"Just the Facts"-- Got 2 more bags of blood and chased it with another bag of chemo, this is getting to be a habit!
Who would have thought that after 2 bags of blood on Friday, that B would need another 2 bags on Saturday. Well, it turns out that after so many transfusions of blood, an individuals system can build up antibodies to foreign blood and then it doesn't do the work it is suppose to do. That is what seems to be happening now. So, I can't express enough how amazing the timing is for this transplant. If B was not in the hospital now for the transplant, he would be in the hospital for continuous transfusions. I would like to thank all those intercessor prayer warriors out there that have been praying for B all along, these current events are an answer to those prayers! And again, we should be freaking out, but he is right where he needs to be to be well cared for.
Well, we now have 2 rounds of chemo infused and feeling OK, a bit tired and perhaps slightly winded. B is able to do some walking laps around the small corridor but that opportunity is fading fast. Weakness is starting to take over, and if I may mention, a little chemo brain is starting to show. At least I have noticed.
Tomorrow seems to be a big day as a second cocktail will be introduced, this one has a bit of a bite, so we will see. It also remains to be seen if more blood is needed. Each day holds it's own menu, but B seems to be fairing well, considering.
It was quite a blow to me to hear that I was not able to touch or hug or kiss him. We were not told this previously, or that is all I would have been doing. It makes sense as his skin will start to get very sensitive and his immunities are declining, but who can really pass up a hug. Hugs are comforting and healing for both parties. When we were first married, B's mom told me to make sure I hugged him a lot. Great advise and I have always remembered that! So it is sad now that I cannot do this simple thing, but I am strengthened knowing that this sacrifice will assist in the bigger healing treatment B is enduring. So, moral to the story, don't forsake a hug when you have the chance, we all need them, and you never know when you won't be able to give or get one.
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Jan 21 Day -6
"Just the Facts"-- Infused with 2 pints of blood again, and then chased it with a bag of chemo. Felt good by tired as not much sleep last night.
The rooms at the hospital on this wing are very small, especially if you have a problem in confined areas. Add to that the knowledge that this is where you will have to stay without going out your door for almost a month and you might be ready to bolt also. That was B's first inclination at the first sight of his room. They asked us to wait for a moment as they finished hanging the freshly cleaned privacy drape. Then we entered again for the second time, and I immediately pulled out the comforter from home and put the pillow in a new case and set up the bed. Then a very short time later B said, "the rooms seems a bit bigger now" I think that was all the prayers going up. It was a tough sleep as B needed to be infused with more blood. He was very low again, and always feels better with a bit more fuel. A little something for anxiety was added and that allowed for some shut eye early this morning. Breakfast was great, the coffee was better! Gotta get a whole pot tomorrow. First bag of chemo was well tolerated. However the discussion about hair loss was not so great, but we will see.
So it would seem that most patients aren't as proactive about getting well in this area. I consider this from all the comments being made by the nursing staff about B. He was in the room when a nurse came in and asked him if the patient was in the bathroom! B had to tell her that he was the patient. He just doesn't look it, as he is fully dressed, up out of bed and looks healthy. His room is small but tidy and will stay that way without my efforts. He has his pictures on the wall and comforter and colored pillow so to make the stay a bit more pleasant. The staff has already fallen in love with B. :). So 1 day of chemo down, 5 more to go, with the tougher days ahead. I visited and although I thoroughly understand the washing your hands protocol, I was told I cannot touch, hug or kiss him. I could transfer some lethal germs to him. So I promptly put on a latex glove and rubbed his head! It is going to be an interesting year! Thank you for your prayers today. They were felt!
Until next time.
Hopeful Believer
So it would seem that most patients aren't as proactive about getting well in this area. I consider this from all the comments being made by the nursing staff about B. He was in the room when a nurse came in and asked him if the patient was in the bathroom! B had to tell her that he was the patient. He just doesn't look it, as he is fully dressed, up out of bed and looks healthy. His room is small but tidy and will stay that way without my efforts. He has his pictures on the wall and comforter and colored pillow so to make the stay a bit more pleasant. The staff has already fallen in love with B. :). So 1 day of chemo down, 5 more to go, with the tougher days ahead. I visited and although I thoroughly understand the washing your hands protocol, I was told I cannot touch, hug or kiss him. I could transfer some lethal germs to him. So I promptly put on a latex glove and rubbed his head! It is going to be an interesting year! Thank you for your prayers today. They were felt!
Until next time.
Hopeful Believer
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Jan 20, Thorton Hospital, here we come!
"Just the Facts"-- A little nervous, a bit of a fever, feeling a bit tired.
