Monday - 20 May 2013

This is our final post for our gallant warrior and the narrative version of his obituary which was placed in the Transylvania Times of Brevard, NC, The Griffin Daily News of Griffin, GA and The Potomac News of Woodbridge, VA today.  There is talk of publishing his blog with all of it's typos and Dougisms.  If you would like to have a copy it will be available at a later date.  Let us know on his email if you are interested.  dwheeless05@gmail.com.  Most finally thank you so, so much for your prayers, notes, emails and support of him through his courageous battle. 

 

God bless the USA. 

Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Crowder Wheeless, (US Army Ret.) 69, of Brevard, NC died on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Duke Hospital surrounded by his family in love.  Like the soldier he was, he fought overwhelming odds in his battle against cancer.   A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Brevard on Friday, May 24 at 2:00 pm.  He will be interred at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. 

Doug had a long distinguished career of service in the US Army.  After four years of arduous military training at North Georgia College, he was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate and entered the regular Army in the Signal Corps.  After technical and paratrooper training he was posted to the 101st Airborne Unit stationed at Ft. Bragg NC, a “first responder” Army unit.   One of his deployments was to Washington, DC during the riots following Dr. King’s assassination.  From Ft. Bragg, he was assigned to the First Infantry Division in Vietnam.  As an Infantry Battalion Signal Corps Officer he served on the front lines insuring that critical communication lines were available to the units.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation medals for his outstanding performance.  Following Vietnam, Doug was selected for extensive communications training at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey where he also earned his MBA. After that he was Professor of Military Science and Commandant of Cadets at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

The Army put his extensive technical training to good use by assigning him to Pusan, South Korea where he served as the senior Army signal corps officer responsible for all communications for this critical military installation.  His performance was rewarded by being selected for the highly competitive Command and General Staff College and Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.  Following graduation, he was assigned to the Army General Staff at The Pentagon where he held sensitive positions on the Operations Directorate involving development and procurement of Army communications systems.  From the Army Staff, Doug was assigned to the prestigious Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he served in a position for planning and execution of communications support to operational military forces.  He was also twice awarded the Defense Meritorious Medal for his service in The Pentagon.

A fellow soldier who served with him for most of his career noted that he had never encountered another leader like Doug. He was unflappable and humble, yet he made things happen.  Units he commanded were highly disciplined and well trained.  His troops loved him.  In the Pentagon assignments, he was the “go-to” guy for Army and Joint Staff Generals.

After retirement from the U.S. Army in 1986, Doug was a Division Chief for Advanced Systems Development (ASD), an information technology support contractor primarily supporting the Department of Defense in The Pentagon.  He was employed by ASD for 24 years during which he was pivotal for ensuring the operational readiness of numerous networks, databases, and communications systems within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).  This included oversight of the Executive Support Center for managing communication cables for OSD and providing direct communications support for the Defense Secretary while on travel.

In 2010 he retired to the beautiful Western NC Mountains in Brevard.  He enjoyed frequent family gatherings, his new Brevard friends, hiking and golf.  Upon diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia he created a blog called “Conquering AML” to chronicle his experiences. (dougwheeless.blogspot.com)

Doug is survived by his wife of 43 years Jane Manley Wheeless a native of Griffin, GA and his three children, Amy Wheeless Peters of Huntersville, Camilla Frances Christopher of Cleveland, GA and Isaac William Wheeless, II of Asheville; son-in-laws Kevin Peters and Scott Christopher; four grandchildren, Julia and Sara Peters and Laurel and Clayton Christopher.  He is survived by his brother L.  David Wheeless and sister-in-law Jeanie Wheeless of Roswell, GA;  brother and sisters-in-law Taylor and Anne Manley and Gail Hammock of Griffin, GA., many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews, and dear, life-long friends, like family Joyse Witheridge of Brevard and Alison Witheridge of Encinitas, CA. 

Doug is preceded in death by his infant son Douglas Crowder Wheeless, Jr. and his parents Isaac William Wheeless and Henri Frances Crowder. 

