FEBRUARY 28, 2009

Hello Everyone - Just wanted to update everyone. I have moved over to another blog because some people are having a hard time posting on this blog. It will at caringbridge.org and then type in dannywhisler (small letters and no spaces). Danny has had a great week. Patty commented that she can't believe how good he looks. My dad is amazed also. 1 week Thursday night, we thought we lost him and he wasn't eating or drinking and there he fights back and just did so good. I am so proud of him. Yesterday and today, Danny at times has had setbacks. But he still comes out in the living room and eats dinner and watches a little TV and then he has to go back to bed. Today, his headaches were a little bit worse, so I increased his morphine and he then sleeps alot. I just don't want him in any pain.

When we wake him up, he gives me and Chris such a look. But then he realizes who we are and he starts kidding around with us. Today, his dad and Joy came by (I wasn't here) and they had a good visit but short because Danny was a little sleepy from his morphine. His Grandpa Joe comes by almost every other day and Jamie spent Friday night with us. Jenna was here earlier in the week and gave Danny a haircut and trimmed his beard. He looks so good.

Well, like I said, please check out the new blog.

FEBRUARY 24, 2009

Well here we are again - Danny has had a great day. His nurse came by and she is dumb founded on his good attitude and how he can walk. Tonight, he isn't walking as well as this morning but he sure does try. Like my sister Linda said he is an amazing kid and he is probably telling us not to give up. His grandpa Joe came by but Danny was asleep and then Aunt Patty came by and fed Danny his lunch. I gave him some morphine around 2:30 and he has been awake since then. He came out into the living room and has been there ever since.

My friend Sharon brought us some really good dinner and Danny ate pork loin and potatoe casserole. He also loves garlic bread. He is at a stage like my mom was. He is always inspecting every thing. Like any lint that is on him or around him, he wants to pick it out. Mom did that alot. He picks up the telephone and just looks and studies it. He always that cute little grin that he has. I love seeing him smile. I think he is about sick and tired of laying in his bed in the same room. He likes sitting out in the living room and having family around him and watching TV.

Everyone that has seen him are just amazed by how good he looks and how good his motor skills are. He has great color again. You never know, God may decide to give us a miracle healing.
Oh, wouldn't that be awesome.

FEBRUARY 24, 2009

WE HAVE SUCH GREAT NEWS TODAY!!!!

Danny is up and walking around. I just can't believe and I certainly don't understand it. He is eating again and drinking root beer. He is happy all the time and loves being in the dining room with me where I work on my loans. If God is not giving us a miracle of complete healing, he is giving me a miracle of some great days with Danny. I will give more of an update tonight.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

The earlier blog was posted by Chris.  After he posted that, we had such a great time with Danny.  As Chris said earlier, Danny was having a great day and it lasted all the way to bedtime.  Nicole - you won't believe what Danny ate for dinner tonight.  Yep, he ate curry rice.  And then before he went to sleep, he ate a whole ice cream sandwich.  I was sneaking around the corner going into his room and when Danny would see me, he would crack up laughing.  We had so much fun with him.  He was so alert today.  And he acted like he was really watching a movie which was "The Rock" with Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.  Aunt Patty, Scotty, Zac and Mac came by to see how well he was doing.  Patty said he looked so good and he was so alert.

After everything that has happened in this last week, I am so happy to have Danny like he was today.  I sometimes want to believe that he might be cured but then I come to my senses and know thats very unlikely to happen but I certainly pray that God would do that for us.  I will cherish today forever.  Thats what this blog is all about to remember how he was.  

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Danny had a wonderful day today.  This morning he got out bed and went outside and watched his brother work in the yard raking up the grass and the leaves while he laughed at him working. he also ate some chili with cornbread. This afternoon Danny is sitting up in his bed and carrying on with the family. Its just so good that he is laughing and in good spirits. Danny would love to thank all of his supporters and their comments and support.

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

Hi Everyone -  Its been a tough week with Danny.  He has detoriated quite a bit.  But he is a trooper and a fighter.  His grandpa comes over regularly to sit with him and sometimes feed him.

Aunt Linda comes on Tuesday and makes us all a great meal.  Danny's dad and Joy come often to visit Danny also and bring him his favorite things.  We are limiting visists for Danny to just family and that's pretty large in itself.  We try to keep things around here quiet for him.  As of last Friday, Danny went from walking around the house and smoking to not being able to walk at all.

Every now and then, we are able to get him out in his wheelchair for maybe 10-15 minutes at a time.  During a 24 hour period, Danny sleeps about 23 hours.  He is on liquid morphine now every 4 hours.  Chris and Patty are just the best with helping out with Danny.  Thank goodness Chris is here to help pick Danny up out of the bed and into a wheel chair so that I can change his sheets.  As of 3 days ago, Danny has had no liquids or food other than the morphine.  But I wish you could have all heard him laughing at me and Keith playing with him.  He has such a great attitude and let me tell everyone that this guy is a fighter.  He has so much will to live and take it to the very end.  I am so blessed to be able to take care of my oldest son and have some more good memories with him before he leaves to be with Jesus and his grandma and his cousin Cortni.  

