Steroids causing a few unwanted side effects. . .

I feel a little guilty. It's been nearly three weeks since my last post. It's not that I haven't been thinking of you all; it's just been a bit busy back to "normal" life. As I'm sure you can all relate, I've had a big box of things to go through next to my desk. . .since October. That got done today. Why now? Grandma is coming to Portland this week. I want the best possible impression for her, as I'd love to have her come back often. She's flying out Thursday with Tracy and little Kaitlyn. Auntie Mary is beyond excited for the visit. My house hasn't seen the likes of a cleaning effort like this in, well, years.

So back to Dad. . .

He's doing "okay." We're back into the wondering what's going on - is it new medications? Additional necrosis/swelling? Weaning off of the steroids causing problems? Lack of solid sleep since mid-June finally catching up? Not sure. Dad had a good couple of weeks upon the return from the Mayo Clinic. Incredibly energetic, starting back up with physical therapy and speech therapy to continue working on the progress made in Minnesota. The problem? He slept about three hours at a time, no matter what time of day/night. Lots of activity for him - up in the middle of the night having a snack, checking emails/news, etc. Not exactly restful.

After hitting several of the undesirable side effects of the high dose of steroids, the doctors dropped him down pretty aggressively. This has resulted (we think) in once again extreme fatigue, bad headaches, and a bit of a "fog" as he's walking around. So they increased the steroids back up yesterday (to 12mg/day from the 8mg/day dose early this week). Hopefully this will reduce the swelling and give him some relief. Poor guy. He was on top of the world, considering himself to be the luckiest guy on the planet. He's gone from doing "GREAT!" to what he calls, "Good."

There's every reason to believe that the increase in the steroids will help him with the latest symptoms, but hopefully it doesn't rear the irritability and lack of solid sleep again.

Mom is thinking that if there is a day that Dad is up to it, having friends come over and take Dad out for a convertible ride (in the VW Beetle), out to lunch, or out to coffee would be great. Call the house first, but assuming the headaches and fatigue get better within a few days, he'll be ready.

Hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July, and are enjoying the summer months.