January 8th morning updates

Hi All,

This is Day 3 of Chemotherapy for Detlef. He said that he slept very well last night. . . . so well, that his heart rate went a little low, and they also needed to put him on a little bit of oxygen. He just left the room to go have an EKG of his heart, as well as a chest x-ray to make sure everything looks okay. He has been told that all of his blood work continues to be in a good range.

Detlef's friend Quin and wife Shelly were here this morning visiting, as well as Dietmar and Jen. Detlef continues to be in good spirits, and is making sure that everyone is conscientous about using the hand sanitizer before coming into the room. Dietmar posted some pictures, but I was not able to access them, so we'll see if anyone else can. ( Scott, or other bean clan kids, if you could text me to let me know if you can see the pictures I would appreciate it.) If not, I will try to get some technical assistance so that you can all see Detlef walking around the halls of the hospital with the family and his nurse Staci. We bought a universal remote for Detlef's TV because he lost the original one. Luckily Quin was here to figure it out for us, so now Detlef can turn his TV on and off from his bed. Yeah!

The doctor mentioned yesterday, that before Detlef goes home from the hospital they will be performing a spinal tap to check for cancer cells. They will also place some chemo agents into the spinal fluid to help prevent any cancer cells from growing. If the tests come back positive for cancer cells there, they will include his spinal fluid into the chemotherapy regimen. We are hoping that it comes back negative, and that the one dose of prophylactic chemotherapy will be enough.

Jen continues to be a great source of medical information on what is happening with Detlef's care. I am going to have Scott give Detlef, Dietmar, Jen and Karma, privileges to post things, so that we get information from different perspectives as time goes on. If some of you don't know, his treatment plan will be an ongoing process over several months.

Detlef said that he had a wonderful big breakfast, and that getting up, and walking around really lifts his mood. We just got back from a great walk around the halls, and we took some pictures that Juergen requested. . . . . . for those of you who know what a great photographer Juergen is we got back views, side views, front views, in front of the window, etc, etc, etc. I just wish I could take those kinds of pictures and make them look fantastic like he does.

Det lef says Hi to everyone, and thanks for all of your support. He says that all the support he is receiving is helping his mood. He says that it is like a warm blanket that just makes him feel better. :)

Detlef is getting ready to start another round of chemo, and we are going to watch some Lord of the Rings. Love you all, and I will post some more tonight.

Lisa