The Passenger’s Log

STARDATE: 30 JUNE 2021

The VOYAGER: GENESIS two-seven is shown here leaving earth’s atmosphere high above Lake Erie following a planning meeting with Dr. N yesterday.

At the conclusion of the meeting with Dr. N, it was determined that no additional testing at University Hospitals will be needed at least before Fall. An examination of the factual data from comparing the early and latter CAT Scans, the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT’s) and the O₂ Saturation Levels during exercise and at rest as well as the NIGHT O₂ Desaturation levels we are able to make some educated prognoses.

First, YES, I do have IPF as we have mentioned previously. It has not disappeared or as of yet been miraculously healed – however – it has NOT gotten more aggressive in the last two months. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is normally a slow on-set disease and it appears now to be acting normally with the slow on-set. What had Dr. N wondering at first was how quickly things had come on but that seems to be answered by the fact that the CAT scan also showed  areas of inflammation in the lungs which could have been exacerbating the IPF. The inflamed tissues seem to be responding to the STEROID regimen I am on. It doesn’t change the IPF but it puts the symptomology in a clearer understanding.

SO… what does all that mean? For the next two months we will continue the STEROID regimen. The INFUSION of specific medicines to try to make the IPF more bearable won’t begin until my prognosis is declining and that time frame is totally unknown. Besides the exorbitant cost of the infusion therapy there are side effects that are not something to  endure unless needed.

There was evidence from the sleep Oxygen De-sat test that for a couple of hours each night my levels drop into the upper 80% range so IF we can find a medical supply company that is actually on the Ohio Police and Fire insurance, then I will begin nighttime O₂ therapy.

I will also be reporting to a special section of the Starship for PULMONARY THERAPY. It sounds like a wonderful time. The purpose is to keep as much of my lung tissue functioning as well as it can for as long as it can.

Now you know all THE PASSENGER knows and so much more!

At one point, Dr. N looked at me with one of the most serious faces I have yet seen him make. “How about you?” He asked. It wasn’t a question for which I was ready. We had talked about the steroid induced mood swings and other things but this went deeper than that. Karin interjected that I had had some tearful times talking about not wanting to leave her, which , of course is true! But it didn’t really answer it the way I was looking to respond. It isn’t a simple, easy one-sentence response like we do when we pass someone in the hallway and they say, ‘Hi – how are you doing?’ A quick non-committal response is emoted and we travel on because neither really planned on taking a few minutes to actually talk.

How am I – really?, You ask. I’m more tired than usual. I hope the O₂ at night will help me rest better. I am more confident than ever that God is the One in control and not me or any of a dozen people who have offered everything from ginseng to CBD oils to a chance to skydive and even a faith healer. I’m not putting down someone who claims to be able to heal others through prayer and laying on of hands but I thought that through and I know, really know that if God wants to heal me, He will and He doesn’t need someone else’s hands to do it. I feel like I would be putting my faith in that person rather than God. So, thanks, but no thanks, I’ll wait on God. Emotionally, I am at peace with the exception of certain little people I have in my life. I’m asking God to allow me to stick around with them for as long as they need me. And one last thing… I was reminded of something very precious to me by my daughter Sarah on Father’s Day. In the weeks ahead I’m going to recreate a tradition she and I shared when she was little. Now, with her little ones, we’ll be practicing Butterfly Kisses at night.,

So we are off on a VOYAGE adventure for the next 8 weeks – our stock of Steroids is on-board safe from the hands of any pro-ball players – we will see what God has for us to see and where He has for us to go!

Your continuing PRAYER is coveted beyond belief. To my sweetheart B who told me this past Sunday that she and her friend pray for me three times a day…. GOD BLESS YOU! And may God bless all of you who remember us to Him as we cross your mind!

Love and Prayers – The Passenger