Dave was moved late this afternoon to
Citrus Valley Hospice
820 N Phillips Av
West Covina, CA 91791
626-859-2263
Because Dave’s condition no longer requires cancer treatment nor physical rehabilitation, the new facility is more appropriate.
He has a large room with amenities aimed at providing comfort for Dave and his family and visitors. Citrus Valley Hospice is one of only 32 free-standing hospice facilities in the country.
Today was a very busy day for Dave and the rest of us. Judy, our sister from North Carolina returned to spend time with Dave and the family and Dave had visits from a wide array of friends, family, Altmans’ employees, and business associates.
In all truthfulness, it was a fairly difficult day for those close to Dave. The peace Dave is experiencing is not fully engulfing the rest of us, and I found Dave actually comforting me. It is nice to realize some things don’t change.
As he settles in to his new environment, I will update you all on how things are progressing. Again, all of Dave’s family want to thank you for your kindness and compassion.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Friday Evening, January 4, 2008
I am writing tonight’s posting with a terribly heavy heart. We got results back from tests performed on Dave and the findings are not good.
The cancer has spread significantly since Dave’s initial hospitalization. In addition, Dave cannot be administered blood-thinners due to the risk of internal bleeding, and blood clots are forming in his lungs and impeding his respiration.
There are no medical treatments for his current condition, and his time with us is quite limited.
Dave is aware of his condition and fully at peace with it. His desire to have made a difference in the world on which he lived is paramount in his mind. While the final answer to that question lies with Divine Providence, I told him I had no doubt that the earth was a better place for him having walked upon it.
His sense of humor is still intact. We both agreed that only I could get away with using Marla’s nickname of “Big Mama”. Even he dare not use that pet name. It’s not that she’s big – far from it. It’s just that I said it one time, and she didn’t hit me, so it stuck.
He also noticed, while eating his dinner tonight, that my sister Anne and her husband Gus mistook his brown gravy for soup. The look on his face when he got a spoonful was priceless. You could say shock was an understatment.
He had another visit today from Cardinal Roger Mahony. I don’t know why I always miss those visits and my sister Sue and niece Tina “just happen” to be there. I guess they need blessings a lot more than I do. That’s the only explanation I can figure out.
I had the pleasure of speaking one-on-one with Dave for a time. I told him how lucky I was to have him as a mentor, a brother, and a friend. He squeezed my hand and told me how lucky he felt to have me as his brother. “God threw me a big curve ball this time”, he said. I held his hand, told him I agreed, and that I loved him.
We read him the cards and emails from today and it, with the exception of having Marla at his side, is the highlight of his day. To everyone who sent him their kind and wonderful thoughts; thank you.
Dave is still welcoming visitors. He will be at Casa Colina through this weekend but may be moved to another facility next week. If you plan on visiting, check this log and I will make sure it is updated with his location.
Everyone’s path in life is a mystery, and the path Dave will follow in the upcoming days is also unknown. Your prayers are appreciated beyond words.
The cancer has spread significantly since Dave’s initial hospitalization. In addition, Dave cannot be administered blood-thinners due to the risk of internal bleeding, and blood clots are forming in his lungs and impeding his respiration.
There are no medical treatments for his current condition, and his time with us is quite limited.
Dave is aware of his condition and fully at peace with it. His desire to have made a difference in the world on which he lived is paramount in his mind. While the final answer to that question lies with Divine Providence, I told him I had no doubt that the earth was a better place for him having walked upon it.
His sense of humor is still intact. We both agreed that only I could get away with using Marla’s nickname of “Big Mama”. Even he dare not use that pet name. It’s not that she’s big – far from it. It’s just that I said it one time, and she didn’t hit me, so it stuck.
He also noticed, while eating his dinner tonight, that my sister Anne and her husband Gus mistook his brown gravy for soup. The look on his face when he got a spoonful was priceless. You could say shock was an understatment.
He had another visit today from Cardinal Roger Mahony. I don’t know why I always miss those visits and my sister Sue and niece Tina “just happen” to be there. I guess they need blessings a lot more than I do. That’s the only explanation I can figure out.
I had the pleasure of speaking one-on-one with Dave for a time. I told him how lucky I was to have him as a mentor, a brother, and a friend. He squeezed my hand and told me how lucky he felt to have me as his brother. “God threw me a big curve ball this time”, he said. I held his hand, told him I agreed, and that I loved him.
We read him the cards and emails from today and it, with the exception of having Marla at his side, is the highlight of his day. To everyone who sent him their kind and wonderful thoughts; thank you.
Dave is still welcoming visitors. He will be at Casa Colina through this weekend but may be moved to another facility next week. If you plan on visiting, check this log and I will make sure it is updated with his location.
