Friday update...

Ricky is doing okay, still working on the sleep problems and he lately has had tremors which we are hoping to help get sorted out. He's still eating well, but needs help, last night was fresh bluefin tuna (thanks Dan!), white rice and fresh zucchini, he ate the entire plate!

Woke up this morning and gave me a "hey dad!", which I haven't heard in ages and really made my morning. He's had lots of company and today he is having even more.

Bill

Hanging in there.....

Ricky remains content, he's not talking much more than a few words a day, but he is very aware of what is going on around him. He has been eating well (as we all are thanks to efforts of our many friends and family!), but not sleeping so well so we're trying to get that sorted out.

He continues to have no pain or duress, but we do see a continued decline in his overall health. He does love his many visitors as well as the cards and presents he's received, we are very thankful for all the efforts!

Bill

Thursday update..

Ricky has been feeling better the last few days, maybe it's because he's finally getting over his cold (which I now have), maybe it's because he doesn't have six chemo drugs going into his body. Whatever the reason, he has been more alert, speaking a little more and eating without as much assistance as he needed before. Every once in awhile his sense of humor shows up, same old Ricky!

He remains content and really seems to draw strength and blossom when he has visitors. And he has had lots of visitors! We're delighted at all the friends and family that have stopped by and we feel really lucky to be part of this community. The meals that have been brought over to us have been a big help (and so tasty). Ricky got a big kick eating the tacos Tuesday night sent over by Rosie, one of his many favorites on the Wampatuck school staff.

Thanks one more time for the kinds thoughts and prayers!
Bill

Stable and content

Ricky has been stable the last few days. Still working on getting over a cold and cough, but otherwise doing okay. We went to the Magical Moon Foundation get-together Saturday, Ricky enjoyed being there with the fellow knights and eating the cookies that Donna Green always has for him. Lots of "thumbs up"!

Comfortable.......

We went to Dana Farber yesterday and while Ricky's blood counts were okay, we decided after our consultation with the doctors to discontinue the Avastin. It had worked well for us, but the cancer found a way to get around it, like it did for all the other treatments we tried.

Ricky got his monthly antibiotic and another one via IV to try and knock out the low grade fever he has been having.

He's sleeping more each day, has no pain and he seems content. He enjoys his visitors, even if he isn't saying much. He was able to pick up and eat a cheeseburger and fries by himself yesterday, something he hadn't done the last few days. Deirdre went to the market to get him Gorton's fish sticks, one of his favorites, for dinner tonight, I'm sure he'll have the leftovers for Friday's crazy breakfast.

Thank you agin for the prayers and good thoughts.

Bill

Slipping away...............

I'm sorry to report that Ricky's health continues to decline daily. He's not talking much except for a few words here and there. Walking is impossible without help. Either he's had stroke damage or the disease is taking over more and more,

We started with the hospice program last Thursday. Pat and I both have hospital beds, etc at our houses. The entire team of doctors, nurses and even the people who supply the home equipment have all been so very good to us.

He is still eating well, but needs to be hand fed. Fortunately he seems content, he's calm and in no pain.

He's had lots of company the last few days, he still really enjoys being around all the many people who love him so much. Every once in awhile, he'll flash that smile.

We're off to Dana Farber today for our every two week visit. Not sure if they will give him Avastin or not, we stopped all the other chemo drugs Sunday night. It was a very hard choice after two and a half years of fighting.

This morning for breakfast he'll be eating ginger chicken and pan-fried noodles left over from our Tuesday night dinner.

Once again I thank you all for the many prayers and good thoughts.

Bill

Not doing so well.....

Ricky had a great weekend in Vermont, but his condition seems to be worsening almost day by day. He was able to go to school Monday for a few hours, but came home early as he needed to sleep. He's still dealing with a minor cold, which hasn't helped.

He's sleeping more and more, and is able to do less and less. He's not very vocal, and isn't very responsive to questions asked of him. He's having problems with some bodily functions also.

He has no pain or nausea, and he seems content.

He enjoyed tacos last night along with some mac and cheese, which he'll also eat for breakfast this morning.

Thank you for the continuous prayers and good thoughts, they make a difference.

Bill

Numbers good at Dana Farber...but

Ricky's CBC (blood test) was good yesterday, his platelets, ANC, White blood cells, etc were all okay, so he was able to get the Avastin. He did well, no nausea, ate a huge amount of Chinese food for lunch.

That was the good news, the bad news is that the staff noticed that he has really slowed up - he was only able to answer some of the questions asked of him, and everything seems to take more effort. Even getting out of the car requires a few minutes before he is able to exit, and he needs assistance with many things now that used to be so easy. As a parent, it's very hard to watch..........

We're going to Vermont for the weekend, it's one of his favorite places, so we'll make another trip up there.