The place that we had been living at was starting to be a problem. The apartment used to be a stable and there were drafts and other issues with the place. The landlord had put the place up for sale when his sister moved out. So Michael and I started looking for a warmer place for us for winter is starting to show up in Central Kansas.
We found a place not too far from our last place. Our new address is 206 E 18th St North, Wichita, KS 67214. The place is just a bit bigger than the old place and it has hardwood floors. It is a residence for seniors and the place is somewhat quiet. The first night that we were here, the gentleman next door had a seizure and the ambulance was called. We sat on the front porch watching as they took him to the hospital. Told the other residents that if this was quiet, I think that we will continue looking for another place. Honestly, the place is beautiful. It is an old brick building that was built in the 30's but has been refurbished. All new appliances and new drywall. New windows and alot of light. We both like the place. Please feel free to write and let us know what is happening with Terlingua and the surrounding area.
Michael finished his radiation treatments last Friday. The main reason for the treatments was to try to curb the pain that he was in. It didn't work as far as we can see but the doc was optimistic that it would take a little longer to do the job. He said that we might not see results for a couple of weeks after the treatments so we are praying that he is correct and that it does indeed work.
He had an appointment with his oncologist last Tuesday. The PSA level is still going up. It is currently at 355.. normal is less than 4. So the doctor suggested that Michael try the chemo therapy to see if it might slow the cancer down. Michael has the most aggressive kind of advanced prostate cancer that you can have. OF COURSE HE DOES... HE NEVER DOES ANYTHING HALF HEARTED..
Anyway, the doctor said that he could have a massive dose and then wait three weeks and come to get another or he could have a smaller dose on a weekly basis and that it would be a little easier on his body. He asked me what I thought. I told him that it was really his choice but if I were going to fight this disease, that I would take the chemo. He has been adamant about not wanting to take the chemo but I think that he wants to fight for as long as he can.
He has lost a bunch of weight and is down to 182 now. I am trying to feed him all the time and he says that everything tastes like cardboard or it has no taste at all. So I have started giving him Ensure and Boost on a daily basis. If I can't get the food in him at least I will get the protein and carbs in him that way.
So it is back to wait and see and hope and pray that the treatment works. We talked with Michael's mom and sister and they will be making a trip up to see him. His other two sisters are coming up at Thanksgiving time and if all is working OK, we will be back in Terlingua after the 1st of the year. If Hospice had services down in that area, we would be home sooner. But they do not and with the scare that we had a few weeks ago with his kidneys, hydration and his heart, we can't afford to come home as we couldn't get him to the hospital in time to save his life. I am doing the best that I can to keep him comfortable and healthy enough so that we can eventually come home. I hope that you all understand. The only reason that we are staying up in KS is that the VA in Texas wouldn't get him the treatment that he needed down there and this VA in KS is.
Hard to believe that a 100 percent disabled veteran from the Vietnam war can't get the services that are needed and deserved. Thank you Mr Obama.
By the way, we both sent in our absentee ballots and I have returned them by overnight mail. YEAH!!! I can only hope and pray that this is only a one term president.
God Bless and Take Care.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Return to our Wichita Home
Brought Michael home from the hospital today. We had gone to our friend Tonya's home. She is a registered nurse and has worked in an ER for several years.
When Michael got up on Sunday morning we had planned on going to church. When he got up, he was disorientated and groggy. We couldn't keep him awake. Tonya told me to forget about church and get him back to Wichita to the VA hospital. So we headed for Wichita.
Got to the ER around noon on Sunday. By 6PM they had him admitted. His kidneys had started to shut down and his blood pressure was 66/33. They did multiple tests and he was starting to have renal failure but they were able to get them back to functioning. His electrolytes were imbalanced. So they tackled that problem and then started tackling his breathing problem. He has been coughing up phlegm on a daily basis and it appears to be an infection of some sort.
Well they found an infection but it was a UTI. So he is now on an antibiotic for that. They took him off of a couple of his meds that were not working.
Well I finally got him out of the hospital today around 2. Early enough so that I could take him over to the other hospital in town for his radiation treatment. The doc wants to see all the meds that he is taking at this time. I will have to bring the suitcase in with us tomorrow. Maybe they will take away a few more.
Needless to say, we were a bit scared for the past couple of days. Just hope to keep him healthy for at least a few years longer.
It has turned cold up here. We are due for a cold front tomorrow. Frost warnings on Fri to Sunday. Oh well, winter is coming.
BZz company sent me a kit for the Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade. Below is the website...
<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/GMCfairTrade.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=9081228831&Campaign=6979708601&Uid=1344355&token=7a5162d1047e8579c9579fe30429375f" alt=""/>
Take care and God Bless.
