Link to the Obituary
Monday, April 29, 2013
Obituary
Vander Deen, Richard John - On Monday, April 29, 2013, our heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom and love, called to Himself Richard John Vander Deen in his 52nd year. Throughout his battle with leukemia, Richard rested day by day in God’s promises and grace. Beloved husband of Barbara for 31 years. Loving father of Michael & Rachel Vander Deen (Peter, Aaron, Nathaniel), Karen Vander Deen, Sarah & Jeremy Mulder (Robert, Matthew, Lucas, Timothy), Andrea Vander Deen (Derek), and David & Bethany Vander Deen. Cherished son of Ipe & Grace (2011) Vander Deen, and son-in-law of Clarence & Jane Dekker. Dear brother of Patricia & Rudy Heidelberg, Ivan & Diana Vander Deen, Irene & Charlie Dykxhoorn, Clarence & Irene Vander Deen, Sharon & Steve Talsma, and John & Teresa Vander Deen. Dear brother-in-law to Jack & Jane Dekker, Amy & George Hart, Gordon Dekker, Ben & Sandy Dekker, and predeceased by sisters-in-law Glenda Vriesema and Jenny Dekker. Richard will be missed by many uncles & aunts, nieces & nephews, colleagues, and friends. Special thanks to the wonderful oncology nurses and doctors at Victoria Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care. Visitation will be held at the Providence United Reformed Church at 447 Second Street in Strathroy from 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm on Thursday, May 2nd. The funeral will be held on Friday, May 3 at 11:00 am at Providence United Reformed Church with Rev. Harry Zekveld officiating. Interment to follow in Strathroy Cemetery, with a luncheon afterwards at the church. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Hope Academy in Etobicoke. Online condolences accepted at www.denningfuneralhomes.com.
Link to the Obituary
Link to the Obituary
Into His Glory
Psalm 73:23-26
Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.
Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Dear family and friends,
It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather was called home into glory this morning at 5 am. After a courageous battle with leukemia, and at the end with pneumonia, God brought home His warrior of the faith. We stand amazed at how God provided the grace needed day by day for Dad to face each battle with trust and courage. And we praise Him for giving us a godly, loving husband, father, and grandfather!
While Dad was resting peacefully with the intubation in the ICU yesterday, his lung infection continued to worsen and progress. After doing everything they could, the team called our family in early this morning. We were all able to be with him, singing and praying together as he entered God's presence.
We continue to be encouraged at how God is tenderly providing all that we need in our grief through the outpouring of love from family and friends. We will update you with visitation and funeral arrangements as we make plans.
To God be the glory!
With love,
Barb, Michael & Rachel (Peter, Aaron, Nathaniel), Karen, Sarah & Jeremy (Robert, Matthew, Lucas, Timothy), Andrea (Derek), David & Bethany
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds!
Psalm 73:28
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Transplant 2 Day 33 - Part 2
Dad is finally resting quietly in the Critical Care Trauma Centre (or better known as the ICU). During the procedure for intubation this morning, the doctors sedated him. Dad's lungs did not respond well to the vent at first and his body was fighting against the tube. The team ended up giving him a nerve-blocker to paralyze his torso/arms/legs, which settled his lungs and allowed him to rest quietly. They also inserted a feeding tube and arterial line during this procedure. There are other tubes for secretions from the lungs. They did a chest x-ray to ensure that everything is in the proper place and Dad's ICU nurse has kept a close eye, making adjustments to machinery and medications as needed. Dad's blood counts are very good today, due to the neupogen. 4.1 for whites, 103 for hemoglobin, and 12 for platelets. They gave him another unit of platelets today because of the procedures they were doing, as the ability for Dad's blood to clot is incredibly important. There are many tests and stats to watch, and it is hard for us to keep everything straight. We are incredibly thankful for the calm, competent staff of the ICU.
