Update on John 9-9-12

[Patti Koehler]

It's been a few days since I sent an update on John. 
 
He had a CAT scan on Thursday, the 6th.  I asked for them to look at the tumor to see if it started growing again.   John seemed to be short of breath and coughing more, and I was concerned that the doctors were ignoring the tumor, while trying to address the more immediate need of the C-diff colitis.  They scanned his chest, abdomen and pelvis.  The results showed the tumor shrunk from 8.5 cm to 6.2 cm, they found no clots in the lungs, but there was fluid collection (not pneumonia), a result of the IV fluids he is receiving.  The bowels looked better, but there appeared a shadow in the liver and one of the kidneys, that wasn't there before.  Since John is on heavy doses of antibiotics, they didn't think the shadows were a result of an infection, but possibly the cancer may have spread there.
 
I haven't spoken to Dr. Needles (the oncologist) about the interpretation of these results, but I hope to speak to him tomorrow morning when he makes his rounds.  I did speak with Dr Shaffer today.  She is going off of her rotation, so she will not be back for 2 weeks.  She said that a family meeting is planned to discuss the CAT scan results, as well as the potential of John getting off of the ventilator and onto a trache-type ventilator.  I have lots of questions, so I am looking forward to this meeting, which I hope will take place tomorrow or Tuesday. 
 
While John may seem like he is asleep, he can definitely hear what we say to him.  Yesterday, he was opening his eyes quite a lot, trying to see us, but today they had him on a morphine drip, so he seemed sleepier and less awake. 
 
Since most of us (his siblings) have had to go back to work, he is being attended by my brother Mike and John's son, Sean.  We try to have someone with John 24/7, but Sean is in the Marines, and only had orders for 2 weeks, so may be leaving on Thursday to go back to Japan, if he can't get an extension.  My brother Mike may also need to leave for a short period of time, so if any of you would like to visit John, please feel free.  You will need to put on a paper gown and gloves (the c-diff is contagious-but not airborn) before entering the room, and they will need to be removed before you exit the room.  A short, quiet visit would probably be best, and I'm sure he will appreciate it.  He doesn't have much energy, so don't feel bad if you only stay for 10 or 15 minutes.  He is at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, room 490, bed 11.
 
Since we don't know how long John will be incapacitated, we (his family) have set up an account at Commerce Bank, in order to accept donations, and deposit  fundraiser money, to help with his household expenses while he is in the hospital, and unable to work.  His daughter Andrea is staying at John's house while he is in the ICU, and will be taking care of her younger siblings during John's weekly custody time.  I will give you further details once the FACEBOOK page is up and running, in a day or two.  You will be able to donate, through PayPal, on this FACEBOOK page.
 
Thanks for all you have done for John and his family.  It is appreciated more than you know!
 
God Bless!
Patti

[D&L Amato]

Thank you Patti...

Was wondering all weekend what was going on - but figured no news is good news?  Your updates are much appreciated from afar.  I'll pass the info along and await the  setup of the donation page.  

All our love and prayers,

Your East Coast Sunshine Cousins

xo

[Erick Harlow]

Thanks for the update.  

Sent from my iPhone

[lort...@comcast.net]

Patti,  thanks for the update.

---

From: "Patti Koehler" <cpa...@msn.com>
To: "John Snyder-google group" <jsnyder...@googlegroups.com>, "Suzanne Koehler" <suzzus...@hotmail.com>, "Joseph Estes" <jte...@hotmail.com>, "Carol Ward" <cw...@niaco.com>, "Joe Estes" <ffatc...@aol.com>, "Mark Koehler" <kaylo...@hotmail.com>, hill...@hotmail.com, "James Hillis" <hil...@slu.edu>, "Angela Koehler" <angela...@hotmail.com>, "Andrew Koehler" <apk...@gmail.com>, "Ed Snyder" <edsny...@gmail.com>, "Maya Estes" <chupaf...@hotmail.com>, "Michael Bentz" <michae...@aol.com>, "Mona Snyder" <monas...@bxgaming.com>, "Bobby Snyder, Jr" <snop...@gmail.com>, "Robert Snyder" <snyd...@msn.com>, "Michelle Hillis" <shellyb...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 9, 2012 10:06:56 PM
Subject: Update on John 9-9-12