John's progress

Haiti

2010-10-29T16:24:00.002-05:00

My reason for posting today is to highlight an upcoming event.

www.worldwidevillage.org/festival-for-haiti-2010

My dad was involved with this non-profit group called World Wide Village, which he served while being on the board of directors. During this year’s festival, where they raise money for Haiti, my dad is being recognized for his contributions to World Wide Village. My wife and I will be attending and you are warmly welcome to join us in supporting a good cause.

On a personal note, it's hard to believe that it has been nearly two and a half months since my dad passed. Everyone is well, all things considered.

Obituary

2010-08-14T15:06:00.002-05:00

John Phillip Nicholson
(December 31st, 1951 - August 14, 2010)

Age 58 of Shoreview. Died August 14, 2010. Preceded in death by his father, John A. Survived by his adoring wife, Caren; children, Adam (Melissa) and Jamie (Travis), Aaron (Laura) Chaney and Kyle Chaney; grandchildren, John, Noah and Berea; mother, Norma “Mimi”; siblings, Pam (Butch) Niven, Tim (Karen), Jeff (Elizabeth); nieces and nephews. John loved serving the Lord and using his gifts and talents to further the Kingdom.

Gathering 4-7PM Tuesday, August 17 at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL, 515 Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview (651-482-7606).

Memorial service 3PM Wednesday at FIVE OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH, 4416 Radio Drive, Woodbury.

Private interment Fort Snelling.

Memorials to enCompass Church

Link to the online obituary

With the Lord

2010-08-14T02:21:00.000-05:00

John Phillip Nicholson left his earthly body and went home to the Lord at 2:00am this morning.

He left while surrounded by family including his wife Caren, myself, and his daughter Jamie. He is loved, and missed.

Godspeed, dad, enjoy the party in heaven. I will see you soon.

Love your son,

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Bible

2010-08-13T20:47:00.000-05:00

Psalms 16:7-11
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

We've been reading today to John out his personal Bible. In his Bible he has highlighted many passages that he deemed as key/noteworthy. The above passage was one of those.

It's been a long day today... so far. Lots of emotion. Two different times we thought he was passing which is hard to recover from.

He still fighting, only God knows when.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Another day

2010-08-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday there were a lot of visitors again which was nice. So many people have nice words and memories to share.

John continues to shut down. This morning, as was late yesterday, his body is having a hard time regulating it's body temperature. We continue to keep an eye on him and adjust the blankets on him as needed.

I'm not sure if he can feel anything in his body anymore and he doesn't move or squeeze his hand. If you rub the bottom of his feet, which are ticklish there is no response.

He breathing is also more labored than early yesterday.

I know for me, although I'm not "ready" for him to pass, I am ready. Seeing him lay here with his body shutting down just doesn't seem like the right way to go. For now whispering various Psalms into his ear will have to suffice.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Nothing new

2010-08-12T17:29:00.000-05:00

Today is a lot of the same as yesterday with some minor exceptions. He has been taking less pain medication and his breathing has deepened. If he weren't sick, you'd think we was just sleeping all day. Sadly I think it's him slipping to a point where being able to have conscience responses with others isn't possible.

Last night we had guests till around 9pm and had a good time reminiscing tales of Johns life. We're making the best of the situation and I think dad would be a little mad that we are not sharing our wine with him. :)

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

New blog visitor info

2010-08-12T08:46:00.003-05:00

I've been looking at the statistics and visitor tracking data on this site and can see that there are quite a few new visitors. Here are a few links to some prior posts that will help you see where he has been, information on the cancer he has (Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme - or GBM), and how things have progressed.

How it started: http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-happened-short-version.html

What he has: http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2009/11/surgeon.html

Pre-surgery two: http://prayersforjohn.blogspot.com/2010/06/now-and-then.html

Feel free to browse the archive links on the right side of the page to see any of the previous posts.

Peace

2010-08-11T22:34:00.000-05:00

First off I'd want to appoligize to anyone reading this that is finding it too graphic. I've been very cognizant of the readership and am trying to walk a fine line between vagueness of the situation and too much detail. Unfortunately as things get worse each post will become harder to read, including this one. Also, I have decided not to post any more pictures as I feel they may be overwhelming. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Day one at home is winding down. There have a number of friend and family that swung by which was very nice. A few folks even dropped off some goodies which were graciously accepted - then devoured.

