In Thalidomide goes

Kevin took his first dose of Thalidomide (the best chemo drug available for his type of cancer) last night! He slept a little better, it does make you drowsy so he has to take it before bed. Still waiting to find out what new and exciting side effects this drug will have.  We will keep you posted! So far he is eating small amounts at a time and a lime sherbet, sprite float is his favorite "food," with an occasional slice of Chubby's pizza, yummy.
(Hillary)

Kevin wanted to Share

Kevin has been staying current on sports by reading the LA Times and came across an article he really enjoyed and wanted me to share with you.
This quote especially stood out to Kevin

“I don’t see how you can be president without relying on the Almighty. Now, when I was 21 I wouldn’t have told you that, but at age 63, I can tell you that one of the most amazing surprises of the presidency was the fact that people’s prayers affected me. I can’t prove it to you. But I can tell you some days were great, some days not so great. But every day was joyous.” -Former President George W. Bush. That he attributed to the prayers of others.

LA Times, Oct. 28, 2009, Motivational talk inspires Bush to step back on stage, Mary Jordan, page A17.
For the full article click on the link below
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx
(Hillary)

Cathing up on Photos

After 7 weeks in a hospital bed Kevin's long wavy locks are making him channel his inner Christopher Walken

 

Our ridiculously hardworking and amazing Doctor Bonis

 

Sweetheart nurse Nancy showing Dale & Hillary how to torture Kevin with an IV

Nancy changing his IV correctly with Kevin paying attention so he can "coach" Dale & Hillary later

The Richards family has been VERY well taken care of by our extended family, friends, community, and even strangers. A family friend mentioned to a co-worker our plight and how terribly bumpy our dirt road is making it hard on medical assistance and visitors. This complete stranger offered to bring a grader out and fix it in his spare time. He's a long haul truck driver and it's home much and chose to spend a Saturday afternoon helping us. So a big THANK YOU to John Davis a kindhearted, service oriented and new friend to the Richards family!

 Anyone who's been out to our place recently knows what a beautiful sight this is!

(Hillary)

THALIDOMIDE HAS ARRIVED!!!!

Dr. Bonis' office called this afternoon and they received Kevin's first round of Thalidomide today.  Darrell was able to literally walk down to the office building next door and pick it up. This is a pill that Kevin will take 1 a day for 28 days.

Thank you all so much for your continued love and prayers. It is through your faith and consistency that we are receiving so many blessings so frequently! We love you and I can't wait to update you on how this treatment works.
~Hillary~

Waiting Patiently

Sorry there wasn't a post yesterday.  We do not have internet access at home which we are working to remedy but until then sometimes I forget while at the office. (opps)

Kevin is doing much better this time around at home.  Having the IV and fluids has made a HUGE difference and we are so grateful to nurse Nancy who comes to check on Kevin and train my mom and I on how to maintain his IV. She is also actively working to do whatever she can to help with Medical and anything else necessary to continue Kevin's path to the road to recovery. 

From what I has heard all the paperwork for the Thalidomide has been completed and the drug should be here (not sure it is coming to us or Dr. Bonis' office but either way it's a good thing) soon! Maybe today or tomorrow.  Then Kevin can get back onto chemo drugs and work on killing some serious cancer! In the mean time we are patiently waiting as the blessing keep rolling in and Kevin continues to get a small appetite back. His favorite thing right now is a lime sherbet and sprite float.
~Hillary~

Paperwork Complications

Well today Kevin was supposed to go back to TCCH for his 2nd treatment in his 2nd round of chemo but this will not be happening.  We found out Friday just before they kicked us out that TCCH doesn't do outpatient chemo and we were told everything was set up for us to come back be re-admitted and receive chemo we just had to have Dr. Bonis set up the appointment and tell us what time.  Poor Dr. Bonis who is just as frustrated as we are was told today on the phone that TCCH doesn't admit for chemo. We would have to come in through the ER, then be admitted in order to receive the drugs BUT Kevin would have to be more "emergent" and rapidly dying from cancer to be admitted in the ER.It all comes back to an insurance, bureaucracy nightmare.

So Kevin will not be getting anymore chemo with TCCH (unless he is "mostly dead" again) something we have been trying to avoid for more than two weeks.  Hopefully the paperwork will all be completed for the Thalidomide drug to come this week.  Dr. Bonis is also doing everything he can to help speed up the medical process.

