Approaching The Radiation Adventure

Dear Family and Friends alike,
Well, MUCH later than we had anticipated, we are finally settled in for the night at the University of Utah Guest House in Salt Lake City. It is about 10:30 pm and we are both exhausted and hoping to get a good night's rest. Everyone here is so helpful and kind. Anyone who has traveled with me knows how "light of a packer" I tend to be and for this trip.......even Marty packed up a wolloping bunch of stuff! He knows the foods that are working and what comfort items and clothing is working best and so.....we looked like a family of 10 moving in. I'm sure his story will be that it was all my stuff, but NO.
Thank you to all who are still keeping Marty's illness and his fragile state in your hearts with prayers and all who have and are helping us in any way. We feel very blessed to have so many who care and we know that. As he faces another new process tomorrow, my prayer is that he will be able to get some rest tonight. His normal difficulty in getting a good night's rest has worsened dramatically and he is running on very little sleep. Pray for him to have the blessing of sleep ! (me, too!).
September has just raced by so fast, it hardly seems believable that today is it's end. I am hoping to adopt a more positive attitude for October and focus on our blessings and all the things that have gone right in the course of the past months. Marty really needs a strong, brave, cheerful companion NOW more than he ever has in our 35 years of marriage........and he deserves that. So, just expect a new me after midnight tonight.
We are grateful that Simplot "Smoky Canyon" folks are planning a future fund raising event in Marty's behalf. It is overwhelming to think of the work they will be going to....to do this for him. We will say more about that when we know the details.
Goodnight and love, LaRee .....and of course, Marty

The Saga Continues!

Hello to family and friends who are still checking in on us:
We had a very eventful day at the Huntman Center on Monday. It is an amazing place and there is no end to the surprises and fun the medical team keeps thinking up for Marty to do. We met his new Chinese doctor, Dr. Ying Hitchcock. Much was accomplished, including his tatoos, mask made special for him, a baseline hearing test and the Patient treatment Conference. He will officially start next Monday and we have made a tentative plan to stay at the University Guest house----which has many advantages.
His job for this week is to concentrate on healing and eating and NOT losing any more weight before the onslot of radiation hits him. He has now lost 54 pounds and since they predict he will lose 10% of his body weight having the radiation, he is to GAIN this week. (I can probably give him lessons on that one !!!!) Dr Hitchcock feels he has an 80% survival rate which we like MUCH better than the 40% we were first given !!! We love you all and appreciate your love and support.
Love, LaRee and Marty

News Update From Bennington

Hello from Marty and LaRee,
LaRee is trying to get some work days in and Marty is busy being a patient and trying to recuperate from everything he has been through. We thought getting the feeding tube out and all the staples and stitches out one week ago today was a major step up, but neither of us anticipated what a CHORE getting fluids and soft food down would be for him. He is really trying to be a good patient and mind all the rules, but he is really still very miserable. Dr. Sharma wanted him to be off all pain meds by this week and he really still hurts. It is hard seeing him suffer like this. I am so grateful for his strong, determined personality. It is serving him well in this situation . He has an appointment with the Radiation Oncologist at the Huntsman Center on Monday, the 24th.
Thank you for all your prayers, acts of kindness and concern for him at this time. He does still needs your prayers. Love, LaRee and Marty

Friday

Hello there, I spoke to my Dad earlier and he is gearing up for a visit from Christopher and family this weekend. He is still trying to get back his energy, and for anyone who has had any kind of surgery, you know it is frustrating because it takes a while. They have decided to have the radiation at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake and he starts on Sept. 24th. We will probably do a little less blogging as there is not as much up to the minute news that needs to be reported. However, we will update it every few days or as needed. Thanks again for all of your love and support. Ang

Woops!

I forgot to say that my dad did get the feeding tube out, his stitches in his arm and chin, and the staples out of his neck. He is doing so well, we are so proud of him. Deidra

Wednesday September 12

Today we went to see the throat therapist and things went very well. Dad can now eat soft and puried foods. He can also drink liquids through a straw. Then we went to Dr. Sharma and were told that the path report came back from the liphnodes that were taken and there were ne signs of the cancer. So this is great news and means that he will only have to have radiation and not chemo. We are sad that he does have to have the radiation but we know that it is a safety precaution so the cancer will have a lesser chance of comming back. He is doing good. It was a looooonnnngggg ride home but we made it. Thank you for all of your love and support. Love Deidra

