Doug's Battle for Health


Life's too good to leave it unfinished!


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March 2008
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Gotta Tri

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow,
learn as if you were to live forever."
Mahatma Gandhi
"We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace."
William Gladstone

Saturday, March 15th

Memorial Service April 5 at 11AM


We just secured the church that Rock grew up in for a funeral Mass on Saturday, April 5 at 11AM. It will be at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, at 1101 Keaveny Ct., Walnut Creek.

Rock also requested that after the funeral, we have a 'party' to remember him. We'll be doing that immediately following the Mass at the hall adjoining the church. Please come for lunch, bring your favorite stories or photos, and your acoustic guitars/instruments if you'd like to do some impromptu music. He would love that.

A few weeks ago, Rock asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I replied: "Just be around to celebrate with me". Unfortunately I didn't get that present, but something incredibly meaningful instead. He was so concerned about my birthday that he kept sending me out of the hospital room, to tell multiple people what they needed to pick up for the present. Yesterday was my birthday, and his dad came to deliver the present - but along with it, a verse of our song written in pencil on a piece of xerox paper in Rock's very weak hand writing:

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no one above you
You ease my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do

He humbles me.



Jeanette on 03.15.08 @ 01:07 PM PST [link] [No Comments]

Thursday, March 13th

Doug 'Rock' Prouty, 1959-2008


Doug passed away last night peacefully, with Nick and I by his side. I cannot help but think that he was waiting to see or hear Nick one last time - he died about half hour after Nick arrived, at 8:45PM.

Again I want to thank you for your love and support. As I read the comments from the blog yesterday he took comfort, and even laughed a couple of times. At some other time I'd like to know about 'what kind of toy he would like to be' - that was the last time I saw him laugh.

We will be having a funeral mass at St. Stevens in Walnut Creek, the date isn't determined yet - I will post as soon as I know.

We have been recieving so many phone calls and well wishes that Rock's family has offered to take any calls - 925-256-0646.


Jeanette on 03.13.08 @ 08:29 AM PST [link] [71 Comments]

Wednesday, March 12th

Update


Monday night, the Oncologist and ICU Doctor advised us that Doug will not be making it home with us this time. He had a collapsed lung, possibly a blot clot that complicated his health. They are making him as comfortable as he can, and we are just waiting at this point.

Thank you for your well wishes, I have told him about all of them and he appreciates hearing them. At this point, he cannot handle visitors as it is too strenuous for him to try to socialize, even on a receptive only level.

I will update with any further developments. I am finding that the phone calls, although much appreciated, are taking me away from holding Rock's hand. If you feel that you must call for status please call this number: 925-256-0646, this is the family business and someone is usually there to answer or they can can return your call.
Jeanette on 03.12.08 @ 09:59 AM PST [link] [22 Comments]

Sunday, March 9th

Doug in ICU


Hi everyone, Jeanette here. Doug arrived home from Palm Springs yesterday - he had a great time, but was feeling the physical stress of the trip. He went to the emergency room late last night and is in the ICU at San Ramon Regional Medical Center. This morning they discovered that his right lung has collapsed - when that happened, they aren't sure. We aren't sure whether this is good news or bad - on one hand, at least it's an addressable problem; on the other hand, this may be a manifestation of the progressing tumors. He is a little out of it, as he hadn't slept for the last two nights, so they have given him something to help him sleep. I don't think he's ready for visitors or phone calls yet. I will keep you posted.

Thanks to Mike Butler and Tim Landeck, who helped Doug get around during the Palm Springs trip, along with some serious middle of the night assistance. Thanks to the saint who found him his luxury transportation from Palm Springs to Oakland, and Chris, for driving him home from the airport!
Jeanette on 03.09.08 @ 12:44 PM PST [link] [22 Comments]

Wednesday, March 5th

O2 Travel Concentrator


The company that provides my oxygen at home was able to rent a portable oxygen concentrator for the flight to Palm Springs. As you can see by the picture, it is a small device that will fit under my seat (for landing and take off).

Besides oxygen tanks, I have an oxygen concentrator at home that plugs into the wall. This system can produce an oxygen flow about twice what the portable device can deliver. Concentrators work by pulling in regular air and passing it over zeolite material. This absorbs the nitrogen from the air and outputs air that is up to 90% oxygen. Mine at home runs a constant motor that can become annoying.

The portable concentrator can produce 5 liters/min, which should be fine for the flight. If I am sitting still, I am comfortable with about 3 or 4. If I am walking, climbing stairs or lifting, then I find myself gasping for air and need to push the rate closer to 7 or 8 liters/minute. That is why I placed a request for a wheelchair in the airport.

Now that everything is ready, I am excited about the trip. I have been a bit depressed lately so a little time with great friends in sunny Palm Springs might be just what the doctor ordered.

Doug on 03.05.08 @ 09:40 AM PST [link] [3 Comments]

Sunday, March 2nd

Traveling to Palm Springs


This Wednesday through Saturday I will be in Palm Springs for the annual Computer Using Educator’s Conference. This is the organization’s 30-year anniversary during which I have been active for half of that time. I used to be a regular conference presenter, a board member and I still contribute to a column in their journal.

The way my oxygen dependency is going, this may be my last airplane trip. My oxygen provider is able to deliver a large plug-in concentrator and bottles to my hotel room much like they did for the Alaska cruise last summer. However, now I need to be on oxygen for the plane flight. Since oxygen bottles are not allowed on the plane, I will be renting a portable oxygen concentrator that runs on a rechargeable battery and is FAA approved. Unfortunately, United Airlines will not let me use it in-flight. They will however (for the about the price of the plane ticket) provide me with an oxygen flow from the plane. That is, if it is not a United Express flight. And that is the only one offered to Palm Springs. So with my refund, I looked into the Alaska Airways flight. They will let me use the concentrator in-flight for a fee of $50 and a doctor’s form on hand. I have also requested wheelchair assistance while in the airport. I am hoping it allows me and my traveling companions to skip past the security line.

I will be staying at the Wyndham Hotel that also houses the conference center. Besides having oxygen bottles, I have asked that the hotel provide me with a wheelchair during my stay. I know this sounds a little overkill but unfortunately it is necessary. As limiting as my lung capacity has been, I am afraid it is getting worse. Even with my portable bottle turned all the way up (6 liters per minute), I am having difficulty climbing a flight of stairs or even walking up a ramp. Pretty rough for a guy who used to compete in distance races.

I debated off and on for months about whether I could make this trip. I set the date as a health goal, something to shoot for and look forward to. I am even scheduled to present a couple of sessions. I have a lot of friends attending and Palm Springs is a great location for a get together. I skipped last year’s conference and barring a positive change in health; realize that this one could be my last. I am sure everyone will be gracious but these two years have taken its toll. I am down 30 pounds, have a rash that covers most of my face, wear an oxygen tube, will spend time in a wheelchair and my rapidly thinning hair is mostly gray. I’ve gone from looking young for my age to looking old for my age. So my goal will be to try and set that aside and enjoy the sunshine and camaraderie. Who knows when it will come again?

Doug on 03.02.08 @ 03:58 PM PST [link]



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