Utah, here we come!

Well, dad is starting to feel better. The food he is eating is sitting well with him. His overall condition seems to be improving.

We are all planning a trip to Utah in early August. Mom and dad will fly, and Melenie and I will drive with our two dogs (DJ and Pasta). We all feel that would be really good for him to get up to our cabin at Pines Ranch. We also have tentative plans for Grand Teton National Park. Amy is even planning on flying out from Seattle.

180°

The hospital has has done a 180 on us. It seems like every doctor has a different answer. Now they are saying that they can put in the port for his chemotherapy. They are saying that the doctor's apprehension yesterday was actually overreaction on her part. We just don't understand how one doctor can say it's a really bad idea, and the next thinks it's a great idea. They will be surgically putting dad's port in this afternoon. He will be released from the hospital a few hours after the surgery, so he'll be home tonight.

The good news, dad has tested negative for C-diff, so hopefully he won't get dehydrated again. They will be delivering dad's new tube feeding formula, with fiber, this afternoon, hopefully this will help dad's diet. The blood thinner that he will remain on will be administered through a shot to the abdomen once every day, that should be fun to do.

Kicked Out

The hospital says that they have done everything they can for dad. Are they sure? We aren't! With dad still having C-diff we're just not sure that he can drink enough fluids to keep him from dehydrating. We don't want to see dad come home, and then have to take him right back just so they can hook up an IV to give him fluids. Now, the nurses have said that he is off the IV, and that he is taking in all of his fluids orally. We'll be heading down tonight to see dad, and we'll talk to his nurses about his condition.

Dad is currently on blood thinners for his blood clots. They have said that he has a lot of clots in his left arm, but that they aren't too serious. They have told him that he will remain on blood thinners for as long as nine months.

One more thing, as long as dad is on the blood thinners they can't put in his port for his chemotherapy, and without the port they can't start his chemotherapy. So, it looks as if his chemotherapy is going to be pushed back as far as nine months. I just hope this doesn't cause too much of a delay in fighting his cancer.

Climbing a Mountain

You know Pete, the first time I climbed to the top of Timp it was quite an adventure. Our group started at the Timpaneke Campground up American Fork Canyon. It's a longer way to the top of the mountain from that side, but not as steep right off. The trail has its twists and turns. Sometimes it even disappears from view because of snow or rocks. And there are switchbacks and you think you are covering the same ground over again. You have to put your trust in those who have walked the mountain before you. You can tell you are going uphill though and you have to stop and rest every once in a while. You have to listen to your body to know when to rest and when to start up again. Along the way you see and learn things. The beauty of nature is all around you with trees and wildflowers and birds and animals and rocks and water. You know that none of it is there by mistake. It was created for our enjoyment and growth. If we take the time, and don't rush through it, it is magnificent. Finally you get to the "saddle" where you can see the whole valley. It is beautiful! We ate lunch there and to rest and get some more energy, because the hardest part was still ahead of us. A lot of people quit when they get to the saddle, but that is not the top of the mountain. You have to go all the way to the metal shed on the very tip top to complete the journey. You can see it from the saddle and it seems like it is only another 10 or 15 minutes away but it is anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes away. It took us 45 minutes. It is very steep. It has big rocks to get over and lots of loose shale. It takes every amount of energy to go the last little bit. By now your body hurts, your muscles hurt, and you want to give up. You have to keep your eyes on the goal--the metal shed. Finally you arrive!!! And from the top of the mountain you can now see both sides...both valleys! The view is unbelievable. You get to sign your name in a book in the metal shed and outside you get to sing "We Are The Champions!" and "Celebrate!" For a small moment life is victorious, YOU are victorious!

Pete, over the last two months you too have been climbing a mountain. You are GOOD at that! I have followed you before!! You are like a mountain goat running free!! You have been on a path this time that only you can follow. We are all here cheering you along, but you are the one that has to do it. There have been setbacks and switchbacks. You have gotten frustrated and your body has hurt. You feel like you don't have any more energy. Don't quit at the "saddle". Go to the metal shed. Go to the top of mountain!! We will carry you there if need be, like the angels helped the Willey and Martin Handcart companies. We are here with you, praying for you, cheering for you. Don't give up!! We love you! We are very aware that our lives are in the hands of a loving Heavenly Father, but so is the beauty on the mountain. Enjoy the journey. Enjoy the view. Enjoy each new day. Keep the faith. Trust in those helping you. Your family and friends love you. God bless you for the joy you bring to our family. YOU ARE THE CHAMPION MY FRIEND!

