Visitors!

No, not that kind of visitor. Check him out though, he's a hippie alien! Peace dude! (Pardon me it's late and I'm a little tired, which = silly/cheesy :)

Robert has been much more awake and aware. However, he keeps asking Ashley if certain people are there.

Robert: "Ashley, who's here?"

Ashley: "No one, it's just us!"

R: "Steve (my dad, mom, Ryan, Superman, Wolverine, Yoda--ok I made up the last 3) isn't here? I think I heard him."

A: "Nope, it's just you and me."

R: "Oh, is he coming later?"

A: "Would you like _____ to visit later?"

R: "Yeah."

A: "Ok, I'll see what I can do."

Ashley gets a bit of a chuckle out of these conversations. I asked if Steve could/should come visit. Ashley said the problem there is you can never guess when he'll have his coherent/awake moments, and she hates to have someone come over just to sit on the couch with her and watch him sleep.

Now that he is awake more Ashley spends less time away from the hospital in the mornings. Robert gets anxious when he wakes up and no one is in his room. His breathing is still improving. He even had a bit of an appetite, he asked for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (which we think is funny, because if he even smelled peanut butter after his last round of chemo it would make him sick!). He was only able to eat two or three bites--wore him right out! But he ate 2-3 bites!! Ashley thinks as his breathing improves it will get even easier to eat!

Robert is on lasix two times a day until tomorrow. His swelling has gone down. Unfortunately, so have his numbers, they're back at .1! They are really yo-yoing this time! His body is fighting a lot of battles! He just has to beat one opponent at a time! Lets all keep praying for Robert! Together we can pray him right out of the ICU! That would be awesome!

Go, Fight, Win!

I'm getting this update in early, since there wasn't one yesterday! Life is busy, and there hasn't been as much to share. That is a good thing--it means progress! When I talked to Ashley just now, I could hear Robert in the background. He is easier to understand, and it is more comfortable for him to speak. His breathing is less labored, too. While he still tires easily and doesn't hold long conversations, he is less frustrated by communicating. Ashley says she is getting better at understanding him and is his 'translator' when the nurses aren't sure what he is saying.

His numbers are hanging out at .2 They are still giving him lasix (apparently he has been on it for at least 3 days) to help him pee--he needs a little extra help to get rid of the extra fluid in his body. Ashley says he looks chubbier than he has in a long while, but it is because he has some swelling in his arms and legs. He still has some fluid from them bringing up his blood pressure, but at this point, most of it is from being on IV nutrition and fluids and not getting out of bed at all.

They are running more tests on his e-coli, this takes a little while. Right now--no news is good news. Ashley is so happy to have him more alert and aware, and communicating with her more. We expect him to just keep improving. Robdob is a fighter! He is putting up the good fight and winning this round!

A reminder about the Luau Fundraiser:

Click on the Luau Fundraiser link above to see a full size version of flyer!

We have extended the RSVP date until Monday, May 11th. Our goal is for 300 people to attend or donate whatever they can, although we have not yet hit the minimum of 100 needed to attend the dinner for catering, etc. So, please let us know soon if you can make it. We would love to eat incredibly delicious food and party with you as we celebrate Robert's current and future successes! The financial support they will receive from fundraisers such as this greatly ease the burden of Robert's illness and its attending medical bills. Thank you for all the love and support!

Just Upstairs. . .

On the third floor in the maternity wing of the very same hospital in which they currently reside, Robdob and Ashpants got a new nephew last night. Early this morning, actually. Ashley's brother, Brandon, and his wife, Chelsa, had their first baby, a little boy. . . who is yet to be named! (Some of we Squires take our time naming our little ones.)

He was born at 4:42 am. He is 18 inches long and weighed in at 6lbs lloz ! He couldn't be any cuter, even if he tried really hard!

Ashley, Chelsa, Baby Boy Squires and Brandon!

Ashley has enjoyed having family so close and has admired the new little guy at least three times today! I think she enjoyed being the one to stop and pick up lunch to take to them in the hospital. It has been great to have something so wonderful to celebrate in the same hospital in which our heroic Robdob is fighting his battle. So today we celebrate new life, heroism and looking forward to the day when the beaming new parents in the picture are Robdob and Ashpants!

*Robert is doing pretty well. His numbers are .2 today. His oxygen levels are holding well, but his breathing has been a little labored today, so if his numbers are up more tomorrow the doctors would like to drain some fluid from his lungs. They would also like to take him and run their scans on him. His antibiotics are kicking e-coli's butt! He has been awake more today than even yesterday. He is holding steady or improving in every arena he is currently fighting in! Way to go Robdob!!!

Pictures & Update!

Tonight I took dinner to the hospital for Ashley during the time she couldn't be in Robert's room. Before you think I'm a saint, you should know that Karalee did all of the cooking and baking. I really need to get her chicken curry recipe! Our mom has been out of town, so Dad, Mom and Brittany stopped by the hospital for a visit on their way home from picking mom up from the airport! Lucky you, I had my camera with me so here are a few shots!

This picture is the motivation for taking my camera to the hospital in the first place. Ever since they discovered that the E-coli strain Robert has is antibiotic resistant this is what Ashley wears the ENTIRE time she is in Robert's room! She even sleeps in this hot get-up! Now we know why Robert was requesting snuggles today--who could resist this? Everyone, including nurses must gown up before entering Robert's room. I thought it might be fun/interesting to see a little glimpse of Ashley's life in the hospital right now.

