Memorial service

Memorial service for Bill Feindt will be held on Sunday, October 19 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 12775 Northland Dr. Big Rapids. 231-796-4728 at 1:30 with luncheon following. If you have any questions please call Michelle or Gregg at 231-856-7861.

Blessings,
Michelle

The end

I'm sorry I have not been on in a few days. My internet service was not working. I am so sorry to say that Dad, Bill Feindt passed away Wednesday evening, October 15th at 10:00 p.m. He had his whole family by his side. His battle is done and he is at peace. Memorial arrangements will be decided upon today and I will let you know the details in a later blog.
Blessings,
Michelle

getting stronger

Dad went to the Oncologist Tuesday. The oncologist said that Dad took 2 steps backward and is now 1 step ahead. He wants to see dad back in 1 month to decide if treatment is still an option for him. Dad needs to continue to get his strength back. The week before he sees the Dr., he will have a Cat Scan done and blood work. His blood this time was very good. Dad's nurse is coming 2 days a week now and so is his therapist. His aide who bathes him is still coming 3 times a week for now.

new week

Good evening,
dad had a pretty good week. He is getting up and walking a few feet with his walker. He is sitting in a chair a few times a day. Dad is using his oxygen more often, his lung compacity is not as good as it was. He goes to the Dr. tomorrow and he has blood work. I'll let you know how his appointment goes tomorrow. I'm sure he will be pretty tired after a day getting ready and sitting for hours in a chair at the Dr's and getting to /from.
Blessings,
Michelle

good morning

Dad had a pretty good weekend. He was able to watch the whole MI game with Gregg, John and the family. He definately has more strength and is finally eating solid foods. The steroid given to him over 1 week ago has definately made his appetite better. The IV has also given him a boost. The nursewas very pleased with him yesterday, she drew some blood and Mom made an appointment with Dr. Pawl, Dad's oncologist for next Tuesday. It is just a consultation to decide if Dad should continue with any kind of treatment. His goal is to be sitting up more and getting into his wheelchair more by the end of the week. His therapist and nurse also want him to be able to get on the comode and get the cathetor out and be able to use the urinal. His can walk about 6 feet with the aid of his walker and someone behind him. He is pretty unstable but he is trying to do that 2 times a day. He is still eating in bed due to the fact that when he gets in his wheelchair and gets positioned at the table he is so out of breath he needs his oxygen. It is hard for him to eat with the oxygen. It is easier for him to exert his energy in eating in bed. He does not use his oxygen all the time but when needed, which is several times a day. Hopefully we can continue on this upward swing. Blessings, Michelle

end of the week

Good evening,
I just wanted to let you know that the time it says I am blogging on are incorrect. The correct time is almost 7:00 p.m.
After Dad received some fluids he looks better. His blood pressure was 77/45 when he got to the hospital on Wednesday. His Dr.'s took him totally off all his high blood pressure meds. He got up 1 time today into his wheelchair, he says tomorrow he will do it more. He likes to say later or tomorrow. We have enjoyed the lasagna for a few meals and tonight we had a wonderful homemade vegetable soup made by some dear friends of Gregg's and mine, Joie and Steve (former co-workers with me) Dad had a good bath today by his aide. his appetite slightly better. He is not eating much, but at least he is comsuming solid foods. On Monday his nurse will be drawing some blood for his Oncologist. She also said that he may get dehydrated again. When you are just laying around even if you are drinking fluids your body uses up a lot of energy. If he goes to the hospital for IV's that is beter than going to the hospital and staying. We need to remind him to roll and move onto his sides. He does not want to develop bed sores. The nurse said that bed sores begin from the inside out and by the time they appear it is too late. His ankles are already sore and the aide put little booties on him. Hopefully that is all it is. Hope the weekend goes well. I'll blog again Monday unless something comes up. Blessings, Michelle

