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3-9-05/Wednesday
It’s so hard in a few words to convey all that is going on with Danny. We were all very happy to hear about many of
Dan’s cancer sites that have gone away, however, Dan has been very very sick and will be for quite some time.
Dan has been fighting with the ventilator tube that goes in his mouth and down his throat into his lungs. It has robbed him
of the ability to speak and it frustrates him very much. Although Dan cannot speak his eyes can tell you a thousand stories.
The most obvious one is just how sad he is. Then there is his frustration; he gives you a look that asks 'Why is this happening
to me? Why can’t you take this tube out of my mouth?' Often times there is hope in his eyes. If I tell him that he’s
going to be OK he nods his head. If asked if there is anything we can do for him, he puts his hands together, which I can
only assume is to ask that we say a prayer.
On Sunday night Dan decided that the tube was coming out in the morning, no matter what. With the help of family and the medical
staff, Dan has agreed to keep the tube in a few more days. We are grateful to Dan’s Angels, Tracy and Jen, for coming
down from the 7th floor to talk to Dan. Oh, and we can't forget Paul, aka Lifter!
In an effort to ease Dan’s suffering, physically and emotionally, he has been given more medication. Dan’s body
needs to rest, so his organs can get back to working. Unfortunately the poisons he has received to kill the cancer in his
body, have also reeked havoc on him. His internal organs are working at a tiny fraction of what they normally do. He has had
a major problem with fluid retention over his entire body. There have been some slightly noticeable improvements with the
fluid in his neck and abdomen, but he has a long way to go. They have not started the dialysis for his renal problems, as
he has started to output a little bit more recently.
We are hopeful that everyday he gains a little more body function. For the last several days, he has used all his strength
to try and reach his tube, but today he did not bother with it. I’m hoping it’s because he is finally sedated
enough that it does not bother him anymore, but because he can’t talk we can only guess.
Kelby and my mother have been amazing handling this very sad and painful situation. Trying to figure out what Dan’s
wishes are and then being respectful of them while balancing them with his current medical needs is an extremely stressful
task. My mother has always made each one of us boys feel very special, but there is no question that Dan is her special boy.
I am amazed at her strength and grace. Dan, Kelby and Lynne are the most courageous people I have ever met.
I apologize for this update being so glum, but we all wanted you to know that Dan needs your prayers now more than ever. Dan
has faith that God will take care of him and I know it comforts him to know that so many people are praying for him.
Mark Erdody
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