Sharing is Caring, Right? - and - FAQs

Daughters are always looking for things to have in common with their Dads.

A connection of some sort.

Something to make Dad proud.

Christie inadvertently found "common ground" with Gerry this week

and somehow shared her flu or virus with Dad.

After all.... Sharing is Caring, Right?

We're not sure if Christie shared her germs prior to showing symptoms

or if Korina was the liaison or carrier for the illness

but somehow poor Gerry came down with 

the aches / pains, hot /cold misery that kept Christie in bed for 4 days.

He's started an antibiotic this afternoon 

and is expected to feel better by tomorrow, 

Friday, February 10th, his birthday.

Gerry has high hopes of being released from the hospital on his birthday.

We won't know if this is possible 

until the second chest tube is able to be removed

and his chest x-ray shows that he's well & strong enough to go home.

Christie feels great and went back to school today.

She's doing so well that she made it through Basketball practice

and is looking forward to her game tomorrow.

We're hoping that Gerry 

has as speedy a recovery from this illness as Christie had.

_________________________

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ -  Does Gerry have cancer?

Answer - The cancerous tumor was removed in December.

His doctors believe that, at the moment, he does not have cancer in his body.

But, because he had a cancerous growth 

he is considered to be at "Stage 1A",

(which is the best possible stage).

FAQ -Will Gerry have to have treatments?

Answer - His doctors feel that he will not need any further treatments.

They will know for certain when Pathology presents their report 

from the segment of his lung and lymph nodes.

Evidently they can track how active the cancer had been when it was present.

(Sort of like studying a traffic pattern through the lymph nodes.)

If they find that the "traffic" was somewhat quiet or slow

Gerry will not need any treatments.

If they find that the "traffic" of the cancer cells had been active or aggressive 

they may prescribe treatments of some sort.

FAQ - Why is Gerry still in the ICU?

Answer - Post Thoracic Surgery requires a lot of monitoring.

The chest pumps are checked and fluids are measured often.

Gerry is still on supplemental oxygen.

The oxygen supply has a special feature that adds humidity when needed.

Because it's been discovered that he has an irregular heart rhythm

he's on constant heart monitor.

It may seem like being in the ICU is not a good sign

but it's really is a good thing that he's getting so much attention,

(hourly screenings for temperature, blood pressure, heart rhythms & oxygen levels).

The nurses each have only 1-2 patients to care for.

Dr. Merav prefers to have his patients stay in the ICU with this high level of care

until they are released from the hospital.

FAQ - How are we "holding up" through this?

Answer - OK.  

Being in the hospital this long is "getting on Gerry's last nerve"

but he's glad for the great care he's receiving.

Korina is super tired 

but has some sort of relief from friends everyday,

(in the form of meals, helping with the kids & pets, words of encouragement, etc).

If not for the support she's getting daily Korina would have had a major "crash" already.

Now that Christie has slept 4 days 

she is back to her loud, happy & fun self.

Christie has an amazing group of friends as a core support system.

Josie is alright.

She is at her most joyful when the whole family is together

so it's taxing for her to have Dad away 

& Mom leave every night to stay at the hospital until midnight or 1:00am.

She's tried to be with her Dad everyday 

but the ICU is a bit intense for an 11 year old and the atmosphere sort of "got to her".

She's had great support from her best friends

and just spent the afternoon & evening with a family she loves

so she's going to be just fine!

As always Thank You for caring enough to check in on us!

Thank You for your prayers, good thoughts & kind wishes.

Thanks for "being there" for us!

Love,

Gerry, Korina, Christie & Josie