In the morning will be his third day of no food or water which is common when the body is shutting down. John continues to be cared for with frequent meds being administered, being repositioned, people talking to him and of course the occasional Bible passage being read to him.

Tonight there are only a few of us here (I'm spending the night) and we are taking shifts (kind of) to make sure someone is keeping him company. Hopefully we all get some rest; I know we need it. It seems that heavy hearts don't sleep well.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Home

2010-08-11T13:15:00.000-05:00

He as arrived home in from the hospital thanks to a ride from a United ambulance.

Caren is welcoming friends and family that want to come by for a last visit. Feel free to email me for that info at:

nicholi518 at gmail dot com

His temp had dropped to 95 degrees and his O2 levels are also lower. He does appear comfortable and is getting drugs for any pain.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Post comments

2010-08-10T16:54:00.001-05:00

Just a refresher, all of the comments anyone leaves on the posts come to me. I then forward them onto Caren when relevant.

If I don't email you back it's not that I didn't see your post or don't receive them. All of them are appreciated and I will try to reply when I can.

Thanks also for the feedback; we appreciate all of it. It's very overwhelming the support we have been getting through the blog, visits, phone calls, email and prayer. Thanks again!!

God bless,

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Last steps

2010-08-10T16:10:00.000-05:00

Romans 14:7-9
7 None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living

Today John is doing worse, more so than normal. His kidney continue to fails further and his health continues to fade. Just looking at him you can see he's extremely fatigued. His body is losing the war against this cancer and we have reached a fork in the road.

We have met with the doctors and have come to an agreement that the best thing for him is to get him out of the hospital and headed home. While home he will be able to be more at peace in a familiar environment. Hospice care is being setup and should be starting tomorrow some time.

We always knew these days were coming... and now they are here. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and unacknowledged behind the scenes support.

Awake

2010-08-09T14:42:00.000-05:00

They took him off the ventilator this morning and woke him up... all of which are good signs of recovery.

The not so good news is his kidneys aren't working and are in "failure". To my surprise the doctors are saying it's too really early to worry about because they can still come back and to a "non-failure" state.

Not being around hospitals much, it's interesting that some of the tougher drugs are kept locked up, even when they are being administered.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:Smith Ave N,St Paul,United States

Update

2010-08-08T09:43:00.002-05:00

First, let me apologize for taking such an extended break between updates. At times I thought of posting, but there is a fine line between relevant updates to hundreds of blog following friends and family and documenting someone elses life day by day - when it isn't my life to broadcast and most days is very uneventful.

Since I last posted, much has happened.

His strength has been slowly zapped. Through the combination of lack of exercise, endless fatigue, the steroids (which "eat" muscle) that he's taking because of the cancer; he has progressed from walking on his own, to casually using a cane, to needing a cane, to using a walker. He needs a lot of help from others for day to day tasks that healthy people take so easily for granted.

The bigger news:

As I type John is back in the hospital for a second time in just over 2 weeks. A few weeks ago we noticed some swelling on the side of his head near his incision. He went in, they did some scans and determined no surgery was going to be needed and that some antibiotics would clear up the infection. A day later he went home and the drugs were being administered by Caren. All seemed good.

Fast-forward to last night, 6pm. His breathing of late has been very labored and after a discussion he was brought down to the ER to be evaluated. It was found that his O2 levels were in the low 80's (should be 95% or up), his heart beat was irregular, he was running a 103 degree fever, and he has pneumonia. They sedated and intubated him and were able to clean out a lot of the fluid in his lungs. They began giving him some very strong antibiotics that are to fix most of those issues - if pneumonia is the cause of all of them. As for a correlation between the infection and pneumonia, early expert medical options are of the belief that these are unrelated.

This morning he is stable and in much better condition then he was 12 hours ago. His temperature is gone and they've turned down his oxygen - all good signs of healing.

I will post more as I know.

As always, thanks for your continued support and prayers.

- Adam

Mama, I'm coming...

