Home, sweet home.

After over two weeks in Boston, it sounds as if my parents should be returning home later today.

Just got a text this morning that they had a couple of "anxious" moments as they waited for the plane, however, it sounds as if the blood work looked okay.

We've asked for a lot of prayers, but another quickie for a safe, and uneventful, ride home would be nice right about now.

Their plane gets into Grand Rapids tonight, and I'm guessing it will be off to softball games nearly right away.

My parents met with the doctor staff on Tuesday and, by the sounds of things, they will start chemo treatment beginning next week -- with the goal of returning for a mid-August return trip to Boston.

Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers throughout this rough time.

Boston... we will be back

Well. I apologize for neglecting what has some sort of a "responsibility" as others from back home have expressed thanks for keeping those posted on what was going on here in Boston.

My dad, hours after his surgery.

However, since my dads surgery -- and the subsequent weekend -- there's been extremely little to report. The quick answer is my dad was released from the hospital late Sunday night, seems to be in good spirits, has a doctor appointment Tuesday to go over potential future plans, and should be coming home as early as Friday.

Thanks Kevin, Renee and families. We love you, too!

A quick recap -- to avoid reading previous posts -- the surgeon could not complete the surgery because the mesothelioma tumor was wrapped around the aorta, which ultimately supplies all branches of the body oxygenated blood, posing too many immediate risks. 

As we all know... there's much more beyond that as we prepare to come home ourselves.

It's been a somewhat unfulfilling trip, knowing that the doctor wasn't able to remove the cancer, and my dad is going to have to continue fighting the pain that he has been suffering through -- and now battle through the chemotherapy -- with the hopes to shrink the tumor enough to return here in late summer to go through this procedure once again.


But the hope, faith and optimism that the surgeon's suggested treatment plan is possible -- and, most importantly, the support from back home -- just proves there's reason to continue fighting. Which is what my father appears ready to do. Slow laps with the grandkids at the hospital, already planning trips to Chicago to see his newest grandson and extending appreciation to those that have been behind him throughout this process has him eager to move forward.

So, the entire family extends our appreciate for all of those -- from Brazil (thanks Luciana and family) to Nevada to Wolf Lake -- that have extended their thoughts, prayers, interest and help, allowing us to lean on one another to make it through this challenging time. The rewarding part of this entire process is realizing the number of people that have reached out to our families during this difficult time.


So, as we follow God's plan and his road for Ron, we extend our thanks to each of you. Our thoughts and prayers of appreciation are extended as well.

That, and I hear Boston in late summer can be a lot of fun!

Sorry about the delay... but all is well

From my parents first visit to Boston in March.

Just 12 hours after the surgery. 

It was a rough morning for my dad on Friday -- learning that they couldn't complete the surgery -- however, through it all he remained strong, even smiling and not worrying the grandkids at all.

Sorry, I haven't posted anything today -- for those of you whom may be checking in. We are trying to do our best to enjoy the rest of our trip here to Boston ... and even may try to pry my mother away from the hospital at some point. And I had to post another link, only because McKenna's blog is up to about 10 views (I don't think she should count the 10 times she refreshed her browser, though)

Many of us were able to take in the Red Sox game Thursday night at Fenway Park, we walked a bit of the Freedom Trail, and Erica, I and the girls had dinner at the original Bull and Finch bar -- which sparked the Cheers sitcom.

My father was in a bit more pain today as they weened him off the medication, however, he was up and walking before noon and moved out intensive care by 3 p.m. He was comfortably sleeping early tonight -- which was good because it allowed my mom to finally get a decent night of sleep as well. 

Haven't talked much more of what's to come, that will be handled as we move past the weekend. Guessing they will remain here in Boston for a short period and see how things progress moving forward.

I will try to post more Saturday, but here are a few photos from Boston.

Sorry to interrupt...

But wanted to add a few photos of my own.

Hayden ready to float away at Dick's Last Resort

Erica and Reilyn on the Duck Tour

Hayden and Delaney outside Fenway Park with Doerr, Pesky, Wiliams

Red Auerbach looking a little stiff

Staying strong

It truly is amazing when your will and hope is tested the most, only then are you able to sit back and realize how truly blessed we all really are.

