What's in a Name?

Ron Feinberg, a retired writer for the AJC wrote a beautiful post on his blog about Bob.  Bob knew Ron from growing up in Columbus and they were reunited as adults when they were both members of Etz Chaim.
We wanted to share his post with everyone.

What's in a Name?

Move of Wednesday Night Shiva

Due to plumbing issues at our house the Shiva service for tonight will be moved to the Spitalnik's house at 1683 Huntingford Drive, Marietta, Georgia.  It is in the same neighborhood as our house.

Thanks.
The Schwartz Family

Funeral Arrangements

Bob's funeral will be graveside tomorrow at 12:30  at Arlington Cemetery.  Everyone is welcome at our home following the service.  We will also be having  a minyon (an evening mourning service)  at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.  Marshall, Elliott and I want to thank everyone for all the support you have given us over the last few months.
Paula

We Say Good-Bye

I am very sad to let you know that Bob died today at about 4:30.  We celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary this morning.  Marshall and Karyn, Elliott and Betsy and I spent the day around Bob's bedside.  At one point he smiled and said, " Everyone is staring at me."  I told him that he is our star.   Bob's funeral will be Tuesday at Arlington Cemetery.   I will let you know the time late tomorrow afternoon.  Because of the heat, we will try to have it as early as possible. 
 Paula

Hospice Atlanta

This morning Dr. Filip told Bob and I that the best place for Bob to be right now is an in-patient hospice facility.  He highly recommended Hospice Atlanta.  Bob arrived there this afternoon by ambulance.  They immediately worked to make him comfortable.  His room looks out into a courtyard with a fountain.  It's very peaceful.  When I left this evening, he was visiting with Marshall and Elliott and their girlfriends.      Paula                                                                         

Sad News

Late today we got the results of the c scan.  Even though Bob has undergone an aggressive regimen of chemo, the tumors remain.  Bob, Marshall, Elliott and I shared some precious family moments around his bedside after hearing this sad news.  We are so fortunate to have each other at this time.  Tomorrow we will discuss what to do going forward.    Paula                                                                                                         

A Difficult Time

Bob is having a very difficult time.  He is weak and it is hard for him to move. Although the edema is worse,  the main concern has become his kidney function.   He is also receiving antibiotics, because his white blood count is high.  We will get the results of the c scan tomorrow.                 Paula

Back to the Hospital

The edema (fluid retention) that Bob has been experiencing has gotten worse.  Each day for the past week has been worse.  He will be hospitalized today for a consultation with a kidney specialist and for a cat scan.  This is an upsetting setback.  We will hope for the best and keep you posted. 
Paula

Round Five

Yesterday  Bob started his fifth round of chemo.  Although his numbers were good,  he still felt very tired and weak.  Smoothies remain the mainstay of his diet.
As I write this blog,  Bob is nearing the end of The Girl Who Played With Fire.  It has been good entertainment for him.  Next he will read The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.  Thank you, Candy.  We have also joined Netflix.  He  also spends a little time on the computer.                                        Paula                                              

The Need for Blood

Bob has been feeling very tired and not eating solid food.  This  is an off week for chemo but we checked in with Dr. Filip today. Bob is in need of some blood, so we will return on Thursday for a blood transfusion.  Hopefully, he will feel better.
Paula

Cooler

Our air conditioner was fixed last night.  We are poorer but cooler.  Bob is feeling OK today.
Paula

A Hot House

Everything went well with Bob's chemo today.  A steroid was added to his usual  treatment to prevent a repeat of last week's fever.  So far so good.  Amazingly, Bob and I voted in Georgia's primary election on our way home.  The day was going well until we walked into our house.  No air conditioning!  A repair man is coming tonight.  Hopefully, it can be fixed quickly.
Paula

Bob is Home!