These are the inevitable frustrations that always occur but we have seen so many blessings and miracles thus far that we are sure the next few are right around the corner!
(Hillary)

Home Again Soon-ish

Yesterday evening Kevin received his 1st treatment in his 2nd round of chemo. Still the VDD medications but all of the paperwork was finished 2 days ago for the thalidomide drug which will hopefully come soon. The pre-chemo drugs they gave Kevin completly knocked him out so they decided to keep him another night to monitor him.

Dale & Candice are back at the hospital this morning to get him all dolled up for the ride home and make sure the hospital is all set up for his next treatment Monday, as soon as I finish this update I am on my way back as well.  We have home help care coming this afternoon once we get home to get Kevin's IV fluids all set up and give us  a little training. We are better prepared this time but it is a learning process for us all.

I cannot stress enough that absolutely no more visitors will be allowed to see Kevin. If he is in need of a priesthood blessing we will call the appropriate people but no visitors or people "dropping by" will be allowed to see Kevin and we don't have time for visit when we are his full time care at home. We all wish this wasn't the case because we miss visiting with everyone, especially Kevin who has been so cut off and loves you all! The more chemo he gets in him the less immune system he has and even sort seemingly harmless visits exhaust him. We need all his energy and strength to go to healing his body at this time.  Thank you for your continued cooperation with this situation.
~Hillary (apparently I am supposed to sign my name even though I've written most of the posts thus far & haven't signed any, oops)

Chemo coming......

We are speaking with Dr. Bonis RIGHT NOW who is working extremely hard to make sure Kevin gets the care he needs asap with no more mishaps. He has spent lots of time making sure that the hospital is prepared to give Kevin his Chemo Friday, Monday, Friday and Monday, to stay on schedule. It appears he will receive chemo tomorrow sometime and then most likely go home either tomorrow or Saturday morning. They have been working on home health care nurses and getting everything prepared for him to come home again and hopefully stay out of the ER for a few more days.

PS After another ultrasound of Kevin's kidneys it appears that he has a 3.37 centimeter mass on one of his kidneys. Most likely myeloma related which is common when you're full of it! It also appears he now has hepatitis B core IGM. 

International Doctors: It has been an interesting ride here at TCCH because we have had doctors from around the world. The Hospitalist last week was from Morocco, this week from Syria, and the kidney doc is from the Ukraine. 

Trying to learn patience

     We are frustrated!  He didn't get his chemo on Monday as scheduled because it hadn't arrived!  Don't know who's fault it is.  Tuesday chemo was delayed because the installation of the new pik line was delayed because of a code blue in the hospital which we totally understand.  So once the pik line was in I don't know what delayed the chemo, but when it was finally mixed our oncologist said it was too late in the evening.  He doesn't like chemo given during the night because there is less staff then to watch for potential side affects, understandable.  Once mixed the chemo only has an 8 hour shelf life and went bad!  So we wait for a new batch to be drop shipped.  He is on a schedule of chemo on day 1, 4, 8, & 11.  If he gets it tomorrow that would make day 4 Sunday and they don't like to do chemo on weekends.  So now we aren't getting it until Friday and will probably go home with IV later that day or Saturday!  The chemo we've been waiting for here is not the new drug our oncologist is  waiting for.  I haven't heard what's going on with that.  I hope he gets that on Friday as well. 
     Even though we've gotten great care here, the nurses are fabulous, the doctor situation is frustrating.  He gets a new hospital doctor each week.  They don't seem to communicate with each other the details!  We want our oncologist be the head doctor, but he has his own office and all the other docs are here at the hospital.  We have a kidney doctor as well.  They are the two most important docs.  The hospitalist seems to be in charge of getting rid of us a soon as possible.  We're staying we're leaving no we're staying.has been the order of the day.  As of now we are staying!
     He is feeling a little better.  He still has no appetite.  He's eaten a little bit here and there but not much.   I won't take him home without IV fluids so he doesn't get dehydrated again.  He has very little energy and spends it all quickly.  We are still requesting no visitors.  He wears out too fast.  We bring him your cards and well wishes daily.  We can't thank you enough for your continued prayers.  We feel them!  They are sustaining us all.  We pray for you each day as well.  We ask that the Lord will bless you to know that your prayers are heard and answered and working!  Thank you  so much for your continued prayers!  We need them!  We love you all so much and we just can't express the way that we feel your love.  It is overwhelming in a beautiful way!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  Love, Dale

Rough Day

Kevin has been moved to the ICU (the DOU was full) to receive his chemo treatment. It is now 6:15pm and he still hasn't had it yet but soon hopefully. Tonight he will receive velcade and doxile as his chemo drugs.  No word yet on the thalidomide.

