Dave had a visit to the U of I for his treatment checkup yesterday(Tuesday-Thanks Donna for the ride!). His blood counts were down, but that was to be expected so he just needs to be careful not to be around "sick" people. The rest of the checkup consisted of his oncologist asking how he felt in general. Other than that he's due back next Tuesday for another blood level test and if things continue to go well, than in 2 weeks they will take more x-rays to evaluate how this last round worked on his lungs and then probably do another round of chemo at that time.

Friday of last week is when he really started feeling the effects of the chemo, it basically made him lethargic, he said it felt like a start of a flu an overall "yuck" feeling. Dave is starting to feel more motivated and he says his breathing is pretty good, he's hoping to be able to do more in the next few days.

Thanks again for all the prayers and support from everyone. Dave and the girls enjoys reading the guestbook entries and it means a lot to them to feel the love and support pulling for Dave all over the place.

Dave was able to leave as expected after 3 days of chemo(Thanks Marco for the ride home)! He says he's really not feeling all that bad, maybe a little tired but really no other side effects (yet, we hope it stays that way). Basically he'll just be resting for the weekend, spending some time with the girls and taking it easy.

Dave should start seeing some effects of the chemo working in about 5 days, he expects to be feeling much better than he has in the last few months, as the last x-rays showed that the tumors were shrinking, this round should result even better. As aggressive as this cancer has been, we are hoping there are no more complications to delay his future treatments, which finally was the case for this time around, so we're hopeful for even better results. I'll keep you all posted, God Bless!

Dave's appointment went fairly well today, he had x-rays and blood tests done. The x-rays showed that the tumors cleared a bit and also his blood levels were good to continue with the chemo treatment. He had to be admitted for 3 days of chemo treatment, this was for convenience of IV fluids and NOT because he was in really bad shape. Dave was disappointed he had to stay but at least this time he is a lot stronger and doesn't have to be hooked up to oxygen or any pain medications via IV. Dave is feeling better about this stay, he's a bit anxious because of not really knowing how the side effects of the chemo is going to hit him since the other 2 times he was really out of it but he does say he's feeling pretty good. Dave is scheduled to be out Friday morning. GOOD LUCK Dave!!!

Dave is grateful to be out of the hospital and is recouping at his parents house and reporting that he is feeling better each day. His cold/congestion has let up some since in the hospital. Dave is scheduled for more x-rays next Tuesday, along with another round of chemo as long as his blood counts are in good/decent range. The girls and I are going to visit him on the weekend, the girls are so thrilled that daddy is out of the hospital and can't wait to see him again!

It was confirmed today that Dave will be released tomorrow. It has been another long exhausting stay(fight) for him in a hospital. Dave will initially be going back to Fort Madison to his folk's house for a little while to regain his strength and recoup from the chemo before coming back to Wilton. Dave has been fighting some type of congestion which has made his recovery seem a little tougher, the chemo has seemed to have given some relief in the lungs again, although the breathing is a little labored yet. If we compare this to the last trip to the hospital, his recovery is about the same pace. We are hoping to continue to see some improvements and that he will stay strong enough for the next round of chemo in about a week and a half to try to get ahead of the game.

He also continues to surprise the doctors, coming into this recent battle, the docs were questioning another turn around. Dave has proven that he has a really strong heart, body and most important, mind. Dave really is a tough guy but I have to admit this last round has really been hard on him, please continue the prayers and support. Thanks again for all those who has helped our family these past couple of weeks while Dave was in the hospital. We don't know how to thank everyone enough but know that we are so grateful to be surrounded by a great group of people and community support! I do believe in the old cliche, "what comes around goes around". God Bless.

I thought I should at least update a bit of Dave's condition, although wishing I was writing to give a date of his release but I can at least say that he is feeling a little better. The doc says he is looking better these past 2 days and his breathing seems to be getting less labored (we seem to think so too by looking at him!).

He is still depending on an oxygen mask, however they have reduced the amount of oxygen and pain medications he is getting and was able to get out of bed and around his room a few times today. Although he sleeps/rest a lot of the time and seems just out of it because of the medication, it was good to see that he had wanted to get up and around. As I stated, we stay strong in faith that Dave will pull out of this again and I hope I am not too premature to say that I feel the chemo appears to be doing it's thing. Our goal is now to keep him healthy enough for the next few weeks and pray that there are no more complications to delay his next treatment. Thanks to all who leave messages and to those who are silent, I know he has a lot of people who cares and think about him all the time, and through the message board, phone calls, visits, cards, etc....he does feel the love and support all around.

Dave is still fighting strong in the hospital but wanted to let you all know that he is in critical but stable condition. He is needing all the rest he can get to stay strong to let the chemo do it's work. We are still hopeful and have lots of faith Dave will pull through this one. It means a lot to us and him that he has such a wonderful group of support and all the people that are behind him, without you all pulling along with us, this road would be a lot harder to get through. Again, I'll post if there's any different news, let's hope the next time I'm letting you all know that he's going to be released soon.

I took the 2 little ones to visit Dave this afternoon/evening since they weren't able to visit daddy the last time he was in the hospital. I prepared them for what they were going to see at the hospital, dave is hooked up to an oxygen mask to help his breathing more and also IV's for pain medication. The girls were fine with it but of course hoped that daddy will be coming home soon and didn't like seeing him laid up in the hospital. Alyson opted not to go this time, she needed a break and be with her friends for the new year, I know it was hard on her the last time to see him like that so I told her that dad would totally understand and that I would give him her love for her. I have faith that he will pull out of this one too, things are hard right now but Dave has really helped me and everyone else involved for that matter through this ordeal, he has really been strong for me and all I can do is be there and try to be strong and do everything that I can for him as well.

He did get his chemo treatment in today and there's another dose scheduled for tomorrow, after that, all he can do now is rest and let the chemo start taking effect again. I pray that he's not in the hospital as long and that he doesn't have as much problems as he did in November. Dave continues to be strong willed and gives his appreciation and love to everyone who has posted on this site and everyone else who has been there for love and support, either in person or in thoughts and prayers. Thanks and love to all.