I am very sorry for not keeping this up to date but my heart has not been in it.  Our family is very broken right now and we are just taking it by the hour.  

By the way, Jamie, Jenna and their mom Jackie has also been here to see Danny. His sister-in-law, Breon, who Danny has shared such a great friendship with for so many years has been here to see Danny along with his nieces, Chay, KK and Jordan.

February 12, 2009

Hi Everyone - Its been a while since I wrote about Danny. He has had some really good days. Today wasn't real good. He's been disoriented and tries to sleep but just can't do it. His nurse came by and said his heart and blood pressure was good. He can walk around, eats good and drinks root beer and grape juice. He lights up when his brother is around him. Last night, I went out with 2 girlfriends (some of you know them- Susie Schumacher and Janet Lowrance).
Both of them have been my two longtime friends. They both are my inspiration. But when I left to meet them at Steaksmith-Danny, Chris and Keith were sitting in the front patio and I went over to ask Danny for a kiss and he gave me one on the cheek. It was so sweet. But I sure hated to leave him. When I got home, I brought him some nachos from Taco bell and he loved that.

Danny says to tell all of you that he loves you all especially his family i.e. his dad, his brother, his aunts, his grandpa, his cousins (all of them, 1st, 2nd and third cousins), his nieces and friends.

Thats all for now.

February 09, 2009

Hi Everyone - Not much news here. Danny is doing pretty good. He is averaging about 2 seizures a day. His nurse will come by today. He is walking around the house and smoking about once an hour. He seems to really enjoy having his brother around. They just are always laughing and kidding each other around. His appetite is still good, not as good as it was a couple of weeks ago. I am still sleeping in his room with him. Once he goes down at night about 9:30 to 10 pm, he is out til 7 to 8 am.

His cousins, Jamie and Jenna were here on Sunday along with his Aunt Jackie. They all had a great time. Also, Grandpa Joe and Aunt Patty came by too. We had curry rice last night. I think Aunt Linda is coming by today and making us burritos. Scott and Joy came by on Sat and took some great pictures of Danny.

Not much to say, except thank you again for your prayers.

February 7, 2009

Hello everyone - I guess I didn't update this last night so I will have to catch up. Yesterday, was a great day for Danny. He didn't sleep a whole lot but was walking all around the house and even went outside to smoke a couple of times. He just had a great attitude and was laughing and enjoying himself. He ate good. Chris came over in the early evening and we all had pizza together. Danny would not let anyone help him eat his pizza. It was nice to have Chris here to help with Danny especially the smoking part.

This morning Danny woke up really early and wanted to smoke a cigarette. I told him to go back to bed and it was too early. He slept maybe 1/2 hour and tried to get up again. So I let him smoke a cigarette and he came back to bed for a little while. I went back to bed and Keith took over with Danny so that I could sleep a little longer. Danny didn't really sleep too much today either. He was in a great mood also. His dad and Joy came over and brought all of us "Paninos".
It was awesome. Eat your heart out Uncle Gary. Joy took some family pictures and she will get them for us later. I'm just so glad that Danny felt good enough to take the pictures and visit with his Dad. Later today, Danny had 2 seizures. It really wiped him out but he really didn't sleep much. Maybe he will sleep really good tonight. His brother shaved him and cleaned him up and he looks so handsome.

So, we have had 2 great days with Danny. His attitude was great and he smiles a lot and said a few more words that I can't repeat. But at least he could say more. He still says "MOM" though.

FEBRUARY 5, 2009

HI EVERYONE - THIS IS STARTING TO GET REALLY HARD FOR ME TO DO. BUT I DO IT FOR ME AND DANNY. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND PRAYERS. DANNY HAD 2 HARD SEIZURES TODAY. THEY ARE REALLY HARD ONES THAT WIPE HIM OUT. AUNT PATTY CAME TO SEE DANNY AND GAVE HIM A SHOWER. RIGHT AFTER THE SHOWER, DANNY HAD A VISITOR BUT HE DIDN'T REMEMBER HIM. IT WAS MIKE QUINTANA. REMEMBER GARY, HOW VERN AND ANN AND SCOTT AND I WENT TO ALL YOUR GAMES AND MIKE SOMETIMES DID TOO. IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE MIKE. GRANDPA JOE CAME OVER AND HE AND PATTY WENT TO GET ALL OF US TACOS FROM JACK IN THE BOX.

DANNY STILL HAS A GREAT ATTITUDE AND HE FIGHTS SO HARD ON THE SEIZURES. HIS BROTHER CHRIS AND VICKIE AND JORDAN CAME BY FOR 10 MINUTES. DANNY RECOGNIZES CHRIS NOW TOO. LAST NIGHT KEITH SHOWED DANNY THE DALLAS CHEERLEADERS ON HIS COMPUTER AND DANNY SAID "WOW". I WISH YOU ALL COULD HAVE SEEN HIM.

