Remembering Bob: In lieu of flowers

Dear Friends,

Many of you have been asking about making donations.  Maggie and the girls request that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the two non-profits that were so important to Bob:

 

1) 
 Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department 

     
 c/o Karen Bare-Kamimoto,                                 

334 Shaw Ave, Suite 135,       

Clovis CA 93612   

Note: Please put Bob Leach Memorial Fund on the memo line.

HLVFD is organized and recorded as a not-for-profit organization both with the Secretary of State in California and with the Internal Revenue Service (501.c.3).

                                                                                                 

and

2) Cal Poly State University c/o Kim Uytewaal

Office of the President

Cal Poly

San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-1000 Memo: In memory of Bob Leach Many thanks. 

Gathering: Memorial Service for Bob

A memorial service for Bob is planned for October 10, 2009, 1:00 PM, at the San Jose Marriott Hotel.

We realize that many of you are passing on this information to others.  If you know that you or others will be attending, it would be most helpful for our planning if you would let me know by email or phone:  sallylawless@gmail.com,  (206) 697-0522.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

A discount rate of $111.00 for rooms at the Marriott will be available if booked by next Wednesday, contact information and map link below.  Be sure to mention that you are in the Leach party.

San Jose Marriott Hotel
301 South Market Street
San Jose, California 95113
Phone: 408.280.1300
Email: mhrs.sjcsj.ays@Marriott.com
Website: www.SanJoseMarriott.com

View:

•  Map

•  Directions

•  Photo Tour of San Jose Marriott Hotel.

Saturday: Sorrow

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that we share with you that Bob lost his courageous fight against cancer this afternoon.  Maggie, Meganne, Eryn, and Marty were with him all day, and they were by his side when he passed peacefully and painlessly. 

We are grateful tonight for the outpouring of support you have offered the family during this difficult time.  As soon as we are able, we will post details regarding a memorial service planned in Saratoga October 10th, as well as suggestions for remembrances in lieu of flowers.

Many thanks to you all, 

The Leach family

Thursday: Where the heart is

Bob is home.  He's weak, more fatigued than a week ago, but well-supported with home care, and happy to be where he belongs.  Plans are in the works for Eryn to bring herself and Bob's dog, Finn, home to see him tomorrow, so there is much to be thankful for.

Tuesday: Perseverance

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.  -N.G.
  After a few days of testing, resting, and assessment at Stanford, the doctors say it's their goal to send Bob home again tomorrow.  A team of health care professionals will be available to lighten the load for Maggie and Meganne at home, and the family will continue to work with the doctors at Stanford to evaluate ongoing treatment options. Bob is looking forward to spending time in his own house, in his own garden, and--hopefully soon--with his dog.

Saturday: Readmitted

Bob was readmitted to Stanford yesterday because he is just not well enough to remain at home right now. Despite his recent improvements, the doctors are emphasizing that his disease has progressed to an advanced stage.  They will continue to evaluate him over the course of the next week and work with the family to go forward with a plan. For now we are taking it day by day.

Thursday: Focused ahead

Thank you all for the many, many notes with good wishes for Bob.  As we move forward with big challenges ahead, we are taking one day at a time, and will keep you posted periodically as we have news.

Tuesday: Homecoming

Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. - Winston Churchill

It didn't take the doctors long to decide to send Bob home, and tonight, after a long day of preparing the house and going through all the discharge procedures, we were all home together: Maggie, Bob, Meganne, Matt, Jenny, and I.  We had a nice family dinner, with toasts and laughs.

Tomorrow, I will be heading back to Seattle, but a new phase will begin for the family, filled with an overwhelming new set of challenges: bringing in home care nurses; making trips to Stanford for additional tests and chemo; scheduling physical, occupational and speech therapy at home; and managing medications, nutrition & daily activities.  Maggie sends her gratitude to all of you who have called, written, helped out, visited, and kept Bob in your thoughts and prayers.  Your support, near and far, have sustained us all.

Tonight. we're beyond exhausted, but so happy that Bob is finally in his own bed, where he is presently sleeping soundly.

Monday: Good News Day

A busy day today--Bob was dressed and up most of the day, had a massage, walked to the garden again.  The staff told him how much they love his humor and personality.  He's a motivated patient and a lot of fun for them--so much fun, in fact, and doing so well, that the doctors are talking about sending him home.  He's happy, and so are we.  It's a good news day.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Take it Easy

An easy weekend as Bob adjusts to this round of chemo.  He's been eating well, listening to music, getting out into the garden, and resting.

