On Friday night, Dave was transferred from the City of Hope in Duarte to Casa Colina Hospital in Pomona. Casa Colina is a beautiful place – when entering, it resembles a vacation resort.The rooms are beautiful, the courtyards and public areas are extremely nice, and the rehab facilities are state-of-the-art.
It is also a lot closer to nearly everyone in his family – within 10 miles of most of us (less than a mile for our sister Peggy).Casa Colina is a hospital that specializes is Medical Rehabilitation.
In Dave’s situation, there are two medical fronts that must be addressed – the underlying cancer and his ability to regain physical strength and mobility.The underlying cancer is still being treated, on an out-patient basis, by the City of Hope. Dave will be transported back there every day this week by trained medical professionals for radiation treatment. He is also being treated by special drugs to supplement the radiation.
His Medical Rehab is very aggressive. He is scheduled for 5 hours of rehab (from 9am to 2pm) every day with different specialists working with Dave to get him up and moving as quickly as possible. The regimen seemed a little “strong” to us but the goal is to get him out of hospitals and back to home or work soon. That is best for Dave’s health, to open beds up for other patients in need of rehab, and for the pocketbook.
The weekend was pretty quiet and the cancer therapy is taking its toll on Dave’s waking hours. He sleeps a lot, which is good, but always finds time to wake up and talk when anyone arrives. Dave has also left the non-confines of a hospital gown, and is dressed in street clothes daily. That certainly gave everyone a morale boost as he looked more like the Dave we all know.
Though, last night when we were sitting there, I was dying to ask if a Mint Green shirt actually ever goes with Olive Green slacks? Ever the compassionate brother, I stayed silent with the occasional eye-roll. And since his wife, Marla knows better, we figured his son Steven picked out the clothes.
It reminded me of the days, several years ago, when my mom and dad were still alive. I’d go over to their house for breakfast before work, and Dad would be heading out the door to play golf, wearing something so mismatched that my mom would pronounce, “Gary, you’re not leaving the house like that!” I guess we all turn into our parents sooner or later…
Our sister Judy, from North Carolina, headed back home today. She has a son graduating from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC later this week. She needed to get back and get ready for that happy occasion.
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15 comments:
Hi Joe,
Can you bring us up to speed with visiting hours for Dave and particulary, the best time to catch him in his room. We are axious to see him and Marla, but want to make sure of his availability before venturing out from the Desert.
Please give Dave and Marla our best and tell him he better be color coordinated when we see him. HA. Brian Henderosn
Morning Dave, Sounds to me like they are keeping you very busy. We wanted to give you time to get settled over the weekend, there is no doubt much going on right now,wow that's a lot of therapy, sounds like you will be one tired boy by 5:00
You are never out of of thoughts and prayers as you fight the big fight. We know that there are many, many people that want to see you that you haven't seen so just because we aren't standing in line outside your door, you are deep within our hearts.
Love, Ardie and JoJo
DAVE:
I AM GLAD TO HERE YOU ARE DOING GOOD! YOU ARE STILL IN OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS... HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!
TAKE CARE
Dave,
I'm glad that our prayers are working Keep up the good work. Get as much rest as you can. Everything I think is going well with the transition between baldwin park and the other stores. Ramon came to Carson Saturday to Check us out. I sat down with him and we talked about different possibilities in service. He wants to try it in Carson first. That to me is great news. I'm starting to get real excited about the change. We have a plan in place to move forward. I hope that the next time I see you we can go over it. Sandy and I wanted to maybe come by today but not sure we will call Joe.
Joe! Thanks for the hard work you have done in keeping us informed.
Hey Dave-
Danelle seemed to think I wanted to send you flowers and candy - not so much - I was thinking more single malt scotch or chateau latour... anyway she let me know what you wanted most, so I sold an '07 for you yesterday. You are the MAN and we are in touch with THE man to speed your recovery..
Cheers!
