FEBRUARY 25, 2008

My dad has had a fever for 2 days now. According to the x-rays he has an infection again. We are not sure the extend of the infection. A thoracic surgeon was in to see him today. They are trying to figure out how to drain the infection. An infectious disease specialist will be in to see my dad tomorrow. This is a major setback for us. We are just hoping he responds well to the new antibiotics and the infection goes away. We will keep you posted.

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

My dad is still not doing well. The feeding tube goes in tomorrow. We have hope that he will regain his strength. The doctors have told us this might take a couple weeks. We are asking everyone to refrain from visiting and calling my dad during this crucial time. My dad is aware of everyone's thoughts and good wishes. The entire Boff, Lipstein, Miller and Lerman family appreciates all your love and support.

FEBRUARY 20, 2008

Well Todd isn't doing too well. He hasn't been able to eat because he is too weak. The doctors are putting a feeding tube in on Friday. As far as the cancer is concerned, Todd had a favorable response to the first round of chemo and the tumor is breaking apart and cancer cells are dying. They are not sure to what extend but the doctors are pleased. We need to get Todd strong so he can go through another round of chemo. We are hoping with this feeding tube he will gain his strength back.

FEBRUARY 18, 2008

Todd is still in St. Barnabas. He has been getting radiation every day. Todd is extremely tired and weak. We were hoping to get him into a rehabilitation center this week to get him walking again but he is just not strong enough to leave the hospital. We are meeting with the doctors tomorrow to figure out a game plan....

FEBRUARY 14, 2008

Todd started radiation today. He will have radiation for 5 days a week for 6 1/2 weeks. Todd is extremely weak and is unable to walk and do things we take for granted. We are looking into a rehab place to send Todd once the hospital releases him. We are not sure when he will be released but probably in the next week or two. I wish I had something better to report.....

FEBRUARY 12, 2008

Todd was transferred to St. Barnabus today. Dana took the ride with him in the ambulance. It was a long ride taking over 4 hours from NYC to Livingston NJ because of the traffic and snow. Todd has appointment with the radiologist tomorrow and hopefully they will start right away. We will keep you posted....

FEBRUARY 9, 2008

I finally got to see Todd yesterday and today. It was so good to see him. Yesterday he got up and walked around (with a walker) and we were thrilled. Today he was just too tired to take a walk. It seems some days are better than others. Todd saw the radiologist on Friday who has referred him to a radiologist at St. Barnabas. We are hoping that Todd will be transferred to St. Barnabas this week so he can start radiation as soon as possible. We will keep you posted...

Todd,

Everyone at the Roth house is thinking about you. Let us know if there is anything you or Sue Ellen need.

All our love,

Greg

FEBRUARY 7, 2008

Good news. Todd was moved out of the ICU into a regular room. He is so thrilled not to hear all the beeping from the machines. I still haven't been able to see him but I did get to speak to him a couple of times. He sounded great. Sue Ellen brought him his pajamas and said he was so happy to be out of the hospital gown. I spoke to the oncologist today. They are unable to start chemo on the scheduled date of February 12th because of all the antibiotics Todd is on for the infection. They are looking into starting radiation soon. I am heading into the city tomorrow morning to see Todd and I can't wait. I will keep you posted....

FEBRUARY 6, 2008

I have been unable to visit Todd for the past two days because I a horrible stomach flu. Sue Ellen and Dana visited today and I have been told Todd has snapped out of his depression. He spoke to me on the phone for the first time. This actually was the first time he spoke on the phone to anyone since he has been hospitalized. When he got on the phone I was so happy I cried. He said he "Woke Up". He conveyed to Sue Ellen that he wants to live and will fight!!! We are so thrilled we have our Todd back. So with a good attitude we are hoping Todd will get his strength back and start walking. Hopefully once that happens he will be able to come home. We will keep you posted.

FEBRUARY 5, 2008

Unfortunately Todd has not been in good spirits. He has been down in the dumps and we are trying desparately to cheer him up. It is very hard for him to accept the fact that he is sick and much harder for him that he has been bedridden. We are hoping that the physical therapists will get him up and walking soon. With all of our constant love and support we are hoping Todd will cheer up and fight this battle with a vengeance.

FEBRUARY 4, 2008

Today Todd was very disoriented from all the pain medications. The doctors removed the chest tube. The infection seems to be clearing up. We are praying Todd responds well to the chemo so the infection will not return and his lung will keep expanding. Also they moved Todd to a window room in the Cardiac Care Center (ICU). Maybe seeing the sun will boost his spirits. Todd is still very weak and is not up and walking yet. He will soon start seeing a physical therapist who will help him move. I have been reading Todd the blogs every day and all the comments and he is so thankful to everyone. This is an extremely difficult and stressful time for Todd and his family. It means so much to have so much support from all of you. Thank you.

Sunday, February 3rd

We brought a large screen tv in to the hospital last night so Todd could watch the superbowl and enjoy the game. Wow, it was so worth it to see him enjoy his beloved Giants drive down the field in the closing seconds to win the game. He almost jumped out of bed when Manning escaped being sacked and throw a long pass that Tyree caught practically on his helmet. We had a lot of doctors and nurses "check in" on Todd and stay a few minutes to watch the game with us. Truthfully, I don't think there was another patient in the entire wing that got as much attention last night.

Todd has been getting all your messages of hope and well wishes. He truly appreciates it and really loves hearing from family and friends.

FEBRUARY 2, 2008

Today Todd sat in a chair and ate his meals. Since Todd is so weak the nurses had to lift him in and out of the bed. Todd's major complaint is the chest tube. He is still experiencing a lot of pain. The doctors are hopefully they will remove the chest tube in a couple days. Todd is slowly eating and we are hopeful he will eventually gain his strength back. One day at a time...

FEBRUARY 1, 2008

Todd is still in the Cardiac Care Center Unit. Everyday Todd has x-rays taken of his chest to see if there is progress. The x-ray taken today shows the infection is clearing up however, the chest tube has to remain in for couple days. The tube is causing Todd pain but it needs to stay in place to prevent further infections. The x-ray also shows Todd is responding favorably to the chemo. How favorably we don't know but this is a very very good thing. Todd is very weak and has lost a lot of weight. We are hoping his appetite will return soon. I am going to bring him some of his favorite sloppy joes tomorrow from town hall. I will keep you posted....

Big Man,

I hope you're feeling ok; I'm thinking about you...don't get too crazy on Sunday when your Giants get spanked!!

Miss you and thinking about you...

Trey