mid-week

Tuesday was a tiring day for Dad. The fall on Monday evening really shook him up. He wasn't hurt and didn't ache the next day, but he was very shook up. After school on Tuesday's I clean their house and sent Mom out to do errands. She needs to get away by herself so she doesn't get that too cooped up feeling. It is very tough on her being the primary caregiver. Dad did eat a little lasagna that I heated up that evening. Mary, my sister brought that meal up to us to use when we needed it. It was delicious. Wednesday dad had his physical therapist come and the therapist wanted to get him up and in the chair. Dad said he was not up to it. The therapist did get Dad into his wheel chair so that Mom and Dad could practice how to get from the chair back into bed so he won't fall again. The nurse came while the therapsit was there and Dad told her he didn't feel well. His blood pressure was quite low and he was very dehydrated. She got on the phone to Dad's doctors and got dad into the car to go to the hospital for some fluids. He arrived at the hospital around 1:30, Gregg was waiting for them. He had a large glucose bag through an IV and then sent home a little after 5:00. Gregg got dad back into bed at home. Hopefully he will have a better day tomorrow. His appetite is better due to the pill he started taking. His sister and husband, Norma and Larry came up and will spend the night and visit tomorrow. John and Shelly will be coming up this weekend too! Blessings, Michelle

new week

Dad had a pretty good weekend. He was more alert and starting to eat a bit more. His Oncologist gave him a steroid pill to promote him to eat. He sat up 5 times on Sat. and Sun. His nurse, aide and physical therapist came today. His goal is to get at the table 3 times a day to eat. He was also up and walked with the aid of the therapist. When I stopped in at 5:30 he was a bit light headed feeling and couldn't eat dinner at the table. He was in his wheelchair going back to his bed, stood up, lost his balance and fell backwards. He hit pretty hard on his bottom and bumped his head on the loveseat. Gregg came down and got him up and in bed. He was ok, nothing broken but pretty shook up. Hopefully he won't be too sore tomorrow. Gregg and I told mom that he can't be expected to do everything that is wanted of him in 1 day, it is a progression. Needless to say there is a bit of tension in the Feindt house. I know that mom wants him to try and get better, he wants to get his strength back but it takes time, it is not going to be overnight. The caretaking is taking on toll on mom. The girls and I are going to try to give her some respite as often as we can. Blessings, Michelle

end of the week

Dad had a busy day with his aide who came and bathed him. His nurse and his physical therapist. He is drinking a little bit more but not what he should be. He still does not have an appetite. I truly do not know how he can sustain himself. His therapist was a bit stern with him and told him he had to sit up for 5 minutes every hour. After everyone left and mom said to sit up, his response was I'll start tomorrow. It is frustrating to see him not trying, but deep down he knows what this terminal cancer is going to do to him. We all wish he would fight but he needs to have the desire and inner drive. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Michelle

Dad

The nurse came back today and found Dad severely dehydrated. She said if he continues this way he could have kidney failure which would lead to other major problems. Her suggestion is to get down at least 6 glasses of water a day. He had an upset stomach several times today which could also cause him to dehydrate faster. Mom gave him Imodium AD hopefully that cures the problem. The physical therapist came today too and would like him to sit up in bed several times a day and work up to sitting on the edge of the bed. Dad was awake a little bit more today due to the fact that he took 1 not 2 sleeping pills last night. He still is not eating as he should so his strength is not increasing. The nurse comes back Friday along with an aide who will bathe him. Mom has some appointments herself tomorrow and has some friends coming in to sit with Dad as he can not be left alone. She is a trooper but it is very difficult for her at times to care for all his needs. She has a bad back and we hope she doesn't hurt herself with moving Dad when Gregg is not around. Thank you for your continued prayers and good wishes. Blessings,
Michelle

new day, starting P.T.

Dad had a visit with his nurse. She is very pretty and nice. He NEEDS to eat and drink. He is dehydrated. She suggests that he get in his wheel chair and go to the table up to 3 times a day to eat. She said if he eats he will get stronger. If he eats and stays hydrated he should be much stronger by next week. She said as long as he is just laying in bed he needs to be moved every hour or he will develop bedsores. He has been in one position going on 3 weeks now. He slept a lot today. A nurse aide came today also and bathed him. Both were very helpful to mom. It is difficult for mom to move and handle him by herself. The nurse gave her some tips on how to do so. About 5:30 the Physical Therapist came. He would like to see Dad sit up on the edge of his bed once every hour. Once he can do that for more than a few minutes then he is to practice standing with his walker. Until he eats he won't have the strength to do either. Gregg finished the ramp tonight by adding a base at the bottom. He sure was a good little engineer with the construction of it. Keep both Mom and Dad in your prayers, he can't give up yet. It is challenging for Mom to be a caregiver 24 hours a day. Blessings, Michelle

