarding meds. They are keeping him on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks. We will accompany him to doctor appointments following his next CT scan in couple of weeks. Praise the Lord that we came to Nebraska so he could be closer to family! Although the drive and dripping might not be the MOST fun daily - it beats laying in a hospital bed recovering from major surgery!

God Bless to all -
J

It's Getting Even Better!

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. As I type this - S is off to school and I am sitting on our couch with Charlie beside me, Black Jack climbing on my shoulder and Addie at my feet! Yes, I am home - Dad is doing so much better! He called last night around 9:30 and said that he might even be sent home without meds. G and B got his home set up at a KOA near Omaha that does have cabins a stones throw from him - if anyone is interested. We are blessed to have him close for at least 2 weeks when there will be a follow up CT scan and numerous doc appointments that M and I will accompany him to. Thank you again for all the prayers - we all appreciate them and have felt them and have witnessed their power as we count the many blessings that have circled our lives since last Thursday. More to follow as we learn the exact day/time that they are going to "spring him free"! Have a Blessed Day ~ J

If you are wishing to send a note to Dad you may send them c/o M Yindrick to - 1183 N. 5th Street David City, NE 68632.

New Better Different Changes!

New news from Omaha! We are still awaiting a visit from an Infectious Disease doctor, but from what the Internal doctor and surgeons perspective ... no surgery! The docs would rather try to treat the phlegmon (I'm SOOO medical - ha) with antibiotics and repeat a CT scan in 2 weeks to see what changes (if any) have transpired. We will continue to keep the blog updated, but know that updates might be fewer than we once anticipated.

He is feeling great and has been without fever for 2 days now. His blood pressure is up/down ... which ever way you look at it (better and within normal limits I would say). He is eating and is ready to get rollin'.

We are going to research some camping spots around the Omaha area so he can receive treatment and follow up care close by. Keep the prayers coming - thanks and bless you all!

First of Many

Hello to you all dear family and friends. This is the first of many entries that will be posted to update you on the ins/outs; ups/downs and in-betweens of the most recent journey that Dad (AKA - Bapo to his grandkids) has decided to take us on. The journey will be long and interesting, but through faith, trust, great docs and humor we will press forward.

For any of you coming in mid-stream a brief "catch-up" ... Dad is a professional RVer and explorer. He was in the Black Hills with his brother and his wife when he began having horrible pain in his left mid-abdomen (where his kidney once was). He drove back to Colorado, forgoing his orginal plans to continue West (thank God). After receiving IV treatment for nearly 2 weeks and following a 2nd CT scan in 2 weeks we learned that he had a mass growing in the area where his kidney once was located. Melissa and I quickly made a trip Friday morning early out to Colorado where we later learned that the fluid they had drained off of the phlegmon was pancreatic "juice". They are saying Dad has a pancreatic fistula and needs surgery to remove the lower portion of his pancreas. We were told that this is not an "easy surgery", but it can be done. They said to expect at least hospitalization for minimally 7 - 10 days and then possibly some assisted care until he is strong enough to be on his own.

We arrived in Omaha safely thanks to my brother-in-law, Curt last night around 11:30. He was a great driver and we all appreciated his safe driving. Dad was able to stretch out on the couch and watch satellite TV nearly the entire ride from Denver to Omaha. Upon arrival we got Dad checked into his new hospital. My dear friend from high school, Michelle, is a PA in Omaha and is with an Internal Medicine group (by the grace of God) and aided us greatly in getting everything lined up and if I must say so myself a nice room with a beautiful view of the sunrise! (Thanks so much Michelle!) Dad and I are sitting watching the sunrise and Discovery TV!

Dad has already been down for chest and abdominal x-rays this morning and will be drinking his "liquid glowing juice" soon. They are going to be doing a CT scan (yes, again ... 3rd one in 2 weeks) as well as another EKG. We will meet with the on-call doctor of the internal med group today and hopefully have a bit more information as to what our next few days might look like.

We appreciate your prayers you may try to contact us, but as you can imagine things are a crazy to say the least between Dad, kiddos, coordinating schedules, figuring out care, school etc. We need not worry for He is in control and is watching over us - as are our special angels up above. And in Dad's classic words, "Oh well, hey!"