Thursday: Nourishment & Movement

 

Bob wants to know: What is his contract with the doctors?  They realize that he is a goal guy, and the attending says, "Eat as much as you can, and move as much as you can."  This has become the focus of Bob's day.  His feeding tube has been removed, so he is calculating calories and getting out of bed several times each day these past couple of days.  Today, taking a walk with the physical therapist, he was determined to go all the way to the garden and back. The nurses and staff came out to watch, clapped and cheered as he went by.  They all love his spirit.

Tuesday/Wednesday: "Progress, again"

When we arrived at the hospital this morning (Maggie has had 2 nights of good sleep at home), Bob was not in his bed.  We found him walking around in the hallway with the physical therapist.  Back in the room, he started organizing us to get his photos together so he could see them better, save the food he likes to take advantage of "calorie opportunities", and joked with the doctors as they said, "every day you're improving: progress, again!"  He's more talkative and in good spirits, starting the new round of chemo today, a good day.

Monday: Labor Day Greetings

Bob was up and dressed for a short time today; sends his best to all of you.

Saturday/Sunday: Gathering strength

Peacefully uneventful days, with a few minutes out in the garden.  Bob is staying steady.  A strong weekend will allow a new round of chemo to begin on Monday.

If he holds this course, it's likely there won't be any real news for some days. He has some good momentum, and it looks like his strength is gathering.

Friday: Gratitude

Today was my hands-on orientation to the World of Bob.  Tonight, back at Maggie's, I am humbled by the kind of time and work she and Meganne have been putting in daily, and by Bob's courageous fight.

The care that is consistently delivered --by every single person I met at the hospital--is impressive. It seems that we have our own private doctors and nurses just waiting outside Bob's door to help.  It's a team that inspires confidence and gratitude.

The hospital is beautiful and cheerful: inspiring art on the walls, live music where it's accessible to patients, billowing gardens that go on and on around the hospital grounds and visible through the windows, cafeterias with appealing and healthy food. Today when I asked him if there was any food I could bring him that he might have a craving for, he thought carefully and said quietly, "a small martini."

Although he sleeps much of the day and is often uncomfortable, Bob is fairly alert when he is awake:  he queries the doctors,  asks for the sports page, makes plans to sit up for awhile, contemplates the qualities of the foods he likes best, keeps his sense of humor handy, and is graciously kind to, and appreciative of all who have helped him: his family, the nurse checking in, or all of you, keeping him in your thoughts. 

These past few days he is inching along, each day a little better than the day before. A short visit from Brother Chris, on his way to the lake today, brought a twinkle to Bob's eye.

Thursday: busy

I arrived today, checked out the hospital.  Bob was tired, resting quietly, but everything around him was a beehive of activity.  Writing from my phone tonight, more tomorrow.

Wednesday: Quiet Day

lllll

...

Just a quiet day.  I'm going down to be with Maggie tomorrow.  More soon.

Tuesday: Continuing

Today, mixed results.  The good news:

• Bob has a little more energy and alertness
• The pneumonia is slowly retreating, making room for easy breaths.
• The extra calories bring some added strength and clarity.
• Bob is talking to his doctors about his favorite place.....yes, the Lake.....and because it's hard for him to get the words out, he lets them know as he explains that he is having "mechanical difficulties."  
• He got out of bed to sit in a chair for a few minutes, and,
• The photographs, thanks to you for submitting them and to Molly for printing them, are bringing smiles to his face.

The no news:
      • Still testing, still waiting for some kind of explanation & prognosis.

Monday: Bewildered

.

Bob's having difficulty retrieving the words he wants to use: it's called expressive aphasia.  He's frustrated and confused, the doctors are baffled, and it's difficult to observe without being able to help.

Special testing continues in an effort to gain an explanation, and to clarify the nature and extent of any damage incurred by the brain hemmorhage, though results will take time.  One more thing for which we need to summon patience.  Bob is still fighting hard--and that's something he can tell us.

We're collecting a few photos to put into an album.  If you would like to send one that would be meaningful to Bob, we'll be happy to include it.

Sunday

Since his original brain hemorrhage episode three weeks ago, Bob's doctors have had ongoing concerns about his cognitive responses.  A series of tests administered today show he is having difficulty, but as both the cause and the prognosis remain uncertain, the neuro tests,  CT scans and MRIs will continue.

From Maggie:

To our many dear friends, thank you all for the cards, comments on Bob's Blog, good wishes and support.  After a week with improvements, this weekend Bob slipped back some.  We are having additional testing tonight, tomorrow and as long as it takes to try and figure out why his condition keeps going up and down.

