Rick is really happy to be home. We had a quiet weekend recovering from a long hospital stay.
Michael was home on Saturday and Rick's cousin Larry and Janet came Sunday from Waterloo for a visit.
Rick continues to gain strength everyday. We have received so many lovely cards, food and gifts from so many people. It is truly remarkable the support we have been shown. We are so thankful.
Rick's first chemo treatment will be Thursday.
I will update after Thursday's treatment.
Monday, 30 May 2016
Friday, 27 May 2016
home
Today Rick is coming home!
Next week we will see the oncologist and start chemo as long as the infection doesn't return.
Next week we will see the oncologist and start chemo as long as the infection doesn't return.
Tuesday, 24 May 2016
day 8 in hospital
Rick was taken off the IV meds today!
Hoping in a couple of days if all goes well to be home. The infection seems to be under control now.
June 1 is the tentative new date to start chemo.
Will update once we are home.
Hoping in a couple of days if all goes well to be home. The infection seems to be under control now.
June 1 is the tentative new date to start chemo.
Will update once we are home.
Thursday, 19 May 2016
new stent
Today Rick had his stent (keeping his bile ducts open) replaced. The old plastic one was thrown out and a new metallic one was inserted, which is larger and more durable. The doctor performing the procedure said everything looked good and he didn't think Rick's infection was coming from the stent. Regardless, this new stent should hopefully keep Rick from getting bile obstructed for the near future. It seems the infection is likely coming from the clot and with a few more days of antibiotics we're hoping to be out of the hospital and back home.
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
hospital update
Hi all,
Over the past day and a bit Rick has had a CT scan of his abdomen and an ultrasound, which showed that he has a blood clot in a blood vessel travelling between his liver and his heart. It is suspected that the infection that he developed started growing on top of the clot. This is actually good news, as it means Rick doesn't have an abscess or a hole in his bowels (which would require more surgery). The treatment will be continue IV antibiotics and increase his blood thinners. In the meantime, General surgery will be by while Rick is in hospital to see about replacing his stent keeping his bile ducts open.
Rick is doing better today. Looks stronger and more with it. The antibiotics are working, but require time. We're hoping to have him back home early next week. We'll update as Rick progresses over the next few days.
Over the past day and a bit Rick has had a CT scan of his abdomen and an ultrasound, which showed that he has a blood clot in a blood vessel travelling between his liver and his heart. It is suspected that the infection that he developed started growing on top of the clot. This is actually good news, as it means Rick doesn't have an abscess or a hole in his bowels (which would require more surgery). The treatment will be continue IV antibiotics and increase his blood thinners. In the meantime, General surgery will be by while Rick is in hospital to see about replacing his stent keeping his bile ducts open.
Rick is doing better today. Looks stronger and more with it. The antibiotics are working, but require time. We're hoping to have him back home early next week. We'll update as Rick progresses over the next few days.
Monday, 16 May 2016
Oncology appt
hello all,
today was my dad's oncology appointment. Unfortunately, we didn't get to talk too much about plans for chemo and treatment going forward, as my dad became quite ill over the past 24 hours. He's been having fever and sweats, chills, body aches and profound general weakness. It was deemed best to admit him to hospital and investigate the cause of his illness. He will be started on IV antibiotics and rehydrated and may require further procedures or imaging depending on what they find. We're hoping the stay won't be too long. Possible causes of his sudden illness at this point include an abscess from the surgery, or infection of his stent that was placed in his bile ducts to keep them open.
Once he's feeling better and discharged from hospital, we will receive another oncology appointment about a week afterwards to make up for what would have been today's appointment.
today was my dad's oncology appointment. Unfortunately, we didn't get to talk too much about plans for chemo and treatment going forward, as my dad became quite ill over the past 24 hours. He's been having fever and sweats, chills, body aches and profound general weakness. It was deemed best to admit him to hospital and investigate the cause of his illness. He will be started on IV antibiotics and rehydrated and may require further procedures or imaging depending on what they find. We're hoping the stay won't be too long. Possible causes of his sudden illness at this point include an abscess from the surgery, or infection of his stent that was placed in his bile ducts to keep them open.
