May 28 - Another stone unturned

Yep - it's not like he hasn't been through enough. He had to go back to the hospital on Sunday (May 24) . He had another kidney stone episode. He had pain on Saturday and woke with quite a bit of pain on Sunday, so much so that he had Mike take him to the emergence room. He was sent home on Monday late afternoon on pain medication. He is waiting to find out what the will do for this stone. He has a 6mm stone about the same place he had the last one and he has another stone in his kidney that they saw on the ct scan. He is still hoping to go on the Relay for Life ride this Saturday but the pain medication may keep him from riding. Keep your fingers crossed that he is able to pass this stone before Saturday and he continues on his road to riding and recuperation.

May 23 - Back on two wheels

Dick got his bike back from being repaired and is back on the road. He has never ever thought of quit riding. But he has decided that it will be a safer ride with a helmet from now on. Jer and I can't wait to get back on the road with him. Our first ride together will be on May 30 when we will do a Relay for Life ride starting and ending in Morton.

He still has that G-tube and it makes him uncomfortable because it stays sore but he is dealing with it but he only has a little over 2 weeks before it comes out.

Smooth roads ahead, Uncle Dick. And remember...Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt sleeve doing 70 mph can double your vocabulary.

May 19 - 64 - what a sweet number

On May 16 Dick turned 64. Most people wouldn't think this is such a big deal but in this family it is a great big deal. Not only did Dick beat the odds when he made such an amazing recovery but he has also beat the odds of turning 64. You see Dick is the first one in his immediate family to make it past 63. His dad (Harley), his mom (Doris), his brother (Denny) and even his wife (Marianne) all passed away before their 63rd birthday. He is the first and it was a very big deal. He talked about it long before the accident how he would be the first.He came close to joining the others but he beat the odds and we are all so greatful to have him home and doing so well. Happy Birthday Uncle Dick and many more!

May 10 - Update

Just a quick note to let you know that Dick's lithotripsy was a success. He went through is with out a hitch. He was a little nauseous that day but other than that everything is fine.

May 6 - He Has Wheels

Hi everyone. I just wanted to let you know that Dick went to the doctor on Tuesday and they have given him the ok to drive. He is a free man of the open road again and is taking advantage of it. He has gone to a couple of B's ball games which I know he has missed and Braden is glad he is back in the stands. The doctor also has taken him off of all but 2 of his many medications. He still has to take one pill until he has his kidney surgery on Thursday morning (5/7) and he needs to stay on one for his stomach. He even was taken off of his cholesterol medication since he has lost weight. He will be going back to his doctor at a later date for a complete physical but he wants to get the last couple of things taken care of (kidney stone surgery and g-tube removal) first before he gets his final physical.

He still has a few weeks before he can have the G-tube removed and it is still his biggest source of discomfort. He has done very well with it though and when he gets his dressings changed he has become quite the pro at opening the valve and inserting the syringe tube for the water flush. He does it all so casually now. I teased him about being so use to his tube he would probably miss it when it is gone he said that is the last thing he wants to get use to.

His lithotripsy is scheduled for 6:00A tomorrow. It should only take a few hours and it will be done as outpatient. He again has missed is Diet Squirt since he has not been able to have any soda since his kidney stone problem. He has had to drink a lot of water and if you know Dick very well that is his last choice of beverage.

So as you can see he still has a few things to work through but he is gaining stamina and doing very well. I will keep you posted after his lithotripsy. Bless to you all for hanging in there with his journey