Dick Stoltz

This is an amazingly difficult thing to write, say or comprehend. . . . 
Dick’s MDS is moving to AML - Leukemia .  Basically, the bone marrow is shutting down and not producing red blood cells and platelets. He has had transfusions of both every week for the last month.  He started Chemo in the end of July for 4 days. Then he developed a lung infection that turned out to be aspiration pneumonia. He is basically living on protein shakes, very weak and has trouble breathing.  In the end of July, they put him on oxygen and moriphine, and we have moved a bed downstairs as he can’t do the stairs.  He ended up for 6 days in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia - Got home on Saturday with antibiotics in pill form and him breathing much easier. . .on and off oxygen.  He did suffer a paralyzed vocal cord making it hard to swallow.  He’s on a soft diet for now - lots of Cream of Wheat and tapioca pudding.  Geeez. . .  He was home for 6 days and went back in the hospital yesterday, Friday with a new infection.  We have postponed chemo next week until they figure out how to treat the new infection.  So we continue to hope that each day will be better than the day before. . . .Dr. Basu says to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Best would be that they are able to treat the pneumonia and infection of the lungs and we can continue with chemo in August.  And so, we move forward each day, keeping him comfortable and hoping for the best. We continue to hope that each day will be better than the day before. . . .It is with deepest gratitude for all of you, your love, and your prayers that we take great comfort.

We are using Caring Bridge to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.