"DAD THANKS FOR WRITING ME A NOTE", AND SCOTT I KNOW IT WAS HARD FOR YOU BUT I KNOW IF DANNY COULD SHOW YOU, HE SURE WOULD LET YOU KNOW THAT HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH. AND I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR BOTH OF THE BOYS.

AUNT LINDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TO SEE ME AND TAKING CARE OF ME.

MARK RYAN, THANKS FOR FOLLOWING DANNY ON THIS BLOG. HE ALWAYS LIKED YOU BUNCHES WITH HIS UNCLE GARY. SORRY ABOUT THE CARDINALS THOUGH.

FEBRUARY 3, 2009

HI EVERYONE - I was too tired to do the blog last night so here goes.  We had a good day yesterday.  Aunt Linda and Aunt Patty came over. They fixed us a great meal.  We had fried rice and geoza.  Thanks Aunt Linda and Aunt Patty.  Grandpa Joe came over and ate with us too.  Danny had so much fun yesterday with them.  They had him laughing so much.  Danny's nurse came by and said he still understands a lot.  I think so too.  Danny was up more yesterday too.

Last night we had fun with Danny.  He remembers his ice cream sandwich.  He takes my hand and walks me to the freezer and gives me a big smile.  He eats it in the living room.  We think maybe he doesn't want his cigarette but as soon as he is done eating his ice cream sandwich he takes me toward the garage door to have his last cigarette for the night.

After we went to bed, he tried to get out of bed and I said Danny "No you are not having another cigarette".  He looks at me like I'm crazy and gets out of bed and I follow him and he goes to the bathroom.  Then he cracks up at me, like I'm still crazy.

Anyway, it was real fun yesterday and last night.

FEBRUARY 2ND, 2009

HELLO EVERYONE - I'M VERY SORRY THAT I HAVE NOT UPDATED THE BLOG.  THINGS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE CRAZY OVER THE WEEKEND.  DANNY IS DOING AS GOOD AS HE CAN.  HE STILL HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR.  SATURDAY, HIS DAD AND JOY CAME BY TO VISIT AND SO DID HIS BROTHER.  WE TRIED TO TAKE A FAMILY PICTURE BUT DANNY WASN'T UP FOR IT.  HE SLEPT A LOT OVER THE WEEKEND.  HE DID GET TO WATCH A LITTLE OF THE SUPER BOWL (SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS, UNCLE GARY).  WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU.  

DANNY HAS LOST A LITTLE OF HIS APPETITE.  TODAY, HIS GRANDPA JOE CAME  BY AND BROUGHT EVERY BODY A HASH BROWN LIKE HE DID FOR OUR MOM.  DANNY SCUFFED IT UP AND HE WENT OUTSIDE AND HAD A COUPLE OF CIGARETTES.  HE DID TAKE A LITTLE NAP AND HE HAS BEEN UP FOR A WHILE WITH HIS BROTHER CHRIS TODAY.

I'VE BEEN SLEEPING WITH HIM EVERY NIGHT FOR THE PAST WEEK.  I FEEL BETTER WHEN I DO.  I THINK HE LIKES IT WHEN HE SITS UP AND SEES ME THERE.  HE KEEPS TAPPING ME ON THE CHEEK AND SOMETIMES JUST LIKES TO BOX ME A LITTLE.  TONIGHT HE HAD GOULASH (THERE IS NO MORE AUNT PATTY) AND ATE REALLY GOOD.  WHILE HE WAS SMOKING IN THE GARAGE WITH CHRIS, HE FOUND A CAN OF DIET 7 UP AND TOOK IT TO HIS ROOM.  HE THINKS HE GOT AWAY WITH SOMETHING. 

HE STILL YELLS OUT MOM TOO.  TOMORROW AUNT LINDA WILL BE HERE TO SEE HIM.

I GUESS THATS ABOUT ALL.  TOMORROW WESLEY (DANNY'S NURSE) WILL BE BY ALSO.

JANUARY30,2009

HI EVERYONE - Today was a good day for Danny, he did his usual, ate a large breakfast and took a nap.  He had 2 visitors today.  His nurse "Wesley" came by and his doctor "Dr. Wall".  They said Danny was doing as well as expected.  Danny ate a good lunch too.  Danny still has a good attitude and keeps smiling.  He only had 1 seizure today.  It did make him forget how to walk but after 1 hour he was walking again.  Keith jokes around with him about the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and he gets a big grin.  At dinner tonight, Danny tried to sneak around me and literally ran to the door to go and smoke and my reflex grabbed him and if it wasn't for Keith jumping to get both of us, we would have been on the floor.   Danny had such a funny look on his face and he was laughing.  One word that he can say is "MOM" very loud.  But I enjoy hearing that from him.  

He is sleeping more and more.  He is not in any pain due to taking  the vicodin  which is also causing the constipation.  Tomorrow, his Dad and his brother are coming over so that we can take a family picture.  Saturday evening, Keith and I are going to a dinner function for church.  Chris is staying with his brother for a couple of hours.  I think it will be great for both of them to have brotherly bonding.  

