Home at Last

Well I am finally home. It has been 10 weeks since I have been free of hospital bracelets and the transition to the home life has been wonderful.Sometimes transport is barebones.





Dave Raun was of immeasurable help, especially when it came to adjusting and regulating the hospital bed.






My health seems good except for the obvious problem that I can not walk and am paralyzed from the waist down! I am becoming more adept at transfers and Carole has learned to assist transfers - just amazing.

I have no immediate plans except to get healthy and learn to adapt to this new world.

Visiting: I have to rest a lot so if you pan to come out, please Call Carole before coming: 434-7795.

More later







1

LOA

Got an LOA from the Rehab hospital and am spending Sat afternoon at home. The dogs missed me but everything loooks the same.

I have had lots of visitors.




Laura makes a visit.



see you soon.

Update from Carole

Hello,
Bill has recovered from the pneumonia and UTI. On Tuesday he was transferred back to San Joaquin Rehabilitation Hospital where he will continue learning skills which will allow him to go home. His therapy sessions yesterday went well considering the fact that he is weak still from the pneumonia. Hopefully, he will continue to improve and be home in a couple of weeks. They keep him very busy at San Joaquin....so please give me a call if you plan to visit.....434-7795. Thanks.
Peace....
Carole

I am up

Well, I am up and posting. At San Joaquin Rehab there was no internet access. So, to get internet access, I had to get pneumonia and get back in St. Agnes where I have been for the past week.

The pneumonia seems improved but questions remain:
* Is it due to the steroids?
* Did I aspirate?
* Do I have reflux?

Anyway, I have some tests ordered tomorrow that may help solve the issues so I can get back to rehab.

Last week-end we were blessed with the Hazelton sisters and their parents who put on a continuous show for all of us.

This week-end, Steve has come up to lend his support and love and work on getting me better.

Stay in touch!

Bill

Update from Carole

Hi all...
This summer it feels like Bill takes two steps forward and then one step backward. He was progressing well at San Joaquin Rehab hospital until last Saturday night when he spiked a temperature of 104. So that took him to the St. Agnes ED on Sunday morning where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and urinary tract infection. He is responding to the antibiotics but still at St. Agnes. I am not sure where he will go from there as San Joaquin rehab has deemed that he is too sick for them to take back right now. His spirits are good and back pain is controlled.,,a bit groggy at times due to medications but carries on a very lively conversation as usual. I think visitors might be ok while he is at St. Agnes as he doesn't have many activities to interfere with visiting. If you do plan to visit, I would ask that you give me a call first to be sure we don't have a room full and that he is up to the visit. My number is 434-7795. He is in room 348.
Again...thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.
Peace....
Carole

Update from Carole

Hi all...
Bill is still recovering in San Joaquin Rehabilitation Hospital here in Fresno. He will most likely be there at least another week. His days are filled with Occupational Therapy, Physical therapy and general nursing care which keeps him busy. In between all of those tiring activities, he rests. He still has a considerable amount of pain for which he is being given fairly significant doses of pain medication...sometimes making him a bit groggy. It is a real balancing act to get the right amount of pain med on board so that he has tolerable pain and can participate in the therapy sessions and not make him too groggy so that he can't participate. He is slowly getting some strength and movement back in his lower extremities but too early to know how much will return. The medical team of therapists, nurses and physicians are outstanding and there is no doubt that he is getting the best of care.
Many thanks to all who have sent greetings, called, and kept him in your thoughts and prayers. You are most appreciated.
Peace....
Carole

Update 7/2/2007

I was asked to update Dr. K's Blog. He is currently at San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation in Fresno. He was transferred there for therapy after his surgery last week. He is a bit groggy from medications at this time. Carole feels that he might be at San Joaquin for two to three more weeks. She felt that visitors might be a bit much for him this week and Blog updates will keep you posted when that changes. He is getting used to the routine. I will do my best to keep all informed of Dr. K's status. Ray O. -- Visalia

Update

Well, it seems that I have a bit of tumore in the space over my spinal cord at the waist - good news is that radiation easily kills it to relieve the pressure. I started last Thursday and have completed 3 (of 10) treatments and already things are better.