Arrangements are being made by Moody-Connolly of Brevard.  Visitation is Thursday night between 6:00 and 7:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Sunday - 19 May 2013

 

First of all our family wants to thank all of you for your prayers and support.  Memorial events for Doug are:

 

*  Visitation at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home in Brevard, NC Thursday, May 23rd from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.  Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

 

*  Memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Brevard, NC, Friday, May 24th at 2:00 PM

 

*  Burial at Arlington National Cemetery.  TBD.  Probably three months from now.

 

Stay tuned.  We will have his obituary/narrative posted tomorrow.

Saturday - 18 May 2013

 

Day 29

 

We lost Doug shortly after noon today.  He passed with all of us surrounding him in love.  Even our associate pastor from Brevard was there.  Sweet Douglas is now telling jokes in heaven.  God I hope they are ready for his foolishness.  We will have the funeral at FUMC in Brevard Friday at 2:00 pm.  Visitation probably Thursday evening at Moody Connolly Funeral Home in Brevard.  Burial at Arlington in a few months.  Stay tuned for further details. 

 

Love you guys for your prayers and support and laughter.

Friday - 17 May 2013

 

Day 28

 

Ghost writers back.  Not a good day for Doug.  Unfortunately kidney and liver numbers are dropping and heart is slowing.  The kids are here and we are all together. We will meet with doctors tomorrow to try to make the best decision for Doug.  The warrior is still at battle.  Prayers for strength, peace and love. 

Thank you for the flood of emails.  We have been reading them to him. 

Thursday - 16 May 2013

 

Day 27

 

Ghost writers still on duty.  It was a rather uneventful day.  The EEG has been taken away because there was no evidence of seizure activity.  The CT and MRI showed no abnormalities.  Waiting on some cultures to grow from the Lumbar Puncture but Doug's condition continues to baffle one of Duke's finest teams.  The good news is that the breathing tube was not critical but used as a preventative to assure a good airway and we hope in the near future it will be removed.  He is getting nutrition which is a good thing and absolutely so zonked out that we will never recall this experience. 

 

Please continue prayers and emails.  As soon as he is able to receive them they will be shared with him.  The medical staff all say that they are in this fight with him and he can recover.  We hold on to hope and prayer. 

Wednesday - 15 May 2013

 

Day 26

 

Ghost writers back.  It was a rough day in ICU.  Doug had an episode which could have been a mild seizure that thankfully Joyse alerted the medical team that it was happening.  This resulted in a breathing tube being placed and a boat load of diagnostic tests to find out the cause of his mental status.  Actually this is a good thing because nurses tell us he can recover from this but HE needs to do the work. We need to stay optimistic and pray.  We should know results of diagnostics tomorrow and hopefully a plan will be in place to resolve this current issue.  The comforting thing this is that he has been sedated with a good airway and his stats are good so he has an optimal situation for restorative progress. 

 

Thank you so much for the transcontinental prayers that we feel and appreciate. We have been told to talk to him even though he is sedated so if there is an email you want to send we will read them to him again and again. 

Tuesday - 14 May 2013

 

Day 25

 

Ghost writers, not riders, are back and probably will be for a while.  Doug's fogginess has unfortunately increased and he has a condition called hepatic encephalopathy.  This condition is due to the toxins from the liver damage impacting his brain.  It produces a delirium state.  We are being told that even though Doug's liver function has improved the toxins have not completely worked their way out of his body and therefore the brain has taken this hit.  The good news is that a CT head scan revealed no additional problems.  Right now he is unable to swallow medicines, drink or eat.  So a nasal gastric tube has been placed to allow him to have the critical nutrition for the bone marrow transplant and the medicines to address the delirium.

 

The situation is serious but we are hopeful that a slow and steady recovery is in the future.  Unfortunately, his slow improvement has been interrupted and probably will be again by a backslide here and there. 

 

Prayers and emails please. 

