Funeral Arrangements for Bob

We will be having a viewing on Oct 7th at Holmdel Funeral home http://www.holmdelfuneralhome.com/. The first one is 2:00pm to 4:00pm and the second is 7:00pm to 9:00pm. We will be having a religious service around 7:00pm if you would like to join.

Address: 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel NJ 07733
Phone number is 732-946-3322.

My father was a giving man and in that spirit if you are thinking of sending flowers we would rather you donate to a charity called Hero's for Children http://www.heroesforchildren.org/ in dads name. This is a charity that is dear to my heart and Dad loved it as well.

Goodbye Bob

I'm not sure what words to use here, but after weeks of fighting, Daddy lost his battle tonight. His heart stopped and it was his time to go. Mom was by his side, as was Uncle Shaggy (his oldest friend) and his wife Lisa. You all know there just aren't words to describe Dad, no one had more heart and more love for the people around him. He loved you all.

We can't thank everyone enough for all the prayers and support, we will keep everyone posted over the next few days.

Bob always said when his time came, open a beer, give a smile, and think of all the good.

Love,

Kim and the rest of the Frank Clan

It's Friday

I was at the hospital by 9 this morning, Dad was sitting up on the edge of the bed trying to eat a little when I walked him. He ate a little farina (how the heck do you spell that slop?) and drank some Ensure which is good. He just isn't hungry and says he constantly feels full. He's lost over 30 pounds so I'm sure his stomach has shrunk too.

I had the nurses move Dad right into his chair instead of laying back down when he was done trying to eat. It hurts him a lot to move and we knew they'd want him sitting up at some point so we just got it over with.

Dad seems weaker today, and his breathing is very labored so they ordered a chest x-ray. His pulse-ox (sp?) was 92, they want it at 100%. They did the x-ray but we are waiting for his doctor(s) to review them.

A specialist came in to teach us how to change Dad's "bag". We watched a short video and than watched the nurse change everything step by step. Dad slept through the whole thing but Mom and I think we'll have it under control. The nurse said she'd do another demonstration next week for Dad when he's feeling up to it. Dad's incisions look great and the bag is functioning well.

Mom is still with Dad. Chris and Kim have the boys (including mine so I could go into work for a few hours) and they are doing some work around the house for mom and dad.

Like Chris said, Dad loves visitors, even if he just listens to them talk while he rests.

Keep the prayers up, Dad still has a long road ahead!

Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts.

Kim and the rest of the Frank Clan

Thursday's Update

Dad had lost of folks going to see him yesterday.  If we had to grade him on a scale on 1 to 10 I would say his attitude is 8, his strength 3 and he get a plays well with others as far as listening and working with the docs and nurses.  

As in most hospitals right now it is not 5 star service and that frustrates him a bit but besides that he is just trying to get well.  Yesterday he graduated from Ice Chips to "Smoothie" type food.  The goal is to get his energy up now and get some nutrients back into his body.  Strength is the key.

The Wounde Specialist came in yesterday to look at his incisions and she said all is well, no infections.  They are going to come in today to teach Mom and Dad how to work with the Colostomy Bag, it appears there is a lot more care and maintenance than many of us would have thought but all the mystery goes out the door after the lesson they get today.

I am sure folks are wondering if they should call or stop by.  He is ok with visitors, he does more listening than he does speaking right now.  We all think the Morhpine makes dad just a bit crazy in the head but besides that it makes him cat nap.  As for the phone it is hard to understand him still.  He appears to still be a bit dehydrated and with a dry tounge you talk funny.  

The last two days they have gotten dad out of bed and into a chair.  I think the next big step is going to be getting him on his own feet for a short walk no matter how small.  As I spoke to dad yesterday I asked him if he was ok and he told me that he was better than the day before and we agreed that today would be a bit better than yesterday.  

More to come....  Stay Tuned....

Last update from Wednesday the 1st

We all got to spend time with Dad.  Kim and I took the boys over to say hi, mom and I went out with the boys to run errands.  Kim stayed and hung out with Dad for a few hours and then Mom went back.  The night ended with Michele Hackney and I (Chris) hanging with Dad until he wanted to go to sleep which was about 10:30.  Dad was talking quite a bit and was really alert.  It was good to see him this way.  They were pumping him full of fluids all day and had him sitting up in the chair for close to 8 hours.  It was a good day and definately an improvement from the first day I saw him Pre Surgery.  

Today we are all going to spend some time with dad and we will try to post later on today.  

Post Surgery Day 1

I was at the hospital bright and early this morning to see Dad. He was out like a light with a cup of ice in one hand and his morphine button in the other. He woke up when I kissed his head and knew who I was - so I felt 100 times better. Mom came in shortly after I got there, and Chris & Kim & the boys were heading over early afternoon.

He's in a lot of pain right now, but that's to be expected. He's still coming to terms with the fact that his entire colon is gone, but he did manage to joke that he didn't have to get up once last night to use the bathroom, that made him smile. All of stats look good, they are watching his urine as its a big dark/bloody, but all in all, he's doing great. He sleeps a lot, but we are guessing Mr. Morphine has a lot to do with that.

They cleaned him up and made him get up and get in a chair after I left to head into work. Mom said it hurt him, but he handled it like a champ.

Thank you once again for all the prayers and keep them coming. Dad has a long road ahead of him!

Kim and the rest of the Frank Clan

Good Night / Great Night

Well who could ask for anything more, dad is out of surgery and recovering.  It appears that he is getting the rest that he needs and we will see what tomorrow brings.  I have to tell you that we all apprecaite all the support that everybody has had for Bob and I will be taking the time tomorrow to read all the comments folks have left.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you.