The news about my father today was disheartening and not the route that we expected to take, however, throughout this entire process -- stretching back even into last December -- we are able to witness the friendship, support and love that our family, friends and the entire Wolf Lake, Oakridge community has been gracious enough to provide us with that courage to get through another day.

And, that's a good thing -- because we will be asking for more. It's tough to seemingly monopolize the prayer chain this week, but I do have ALL those whom are suffering -- physically, emotionally, financially -- in my own thoughts and prayers as we continue to trudge forward.

Not really any news to report since we first heard from the surgeon yesterday. My dad did wake up about 1 a.m. on his own and was able to nod, hold onto my mothers' hand and confirmed he wasn't in any pain for the 40 minutes we were able to see him. There was even a noticeable grin, when we told him he had to fight through this recovery process in order to get back home and watch the grandkids' softball, soccer games and to be able to hold baby Ethan.

They are expected to begin stripping the tubes from him earlier today and taking him off the ventilator at that time too. Hopefully, today, we will learn more about the chemo process and trying to find a way to shrink this mesothelioma tumor and try the surgery again in the future.

I know my mom appreciates the love and support and I wish we were able to share our thanks individually with each and every person -- but, I'm guessing that's not going to be possible. However, the care and support shows the number of lives my parents have touched and the respect all of you have treated my family in this time of need.

God's detour for Ron.

Not exactly the news we were hoping for, expecting today. We were concerned after how short the surgery took, and we just met with the doctor, and the mesothelioma was advanced that a complete extraction of the lung was not possible.

God is not without a plan for Ron or the rest of us. The doctor still remains hopeful that with chemotherapy, he can shrink the tumor enough to attempt an extraction in the future. But for now, the cancer was attached to the aorta and other major blood vessels to make the removal of the lung too risky today.

Ron will be in the hospital for up to a week and will slowly be taken off the ventilator beginning Friday morning. We will continue to pray and care for him and continue to show support and fight this disease.

Thanks for praying, and please, continue the support.

We love you all!

Out of surgery...

Well... So far, so good. We're hoping and praying.

My dad was out of surgery as of about 3:40 p.m. -- mixed signals since they told us earlier possibly a 6-8 hour surgery ... but told us here he was scheduled for four hours.

Waiting to talk to the doctor now. Then we will know more about the surgery, the hot chemo wash and the recovery process.

Keep the prayers and support coming. Thanks.

We appreciate all of the support, here in Boston, from Florida, Chicago and especially back home.
Thanks to all.

Sent back for surgery...

Okay. My dad was sent back for surgery about 1:30. My mom said he was in good spirits (the drugs, perhaps). Now even more waiting begins.

New update... 1 p.m.

Nothing yet. Mom's not back to waiting room, so, I'm guessing my dad is still waiting. Will let you know as soon as we hear anything more.

Surgery scheduled.

Sounds as if the operating room is reserved for 12:15 p.m. -- still waiting to see him once again before he heads down.

Surgery is expected to last 6-8 hours.

Still waiting.

Nothing to report yet. Still waiting for them to prepare to send my dad down to pre-op.

Originally, they told us heading downstairs about 9:30 a.m. and surgery about 11:30 a.m. -- but, they warned us the doctors are notorious for running late.

No panic if no regular updates -- they warned us surgery could last 6-8 hours.

Stay tuned.

The perfect distraction...

After being told to get plenty of rest for Thursday's surgery, my dad was up late last night celebrating the birth of his 22nd grandkid.

Ricky and Keara gave birth to Ethan James late, late last night (2:25 a.m. -- I'm guessing that's Chicago time). And, of course, my mother was up on skype to take part of it all.

Ron was admitted this afternoon and had plenty of visitors heading into tomorrow's surgery. By the sounds of things, he will be moved down about 9 a.m. -- and the surgery is scheduled for 11:30-ish. Not positive how long the surgery is expected to last, but we were pretty much told it would be multiple hours.

As soon as we hear anything tomorrow... we all will be passing it along.