When Michael got up on Sunday morning we had planned on going to church. When he got up, he was disorientated and groggy. We couldn't keep him awake. Tonya told me to forget about church and get him back to Wichita to the VA hospital. So we headed for Wichita.
Got to the ER around noon on Sunday. By 6PM they had him admitted. His kidneys had started to shut down and his blood pressure was 66/33. They did multiple tests and he was starting to have renal failure but they were able to get them back to functioning. His electrolytes were imbalanced. So they tackled that problem and then started tackling his breathing problem. He has been coughing up phlegm on a daily basis and it appears to be an infection of some sort.
Well they found an infection but it was a UTI. So he is now on an antibiotic for that. They took him off of a couple of his meds that were not working.
Well I finally got him out of the hospital today around 2. Early enough so that I could take him over to the other hospital in town for his radiation treatment. The doc wants to see all the meds that he is taking at this time. I will have to bring the suitcase in with us tomorrow. Maybe they will take away a few more.
Needless to say, we were a bit scared for the past couple of days. Just hope to keep him healthy for at least a few years longer.
It has turned cold up here. We are due for a cold front tomorrow. Frost warnings on Fri to Sunday. Oh well, winter is coming.
BZz company sent me a kit for the Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade. Below is the website...
<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/GMCfairTrade.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=9081228831&Campaign=6979708601&Uid=1344355&token=7a5162d1047e8579c9579fe30429375f" alt=""/>
Take care and God Bless.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Radiation Days
Went to the consult with Dr. Rine at Wesley Medical Center today. He wants to start Michael on his radiation therapy starting on Monday. He will have to have it at the same time daily for 10 days. If it works, they will quit there and if it isn't they will do an additional 3 doses. The doctor says that he will not lose his hair or get sick.
We asked him why he was consulted to look at Michael. He stated that sometimes radiation takes care of pain also. So the doctors at the VA have sent him there for the pain issue rather than the mass in his lung and also in the lymph node near the lung.
The doc said that they will just watch the tumors in his lung and lymph node for right now. He also stated that the hormone therapy was done just last month so it is too soon to see if it will be working.
Continue to pray for Michael as he needs all the prayers that he can get. He is having swelling in his legs and is in constant pain. He is having problems walking now. The VA still hasn't gotten the scooter lift attached to the truck. We are waiting now for that to be done before we can get the scooter from the VA.
Michael found a chair that he would like to have. It is a lift chair with massage and heat. The company that is putting the scooter lift in the truck has it there in the office. Normal price on it is about 2200.00. We are going to call him on Monday to see if we can get a discount on it if we pay cash for it. Who knows? It might work.
Take care and God Bless.
Lynn & Michael
We asked him why he was consulted to look at Michael. He stated that sometimes radiation takes care of pain also. So the doctors at the VA have sent him there for the pain issue rather than the mass in his lung and also in the lymph node near the lung.
The doc said that they will just watch the tumors in his lung and lymph node for right now. He also stated that the hormone therapy was done just last month so it is too soon to see if it will be working.
Continue to pray for Michael as he needs all the prayers that he can get. He is having swelling in his legs and is in constant pain. He is having problems walking now. The VA still hasn't gotten the scooter lift attached to the truck. We are waiting now for that to be done before we can get the scooter from the VA.
Michael found a chair that he would like to have. It is a lift chair with massage and heat. The company that is putting the scooter lift in the truck has it there in the office. Normal price on it is about 2200.00. We are going to call him on Monday to see if we can get a discount on it if we pay cash for it. Who knows? It might work.
Take care and God Bless.
Lynn & Michael
Friday, October 5, 2012
News from KS
Well I have become a BZZ agent online. I test out new products and the company sends coupons for me and my friends on the stuff that they send out to me. The next item to be tested is Green Mountain Coffee. I will let you know how it is.
Now for news about Michael:
Last week they took a blood sample to see how the PSA level was doing. It has jumped from 200 to 246 within 2.5 weeks. Still have to go till the end of the month before we find out any other information from the doc.
He is scheduled for a radiation consult next Friday on the 12th. They will do a radiation treatment and set up consecutive treatments for the cancer in his lung and lymph node.
As far as the chemo, they will wait till the end of the month for that.
The problem this week is that his feet are swelling. They don't know why but he has some edema in the lower legs and feet. The doc put him on Lasix and potassium until the swelling goes down.
We have moved things around in the house and it is still not large enough for him to wheel the wheelchair around in here. We might have to move. Luckily, his daughter in law works at a place that rents to seniors. We will be looking at one either today or in the morning if I can get ahold of her.