Today was Hospital day, there was packing, and organizing and last minute visiting with family, all this went well. We were to get to the hospital for admittance by 5PM, however we ultimately didnt' get admitted until 7:30pm. Kind of a long story. But we did get a room, got set up, surf pictures and all. B has phone, text and computer all working. This blog was interrupted for a good night call and update that the doctor had been in to assess him and write the initial orders. So he is ready for a night sleep. Notice I didn't say good, as he will have a few visits during the night to check vitals and give fluids and such. Even though there was a timing hitch to get his room, this was a blessing as I got to have one final dinner with him, that would not have happened otherwise. So there is a plan and it is good!
B was also surprised by a blessing provided by his cousin, Cynthia. She organized a voice quilt, that allowed friends and love ones to call into a location and leave a message. He listened to most of the messages tonight, saving a few for later, and really enjoyed each one. And yes, T, that was a perfect cut back, he agreed! Thank you to each one who called in to leave a message, he will enjoy listening to those many times over. Thanks to Cynthia for her gracious gift. We have received several special words of encouragement today and I want to thank each individual who has prayed or shared words to us all. They are so helpful and comforting and we appreciate it so much.
Tomorrow is the first day of Chemo and we have been told, but we really don't know what to expect, so we will put that all in the Lords care and trust Him for this.
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer
Today was Hospital day, there was packing, and organizing and last minute visiting with family, all this went well. We were to get to the hospital for admittance by 5PM, however we ultimately didnt' get admitted until 7:30pm. Kind of a long story. But we did get a room, got set up, surf pictures and all. B has phone, text and computer all working. This blog was interrupted for a good night call and update that the doctor had been in to assess him and write the initial orders. So he is ready for a night sleep. Notice I didn't say good, as he will have a few visits during the night to check vitals and give fluids and such. Even though there was a timing hitch to get his room, this was a blessing as I got to have one final dinner with him, that would not have happened otherwise. So there is a plan and it is good!
B was also surprised by a blessing provided by his cousin, Cynthia. She organized a voice quilt, that allowed friends and love ones to call into a location and leave a message. He listened to most of the messages tonight, saving a few for later, and really enjoyed each one. And yes, T, that was a perfect cut back, he agreed! Thank you to each one who called in to leave a message, he will enjoy listening to those many times over. Thanks to Cynthia for her gracious gift. We have received several special words of encouragement today and I want to thank each individual who has prayed or shared words to us all. They are so helpful and comforting and we appreciate it so much.
Tomorrow is the first day of Chemo and we have been told, but we really don't know what to expect, so we will put that all in the Lords care and trust Him for this.
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Jan 19, Everything checked out!
"Just the Facts"-- Took it easy today, was able to drive in the afternoon, got the catheter checked out, and all looks good. Training is over, ready for the race to begin!
So it turns out it was easier than originally thought to have a good night sleep with tubes hanging out of your chest. At least that is what it looked like. The science of all this is very interesting, although a bit gruesome.
Caution: if you are a bit squeamish stop here and go on to the next paragraph! So to insert the catheter into your chest, they first need to create a tunnel from a point near your collar bone on down to your mid chest to allow the tube to rest just under the skin. It is a bigger tube than you would think. So they use a tool? to make the tunnel, then insert the tube and the other end of the tube gets threaded over to a large vein next to your heart. The only part you see is the end of the tube at your mid chest that hangs out with 3 lumen's or ports that take in liquid. Each lumen has a clamp to close it off. They are amazingly durable, which I guess is really good, you only want to have this done once! We got a clean bill of health on the catheter and are ready to move on to the next phase. Hospital admittance here we come.
Well, we finally are now a fully flu vaccinated household. Thanks to a dear friend who accompanied the last holdout and helped her through the ordeal. Love you M! We are both excited and sad as we face this next step of our lives. We are preparing for sending B off to the unknown in the hopes of the best outcome possible. It is this hope that carries us each day along with the wonderful support of family and friends. We are putting our trust in things we cannot see or understand but believe this is the path we should be taking. We believe that these steps are being guided and that the outcome has already been determined by the Lord. Up till now we are just dealing with all this, as matter of fact, as possible. There has been a little tension, but most would not notice it. I am sure we will all have our days, so if you bump into one of those, just be a little gentle with us. Thank you again for all the prayers, we couldn't do this without them!
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer
So it turns out it was easier than originally thought to have a good night sleep with tubes hanging out of your chest. At least that is what it looked like. The science of all this is very interesting, although a bit gruesome.