I guess thats all for now.  Thanks for all of your support.

JANUARY 29, 2009

HI EVERYONE - IT STARTED OUT TO BE A PRETTY GOOD DAY.  DANNY ATE A BIG BREAKFAST AND THEN TOOK A 3 HOUR NAP.  AUNT PATTY CAME OVER TO VISIT WITH DANNY AND BOUGHT ALL OF US CONWAY CHEESEBURGERS INCLUDING DAD.  DANNY ATE HALF OF HIS CHEESEBURGER.  WITH ALL OF HIS MEDICATION, HE IS CONSTIPATED AND NOT FEELING REAL GOOD.  HIS DOCTOR AND NURSE WILL BE BY TO SEE HIM TOMORROW AFTERNOON.  I WAS GLAD THAT HIS AUNT PATTY WAS HERE TODAY.  I GOT TO DO A LOT OF WORK ON MY LOANS.  DANNY SLEPT A LOT TODAY.  I WOULD SAY HE WAS AWAKE MAYBE 4 HOURS TOTAL.  HE IS STILL SMOKING WHEN HE EATS AND WAKES UP.  NOT MUCH ELSE TO SAY SINCE HE SLEPT MOST OF THE DAY AND EVENING.

I LOVE YOU DANNY AND YOU MEAN EVERYTHING TO ME.  

JANUARY 28, 2009

HI EVERYONE - I'm sorry that I didn't update last night.  It was a very bad day and night.  I was in tears most of the evening to see my son in the condition he was in.  I slept in his room all night last night.  He slept through the night and until 7:30 am this morning.  He could walk on his own and ate a really big breakfast again.  He then takes a nap for a couple of hours and of course wants a cigarette when he wakes up.  He loves to shadow box me.  Grandpa Joe came over to see Danny and watched him eat his pizza for lunch.  A friend of mine from church, Sharon came over but Danny was asleep.  Chris came over today and went with me to pick up Chay and KK.  Keith and a volunteer from Hospice watched Danny while I was gone.  At dinner, tonight we had tacos and it was Grandma Edith's 85th birthday so we celebrated.  Danny ate 4 tacos and fed himself completely.  Today we changed his medication to 2 Antivan 3 times a day.  It makes him relax completely and therefore no seizures today.  His doctor will be by to see him tomorrow or Friday.  We had a wonderful day.  I think he understands more than we give him credit for.  And tomorrow Aunt Patty comes and they are going to eat Red Top Hamburgers.  Below is something KK wanted to say about Uncle Danny.

So where to begin.. This has to be one of the best moods I have seen my uncle in! I got to see him smile and laugh about everything even when I'm sitting on the couch texting. It was the most adorable thing when he kissed my grandma Jo on the cheek. he was a little stubborn about it but he know he wanted to. He wanted to go out in the garage and smoke but, granny was like no no and he got mad and started to pout. so then he went into the bathroom and sat on the toilet with his clothes on and smiled at grandma. I love you Uncle Danny. love KK

He was so cute tonight.  I love you Danny Boy.  Your mom

JANUARY 26, 2009

HI EVERYONE - Well today started out not so good.  Danny did not comprehend much today and he couldn't move his legs hardly at all.  But he still eats good.  He had breakfast with Keith's mom this morning and he got a little mad at me because I wouldn't give him any more eggs but he had 3 eggs.  He went back to bed for a little while and then Grandpa Joe came to visit him and see him eat a big lunch.  Danny was able to feed himself but Grandpa mentioned that he has forgotten how to take his fork and stick it in the food.  He is always trying to scoop the food on his fork.  But he always cleans his plate.  This afternoon he had fun with me.  He took off his work gloves and I asked him "what are you doing" and then very lightly he started punching me on the arm and just laughing.  We don't let Danny smoke by himself anymore.  He seems to have seizures at such different times of the day.  So I can't let him out of my site.  Vickie helps so much.  This afternoon when I put him down for his nap, he kissed me on the cheek.  He was so cute.  Tonight he was back and forth in the living room and out in the garage and back in his room.  He did good tonight too.  He still remembers what I have to do for him to get him ready for bed and he tries to help me so much.  He gave me a goodnight kiss again tonight.  Boy, I will cherish this forever.  For Linda, Patty and Jim - I want you to know that so much of what he does at this stage reminds me of Mom.  Like when he shuffles his feet and when I put the afghan over him, he's always folding it or picking through the holes in the afghan.  Dad was so sweet tonight.  He called me and said if I trust him, he would like to come over and give me a break and sit with Danny.  I told Dad of course I trust him and he could come over whenever he wants to be with his grandson.  Thank you for writing your comments.  It means everything to me.   Danny has such a golden heart.  He would help anyone he could.  Tomorrow, I usually go to the Womens Bible Study but I'm not.  In Danny's condition, I want to stay here with him.