Earlier today they put a PICC line back in because his IV's have failed.  His veins have been beaten to death and need a break so they decided it was time to put it back in.

Yesterday at lunch Kevin ate a taco bell crunchy taco and 1/2 of a egg salad sandwich and managed to keep them both down. Last night he returned back to his old self of extreme nausea and no eating making today a rough day.

Chemo's postoned

They postponed Kevin's chemo treatment till tomorrow because the Velcade did not arrive.  It should be here tomorrow.  Hopefully there will be no more delays he is anxious to get the cancer killing drugs in him and get this show on the road!

(Thalidomide drug should be on it's way to Dr. Bonis' office but as of today it hasn't arrived either, excited and anxious for it to come)

A Close Shave and a Rummage Sale

Kevin wanted to look pretty again so we brought his shaver in but his hair was too long so Hillary had to help him trim it down in order to make his face nice and smooth.

The Paso Robles Wards have been hard at work with different fund raising projects. Including today's Rummage Sale. The Coons have been collecting items from ward members, friends, family, and neighbors. They have been receiving donations for over a week which added up to a TON of stuff!

 

Even the children (Thank you Cameron & Carolyn King) helped out by showing how fun all the toys were so the other children would want them :-)

We are grateful for the many people who donated their items, time setting up and packing everything left over back up.  Talk about a HUGE team effort! We are so thankful for the service and it was a BIG success.  We are overwhelmed at your generosity and the continual love we feel from your prayers.

After the rummage sale we went to the hospital to share the wonderful news and pass on the well-wishes from the many friends and sweet people we met at the sale. He and his nurse Tatiana were overjoyed!

Kevin is doing well, his kidney's are still doing well today so he doesn't need dialysis yet. (what a blessing) He even was able to get up and walk down the hall (with his trusted back brace and walker) to the shower for the first time since returning to the hospital. It's nice to see CLEAN long wavy locks and beautiful blue eyes!

The waiting game...

We have meet with Dr. Bonis and the kidney doctor already and it's only 2:30, kind of a freaky friday moment!
It appears we will NOT be going to UCSF this weekend unless Kevin's health issues become more critical in the next few days which is unlikely at this point. Dr. Bonis and the kidney doctor both don't think that he needs to have the line put in his jugular yet, so no surgery today which is nice.  The Kidney doctor (who is foreign so I couldn't spell his name if I tried) wants to hold off on the dialysis and continued to monitor his numbers.  When we left UCSF his kidneys were at 60something % and when we got back in the hospital down to 15%.  Since receiving fluids that has come up to 20% which is a good sign so we are hoping to be able to wait and see what the chemo does for him on Monday. Since receiving the dexamethisone over the pass 3 days the calcium levels have come down from 17.5 to 10.7 which is great news, another reason why his kidneys are doing better.
It appears that things will be pretty quiet till Monday.  He will have to move back up to the 2nd floor DOU unit for the chemo but that may not happen till Monday if a bed is not available.  Until then we are very comfortable in our room here. After his roommate moved out they did not bring a bed back so we have been able to spread out and take over the entire space.
We have no idea we the thalidomide will arrive so we are planning on Kevin receiving the Doxile and Velcaid on Monday, but Dr. Bonis will call the company and check the tracking before the drugs are administered. Either way some of the cancer will be killed just not as much with the old drugs but the new great thalidomide is on it's way and should be here soon.

The cancer has completely diminished Kevin's appetite something his family thought was impossible!

We are supposed to "encourage" him to eat but anyone who knows Kevin knows he doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do.

He has had to wear these fashionable 80 ankle warmers but was relieve to have them removed today.

They massage his legs to prevent blood clots but are uncomfortable. He now receives a once daily injection instead.