You put the mask on outside the door and the gown on right inside the door. Then you wash your hands and sanitize them. You can only touch Robert if you have gloves on. I threw this picture in, because Ashley got such a good chuckle out of seeing me in this amazing yellow gown--figured a laugh might be a good thing for a post about Robert. The gowns and masks are for mutual protection of Robert, visitors, and to be sure that you don't take anything (e-coli) with you when you leave his room either.

Brittany, Dad, Ashley and Mom! We had a great time visiting together tonight!

Janelle, Ashley and mom.

Sorry, no pictures of Robert. Ashley doesn't really want to document his ICU experience with photographs. Can't say that I blame her. He doesn't look like himself.

Robert is doing better today. His neutrophil numbers remain at .1  He is maintaining his blood pressure very well on his own. He is on oxygen still, but is breathing better/more easily. He is responding well to the new medication that they have him on to take down the E-coli.

He has been awake more today and is more coherent. He hasn't spoken for awhile, and breathes through his mouth a lot. This makes it difficult to understand him when he speaks--he gets a little frustrated when people aren't understanding him. He still says some funny 'on drugs and meds' kinds of things too.

He told Ashley, "I need some snuggles!"

Ashley: "Robert, I'm not allowed to get in your bed in the ICU. I can't snuggle you. But I can touch you and rub you. Will that be okay?"

Robert: "Oh, okay."

Ashley knows he is feeling a little better when he wants enough physical contact to ask for snuggles. Ashley was feeling really positive and happy tonight. She was happy with Robert's improvements today. She is doing well also. Getting a little more rest! Hoping he is out of the ICU soon, so she can get even more!

Thank you again for the prayers and fasting on their behalf. Ashley has felt so blessed and lifted since Thursday! Good night! Loves!

Medical Update!

Loving on Daisy!

Sorry I am posting this so late for the day! Robert is doing about the same today as yesterday. The doctors talked about doing a couple of scans on him, but his white blood cell count dropped back down to .1 (Ashley says it is normal after chemo for it to yo-yo a bit before starting the steady climb up). They want to check out his organs, and be sure that they all look good, but they won't take him out of his room for any testing until his numbers come up a little.

Robert's chest x-ray came back, at least we finally got the news from it. There is still some fluid in his lungs, but it is less than the first x-ray--they are improving! He will remain on oxygen for now.

They took Robert off of his blood pressure medication today, and he has been keeping it up very well on his own. 

Ashley says he has been waking up a little more often late in the day today, and seems to be a little more coherent. While he is sleeping--different story! He has been saying some funny things in his sleep again. 

Robert: "Robdob." 

Ashley: "What Robert?"

Robert: "My nickname is Robdob!"

Ashley: "Yes it is!"

Robert: "Rhino!"

Ashley: "That is Ryan's nickname."

Robert: "Yeah, Ryan's nickname."  Then nothing, back out cold.

Later Robert was mumbling and going on about Daisy. Ashley couldn't catch it all, but then he definitely called her, "Daisy!" We figure talking, even in his sleep, is a great sign!

I'll update much earlier in the day tomorrow! I promise! :)

E-coli update!

Just heard from Ashley that the nasty e-coli strain that Robert has decided to get out his bazooka and play dirty! It is an antibiotic resistant strain of e-coli! So the doctors are fighting back with a new Super antibiotic! Other than that she says he is stable. 

Fundraising Luau & Update!

Click on flyer to enlarge!

We are so excited to be hosting this luau in honor of Robert, and to raise money for his bone marrow transplant! We are hoping to have 300 people attend this event! It should be a lot of fun. So sign up, email and call to let us know you'll be there! Thank you to everyone for their love and support of Robert and Ashley!

*Robert is about the same today. He is still receiving blood pressure medication and is on an oxygen mask. (We are still waiting to hear the results of his chest x-ray, I'll post as soon as we know.) He hasn't needed to be on a ventilator, so that is good! His blood count remains at .3 and he is receiving a lot of blood products (platelets, etc.). The doctors say that he is responding well to the IV antibiotics that he has been given to fight the nasty E-coli! He is also receiving IV nutrition again today.

The first two nights Robert was in the ICU the charge nurse on the floor was super cool and let Ashley spend the night in Robert's room. The third night (Wednesday) there was a new charge nurse who would not let Ashley sleep in Robert's room, so she slept in the waiting room--she said it was worth it for one night, because she was able to check in on him twice. Last night she was able to get permission to stay in his room again, and we are hoping that holds as long as he is in the ICU. It was a good thing Ashley was there, because Robert kept trying to get up. He was very restless. He kept taking his oxygen mask off and telling Ashley that he needed to get up to use the bathroom. Each time Ashley would hold Robert in bed, ring his night nurse and they would calm him down and convince him that he should stay in bed. We aren't doctors or nurses, but we are taking Robert wanting to get up and his talking as a good sign. Ashley said he was a little fiesty proclaiming, "I can walk!" This was his response to Ashley telling him that he was on too many medications and he didn't have the strength to walk. Robert fiesty? Sounds more like the Robert I know!

I asked Ashley if she was exhausted. She said that she is very tired, but she knows she is sustained by God, we refer to him as Heavenly Father, and your prayers. No matter how tired she is when Robert needs her, day or night, it has been easy for her to get right up and help him. Like last night, getting up those many times, she said she never felt tired while she was taking care of Robert. Ashley is not allowed to be on the ICU floor (no one besides patients and hospital staff are) from 6:30-8:00 in the morning and at night. This is when the doctors and nurses do their rounds. Ashley leaves the hospital around 6:00 am. and takes a two hour nap in her own bed, showers and returns to the hospital. At night someone from the Squires or Ashworth family meets Ashley near the hospital to hang out with her and have dinner! It makes it easier for her to be away from Robert when she knows he is alone!