Monday Night News From LaRee

Dear Friends and Family,
First of all, I will mention our blessings, which are many. Marty has had quite a good day. He took a bath and even shaved (just a little) so that we could retape his feeding tube. He's looking better all the time. Angela, the home health RN, made a visit today and was impressed. He is being a very patient patient and has been very grateful for the kind acts and cards and calls on his behalf throughout his illness. He is still in a lot of pain, but has 2 different meds to take for pain. His tube feedings have gone well and he is soon to go for a checkup on Wedesday with Dr. Sharma , the speech and swallowing therapists ... and we will have more answers and a plan for what is next.
So, you see, we have many blessings.
However, I have been in a dark cloud of gloom since last night after learnign that my friend and fellow nurse, Janet Keetch Skinner, was killed in a tragic horse related accident. It is still just unbeleivable. It is not an exaggeration that everyone who knew her, loved her. She will be so missed on this earth by so many. She leaves 6 children and 3 grandchildren and a widowed mom and many brothers and sisters-in laws.
I left my patient for a while today to go see some of her family and special people. I just had such a hard time beleiving it was true. She lost her husband years ago when he was killed by a bolt of lightning and has been such an example of just bravely and quietly going on each day and working and raising her family. She had a knack of making everyone feel important to her and that they were her friend. I told Rod today that the hospital will just have to close for her funeral, because EVERYONE will feel the need to be there. I was told tonight by Jessica that the funeral is Thursday, at 1pm at the Montpeleir Tabernacle.
Life is precious. We never know when our time will come . I am so grateful for our good family and friends. Please continue to have Marty in your prayers. He has a long road ahead of him ......and he is growing weary of being a patient already. I will report after all our appointments Wednesday.
Love to all, LaRee

Monday Night News

Saturday....what a day!

Dad, Mom and I headed over to the marina this morning because there were two couples interested in seeing the boat. So we wanted to give it a little shine before they got there. I know you won't even believe it but Dad actually pulled the boat out and drove it out of the marina and then let the guy interested in buying the boat drive it and then dad pulled it back into the slot. I am sure that he is just exhausted. It was hard on him, but we think that he enjoyed being at the lake where he loves it so much. He also got to visit with some friends there who also have boats in the marina and on the same dock as them. Every one is being so good to our family right now. Thank you all so much. Curtis asked today if they think dad will be okay after radiation and possible Chemo and I said I personally think that he is going to be fine. Obviously his body heals itself fast and he was still supposed to be in the hospital today and yet he was out on the lake driving his boat! That ought to tell you something. Curt and Esther were amazed at how well he looks. Dad says that he looks like %@*$ which makes me so sad to hear. So Dad HEAR THIS we want you to know that we would rather look at scars then not have you with us. You are looking great! Hang in there and get some rest! Love ya, Deidra

Dad is doing good!

I just wanted you all to know that dad is getting better with each day. He didn't sleep very well last night and had a tough morning, but this afternoon he is watching a movie that he has been wanting to see. Keep writing comments to him. He is reading them daily. He loves you and and can't even express his thanks for all everyone is doing. Especially MOM~I have to say that I have seen unconditional love these past few weeks. They are sticking together, and they are doing great and handling everything as best they can. Keep them in your prayers. Deidra

Grandpa Marty Look!!!!

I just wanted to show you my first fish that I ever caught........isn't it awsome.....and oh yeah, tell grandma she owes me a dollar! I wuv you-Drew

Home at last!

Well guys we finally made it home. Dad is in his bed with his remote and letting his meds kick in. The trip home was really hard, but it had to be done. He is such a trooper. He didn't complain once. He has an appointment with Dr. Sharma on next Wednesday. We will still keep you posted. A special thanks to all of you for yur thoughts, prayers, and fasting on my dad's behalf. We (all of us) are what is keeping him going. We love you all...Deidra & LaRee & of course....Marty.

Waiting on the Doc!

This morning mom and I arrived early hoping that Dr. Sharma will be here anytime to take things out, off, and change dressings so that we can be on our way. He said yestersday that he "anticipated" that dad could go home today. So, hope for the best because I know dad just has his heart set on going home. We will update as soon as we can. Deidra

Homeward Bound !!

We are hopeful that everything will go according to plan and that Marty, LaRee and Deidra will be headed home Thursday Morning. Yeah!!!! We just wanted to tell everyone thank you for all your encouragement this past week. We also know that, being the wonderful friends, neighbors and family members that you are, you will continue showing your love and thoughtfulness in the coming weeks as my Dad recovers from this part of his journey to health. We would however like to make one small request: please don't love us with food, Mom is requesting that we not bring food to the house as it will be a torture to my dad who cannot eat or drink anything for the next couple of weeks.

Trach

Someone asked if dad has gotten a smaller trach. Yes, they did take the large trach and replace it with a smaller one, on Monday. Yesterday he actually got the whole thing taken out and is breathing out of his mouth and nose now.

