Services for Boo-D UPDATED

Visitation and Funeral Services times including Burial are still the same. Reception will follow after burial at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in the Parish Hall.

For a detailed printed version of the services with the times and addresses click on this link: Boo-D's Services

Address information can also be found on the Services Locations tab.

Visitation

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Forest Lawn Glendale Main Building

4:30-9:00 p.m.

Funeral Services

Friday, November 12, 2010

St Dominic's Catholic Church

9:30 a.m.

Services for Boo-D

Viewing - Thursday, November 11, 2010

Location: Forest Lawn Glendale Main Building, 1712 South Glendale Avenue, Glendale 91205
Website and Directions: http://www.forestlawn.com/About-Forest-Lawn/Locations-and-Directions-Glendale.asp
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Funeral Service/Mass - Friday, November 12, 2010

Location: St. Dominic's Catholic Church, 2001 Merton Ave, Los Angeles 90041
Website and directions: http://www.dominicla.org/html/contactus.htm
Time: 9:30 a.m.

Burial - Friday, November 12, 2010

Location: Forest Lawn Glendale
Time: After Funeral Service/Mass

Reception - Friday, November 12, 2010

Location: TBD
Time: After burial service

Note: No flowers; for out-of-town guests please e-mail me if you are attending

Love,
Chad aka Number 2

Update: October 31, 2010 – November 1, 2010

Since the plasmapheresis procedure on Friday, Boo-D has been improving bit by bit. His ammonia levels have decreased and he is a bit more coherent now. He has gained some of his appetite back but occasionally vomits when given his medicine. I was able to be alone with him on Sunday after church while my mother was out. He asked me what games were on and so we (well mostly I) watched the Packers-Jets game. Several times he started singing out of the blue which surprised the nurse as she said, “Wow…he has a wonderful voice!” It was nice to hear him sing again. My sister-in-law Jenny McKay suggested playing music for my dad as it helped ease the pain when her mother was in the hospital. Since I didn’t think bringing in a band and didn’t have a small boom box, I decided to use my phone to access Pandora Music. Here I selected Joe Pass and Barney Kessel, Boo-D’s favorite jazz guitarists, and placed it close to his ear. He seemed to enjoy it and many times when I asked him to name the song he was spot on correct. Later in the afternoon, Boo-D had visits from Melanie Chong (niece) as well as Guen and Johnny Spiller (daughter and son-in-law).

On Monday, November 1, 2010, Boo-D was visited by his oncologist and Nona was told that his ammonia levels had dropped from 120 to 56. She wanted him to have another plasmapheresis procedure again on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to bring it down to normal (i.e., 0). This time it was decided that the plasmapheresis will not be done via peripheral line this next time as there was difficulty on Friday to get into a vein. Instead the interventional radiologist will insert a catheter to administer the procedure. We have been greatly blessed as Boo-D continues to get visits from Dong and Doree Unabias.

Nona has been by his side and is being well taken cared of by the nurses also. They even sometimes give her an extra dinner tray when the dietary heard she used to be a supervisor at this Kaiser Permanente Hollywood campus.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Boo-D. Our family greatly appreciates all you have done.

Love,
Chad aka Number 2

Update: October 30, 2010

Boo-D is doing much better today. The plasmapheresis procedure that was administered on Friday has been successful as his ammonia levels have decreased. He is no longer as lethargic as he was prior to the procedure.

Overnight Boo-D was feeling hungry and was even asking when was breakfast. Usually he turns away the food when we tried to feed him. This was the first time in a long time that he shown some appetite.

Thank you to Dong and Doree Unabia for visiting Boo-D today. In addition, to the Unabias, Guen and Johnny Spiller, and myself were by Boo-D's side.