He got his scooter on Wednesday of this past week. Went to go and get the lift installed on the truck and it wouldn't go all the way to the ground. Will have to wait until they call the VA and ok the other model. VA said that he can leave his scooter there until the lift gets installed.
The ramps for the door came in and the guy wouldn't attach them to the walk. He said that if he did, that they would bend. Well Michael rolled over one of them in his wheelchair and bent the damn thing. So much for trying to get the scooter in the house.
Hope all are well back home. Miss being in TX.
KS is starting to get cold and all the people around here are getting colds which are not good for Michael. Have to close for now and head up to the VA to get his prescription for the pain meds.
TA TA FOR NOW!!! Hugs to all.
Now for news about Michael:
Last week they took a blood sample to see how the PSA level was doing. It has jumped from 200 to 246 within 2.5 weeks. Still have to go till the end of the month before we find out any other information from the doc.
He is scheduled for a radiation consult next Friday on the 12th. They will do a radiation treatment and set up consecutive treatments for the cancer in his lung and lymph node.
As far as the chemo, they will wait till the end of the month for that.
The problem this week is that his feet are swelling. They don't know why but he has some edema in the lower legs and feet. The doc put him on Lasix and potassium until the swelling goes down.
We have moved things around in the house and it is still not large enough for him to wheel the wheelchair around in here. We might have to move. Luckily, his daughter in law works at a place that rents to seniors. We will be looking at one either today or in the morning if I can get ahold of her.
He got his scooter on Wednesday of this past week. Went to go and get the lift installed on the truck and it wouldn't go all the way to the ground. Will have to wait until they call the VA and ok the other model. VA said that he can leave his scooter there until the lift gets installed.
The ramps for the door came in and the guy wouldn't attach them to the walk. He said that if he did, that they would bend. Well Michael rolled over one of them in his wheelchair and bent the damn thing. So much for trying to get the scooter in the house.
Hope all are well back home. Miss being in TX.
KS is starting to get cold and all the people around here are getting colds which are not good for Michael. Have to close for now and head up to the VA to get his prescription for the pain meds.
TA TA FOR NOW!!! Hugs to all.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Celebration of a Life Ending Too Early
Heidebrecht,
Michael D. 1949-sooner than expected.
Michael was
born on June 13, 1949 in Newton, KS. He
graduated from Newton HS in 1967 and joined the Marine Corp. He was sent to Viet Nam and came back to
Wichita in 1977. He will leave behind 2
sons, Quenten and Everett Heidebrecht ,
extended family David and Kristen Musall. Also left behind will be grandsons Quenten Jr,
Benjamin, Gage, Memphis, Christian, and Cameron. Veronica and Ava Mae, his granddaughters,
will also be left without their grandpa.
Also left behind will be his good friend of 32 years and caregiver, Lynn
Musall.
Michael was
diagnosed with cancer as a result of Agent Orange exposure in Viet Nam.
All friends
and family are invited to a celebration of Michael’s life on Saturday,
September 22, 2012 at Harvey County Park West.
The Irish wake and party will start at noon at the white pavilion. Please bring a covered dish to pass and all
of your comments to share with Michael. This will be the only time that you can
sing his praises or his curses. Bring
your own beverages.
“ It is
better to be seen than viewed.”
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Medical Update
I realize that these blogs are not coming at a regular intervals but I am posting things here as soon as I can.
Michael went to the oncologist on Monday of this past week. He is seeing a Dr. Dakhil out at the VA hospital. Dr. Dakhil also has a practice in the Wichita area.
His PSA count has gone up to 200. Normal is 3. It was up from 145 a week ago. What this means is that the cancer is still growing. Dr. Dakhil wants Michael to start on the hormone therapy. What they do is give him an injection in the stomach just below the skin. The hormone pellet that is delivered will work for three months. He will get his next shot in December.
The doctor also found a nodule in his lung. It is 1.2cm and he isn't sure if it is cancer but he is assuming so. The lymph node that is near the lung is infected with the cancer also. He told us that since it is so small, he is going to leave it alone for a month to see if it grows at all. If it does, then it is probably cancer and he will address that next month. He is hoping that hormone therapy will work and will start to decrease the PSA count.
What the hormones do is removes all of the testosterone in his system. With the testosterone gone, the cancer has nothing to feed on and will starve to death.
They have changed his medicines also. They put him on a 3 day Fentyl patch and 30 mg quick release morphine. He is still in pain. Last night he fell asleep in the chair in the back room smoking a cigarette. When he woke, he came in the apt to go to bed. He woke up this afternoon at 2PM and fell back asleep at 5pm. I woke him up at 6 to make him eat supper. I am almost sure that the sleeping all the time is the pain meds. It is very frustrating to see him sleep is life away and yet I understand about the pain.
