Well, maybe it isn’t over yet. My lab numbers have spun out of control, it appears. My creatinine has shot up to 3.9 and calcium, magnesium and phosphorous are out of whack. I am listless and all I want to do is sleep. I have gained 15 pounds and I generally feel like shit (sorry momma, but I’ve got to lay it on the line). The PA and my nurse Janet came in yesterday with news that I had gotten through 9 doses instead of eight and that I had done a great job with that.
I’m red as a beet that has been freshly pulled from the ground and whacked open with a knife. If you cut me, I would ooze red. My lips beg for Burt’s Bees and the physicians’ assistants tell me that 99.9 percent of the time, these number will come back into their proper place. All I can think of is what if they don’t. Diarrhea has set in and is causing concern, especially since I’m not making much urine.
Jill and I just went for short walk around the newly remodeled section of the 9th floor here at Duke. It is 3:30 in the afternoon on Friday (the day we were supposed to go home) and we’re all concerned about what the creatinine test will show. We should have results in about 30 minutes. As I’ve been up and around, I’m starting to feel better.
Yesterday afternoon I got a great thrill. They brought in a Golden Retriever whose sole concern was the well being of the people on this floor. They draped me and my bed with a fresh sheet and gave me a squirt of antibacterial gel and the 7-year-old Electra hopped up onto me and positioned her sweet head against my neck. It was a simple, but fantastic experience. Electra make me think of my Dixie, who is wondering where the hell I am. I can’t even put into words how much I enjoyed ten full minutes of snuggling with Electra. Her soft coat and bright eyes gave me sweet memories of what Dixie looked like about 6 years ago. It was a great gift in a time of need.
Church lady this is for you: I have started and stopped this blog post several times today. People coming in to do their jobs have interrupted me and what I’ve seen as I’ve read it over, prior to releasing it, is that I’ve started to rally and feel better during the course of the day. We had a fun thing happen a short few minutes ago. Chaplain Patricia Smith knocked on the door and asked it she could in to talk to us for a brief minute. “Sure,” I said. She gave us some encouraging words and the conversation finally got down to prayer. “Would you allow me to pray with you,” said Patricial. “Absolutely,” I said. Jill got up from her chair and joined us in a hand-holding prayer reverse Oreo prayer ring. Patricia was the gooey center.
Just as she was about to sling out a prayer that would make Isaiah Huguley proud, the door knocked again and Dr. Jeffrey Peppercorn walked in with extreme trepidation on his face as he saw in this peripheral vision a reverse Oreo hand holding session going on. “Come on in Doctor and join us,” I said. He was as uncomfortable as a white man can be and it was funny to watch. He never closed his eyes during the sweet prayer (I didn’t either, I must confess) and everything turned out great, even Dr. Peppercorn said so.
Bottom line, I’m feeling better by the hour, and we just can’t wait to get back home among our family and friends. We’ve read all your uplifting blog posts and we couldn’t not appreciate any more the love you have all shown us. We’ll be home soon to recuperate and get ready to do it all again, cause that’s the way we roll!
Judy W says
September 7, 2012 at 4:43 pmSo glad to leave work for the week on that encouraging note! Hang in there. Hoping those numbers fall into place sooner rather than later!
Ron and Janet says
September 7, 2012 at 4:44 pmHang tough! We’re happy to hear you’re feeling better with time. We thinking about and praying for both of you. Love you, buddy.
Betsy Covington says
September 7, 2012 at 4:44 pmSo, it’s good to hear from you. I was wondering what was up! Turns out you’re not quite sure yourself (and isn’t that usually the way in this Grand Adventure of Life?!) Overall it sounds like you did great. If you’re red forever we’ll have ourselves some fun with that. But you know you won’t be. Be calm, rest up and come on home when you can.
Cyndy says
September 7, 2012 at 4:45 pmYou sound great, Mike! Just what we want to hear. Hope you get home soon to your own Dixie!
Pat Daniel says
September 7, 2012 at 4:47 pmSo glad to hear that you are feeling better and that they brought that wonderful dog in to spend some time with you!!!! I know that really lifted your spirits. Hang in there. I will say a pray abut the blood tests.
Rusty Scoven says
September 7, 2012 at 4:55 pmHang tough Mike V!!!! We all have you in our thoughts!!
Jennifer Joyner says
September 7, 2012 at 4:55 pmGlad to read by the end of the post you are feeling better. The power of a good dog and prayer can not be under-estimated!