Sunday

Dad slept pretty good last night. He was worn out but did enjoy the family yesterday. Today he has been sleeping on/off through-out the day. Heather went over and dry shampooed his hair. She said he didn't talk much because he was so weak and very tired. He did have a carnation instant breakfast with ice cream today, mom is trying to get him to have an ensure too! He is using his oxygen on and off when he feels he needs it. We are very fortunate he is getting such good care from Home Health Care. He'll have a new nurse tomorrow so we'll see what she says.
Blessings,
Michelle

later the first day home

Well it was a challenging day at the Feindt household. Dad did not have a very good night woke up totally wet from not being able to go to the bathroom by himself (using a urinal from bed) in the middle of the night and not calling for help. Thank goodness for John and Gregg who helped mom get him moved, cleaned and back in bed. Later in the morning the nurse came in and put a cathetor which helped relieve the pressure and dad feels more comfortable with it in. His oxygen level was 84 so the nurse called and got oxygen for dad. She was wonderful and so helpful to Dad and Mom. I know mom feels a little better. Joe Crego, Dad's nephew, brought Dad's sister, Norma (Joe's Mom) to see him today. Dad wanted to see her in a desperate way. Gregg and John made a ramp for dad's wheelchair coming out the front of the house. All in all it was a good day. It is hard to see Dad so weak and so frail. We are all hoping he can get some strength back. Blessings, Michelle

Dad is home

Sorry I haven't been on the past few days but it has been a little busy. Thursday all the I-V's were removed from Dad. He is getting oral antibiotics and magnesium now. The decision was made to bring him home, so Friday night Gregg and Mom brought him home. Home-health followed with a hospital bed which they set up in the living room. Dad can see outside and watch the birds as well as watch TV. He has a brand new wheelchair and a commode. Dad is very weak, he has no strength. He can not stand by himself yet. A nurse and an aide are going to come into the house starting Saturday. He will get physical therapy too. With all the help coming in it should be easier on Mom. She is exhausted and not having to drive everyday to spend the day in a hospital should give her some relief. Gregg and John are going to tackle building a ramp out of the front door so when Dad gets stonger and begins his chemo we will be able to get him out and back in the house. Hopefully he can start putting on some weight and get some strength back. This is all a new experience for all of us. We appreciate all the prayers, cards, and little things our wonderful friends are doing for our family. Blessings, Michelle

Tuesday-Dad

Dad finally slept most of the day. When the Dr.'s came in, MD and Oncologist the nurses called Gregg as dad was sleeping. The oncologist said that what is happening may not be a result of the chemo because chemo is very predictable and what has happened to dad are not typical side effects of chemo so late after the treatments. He is not going to continue chemo on dad for a few weeks and hopes dad gets stronger. When dad chemo starts up again he will begin a different drug, not the taxatere. The new drug will be navelbine. He is still on an antibiotic, getting magnesium, and fluids. He is very weak and very labored in his breathing. The top 1/3 of his lungs are what he is breathing with. He is no longer in critical care he is on the 3rd floor room 314 at Mecosta County Medical Center. Dr. VanDe Mark his MD said he may not pull out of this. He is not eating much at all. He is 11 pounds up on his weight but it is all due to the fluids being pumped into him. He needs to get his drive back to get stronger, he needs to eat. Keep him in your prayers, Mom too!
Blessings, Michelle

Monday-Dad

Dad is in pretty rough shape today. He is still in Critical Care. He is not sleeping and is exhausted. His Dr, doesn't think he has pnemonia he thinks it is his cancer and effects of the chemo. He has been a bit short tempered with the nurses, mom and Dr. which is very unusual for Dad He is usually such a good patient. Not sure how long he will stay. Dad asked the Dr. to let him stay for 3-4 more days. The Dr. said as long as he needs care but if he doesn't need any care they can't keep him. The Dr may get him moved to a regular room as long as he doesn't need the monitoring so he can get more sleep. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Blessings,
Michelle

