Jeff is still here and is still living his life. The manner in which he does it may be a bit different, but he is still participating.
He enjoyed a weekend in South Texas for the annual "Birdy, Birdy", i.e. golf in Uvalde and dove hunting at the ranch. Jeff and Carlton are usually the cooks for Truman and his buddies. This year I think the duties were shared by all. Such a blessing for Jeff, his Dad, brother, and friends. I don't think there's any place on earth that he'd rather be than down south.
We will continue to enjoy our time and make the most out of every day.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A good week
Ok, can someone explain this to me? Let's see: Monday - slept about 20 out of 24 hours. Tuesday - went to Maggie's volleyball game. Wednesday - Bird hunting with his buddies for opening day of dove season. I don't mean just went along for the ride. He shot a bird! Tonight we went to 2 of Maggie's 3 tournament games at San Marcos High School. I don't know what I expected, but this is the strangest ride I could ever imagine!
Grateful for these good days!
Grateful for these good days!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Update
The hardest question in the world to answer is "how's Jeff?" He is such an enigma and a contradiction.
We are at home under Hospice care. Jeff is sleeping a lot, but when he's up, he is still walking, talking, poppin' off, etc. He was even able to muster the strength to go to Maggie's volleyball game on Tuesday!
He is experiencing some confusion. He has blood clots in his legs, but nothing can be done because blood thinner's would cause hemorrhaging. Medication is preventing any pain. He still looks like Jefe'. The only difference is that his head is buzzed, but he still has that mustache! After 26 years, I still don't know if he has an upper lip!
How much time? Only God knows. We've all seen miracles happen time and again around this man.
It is a difficult time, but it's not an impossible time. We are just one of so many other families who experience these things every day. We are grateful for the love of God, friends, and family, and the strength that is provided by each of these.
So to answer the question "how's Jeff":
Pretty good for a guy in his condition!
We are at home under Hospice care. Jeff is sleeping a lot, but when he's up, he is still walking, talking, poppin' off, etc. He was even able to muster the strength to go to Maggie's volleyball game on Tuesday!
He is experiencing some confusion. He has blood clots in his legs, but nothing can be done because blood thinner's would cause hemorrhaging. Medication is preventing any pain. He still looks like Jefe'. The only difference is that his head is buzzed, but he still has that mustache! After 26 years, I still don't know if he has an upper lip!
How much time? Only God knows. We've all seen miracles happen time and again around this man.
It is a difficult time, but it's not an impossible time. We are just one of so many other families who experience these things every day. We are grateful for the love of God, friends, and family, and the strength that is provided by each of these.
So to answer the question "how's Jeff":
Pretty good for a guy in his condition!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
We're Home
We got home this evening. Which inning is this? How many rallies? This guy goes from 0 to 60 quicker than anyone I know! He's weak, but he's walking, talking, eating, and is at home. I REALLY hope we have a little stability for a few days! I'm beat!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Just Another Day In The Life.................
Since I last posted, Jeff has finished his radiation, was extremely weak for a week or two. Then one day he went out and played 9 holes of golf. Don't ask me how, but he was out there and he swung a club. That's good enough.
This past week he went to work a couple of days for a couple of hours each day. I don't know how much work he did, but I do know that he had some good lunches out! Friday we went to Wimberley to watch Maggie's volleyball scrimmages. He then went with his brother and a couple of other guys for a weekend at the ranch in South Texas. He apparently had a great day on Saturday. He drove the tractor a little and ate a lot! Had he been able to drink a beer it would probably have been a perfect day.
This morning when Greg went to get Jeff up to go to breakfast, he looked to have had a possible seizure and was pretty unresponsive. Greg called 911 and the Uvalde EMS came out. After evaluation they decided the best option was Star Flight to San Antonio. Once again Jeff got another helicopter ride. Maggie and I went to SA and convinced them to transport him back to San Marcos. They didn't want to, but we wouldn't take NO for an answer.
It took most of the day, but he is now resting comfortably at CTMC in San Marcos. Once again his entire left side was paralized and he seemed to be pretty out of it. However, when we left around 8:00 this evening, he was using his left hand. His leg was still not moving, but I bet it is by morning. He is being treated for aspiration pneumonia. It appears that this was all brought on again by a small bleed in his brain. I have a feeling this will become somewhat routine.
Just another day in paradise!
This past week he went to work a couple of days for a couple of hours each day. I don't know how much work he did, but I do know that he had some good lunches out! Friday we went to Wimberley to watch Maggie's volleyball scrimmages. He then went with his brother and a couple of other guys for a weekend at the ranch in South Texas. He apparently had a great day on Saturday. He drove the tractor a little and ate a lot! Had he been able to drink a beer it would probably have been a perfect day.