The doctors want to give Dad a 24 hour rest period before they take a bronchial biopsy of his lungs which would confirm the fungal pneumonia and give the team a better picture of which direction to take in terms of treatment. It took a while to get his oxygen sats to the right level again after intubation and Dad is under quite a bit of stress. They want to give him some time to sleep and rest quietly, allowing his lungs to adjust and some healing to take place. The team also explained that they hope to give Dad two full days of sedation/nerve-block. They will then slowly wean him off the vent, likely starting on Tuesday. The nurse told us to expect that Dad will be in the ICU for the week.
Psalm 20:1-7
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May He send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
May He remember all your offerings and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices!
May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
The doctors want to give Dad a 24 hour rest period before they take a bronchial biopsy of his lungs which would confirm the fungal pneumonia and give the team a better picture of which direction to take in terms of treatment. It took a while to get his oxygen sats to the right level again after intubation and Dad is under quite a bit of stress. They want to give him some time to sleep and rest quietly, allowing his lungs to adjust and some healing to take place. The team also explained that they hope to give Dad two full days of sedation/nerve-block. They will then slowly wean him off the vent, likely starting on Tuesday. The nurse told us to expect that Dad will be in the ICU for the week.
Psalm 20:1-7
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May He send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
May He remember all your offerings and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices!
May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Transplant 2 Day 33 - Part 1
This is Karen, posting for my parents. I hope to post throughout the day on Dad's condition.
Dad was transferred to the ICU early this morning at 4:30 am due to shortness of breath and critically low oxygen saturation levels in his blood. Mom stayed overnight at the hospital with him last night and he just did not sleep. He is very confused and agitated, trying to pull off his oxygen mask whenever he can. They did a chest x-ray, CKG of the heart, blood tests in his isolation room last night. His creatinine is doing better (measurement of the kidneys) which is good. His fever did not come back last night either.
His oxygen needs continued to become more critical as the night wore on so they transferred him to ICU. He was put right away onto a bipap machine, that pushes pressurized air into his lungs. They also hooked him to a catheter, heart monitor, and many other lines/machines to monitor him closely. Dad is very confused and frustrated, as he cannot remember where he is or why he needs the mask. The confusion is due to being sick but also exhausted, as he hasn't slept in 48 hours. He keeps trying to talk with us and we have a hard time understanding him through the mask, which frustrates him more.
The doctors switched him to a c-pap (which is less pressurized air) in an attempt to get him to settle more and breathe easier, but he still was breathing too quickly and struggling with this machine. So they made the decision to intubate him with a breathing tube. While they are doing this procedure, they will also insert a feeding tube. Dad will be sedated for this and hopefully, it will allow him to rest more easily and actually get some sleep.
Our oncologist joined the ICU team and explained to us this morning that engraftment is causing swelling in Dad's body, primarily in his lungs. Combined with the fungal pneumonia, Dad is having a hard time getting air. The intubation will push the air through his lungs and give his body a chance to rest, allowing the antibiotics and other medications to work.
Mom and I are waiting in the waiting room, the rest of the family is on their way. Thank you for your prayers!
Dad was transferred to the ICU early this morning at 4:30 am due to shortness of breath and critically low oxygen saturation levels in his blood. Mom stayed overnight at the hospital with him last night and he just did not sleep. He is very confused and agitated, trying to pull off his oxygen mask whenever he can. They did a chest x-ray, CKG of the heart, blood tests in his isolation room last night. His creatinine is doing better (measurement of the kidneys) which is good. His fever did not come back last night either.
His oxygen needs continued to become more critical as the night wore on so they transferred him to ICU. He was put right away onto a bipap machine, that pushes pressurized air into his lungs. They also hooked him to a catheter, heart monitor, and many other lines/machines to monitor him closely. Dad is very confused and frustrated, as he cannot remember where he is or why he needs the mask. The confusion is due to being sick but also exhausted, as he hasn't slept in 48 hours. He keeps trying to talk with us and we have a hard time understanding him through the mask, which frustrates him more.
The doctors switched him to a c-pap (which is less pressurized air) in an attempt to get him to settle more and breathe easier, but he still was breathing too quickly and struggling with this machine. So they made the decision to intubate him with a breathing tube. While they are doing this procedure, they will also insert a feeding tube. Dad will be sedated for this and hopefully, it will allow him to rest more easily and actually get some sleep.
