December 9, 2007 UPDATE

December 9, 2007
UPDATE

“A difficult week ends peacefully” – this was the headline in the Boston Globe a week ago slightly edited by switching day in the Globe to week by Carolyn.

Jack was transferred back to New England Rehabilitation Hospital on Monday from Lahey Clinic where his surgery was performed. Thankfully, Jack’s sister Myra was able to oversee this transfer which allowed me to work. The transfer went well. He is in Room 102 which is the same area that he was in before. By being in the same area, he has the same therapists. Since they had a very good understanding of him prior to surgery, we believe that they will be better prepared to know what his regression is and where to begin again with him.

Keep in mind that Jack had two major surgeries last week. He was also on 16 mg/day of steroids to reduce brain swelling. He still has two blood clots in his groin and left leg. Now that the tumor is gone and the surgical procedure swelling diminished, the latest medication is a blood thinner to dissolve the clots coupled with a major reduction in the steroids. Steroids give people a false sense of energy and very bad side effects. One of the primary reasons for the surgery was to reduce the steroid use. He is now taking 6 mg/day. Reducing steroids has to be done with much precaution. If the reduction happens too quickly, the body can go into shock. We produce steroids but not enough to control the kind of swelling that Jack had. When extra steroids are given, the body stops producing its own. One of the good things about the steroid reduction, Jack no longer needs insulin to control his blood sugar.

Since Jack's biopsy on August 23, his left hand and arm have been swollen. Over the last several months, the swelling had increased coupled with the lack of mobility of any kind. Now that the pressure from the tumor has been removed, the swelling in his left hand and arm has completely disappeared. He is extremely weak on that side but he has bicep motion as well as lateral raises (elbow from side to extension upward). So far he does not have tricep function. He has also done some walking with a cane only. He walked 30 feet and 40 feet on two different occasions on Friday. Even though he has a long way to go, he is slowly regaining some strength.

Jack has always had what I have called a farmer’s appetite. One of the other side effects of steroids is a ravenous appetite. Jack called me at 3:00 AM on Saturday morning to tell me he could not get anyone to give him a snack and he felt like he needed one. He wanted me to call the nurse’s station since he could not get a quick response from them. Needless to say, I was back in the business of “playing Carolyn and nurses” at 3:00 AM no less. I must tell you that I am highly motivated to prepare his snack of peanut butter and graham crackers and buttermilk or yogurt. I place it on his right side near his bed so that he can eat it when he feels hungry. I also programmed his cell phone to call the nurse’s station instead of the “Central St.” station. I am totally excited about his removal from steroids!!

Jack has minimum energy at the moment. For those of you who have visited him this weekend, you probably were disappointed in his desire to talk. He is sleeping a lot. Everyone is very happy about his resting coupled with his food intake. Nothing could be better for him at this point.

This week was my 60th birthday and I must say the best present I could have had was to have Jack beyond the prior difficult week. Many of our friends, neighbors, and coworkers helped me ring in this milestone. Jack and Courtenay conspired with Courtenay doing Jack’s shopping and delivery for him. Thank you everyone for creating a fun few days.

Jack has a long road to recovery. He has his next appointment with his Lahey Clinic team next Friday. We are still waiting for the results from the CA oncology lab to see what chemotherapies might work on the tumor tissue that was extracted during surgery. The potential need for additional chemotherapy is due to the likely potential of not extracting all of the live tumor cells.
His radiologist was surprised by the amount of tumor death that Jack experienced. She said that very few people have had that kind of tumor response. We believe that our Lord has heard the legions of prayers that have been prayed all over the world.

We continue to need your prayers, encouragement, and comfort during this arduous recovery. Jack continues to proclaim the comfort of our Lord and sing his praises to all who listen. It makes me think of the verse in Psalm 71:8 – “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long”. I will continue to update as our lives are adapting to all of the changes and challenges that we have faced over the last few months. We thank our Lord for each and every one of you.
Blessings,
Carolyn

Frank Rhodes - a former student

Dear professor Howard

I was saddened to hear that you have been diagnosed with brain cancer.

I wish you the best as you struggle with this challenge.

I received a MS/BS thesis from your and worked in your lab in 1980 and 1981. You were head of the ChemE Dept at the time.

I did a bunch of coal pyrolysis experiments on your fancy dancy machine. I mostly took data, but you were generous enough to let that pass as a master’s thesis anyway.

Not only did I learn about coal, but became quite the beer sophisticate, as well. Your head lab technician taught me a lot in both arenas.

You were always kind, not too demanding and always friendly and available. I remember the whole experience fondly.

After about two years plying the Chemical Engineering trade, I ended up becoming and entrepreneur. Flipping houses and running/growing a family sign business.

Again, all the best as you deal with this challenge

Regards, Frank