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On June 10, 2007 my sister left a message at 11:05 to tell me dad was having a problem with his arms moving uncontrollably and his congnative ability was impared somewhat. They were at the hospital and feared a stroke.

I went that night and arrived at 8:30 and spent the night. He was very confused and nervous.

The next day, June 11, we went to see his regular doctor, Dr Sirk, who diagosed a small stroke or TIA and thought a full recovery would be expected. He also ordered an MRI if we wanted it just to confirm. Dad was recovering from the spell the previous day dramatically with his cognative abilities back to normal.

The MRI results showed something very unexpected. Two “bright spots” appeared that the radiologist suggested could be cancer. My sister Angela arranged to meet a neurosurgeon at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for Wednesday.

June 13:

The Nerosurgeon confirmed the spots to likely be cancer. He explained that the tumor would likely be a mastetis from the prostate cancer, though one tumor looked somewhat like a primary brain tumor. The treatment of the two types is dramatically different. He arranged an appointment the same day with Dr Shaw, an Oncologist. Debra(nurse?), Monica(P.A.?)

Apt with Dr Shaw at 2:15; saw Arta Monjazeb(?) and Shaw. Dr Shaw could not conclude the region was from the prostate cancer since Dad's PSA levels were prefect. He confired with Dr Ellis and they recommeded a needle biopsy of the primary brain tumor suspect. This would give them more confidence on how to proceed.

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Father's Day:

You are the greatest dad, and always will be. You have provided for me in ways I could not believe. My memories of your care for me are indelable and I will always cherish your love for me. The family you raised is so great because of your care and love for us all. So many families crumble because of a lack of good parents, but not your family. Your family is strong because of you and how you love us.

I am scarred. I am scarred I am going to loose the greatest man I know. I look up to you. I have always looked up to you and sought you approval. You have always held me up and guided me and approved of me, and loved me, and I love you, Dad. I also hold on to the promise God gave us of everlasing life. I Love you so much and want to be with you as much as possible. These difficult times will only strengthen our love for you. Thank you so much…

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Thursday June 21

Biopsy day. Carla and I got up at 3am and drove to Winston and saw Dad at 6 before they took him for the biopsy. Gene Strickland came down and sat with us during the procedure. He left about 10:30 to meet with a VA Tech student, Mason, that attends FBC and is going into the ministery. Angela and Mom came abou 9:30. Dr Ellis told us the frozen sample looked like a primary Brain tumor of type GBM. By the end of the evening Dr Ellis saw us and had spoken with Shaw and Shaw had recommended a radiation plan. For surgical waiting area park in parking lot “B”, blue level. For the Day Hospital, park on Orange Level. Dad was in room B74, 336 713 0074.

Friday June 22:

I spent the night with them. Ordered the stair lift.

Sunday June 24:

The Anniversary Party!

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Wednesday, June 27

I took Dad for preparation for treatments. They said they would call for the next appointment. Dr Arta Monjazeb(?). said it would be Tuesday and Shaw said Thursday. Angela called for confirmation and they said 7 to 10 days. They did call Monday and scheduled prep for the next day and treatment on Thursday. For the cancer center, go to “Out Patient Only” entrance between Shell station and Cancer center parking “C”. Park in the garage past Radiation Outpatient entrance with code 5304.

Friday evening and Saturday:

Installed Stair lift!

Tuesday, July 3:

I took Dad for a simulation. The Therapists are April and Beth in treatment Machine 2, phone (336) 713-6635. We saw Dr Courtney Jensen and she wanted him to stop taking the Adavan prescribed be his family doctor, Sirk, for anxiety. Garage code 0100.

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Thursday, July 5:

I took Dad for his first actual treatment at 10:15. We saw Dr Courtney Jensen again and asked for something for his “spirit”. She gave him remedon(?).

Saturday, July 7:

I got there about 1 and he was ready to go eat. He seemed pretty good, except not much patients. We went to Shoney's for lunch. Later that night as we went out to Prime Sirloin for dinner and he could not find his VT Golf hat as we left the house. We drove back to Shonney's and looked there. It was at home in the closet. I loaded up a bunch of stuff from the basement.