Our oncologist joined the ICU team and explained to us this morning that engraftment is causing swelling in Dad's body, primarily in his lungs. Combined with the fungal pneumonia, Dad is having a hard time getting air. The intubation will push the air through his lungs and give his body a chance to rest, allowing the antibiotics and other medications to work.
Mom and I are waiting in the waiting room, the rest of the family is on their way. Thank you for your prayers!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Transplant 2 Day 32
This is Karen, posting for my parents tonight.
Today has been a fight, probably the toughest day Dad has had yet in this journey of leukemia. He spiked with fever throughout the night and was very restless and agitated. Throughout the night and early morning, his oxygen saturation levels were low and he was not doing well. Dad's oncologist was here fairly early in the morning and called the critical care unit team to come in (a doctor, nurse, and respiratory nurse from the ICU). They examined him and gave recommendations for his care. That doctor prescribed a steroid that is an anti-inflammatory to help with swelling in Dad's lungs. They also upped his oxygen levels, and he was put on a mask. He is still retaining fluid and is bloated, as his kidneys are not functioning well. The doctors hope that with the steroid helping with swelling in the lungs, continued medication to help with kidney function (to hopefully remove some fluid), and neupogen to speed up the production of neutrophils (to fight the pneumonia), they will be able to get a grip on the pneumonia and turn the corner. The next few days are critical here.
By mid-morning, Dad was doing a bit better on the mask, though he was starting to spike with fever again. Fever makes him incredibly weak and restless. He is also very confused, seeing things that aren't there and his talking sometimes makes no sense. He finds the oxygen mask incredibly irritating and in his confusion, tries to pull it off. By early afternoon, the fever finally broke with Tylenol and Dad was able to settle a bit more. However, this has been a pattern over the past few days; fever comes and goes. We hope that tonight will be a calmer night -- that his oxygen levels will be stable and the fever stays at bay.
Dad's numbers for the day were 2 for whites, 86 for hemoglobin, and <10 for platelets. He received a platelet transfusion this morning, though not HLA matched.
Please pray with us for peaceful rest for Dad tonight and for healing in his kidneys, lungs, blood. Pray also for strength and courage for Mom, as she cares for him day by day.
Psalm 18:28-32
"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
Today has been a fight, probably the toughest day Dad has had yet in this journey of leukemia. He spiked with fever throughout the night and was very restless and agitated. Throughout the night and early morning, his oxygen saturation levels were low and he was not doing well. Dad's oncologist was here fairly early in the morning and called the critical care unit team to come in (a doctor, nurse, and respiratory nurse from the ICU). They examined him and gave recommendations for his care. That doctor prescribed a steroid that is an anti-inflammatory to help with swelling in Dad's lungs. They also upped his oxygen levels, and he was put on a mask. He is still retaining fluid and is bloated, as his kidneys are not functioning well. The doctors hope that with the steroid helping with swelling in the lungs, continued medication to help with kidney function (to hopefully remove some fluid), and neupogen to speed up the production of neutrophils (to fight the pneumonia), they will be able to get a grip on the pneumonia and turn the corner. The next few days are critical here.
By mid-morning, Dad was doing a bit better on the mask, though he was starting to spike with fever again. Fever makes him incredibly weak and restless. He is also very confused, seeing things that aren't there and his talking sometimes makes no sense. He finds the oxygen mask incredibly irritating and in his confusion, tries to pull it off. By early afternoon, the fever finally broke with Tylenol and Dad was able to settle a bit more. However, this has been a pattern over the past few days; fever comes and goes. We hope that tonight will be a calmer night -- that his oxygen levels will be stable and the fever stays at bay.
Dad's numbers for the day were 2 for whites, 86 for hemoglobin, and <10 for platelets. He received a platelet transfusion this morning, though not HLA matched.
Please pray with us for peaceful rest for Dad tonight and for healing in his kidneys, lungs, blood. Pray also for strength and courage for Mom, as she cares for him day by day.
