I'm alright, nobody worry 'bout me

After a great visit with family this past weekend dad had a turn for the worse on Sunday and by Monday morning we moved him to the Hospice house in Huntersville. At 9:51 on Tuesday morning he passed away. We can't say enough about how great Hospice has been through this experience in their care for him and support of us.

As sad as this is, it brings us enormous comfort to know that Dad is not suffering or in anymore pain.

There will be a memorial service on Wednesday October 27th at 12 pm/Noon at the Central Church of God (5301 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270)

The funeral director has the following website published with additional information and tributes to Dad (CLICK HERE).

Dad loved to laugh and watch movies so for those of you that know my brother and me, our passion for humor and quoting movies came honestly. Dad loved Chevy Chase and was often like having our own Clark Griswold. So in that spirit, here's to you dad.

"O God, ease our suffering in this, our moment of great despair. Yea, admit this kind and decent man into thy arms of thine heavenly area, up there. And Moab, he lay us upon the band of the Canaanites, and yea, though the Hindus speak of karma, I implore you: give him a break."

Love and laughter for everything you did for all of us, Jack III

The Journey

When Dad came out of surgery from his biopsy back in late May, his surgeon let us know that the average life expectancy for someone with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer was about 6 months. After a rough week and long Friday evening, Hospice let us know that he has probably 2 to 3 weeks left with us.

My grandmother, aunt, and sister will be arriving today for long weekend visit, and while he is very sedated and weak, I know that he will be so happy to be surrounded by so much love and support.

We are meeting with Hospice today to understand what we can expect as we enter the last part of this journey with him. Keep him in your thought and prayers.

Jack III

Friends, family, and hopefully a few fish

Dad has had a lot of great visits from friends and family over the past few weeks with more on the way. We had a great visit today and mostly just laid on his bed, catching up and talking about the weeks ahead. Nikki is heading out of town on business so I'll be staying over with him for a few nights. We are looking forward to getting my brother Taylor to join us for some guy time.

My sister Elizabeth and Jessica Porter will be coming to town next weekend and I believe Jack and Beth Porter are coming the following weekend. He is excited and looking forward to seeing everyone.

He really wants to go down to Fla for some fishing and hopefully we will make our way down to Murrell's Inlet for a test run soon.

Keep your calls and visits coming, he needs more partners in crime. We all do.

Hiccups and morphine

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last update. The last 3 1/2 weeks have been eye opening and left me wondering when and what to say. Dad and I got down to the beach on a beautiful day and he was feeling good and excited. Aside from an odd case of re-occurring hiccups, we had a great day and evening hitting some of his favorite spots. Sadly the hiccups (a common side effect of pancreatic cancer) only persisted as his energy levels and discomfort worsened.

He started working with Hospice the following Monday. It has been a bit of a roller coaster getting his medications figured out as we try to ease his symptoms and pain. He has good days and hours but as I waited for this effort to bring Dad up or leveled out to a place where he could embark on his plans to travel with Nikki to see friends and family, I feel that he may not be able to travel.

Elizabeth came to town with the kids before school started and Dad really seemed to perk up and had 3 great days in a row. This weekend, his mom and sister came to town and we are having a great visit.

We embrace today, hope for tomorrow, and hold his hand.

Seize today for it is a gift

Dad's cancer has not responded to treatment and has grown. His doctor has referred him to Hospice.

This was the worst news we could get yet as he said to me today, "I not going to die today and it's time to start living." He is catching up on calls to family today and spending time with Nikki tonight. He and I are heading to the beach house tomorrow and we are excited about getting into some much needed living.

No one knows how much time he has ahead of him but really we all just need to treat everyday as the gift it is with him and each other.

From here on I will keep you all posted on his exploits and condition as we help him take it for all it's worth.

Peace and love, Jack III

Platelets.....

On Tuesday's trip to the oncologist, dad's platelet count was below 40 thousand so he did not get his last chemo treatment. To help boost his platelets, he went to the hospital Wednesday for 2 units of blood. Nikki had to leave town for work so I am staying over tonight to keep him company and he looks good and feels a lot better so the fresh blood seems to be working. Tomorrow morning I am taking him to have a PET and CT scan; the results of which will be reviewed on Tuesday.

Hoping for good news so keep him in you thoughts and prayers.

Jack III

One more to go....

So Dad's platelet count is holding up nicely and had his second to last infusion on Tuesday. He is excited to be so close to getting the treatments behind him. The side effects have not been as bad and mostly he is tired. His CAT scans are scheduled for August 10th.

Jack III

Yesterday was a very good day

Dad went in for his weekly visit to the Oncologist yesterday and his platelet count was up to 197,000. This was so encouraging they decided to start Cycle 2 of his treatment and his dosage is up to 100%. He is now scheduled to have 2 more weekly infusions followed a week later with new CAT scans.

His side effects have also lightened up a bit, especially the most severe which have made the first 24 hours after treatment pretty bad. Mostly he is just fatigued but very happy and optimistic; as he looks over his shoulder for signs of Murphy :)

Keep your love, positivity, and prayers headed his way. It’s working.

Jack III

Bumps in the road.....

So as it turns out, Dad’s lowered platelet count led his Oncologist to start his Gemzar dosage at 75% from the start. When he went into treatment #3 Tuesday, his platelet count was down in the 30 thousands which were too low to proceed with the Gemzar infusions. He is still taking the Tarceva (oral daily chemo). At this point he will continue to see his Oncologist on Tuesdays and we all need to hope that his platelet counts rise to more acceptable levels so he can resume treatment. He is feeling weak and tired and what he needs is lots of rest to let his body heal.

Jack III

Not quite standing on his head....

Turns out that the first night after dad gets an infusion of Gemzar one of the main side effects are severe chills and flu like symptoms. They seem to have mellowed out this morning but he spent most of the evening with night sweats and a fever. This apparently happened last week too so while the head stands may be out for now, he is standing, and not alone. We love you.

Jack III

7 down, 53 to go..............

Dad had his second infusion today of Gemzar. The dosage was lowered by 25% as his platelet count has dropped in the 60 thousands but all in all the news is good. It turns out that the effects of the treatment are NOT cumulative which means that the side effects he is experiencing should not get worse. To date, the worse has been fatigue and an acne like rash on his head, neck, and upper body which he has been given additional prescriptions to manage. The others are nausea, chills, cotton mouth, and "decreased" appetite. The later will not do him any harm ;) and he says that if this is as bad as it gets, then he can do it standing on his head.

The other good news is that he is pain free with the treatment and his oncologist said that this may be evidence that the treatment is helping as the pain medication dosages are not large enough to alleviate all his pain.

All in all, dad is feeling optimistic and in good hands and that is very good.

Jack III

Dad's first day of treatment

Today dad started his chemo treatment and a 30 minute visit ran into 4 hours. Although his enlarged spleen has lowered his platelet count below the recommended levels for starting treatment, the oncologist proceeded and we all are glad to get the ball rolling. The sooner he starts the sooner thing have a chance to improve. He has had no initial side effects but his treatment consists of a weekly infused and daily oral treatment. The later he is taking now and hopefully the side effects will be minimal.

The current status on his spleen is a wait and see approach but removing it is on the table.

This is also ground zero for the new blog which we hope makes it easy for everyone to stay up to date on how dad is doing and to post their own messages of love and encouragement.

Jack III