Sunday, July 8:

Carla and I came for Church and we ate at Angela's. Tony was preparing to go to England.

Saturday, July 14:

I got to Galax at 12 and mom had some lunch for us. I loaded up a bunch of my old stuff from the upstairs bedroom and most of the airplanes.

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Thursday, July 19:

Carla went and stay with Mom and Dad from noon until late.

Saturday, July 21:

I spent the day and night with Mom and Dad. Dad was very fatigued and confused. He could barely climb the top two steps for bed and had a hard time knowing what to do to get ready for bed.

Sunday, July 22:

Carla rode with Doug and Roberta for church at First Baptist, Galax. I went to Sunday School and talked with Bill Davis. Angela sat with Dad and Mom came to Church. After church, we ate at the Galax Smokehouse and then watched Rachel learn to ride her bike. We stayed until about 6 and went back out to meet Doug at Fazolies because we forgot to pick up the car from Dougs house.

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Wednesday, July 25:

I had a dental appointment at 11 and visited with Mom and Dad until about 8:30. I also helped Tony clean the gutter on Angela's house. Dad was more fatigued, but seemed a little less confused.

Saturday

Carla and I went down and arrived about ?? I helped Mom with the clothes upstairs and took several bags in the Honda. We went back home; I was very tired.

Sometime during the weekend:

I took Dad for Ice Cream while Carla stayed with Mom. He was very confused in the kitchen and could not get out. He kept repeating “Wait a minute, wait a minute….” and could not get his thoughts on what to do next, though I kept telling him to come with me to the Honda. Carla came in and told him specifically what we wanted by stating go to McDonalds to get Ice Cream.

Sunday

Carla and I went to Northstar and arrived at Mom and Dad's about 1:15. (This may have been when the above Ice cream trip was.) I loaded the rest of the clothes from the basement in the Honda. Mom wanted to get ready for the Presbyterian Church picnic at Tony's Country House. Bob Morton sat with Dad while we went. Mary Morris took Mom and brought her back. Later, I took Mom to FBC for Henry Parker's going away banquet. Carla met me at FBC and we returned from there and got home while Peggy sat with him.

Monday

Hospice brought the hospital bed. Dad had gotten in the floor a couple of times. Pat thought we should ask for a lift.

Tuesday, July 31:

I went down to be there at 7am because the day help, Phylis, had to quit. Pat had a rough time with dad trying to get him to sleep in the hospital bed in the family room. She finally took him to his room about 1:30am and he went right to sleep. He got up about 9:10. Angela gave me some names to call for home health care providers. Hospice told Angela we could have 5 days of respite at the hospital if needed in order to locate help. Penn Treaty Insurance came to file paperwork for the long term health insurance. Angela had Toni, the social worker for hospice come to talk to me about the respite. I felt Carla and I could cover the days with dad until Monday at least. I contacted Anita Gray(?) and she came for and interview at 5 and started the next day. I also contacted Estriana Binger. I headed back about 7:45. Hospice brought the lift. and a table

Wednesday, Aug 1:

Carla went to help with Mom and Dad. It was a very emotional day for him. He hugged Rachel and spoke of how he felt. Ms Binger interviewed with Angela about 11:30 and starts Monday on the evening shift.

Thursday, Aug 2:

I work most a day and will try to be there about 5. I plan to stay until Sunday evening.

I ended up leaving about 2:20 and took the truck back and Carla took me. We arrived in Galx about 4:50 to see Fred and Iona, and Joe Lindsey there. They gave him a valium because he was very uneasy. He was in very good spirits when we got there. Tony came and dad bragged on his trip and his clothes! The church bought a meal from Marlene including Dad's “Blueberry Stuff”. Carla stayed until about 8:30 and went back. She is very good to tend to Dad and Mom.

During the night, Dad got up and fell. He hit his head and Pat asked me to help get him up. He was in the floor by the door. He looked at me and just smiled, with a kind of like 'I am sorry' expression.

