From: Rachelle Miller [pcm@teleport.com]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 11:58 PM

Subject: Update on Peter

Hi there, dear friends,

Well, Peter is back in the hospital again.  His pain level got out of
control on Sunday.  He had fallen twice, once the bed caught him, the
second time he hit the floor.  By God's grace, he didn't break anything,
but it did add to his overall pain.  Finally at 7pm the doctor said to
take him in to emergency.  It took us almost an hour to get him out of
bed and to the car.  I realize in retrospect I should have called 911
and let the paramedics handle it, but, when you have a stubborn German
at hand, doing the most expedient thing isn't necessarily as easy as it
sounds!

The docs took another MRI and more xrays.  They found he has a new tumor
in his lower back...down toward the tail bone.  It is pressing on the
nerves that run to the legs, thus the sciatica and the leg weakness and
the falling.  They have started radiation on the tumor plus the ones in
his femurs in both of his legs.  He will probably be in the hospital
until at least Wednesday and continue radiation for about 2 weeks.  He's
not answering phone calls right now, they have him on a pretty hefty
dose of morphine to keep his pain under control.  Hopefully, between the
morphine, the steroids to reduce swelling, and the radiation he will be
in better shape soon.  In the meantime, I am trying to make contact with
the right people who will help me get things like a walker and a lift
chair to help make getting around easier.  I'm even considering a
hospital bed because it would make getting in and out of bed soooo much
easier.  I love our big ole king size bed, but getting him out of it
with a bad back has been just a little too much for both of us.  Plus
the hospital bed would be adjustable and maybe make it easier for him to
change position when things get uncomfortable.

Today they found he is still extremely anemic and gave him another 2
units of blood to try to perk him up.  There's some thought he may have
an infection lurking somewhere as well, but so far they haven't pursued
that as rigorously.  Please keep us in your prayers.  Times are very
trying right now.

As you can see, I still don't have my mailing list updated, so if you
see that I have missed someone, please pass on the news.

Hugs,

Rachelle