Kevin received his 9th blessing since this all started (we are trying to break a record) from some of his closest friends Floyd Butterfield (left) and Larry Griffith (right), I must give a shout out to the ever present pink barf bucket!

In answer to YOUR many Prayers

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU We can't say it enough! Through you and our amazing and hardworking Doctor, Kevin has been APPROVED to receive the drug thalidomide!!!! Such good news and we are thrilled. So many miracles continually, we are so blessed :)
They are monitoring his kidneys which are having a hard time being bombarded with calcium so he may need more dialysis. Tomorrow morning Kevin will have a minor surgery to put the central line back in his jugular. This will make the dialysis and possibly more plasma exchange easier. 
We are on stand by to possibly go back to UCSF for more plasma exchange sometime soon-ish.  This would likely be a much faster trip and the best thing for him but it is not a sure thing yet.  Dale & I (Hillary) will likely be going with him again and are completely prepared and comfortable going back.  I will let you know as soon as we know. Dr. Bonis will have to call and get us approved to go back, and there also needs to be a  bed available but we know that if it's what he needs it will happen!

Minor Improvements

Kevin is making minor improvements.  Today he has been more aware and alert.  He is still very exhausted from not sleeping and from the illness. He has not had much of an appetite since we left TCCH last Tuesday but thankfully he carried some "food storage" around with him so there is no cause for alarm.

Sleeping like a Court Jester

We just met with Doctor Bonis who is actively working to get Kevin the chemo drug thalidomide as a charitable donation, instead of the valcade, doxile.  He can still have the corticosteroid dexamethasone which is a cancer fighter (non-chemo) that he did receive today.  He will get this for 3 more days. They just informed us that Kevin's calcium is not critical anymore it's down to 12.something which I believe is directly related to his receiving the dexamethazone. This is a good sign that we won't have to rush to UCSF soon.
Kevin tested positive for a anti biotic resistant staph infection carrier so anyone who comes in the room has to put on a gown and gloves each time they leave and come back. The good news is that Kevin now has his own room because of it! More room to spread out.

Doctor, Doctor

It's actually not as fun as it looks!

Never leave medical equipment alone in a room with the Richards

Slow but steady improvements but it looks like he will be here for a while. If he is here till Monday (which is likely) he will start receiving his 2 round of DVD (or VDD) the chemo, until the thalidomide comes through (if it comes through).  Thalidomide is a VERY hard drug to get so please pray that Dr. Bonis is successful in talking the drug company into donating some.

Not as full of it

It has been 1 month since we first arrived in the hospital and what a whirlwind it has been!  Kevin's cancer is really good at doing it's job and working round the clock to bring us down but we aren't going to let that get us down. Kevin is getting LOTS of fluids to keep him hydrated and has finally got some rest.  They are giving him Aredia to help his calcium levels but it only brings it down from around 17 to 15 which is still high because his cancer is a calcium making machine. We need to work on treating the myeloma so Dr. Bonis is going to try to get him started on some different forms of chemo. He hadn't complained about pain in days, most likely because of the delirium but with his consciousness coming back so is the pain. We will see some improvements over time but this is going to take a while to get under control.  We are set up at TCCH which is our new home away from home and may or may not be going back to UCSF for the plasma exchange throughout his treatments.
For our amusement Kevin's delirium:
~"Well hello Milo" Many times he thought that our cat milo had jumped up on his bed (we won't tell the other cats it would hurt there feelings)
~"Thank you, that's a nice gift" as he grabbed hold of Dale's arm and carefully inspected his "gift"
~I may have already mentioned but he thought he had a baby
~Regularly he would burst into song, sometimes with an accent (it never lasted long enough to tape)
~Before we came back to the hospital he thought we were in Hungary again
~He must have a spider phobia because he was constantly collecting them from the air, in his blankets and even got out of bed (which is not allowed) to check under his bed. My mom found him sitting on our stairs in the middle of the night because there were black widow spiders "everywhere" and he wasn't about to go back in that room.
Luckily he is receiving care at the hospital and his doctor has seen him and will be checking in regularly.  Last night we were able to go home earlier than normal and my mom got to sleep all night long for the firsts time in a while.  Today she is doing better as well and is so grateful for the many prayers on her behalf because she really needs all the extra help she can get.