Once I can get in and out of bed onto a chair without the aid of big men, I will home - stay tuned.

Bill

BTW - Thank you for not send flowers! They block the vents of the air conditioning.

Schnapps - now ur talking.

Down but not out........

As things were not improving, I checked myself into St. Agnes Hospital. I am now finding myself in need of treatment for paralysis. More than likely this treatment will be in the form of radiation therapy. I expect to be here for one week before I am back on my feet. Please no flowers.....but I do enjoy pithy (or obscene!) get well cards. And, if you are up to it....smuggled liquor. Stay tuned.

Goin to Work

The doctoring continues: Dr Weins would like me to see Dr Davidian for steroid or anesthetic injections where the spinal nerves are being pinched.

I returned to work at the Dept of Rehab and had no problem getting around. Once the medical issues get settled, I hope to go back top my usual workload.

Tomorrow we drive to the City for a Thursday appointment.

Cya

Sopranos

Well, we invited Dave and Laura to share the exciting end of the HBO series "The Sopranos". It held us on the edge of our seats but did not push us off.

Oh well, different strokes for different folks.

Bill

Sunday Thoughts

A blog reader, after looking at my abdominal CT scan commented "That liver looks like it's been ridden hard and put away wet a few times. :)". In actual fact, the radiologist who interpreted the scan commented on seeing 'fatty infiltration of the liver'. I don't think my liver got fat eating an extra serving of broccoli; I will have to take better care of it - anyway, fat is not such a bad thing.

My Vitamin B-12 level was low so I got a B-12 shot Friday - so far --> nothing seems to be changing but how did I get low on B-12???, especially with my gluttonous eating behavior on the cruise.

Last night Dave and Laura came out and helped prepare dinner: perfect night for a patio dinner but probably not the best of nights for the liver. Tonight we are having a mini-last-Soprano-episode dinner. Should be a hoot.

Of course the big news is the arrival of Sarah Cassidy Kennedy in Santa Barbara - Mommy and baby are doing fine (come on Steve- start firing pictures my way).

As to health issues, things are going along pretty good, mainly because of my caretaker.



Also, my primary care doctor has, as Emeril says, "kicked it up a notch" and I have much more pain free episodes.

In the next couple of days I should be able to get my hands on a motorized wheelchair or scooter and that will simplify things.

Anyway, goodbye to Tony Soprano.

Oh, BTW, a very food friend (Ed Pierce)had the honor and duty of throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium the other night - they tell me it was a strike.



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Scan-O-Rama

Well, early to rise and off to Physician's Imaging for some more scans. There were multiple scans today - CT Scan of the Thoracic Spine, CT of the Lumbar Spine, CT of the Abdomen and CT of the Pelvis. To prepare you must drink a Barium - Raspberry flavored contrast liquid and then wait.



Multiple images are then rendered for review by the mucky mucks.



Upon close inspection there appears to be bone spurs, calcium and sundry gunk irritating the spinal nerves, enough to cause a serious back ache.



So, following the scans, it is off to see my doctor (Dr Jones) who spent a couple of hours with me and came up with a treatment plan that should keep me busy counting pills.



Another glitch - my insurance company has not 'approved' the medication and the pharmacy does not stock it - so it will be another 48 hours with the Gin and Juice and then I can get going into twenty first century pain management.

Anyway - rejoice - the culprit seems to have been uncovered, help is on the way, and no more scans for awhile.


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Short Blog

I went to visit the Bone Doctor today
To see if there is a better way
...To reduce the pain
...and keep me sane
He ordered more scans...we'll see what they say.

