BIG THANKS!!!

I was able to see Randy's senior pictures today - WOW -- what a handsome guy!!!
The family wants to say a big thank you to Bob Palmer at Palmers Photography Studio. He donated a HUGE chunk of Randy's fees for the senior pictures. That really helps out during this hard time in their lives. The pictures are fantastic. They were taken last fall before they even knew of his cancer. He had a FULL head of hair with some curls on the end. I don't know if we will be able to put some pics on here.

Also a big thanks to Michelle at the Shell station here in West Salem. They put a change jar out for Randy and Lisa. It was stolen a few weeks ago by a guy. He was video taped and returned later to turn in the change money for dollar bills - Hmmm - not thinking too much. He was caught. Lenette thinks his punishment should be to spend some hours of community service at the cancer ward at Doernbecher's. It could change his life. The Shell station had to take down the jar. :(

HOME!!!

Randy was able to get home tonight. He is pretty tired and still on pain killers, but he is doing OK. A nurse is coming over tonight to help Lenette learn how to put in the antibiotics. He has to do this a few times a day. Keep praying for him as he is trying to heal from both his surgeries.

New Hotel (Hospital) Room

Randy is now back at Doernbecker. The doctors have said his flaps are responding well. That means that where his stomach muscle and his leg where they took the skin off are doing ok. When he first had the surgery, they said the skin graft would be hurting pretty much, but Randy says the stomach muscles are really the hurting spot. He said it feels like he did 1000 crunches. Randy's cultures came back all positive for an infection :( He said is it a pesky slow infection, which is better than a dangerous infection. BUT, because he has an infection, then he has to have an IV antibiotics twice a day for about an hour each time. That is a bummer because he can't get around very much. He is really having a hard time getting up at all. Even sitting up in his bed is really hard. He said he has been in his bed for 5 days without moving very much.
He does not have a cast on anymore. They will put on a removable boot or brace on his leg, so they can check the area better. He has been watching a lot of TV - whatever is on. Anyone have some good suggestions?
Chemo is starting tomorrow, then will be on it for 48 hours. Then if his counts are doing ok, then he can go home for a few days before they start the next round.
There is the Rock on Randy Benefit Concert next Friday - He hopes to go. Maybe Randy and his dad Rick can play together. I am still not completely sure of the price. If anyone knows, please leave it in the comments section for everyone to read.

Recovery

His recovery is coming along ok. They did get to see his toes pink up a little, which is good news for blood flow. He is still on a lot of pain meds and very tired. Lenette came home last night just long enough to grab the other car and go back up. She needed another car up there so she can make runs to taco bell when Randy feels like eating something. He needs his strength up to start chemo on Friday. She said as long as things go well, he might get to come home Sunday - on Mother's Day!

Today's surgery

Randy had to be up at OHSU at 6 AM to see if he would need to have the surgery. The doctors checked out his leg and found some of skin is still dead. So, he had to have more surgery. He started surgery around noon. Before he started, he had some "happy juice" and Randy was pretty funny with his parents and the nurses. During the surgery, they took some muscles from his stomach and put it in his leg. They also took some skin from his thigh and put it on in where the skin was dead around his leg. They were able to clean out the prior surgery area and clean out blood clots. The surgery was around 4 1/2 hours. The skin graft should be the most painful part of recovery. He will spend the next 4 days at OHSU because the nurses have more information for the recovery of this particular surgery. Then he will move back to Doernbecher to start chemo on Friday. Most likely he will not get to come home this week. The family has asked for specific prayer that there is NO infection and that there continues to be a good blood flow in the new skin graft and new muscle placement. The nurses will be closely monitoring the blood flow. Randy still had a good attitude going into the surgery as he just wants to get done what needs to be done to Kick This Cancer! Possibly an update later...

He did have surgery today.

He did have surgery today. He is in recovery. Will update more when my computer works.

Rock On Randy Benefit Concert

Benefit concert featuring 10 Salem area bands

May 15th at 5 pm

Northwest Kids club

located on Hawthorne Ave. behind the Newport Bay restaurant

There will be BBQ and refreshments

The bands include:
1.F.O.H.
2. Mumbling Threats
3. PHANTOM!
4. Cloud Nine
5. Electric Secretary
6. Paper Boats
7. The Navy
8. Ambulance Party
9. Sorceress
10. Sister Ray
This Benefit is to help 18 year old Randy Bultena and his family as he has been diagnosed with osteo sarcoma just above his ankle, which includes reconstructive surgery and up to ten years of follow up treatment.