Back to the Beginning

Over the last few days Kevin has been deteriorating again. He hasn't been keeping enough fluids in him and his calcium level is increasing as a side effect of the cancer. Over the last 2 days he has become more and more delirious and confused.  He is constantly trying to get out of bed and convinced that one of our cats has been living underneath him in the hospital bed. This makes for extremely LONG nights for both him and Dale, who are both exhausted. Even though he has kept us laughing we knew it was time to head back to the hospital.
Kevin was re-admitted to Twin Cities Hospital this morning and is waiting for a bed to be moved form the ER to a regular bed.  He is receiving fluids and the professional care he needs.
Again we ask for no visitors.  He is not in a clear state of mind, he can't remember anything, he hasn't slept for days and we need him rested up for visits with his family. We appreciate your continued love and support and of course the many prayers!

Sick & Tired

Since Kevin's return home he has been very nauseous :( so he hasn't been in the mood to eat or drink much of anything.  He is of course resting better at home but would be doing a lot better if he had some nourishment in him.
We called his oncologist to talk about of concerns and he sent a nurse out this afternoon to assess the situation.  He is also sending out a physical therapist.  We are glad that some professionals are coming to "help" him do the things he needs to do but doesn't want to when he is feeling lousy.
FYI: We have turned off our home phone so it doesn't wake Kevin up.  If you need to get a hold of us please call Dale or Hillary on there cells phones or send Hillary or Darrell an email.
We will let you know how his meetings go this afternoon with the health care professionals. As always we thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Homecoming King

Yesterday morning the long awaited back brace showed up, fit great, and really helps with his walking so they sent him home in the afternoon. WOOHOO

Kevin is glad to be home but the process has been pretty traumatic for his body.  He has been feeling very sick, which is a normal set back after he has anything major done. (PET Scan, MRI, CAT Scan, or coming home) He was able to sleep better at home so he should be feeling better soon.  We are hoping to be able to get him out of bed and exercising soon.

Homeward Bound... Eventually

Kevin was scheduled to be returning home today but will have to wait 'till tomorrow as he is waiting for a full back brace. The doctor whom was to deliver it was out today and unable to get it to him so he's waiting a little longer. He's frustrated and anxious to go home but as we at home aren't as capable of caring for him as the hospital staff is we are glad to have the delay in extra responsibilities. Plus he just takes up so much space.

Giving It 100%

Today is the 3 week anniversary of the trip from TCCH to UCSF.  Time sure is flying by, and time sure seems to be standing still.

 You may recall from earlier posts that my doctor here in Paso performed a bone marrow biopsy nearly 3 weeks ago.  Then, the docs at the UCSF hospital decided that they needed one of their own and didn't want to share.  One purpose of it is to see what percentage of the bone marrow, or in my case the plasma in the bone marrow, are cancer cells.  For instance, we met Troy Parke at UCSF who has a different form of multiple myeloma,but is at the bone marrow biopsy stage.  When visiting with Troy he said that his biopsy indicated that his cancer was at about 50% when they started his chemo treatments. I do not know how they measure it, just that they do.  After 7 months of chemo his percentage was down to 5%, so on to the next round for him, which is the bone marrow transplant.

So I'm visiting with Dr Bonis about things and asked him why he hasn't given us a report on the biopsy yet.  His response, 90-100%.  I made the statement "So basically I don't have bones, they're more like cancer tubes."  He said he'd never heard it put quite that way, but that is a correct assessment.

All of the miracles up to this point have been many and  literally life saving.  Dr Bonis said, "Now you are in the battle of your life."  The fact that I look and feel relatively well on the outside does not change the fact that as of right now, my cancer is eating away at my bones faster than the chemo can kill it.  Dr Bonis reiterated that he expects us to win.  It may take longer.  It may take larger doses, it may take modifying the chemo cocktail,..etc.   How nice it is to have a Doc who believes in miracles.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

     With all of the fasting, prayers, blessings, care and Heavenly Father's will, it's a done deal.  Please include in your prayers that the chemo will be effective immediately against the cancer and that it will act quickly and completely to stem the growth of the cancer in my body; that my body will be able to be healthy and strong in order to fight the cancer; and tolerate the chemo; that the doctor's will be inspired to find and follow the treatment protocol that will be most effective for my case; and that I will not have any more problems with bone fractures in my spine and body in general.