Bob was discharged from the hospital this morning and is happy to be home.  All the tests and cultures did not reveal an infection.  He may have had an allergic reaction to the chemo.  The next treatment will probably include benadryl.  We will hope that all goes well next Tuesday.
Paula

A Hard Week

On Monday, Bob had the procedure to clear his port so that blood could be drawn from it.  All went well and it was doing the job.   On Tuesday, Bob went for chemo.  Dr. Filip said that his numbers were "surprisingly good."  We were very pleased and surprised because he had not felt that well.  The treatment got started a little earlier than usual and we were home a little earlier.  Bob laid down to rest and about an hour later got very cold.  He then got the chills and later a fever.  After consulting with the doctor on call and my sister, we headed to the emergency room at Piedmont Hospital.  We arrived at about 9PM.  It was a zoo.  After triage, Bob was put in a room in the ER.  His fever was down but there were other signs of an infection.  After many tests, it was decided that he would spend the night.  He was to receive antibiotics by IV.  The oncologist on call would see how he was in the morning.  I left at 3AM. Bob was admitted to the hospital but they didn't have a room. He remained in the ER.  The room was OK for an evaluation but not a place to spend the night.  Wednesday morning the doctor decided to keep Bob another day.  Still no room.  Still in the ER.  Next he was moved to another room in the ER.  About  2PM he was moved to an outpatient room in radiology.   7PM-Finally a room!  Since I didn't sleep at all last night, Marshall left work early to be with Bob.  I really need the rest.  So I am here, filling you all in and Marshall is at the hospital.  I am hoping that Bob will be released tomorrow.  I will let you know.
Paula                                                                                                                            

Not Feeling So Good

Bob did not feel as good this weekend as we had hoped.  He did visit with Michele and Judy but he was not up to going out with us.  I enjoyed spending time with them.  Saturday we went out for a southern dinner with Marshall and Elliott and their girlfriends.
Tomorrow morning Bob is having a procedure to clean material from his port.  Hopefully, this will make it possible to draw blood from it again.  Then Tuesday he will be back for more chemo.
Paula

Tired

Bob has been very tired for the past week.  He has spent a lot of time resting and napping in bed.  Today we saw Dr. Filip.  Bob's blood count was down but not too bad.  He will be getting two units of blood  on Thursday.  Also, on Thursday, Bob will have a procedure to check his port.   With no chemo this week and some added blood, hopefully Bob will have more energy this weekend.  Speaking of this weekend,  we are looking forward to our special visitors:  my sister, Michele, and my childhood friend, Judy.  Michele is coming from Philadelphia and Judy from Boston.
Paula

Feeling Bad with Good Blood

The past few days Bob has been feeling very tired and his appetite has decreased.  I was sure he was going to need more blood.  Therefore, we were surprised that his blood counts were good.  So he did have another round of chemo today.
Speaking of blood,  they were unable to get a blood sample from Bob's port.  The port is working well putting liquids in him but not getting samples out.  Blood had to be drawn from his arm.  Next week he will have the port checked with a portogram.  They might be able to fix this problem.
Next week is an off week for chemo, so hopefully he will start to feel better then.
Paula

A Very Good Day

Bob started his next round of chemo today.  The day began with the best blood count he has had during this whole process.  YEAH  We also headed home a little earlier that usual.  I would call it a very good day!
Paula

Fathers' Day

The timing couldn't be better.  Father's Day has come at the end of a week off chemo.  Bob is at his strongest and was able to enjoy brunch at J Christophers.  We were joined by Marshall and Elliott and their girlfriends.  Bob also ate very well.

Paula

 

Blood and Hail

This is an off week for chemo but we still went to see Dr. Filip yesterday.  As he had predicted, Bob's blood counts were down and he needed two units of blood.  Bob napped while we waited for the blood to arrive.   Between the doctors appointment, waiting for the blood and the transfusion itself, we were there all day.

So we got a late start leaving and then ran into a lot of traffic.  As we approached home, it started to rain.
The rain then turned into a storm with hail pounding on the car.  We continued even though other cars had pulled over.  A big limb was in our driveway but we got up it anyhow.  Then I could not open the garage door.  No Power.  Bob did not want to get out of the car and risk falling in the pouring rain so he sat there for about 45 minutes.  Luckily, the power came back or he would have been there longer.   Marshall came over and helped us straighten up and get settled.
What an exhausting day!

