Dennis ’s Story

Site created on February 21, 2023

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Newest Update

Journal entry by Linda Michaelis

It’s been awhile!  I have been receiving inquires on how Dennis is doing, so here is an update. 

Dennis had his last radiation on Tuesday, April 18th.  On April 19th, they did an ultrasound on Dennis kidneys.  His kidney function is fine, so his kidneys are not the source of his urination  problems.

The pain and frequency in urination continues.   They told us it should lessen approximately three weeks after radiation.  Tomorrow is the end of week three.  So anytime Lord!  We are ready for this nightmare to end. 

We have tried every idea we can to make him comfortable.  Some things work for awhile….and then they don’t.  The thing that has helped the best is having him sleep in my reclining lift chair.  It raises his feet higher than his head, so it improves leg circulation.  The drawback is that electric chair moves too slowly to  get out of, if you have to use the bathroom in a hurry.  

On April 27th, Dennis had MOHS surgery to remove skin cancer on three spots on his face. The surgeon did a beautiful job stitching these spots back up.  I am guessing there are  at least 20 stitches in the top layer on each incision with at least one or more layers of incisions below.  Two of the incisions are close to both ears.  Those incisions are almost invisible already.  They are scars that will not show.  The 3rd place is like  a lightening bolt across his right cheek.  It might scar somewhat, but it will not be significant.  When I told Dennis this, he was disappointed.  He said he wanted scare kids with his scary scars, like Frankenstein.  At least, his sense of quirky humor is still in tact.

Dennis has resumed mowing the lawn and doing other tasks around the house.  Moving around help keep his circulation going best.    He’s a fighter and he’s tough.

Tomorrow we see Dr Sharma, his lung oncologist, for a checkup & some lab work.  If his numbers are good, they will begin Immunotherapy again.  They have been encouraging him to drink lots of water because his creatinine #’s are too low.

Unless there is something new to report, I will stop posting to this website.  Thanks everyone, for all the care and concern.  We will resume our life as best we can.


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