Sunday, June 28, 2009

Mayo for Treatment...

So I 'm back at the Mayo Clinic for the next 2 weeks for 1 of the treatments that was necessary to correct some of the problems. I start on Monday for 3 hours a day the 1st week and then 2 hours a day the 2nd week. Hopefully after the 2 weeks things are back to where they should be, but if not there is the possibility of an extra week of treatment or a potential surgery to correct the problem (I'll just have to take it 1 day at a time).

Drive up wasn't bad at all. Mom is here with me this week and then my friend Cory will be flying up on Sunday to spend the 2nd week here in beautiful Rochester, MN with me. I actually will have a nice break this 4th of July weekend since I have a family wedding in Madison and so I'll drive my mom down there and spend the weekend there and come back Sunday to resume treatment next Monday.

I've had a few hospitalizations since the big OJIBWA trip, but just for hydration purposes. Otherwise I've been feeling pretty good. Day at a time. Increasing what I eat each week as time goes on. Soon enough the SHARK SPECIAL will really be in full effect @ Little Louie's.

I'll keep the blog updated as much as I can each night after the day. I may have to not be too graphic given the type of treatment, but feel free to google Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and study up yourselves.

Thank you everyone for their support. I couldn't have gotten thru these last 17 months without all of you. Please keep it coming and know that hopefully soon enough I will be whole again and back as a regular in the BPS hoops league each Wednesday night (Stu Nitzkin best be working the roster for me!!!).

Feel free to call or email --- I'll only be in therapy about 3 hours a day so would love to hear from you and take my mind off things...

Finish line is near. Positive attitude. Mental focus. I will beat this soon enough.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

Until 2morrow...

SHARK

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

12 days til Mayo for Treatment...

So I wanted to take this opportunity to post a new blog to update people on how things have been progressing over the past few weeks since the Memorial Day posting.

I have slowly been able to tolerate more and more liquids and some solids by mouth rather than having to use the feeding tube as much each night. I'm still usually giving myself some nutrition thru the tube at night a couple days each week, but as I've been able to tolerate more by mouth that amount has decreased. I'm able to tolerate the following types of foods so far: grilled cheese, chicken breast, turkey breast, tuna, milkshakes, some soda, lots of water and Vitamin Waters to stay hydrated properly.

I've had 1 hospitalization since I've been home from Mayo the initial visit in May. So that definitely is a drastic improvement from what was the norm before that (every 3-4 days). I was just in from June 5th to 10th (I had to get out the 10th so that I could go on the BPS @ OJIBWA weekend with the 90 other guys). So for those few days in the hospital I was getting a little pain medicine when needed, some nausea medicine when needed, and tons of IV fluids, as well as eating some jello and getting some tube feedings.

I just got home this past Sunday from the BPS @ OJIBWA weekend. We had 90 guys go up to camp for Thurs to Sunday for a 2-day basketball tournament, as well as to hang out and all bond as a group of guys to honor the passing of Brian P. Schwartz. He will never be forgotten as 1 of the group and his memory lives on in all of us who had a chance to know Brian. It was a great lift for me mentally to be able to make this trip with this group of guys. I hadn't seen some guys in over a year since I've been ill, and some not for almost 15 years since we were at Camp Ojibwa together. I had a great weekend and was able to take a lot of my memories from this trip and support of all the guys with me thru these next 4 weeks of treatment and rehab. Thanks to all who were there and lifted me up. DJA always puts on a good show!

I am scheduled to go back to Mayo in about 12 days, June 28th, to begin a 2-week rehab program there until July 11th. The 1st week I'll be in rehab for 3 hours / day and then the 2nd week I'll be in rehab 2 hours / day. My mom will be with me the 1st week and then a friend of mine is going to meet me there the 2nd week. I'll also see Dr. Camilleri while I'm there to have him evaluate the progress and treatment plan for future. I'm both excited and nervous for this next step, but I will remain strong and take with me all of the support that I have and get thru the rehab to be whole once again.

I'll make sure to update the blog more regularly from Mayo when I am there starting June 28th...