More tomorrow

(Could you pass the gin over this way pleaz)

New Directions

Well, no more doctor visits for a while - have to deal with being loopy and getting on with he rest of my life - imagine - I was snorkeling in French Polynesia two weeks ago and now I need help getting out of the tub - yikes.

So I decided to go back to work and visited my favorite patients -- those in long term care at Wish-I-Ah. Margret is a dear dear soul who has spent most of her adult life in some custodial situation but all agree she gives the best hugs. I had the nurse snap a pic of us yesterday and Margaret was pleased (she is 86) and gave permission to publish (HIPPA be damned)!



Today, I went to a Health Faire at the Oncology Clinic.



- vendors and food and hooked up with Andrew - the guy who get can get me into a chair - the technology has produced some screaming action - so I tried it on and am making an application with my Insurance Company to get one - mostly to prevent falls and increase home mobility. Check it out.




Carole is a bit skeptical.

I am not so sure about the balloons but I like the look!

Dave and Sylvia came out and we barbecued some delicious Bentley's kabobs and pounded through a couple of pitchers of Dave's Famous Margaritas, and then a couple more.

All is well

Brain Time

I am still walking like Dudley Moore in Arthur but without the laughs.

Today, I had an interview with the neurologist (a man I have always respected as a great clinician and teacher). I went over for the MEI of my brain and will follow up with the neurologist in the am.

My father, wife, kids, associates have always said I should have my head examined so today I did and it is weird to be able to look inside your head.

The good news: no senility, tumor, infection, stroke, blood vessel problems, bleeding.



Double click the picture to see the fine print!!

Well, more exams and more tests - stay in touch.

WK

Rolling and Tumbling

The last several days have been spent at Doctor's Offices and Imaging Centers. When I got the wobblies and started bumping into things, it seems that I probably had something compressing my spinal cord; however the MRI suggested otherwise. It seems that I have short pedicles in my spinal cord (the arch that the spinal cord and nerves run through) that is further compromised by bone spurs and other aging phenomena causing a crunching of the nerves coming out of the spine with pain and spasm.



On the picture you can imagine if the pedical is short (someting I was born with) and some spurs where the nerve runs, it could get ouchy!

The bone scan shows plenty of tumor but most it looks knocked down by the cancer treatment, so it may be that my current problems are not primarily being caused by cancer - but who knows for sure.

Yesterday there were many attempts to put dye into my spinal canal but each tap came up dry - no spinal fluid so no picture of the nerve roots (myelogram) so we can see exactly what is going on.

In the meantime, I am unsteady and using a walker. So what now.

Tuesday I am having my head examined (an idea people have suggested long ago) via an MRI and I see a neurologist, then more scans, then the oncologist and the the doctors at UCSF. In the meantime it is Percodan, dinner on the patio, and catching up on my TIVO movies.

Cheers...

K

La Grande Aventure

This is going to be a bigger blog - covers lots of stuff.

The Cruise
We flew from LAX on May 6 to Tahiti - 9 hours - but great service. We spent the next day in port at Papeete, Tahiti - Carole walked about the twon and I did some retoxing, then we sailed out.


The cruise ship was awesome - very well appointed and best service and food ever. We visited 4 islands in French Polynesia (Tahiti, Mo'orea, Bora Bora, Raitera) and the largest island of the Cook Islands (Raratonga) - every island had a barrier reef with miles of crystal clear green water 80 degrees and 3 feet deep with tropical fish abounding.



We finally flew back to LAX May 16 - overnight - arriving the a.m. of May 17. My final class at Fresno State was that evening so we drove to Fresno, showered, tucked down the class and prepared for Burning House Festival X

Special thanks to Jeri Techman at etravelexpress.com for setting it up.

Burning House Festival 10

Well 5/19 1997 was the great house fire so we celebrated the 10th anniversary of that event. We had three bands: Drum Magic - an afro-centric percussion band, Mariachi alas del Cielo - a young and passionate group of Mariachis and Good Medicine - our spiritual journey band. Festival X was the best - about 80 people, unbelievable pot luck sensations, the best in meat and drink, best weather and the nicest people you would ever want to meet.