We will update when we can, but it may not be on a daily basis.  The doctors (and there are many) are trying to figure out why he responds well and then reverses.  He never was an easy guy to understand.  We will update as we can.  Hugs to all.  Maggie, Bob, Meganne and Eryn.

Saturday: Lazy day

Bob didn't rest well last night---slept most of the day.

Friday evening: Small victories

The doctors are encouraged by the improvement in Bob's appearance: he looks much better today. This afternoon he said, "I have had a wonderfully relaxing day today!" He listened to a live jazz band, had 2 naps, lunched to the Eagles (on iPod), practiced a little chair dancing and watched some football before dinner.

These are small victories and pleasures for which we are grateful, as Bob remains under constant observation and care by an attentive, expert team. All day, doctors with diverse specialties observe, question, and confer with each other and the family regarding his treatment: white blood cells and platelets are measured daily, nutrition and lungs are monitored, medication is changed and evaluated for side effects, CT scans are ongoing, nurses and therapists come and go.

Bob continues to struggle with several cognitive issues, receives three kinds of daily therapy, and puts forth a huge amount of effort for his weak and fragile body-----all this and more still make up the bulk of the day for Bob, Maggie, and Meganne in that small hospital room. The ups and downs can be exhausting for everyone, but still: a good day is a good day, and this was one.

Thank you for the continued support and encouragement.  Maggie and Meganne are going to try to find a way to display all the wonderful cards they have received.  Every one is a heart-warming gift that makes the long days easier.

Friday morning: Spirits up

From Meganne this Morning:

Today we had a cooking class instructed by Bob. Breakfast in our "test kitchen" included a smoothie, oatmeal, yogurt and banana. Chef Bob thought that they would taste good together. Perhaps accompanied by a dry riesling as the smoothie was "fruit forward".

Docs haven't been by yet today. But Bob wants to go to the garden and then perhaps a tour of... the library...??? He's a little confused. --M.

A few minutes later:

When the team came into Bob's room today, he was sitting in a chair with the IV pole next to him, the table in front of him, and my mom and I sitting in chairs in front of that. The attending (most senior doctor) said, "Bob, it looks like you are holding court." To which he responded, "Well, my three fiefdoms are different today but the king feels fine."

Thursday: Entering Warrior Mode

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time  -Tolstoy

We are in a period of wait and see.  Bob was up early today: he ate breakfast, watched the news, & was able to enjoy a few minutes in the hospital garden. Hours later, he's tired and confused, not feeling well, not fully present, difficulty talking.  Sleeping now.  He still has pnemonia and a low platelet count, both serious concerns, and the doctors are monitoring his status in several areas as we approach the end of this chemo cycle. Maggie says the amount of medication he takes each day is daunting.

We are pleased and relieved with the doctors report from yesterday, cognizant that Bob's progress is relative, and that we can't even say that he is on the road to recovery yet.  Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.  He is fighting hard, gathering his strength for the long wait.

Wednesday Eve: Patience

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Today was a long day of waiting.  The doctors came in this afternoon to give their report: Considering his condition upon entry at Stanford, Bob has made good progress these past two weeks--actually, as good as they could have expected.   His last dose of the heavy chemo bombardment cycle will be tomorrow, and then we must wait a long couple of weeks and see what's what. 

He now has a fire truck photo from his beloved Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department.  Thank you, Lisa.  I don't have that photo, but I do have another of the firehouse, so I'm posting that to get you in the spirit.  Our brother Peter has been traveling extensively on business lately, currently in Paris, and he wants us to know he is wearing the HLVFD  T-shirt in solidarity.

We all let out a big sigh of relief today.  Even so, there is a difficult road ahead. Bob is weak, has had trouble swallowing, and has lost a great deal of weight, so that is being addressed.  He actually was able to eat a little real food today---a big step.

So: strength and nourishment and love: that's the plan.

Wednesday Morn: Sun Therapy

Bob was strong enough this morning to go out for a few breaths of real, fresh air and sunlight.

Note from last night, as Maggie was giving him his dose of meds:

MRL:  What's that?
MML: Your chemo, open up.
MRL:  Insufficient data!

After carefully listening to Meganne thoroughly describe ALL the meds and their purposes, he decided it was okay to comply.

Many people have inquired about visiting Bob, so here is the scoop: Although he made it through this last crisis, he is very ill.  Every new person is exhausting; every germ is life-threatening. Right now the doctors are asking that only his closest family members be allowed.  The good news: there are no restrictions on sending messages, and you can even do that below*.  Maggie reads him your comments, good wishes, and cards daily, and those have brought big smiles to his face, thank you.

Meganne is reading him the financial pages, so he's up to date on that.