Sunday p.m. Dad

We just got back from visiting Dad. They put him in Critical Care and he will stay there until tomorrow and hopefully move to the 2nd floor. They have given him 2 units of blood and he continues with IV and antibiotic and magnesium. He feels more comfortable in the hospital. His blood pressure is still a bit unstable. He did sleep 5 hours last night after being given a sleeping pill. He is pretty labored in his breathing when he talks. He looks much better than he did when we took him in. More later.
Blessings,
Michelle

tough week

Dad has had a tough week since his chemo treatment Tuesday. He has not been eating much at all and getting weaker. He has lost another 6 pounds in 2 weeks, the grazing is not working very well. Saturday we took him to the hospital as he was so weak and hasn't been able to sleep and the coughing was getting worse. When we got to the hospital a little after 4:00p.m. his blood pressure was 88/49. They started and IV and pumped fluids into him at an incredible fast rate, they ran several blood tests, EKG, breathing treatment, sputum test, chest x-ray and urine sample. His blood pressure was still fluctuating between 122/53 to 109/54 and back to 126/61. They gave him blood, an antibiotic, magnesium, his white blood count is low and they say he may have pnemonia. We were very thankful they kept him and he feels relieved to be in the hospital. I'll keep you updated after we see him today.
Blessings,
Michelle

dad

Dad let Gregg get down the walker last Thursday and he is using it. We are all thankful as he is much steadier walking with it. He is still very weak and not sleeping the best.
Dad made it through his 2nd chemo treatment on Tuesday, September 2. He met with the oncologist 1st and was told that the coughing (12 hours straight) last Thursday was not a side effect of the chemo. He gave him some different cough medicine with codeine in it, we are hoping it helps. He had his 2nd dose of taxotere and did well. He also found out that is cancer is stage 1 which is promising because it means it is totally enclosed in the lungs. He is still very tired but enjoyed all the family members that visited him this weekend. He was also entertained by Karleigh today as she and Heather came over for a visit. We continue to be hopeful that the chemo will slow down the cancer. He will have blood work next week and another Chemo treatment as well as blood work on the 16th of September. He is such a good patient as it takes almost 3 hours for the treatments. Blessings, Michelle

dad

Today was a difficult day for Dad. He coughed almost all day which really weakens him. He is also very cold, can't get warm. This could be a result of the chemo. He is very unsteady when he walked today. Mom wants Gregg to get the walker down tomorrow as we are afraid of him falling. Dad will not be too happy as it takes away more of his independence. He probably will not be strong enough to come out to the campground this weekend. He is in all our thoughts and prayers. Have a good weekend.
Blessings,
Michelle

Uncle Bill-1st treatment

Dad got through his first chemotherapy treatment. We were all pretty scared and unsure as we have never had anyone close to us who has undergone chemo for cancer. Mom, Gregg and myslef were there. We asked many questions and the nurses were wonderful. We had Linda who has been with Dr. Pawl, the oncologist for 25 years. They started him with a saline solution, followed by an anti-nausea solution. Then he had 2 different chemo drugs given one after the other. The first being Carboplatin (Paraplatin)so far he has had no side effects from this one. The second chemo drug is a more potent one and he was given 1/2 the dose with the rest being administered next Tuesday. It is called Taxotere (Docetaxel). This drug in combination with the other one is for the inital treatment of inoperable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. It has also been called Alveolar Cell Carcinoma. So far he has not had any bad side effects to this one either. He is very weak, not much energy. We are pushing proteins and fats down him. He has a standing blood test once a week. We will find out next Tuesday when his next treatment will be. Keep the prayers coming. Blessings, Michelle

Uncle Bill

We are trying to fatten him up but he doesn't have the desire to do much grazing. Mom and I have bought him lots of good snack. I'll let you know tomorrow about his first chemo. Keep praying!
Blessings,
Michelle

Uncle Bill

Hi,
I think this will be easier for me to relay info about Dad and his cancer. He starts chemo Tuesday, August 26th. Keep him in your prayers as this may really kick his butt. He is already very weak and has no energy. I'll try to get on every few days with updates.
Blessings,
Michelle