Everyone’s path in life is a mystery, and the path Dave will follow in the upcoming days is also unknown. Your prayers are appreciated beyond words.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
A Thank You note from Marla and Family
A Belated Thank You
I have been very remiss in not acknowledging all those who sent flowers, gift packages, food etc. First of all I don’t have addresses for everyone and they are not noted on the gift cards. So I apologize for having to do this through the blog.
A beautiful bouquet of assorted fresh flowers with sunflowers and roses among them with a big get-well balloon---Ed Thor @ Coachnet
A plant from Grand Florist in Glendora -- Peter Kinden, Mark McNulty and the “Team Stier” @ Stier’s RV
A silk plant of fern , ivy and small sunflowers---Fran and Ken Hesser
Small Christmas tree with assorted sized red balls—Roger Freelund and Jon Anderson of American Guardian Warranty Services
Silk poinsettia plant—Friends at Bank of America
Lovely vase of flowers –Friends @ RVIA
Huge gift basket of assorted crackers, cookies and other treats—Steve Sefton and the Staff of Mellon 1st Business Bank
A basket with several bottles of Sterling wines and assorted goodies—Kevin Fretz, Jeff Stowe, Danielle Perrault from Key Bank Recreation Lending
Vase of assorted flowers including sunflowers, roses and small daisies—Skip Daum and Kerri @ CalRVDA
Bouquet of flowers—Todd Inman and the Magis Institute
Large plant—Carl Ehry and the staff of the RV Foundation
Platters of meats and cheeses, pastas and rolls—Mellon Bank
Vase of mixed flowers including lavenders, yellow stargazers etc.—Altman employees of Baldwin Park and Carson (also Carson- the employee autographed coffee mug)
Huge tub of DVDs, candies, games, crossword books, huge lion slippers, etc.—Colton store
Orchid plant-Mario Del Fante
Flower arrangement with white stargazers and sunflowers among them—Via Verde Management
An array of specially cooked dinners by Sherry and Spices—courtesy of Key Bank
Your kind thoughts and well wishes are greatly appreciated. If I have missed anyone, I sincerely apologize.
Marla and all the Altman family
I have been very remiss in not acknowledging all those who sent flowers, gift packages, food etc. First of all I don’t have addresses for everyone and they are not noted on the gift cards. So I apologize for having to do this through the blog.
A beautiful bouquet of assorted fresh flowers with sunflowers and roses among them with a big get-well balloon---Ed Thor @ Coachnet
A plant from Grand Florist in Glendora -- Peter Kinden, Mark McNulty and the “Team Stier” @ Stier’s RV
A silk plant of fern , ivy and small sunflowers---Fran and Ken Hesser
Small Christmas tree with assorted sized red balls—Roger Freelund and Jon Anderson of American Guardian Warranty Services
Silk poinsettia plant—Friends at Bank of America
Lovely vase of flowers –Friends @ RVIA
Huge gift basket of assorted crackers, cookies and other treats—Steve Sefton and the Staff of Mellon 1st Business Bank
A basket with several bottles of Sterling wines and assorted goodies—Kevin Fretz, Jeff Stowe, Danielle Perrault from Key Bank Recreation Lending
Vase of assorted flowers including sunflowers, roses and small daisies—Skip Daum and Kerri @ CalRVDA
Bouquet of flowers—Todd Inman and the Magis Institute
Large plant—Carl Ehry and the staff of the RV Foundation
Platters of meats and cheeses, pastas and rolls—Mellon Bank
Vase of mixed flowers including lavenders, yellow stargazers etc.—Altman employees of Baldwin Park and Carson (also Carson- the employee autographed coffee mug)
Huge tub of DVDs, candies, games, crossword books, huge lion slippers, etc.—Colton store
Orchid plant-Mario Del Fante
Flower arrangement with white stargazers and sunflowers among them—Via Verde Management
An array of specially cooked dinners by Sherry and Spices—courtesy of Key Bank
Your kind thoughts and well wishes are greatly appreciated. If I have missed anyone, I sincerely apologize.
Marla and all the Altman family
Thursday Morning, January 3, 2008
The reason for the long delay between entries has been, not only the holidays, but a lack in new information.
Dave has been on a slow road to recovery with little discernible change. It is still a bit too soon to detect the effects of the radiation and Tarsiva therapies so we’ve been encountering a wait-and-see period.
Dave experienced some significant distress in his digestive system and his doctors made some adjustments in his medication. They also ordered a colonoscopy which was completed yesterday morning. Dave wasn’t all that pleased with the prospect of that procedure but endured it nonetheless.