Caution: if you are a bit squeamish stop here and go on to the next paragraph! So to insert the catheter into your chest, they first need to create a tunnel from a point near your collar bone on down to your mid chest to allow the tube to rest just under the skin. It is a bigger tube than you would think. So they use a tool? to make the tunnel, then insert the tube and the other end of the tube gets threaded over to a large vein next to your heart. The only part you see is the end of the tube at your mid chest that hangs out with 3 lumen's or ports that take in liquid. Each lumen has a clamp to close it off. They are amazingly durable, which I guess is really good, you only want to have this done once! We got a clean bill of health on the catheter and are ready to move on to the next phase. Hospital admittance here we come.
Well, we finally are now a fully flu vaccinated household. Thanks to a dear friend who accompanied the last holdout and helped her through the ordeal. Love you M! We are both excited and sad as we face this next step of our lives. We are preparing for sending B off to the unknown in the hopes of the best outcome possible. It is this hope that carries us each day along with the wonderful support of family and friends. We are putting our trust in things we cannot see or understand but believe this is the path we should be taking. We believe that these steps are being guided and that the outcome has already been determined by the Lord. Up till now we are just dealing with all this, as matter of fact, as possible. There has been a little tension, but most would not notice it. I am sure we will all have our days, so if you bump into one of those, just be a little gentle with us. Thank you again for all the prayers, we couldn't do this without them!
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Jan 18, Almost went wrong, but ended up right!
"Just the Facts"-- Catheter insertion today, went well, slept alot after, have to be careful how you move.
Since this condition was identified, the Doctor has always told me to make sure B doesn't get a fever of 100.5 or higher, and if that does happen, to call them right away. In the last 10 months B has only had a fever twice. Both of these were during what I called hypothermic events. This is where his body core got too cold so that he couldn't get warmed up on his own. We put him under a down comforter and bundled him while he shivered, and muscle cramped and then sported a fever. So of all times to have a fever was today when we went in for his catheter insertion. The doctors stopped the pressed while they conferred and reviewed all his history to see if they could continue. Well, I cannot say what the fallout would have been if they decided not to move forward, but we were sure happy when they came back in and said that they would continue. Whew! That was a close one. His fever was only 100.2 but that was significant enough to cause concern. We are trusting that all these events are on a plan specific for B and that it is a perfect plan.
Many have asked us how they can help us during this time. Well, for the next several weeks, B will be well cared for at the hospital. I will be very busy going to work and then on to the hospital. My concern is the girls, they will be on my mind. It would be a great comfort to both B and myself if those that know them could use their own special gifts to reach out to them as you feel lead. Simple things like a hug, a smile, a joke, a surprise smoothie. They won't want a lot of attention, but some extra kindness would be a true blessing, as I focus on B for a time. We wanted to again say thank you for all the prayers that went up for today's activity, once again they were heard and felt. We are so humbled for all the kindness and support being offered to us by so many.
Until next time.
Hopeful Believer
Since this condition was identified, the Doctor has always told me to make sure B doesn't get a fever of 100.5 or higher, and if that does happen, to call them right away. In the last 10 months B has only had a fever twice. Both of these were during what I called hypothermic events. This is where his body core got too cold so that he couldn't get warmed up on his own. We put him under a down comforter and bundled him while he shivered, and muscle cramped and then sported a fever. So of all times to have a fever was today when we went in for his catheter insertion. The doctors stopped the pressed while they conferred and reviewed all his history to see if they could continue. Well, I cannot say what the fallout would have been if they decided not to move forward, but we were sure happy when they came back in and said that they would continue. Whew! That was a close one. His fever was only 100.2 but that was significant enough to cause concern. We are trusting that all these events are on a plan specific for B and that it is a perfect plan.
Many have asked us how they can help us during this time. Well, for the next several weeks, B will be well cared for at the hospital. I will be very busy going to work and then on to the hospital. My concern is the girls, they will be on my mind. It would be a great comfort to both B and myself if those that know them could use their own special gifts to reach out to them as you feel lead. Simple things like a hug, a smile, a joke, a surprise smoothie. They won't want a lot of attention, but some extra kindness would be a true blessing, as I focus on B for a time. We wanted to again say thank you for all the prayers that went up for today's activity, once again they were heard and felt. We are so humbled for all the kindness and support being offered to us by so many.
Until next time.
Hopeful Believer
Monday, January 17, 2011
Jan 17 Last free day
"Just the Facts"-- Up and moving around but felt nauseous most the day.