JANUARY 25, 2009

Hello everyone - Danny started out pretty good.  He ate a great breakfast as usual.  Aunt Patty came to sit with him while Keith and I went to church.  When we got home, Danny was taking a shower which is a pretty big accomplishment but he knew his cousins were coming to see him. Jackie, Jenna and Jamie got here about 1 pm and visited with all of us for a while.  It was so good to see them.  Jenna and Jackie went in the garage with Danny to smoke.  They were carrying on pretty good and everyone was cracking up.  They brought me a bouquet of flowers and they were just beautiful.  Jamie brought Danny a Marie Callenders Turtle Pie and Klondike Ice Cream Sandwiches.  Danny and Keith ate some turtle pie and they both loved it.  Danny didn't have a seizure until almost 8:30 pm.  I wanted to update the blog before I get him ready for bed.  Also, this afternoon, he watched Green Mile with Keith, Edith and me.  I'm not sure he understood most of it.  But he did stay in the living room with us.  He is in his room watching Twister right now.

JANUARY 24, 2009

Hi Everyone - Danny woke up this morning with a great appetite for waffles and bacon.  During his breakfast he had a small seizure and he could not feed himself.  He did fine with me feeding him.  Very faintly he was mumbling ummmm good.  He is so funny sometimes and has such a sweet smile.  But he wanted to go back to bed, so he did and took about a 2 1/2 hr nap before his Dad and Joy came to visit him.  He was in really good spirit with his Dad.  He ate a whole pizza and didn't want to share it with his Dad.  heehee   After they left, he went back to bed again and watched a movie until his brother Chris came.  After that he took another nap and I asked him if he felt ok and he said that his tummy hurt.  I figured that he was constipated with all the medication he has been taking.  He started to feel better about 1 hour later.  He got up and ate some more pizza and chocolate pudding.  Every evening he loves to have an ice cream sandwich and he remembers it every night.  Later Jim and Katie stopped by and visited with Danny.  Uncle Jim said that he thought Danny looked pretty good.  So all in all, Danny had an ok Day.  Tomorrow Aunt Patty will be with him while Keith and I go to church.  In the afternoon, Jackie, Jenna and Jamie will be by to visit w/Danny.  

I want all of you to know that Danny is not in any pain.  He can get extreme headaches, but I continue to give him vicodin twice a day  so that he won't feel the pain.  The only time that he has a little anxiety is when he is having a seizure.  It breaks my heart when he has the seizures and I just want to protect him.  I know it will gradually get worse but I am trying to enjoy every precious minute I can with him.  Please continue to pray that God will heal his tumor or take him home to heaven to see his Grandma Sally and his cousin Cortni.

January 23, 2009

Hello, well today started out pretty good, but as time went on, he had a seizure while my dad was here.  Dad came over and brought all of us, western burgers from Carl Jr.  They were so big.  But of course Danny ate every last bit of his.  He took a little nap, not very long.  Tonight he got a little upset with me because I wouldn't let him take his medicine an hour early.  His dad and Joy bought him a carton of cigarettes and Keith hid them.  Well tonight he found them and I didn't know he was out.  Maybe thats why he got a little mad at me.  But he's fine now, I put him to bed and he was smiling.  Before I got to bed, I will go in and see if he wants me to change his movie.

It's amazing though that he can remember to take his medicine all on his own 4 times a day.

Jenna called today and they are coming to see Danny on Sunday about noon.  Patty will be here to sit with Danny while Keith and I go to church.  Tomorrow his Dad and Joy will be by to visit with him.  I'm trying to keep visitors to 1 a day.  He seems to do better in the evenings because it is usually just Keith, Edith (his mom), Danny and me.  So its kind of quiet.  

I just want to thank everyone for the nice words and encouragement.  I read everyone of your notes to him everyday.  

jANUARY 22, 2009

Hi Everyone - Another good day for Danny.  He slept in a little this morning and ate a great breakfast and then went and took another nap before Aunt Patty came over.  Danny and Patty went to get us some paninos and on their way back, Danny just talked up a storm with her.

Aunt Patty put classic rock on and the song "Low Rider" was playing and he was jamming to it.

On the way home on Union Blvd Danny noticed a roach coach and pointed and said those are "bad ass tacos".  He was cracking up all the home.  When they got home, Danny was walking up the driveway and started to have a seizure so he held on to Keith's truck parked in the driveway and then he ate his panino outside with Aunt Patty and Max(Patty's Rott).  He really enjoyed his afternoon and after dinner, a friend of mine "Barb Jones" came over to see Danny and she brought him more cookies and ice cream.  Barb used to babysit Danny and Chris when Scott and I lived next door to her in Village Seven.  Before bedtime, Danny had another very small seizure but he's relaxing in bed watching "Erin Brokivich".  He sleeps really good during the night.  I told him that his Aunt Jackie, Jenna and Jamie were coming to see him on Sunday and he gave me a big grin.  