Monday - 13 May 2013

 

Day 25

 

Ghost riders on duty again as Doug is experiencing something called ICU delirium and is not as sharp as a tack.  The good news is that his heart is doing well without supportive measures.  His liver has recovered and kidney function is greatly improved.  The plan is to have a transition day tomorrow basically weaning him off continuous dialysis so that he can be transferred to the inpatient bone marrow transplant unit a floor up.  He is currently stable and getting better.  He is experiencing physical weakness due to the hit that he took with loss of kidney/liver function.  We have been told that both the physical weakness and the cognitive confusion will improve over time. 

 

Prayers are always requested.  Keep the emails coming.  We are using them as cognitive hooks for him.  dwheeless05@gmail.com

Sunday - 12 May 2013

 

Day 24

 

Doug not yet able to do blog.  So the girls are back.  Fairly slow day in ICU.  He's extremely sleepy and is staying awake for a "Hot Second" as described by his nurse tonight.  But truly it may be a blessing that he is sleeping a lot and not aware of everything that is happening to him and is being done for him.  Very positive signs of recovery in his numbers and counts, however, his body will take quite a while to recover we are told from this assault.  Probably in ICU for another week or more and then bone marrow transplant inpatient unit for a couple of weeks. 

 

We are remaining positive for a great outcome from this long road of recovery.  BMT team says this should not impact the transplant process. 

 

Hoping funny quotes will return soon. 

Saturday - 11 May 2013

 Day 23

Hello again from Jane and Joyse.  Doug is very weak and still foggy.  However, his numbers are improving in response to dialysis.  This improvement is a very positive sign but it will still be a slow recovery.  Once again Doug has baffled them with his resilience.  No specific cause has been determined.  This just may be the cumulative effects of numerous chemo treatments and his low immune system.   The bone marrow transplant team is reassuring us that at this time the transplant process has not been compromised.  So Suzibel and Veronica have not been harmed. 

 

We are extremely impressed with the caliber of the ICU nursing staff at Duke.  They have been responsive and knowledgeable in addition to comforting during this episode.  We have also been impressed with the physician team approach in reviewing all the issues and coming up with the best approach to treatment.  Plus it has been great to have Cam here to interpret complex medical terms when we have looked over our masks at each other with questions in our eyes.

Prayers please.

Friday - 10 May 2013

 

Day 22

 

Hello, it's Jane and Joyse again.  Doug remains in ICU and will probably be there for a few more days.  He is alert, talkative, joking as usual and trying to charm all the nurses.  He is just very weak and not up to putting out the blog yet.  We are optimistic that a proper regimen has been put in place to improve his kidney and liver function, increase the strength of his heart and reduce fluids.  All are needed to get him back on track.  His medical team has indicated that the treatment in place should be successful.  He is receiving some powerful heart meds and is on temporary dialysis.   

 

He is, however, feeling a bit disconnected from his normal communication channels so if you would like to send him a message or note through text or email please do.  But do not expect a response.  His email address is dwheeless05@gmail.com.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

 

Quotes from Doug starting again soon.

 

Thursday - 9 May 2013

 

Day 21

Hello everybody this is Jane (and Joyse).  Quite the day here at Duke. From clinic we went to the inpatient unit at Duke Hospital on to the ICU due to higher than normal kidney and liver function numbers and fluid retention.  This was a major toad in the road.  At this point Doug is stable and responding well to treatment.  Once the true cause is found we are expecting him to rally soon.  Major prayers please.

All the kids and Joyse are here for our support.

 

Jane! If Amy, Cam, Ike and Joyse are coming in tonight you need to get beer for the kids and gin for Joyse!!!.  Doug Wheeless from my bed in ICU

Tuesday - 8 May 2013

Day 20

All is improving from the toad in the road.   My heart is back in rhythm.  They simply changed my meds from the unproven to the unknown and from the unacceptable to the unbelievable so hopefully it will work.   I am actually feeling better,  but white count still below zero.