So he has to go back to the doctor in October. In the mean time, we are trying to do some small exercises to keep his muscle tone up. He has lost so much by not being able to move around without the pain.
I hope all of you out there are doing fine. I know that you miss him but we really do need to stay here to see if we can get this cancer whipped.
God Bless and Take Care.
Lynn & Michael
Michael went to the oncologist on Monday of this past week. He is seeing a Dr. Dakhil out at the VA hospital. Dr. Dakhil also has a practice in the Wichita area.
His PSA count has gone up to 200. Normal is 3. It was up from 145 a week ago. What this means is that the cancer is still growing. Dr. Dakhil wants Michael to start on the hormone therapy. What they do is give him an injection in the stomach just below the skin. The hormone pellet that is delivered will work for three months. He will get his next shot in December.
The doctor also found a nodule in his lung. It is 1.2cm and he isn't sure if it is cancer but he is assuming so. The lymph node that is near the lung is infected with the cancer also. He told us that since it is so small, he is going to leave it alone for a month to see if it grows at all. If it does, then it is probably cancer and he will address that next month. He is hoping that hormone therapy will work and will start to decrease the PSA count.
What the hormones do is removes all of the testosterone in his system. With the testosterone gone, the cancer has nothing to feed on and will starve to death.
They have changed his medicines also. They put him on a 3 day Fentyl patch and 30 mg quick release morphine. He is still in pain. Last night he fell asleep in the chair in the back room smoking a cigarette. When he woke, he came in the apt to go to bed. He woke up this afternoon at 2PM and fell back asleep at 5pm. I woke him up at 6 to make him eat supper. I am almost sure that the sleeping all the time is the pain meds. It is very frustrating to see him sleep is life away and yet I understand about the pain.
So he has to go back to the doctor in October. In the mean time, we are trying to do some small exercises to keep his muscle tone up. He has lost so much by not being able to move around without the pain.
I hope all of you out there are doing fine. I know that you miss him but we really do need to stay here to see if we can get this cancer whipped.
God Bless and Take Care.
Lynn & Michael
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Back In Oz Land
We arrived back in KS on Monday evening late. When we got here to the apartment, we found that the air conditioner was off. Very hot in the house so Michael went to the electric panel and tried to reset the circuit breaker only to find that when he did so, the panel sparked.
So on Tuesday morning, we called the landlord. He was over and he said that it wasn't repairable. So he came by on Wed morning with a new unit to install. It is much quieter than the old unit. We are cool and happy.
Michael is still in pain. We have talked about going back to TX when the docs say that there isn't anything that they can do. There is no hospice down there in TX where we are. There is no running water in the house so I would have to take him to the ranch bath house to give him showers. There is no family bathroom there so I would have to take him into either the women's or men's bathroom. There is not enough power at the house to run the equipment that he needs. Not sure what we are going to do yet. He is adamant about not dying in KS.
Went to the Warriors Society meeting last night. Met a group of wonderful people who asked to help out one of their own. He was in Iraq and was hurt badly. He and his wife of 2 months just lost their home and are living in a tent on someones property. He is injured and was told that he would not ever walk again by doctors in Germany. He is now on his feet and is fighting with the VA for the benefits that he is due because of being injured while fighting for his country. I am angered by the VA and what they are doing with the veterans in this United States.... Something has to be done. Another 4 years of Obama is not what this United States needs.
Enough with the political stuff.
Hope all are well.. Take care and God Bless.
So on Tuesday morning, we called the landlord. He was over and he said that it wasn't repairable. So he came by on Wed morning with a new unit to install. It is much quieter than the old unit. We are cool and happy.
Michael is still in pain. We have talked about going back to TX when the docs say that there isn't anything that they can do. There is no hospice down there in TX where we are. There is no running water in the house so I would have to take him to the ranch bath house to give him showers. There is no family bathroom there so I would have to take him into either the women's or men's bathroom. There is not enough power at the house to run the equipment that he needs. Not sure what we are going to do yet. He is adamant about not dying in KS.
Went to the Warriors Society meeting last night. Met a group of wonderful people who asked to help out one of their own. He was in Iraq and was hurt badly. He and his wife of 2 months just lost their home and are living in a tent on someones property. He is injured and was told that he would not ever walk again by doctors in Germany. He is now on his feet and is fighting with the VA for the benefits that he is due because of being injured while fighting for his country. I am angered by the VA and what they are doing with the veterans in this United States.... Something has to be done. Another 4 years of Obama is not what this United States needs.
Enough with the political stuff.
Hope all are well.. Take care and God Bless.
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