January 21, 2009

Hi Everyone - We had such a great day today. Danny had a small seizure this morning. And that was the last one today. Uncle Gary surprised Danny with a Cookie Bouquet of the Cardinals who are going to the Super Bowl and Danny cheered them on to win the NFC Championship. Thanks Uncle Gary. (By the way Danny won't share it with Mom or Aunt Patty). Hope everyone saw the new picture I posted on the site. Danny just cracks up when I show him how big his tummy is. Of course the way he eats, no wonder. I pulled pictures of Danny and he really enjoys looking at them. If I say so myself, he sure was a cute baby and now a handsome man. He did so well tonight. By the way the doctor increased his meds for the seizures. Pastor Eric came by with Marilyn Henne and they prayed for Danny's healing and to give me courage. Danny was ok with it. I really appreciated it. Tomorrow his Aunt Patty will be coming by to take him for a drive and stop and pick up some lunch at Panino's. (I know Uncle Gary, you wish you were going too). Cousin Nicole, thank you for your sweet words about my cousin Cortni.

JANUARY 20, 2009

After such a difficult day yesterday, Danny did really well today.  It may have been his best day yet.  He started the morning off with a hard 15 minute seizure at 8:30 am.  I left and went to Bible Study and the same volunteer that was here last week came to sit with Danny.  I came home about 11:30 am and checked on Danny and he was just watching TV in his room.  He seemed very peaceful and calm.  About 1 pm my good friend Sharon came over with tacos from Jack in the Box for Danny and me.  Danny got all excited about the tacos and he ate 5 of them.  There really isn't much to them but it sure did make him happy and thats what it is all about.  He took a good nap and Aunt Patty came over and they watched a little bit of Wild Hog.  Danny seemed to enjoy that too.  Patty left and Danny was ready for an afternoon snack (chocolate pudding).  He really loves that too.  About 5 pm, for dinner Danny ate some leftover Stroganoff that his sister in law Vickie made the night before.  He ate 2 big bowls of that with blueberry bread.  He came in the living room and watched a little TV and then his other sister in law Breon, Chay and KK came over.  They only stayed for a short file, because I really believe that Danny does so much better when its quiet and he doesn't get too stressed.  He eats an ice cream sandwich every evening about 1 hour before he goes to bed.  Jackie and Jenna, I read Danny your sweet notes and he got a big grin.  I know he will be excited to see the three of you.

Just so all of you know too, Danny doesn't give me any trouble.  He is so sweet and he smiles a lot with me.  I rub his tummy and he gets this funny little grin.  Patty and I and the girls were going over his baby pictures with his little brother Chris.  I have to say that Danny was a beautiful baby and he still is a handsome man.  My mom and dad were so proud of him, they just doted on their first grandchild.  Well enough from his favorite fan, MOM.

JANUARY 19, 2009

WELL, TODAY HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT DAY FOR DANNY. HE HAS HAD A TOTAL OF 6 SEIZURES AND ITS ONLY 8:15 PM. SOME HAVE BEEN MILD AND HE HAS HAD 2 REALLY BAD ONES. HIS APPETITE HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD. TODAY HAS NOT BEEN AS GOOD AS IN THE PAST. THE TUMOR IS GETTING LARGER AND THAT IS WHATS CAUSING HIM TO HAVE SEIZURES. I JUST TRY TO COMFORT HIM WHEN HE HAS THEM. TONIGHT, I ASKED HIM TO USE THE WALKER SO IT CAN HELP HIM STEADY HIMSELF. THERE ISN'T MUCH HE CAN DO FOR HIMSELF AND HE SO WANTS TO DO SOMETHING ON HIS OWN. HIS BROTHER, CHRIS, VICKIE, JORDAN, BRE, CHAY AND KAYLIE WERE HERE FOR A SHORT TIME TO VISIT DANNY. I WANT TOMORROW TO BE A VERY QUIET DAY FOR DANNY. DANNY REALLY APPRECIATES ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE MADE COMMENTS AND EMAILS. HE IS PLANNING TO VISIT HIS DAD AND JOY ON SATURDAY. I KNOW HE WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME.

JANUARY 18, 2009

Today is Sunday and Keith and I went to church.  I had a complete breakdown at church with the songs and all of our friends.  I had a hospice volunteer Chris who came to sit with Danny.  She was very nice and Danny just did his regular things that he does like pacing and smoking.  He did take a short nap. When we came home, we warmed up the leftover curry rice and he ate a ton and then he took another nap.  He woke up and watched the Cardinals for his Uncle Gary.  He was happy that they won.  After the game we started dinner and he ate quite a bit again.  The steroids give him a great appetite.  He watch "Million Dollar Baby" and he must have liked it because he didn't get up to smoke at all.  He also had a very small seizure.  Earlier he did talk to his dad and he giggled a lot and called him names that I won't repeat.  Thats just their way of communicating. Joy emailed me and told me how much Scott enjoyed his talk with Danny also.  Danny's Grandma Betty called to check on Danny also.  Danny goes to bed very easily.  He sleeps all night and is in good spirits the next morning and very hungry.