Tahna Whitaker

Blood Clots

This morning dad's left arm swelled up. They took him down to have an ultrasound done to check for blood clots. They found that almost every vein in his left arm is occluded with clots. They have started him on a blood thinner to help clear up the clots.

We just got back from visiting him. His spirits seem to be pretty good, but you can tell that he is ready for all of this to be over with (he's a bit depressed).

We'll keep everyone posted as we know more.

Back in the Hospital

Well, dad is back in the hospital. We took him to the ER this morning, and they admitted him after a few hours of tests and monitoring him. He has had a lot of diarrhea the last few days. It was a problem that no matter what he tried he couldn't fix, and it caused him to be dehydrated. He was so sick, shaking, and weak this morning that he could barely stand up on his own. They think the cause is the C-diff that he had while in rehab (they think it came back). Dad had been taking a probiotic to help his body after recover after the C-diff. We'll know more when his tests come back in a day or so.

• C-diff is a species of bacteria of the genus Clostridium which are gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming rods (bacillus). C. difficile is the most significant cause of pseudomembranous colitis, a severe infection of the colon, often after normal gut flora is eradicated by the use of antibiotics. Treatment is by stopping any antibiotics and commencing specific anticlostridial antibiotics.
• Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring gut flora to reestablish themselves. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and, more frequently, by nutritionists, after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for cut related candidiasis. Claims are made that probiotics strengthen the immune system.

Pete says thanks

Dear Family and Friends;

It has been almost a week now since I got out of the hospital after a 6 week and 1 day bout. I am feeling much better and am gaining in endurance, balance and walking abilities. I have a long road to go however to get any where close to what I was before April 20^th.

The main reason for this message is to thank all of you that sent e-mails, cards, well wishes and made phone calls to me or my family while I was in the hospital. The support and love, as well as all the prayers, were felt and appreciated. Thank you ever so much, thanks, thanks and thanks. Much love has been generated with your support.

For those that might not know, cancer was found in my stomach and esophagus in March. After much testing and analysis, and second opinions, it was decided to remove the cancerous portions of my system through surgery. I had a four and one-half hour operation April 20^th. There were pathologists in the operating room and they helped determine when the cutting should end. The stomach was totally removed and almost the entire esophagus was removed. They had to bring in a lung surgeon half way through the operation and break two ribs to get high enough to remove parts of the esophagus. I was doing well a few days later but then came down with pneumonia and then septic shock. I was unconscious for the next 3 weeks and in bad shape. As I was coming out of these problems I came down with one of those hospital diseases called C-dif. But I am in the mend fast now.

Again I want to thank you for your support and prayers. I received well wishes from extended family, from neighbors, from Pines Ranch families, from MCDC (minute man) acquaintances, from ward members and so many others. I could not list all of you but again I say thanks, thanks and thanks.

Much love; Pete Ottosen

Home at Last

Mom and I went to the hospital at 9:30 am this morning to learn how to take care of dad here at home. We got a consultation from his nurse and doctor. The nurse showed us how to change his bandages, and how to clean out his feeding tube. The doctor went over all of his medications and follow up appointments. After reviewing everything the nurse removed his PIC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) and made sure it didn't bleed. Dad then got dressed and walked out of the Good Sam Rehab completely on his own. It's good to have him home, and I know he's glad to be home.

We had a couple of visits tonight. He had a home health provider deliver his tube feeding pump and formula. She showed us how to set up the pump and formula and get the pump and tube primed. We had a nurse stop by a little later, and she showed us how to insert the feeding tub and reviewed the tube cleaning procedures (more for Melenie since she couldn't be there this morning). The nurse also reviewed different foods that dad should try while he is getting a diet that works for him put together.

Dad has a long road ahead of him, but we all know that he will endure to the end. We aren't sure what this does for our family's Utah plans, but it does look like they will be changing. For our family and friends in Utah we'll keep you posted on any future travel plans.

6 Weeks and 1 Day

Mom and I are heading down to the hospital in about 15 minutes. We are going to be learning some care and exercise techniques for helping dad when he comes home. They'll be teaching us thinks like changing his bandages, setting up his tube feeding, and exercises that he can do around the house. They are also going to schedule an appointment for an in-home consultation by one of their staff. After that:

DAD IS COMING HOME!

It'll be good to have him home today. It's been a long time, and we know he is ready to come home. He's pretty sick and tired of being stuck in a hospital bed for most of the day. Around the house he can stay more active and only rest when he wants/needs to. I really feel that this will help him both physically and mentally.

We'll continue to keep everyone posted on his progress here at home, and maybe there will even be an appearance made by dad himself on here from time to time.

Thanks again for all the support and prayers. We know dad has been blessed.