Love,
Chad aka Number 2

Update: October 29, 2010

Today the plasmapheresis procedure was performed on Boo-D. The procedure started at 1pm and ended around 4:30pm. Soon after it was finished, his oncologist visited him and she told Nona that Boo-D was doing good and there were no complications. He was later returned to the room where he had the following visitors: Nancy and Mark Eiser (family friends), Christina Rosario (niece), Guenevere and Johnny Spiller (daughter and son-in-law), and Jeffrey Terashima (nephew).

It appears he is a bit more aware and able to carry a short conversation. Compared to the last few weeks where he would be just repeating a phrase or one word over and over for 10-15 minutes this appears to be a good sign that the plasmapheresis procedure has succeeded. We will probably know in the next few days for sure.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and support for Boo-D. Our family greatly appreciates it.

Update: October 28, 2010

Boo-D's status hasn't really changed too much as most of the day was in preparation for the plasmapheresis that was postponed until Friday. This plasmapheresis process will clean Boo-d's blood of the high concenration of ammonia hence he received 2 more additional units of blood. I decided to take a half day of work and got to the hospital around 2:30pm. The nurse took a reading of his blood sugar which was 98. Even though that was normal and "good" Nona (wife) and I had concerns as we didn't want his blood sugar to go too low as previously days were in the 200s. We now wanted to really make sure he was eating. We did give him in some ice tea which was a request that Boo-D at one time kept repeating over and pleading to me, "Please Chad-O...Ice tea...please....ice tea." Since we had no ice tea around, Nona went down to the cafeteria to see if she can get some. As soon as she returned, Boo-D was sipping away at the cold ice tea and he appeared to be much satisfied. Nona was later successful in having him eat some of the dinner that was offered to him.

Boo-D is still in a bit of pain and continues to receive pain medication.

Nona is doing ok. She has been assisting with feeding Boo-D, taking care of his hygiene such as brushing his teeth, combing his hair, and giving him a facial shave, and sleeping every night in his room. Usually after breakfast, she returns to the house to wash up and change her clothing, then rushes back to be by his side.

Friends and family continue to show their support for Boo-D as he had visits from the following today: Ivan Malo (family friend), Jennifer and Matthew De Coito (niece and newphew), Valerie Kemp (niece), Damien and Tomas Abear (newphew and family friend), Julie Sitar and Lou Rivera (family friends), Dong and Doree Unabia (family friend), Andrew and Nita Saplad (uncle and aunt), Sheryl and Jae-Kila Oshiro (cousin and niece) and friend.

I also want to thank those who have visited Boo-D prior to me creating this blog before his hip surgery in the hospital, and after his hip surgery in the hospital and in the nursing home.

We the family (Nona, Guenevere, Chad, and Jun) thank all those who have visited Boo-D from near and far and greatly appreciate those who cannot make it your continued thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Chad aka Number 2

Update: October 27, 2010

Boo-D's status hasn't changed too much. Nona (wife) had spoken to his oncologist and the following is an excerpt from their conversation:

It was thought at first that Boo-D has thick blood (or hyperviscosity) but it is not. He has a rare condition called hyperammonemic encephalopathy. The plasma pheresis will be done tomorrow to remove the excess amonia. The risk of the plasma pheresis is bleeding due to his low platelets...

...Chemotherapy does not do well in the brain or spine. A brain MRI will be ordered to be done since his kidneys are now doing better but he still has high protein in his urine.

The doxorubicin chemo is being considered but probably after the valcade chemo that they are administering now.

Nona was asked by his oncologist if aggressive treatments should continue...she said yes. Boo0D is still in NCB - no cold blue (i.e, no respirator) status.

At 4pm Boo-D is still much in pain despite the Dilaudid (pain management medication). The resident MD discontinued this medication because Boo-D was too sleepy. Nona told the nurse that she would call Boo-D's oncologist which his nurse promptly informed the resident. He then was given the other medication. I asked why would they do that, she says they are still learning.