Special Thanks To:

Ken Vredenburg - the cool draft pale ale
The Maldonados - the kitchen, the meat, the great young people, the morale support
My family - the hard work
Onna Mehas - the bounce house and the tent


Hell Week

I have put off dealing with the prostate cancer top get thru the cruise and the class but Hell week has been set up to decide what is going on and what to do.

Since the cruise I have been walking funny, sort of like a drunk who can't pass a sobriety test - I thought it was just sea legs but it has progressed to the point that I stumble about. Today, I had some scans ordered for UCSF but called my oncologist instead, who did a clothes off evaluation and felt I had a spinal cord cord tumor and would likely need emergency spinal surgery.

However, I underwent CT scan, MRI, blood tests and the cause of my wobblies is not apparent - a puzzle - so he told me to get a cane, don't fall and get more tests.

So tomorrow it is a bone scan, Friday a CT myelogram and then reassess (Does anyone have Dr. House' phone number?).

Anyway, good news --> no immediate surgery; bad news --> I do need the handicapped parking.

Stay tuned.

Convergence

.
.

I call May 2007 my month of convergence because a lot will be happening.

1. In one week will will fly to Tahiti to begin a 10 day luxury cruise in the South Pacific aboard the Tahitian Princess.

2. Burning House Festival X - celebrate the 10th anniversary of our house burning to the ground.

3. I will get scanned and evaluated for the next attack on my cancer at UCSF. This is not fun but it is what it is.

4. I will have completed teaching my course at Fresno State, given the final exam; I will miss this experience.

5. My brother Dave's birthday is coming up (May 22) - he will be eligible to join the AARP.

6. Carole will be holding a shower for Jen in Santa Barbara - Jen is due to deliver our fourth granddaughter (Sarah) in early June.

7. I will be officially retired as team physician for Fresno State. Having been associated with Fresno State has been a magnificent adventure - not only for the "I'm with band" experience but the incredibly wonderful friends I have met. Some of the best people on earth are in athletics. I am humbled to think I have been part of that journey. But it is time to move on and bring on the younger doc.

Expect a bunch of posts as the month rolls on.

Check it out: I recently submitted my DNA to National Geographic for analysis of the genetic journey my father took over the last 60 000 years. We all started our journey in East Africa and I ended up in Ireland. Click here to see the results.


BTW, if you need a travel agent, the best of the best is Jeri at Travel Express in Fresno!

Cheers

4:20

Well 4:20 has come and gone. For those of you who have no sense of 4:20, it is a both a date and time. 4/20 is:

* Hitler's Birthday

* Columbine Anniversary

* National Hippie Holiday
Click here to get info on the Hippie thing.

I also hear that all the clocks in the movie PULP FICTION are set to 4:20 but I have not confirmed this.

My best 4:20 memory is that Al Ward and me were at the High Sierra Music Festival listening to Leftover Salmon playing late night (they played until the sun came up) and at 4:20 a.m. they stopped playing so everyone could light up. It will be hard to forget that night.

Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, I have not celebrated 4/20 4:20 in a few years. Currently I am dealing with back problems that have curtailed my fun (golf, dog walking, air guitar, mayhem, etc). Fortunately I have found Spitzer Physical Therapy in Clovis and they are working me out. Dennis Spitzer's plan for back pain is not sissy modalities (heat, ultrasound, TENS, phonophoresis, massage, manipulation) but hard work to correct the posture and the supporting muscles of the abdomen, butt and legs. So a session is work.

But it is helping and I have a plan to get going. Hopefully, I will be in shape for the upcoming cruise.

Nothing else - waiting for next weekend when we trip to Yosemite for the weekend with Peter and Nichole.

Pix to follow after Yosemite.