JERRY'S 65TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION continues

The finale for Jerry's 65th birthday was a surprise... Jerry arrived home after his work day, and after stopping by the drug store, to pick up a prescription. He arrived home to a surprise dinner party. Friends Deb and Stig, along with, Mike (Jake and Zack's dad), Dawn (mom couldn't come), Jake and Zack. Everyone yelled surprise and Jake was waving his funniest card (a dog drinking water out of the toilet). The card was covered in dogie and buzz lightyear sticker's. The envelope also was covered in stickers and said "fum Jake"! The envelop was actually Grandma Mary Ann's card for Jerry. Jerry and I do not typically exchange birthday, Christmas and other special occasion gifts. But, I think Jerry was more appreciative of this surprise than any gift I could have bought for him. We enjoyed a Lasagna dinner (Costco), razzleberry and rhubarb pie (Marie Callender's) Ala-mode. Jake tried the pie but informed me that he does not like "jam" pie. Thank You all for your Birthday greetings, calls, emails and all who participated and help celebrate Jerry's 65th milestone birthday. He had such a nice three-day celebration!

JERRY'S 65TH BIRTHDAY, TODAY

Happy Birthday, Jerry. Congratulations you are officially a senior citizen. We LOVE you Jerry you are an inspiration to all those who know you. Congratulations!

Yesterday, we celebrated Jerry's birthday with a champagne brunch at the Beach House restaurant in Dana Point. We joined our long time friends who we worked and played with during our days at Datatron, Inc. (back in the 70's). Brad, Arlene, Roger, Kathy, Terry, Irene, Ralph, Mary, Frank, RB, LeRoy, Carol. After arriving at the restarant at 11:00am we starting off with champagne and brunch. We continued the day reminising about the good old Datatron days, the Datatron gang and the good times at the Datatron picnic's, pizza and other parties we enjoyed during those days with Datatron. We were having such a good time that by 3:00pm the restaurant ran out of champagne, for us. By 4:00pm they had to kick us out to get ready for the dinner crowd. We resumed our party'g caravaning to Frank and RB's house where we were entertained by Arlene pretending to play the "player" piano, Frank sharing pictures and video's from the restaurant, continuing to drink champagne and just socializing and enjoying all these wonderful, longtime friendships.

JAKE HELPING JERRY TRIM

Jake using the hammer Jerry made for him out of a branch they trimmed.

Zack and I were inside playing Lego's and watching Finding Nemo.

SPIRIT A "LABRADOODLE"

We will have the opportunity to meet and play with Spirit when we go to Hawaii from 02/11 thru 02/18. We can't wait to see Harmony, Justice and of course Katrina and Jerry, too! Aloha!

SEVERE COUGH AND SINUS INFECTION

Ever since Jerry's last appointment with Dr. Bob he hasn’t felt well. The last lab results showed his platelets as being CL-CLINICALLY LOW. I am not sure I understand exactly what that means, but I hope Dr. Bob will do whatever is necessary to fix the situation. This could possibly require a blood transfusion. In addition, I am immediately concerned about his cough (deep in his chest and has difficulty catching his breath in between coughs). It scars me to hear his cough especially during the middle of the night. I decided that he needed to see a specialist and start whatever was necessary to correct the situation. Since his condition is similar to what I had during the entire month of last October, I decided to make him an appointment with a pulmonary specialist. His appointment was Tuesday. The physician diagnosed a severe sinus infection. The doctor prescribed an antibiodic (Cipro) and a nasal spray (NasacortAQ-triamcinolone acetonide), but nothing for the cough coming from his chest, and more importantly a chest x-ray. Not only am I concerned that this condition could cause pnemonia but also concerned that this severe sinus condition can lead to a severe infection in his mouth. Jerry's body does not have the ability right now to fight off any infections, including sinus. These symptoms are serious and we need to take aggressive measures to attack them, as soon as possible. On top of having a severe cough and a severe sinus infection, Jerry's taking on working 12 hours a day and 6 hours on Saturday. I know he likes the overtime $$$, but under these circumstances I don’t feel he can afford to put work ahead of his health and well being. I don't think it’s worth the risk of getting the infection in his mouth, but he doesn't listen to me. I tried to get him to slow down over the week-end and maybe watch a DVD on Sunday afternoon to give your body an opportunity to get some badly needed rest. He relaxing for 15-20 minutes and then was back at it. Jerry is not making his health his priority. He's not being realistic about his cancer. With all the specialized medications he consumes each day to fight off this disease these medications are having a serious effect on his body. His immune system is compromised; his body can’t afford to work overtime because he doesn't want to slow down. He seems to be in complete denial.

Last summer he was so sick that we did not even get a chance to take a well deserved vacation? Not even a boating trip to Lake Mead. I took the initiative to make an opportunity for us to go on a trip to Hawaii where we can enjoy some beautiful sightseeing and spend time with my niece Katrina, her husband Jerry, great niece Harmony and great nephew Justice and a chance for his body which needs rest to heal. However, if he has a sinus infection and his body hasn’t had an opportunity to heal we will forfeit our trip and loose the money we have already spent for the tickets. You know how disappointed I will be if we cannot make this trip. Not only for me but because I wanted Jerry to have a chance to go to Hawaii (he's never been). I know that he would probably never take a trip to Hawaii if he had to pay for a car, hotel, and other various costs.