JANUARY 17, 2009

Danny woke up at 5 am this morning and wasn't sure what he was doing. I got up and put him back to bed and he slept til 11 am. Thats because he had 3 seizures yesterday. He ate a great breakfast with his Grandpa Joe. Dad could not believe how much he ate. Then his dad and Joy came over for a visit. Joy made Danny some really good brownies. Danny smiled and had a great attitude. Early afternoon, Patty and Scott, Zac and MacKenzie came over for a visit. After they left, we had lunch and Danny and I went downstairs to my bedroom and started to watch Vertical Limit and of course we fell asleep. We napped til 5:30 pm and Keith made us Curry Rice. Danny had 2 larges plates of it. Mike and Fonda came over tonight and we all (including Danny) played cards. Danny had a small seizure and we are now watching the movie again. Since we napped, we are not very tired. So maybe this time, we can watch the whole movie.
Other than the seizures, Danny has no pain. He said he just gets really tired of having the seizures. He is very aware of when the seizures start and tries to get into the living room before his muscles stop working. Danny would like all of you to start writing back to him in the comments section.

January 16, 2009

Today was another good day, other than Danny having 2 minor seizures.  Vickie and Chris were here with Danny.  He eats such a big breakfast.  I annoyed him so much today to get him to shave.  He finally did and he looks so good.  I'll have to take another picture and post it on this blog.  He has such a good disposition.  He smiles quite a bit now.  Vickie and Chris took him out for a ride this afternoon.  I took him to Walgreens and he had a small seizure and he knew it was coming and luckily we were at the counter and he just leaned on it until it passed.  About 1 hour later, we were getting ready to eat dinner and he had another one.  He was outside smoking and he felt it coming so he hurried in the house to sit on the couch and let it pass.  He was able to tell me that he thinks they are happening today because he woke up at 5:30 am.  I really don't know but they do have him on another medicine to calm the seizures down.  Keith's friends from the "Home Church" came over and prayed over Danny.  You can't ask for too many prayers. Danny picked out some movies and plans to watch them tonight.  Scott and Joy are coming in the morning to visit Danny.  I hope he sleeps well tonight.  Keith is planning to make him waffles in the morning.  

JANUARY 15, 2009

Danny had another good day.  First thing this morning he got up and took a shower.  He was getting ready so he could go out with his Aunt Patty.  Patty came by and picked Danny up and they went to Acacia Park (it was pretty chilly), had lunch at Captain D's.  Danny loves to eat at

Captain D's.  They washed Patty's SUV and met Patty's friend downtown.  So Danny had a pretty active day.  He was pretty tired when he got home but in a great mood.  Tonight, Sandy came by and visited with Danny.  He ate a good dinner, 2 helpings of everything.  Tomorrow morning one of the CNA's will by by to meet Danny.  She probably will only stay less than an hour.  I don't feel that Danny needs a CNA now because he takes his own shower and makes his bed and even reminds me of his meds.  Of course that would be on a good day.  So you never know.  I think Danny will try and go to church with us on Sunday morning.  We go to the 10:30 service so its not too early.  Please feel free to leave comments on this blog.  A lot of people said that they like the blog idea because they can keep up with how Danny is doing.  He is so sweet and smiles quite a bit.  Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

JANUARY 14, 2009

HELLO EVERYONE - WE HAD SUCH A GREAT DAY. NO SEIZURES FROM DANNY TODAY. HE SEEMED LIKE HE KNEW AND UNDERSTOOD MORE TODAY, MAYBE JUST ME HOPING. THE CHAPLAIN FROM HOSPICE CAME TO VISIT TODAY. ALSO, HIS BROTHER CHRIS SPENT THE DAY WITH DANNY TODAY. DANNY SEEMED TO REALLY ENJOY BEING WITH HIS BROTHER. OF COURSE, HIS GRANDPA JOE CAME TO VISIT AND BOUGHT US A FIRE EXTINGUISHER SO THAT WE WOULD COMPLY TO HOSPICE RULES. DANNY DID GO TO HIS ROOM TODAY AND WANT TO WATCH LORD OF THE RINGS. HE LOVES THIS MOVIE. NO NAPS TODAY THOUGH. DANNY'S DOCTOR PUT HIM ON ANOTHER MEDICATION THAT WOULD HELP SLOW THE SEIZURES DOWN.

DANNY JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HE HAS TO TAKE SO MUCH MEDICINE. ALSO, VICKIE (SISTER IN LAW) SAID YOU REALLY REALIZE HOW MUCH DANNY HAS FORGOTTEN SO MANY THINGS WHEN THE CHAPLAIN QUESTIONED HIM. BUT HE BLUFFS THROUGH IT PRETTY GOOD. HE WAS PRETTY FEISTY TODAY TOO (IN A GOOD WAY). HE SMILES A LOT AND SMOKES TOO MUCH. SCOTT SAID HIS SMOKING CAN'T HURT ANYTHING NOW SO JUST LET HIM SMOKE. I KEEP THE CIGARETTES BECAUSE OF SAFETY REASONS. WHEN HE WOKE UP THIS MORNING, HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT. AND JUST GRINS. I TOLD HIM THAT HIS COUSIN NICOLE WROTE HIM TODAY AND THAT SHE LOVES HIM SO MUCH AND HE JUST SMILED. HE LOVES YOU TOO, NICOLE.

