Record breaking recovery...

Dad, protecting himself with a mask from four of Terry (his son)'s star softball team, who visited and brought him an amazing photo collage.

While at his 2nd of twice-weekly follow up visits with the hepatologist at Henry Ford, dad found out from his (nurse case manager?) that he was the fastest discharge from liver transplant at the hospital. Tuesday surgery, Sunday discharge. Though he had some trouble, you know that he was REALLY happy to hear that. He wants it done, like NOW. This is the same man who, walking to all the monuments on the Washington DC Capital Mall, tries to see them all in one day. Surprised!?

He's also been WALKING AROUND THE BLOCK; he gets mad that he gets tired. But he's doing it.

The visits are pretty much to track his bloodwork and the liver transplant. The oncology tracking will also be part of his follow up care. They track bloodwork twice per week. The medications are many, as are the side effects, interactions, and guidelines for use. Lots of heady stuff. We looked them all up on the NIH's Medline site. Check this out for an example of just one medication and it's issues: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202914.html

The surgeon on the transplant team who did the surgery, as well as the last 2 of his 3 tumor removals, wants dad to have CHEMOTHERAPY after he heals. This is because if there is any cancer at all in his system, they can get it. All signs point to no cancer. There was no cancer in:

• the lymph nodes right near his liver, or
• in the blood vessels of the "old" liver.

This is great because they'd likely show up here if there was metastases. There was new cancer growing in the old liver, though, so this is definitely a good idea. The anti rejections drugs, one in particular, not only inhibit the action of the immune system (needed to fight diseases and infections), but one actually encourages cancer to grow if any is present (also need to be careful in sunlight as skin cancer is much higher risk).

SO MUCH GOING WELL! Just lots to be aware of.

HE NEEDS YOUR DISTRACTIONS. TV is not enough (or really edifying enough), and though he's got audio books, book-books, and even a plug-and-play Ms. Packman game, he really needs to share his thoughts, talk and be busy not trying to lift things or get into trouble!

THANK YOU!

Fundraisers...Get involved!

Many of you know that Friends for Terry was created by Kate (daughter of 1974 vintage) to raise funds for Dad so that he can pay for his medical expenses, both direct (copays, etc.) and indirect (nutritional needs, medical supplies not covered, other therapies).

This is to share with you a little bit about what fundraisers have happened, what is happening, and what is to come!


1--Terry, Jr. (son, circa 1976) is a teacher at Milford (MI) High School. He also runs the women's softball program and coaches the varsity team. Dad has been very involved-an eternal booster--of the games. (He played ball, and encouraged all of our love of the games...) On their own, the varsity team involved their high school and collected over $4,000 for the fund. They presented the check with specially made T-shirts for family, friends and supporters.


2--At the annual Downtown Hoedown at Detroit's Hart Plaza in May http://www.wycdhoedown.com/ , more volunteers served refreshments late into the nights to raise funds at the booths. Terry, Jr. arranged this.

3--Currently, there is a link on this website to donate via Amazon.com's Honor System. These donations can be made anonymously or information may be sent to the family regarding your donation.
Use this link: http://s1.amazon.com/paypage/P1LW6GQB0OBXX3/103-1344856-9070217

4-- Susan (daughter of the '60s) and Deb (her partner in life, crime, etc.) have a few tricks up their sleeves (though as it is summer, they may have to put some in their pockets).

They are approaching musicians/artists to ask for personalized CDs/other memorabilia to be auctioned.

The first artist to assist is Rose Polenzani, a wonderful lyricist and musician. http://www.rosepolenzani.com/



Some may know her best for her recent stint as a member of Voices on the Verge. She has also donated her CD, as well as autographed it.

5--There's more! (Actually and in planning...):

• Yardsales (Warren, MI -- July 8 &9)
• Auctions
• Golf outings
• Bowling events &
• Spaghetti dinners

Have an idea? Like to help? Got photos? Contact us, and we'd love to hear your ideas, use your gifts as a volunteer, receive your yard sale goods, take your bids, and more!

Remember, your donations are tax deductible!

Daddy's first day home: Happy Father's Day. Meds. Other patients.

Dad got home last night to a housefull of dogs, children, a grandchild, wife, mother, sister and her fiance. Barbecue was going, and dad got to sit in his chair.

It was an uncomfortable time, trying to get into a position that wasn't painful. In the hospital, he didn't have much pain, but he was uncomfortable in his whole upper back and abdomen. As he had to have his diaphragm cut away from the liver adhesed to it (the old one), we thought maybe that might be part of the problem.

Today, the 19th, we went back to the hospital's Hepatology clinic for the first follow up. His doctor says all things look good so far. Later today, he'll hear about the bloodwork they did today (checking the antirejection drugs and other levels) and the X-ray they did of his abdomen (to make sure there's nothing blocking his G-I tract). Hopefully it is just slow moving.

At the hospital, we met up with many other patients there for their follow up visits for transplant. Many, if not most of whom we met (and their families) were also liver transplant patients. One woman had had two transplants, and was still having some difficulties. Her first transplant was rejected and she had a second transplant a year later. Another man was there with his wife/partner. They live in Grand Rapids, MI, but this hospital was the closest they could get. (That's about 4-5 hours away.) They had to come in twice a week for bloodwork, and their insurance didn't cover housing needed when they stayed nearby.

The medications he is on are many; several antirejection medications which reduce the ability of the immune system to reject this new organ. The downside of this is that his immune system is reduced. He wears a mask when around sick people (who stay away, ideally), children, pets and out in public. Also, he isn't allowed to work in soil, with animal clean up; pets have their feet wiped well everytime they go out/come in. This makes an anti-yeast (thrush, happens in the mouth) medication necessary. Also, pain medication, fiber medication to help with regularity. Other medications total 10. Some are taken "as needed", but most are necessary. The anitrejection medications are for life. The schedule of medications is quite complicated, as you can imagine! He'll be using one of these: http://tinyurl.com/rq5w7

Check out the linked websites for more information!