     On behalf of all of us, thank you for the depth of love that everyone has shown.  We love you too.

Kevin

A Grand Day Out

Yesterday morning one of Kevin's Physical Therapists came to "walk Kevin" but he was to weak and in to much pain to get out of bed.  She came back in the afternoon while I (Hillary) was with him and we were able to take him on a walk.

(Pace yourself)

After his walk the Physical Therapist asked if I'd like to take him outside in a wheelchair, and Kevin jumped (well not really) at the chance.

It was the first time he was able to enjoy the fresh fall air and he loved it!

As we were sunbathing my mom showed up

 

awwwwww

I Had A Dream

After watching conference yesterday, I was reviewing some of the messages as I was dozing off for the night.  I had a great dream that during General Conference today one of the speakers quoted the scripture, "Arise.  Take up thy bed and walk", and I did!  I was able to get out of bed, stand, and walk without my walker or cane.  I listened very carefully this morning, but no go on the quote.  Dale and Candice are here with me today for the afternoon session.  So if you hear the scripture, you just may see some old tubby guy in a hospital gown walking out of TCCH.  If no declaration of healing then I will likely have to wait until tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday before getting discharged.

Man Cave

As everyone knows, some days turn out better than anticipated, and then some come with high hopes that are dashed. This day was the later.  When I returned to TCCH I started in a regular room downstairs.  My chemo treatments have to be administered in the DOU unit, upstairs.  As I entered the very stark dark room with just a bed, nightstand and one small chair and nothing on the walls but a tv  I said to the nurse:  This isn't my room, this is my Man Cave!
Things had to be done before the football game tonight.  I need more seats.  There, The shower stool.  Aha! The toilet riser. Perfect.  Nurse Cindy was bringing the guacamole and chips.  Nurse Jennifer was covering the salsa and drinks. BYOC(hair).  But wait.  We still have to do the chemo treatment  Where's the premeds?  Let's snap to folks.  Well, the chemo was started 2 hours later than planned.  One machine had a problem. Fix the drip lines. Daylight's burnin. They won't let me watch the game during the treatment.
Sure the treatment went well without any significant side effects, but by the time they're wrapping things up they're playing in the end of the 3rd quarter!  The nurses and staff ha dto go home to their other families. No guac.  No chips,  No party.  I was so crushed I didn't even care who won.  Can you feel my pain?
And then Randy Barnhill, good 'ol trusty Randy, shows up to salvage the last quarter.  Turns out he has a friend in ICU and he thought he'd check in.  So now you can see how heartbreaking a day can become.  I hope yours went better.

 

.

Service with a Smile

Anyone who has seen our front yard in the past year knows that Dale has been fighting with tree roots.  The tree and stump were removed a year ago but the roots are still plaguing my mother.  Over the last year Dale has dug up the entire front yard to kill and cut as many roots as possible. It has been affectionately the big "kitty litter box!" Yesterday our friends Kevin McLean, Kevin's assistant, and Doug Major came to level the dirt. 

 

SUCH A DIFFERENCE!

Then Doug came back today to cover it in cedar wood chips.  It smells wonderful!

Thank you to all our wonderful friends who have shown their love for Kevin in service.

Major Pain

Kevin is experiencing extreme and frequent muscle spasms due to his fractured vertebra.  The spasms are happening more regularly and the pain seems to be intensifying. This make for really long hard days!

Still no sign of a doctor today????? Although he has seen the Physical Therapist (not much they can do when the littlest movement seems to set off another spasm). At this point we are hoping that the hospital will keep him until they figure out some way to help his back.

He is reacting very well to the chemo and his doctor is extremely positive that Kevin will be cancer free when he's through with him!

In the mean time here's some pictures to amuse you...

Kevin has enjoyed his fake flowers

real flowers...

and especially his newest "man cave"

Kevin has cancer, major back spasms, but the thing that worried him most was

A ZIT!

Hillary tried to satisfy his vanity by "covering up" the problem but it still remains...

Chemo in Process...

Today Kevin will receive his last chemo treatment in his 1st round.  The treatments make him very tired and weak so we are asking that no one visit him today or tomorrow. He needs to get some rest and get strong enough to return home (fingers crossed) TOMORROW!

Thank you for you help in keeping him strong, healthy and uplifted :)