Breaking NEWS FROM SALT LAKE CITY

Dear Everyone,
This is now much more than a rumor. We REALLY, really think the discharge REALLY, really is going to happen tomorrow!!! The discharge planner, dietician, therapist , Dr. Sharma and especially MARTY are all saying if after tubes, IV and dressing changes all go well, then he will be discharged.
His pain is now at a 6 on a 1-10 scale----he has been a busy patient today. We hope after pain meds, he will have a good night. We (Deidra and LaRee) are going to go get some sleep and gear up for the big day. Goodnight

A room with a view!!

Yes, dad has been moved to the floor and is enjoying a beautiful view of the Salt Lake Valley. We had fun last night watching the storm move in. It got really exciting when the power went out in the hospital, thank goodness for the back-up generators. Dad is doing phenomenal and was in a great mood. Deidra, Josh, Andrew, Mom, Angie(me), Ilene and Darren (Dad's sister and her husband) were all there visiting. He did get a lot of tubes out and is enjoying the freedom to move as he wants. All he has left is the IV, doppler and the feeding tube and all can be quickly unhooked and he is off like a dirty shirt as Grandpa Jack would say. They are still hoping for check out tomorrow and the way things are looking I would bet he will be able to. I haven't talked to my mom to find out how everything is today but I will update later. :) Ang

Early AM in the ICU Tuesday September 4th

Good Morning,
I could not sleep and finally decided to just get ready for the day and get packed up to check out of the motel.
I have tried each day to get more days there, but they have been booked up because of a convention in town . I packed up, stopped at the lobby to check out and the night manager was surprised. He said I had one more night there(checking out on Wednesday am)....duh! I said that I knew that, but had somehow lost track and thought it WAS Wednesday. I told him I would just go ahead and check out because I needed to find an opening somewhere else anyway for Wednesday night and I had checked everyday and there were no openings here. He typed a few things into his computer and extended my stay thru Thurs. WOW, I could hardly beleive it. So, what seemed like an embarrassing mistake, has turned into another blessing.
We have no promise, but a hope that he may be released as early as Thursday.
When I arrived at the ICU, I found an awake and miserable Marty. He needed suctioning, needed pain meds and needed SLEEP. I reminded him that today is going to be a really big day as Dr. Sharma is coming to see him very early before he starts his surgery cases. 3 drains/tubes will hopefully be removed and the move to a regular room is planned.
I hope NO ONE is really awake to read this early post. But, it will be here when you check in later in the morning. I'm afraid I will not be able to post again for a while ....once things start happening today. Thank you for your interest and concern in following the bakerblog. It has been heartwarming to read the comments and see how many have him in their thoughts.
Love,
LaRee, (MOM, Grandma Ree)

Hello again,
This day is just flying by. It is already 5:30 pm. Dr. Sharma came and changed Marty's trach to a smaller lumen trach. It was not without pain, but will be a good change. It is now plugged and Marty is breathing ok without taking the cap off. (Good news).
The plan is still to continue with ICU cares today and then will be moved to a regular room on Tuesday. As we anticipated, the doctor acknowledged that Marty is ahead of schedule and he is himself very impressed with Marty's condition today. He may lose the chest and (donating) arm drain tomorrow and start on "Bolus tube feedings" rather than the continuous drip. That will be one less tube tying him down. He is now watching TV with Angie. So far today, his visitors have been me, Mom, Polly June, Terri and Steve, Angie, Larry and Jeanette. .........maybe more to come.
This has been a very unique Labor Day for us; one we will never forget.
Again, thanks to all for your comments and prayers and concern. We feel very blessed to have so many family members and friends at this time. Love, LaRee

Blessed Sleep

Monday Morning, Labor Day
For once, Marty has Labor Day off this year!! WOW. I am so thrilled to report this Monday morning that Marty slept well last night. All his physical activity yesterday lent to resting well in the night. Of course he was awake for necessary treatment, but his overall night was great. I have not yet even spoke to him to hear his side of the story, but after setting with him for quite awhile (not making a peep), I see he is still in a deep much needed sleep . I decided NOW is the time to look at the blog and make a new comment. Thank you all who have sent your love and best wishes for him and all of us. I hope I'm not being delusional, but I really think he is ahead of the game. Dr. Sharma told us that about Wed , he would turn the corner and we would see a definite improvement. I think that already happened yesterday. Please.
I am so proud of his strengh and courage in facing all he has already faced and all that lies ahead. His strong, feisty, independant, determined (stubborn) personality is serving him well at this time.
I took the motel shuttle today to try that out. (You know me, always wanting to take advantage of all the amenities! ) No, I have not hot tubbed. I've left too early and got home too late......and it just seems so unimportant right now.
I best get back to my job as patient advocate. Love to all, LaRee (MOM) (Grandma Ree)

Sunday Night / 7:00 p.m.

