We've Got Talent

Crescent Elementary Students Present "We've Got Talent"
Talent Show Acts 12. Jake Poland - Siging, Play My Music (as Joe Jonas,The Jonas Brothers).

Jerry and Jake, before the performance.


Dawn (Jake's mom) and Jake waiting to "go on stage"

Jake and his Nana (Dad's mom, Liz), Carol (Great Grandpa's SO) and far left Grandma (Mom's mom Mary Ann)... not pictured is Jakes Adopted Grandparents Jerry and Karen also in attendance... and wouldn't have missed it !!!

Mike (Jake's dad) filming the Talent Show.

Jake giving Jerry his autograph after the performance!

Our beloved friend Philip Seitz - February 21, 2009

This morning our friend Phil passed away. Phil started his battle fighting ALS aka Lou Gehrig's disease over 3 years ago. We have known Phil and his family, including his children and grandchildren though our church. We have been sitting close to them in church almost every Sunday for many, many years. Jerry and I have been watching friend Phil fight this battle on a weekly basis. About 3 years ago we noticed Phil having problems with one of his legs. His leg didn't seem to be working anymore. Phil and Jerry bonded sharing their similar experiences with numerous doctor visits, questions without answers and numerous hospital visits. Phil's wife Jamie and I bonded sharing our care giving experiences, frustrations and depression thinking about what's going to happen and when. Over the 3 years we saw Phil deteriorate. It wasn't long before he was wearing leg braces, not long after using a walker, and before we knew it he was in a wheel chair and soon after he was manipulating a power chair. Suddenly he was not even able to operate his power chair. Since Thanksgiving Phil has not been able to attend church. Even though Jerry and I have kept in contact with Phil's wife Jamie and son Paul it was difficult to coordinate our visits with Phil because of the numerous caregivers coming and going helping Phil with all his needs, not to mention Jerry's and Phil's visits to the ER/hospital. However, finally Jerry and I were able to visit Phil, after church, a few weeks ago. Jerry and I were so surprised at how much he had deteriorate since before Thanksgiving. Jerry and I enjoyed our visit with Phil even though there were moments of sadness and tears. Phil's comments about how wonderful Jerry looked "fresh and crisp". We all take for granted being able to bath ourselves everyday, Phil had to depend on others to get cleaned up and shave. Jerry and I were so impressed with how sharp Phil was... even though his body was broken his mind was still sharp and the ALS wasn't able to take that away from Phil. Our congregation was always appreciative the number of times that Phil with take part in the church service by getting up (with assistance) and reading the weekly scriptures. Phil would always get applause from the congregation and once even received a standing ovation. Before Phil's ALS, Phil was active in helping the youth building homes in Mexico. Even once after the ALS he joined the group and went one last time to Mexico. Jerry and I will miss Phil but, we will never forget Phil and what Phil brought to our life. May Phil rest in God's Peace and may Phil have everlasting life in heaven. May God Bless you and your family who will miss you terribly.

Medical Appointment - February 20, 2009

Yesterday I received a call from Dr. Bob's Lab technician letting us know that they wanted another Urine test for Jerry tomorrow. They are re-testing because on his previous lab test he tested positive for ecoli. Later on Dr. Bob's PA (physician assistant called) in response to my email letting her know that Jerry has been retaining a lot of water; his blood pressure and pulse has been running higher than his norm; sweating profusely during the night. The compression stockings aren't helping with the water retention, elevating his legs above his heart isn't helping and taking the prescribed diuretics don't seem to be eliminating much of the water retention. Jerry is also complaining about an etchie feeling when and after he urinates. Says he feels like he needs to scratch the inside of his penis. The PA told me that Jerry had gained 8 pounds from his last appointment (02/13/09) and his Creatinine (kidney) was higher than it had been 140 (range is 0.50-1.50) so she said that we should come in so Dr. Javadi could do more blood test and evaluate the situation. During the evaluation Dr. Javadi noticed Jerry's heart was racing and ordered an EKG. Dr. J prescribed Cipro (antibiotic) for the ecoli infection and everything else on the blood draw looks a little better than last week. However, the PSA went from 0.067 (02/13) to 0.085 (02/20).

Happy Valentines Day - February 14, 2009

Happy Valentines Day from Jake & Zack

Medical Appointment - February 13, 2009

Jerry's monthly appointment with the oncologist. After the routine blood draw and evaluation Jerry only received an IV of iron. Some of the blood results were:
RBC 2.66 L (range 4.20-5.90)
Hemoglobin 8.8 L (range 12.7-18.0)
Hematocrit 26.5 L (range 37.5-52.0)
Platelet 110 L (range) 140-440)

Jerry's PSA went to 0.067 from 0.035 (01/11/09); 0.057 (12/17/08) range is 0.290 -5.600
Still considered undetectable but, seems to be creaping up a little each visit.

Medical Update - February 4, 2009

Last night, Jerry had a rough night. After following Dr. Spirt's dietary regiment for the past week, he was not doing too bad. However, during the late night/early morning he was up and down with very watery diarrhea. He took some anti-diarrhea at around 3:00am and once again about 7:00am. Didn't seem to slow it down much. At about 8:00am he started getting a stomach and headache. He hasn't been able to eat or drink much today. Trying to get Gatorade down, but only ate a few bites of chicken noodle soup and a few crackers. Most of the day he's been trying to rest and sleep. I think the diarrhea has stopped, but it took all his energy, what little he has, away.