David Classon Dad, Wud Tick, Roach

September 12, 2019

Hello Dear Family and Friends, Fer is working on this page because we know that you are awaiting responses to phone calls, text messages and emails. Any lack of response so far is not for lack of love for you. It has been a busy time. I thought some pain in my shoulder this summer would be remedied with physical therapy and when the pain got bad enough for me to see my physician, I learned quickly that it was not a pulled muscle.


Fer (Jennifer/daughter) here now. Dad's shoulder pain moved through his body rapidly and oncology got involved. A bone biopsy on 8/30/19 revealed to Dad on 9/6/19 that his condition is much more than a pulled muscle. He asked me to put this to you gently because we know some of you are still wondering when he'll start physical therapy. Here is how I will put this gently. Dad is home after several days at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. His care was so wonderful that he nicknamed the hospital Bellin Hotel and Suites. Dave, Dianne and I were very pleased with his care too. His rapport with his nurses was full of wit and humor and they learned quickly how to meet his needs in the ways that he preferred. 


Dad's oncologist Dr. Mortara and palliative team Hellen, Hannah and Lynne have been informative and compassionate as we process Dad's diagnosis. It is Stage IV metastatic lung cancer that has metastasized to his bones. We know of three places. One is his shoulder. 
When shocked with this news, naturally Dad's people have a zillion questions. 


Dad has been so healthy his whole life that there is no way to gauge when this started. 
Dad wants to do whatever his care team advises that will help him maintain the best quality of life which includes lack of pain, ability to eat delicious food, conversations with family and friends, time on his "farm" watching the trees grow and storms sweep through. 
The next couple weeks are the time when more information will come and that will enable Dad to make choices about what his care will look like. 


We met today with Lynne and will meet tomorrow with more doctors - all focused on pain management and quality of life.


Thank you all for your diligent outreach, loving thoughts, and steadfast friendship to my Dad. He and we love you for it. 


I will close this first post with this. Dad just stuffed his face with scoopfuls of cool whip, Mikaela's birthday cake, and pecan pie with (more) cool whip. A glass of half & half washed it all down. He and Dave are in animated conversation at the kitchen island and Dad is starting to feel ready for a bit of a nap.