It's kind of late notice, but I know many people already are planning on wearing the blue shirts support my dad on Thursday... Even if you don't have one, wear royal blue just to show support and let people know, when/if they ask, why. The more people that have my dad in their mind, thoughts and prayers can only help.

How we got here

Yeah, yeah... the easy answer is by plane. But, even that was an adventure. Don't believe me: Try packing for a six-to-eight week stay -- and fit it all into a carry-on.

I didn't mind. The snacks stayed with me for the drive home from the airport.

As we approach my dad's surgery on Thursday, I realized from many of my own co-workers and friends that they knew my dad was sick, but didn't know with what or how quickly the disease has grown. So for those that weren't entirely sure what was going on and didn't want to ask, here's the short version -- well, at least, the shortest I could keep it:

My dad was diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma earlier this year, which is a malignant form of cancer that attacks the pleural membrane of the lungs and chest cavity. Mesothelioma is universally believed to develop from the exposure of asbestos and can lie dormant for 40 or more years before the symptoms are noticeable.

It is also extremely aggressive in attacking the diseased organ as shown with the progression with my dad. He first went into the emergency room in late December for general illness, and had his chest drained weekly because of the fluid buildup in his thoracic cavity beginning in January. A biopsy in mid-February ultimately confirmed the disease

My parents met with Dr. David Sugarbaker and his staff in Boston from March 6-9. Brigham and Women's Hospital is the teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical, and is not only nationally recognized for its advanced medical capabilities and cutting-edge research, but also for its overall quality of patient care. It was confirmed there in late March that my dad was a candidate for extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), in which doctors will remove the entire left lung, lining of the inside of the chest, the hemi-diaphragm and pericardium. The above link is a very detailed source of how the disease evolves and the work involved in eliminating it.

It's just been amazing how quickly my dad's breathing, stamina and strength as decreased in the past four months alone, and I believe he's comfortable and confident moving forward, planning to do so soon without that daily pain he was forced to endure.

My parents are expecting to remain in Boston for the foreseable future -- or until the outrageous hotel rates and cost of living along the east coast forces them to go home.... (just kidding, kind of.)  They would be the first to admit that none of this would be possible with the support of friends, family and the entire Oakridge schools system and Wolf Lake community for the encouragement, prayers and help. Special individual thanks go out to many... and I'll just start by mentioning Sterling and Roylynn Wever for watching over the house and "dog"sitting Kada -- so that I didn't have to -- prior to leaving myself.

That all being said... the faith, prayer and support has gotten us this far, and we ask of you to continue, not only for a calm and peaceful day Wednesday and successful surgery Thursday... but the strength and encouragement to make it through was will be a demanding recovery and rehabilitation process.

Welcome to Boston

Well a rather uneventful Tuesday in Boston. Some final pre-op tests for my dad, who will be admitted on Wednesday and is scheduled for surgery late Thursday morning.

My parents went to Sunday's Red Sox game at Fenway Park... Didn't quite last all 17 innings, but seemed to appreciate the time to get away from the doctors here.

We did find a way to take over the hotel pool upon visiting with Grandpa. We're fortunate, not only to have plenty of support here with my dad, but back in Chicago -- as Rick and Keara are preparing for their first child -- Disney World, where I know, my dad would rather be (motivation for rehab will be the trip we have scheduled for October -- and, of course, with all the friends and familly back home in West Michigan.

We all are grateful for the friends, family and support that we have been blessed with.

As we move forward, please mark this blogspot and follow along with the progress of my dad as he recovers from this surgery. Facebook is fine, however, this provides an opportunity to get more into detail and provide comments to my dad that he can look at himself -- until he breaks down and gets a facebook account.

Please share your thoughts and prayers here.

The Journey begins!

It's been a crazy year, and as my parents make their way to Boston, it's a tough time as we face the anxiety of the unknown that lies ahead, as well as the anxious energy that it's only a matter of time before my dad is able to escape this disease that has caused him pain and exhaustion in the short period he has been battling mesothelioma.

But, through the support of family and friends, the lengthy rehabilitation and recovery process will be a breeze.