This morning when Greg went to get Jeff up to go to breakfast, he looked to have had a possible seizure and was pretty unresponsive. Greg called 911 and the Uvalde EMS came out. After evaluation they decided the best option was Star Flight to San Antonio. Once again Jeff got another helicopter ride. Maggie and I went to SA and convinced them to transport him back to San Marcos. They didn't want to, but we wouldn't take NO for an answer.
It took most of the day, but he is now resting comfortably at CTMC in San Marcos. Once again his entire left side was paralized and he seemed to be pretty out of it. However, when we left around 8:00 this evening, he was using his left hand. His leg was still not moving, but I bet it is by morning. He is being treated for aspiration pneumonia. It appears that this was all brought on again by a small bleed in his brain. I have a feeling this will become somewhat routine.
Just another day in paradise!
Friday, July 9, 2010
A lot to talk about!
Wow! Where to start!
On June 22nd, just 4 days before Brad's wedding, Jeff had another "episode" at the house. I was able to get him in the car and to the hospital before he went into another full-blown seizure. However, once there, things deteriorated quite rapidly. I was being asked to make an impossible decision. Save him or let him go. Needless to say, with a wedding just 4 days away, I simply couldn't let him go, at least not yet. But by the grace of God, the decision was made by God to keep Jeff around without the assistance of a respirator or other extrodinary measures. I was told at that time that Jeff was paralized on his entire left side, and that there was no telling at that point what his mental capacity would be.
Fast forward to June 26th, WEDDING DAY! After 2 days in ICU and 2 days in a regular room, Jeff Breed, aka Superman, put on his tux at the hospital, was excourted to the church in his wheelchair, at which time he stood and walked his daughter down the isle at his son's wedding! WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE GIFT! Not only that, he danced with both Maggie and I at the reception, AND participated in the grand march! His doctor commented that it took a super-human effort to do what he did.
On June 30th, Jeff and I made a round trip visit to MD Anderson to discuss our next step. Long story short, Jeff has chosen to try a new radiation therapy with a doctor in Austin. It is very directed and is a new, cutting edge procedure. Our hope is that Jeff's quantity AND quality of life can be extended. He is not ready to give in to this monster. His will and strength are hard to understand, but quite an inspiration. He should start the radiation next week.
I hope and pray that Brad, Maggie and I will grow to have just a small amount of the strength that Jeff has shown. I also pray that he will continue to enjoy and exhibit the "peace that passes all understanding."
Much thanks to all who have been there for us through this journey. Your love and support is invaluable.
On June 22nd, just 4 days before Brad's wedding, Jeff had another "episode" at the house. I was able to get him in the car and to the hospital before he went into another full-blown seizure. However, once there, things deteriorated quite rapidly. I was being asked to make an impossible decision. Save him or let him go. Needless to say, with a wedding just 4 days away, I simply couldn't let him go, at least not yet. But by the grace of God, the decision was made by God to keep Jeff around without the assistance of a respirator or other extrodinary measures. I was told at that time that Jeff was paralized on his entire left side, and that there was no telling at that point what his mental capacity would be.
Fast forward to June 26th, WEDDING DAY! After 2 days in ICU and 2 days in a regular room, Jeff Breed, aka Superman, put on his tux at the hospital, was excourted to the church in his wheelchair, at which time he stood and walked his daughter down the isle at his son's wedding! WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE GIFT! Not only that, he danced with both Maggie and I at the reception, AND participated in the grand march! His doctor commented that it took a super-human effort to do what he did.
On June 30th, Jeff and I made a round trip visit to MD Anderson to discuss our next step. Long story short, Jeff has chosen to try a new radiation therapy with a doctor in Austin. It is very directed and is a new, cutting edge procedure. Our hope is that Jeff's quantity AND quality of life can be extended. He is not ready to give in to this monster. His will and strength are hard to understand, but quite an inspiration. He should start the radiation next week.
I hope and pray that Brad, Maggie and I will grow to have just a small amount of the strength that Jeff has shown. I also pray that he will continue to enjoy and exhibit the "peace that passes all understanding."
Much thanks to all who have been there for us through this journey. Your love and support is invaluable.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Back Home!
We are so thankful to be back home! Jeff is sleeping a lot, as he should after that kind of trauma. Maggie and I are playing tag-team, taking turns staying around the house with him. However, that may not be necessary much longer. The car keys are unavailable once more because of the seizure, but Jeff has no problem with that. He doesn't mind being chauffeured around!
Onward and upward.
Onward and upward.
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