Donna Gafford says
September 7, 2012 at 4:56 pmOh so very glad you are able to go home. Glad things seem to be moving the direction they need to. Loved hearing about Electra. Goldens seem to be on this earth to love and be loved. come to think of it we all are…the dogs just understand it better. We are thinking of you daily while on our trip. My prayers are joining with everyone else’s. It’s powerful stuff, this love thing.
Debbie Seeley says
September 7, 2012 at 4:59 pmI’m tearing up over the pup laying with you. Nothing like the un-conditional love of an animal!
Your ass better hurry up and get up to snuff so I can pick your brain on the Crystal Ball!
You’re my hero Mike Venable!
Clark and Barbara says
September 7, 2012 at 5:05 pmRonald Reagan said something to the effect of “there is nothing so good for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse”. I think that works for dogs, too, especially the warm caring eyes of a Golden.
Ellen Brooks says
September 7, 2012 at 5:13 pmThere is nothing like a Golden and prayer to lift spirits! I am so glad you are beginning to feel better. 🙂 I hope you get to come home soon. Still praying!
Jim & Terry Irvin says
September 7, 2012 at 5:20 pmYou are perhaps the bravest and most determined human we’ve ever known. Glad you got through round one. Time to rest until you put on your armor again. Look forward to your return to Columbus where you belong!
David and Debbie Harrell says
September 7, 2012 at 5:27 pmJust keep it up. Fight , fight, fight. Come home regroup and go again my friend.
Perry Ann says
September 7, 2012 at 5:29 pmI have a vision after last post!! Squirting beet visions!!
You need to come home and get yourself some home cookin!!
Congrats on taking that big can of whoopass medicine and blogging and slogging through it all
You helped us not fret so much.
Gayle Henderson says
September 7, 2012 at 5:33 pmWe LOVE the way ya’ll roll! Keep at it!
Marquette McKnight says
September 7, 2012 at 5:35 pmThis blog should come with a WARNING LABEL (and no, not about the cuss words) “SIDE EFFECTS FROM READING THIS BLOG INCLUDE WATERY SUBSTANCE OOOZING FROM EYES, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF ANY MAKEUP YOU HAVE ON AT WORK” Loved the story about the dog – of course, Bibb would have done the same for you – as long as he wasn’t barking at Jill! Keeping fingers crossed that your creatin level is getting back where it needs to be. WE MISS YOU MIKEY!
Carol Ann says
September 7, 2012 at 5:55 pmI never really know what to say. I seem to repeat myself. I saw your pops today. It was nice to chat a few minutes with him. Somehow it made me feel closer to you and Jill.
Prayers sent! Come home safely.
Eddie and Nancy Reid says
September 7, 2012 at 6:03 pmMade us feel good to read the last part of your blog, good to hear that you are feeling better. Dogs are womderful!!!
When you get home, we hope that you will feel well enough for us to come to see you. We really miss y’all at St. Matthews.
Pat McDougall says
September 7, 2012 at 6:09 pmWow, amongst the things you went through today, you still have your courage AND your funny humor! You are truly amazing! I trust that your #’s will come back into alignment as they should. We all claim that you will be feeling better, get your strength back, turn back to your beautiful golden tanned color, and get revived to go in again for round two! Blessings to you and Jill!
Pat McD
Warren Steele says
September 7, 2012 at 6:13 pmReverse oreo. Now that is funny. I can see it. Stay strong, my friend.
Jessica says
September 7, 2012 at 6:37 pmGolden Retreivers are the best! Our Golden Girls nursed us many times …always with great success. Doctors that pray with their patients are also the best. You are in good hands on many levels. Thoughts and prayers to you both from many – including the Barricks.
Debbie white says
September 7, 2012 at 6:51 pmMike, I am so proud of you and how you are not only handling your situation but encouraging all of us. You have always been such a special individual, I pray God’s Blessings on you and Jill. Be safe coming home.
Cahty Williams says
September 7, 2012 at 7:30 pmO.k., Dude, this one brought me to my knees; both in prayer and tears. Come home so we can wrap our collective arms around you both.
Scotty says
September 7, 2012 at 7:54 pmKeeping you in my thoughts and prayers cuz. Keep fighting the good fight…
Kimberly Taghon says
September 7, 2012 at 8:16 pmMike, Praying you will continue to be strong in spirit and for your body to reflect that strength. Prayer is a mighty weapon and I am wielding it on your behalf. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)
Alenna Peak says
September 7, 2012 at 8:48 pmSounds like you are going to be home soon and hoping things are going well for you…you can’t fool us about that red face…you really had a chemical peel and don’t want anybody to no !
Donna says
September 7, 2012 at 8:49 pmGlad to hear you are hangin tough & feeling somewhat better…I am a fellow warrior in the rcc fight myself (10 months in) I have 2 goldens 2 & 14 yrs old they are by my side day & night….they help ALOT…..thoughts & prayers to you & your family….