Jerry has spent the past six, now going on, seven years fighting for his health. I saw the joy, in his face, when he cuddled with Zack, this past weekend. I hear the joy in his voice when he talks to Harmony, on the telephone, and teases her about her "labradoodle" puppy. He loves talking with Ashleigh every chance he gets. Not to mention all the love and joy Jake and Zake (our neighbors 2 doors down) are sharing with us. Jake and Zack come to visit almost every weekend. Jerry stops whatever he's doing to spend time working and/or playing with them. I think about Jerry last November during Justin and Beverly's wedding reception. He had so much fun dancing with and teasing his niece, Meagan, and her best friend Summer. These are the precious and cherished moments Jerry and I are blessed with and we value them so much.

Please remember Jerry in your prayers as we fight yet another battle and another set back.

UCLA APPOINTMENT - Update

Jerry's appointment at UCLA, yesterday, was fairly "UNEVENTFUL", except for the snow flurry's! Yes! in Southern California Jerry ran into snow flurry's on his way to his appointment at UCLA in Westwood, CA. Other than the snow flurrys his appointment was pretty much routine. After examining Jerry's teeth, the dentist took some additional pictures of the affected area, and took x-rays. They told Jerry he was doing an amazing job keeping his mouth clean and germ free. They also advised Jerry that he did not need to come see them for three (3) months, unless something changes.

UCLA APPOINTMENT

Jerry will have his routine follow-up visit at UCLA, today, with the Maxillofacial Specialist dentist. UCLA is monitoring his Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. I took a look at the tooth effected by the dead bone, last night. There did not appear (to the naked eye) to be any visual changes. An X-ray, however, would better indicate any changes. Eventually, because the bone above this tooth is dead the tooth will fall out leaving a hole that will need to be plugged. Jerry is very disciplined on keeping his mouth clean. He brushes his teeth after every meal, rinses his mouth with water, as well as with a prescribed mouthwash throughout the day. Having a root exposed like this is opportunity for germs and infection. After last summer's painful episode, Jerry doesn't want to go through that again. After Jerry's appointment today, I will give you an update.

CLINICALLY LOW PLATELET

Jerry's last lab showed that Jerry's blood platelet was Clinically Low. In the past, it has been low, but this time it was Clinically low.

Lab results from 01/10/07 were: 98 CL Normal Range Units are 140-440 mm3

Jerry's Platelets were in the normal range last August, 2006. Since September, 2006 lab results started showing his platelets in the low range and have been continuously slipping and now are clinically low.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thrombocytopenia/DS00691/DSECTION=3

COMPASSIONATE ONCOLOGY MEDICAL GROUP

Dr. Bob Leibowitz (Dr. Bob) has been Jerry's oncologist since he was first diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer. At that time, Jerry's PSA was 26. During the past year Jerry's PSA has averaged around 3.0. A PSA of 3.0 is still high, but under the circumstances the doctor is pleased with his PSA. A diagnosis of Advanced Prostate Cancer typically means that it is not recommended that the prostate be remove and that the cancer has already spread (microscopically) beyond the prostate. To remove the prostate once the cancer has spread causes the spread of the cancer to be more aggressive. If you are interested in learning more about prostate cancer I have included a link to Compassionate Oncology Medical Group's web site.

http://www.prostateweb.com/

ONJ - OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW (Dead Jaw Bone)

This picture was taken of a second bone spur removed from Jerry's jaw due to the ONJ (Osteonecrosis of the jaw). This bone spur was discovered during his routine office visit to UCLA. Since August, 2006 Jerry routinely goes to UCLA on a monthly basis, so the maxillofacial specialty dentist can monitor Jerry's condition. ONJ was caused by intravenously taking Aredia over the past several years (Aredia, as well as, Fosamax and other similar type drugs are Bisphosphonates). This form of Osteonecrosis of the jaw is rare. Since UCLA is a learning institution, the internest and residents at UCLA are always interested in Jerry's condition. These pictures were taken at UCLA.

http://www.arediaandzometalitigation.com/index.html

IVIG Intra Venious Immune Globulin

As you know, Jerry's oncologist is in Century City, CA. Typically Jerry leaves work at noon to arrive for his 1:30pm appointment. Typically, the appointment will be 3-5 hours. Jerry's appointment yesterday lasted until about 7:30pm (6 hours). I asked Jerry why it took so long and it was because he received IVIG. FYI single infusion 1 gram costs $3,000. Of course Jerry and I do not pay this amount but the cost of medical care is outrageous. Once Jerry arrived home he looked ashy or chalky and pale. He was feeling "okay" and when he went to bed said he had a slight headache. When Jerry goes for his monthly appointments he usually needs to take a sleeping pill that night in order to sleep. Also, because these drugs tend to give you constipation he usually take medications to help out there, as well. For a few days after the treatment he will be under the weather. Usually his tummy is upset. So last night I prepared 2 boxes of instant pudding and added 2 bananas. I noticed this morning that most of the pudding was gone. I haven't talked to him this morning to see how he's feeling but, he said he was okay... so far when he left this morning for work.

Oncologist Appointment

Today is Jerry's first oncologist appointment of 2007. As Jerry and I continue to fight and manage his advanced prostate cancer I will use this blog as a journal and a way to keep our family and friends informed and as up-to-date, as possible.