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT I CAN WORK FROM HOME AND STILL TAKE CARE OF DANNY. I AM ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE WITH HIM. HE'S MY BABY!!!!

JANUARY 13, 2009

TODAY WAS A VERY GOOD DAY FOR DANNY. I WENT TO BIBLE STUDY AND HE HAD A VOLUNTEER STAY WITH HIM TIL NOON. HE TOOK A BATH ALL ON HIS OWN. WHEN I GOT HOME, HE WAS TAKING A NAP. HE ATE A VERY GOOD LUNCH AND DOESN'T GIVE ME ANY TROUBLE WITH HIS MEDICATION. WE HAD A VISITOR FROM HOSPICE AND HIS NURSE (WESLEY) WAS HERE ALSO. WESLEY TOOK SOME BLOOD SO WE COULD FIND OUT IF HIS LEVEL WITH DILANTIN IS HIGH ENOUGH OR DO WE NEED TO INCREASE HIS DOSAGE. THE DOCTOR DOESN'T LIKE THAT HE IS HAVING SEIZURES WHILE TAKING DILANTIN. HIS AUNT PATTY CAME OVER AND DANNY AND HER WENT FOR A WALK AND PATTY TRIMMED HIS BEARD. EVERY NOW AND THEN WE CAN GET DANNY TO SMILE. HE IS STILL FEISTY BUT HE SHOWS THAT HE LIKES TO BE LOVED. HE WOULD NEVER LET ME HUG HIM AND RUB HIS NECK AND I THINK HE REALLY LIKES THAT. WHEN DANNY GETS A SAD LOOK, THEN THATS WHEN I BREAK DOWN (BUT NOT IN FRONT OF DANNY). I THINK THAT SINCE DANNY'S DIAGNOSIS, IT FINALLY HIT ME TODAY. BUT I NEED TO STAY STRONG SO THAT I CAN TAKE CARE OF HIM. MEMORIES ARE SO GOOD TO HAVE AND I STILL SOME PRETTY HAPPY ONES OF HIM. HE IS THE FIRST AND ITS ALL NEW WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR 1ST CHILD. TONIGHT, SHARON ROBERTS BROUGHT US BEAN SOUP AND DANNY ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. HE HAD 3 BOWLS OF IT WITH 2 SLICES OF ITALIAN BREAD. I WISH ALL OF YOU COULD SEE THAT. TOMORROW WILL BE A SLOW DAY FOR US. NOT A WHOLE LOT GOING ON AND HIS AUNT PATTY WILL BE HERE THURSDAY TO TAKE DANNY AROUND WITH HER AS LONG AS HE HAS A GOOD DAY. I WILL GET A BREAK ALSO, EVEN THOUGH HE ISN'T ANY TROUBLE TO BE WITH. I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU READING THIS BLOG IS ENJOYING IT. I READ SOME OF THIS TO DANNY AND HE LIKED IT TOO.

JANUARY 8, 2009

Danny came home on December 15, 2008. We are so happy to have him home at last. On Thursday, the 8th of January, he had an appt and when Danny and his mom were done, we walked out of the building when Danny collapsed and had a seizure. 911 was called and transported Danny to Memorial Hospital. Tests were done and concluded that Danny has a tumor in his brain. The size of the tumor is 7 centimeters. This is a very large size to be in his brain. The tumor takes up 1/3 of his brain. The doctors decided to order an MRI to see exactly where the tumor was. It definitely was in the brain and that is what is causing the massive headaches and seizures. Danny has very little memory of anyone or anything. (It sadly reminds me of Grandma Sally) All of the doctors have concluded that it is not operable. Danny's dad left the decision to do radiation to me and I elected not to put him through that since the radiation doctor said it would not give him any better quaility of life. We brought Danny home on Sat 4 pm. Danny had another seizure once we got home. About 30 minutes later, he was able to walk from the wheel chair to the couch. He watched football most of the evening and had a great appetite. When it was time for bed, he reacted again and could not move any muscles. Sunday was a great day and no problems at all. Monday morning he had another seizure while visiting with his day (Scott Whisler) and my husband (Keith). Also, his sister in law, Vickie Whisler was in the same room with Danny. Thank goodness that Scott was here to help Keith get Danny into the living room. The Hospice nurse was here today and checked Danny out and his vitals were good. Most of you received emails from me Friday about Danny's condition. Please continue to pray for him. He has a great attitude and smiles quite a bit. His grandpa (Joe Brantley) and his Aunt Patty and Aunt Linda have visited Danny.