Friday, Aug 3:

Dad's right eye is becoming very red. Anita gave him a Haldol gel and Valium gel when he sat in his chair after breakfast. The Hospice RN recommended taking the Valium morning and evening. Anita told us of problems with the Binger lady stealing, so Angela called her and told her we would not need her after all. Angela has been in contact with Betty Shaffner(?) about evenings. We got the air mattress for Pat to sleep on and put it beside Dad's bed.

Saturday, Aug 4:

Pat had to get up several times with him. Dad's right eye looked very bloodshoot. He got up around 9:50. Betty came to meet us at 2pm. Angela ordered a chair for his bedroom so we would have a place to sit with him.

Sunday, Aug 5:

Dad's Eye is very red and weepy. He was very wobbley when he got up. I did not give him the Valium since Pat gave him one in the night. After Breakfast, he seemed to do a little better. He is still very weak and somewhat confused. Lynn and Ronnie Wall came for a visit. The brough all kinds of BBQ and fixins. I went up to Angela's to help Tony with his new laptop. Rachel can ride her bicycle. I got the password for the Wachovia account and took it to Angela about 8pm. I told Angela about my concern about the help being able to get him up and she suggested we get the lift chair instead of a regular recliner. She called Harvey about 8:00 and later Harvey called and met us at the store at 9:30pm to look at the chair. The should deliver Monday at 9:30.

Monday

Angela said Dad's eye was nearly matted shut. The Lift Chair came. Angela said Mom was feeling better and the house was looking nice. They gave him a haldol(?) about 8pm as he would not stop wanting to eat.

Thursday

They started treating Dad's eyes for pinkeye. He is getting very demanding and impatient. Mom said he is using a walker.

Saturday, Aug 11

Carla and I came down after lunch. Dad slept until noon. He was not as active today and I don't think he ate as much. His hands tremble as he uses them. He is getting a lot of valium and haldol. Carla went on home and I stayed. He went to bed around 11:30 and was very, very weak. It was very difficult to get dad upstairs. Pat and I could barely get him to walk. Pat said he got up about every 45 minutes through Saturday night.

Sunday

I was able to talk dad into staying in the hospital bed downstairs. Carla and I needed to go back for Wayne's appointment on Monday at 1.

Monday

This was Wayne's day and it lasted a lot longer than I expected. Betty worked the day shift because Anita had an appointment. Anita was there and brought mom a gown. She called later and said she could not work anymore. John was there and dad was having a lot of trouble breathing. He was having trouble clearing his throat and they tried to suction him. Angela wanted to give him some morphene and that seemed to help. Angela and I decided to watch him together the next day.

Tuesday

Dad rested peacefully most of the day, except he moaned as he breathed. I changed him a couple time in the mornging and Angela helped in the evenging. Tammy, the Hospice nurse came and checked him and helped us change his draw sheet. I asked Carla to come Wednesday morning and stay Thursday. She wanted to come that evening, so she came and I went home. I got home in Blacksburg around 11, let the dogs out and gave Ferris his shot. Ting-Ting did not eat his cookie. Dad rested well during the night.

Wednesday, Aug 15

Ting-Ting was panting and would not eat his cookie this morning either and he was panting a lot and it was not hot. I gave him a quick bath and went on to work and called the Vet. They told me I could bring him at 11:30. When I got home to pick him up, Ting-Ting had died. Carla said it was so Ting-Ting would be in heaven when dad got there. Dad had a good day according to Carla. He talked to Tony on the phone!

Thursday, Aug 16

Dad did not rest well during Thursday night according to Pat. Carla said he was alert in the morning, but the fever was higher today. He started sleeping and had the “death rattle” in his breathing. I went to eat with Doug and Roberta at Shakers and Carla called Roberta's cell while I was with them. She and Betty thought I should come on to Galax. I saw him and he was not responsive to anything. He was breathing labored, but steady.

Friday, Aug 17. Pat woke me at 1:05 am to come downstairs. Dad had passed away peacefully. She said he just stopped breathing and did not struggle. He is with Jesus now and I hope Ting-Ting also!