"Don't Give In, That Old Wheel Will Roll Around Again." From "That Old Wheel"    Johnny Cash

Tuesday - 7 May 2013

 

Day 19

At least I have something to report these days.  After becoming dehydrated and released from the hospital, today I am over hydrated as I am prone to retain fluid.  It is a balancing act.   I told them today it was performance anxiety as 4 or 5 people kept asking if I had gone.    Anyway,  I am thankfully in the condo drinking H2O.

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."  Joel Osteen    (My Man on TV)

Monday - 6 May 2013

Day 18

FREE from the Big House!   Infection under control, heart rate at legal rate, and nose has stopped bleeding from topical wound.   I will resume normal out patient treatment tomorrow.

I sure enjoyed Amy's visit.  She has a way about about her.

"Who can't relate to the idea of leaving one chapter behind and moving on to the next"   Mike Shinosa

 

Sunday- 5 May 2013

Day 17

Some progress today.  Heart people cleared me and I was presented the plan to release me from the Big House.  This is dependant on the elimination of the Gram Negative infection.   I will be wearing the case again to allow mobile medication even if the infection is not quite gone.

"Suffering isn't ennobling,  recovery is."   C. Bernard

ar

Saturday - 4 May 2013

Day 16

The doctor found some tape that is used between rounds on boxers to stop bleeding on my nose injury.  So far that is working.    They did find  a bacterial infection, Graham Rod Negative, which means that I will be an in-patient a few more days.  Everything else is under control.

Watching golf and Derby, with no fear of losing cable.

We are enjoying Amy's visit even though I am in the "big house."

"I will be really happy, once I've done my jail time.  I can start fresh."  Nicole Richie

Friday - 3 May 2013

Day 15

The Paso Doble got voted off last night when I started running a pretty good fever and was told to come into the Duke Hospital BMT Unit.  As we were going through security at the ER entrance, my world went dim and I fell against the glass entry door.  Evidently I smashed my glasses against my nose leaving a deep abrasion that bled all over everywhere.  Guess I know how to make an entrance that gets attention.  So after 4 hours in ER, I was admitted to the BMT Unit at Duke.  It was determined that I did not crack open my head and I would continue with treatment in BMT Unit at Duke for a few days instead of out-patient (which I prefer greatly). Seems I have become severely dehydrated which is fairly common with BMT patients but the side effect has been an irregular heat beat (called A-Fib) and light headedness thus the tumble I took last night.  So here for a few days to sort things out .  Doc think it will resolve itself so I do too.  Also good news is that I have no infections and didn't really hurt anything with the fall.

We are excited that Amy is coming and due to arrive in couple of hours.  I won't be able to walk the Duke Gardens but it will certainly be good to see her. She walks for her Masters a week from Saturday at UNCC. We are proud of her doing this while working full time and taking great care of her family.  You rock!

"Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer."

Denis Waitly

 

Thursday - May 2, 2013

Day 14

All is well, just  a little deal with my heart doing the Paso doble and me having to learn the Quickstep to get back to the condo quickly after a walk. Mayon, niece, and those who watch Dancing With The Stars will understand.  I am good just got a little low on fluids.   Also,  received platelets and magnesium today.   I have definitely reached bottom, Nadir,  on white blood cells.  Soon they should start building up again.

"I've  always believed that if you don't stay moving, they will throw dirt on you."

Paul Anka (who knew)

 

Styling in my satin  robe and jamas.

Wednesday - 1 May 2013

Day 13

Slipped by day 13 with no problems.  As my white blood cell count has pretty much bottomed out, I do feel a little fatigue which is resolved by a nap.  PA said I may be now producing platelets which is a good thing.   She also said that on the protocol that I am on, this low period may last a  little longer.  Others have said that since I was slow to start maybe this would not last as long.  Beats me.  Infection and fever are still the big threats as low white cell count means no immune system.  So Whoopee!

Amy is coming this weekend and   Cam and Ike have visits scheduled in May.  Looking forward to those as well as Taylor, Jane's bother, in June.  Joyse, our steady friend,  will be back to relieve  Jane. 

"Expect touble as an inevitablr part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comfortiingt words of all;  this, too shall pass.  Ann Landers