Much thanks to those who have visited Boo-D today: Glenn and Joyce Alapag (brother and sister-in-law), Andrew and Nita Saplad (uncle and aunt), Sheryl Oshiro (cousin), Dong and Doree Unabia (friends), Guen and Johnny Spiller (daughter and son-in-law).

We thank you all very much for all your thoughts and prayers for Boo-D.

Visiting: Room Change Update

Boo-D has moved to a different room. He is no longer on the 7th floor and has been moved to Oncology which is on the 6th floor, room 6790.

Kaiser Permanente Hospital
4867 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
6th Floor, Room 6790
Parking Entrance is on Sunset Blvd

I will update this blog if there is a location change again.

Update: October 23, 2010 - Singing

I have just returned from spending time with Boo-D - my dad. He is looking better today. He is getting back his color (i.e., not looking as pale as before) and his kidney functions are close to going back to normal.

He has now moved out of Telemetry (7th floor) and has now moved into the Oncology (6th floor, room 6790) where they will be administering his chemotherapy. This evening, he received another session of Velcade the second one since Thursday.

In addition, he had several visitors earlier today. It appears it has been good for his soul as two of my cousins Valerie and Earlyn who came to visit him were treated with a serenade from him. He hasn't done that with anyone else so I am taking it as a good sign. Lucky gals! I also told him that The Ohio State Buckeyes football team won big today 49-0 and he replied, "Wow! You guys really beat them!" That was another good sign.

I continue to encourage my dad each time I see him to be strong in mind and spirit and the body will be taken cared of.

Thank you again for your love and support, your well wishes, and your continued thoughts and prayers. Nona and the rest of our family greatly appreciate it.

Love,

Chad

Visting: Boo-D at the hospital

Many of you have expressed to me that you wish to see Boo-D. As of today, October 23, Boo-D is staying at:

Kaiser Permanente Hospital
4867 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Room 7773
Parking Entrance is on Sunset Blvd

I will let you know on here if there is any other changes (i.e., location, room). So please check this blog before coming over.

Update: October 22, 2010

Boo-D is looking much better today. He hasn't been eating too much but the nurses have been wanting him to eat as well as have bowel movements so that his kidneys can do it's work and try to cleanse him internally. It is excruciating for him but Nona and I try to encourage him that it needs to be done.

The doctors are going to try several other options which includes chemo and possibly plasma pheresis. Nona is going to meet with the doctors on Monday to discuss the options.

The last several days Boo-D's mother Lucia from Aiea as well as his sister Suzanne from Hilo have been here to visit and be with him. They leave Saturday afternoon.

We are very thankful and grateful for all the friends and family that have come so far to visit Boo-D.

Quick Recap

The day after Boo-D's hip replacement surgery, he was up and walking with help from a walker and the physical therapist. I personally thought that they got him up and walking less than 12 hours after surgery. Two days later he was discharged from the hospital and was placed in a nursing home that specialized in rehab.

During his stay in the nursing home, Boo-D had to return to the hospital several times to receive blood transfusions as his myeloma was also making him anemic. In addition, he's been given pain medication to lesson the pain he had from the hip surgery as well as his back. Unfortunately all this medication which sometimes affects the kidney and liver function were possibly making him very lethargic.

As of Tuesday, October 18, Boo-D has returned to Kaiser to receive several units of blood and is no longer in the ER but still under observation.

First Entry

As you may or may not know my father Rudolfo "Boo-D" Alapag has been battling for the last two years with multiple myeloma ("cancer of the blood plasma") and has recently been hospitalized since Monday, October 4, 2010. Since then he has had hip replacement surgery as preventive maintenance as his bones in the pelvis area has been weakened by the myeloma.

Since my father is deeply loved by all of you I decided to keep you updated with this blog. I will try to keep you updated with regards to his status through here.

My mother Nona and the rest of the family thank you family and friends for your thoughts and prayers for my father. Please continue to pray for him for a solid recovery.

Love,
Chad Alapag aka Number 2