Once he's feeling better and discharged from hospital, we will receive another oncology appointment about a week afterwards to make up for what would have been today's appointment.
Friday, 13 May 2016
Congratulations Dr. Steffler
Hi everyone, it's Holly here. I wanted to share with you all some highlights from Matty's graduation today. It was such a beautiful ceremony at Alumni Hall, where the class of 2016 was celebrated and officially welcomed into the profession of medicine. An entire army of people showed up today to support and congratulate Matt- we had our own section of seats reserved in the hall for the "Steffler party". We were all beaming will pride and we lit up when we saw our Doctor enter the ceremony.Matt was acknowledged for his commitment to Rural Family Medicine, and was awarded the Gerry & Vi Livingston Award in medicine. It was an incredible moment to watch Matthew cross the stage, and officially earn the title of Doctor- no one deserves it more. We are so thankful to everyone who traveled today to celebrate Matt- it was a beautiful day for our family.
Thursday, 12 May 2016
Graduation Day
Tomorrow May 13 2016 our son Matthew will graduate from the Schulich School of Medicine Universtiy of Western Ontario.
It is a day our whole family has been dreaming of for many years. We are so proud of Matthew and in the past couple of weeks we have seen first hand what a wonderful doctor he will be.
There is a village of people attending the ceremony and an even bigger village joining us for the party and celebration afterwards. Matthew is flying in from Vegas tonight after celebrating with some of his classmates just in time for the ceremony........that's our Matt!!!
I will post photos tomorrow.
Rick's appointment with the oncologist is Monday, Matthew will go with us to this appointment as the nurse told us to bring 'lots of ears'.
Rick continues to get stronger each day, and is very positive. He is our rock.
It is a day our whole family has been dreaming of for many years. We are so proud of Matthew and in the past couple of weeks we have seen first hand what a wonderful doctor he will be.
There is a village of people attending the ceremony and an even bigger village joining us for the party and celebration afterwards. Matthew is flying in from Vegas tonight after celebrating with some of his classmates just in time for the ceremony........that's our Matt!!!
I will post photos tomorrow.
Rick's appointment with the oncologist is Monday, Matthew will go with us to this appointment as the nurse told us to bring 'lots of ears'.
Rick continues to get stronger each day, and is very positive. He is our rock.
Sunday, 8 May 2016
Kentucky Derby 2016
It was an amazing experience to share as a family.
Rick is feeling better each day.
Saturday, 7 May 2016
Happy Derby Day!
We all arrived safely in Kentucky.
Rick managed the trip quite well riding shot gun.
We are staying in a beautiful log home on a large property with lots of room for the kids to play bag toss and horseshoes.
There have been a few competitive games of marbles and 3/13 played. The prize for winning was decided and after the game concluded the winner was....me! Now everyone has to buy me a drink at Churchill Downs today! ......oh boy!
Rick's long shot pick for the derby is Creator
The horse he thinks will win is Mohaymem.
We are heading to the track shortly, after photographer Rick takes all our pictures. It is a beautiful spring day here and is supposed to be 28 degrees. I think there will be plenty of mint juleps consumed!!!!
I will send photos later
Rick managed the trip quite well riding shot gun.
We are staying in a beautiful log home on a large property with lots of room for the kids to play bag toss and horseshoes.
There have been a few competitive games of marbles and 3/13 played. The prize for winning was decided and after the game concluded the winner was....me! Now everyone has to buy me a drink at Churchill Downs today! ......oh boy!
Rick's long shot pick for the derby is Creator
The horse he thinks will win is Mohaymem.
We are heading to the track shortly, after photographer Rick takes all our pictures. It is a beautiful spring day here and is supposed to be 28 degrees. I think there will be plenty of mint juleps consumed!!!!
I will send photos later
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