With the Holidays over, our lives and schedules can return to a semblance of normalcy. The Holidays did bring a wealth of visitors to Dave’s bedside including one from his nephew Ryan who got the “traveled the longest distance award” as he came from
The Christmas wishes were a very welcome experience for Dave and he, and his family, are very grateful. Dave is also grateful about the USC victory in the Rose Bowl and doesn’t really care much about the impending championship game in
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday Morning, December 28, 2007
Dave had a visit back to the City of Hope to check the progress of the cancer treatments. There was some evidence that the blood tests showed some weak signs of improvement but the true results wont be known for a couple of days.
The doors for visiting are pretty wide open now with some exceptions if Dave is out for physical therapy. Actually 4pm to 7pm during the week and all day on Saturday and Sunday is best.
One of Dave’s friends sent him an excerpt which we read to him a while ago. It helped him (and us) place things in perspective. I’m sharing part of that with those of you who have an interest today.
Commentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, on March 23 Snow, 51, a husband and father of three, announced that the cancer had recurred, with tumors found in his abdomen—leading to surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy. Snow went back to work in the White House Briefing Room on May 30, but resigned August 31. CT asked Snow what spiritual lessons he has been learning through the ordeal.
Blessings arrive in unexpected packages—in my case, cancer.
Those of us with potentially fatal diseases—and there are millions in America today—find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will.
Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence What It All Means, Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.
The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.
I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is—a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape.
Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.
But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.
Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your head swims.
You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere.
To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life—and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many non-believing hearts—an intuition that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away.
Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live—fully, richly, exuberantly—no matter how their days may be numbered.
Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't.
By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.
The doors for visiting are pretty wide open now with some exceptions if Dave is out for physical therapy. Actually 4pm to 7pm during the week and all day on Saturday and Sunday is best.
One of Dave’s friends sent him an excerpt which we read to him a while ago. It helped him (and us) place things in perspective. I’m sharing part of that with those of you who have an interest today.
Commentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, on March 23 Snow, 51, a husband and father of three, announced that the cancer had recurred, with tumors found in his abdomen—leading to surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy. Snow went back to work in the White House Briefing Room on May 30, but resigned August 31. CT asked Snow what spiritual lessons he has been learning through the ordeal.
Blessings arrive in unexpected packages—in my case, cancer.
Those of us with potentially fatal diseases—and there are millions in America today—find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will.
Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence What It All Means, Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.
The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.
I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is—a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape.
Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.
But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.
Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your head swims.
You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere.
To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life—and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many non-believing hearts—an intuition that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away.
Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live—fully, richly, exuberantly—no matter how their days may be numbered.
Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't.
By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Wednesday Afternoon, December 26, 2007
The long Christmas weekend is over and not much has changed.
Dave spent the holidays with friends and family. On Christmas Eve, the family got together at our sister Peggy’s home which is slightly less than a mile from the hospital. That allowed for visits from family members. We had considered moving the party to the hospital lounge but determined it would be a bit overwhelming.
On Christmas, Dave spent the day with Marla, his children, and grand children.
His treatments are working, albeit slowly. His patience is amazing. The highlight of his days are when we read him the messages on this blog, the emails through me at JoeAltman@Altmans.com, and the cards he gets. For all of you who have sent him a message, thank you. And keep up the good work.
Dave spent the holidays with friends and family. On Christmas Eve, the family got together at our sister Peggy’s home which is slightly less than a mile from the hospital. That allowed for visits from family members. We had considered moving the party to the hospital lounge but determined it would be a bit overwhelming.
On Christmas, Dave spent the day with Marla, his children, and grand children.
His treatments are working, albeit slowly. His patience is amazing. The highlight of his days are when we read him the messages on this blog, the emails through me at JoeAltman@Altmans.com, and the cards he gets. For all of you who have sent him a message, thank you. And keep up the good work.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday Morning, December 21, 2007
Today is the shortest day of the year and Dave is still “hanging in there”. His spirits are good and he has been busy with a lot of friends visiting. The medical prognosis is still very cloudy, but we all understand that Dave’s future is in the hands of God, so we take it one day at a time.
Yesterday Dave had the good fortune to be visited by a flurry of people. George Selzer (who Dave still refers to as George Salazar--Dave he's German, not Mexican, I always to said) who has handled the electronic signs for the company, Santa Claus (really, Santa Claus, all dressed up with the white beard and all– I don’t know who it was but he knew Dave and I only pray I get something good this year), Frank Degelas- a business associate, and Lee Fitzgerald-a long-time friend in the RV Industry, and lastly one of Dave’s friends from church who might have seen me leave Mass early last Sunday.
Dave’s appetite is still not good. There will be pictures of Dave refusing food as memento's. For anyone who has ever dined with Dave, this is a very new experience. Being a sibling, I got to enjoy watching him eat his meal, and well as half of whatever desert I ordered.