We have felt very fortunate during this year because B has had very little side effects from this condition. A few times randomly he has been nauseous. When this happens it's a bummer but it also reminds us that this could have been a lot worse, so we are counting our blessings. B finished the last of the dental work today, just in the nick of time. He was able to visit with the surf dogs at Rusty Surfboards and had a good time with the boys. He also stopped by his downtown firm and talked to the office gang.
Tomorrow B has a procedure to insert a catheter into his chest. The procedure is not something he is looking forward to and is a bit nervous about it. This is a delicate process and they have to be very careful during and after to get the right placement and then watch for any infection. He will keep this in for 6 to 8 months. The catheter will allow for ease in both medicine and blood infusion, so he won't have to use his veins. Having the catheter will slow him down a bit as his upper body will be restricted from movement. So here we go as this is the first step of this whole process. But in 2 days he will move into his new accommodations for a month and won't be able to leave it at all. So guess he's not going to do much movement anyway. This is the beginning, we are nervous, excited and ready for the BMT treatment to begin. We are being supported by your prayers and we love that!
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer
We have felt very fortunate during this year because B has had very little side effects from this condition. A few times randomly he has been nauseous. When this happens it's a bummer but it also reminds us that this could have been a lot worse, so we are counting our blessings. B finished the last of the dental work today, just in the nick of time. He was able to visit with the surf dogs at Rusty Surfboards and had a good time with the boys. He also stopped by his downtown firm and talked to the office gang.
Tomorrow B has a procedure to insert a catheter into his chest. The procedure is not something he is looking forward to and is a bit nervous about it. This is a delicate process and they have to be very careful during and after to get the right placement and then watch for any infection. He will keep this in for 6 to 8 months. The catheter will allow for ease in both medicine and blood infusion, so he won't have to use his veins. Having the catheter will slow him down a bit as his upper body will be restricted from movement. So here we go as this is the first step of this whole process. But in 2 days he will move into his new accommodations for a month and won't be able to leave it at all. So guess he's not going to do much movement anyway. This is the beginning, we are nervous, excited and ready for the BMT treatment to begin. We are being supported by your prayers and we love that!
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Jan 16, Off Shore and Glassy, with a little Ice Cream on Top
"Just the Facts"-- Felt pretty good today, spent time with the girls, did hospital preparation and checked the surf!
Hey, had a very busy day yesterday so didn't quite get an update out, this may happen from time to time, so no worries! Today was an interesting day. We spent some time as a family, we did a lot of shopping for lots of personal items for B, for his hospital stay. We stopped to check the surf and have ice cream. The waves were great, weather beautiful and the of course the ice cream was yummy! C you know what flavor I had!
B and I talked about this next week and things to come. I think we both wondered if we would wake up from this dream we are in. But no, it is reality and I think we felt it more today than ever. B was a little silly as he was sharing some of his planned hospital practical jokes. We will see if he can pull them off, but it was a good sign to see the humorous thought going on.
B finished he last job for who knows how long, they say 6 to 9 months. B takes that as a challenge to beat the recovery time projection. He is very competitive and goal oriented, so this should be interesting. Of course we want him healthy as soon as possible, but won't take any chances for a full recovery even if it takes longer. Once again, it has been so great to hear so many kind words, thoughts and prayers going on for us. We are blessed beyond measure and cannot thank you all enough. I hope to get B set up with e-mail while at the hospital so that anyone can share directly with him. Jokes are good, but remember he will most likely have Chemo brain, so try to keep them at the level of knock knock jokes!
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer.
Hey, had a very busy day yesterday so didn't quite get an update out, this may happen from time to time, so no worries! Today was an interesting day. We spent some time as a family, we did a lot of shopping for lots of personal items for B, for his hospital stay. We stopped to check the surf and have ice cream. The waves were great, weather beautiful and the of course the ice cream was yummy! C you know what flavor I had!
B and I talked about this next week and things to come. I think we both wondered if we would wake up from this dream we are in. But no, it is reality and I think we felt it more today than ever. B was a little silly as he was sharing some of his planned hospital practical jokes. We will see if he can pull them off, but it was a good sign to see the humorous thought going on.
B finished he last job for who knows how long, they say 6 to 9 months. B takes that as a challenge to beat the recovery time projection. He is very competitive and goal oriented, so this should be interesting. Of course we want him healthy as soon as possible, but won't take any chances for a full recovery even if it takes longer. Once again, it has been so great to hear so many kind words, thoughts and prayers going on for us. We are blessed beyond measure and cannot thank you all enough. I hope to get B set up with e-mail while at the hospital so that anyone can share directly with him. Jokes are good, but remember he will most likely have Chemo brain, so try to keep them at the level of knock knock jokes!
Until next time,
Hopeful Believer.
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