Dear Family and Friends,
I am so sorry that we have not been updating throughout the day. We have not had access to the computer today, so we thought. We finally figured out, after mom asked, that the nurses at the nurses station will let us use one of the computers here. Today has seemed like a miracle to us. My dad is doing so good. To those who have not seen him until today, it has been upsetting. But those who have been here from the surgery on are amazed at how good he is doing. Mom was upset this morning to find that he had had a very restless night and had again ripped out more lines: IV, chest drain tube, doppler sensor and feeding tube. All of those things had to be attended to and now his feeding tube is SERIOUSLY ANCHORED(like duct taped to his forhead),IV restarted, dopler up and running........all is well. But, she also found a much improved patient in many other ways. He IS more himself and has so much strength to move about and get in and out of bed.
He IMPRESSED Dr. Sharma MEETING him out in the nurse's station. (Perhaps he wanted to make sure the Dr. knew how good he was doing and not rely on the nurse's to tell him.) A surprized Dr. Sharma said, "Good Morning , Marty." Marty just said "WOW" One new thing is he was taught how to occlude the trach for speaking purposes, but actually he was doing pretty good without that trick.
He has amazed us by (power) walking around the ICU unit and waiting room and has been up and out of his bed at least 10 times. He has seemed more like himself and has let us tease him a bit and teased back. He has seemed very happy to have several visitors today.....LaRee, Angie, Deidra, Janet, Mom Baker, Brandon, Sabrina & Shailey, Gordon & Michelle, SunDee and Randy.
OK, just to prove how good he really is tonight, he has the remote control in his hand and is trying to watch TV. (FIRST).
We are trying to be positive, and for an ICU patient, he really is doing well, but we also do not want to minimize the serious nature of this surgery and the amount of misery he is enduring. He is being extremely brave and strong. Goodnight and Happy Labor Day...................Angie and LaRee

ZZZZZZZZ............

Dad is finally resting, huge collective sigh of relief!!! FYI Dad does not do well with Morphine. We found that with Lortab and Motrin he seems to feel better and more with it. Morphine makes him halucinate, and be agitated and confused! It has been pretty hard to see him in that state. He was grateful(annoyed as &%$@) to have his 3 favorite women there.......he has smiled, sworn (yes I know it is hard to believe),and held our hands acknowledging that we and other family members were there. We love you all, thank you for your love and support. Love LaRee, Angie and Deidra

Dad Is Doing Better

Everyone thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Dad has been up twice and is starting to come around. He is calm, still in pain, but I think that he is getting more used to the trech! Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He just smiled at me, which made me feel like he is starting to feel more alert and more like himself. Love to all, Deidra

Saturday 12:52

True to the feisty man that my dad is he is still fighting the tracheotomy, 02stat monitor and the pressure cuffs on his calfs that are to keep him from getting blood clots. My Uncle Doug (my dads brother) and Kent (Angie's husband) just gave a beautiful blessing of comfort. In it they blessed him that he would be able to relax and tolerate all of the tubes and other medical equipment that he has attached to him. When they left the room he seemed more peaceful and calm. He is definitely more conscious of his surroundings today and physically looks better. They did get him out of bed and he took 20 steps forward and then backward and then had him sit in a chair for a few minutes. We have been blessed to have people visit us: Michelle and Gordon Baker (dad's brother & sister-in-law), Grandma Baker (dad's mom), Steve and Terri (dad's brother & sister-in-law), Doug and Caroline (dad's brother & sister-in-law). We feel all of your prayers and keep sending them our way!!! Love, US

Saturday Morning Update

Hi to everyone,
I am here at the ICU and praying Dr. Sharma will arrive any minute. Marty has had a horrible night----------never really settling down. They are undersedating him because they need his pressures on the high side to keep the blood flowing really good thru the new vessels to the graft in his neck. An annoying dopler is audible to let the nurses know the blood is still pumping well. It's absence will be an emergency and trip back to surgery.....so......it has to be there. The nurses are trying a few new things to settle him down, but hopefully Dr. Sharma's visit will add some more changes when he actually sees how out of control he is. I'm sure every muscle in his body is going to hurt from the long hours on the table and then the hours of constant fighting all the tubes and lines. He fights everything and anyone and has already pulled out the very important Art line and now MUST be restrained because of his strength. Either arm could do serious damage if they let him free. I tried to undo one and hold his hand but, he fought that, too. He keeps calling for me and so they keep letting me in, but I feel so helpless to help him. Pray for his ability to calm down and rest. He NEEDS it so badly. They are now questioning if he is a heavy drinker or has taken alot of drugs;;;;;;;;;;;;so I know they are suspecting he is going thru withdrawals or DT's. I assured them that is NOT the case. But, he has been addicted to oxygen,fluids, food and NOT being tied down and having excrutiating pain. This is hard, very hard. I feel the prayers on his behalf and appreciate you all. Thanks again, girls, for your efforts to create and update the blog. Love,
Mom,
LaRee,
Grandma Ree