2010-06-18T13:00:00.001-05:00

Home.

Tonight he dines at home with Caren.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Up

2010-06-17T18:05:00.001-05:00

Moved floors up to 7. Quieter, better view and a larger room. If all goes well, in 24 hours we can blow this taco stand.

The food however is getting progressivly worse. Today's meatloaf looked like day old canned cat food. We decided to take matters into our own hands - Papa Johns is in route with a XL and cheese sticks.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:St Clair Ave,St Paul,United States

Hair

2010-06-17T14:53:00.001-05:00

More good news... the latest procedure appears to have reversed his hair loss. Not sure though, you be the judge.

He also has a new passion for country music.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Sleep

2010-06-17T14:30:00.001-05:00

Last night he had a rough night.
The kept putting a nebulizer on his face, which he kept throwing across the room. Being in the ICU, the noise doesn't subside at night which kept him awake. Seems like all the staff in the room this morning was aware of his "heightened excitement".

They got him up and walking today with a walker and he even did some stairs!

They're going to be moving him today up a few floors and possibly discharging tomorrow!

It's pretty remarkable the rate of recovery this time around. He's stronger than he was a week ago already, he seems a lot more chipper and his swelling has gone done. I'm really wondering why it's going so much better - mental prep? Prayer? Support? I'm choosing to believe it's all of the above.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States

Sitting

2010-06-16T19:41:00.001-05:00

More baby steps today. Up 3 times standing, spent a couple of hours out of bed in a chair, ate solids and of course had a cookie dough blizzard.

It seems like every hour he's getting stronger. They said if a room were available they would have us up a few floors for therapy.

On the outside of the room they have these signs warning about the patient having had Chimo. Because of this they use special gloves when they work with him. I asked "why do you wear the special gloves"? The nurse said "it's to protect ourselves from catching anything, because of the chemo". I asked, "Why, would that be bad?". She thought for a moment and replied "yea, and and it's for our safety and hers" pointing to other nurse whose pregnant. I then followed up with "Well what about me or Caren? She's been living wih him and I've been in the room all day". She paused, then blamed protocol. I couldn't help but chuckle.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States

Risen

2010-06-16T15:04:00.001-05:00

They took his turban bandaging off this morning along with some of his lines from the surgery.

They got him up, out of bed twice so far today. He even got as far as standing and marching in place. His reward? Ice cream. Life is good.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States

Chips

2010-06-16T11:30:00.001-05:00

Late yesterday before I left he got his first oral anything - some ice chips along with a few mL's of water.

This morning he's a little more chipper and is asking questions of us between his cat naps. There is talk in the air that he may get out of bed today and into a chair - and out of the ICU... the one of many baby steps.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States

Slow day

2010-06-15T16:18:00.001-05:00

It's been a slow day today. Lots of rest and recovery. He's had a little fluid in his lungs which is expected. In the next 24 or so his lungs should open up and be clear.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:N Smith Ave,St Paul,United States

Sleeping

2010-06-15T11:07:00.001-05:00

Lots of drugs, lots of naps... repeat.

This morning he continues to sleep between nurse checks and drug doses. He looks better than yesterday but still has the expected swelling. I think like last time we will be doing a lot of waiting until he regains some strength. He can talk and has all of his cognitive functions which is good. Hopefully in the next day or so we can have a little more two way communication.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Location:Interstate 35E,St Paul,United States

Night

2010-06-14T19:52:00.000-05:00

The last of us are heading home for the evening. Thanks to everyone that has been praying and offering support in various ways. It's been a long day. Please pray for healing, pain relief, comfort and rest. God bless and good night.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Post-op visit

2010-06-14T19:13:00.002-05:00

We were able to get in and see him. His eyes are open, he's responsive, able to squeeze hands, but definitely still sedated. He is on a CPAP which helps to breath deep. We are looking forward to the morning already where he should be able to communicate.

A special thanks to Dwayne - thank you for your generosity while hanging out in the waiting room!

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device

Movin'

2010-06-14T18:04:00.001-05:00

Up to the ICU! We should be able to see him in 15 minutes once he gets situated.

Adam

- Posted from a mobile device