Dave is enduring about 5 hours of therapy every day. He doesn’t really enjoy it . He questions if he’s making any improvement, but the therapists have told us his progress is normal.
It was four weeks ago yesterday that Dave fell ill. It sometimes seems like four months but we’ll just be patient. The number of cards and well-wished is astounding and very much appreciated.
The blog has not been updated for a few days because Marla and I were busy every day attending the Christmas Potlucks that each of our three locations has each year. This year the employees overwhelmingly decided the Annual Company Christmas Party would not be much fun with Dave in the hospital, so we stayed with our 3 individual, smaller gatherings.
We had our party in Baldwin Park on Tuesday, Carson on Wednesday, and Colton yesterday. Besides eating way too much, the parties were a great time to visit with our valued employees.
As I mentioned, one of Dave’s visitors on Thursday was Lee Fitzgerald. He flew down from Northern California. Lee and I are about the same age. Well actually, Lee is slightly older since he turned 50 a few months ago, and I’m still hanging in there at 44 (43 in dimly lit clubs and bars).
We’ve known Lee’s family for somewhere around 30 years! Dave served on the Board of Directors for Lee’s dealership, Venture Out RV, for several years and Dave has always had great respect for him.
Jokingly, I mentioned to Lee that he was the younger brother Dave always wanted. I was shocked (very shocked!) when Dave agreed.
Whatever happened to “No Joe, you’re the best younger brother anyone could ever want!”? Or, “No Joe, Lee would just be treated like a red-headed step-child if he were my brother.”
Debbie, Dave’s daughter, quickly grabbed all pillows and any other smothering tools in my reach, so I just sat there and sulked.
I just found out that on weekends, there is no physical therapy staff so family members get to rub this yucky stuff on Dave’s legs and help him to exercise. I hope Lee enjoys his new status as favorite brother.
The only reason I keep this up any more is the nice comments people make about this blog. Thank you. I'll update when there's more news. Or interesting stories.
Yesterday Dave had the good fortune to be visited by a flurry of people. George Selzer (who Dave still refers to as George Salazar--Dave he's German, not Mexican, I always to said) who has handled the electronic signs for the company, Santa Claus (really, Santa Claus, all dressed up with the white beard and all– I don’t know who it was but he knew Dave and I only pray I get something good this year), Frank Degelas- a business associate, and Lee Fitzgerald-a long-time friend in the RV Industry, and lastly one of Dave’s friends from church who might have seen me leave Mass early last Sunday.
Dave’s appetite is still not good. There will be pictures of Dave refusing food as memento's. For anyone who has ever dined with Dave, this is a very new experience. Being a sibling, I got to enjoy watching him eat his meal, and well as half of whatever desert I ordered.
Dave is enduring about 5 hours of therapy every day. He doesn’t really enjoy it . He questions if he’s making any improvement, but the therapists have told us his progress is normal.
It was four weeks ago yesterday that Dave fell ill. It sometimes seems like four months but we’ll just be patient. The number of cards and well-wished is astounding and very much appreciated.
The blog has not been updated for a few days because Marla and I were busy every day attending the Christmas Potlucks that each of our three locations has each year. This year the employees overwhelmingly decided the Annual Company Christmas Party would not be much fun with Dave in the hospital, so we stayed with our 3 individual, smaller gatherings.
We had our party in Baldwin Park on Tuesday, Carson on Wednesday, and Colton yesterday. Besides eating way too much, the parties were a great time to visit with our valued employees.
As I mentioned, one of Dave’s visitors on Thursday was Lee Fitzgerald. He flew down from Northern California. Lee and I are about the same age. Well actually, Lee is slightly older since he turned 50 a few months ago, and I’m still hanging in there at 44 (43 in dimly lit clubs and bars).
We’ve known Lee’s family for somewhere around 30 years! Dave served on the Board of Directors for Lee’s dealership, Venture Out RV, for several years and Dave has always had great respect for him.
Jokingly, I mentioned to Lee that he was the younger brother Dave always wanted. I was shocked (very shocked!) when Dave agreed.
Whatever happened to “No Joe, you’re the best younger brother anyone could ever want!”? Or, “No Joe, Lee would just be treated like a red-headed step-child if he were my brother.”
Debbie, Dave’s daughter, quickly grabbed all pillows and any other smothering tools in my reach, so I just sat there and sulked.
I just found out that on weekends, there is no physical therapy staff so family members get to rub this yucky stuff on Dave’s legs and help him to exercise. I hope Lee enjoys his new status as favorite brother.
The only reason I keep this up any more is the nice comments people make about this blog. Thank you. I'll update when there's more news. Or interesting stories.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