Although Bob remains tired,  he feels a little bit better since the transfusion.  Food has lost some of its taste, but he is still eating.

Hopefully, Bob will feel good this weekend for Father's Day.

Paula

Another Round of Chemo Yesterday

I had my second round of chemo in this series yesterday.  As always we met with our oncologist before hand to make sure I was up to chemo.  He gave me a very good report. Not only were my blood counts up but I had some other symptoms  that indicated that chemo is working.

The chemo infusions made me very sleepy so it went very quickly for me.  After my lunch, Paula left me and went off with a friend; so her day also passed quicker.  Although we started later in the day, the infusions ended about 45 minutes earlier that the previous week.

On my last post, I thanked Paula and our sons for everything they have done.  I overlooked Paula's sister, Michele.  For those of you who don't know, Michele is a rheumatologist and medical school professor in Philly.   She has been just wonderful in explaining and confirming my course of treatment for us.

Bob

Back on Line

This week Bob has fought both cancer and comcast.  He woke up early Thursday morning and followed the instructions for a comcast update.  The result was no internet service at all.  The timing was probably a coincidence as we needed a new modem.  It took along time on the phone and visits by two different technicians to solve the problem.

Bob started the week stronger, had chemo on Tuesday and a blood transfusion on Wednesday, and started to feel weaker by the end of the week.  This is not unexpected.  He is still eating but has gone back to softer food.  He has also been a little more tired.  He has chemo again this Tuesday followed by a week off.

Today I turned 62.  Marshall and Karyn and Elliott and Betsy came over for a festive afternoon which included mimosas and an improvised birthday cake.  They made the day special.

Paula

A Long Day

Bob had a very enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  He had good visits with family and friends.  Also, I took him on some outings so he got a change of scenery and an opportunity to walk around a little.  I managed to make Nordstroms one of the outings where I made a few purchases for myself.  He is now walking with a cane in the house and a walker outside.  One of the highlights of the weekend was Bob's ability to eat real meals.  I even made him some of my chili!

Today Bob had his first round of chemo as an out patient.  Before the chemo, his vital signs and blood were checked.  Since he has felt better, we were really surprised to hear that his blood count was down.  He was still able to have his treatment but we go back tomorrow so that he can get two units of blood.  Bob and I opened and closed the doctor's office.  His treatment is very long, because his kidneys have to be flushed at the beginning and the end.  We were there from 8:50 to 5:15.  Add driving home in traffic and you have a long day.

Paula

An Office Visit at my Oncologist

Today, Paula brought me to see my oncologist.  We arrived very early at the Piedmont campus and I walked from the south parking deck.  This was the longest I have walked since I had been hospitalized.

My doctor said I was doing very well at home.  My reward is to begin another session of chemotherapy next Tuesday at 9:00 AM.  He said I have been been tolerating therapy very well.

I want to thank everyone who has visited or sent cards or gifts.   Your support has really helped my spirits.

I especially want to thank Paula who has provided unbelievable care since I have come home.  I also want to thank my sons, Marshall and Elliott, who have blown me away with their support.

Bob

Getting stronger at home

Bob continues to enjoy being home.  He is making a little progress everyday and becoming more independent in his daily tasks.  Yesterday I gave him a haircut (he has his usual sparse hairdo).                 
It is also great to see him sitting at the computer. 
Thursday Bob has an appointment with the oncologist.  I will let you all know how it goes. 
Paula

A Blog about Bob

Bob and I have started this blog to help you all keep up with his progress as he fights liver cancer.  After over two weeks at Piedmont Hospital, Bob came home last Thursday.  Home Sweet Home!  He is resting comfortably but remains tired with little appetite.  He is keeping Chick Fil A in business with his daily milkshake.  Well, Sunday is a problem. 

One of his biggest problems is edema, retention of fluid in his lower body.  Blood clots in his legs have contributed to this condition.  We both want to thank all of you for all your support.  Your thoughts and prayers, cards, emails, calls, and visits are more helpful than we can tell you.

Paula