Psalm 18:28-32
"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
Friday, April 26, 2013
Transplant 2 Day 31
This is Karen, posting for my parents tonight.
The neupogen shot went right to work last night bringing Dad's white blood cell count to 1.5. His hemoglobin was 88 (after three units of blood over the past two days) and platelets were 11. So no transfusions today. He received another shot of neupogen this afternoon as well. It is very good to have a high number for white blood cells and we hope that there are a lot of neutrophils in that number so that they can fight the infection.
Despite the good numbers, it has been a difficult and trying day for Dad. The fever continues, bringing shakes and chills. Adrienne did a chest x-ray this afternoon in Dad's room to check his lungs. He continues to be on oxygen for low oxygen saturation levels in his blood. His chest pain has eased a little, making him a bit more comfortable. The one drug Dad is on causes very vivid dreams and therefore, his sleep is not very restful. This has been difficult for Mom also, as Dad talks and moves around even when asleep. Dad is very tired and he continues to sleep a lot throughout the day.
Dad is also retaining fluid terribly and his abdomen is swollen. His kidneys are under serious stress right now and are not working well, due to the combination of the anti-rejection and high dose anti-fungal drugs. The doctors have put Dad on lasix (a diuretic) though it has not helped yet. A kidney specialist also came in briefly and he ordered a kidney ultrasound, which was done downstairs in the hospital. We hope to get results from these tests soon and make adjustments in medication and treatment.
At the moment, Dad is feeling a bit better and more relaxed than he has all day. He is sitting up and talking with us, which is good to see. At one point this afternoon, Mom gave him a peppermint which he proclaimed was "the best peppermint I've tasted since I was a boy in church!" He also enjoyed a good laugh with his nurse when she was giving him his neupogen shot; she joked that she didn't want to give the shot in his abdomen because he might explode... Dad laughed long and loud at that. It is good to see his sense of humour shining through the struggles of today.
As we reflect on the events of the day, we go back to Lamentations 3:22-23. Each day again, we know that the Lord's faithfulness is sure and His compassions never fail.
Isaiah 12:2
"Behold God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation."
The neupogen shot went right to work last night bringing Dad's white blood cell count to 1.5. His hemoglobin was 88 (after three units of blood over the past two days) and platelets were 11. So no transfusions today. He received another shot of neupogen this afternoon as well. It is very good to have a high number for white blood cells and we hope that there are a lot of neutrophils in that number so that they can fight the infection.
Despite the good numbers, it has been a difficult and trying day for Dad. The fever continues, bringing shakes and chills. Adrienne did a chest x-ray this afternoon in Dad's room to check his lungs. He continues to be on oxygen for low oxygen saturation levels in his blood. His chest pain has eased a little, making him a bit more comfortable. The one drug Dad is on causes very vivid dreams and therefore, his sleep is not very restful. This has been difficult for Mom also, as Dad talks and moves around even when asleep. Dad is very tired and he continues to sleep a lot throughout the day.
Dad is also retaining fluid terribly and his abdomen is swollen. His kidneys are under serious stress right now and are not working well, due to the combination of the anti-rejection and high dose anti-fungal drugs. The doctors have put Dad on lasix (a diuretic) though it has not helped yet. A kidney specialist also came in briefly and he ordered a kidney ultrasound, which was done downstairs in the hospital. We hope to get results from these tests soon and make adjustments in medication and treatment.
At the moment, Dad is feeling a bit better and more relaxed than he has all day. He is sitting up and talking with us, which is good to see. At one point this afternoon, Mom gave him a peppermint which he proclaimed was "the best peppermint I've tasted since I was a boy in church!" He also enjoyed a good laugh with his nurse when she was giving him his neupogen shot; she joked that she didn't want to give the shot in his abdomen because he might explode... Dad laughed long and loud at that. It is good to see his sense of humour shining through the struggles of today.
As we reflect on the events of the day, we go back to Lamentations 3:22-23. Each day again, we know that the Lord's faithfulness is sure and His compassions never fail.
Isaiah 12:2
"Behold God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation."
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Transplant 2 Day 30
This is Karen, posting for my parents tonight.