Mike Swan
I got to see Dave yesterday morning. He does like to sleep a lot right now, but that remote is still in his hand. (Is like a pacifier to men......?) The physical therapist came in and started his stretching. He liked some of the stretches, they felt good he said, but there were others that were uncomfortable. He was telling her repeatedly to go back to the other stretch that felt good. She very kindly explained that in order to get better he had to take the good with the bad. You all know Dave, and how persuasive he tries to be. It wasn't working and much to Dave's chagrin Gary and I were amused. But he is very determined to get out of bed and take all of you up on your offers of golf. He said he needed the money..... wink, wink.
Dave, get your butt back here, we miss you.
Danelle
Hi Dave I hear that the days of laying around eating bon bons are coming to an end! I am sure that you will amaze all with with your prowess.
Here is your Bible promise of the day: Eph.2 6-9
Here is your Bible promise for today: Eph.2:6-9
6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Your buddys
Hiner & Judy
PS I emailed this first by mistake, sorry
Hi Dave,
This is just a note to say hi. Dave, here is a message to you from Steve: Please get your butt in gear at the rehab facility. Get those stubborn body parts working so I can have a chance to win my gin money back! Now how is that for a hello how are you doing message!!! Hope things at your new home are going well and that the Center survived the arrival of the Altman family over the weekend. Sounds like you have a heavy therapy regime……….all the better to get you out of there sooner. As always you are in our thoughts and we will see you soon.
Bye……..Steve & Lucette (Dave, here are some hugs & kisses from me (Lucette, not Steve but then I guess you figured that out) xxxxoooxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
Greetings from the Parrish's!!!
Sorry we haven't got to this sooner. John is trying to one-up you,by having a bad leg infection that put him in the hospital for 5 days. He is now home, but the road to recovery is not always as fast as we would like it to go.
We both miss seeing your always smiling face,around the lot. You are such a great boss and just a wonderful person. We are proud to work for you. Also, your ever positive outlook on life reassures us that you'll fight to come back and kick our butts for not selling more!!!
Hang in there!!! We hope to see you soon.
God Bless Nancy & John
Dave,
Glad to hear you are out of the hospital and making progess. Work hard you will be home soon and can start with the all important golf therapy. Who knows maybe all that stretching will put some distance on your drives. Feel Better, look forward to seeing you.
Jack
Dear Mr. Altman:
I am so happy to hear that you continue down the road to recovery. It makes me smile when I read that everyday you are doing better and better...
I'm sure you will be golfing again before we know it!
My prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please continue to heal Mr. Altman and please bring comfort and strength to Mr. Altman and his entire family through this time. I pray that you give the Altman family the ULTIMATE Christmas Blessing .....Mr. Altman healthy and back home.
In Jesus name I pray
Amen
MaryAnn
Hello!
It was good to see you in street clothes, even if its colors are ??,anyway this week is going to be rough, but it's ok our prayers are there.
My congrats to your younger brother for doing a great job keeping us all posted.
Alofa
Lani
Hi Dave!!! We have been keeping up w/your progress daily from beginning,holding you close in thought/prayer along with everyone & our prayers have been answered. Pictures of you & Marla are in our Kampkyle room here in Atlanta, when you were in New England to see all the "eye candy" Fall 1999. We hope to see you & Marla very soon. Love, Nancy & Jim Kyle
DeWayne and I are happy to hear that you are out of the hospital and have checked in to this rehab "resort". Isn't it great to get rid of the hospital gown and more comfortable in your whoa! street clothes? Hang in there. It seems like a lot of rehab a day, but they know how to get you home fast. More snow predicted for this evening and more tomorrow. Aren't you glad you have warm temps to contend with. It is way brrr, brrr here. Still have you in our thoughts and prayers. Sleep well, our friend, and we'll do the prayer thing. Love, DeWayne and Barb
Hello Big Brother - I miss you aleady and I just saw you last night - I didn't have the heart to wake you - you were sleeping so soundly, well, snarfing, so loudly, actually!! Better get that CPAP machine on!
I cherished these past two weeks with you - shoveling, reading and writing to and for you. I hope you know that although I may not be at your side, my heart and soul have never left.
Work hard at the Casa - I MISS YOU!
I'll try to call via Marla very soon!
Until then....
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