Eureka - July 2019

7-7-2019.

On Monday, July 1^st, Claudia drove me to the surgeons office, where they were going to check out the port installation.

The doctor was not there and his assistant saw me. I told her about my swollen belly and the pain I was in. She took a look and told me to go to the emergency room at the hospital right away. The skin was red and hot. It turned out to be cellulitis.

Claudia dropped me off at the hospital. They performed all kind of tests.

At 12:30 AM I was admitted to the hospital.

Tuesday morning they removed eight quarts of liquid from my abdomen. This is called ascites and caused by liver disease or in my case by cancer.  

This was the biggest relief I had in a long time. Two gallons is a lot of weight. I ate almost a complete lunch and dinner and felt great.

Wednesday the antibiotics, which I take for the infection, kicked in and I became nauseated again. Now I had again a problem eating.

Mary Ann, Jenny and Pat visited me.

Thursday my belly was swollen again. The infection had improved.

The hospital doctor told me that I can go home on Friday.

Friday I felt really lousy. They removed five quarts liquid. I had to stay in the hospital.

Saturday they sent me home. I am weak and have no energy. 
Sunday, we temporarily stored the motorhome and car at the Moose Lodge storage area, and Scott and Claudia moved me to their studio apartment at their house.

I can not function alone anymore.
 

7-14-2019.

Tuesday, Claudia and I had a meeting with Dr. Hardy. The oncologist. He is highly recommended by former patients. Unfortunate l will not see him again until late July. He works two months in Eureka and then goes home for two months. Another doctor will see me then.

Thursday I had to go to the hospital again to have seven quarts of liquid removed. I have a standing appointment now for Thursday.

The rest of the week I am just resting. I am too week to do anything.
 

7-21-2019-

On Monday Claudia and I went for a two hour Chemo Education class with a nurse.  She explained to us what I can expect. Claudia took notes and the nurse gave us a large folder.

Tuesday, at 8:30 AM, Claudia and I were at the Oncology Department for my first Chemo  procedure.

They had me hooked up until 3:30 PM.  They first time they do it slowly to see how the patient react.

I took it well and the next time it will be faster.

Wednesday I had to go back to get a shot in the belly.

Thursday I had more fluid removed and spent a few hours in the Oncology Department. They hooked me up on the port and gave me fluids and sodium.

The rest of the week my family was sick. Nicolette and Jacob had gone to a overnight sleep-over and brought something home.

I had to care of myself, which is not easy. Mary Ann dropped off some good soup.



My two computers broke at the same time, and I do not have much strength to do things. My second chemo was tough too.
I report more later.
Richard

8/27/19
I'm so sorry to have to come on here and tell you all that my father Richard Sturtz passed away in the hospital this past Saturday, August 24th.  He tried really hard to beat the cancer but in the end the chemo was just too much and he became so weak that he could barely swallow or speak.

He died peacefully and stated beforehand that he had no regrets and that he was able to do what he had always wanted which was retire early and travel by R.V.  He so enjoyed keeping a record of and sharing his love of traveling with others here on his blog.
Claudia