Mary Choi says
September 7, 2012 at 9:22 pmHi Mike…I anxiously read your posts always hoping for good news. Your words are a wonderful break in my day and remind me to be grateful for my good health. Thank you for sharing your experience with the sweet therapy dog! What an amazing blessing…dogs rule! I will continue to think and pray for you everyday! Hang tough!
Judy Sheppard says
September 7, 2012 at 9:27 pmI hope this isn’t presumptuous, but a friend is rebinding the old Bible I was given by my church when I was 12, and so I recently saw the prayer I’d lettered in white Liquid Paper on the black inside cover for dramatic effect, when I was about 15. (Remember Liquid Paper?) I think it’s attributed to St. Teresa.
Here it is:
Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee;
All things are passing; God never changeth;
Patient endurance obtaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth, in nothing is lacking;
Alone God sufficeth.
Betty Anne Pollock says
September 7, 2012 at 9:41 pmDitto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, everything above. Travel safely coming home. Love you both!
Theresa Garcia Robertson says
September 7, 2012 at 9:59 pmLove to you both! You are in our hearts and thoughts daily.
Yana says
September 7, 2012 at 10:51 pmYou are one powerful and amazing man, i can now see where your boys get it from. i just started reading this thanks to michaels posts on facebook and i think its about time to go back and read about the jourbey from the start. To a very speedy and full recovery, and thank you for letting us join along.
Mary Starke says
September 8, 2012 at 7:31 amContinued prayers going your way. As always, I admire your courage, your willingness to share, your sense of humor, and your wordsmith skills. The part about Electra was particularly interesting.
Karen Taylor says
September 8, 2012 at 8:38 amI pray God will bless you and Jill and that He will be well pleased to heal you completely…get back home and to your friends. I know how comforting it was to receive the hug and love from Electra. Dogs are so good at giving us so much love.
Jamie Keating says
September 8, 2012 at 8:47 amMike,
Thinking of you! Can’t wait to see you at the restaurant!
Claire Arline Jackson says
September 8, 2012 at 10:14 amIsn’t wonderful that Electra was allowed to give you hugs from all of us? Good thing it wasn’t our Maggie Mae. She is a 70 lb. Belgium Shepherd that thinks she is a lap dog. Glad you are feeling better and ready to come home.
Loved the visual of the prayer and the narrative with your sense of humor. God has a way of being in every situation. All we have to do is open our eyes to HIS presence. Continuing to pray for you and that you will be able to go home soon.
Blessings
Liz Monahan says
September 8, 2012 at 11:31 amYou’re doing great, Mike… 9 was the farthest I could take. I love the visit from Electra… it is so true that dogs can help us to heal. I hope you have a speedy recovery at home.
Stephen Coates says
September 8, 2012 at 2:40 pmHang in there Mike. We’re thinking about you down here. My heart and prayers go out to you.
Lloyd and Nell Hudson says
September 8, 2012 at 5:36 pmMike, You make us laugh and cry at the same time! What character and strength you have–and Jill too! We are thinking of you, praying for you, and sending you our love each day. So glad you have such great support up there, especially from the faithfulness of Electra and a very special chaplain. Lloyd and Nell
Dianne Henry says
September 8, 2012 at 5:56 pmSaw sweet Betty today at Daisy’s memorial. Sure did miss y’all. It was so well done. Details later.
Hope you are on the road by now.
Praying for safe travels, strength, and the results we are all praying for.
Love and peace,
Di
Michele Turner says
September 9, 2012 at 1:33 pmI so enjoy reading your blog, its so honest and brave. I get so much courage from reading it and I can laugh with you even though I don’t know how you find it in yourself to pull it up and let it out but it must be natural and in your nature to do so. I get a real kick out of your writing style. Its great to imagine you and Jill at home in Miss Laura’s old house is how I will always recall it…
Love and Aloha,
Michele
Patty Branch says
September 9, 2012 at 10:44 pmMike, I am so glad this first week is over! You are so strong and such a fighter, I admire you so much! I am so sorry that you are having to go through all of this, but you have made it through and you will make it through next time. I pray that the medicine is busy killing all of those cancer cells right this minute. I don’t know how you have been able to keep blogging, but I am so glad that you have kept us all updated. I also laugh and cry at the same time! You are amazing! You and Jill continue to be in my thoughts and prayers! You are both so strong. Keep fighting! We are all with you! I know it has been really bad . I hope you come home and recouperate and just keep that spirit and determination! Love to you both!