Steve Dillman back in the hospital

[SSTRACER323]

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Good morning all. I hope you all had a good night's rest. But for Steve's kidneys working very well, we did.... Gotta love it when things are working well!
The pump feeding has been uneventful and Steve has not been nauseated. His potassium is low so the doctor ordered a drip to replenish that. His IV started burning. and ultimately they changed it out. His residual is low (which means the feeding tube is working well). We may try the bolus feeding later today.
I know I have said it many times before, but I have to say it again, your support for us is amazing. Steve is simply overwhelmed by it all and I am just so grateful. I wish you could hear how tenderly he talks about the friendships we have been blessed with. Having all our children and family be so supportive is the greatest of our blessings.
I want to give a special thanks to Dianne for your time and hard work. I am sure our home will be so inviting when we return. Thank you and Gerry for the loan of the recliner. Steve will rest much better when we do make it home. Note to me....every house needs at least one recliner...
So, for today, please pray that the switch from pump feeding to bolus, goes well and Steve can tolerate that change. We are grateful for all blessings, big and small.
Love, Frosty
P.S. I forgot something yesterday, I am ashamed to say. We want to say thank you to our Veterans, past and present as well as our current armed forces for your dedication and sacrifice in protecting our nation. We do all owe a great debt to you and praise you for all you do and have done.
Happy Veteran's Day.



thoughts and prayers are with Steve and Frosty and Family

[DW]

Hey Steve,
We have you & Frosty in our thoughts & prayers.

Pizza !!! More pizza >>>> for everybody and we will pitch in also.
(unless Rick is buying) LOL

Doug & Cindy Wesler
S/C 3703

[Ryan Dillman]

PLEASE READ

Hello everyone this is Steves son Ryan. Yes my dad is back in the hospital he was really doing good today he was in good spirits and kind of seemed like his old self. They started feeding him through the tube today again and are starting slow only giving him 30 mililiters per hour trying to get his stomach back to normal. They said that possibly his stomach wasnt woke up yet and was rejecting the food if that makes any sense. He had alot of visitors today which im sure he loved seeing and thank you all for all the wonderful things you have had to say on here it really means alot to him and us. This has been a long road for him but he is the strongest person i know and things will get better. We were talking today about racing and all he could say was he just wants to run super street and get back out with his friends again. Marlin Snyder has really helped dad through this and i want to thank him for being such a great friend to dad and the family. I will try to keep everyone updated everyday. Like Frosty says One day at a time.

[SSTRACER323]

Thanks for the update Ryan...

I try to post all the update Frosty does on Caring Bridge
I will be down to see your dad as soon as i can
Here is the latest from Frosty


Friday, November 28, 2008
Good morning everyone. Happy belated Thanksgiving. Thank you all for your continued support and thank you "mini-me" for filling in.
Steve is getting much needed nourishment and rest here at the hospital. Wednesday was a bad day gone worse by late afternoon. Steve just could not keep anything down. It seemed we would take one step forward and two back. One day he would feel and look pretty good and the next, well, let's just say "not".
Short of evasive testing, the doctors have ruled out any kind of infection, displaced feeding tube, allergies, etc. They simply think his stomach has not fully "woke up" for lack of better words. While this does not happen often, it does happen. They decided to start from the beginning and at 3:00 pm yesterday, after letting his system calm down, they began a slow continuous feeding. So far, so good, He has not experienced any nausea. Hopefully, this is exactly what he needs.
Late last night the tube either became backed up or simply pulled apart. Whatever happened, the nurse swiftly took care of the problem. Which at this point, is exactly what "I" need.
On Wednesday, I had simply reached my wit's end. I am tired scared and worried beyond words. While we have all these wonderful friends and family helping us with Steve's care, at the end of the day, I am left alone to handle any emergency. In those moments the struggle between my mind and heart is devastating. Being here in the hospital, gives me emotional comfort and certainly gives Steve medical comfort. We are where we need to be.
As I said he is responding well, so far. Of course we have less than 24 hours on feeding, but slow is our course and hopefully we will just keep moving forward.
Although not our first choice for celebrating Thanksgiving, we had all the incredients needed to be a successful one.
We were nourished. Steve by his feeding tube, and me via a care package from Tom and Joyce, prepared by Mayme (Joyce's mother-thank you. it was delicious). delivered by Lyn.
We were surrounded by friends and family all day. The visitors started at 9:00 yesterday morning and ended at 8:00 last night. There was a steady stream of phone calls and I am sure, prayers. The love and fellowship that filled our room equalled any home setting with all the holiday trimmings. While the visits were tiring for Steve, his spirit was revived and as they say, "that is half the battle". He felt so connected and alive. Sleep came easy to him last night and I am grateful to all of you that took the time away from your own families to spend some time with us. I know all of your visits were God's messages of hope and faith.
This certainly was a Thanksgiving to remember and will always be special to us. Steve's turkey came through a tube, and mine good as it was, was from a paper plate and on the "cold side", but at the end of the day we were "stuffed".........with love.
Thank you all so much.
When you are finished with the Black Friday shopping and those left over turkey sandwiches, come see us, we are here for a while.
Love, Frosty and Steve.

[Mark Schmidt]

Deb & I saw Steve, Frosty, Ryan, and Marilin on T-day. Steve looked really good. I can't imagine the strain on the Dillman family and loved ones. They are all truly an inspiration. Looks like Steve is turning the corner so keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

[Ryan Dillman]

Well dad got sick again this morning after eating some real food yesterday he had some jello, chocolate pudding and some cottage cheese he could actually taste it which was great news. But this morning he got sick again but it wasnt what he ate that he threw up SO we are having a gastro doctor come in and see if he or she can fix the problem. We are pretty sure the tube is not the problem. I am here right now and he seems to be feeling fine again and has not got sick since this morning. That is all for now hopefully the gastro doctor will get this figured out.

[John DiBartolomeo]

Ryan- let your father know we're praying and pulling for him. Keep his spirits looking up. -John D.