Dad had a rough night of fever and it reached high enough that the nurses took blood cultures again. The doctors are checking to see what bacteria is in the blood causing infection, so that they can verify that Dad is on the correct antibiotic and to also ensure that there is no new infection in his body. They also want to make sure that his Hickman (central line) is clean. This will take a few days for results. The doctors are fairly certain that the fever is from the pneumonia but they want to make sure.
This morning, Dad's white blood cell count was 0.6 (down 0.1), hemoglobin was 71, and platelets were <10. Dad received a transfusion of HLA matched platelets and in the post-transfusion blood test, they saw that the platelets jumped to 18 (a good response!). However, his hemoglobin had dropped to 66 due to his fever. So they also gave him two units of blood throughout the day.
It was a rough day for Dad. He continues to spike with fever, which burns up his platelets quickly and saps energy. He remains on strong painkillers and high doses of the anti-fungal drug which cause drowsiness, and so he spent a lot of the day in and out of sleep. In the early afternoon, Dad's oxygen saturation levels dropped to the high 80s. Oxygen saturation measures the amount of oxygen in your blood and anything over 92 is acceptable. Normally, Dad's levels have been around 97. The doctors put him on oxygen and his rates are now back to normal (98). The doctors explained that this is from the pneumonia.
The medical team had a discussion with Dad and Mom today about the drug, neupogen, which boosts the growth and production of white blood cells (neutrophils). The doctors want to give Dad this shot so that his white blood cell count will jump and start fighting the fungal pneumonia. The best fighters against pneumonia are Dad's new white blood cells! They are better at this than any drug the doctors can give him. The neupogen shot will encourage the maturing stem cells to release neutrophils as fast as they can. Dad needs an immune system to help him fight, and the neupogen will give it a kickstart. He received this shot around 5 this afternoon.
Please pray for Dad's white blood cells to grow and begin their work of attacking the pneumonia, and that Dad will experience some relief from fever and pain. We continue to rest in our Lord's care and know that He is near even in all of this!
Psalm 91:1-3
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."
Dad had a rough night of fever and it reached high enough that the nurses took blood cultures again. The doctors are checking to see what bacteria is in the blood causing infection, so that they can verify that Dad is on the correct antibiotic and to also ensure that there is no new infection in his body. They also want to make sure that his Hickman (central line) is clean. This will take a few days for results. The doctors are fairly certain that the fever is from the pneumonia but they want to make sure.
This morning, Dad's white blood cell count was 0.6 (down 0.1), hemoglobin was 71, and platelets were <10. Dad received a transfusion of HLA matched platelets and in the post-transfusion blood test, they saw that the platelets jumped to 18 (a good response!). However, his hemoglobin had dropped to 66 due to his fever. So they also gave him two units of blood throughout the day.
It was a rough day for Dad. He continues to spike with fever, which burns up his platelets quickly and saps energy. He remains on strong painkillers and high doses of the anti-fungal drug which cause drowsiness, and so he spent a lot of the day in and out of sleep. In the early afternoon, Dad's oxygen saturation levels dropped to the high 80s. Oxygen saturation measures the amount of oxygen in your blood and anything over 92 is acceptable. Normally, Dad's levels have been around 97. The doctors put him on oxygen and his rates are now back to normal (98). The doctors explained that this is from the pneumonia.
The medical team had a discussion with Dad and Mom today about the drug, neupogen, which boosts the growth and production of white blood cells (neutrophils). The doctors want to give Dad this shot so that his white blood cell count will jump and start fighting the fungal pneumonia. The best fighters against pneumonia are Dad's new white blood cells! They are better at this than any drug the doctors can give him. The neupogen shot will encourage the maturing stem cells to release neutrophils as fast as they can. Dad needs an immune system to help him fight, and the neupogen will give it a kickstart. He received this shot around 5 this afternoon.
Please pray for Dad's white blood cells to grow and begin their work of attacking the pneumonia, and that Dad will experience some relief from fever and pain. We continue to rest in our Lord's care and know that He is near even in all of this!
Psalm 91:1-3
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."
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