*To send a message below,  click on the actual WORD-"COMMENTS",  NOT the envelope.  You can write your name under "open identity", no need to put in a URL.   That should do the trick.  This is my first blog experience, so I'm learning, too.  Please let me know if you need help.

Tuesday

Bob improved overnight--the antibiotics seem to be working.   He is awake, definitely better today, even talking a bit, but very weak, still not in the clear.  He's has a lot of junk in his lungs, and the focus is on trying to clear that out.  He's fighting hard.  It's a process, but these baby steps are in a good direction.  Meganne and Whitney spent some good time at the hospital, Tom and Marty were there as well, giving Maggie a few hours' much-needed break. 

We have been so grateful to receive the cards and messages.  Your words of support mean so much to all of us now, thank you.


**NOTE: the comment settings have been changed, so I think it will work now: try it.  Click the actual word "COMMENTS." You can write your name under "open identity", no need to put in a URL, or choose "anonymous" as your ID.

Monday

Bob developed an infection in his lungs last night that has been difficult for his body to manage.  He's on antibiotics and loving care, going hour by hour today.

Whitney arrived tonight.  Bob woke up for the first time all day and was able to recognize & have a few words with her.   He is listening to ipod music with a headset these past couple of days.  Yesterday, though asleep most the day, he managed a little air guitar with the Eagles.  Still Bob.

Sunday

Bob had a rough day today and slept most the day.  He is neutropenic, which means that his white cell count has dropped to a level where risk of infection is very high.  So his door is closed, all who enter must wash before coming in/out. Plants, flowers, and uncooked food are not allowed, and people are screened to prevent the entry of cold, flu, or any other symptoms.  If he leaves his room he must have a full mask on.  His food must be fully cooked or canned, fruits & vegetables cooked or peeled.  This was expected, but the docs say it could take a couple of weeks, or more, to return to normal white blood cell counts.                                                             

We had CT scan tonight and it indicates that previous swelling there is decreasing, no new concerns.  Also had a chest xray tonight and are waiting for results.

Several of you have asked about sending cards or messages.  There is a place where you can read comments left by others or write something yourself at the bottom of each post: Just click on the word "COMMENTS" below.  Please feel free to leave a message here for Bob, Maggie, the family, or me and I will pass them along.  If you're a pen and paper sort of person and would like to actually write, the Leach home address is as follows: 

14608 El Puente Way

Saratoga, CA 95070

Our sincere appreciation and good wishes are with you all tonight.

Two Steps Forward....

It was a good week, but today was a down day for Bob: platelets low, bloody nose, headache, fatigue and weakness, no appetite.  The bleeding was controlled, new platelets given, and careful monitoring resumed. These kinds of days are to be expected at this stage of transition, but are difficult to get through.  We are very happy with the expertise, attention, and quality of care at Stanford, so we know Bob is in good hands.  Resting tonight, holding positive thoughts for tomorrow.

Thanks to those of you who have donated platelets and blood.  Although Bob won't get them, someone else who needs them will.

This picture is one Meganne took yesterday.

Welcome to TheBOBlog

Dear Friends,

We'd like to keep you all updated regarding Bob's progress, so here is the BOBLOG, where you'll find notes, stories and news.

A little background: After spending 5 days in the ICU at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, Bob checked into the Oncology wing of the Stanford Medical Center August 13,^th where he is receiving treatment for Multiple Myeloma and Plasma Cell Leukemia. This week he is alert, stable, fighting hard and holding his own. Even on the most difficult days, he shows remarkable alertness, a can-do attitude and a great sense of humor. He's experiencing some short-term memory lapses and a little date/time confusion, but the doctors say that's to be expected with his current doses of morphine and other pain medications; not an immediate concern.

Meganne has taken a family leave from her job as a Nurse Practioner in Philadelphia. She's doing the doc talk with the Stanford team. She and Maggie are spending their days at the hospital, Maggie sleeps there most nights. Eryn was able to come for 2 weeks, just recently returned to Colorado to begin her new job as a pediatric surgery nurse, and she is also caring for Bob's new poodle puppy, Finn.

Right now they're bombarding Bob with chemo to get the upper hand: in another few days we'll know how well this is working.   It's an uphill battle, with ups and downs and a long way to go, but Bob is improving daily, and progress is steady.  Today he could get up for meals, stand up, and walk a little with his walker.  He says he feels his balance is coming back.  He's been cleared for less morphine, more food, and has gained more clarity too.

Bob has had several good days in a row this week, and we're hoping for more of the same.  We have had incredible support and encouragement from family and friends.  Many thanks for your thoughts, prayers and kind words. Stay tuned. Maggie, Meganne & Eryn.