WBC - 1.1
ANC - 220
no bands
22 segments
We're all cornfused. What the hey? WBC down, ANC up.
I took the twins up to visit Pa Pa today and we brought him a Happy Meal. I think Dad really enjoyed their visit. They were really animated, talking his ear off, singing, the whole shebang. We brought books for Grandma to read and they read with her. They gave big hugs before we left and we scooted off to home. It was some good medicine for the Pa Pa.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Day 29 counts
Todays counts were WBC 1.6 and ANC 160 - one band was present (which is a contributing factor to the computation of the ANC). We want more bands to show up.
Dad keeps telling the nurses to do the "Band" dance for him so his bands wake up. So, we're dancing.
Dad keeps telling the nurses to do the "Band" dance for him so his bands wake up. So, we're dancing.
Day 29
Yesterday, Dad's WBCs went up to 1.5, but his ANCs went down.
They did a biopsy yesterday afternoon - it went really well.
I visited this morning and Dad was really light headed and frustrated with it. He is losing body mass daily which concerns all of us. His arms are skinny. He's just skinny. My Mom is really trying to get him to "exercise" and he just can't. He does perk up in the afternoons usually, so I hope this afternoon was better.
When I left he was sitting in the chair eating a good lunch.
I think he's depressed and who can blame him. That, on top of all the other stuff going on, makes it hard to be motivated.
I am really hoping for a good blood count today to lift his spirits. We need some better numbers soon so we can bust him out of there and out in to the real world where the sun shines. You can only do flourescent lighting for so long.
Have a good, safe, Memorial Day weekend. If you think about it, call my Dad and wish him a good day - 314-747-6907.
They did a biopsy yesterday afternoon - it went really well.
I visited this morning and Dad was really light headed and frustrated with it. He is losing body mass daily which concerns all of us. His arms are skinny. He's just skinny. My Mom is really trying to get him to "exercise" and he just can't. He does perk up in the afternoons usually, so I hope this afternoon was better.
When I left he was sitting in the chair eating a good lunch.
I think he's depressed and who can blame him. That, on top of all the other stuff going on, makes it hard to be motivated.
I am really hoping for a good blood count today to lift his spirits. We need some better numbers soon so we can bust him out of there and out in to the real world where the sun shines. You can only do flourescent lighting for so long.
Have a good, safe, Memorial Day weekend. If you think about it, call my Dad and wish him a good day - 314-747-6907.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Day 27
After 9 days of being under the weather myself, I finally felt well enough to visit Dad this afternoon. Thank you to Sue who helped me out with the kids so I could even go.
When I got there, Dad was sitting in his chair, but looked pretty peaked. He said he didn't have any gas in his tank. His blood pressure was still causing him fits of light headedness. I stayed about an hour and 15 minutes and in that time he was trying to get motivated to shower - he was just getting in the shower when I left at 3:10.
They had changed his medication today to help with his blood pressure - so we were hoping to see some improvement.
This evening his doctor came in apparently. Mom just called to fill me in. She said he is very pleased with how things are looking. He wants to do a biopsy tomorrow or Friday to really get a good picture of what's going on. He went over his plan for the transplant coming up.
Right now, he feels that providing Dad's overall health stays the same or better, he can proceed with the most aggressive "prep" for the transplant which entails two days of heavy duty chemo and one day of radiation. If Dad's heart starts acting up or his blood pressure doesn't resolve, then he will revert to a less aggressive treatment of 7 days straight chemo. He told my parents that his staff are in contact with the donor and trying to make arrangements for collecting the marrow later in June.
Overall, the visit from the doc was a good thing. Mom said she talked to Dad this evening and he was sitting up in his chair working on a puzzle and said he felt really good. Hopefully, that's his new medication kicking in.
Today his numbers were WBCs 1.2 and ANC 180 - both good numbers.
Dad admitted to Mom he is scared - we all admit we are scared- but like I told Mom tonight let's just get him home next week, have a good couple of weeks there and worry about the next step after that. Other patients on the floor have run into my parents in the lobby or wherever and they've been talking about their own upcoming transplants and what not. One person told them that he knew of someone who was on his third transplant and it finally took. Another patient has never made it to remission and is only in his mid 40s, but they are going ahead with the transplant anyways. Dad has a lot to be thankful for and grateful for, but we are all hoping for a one shot deal on this transplant with a lot of success.
Tonight, give thanks for good news today and pray for those who are less fortunate than us. We have a lot going for us even on the darkest days. Thank you for your blessings and your gift of prayer. My family is so humbled by everyone's comittment to my Dad.
When I got there, Dad was sitting in his chair, but looked pretty peaked. He said he didn't have any gas in his tank. His blood pressure was still causing him fits of light headedness. I stayed about an hour and 15 minutes and in that time he was trying to get motivated to shower - he was just getting in the shower when I left at 3:10.
They had changed his medication today to help with his blood pressure - so we were hoping to see some improvement.
This evening his doctor came in apparently. Mom just called to fill me in. She said he is very pleased with how things are looking. He wants to do a biopsy tomorrow or Friday to really get a good picture of what's going on. He went over his plan for the transplant coming up.
Right now, he feels that providing Dad's overall health stays the same or better, he can proceed with the most aggressive "prep" for the transplant which entails two days of heavy duty chemo and one day of radiation. If Dad's heart starts acting up or his blood pressure doesn't resolve, then he will revert to a less aggressive treatment of 7 days straight chemo. He told my parents that his staff are in contact with the donor and trying to make arrangements for collecting the marrow later in June.
Overall, the visit from the doc was a good thing. Mom said she talked to Dad this evening and he was sitting up in his chair working on a puzzle and said he felt really good. Hopefully, that's his new medication kicking in.
Today his numbers were WBCs 1.2 and ANC 180 - both good numbers.
Dad admitted to Mom he is scared - we all admit we are scared- but like I told Mom tonight let's just get him home next week, have a good couple of weeks there and worry about the next step after that. Other patients on the floor have run into my parents in the lobby or wherever and they've been talking about their own upcoming transplants and what not. One person told them that he knew of someone who was on his third transplant and it finally took. Another patient has never made it to remission and is only in his mid 40s, but they are going ahead with the transplant anyways. Dad has a lot to be thankful for and grateful for, but we are all hoping for a one shot deal on this transplant with a lot of success.
Tonight, give thanks for good news today and pray for those who are less fortunate than us. We have a lot going for us even on the darkest days. Thank you for your blessings and your gift of prayer. My family is so humbled by everyone's comittment to my Dad.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Day 25 - Steak n Shake Run
First of all, late yesterday Dad's results came back and his white cells were at .5 and his ANCs at 115. That's really good work.
Mom made a Steak n Shake run for Dad today on her way to the hospital around lunchtime. Considering how crabby Dad was when I talked to him earlier in the morning, I was so glad she was getting him some "fun" food.
Dad apparently was having a "dizzy" day and couldn't even sit up without feeling light headed and faint. It was really, for lack of another word, "pissing him off". The doctor came in and in Dad's words he, "chewed him a new XXXhole". Glad I wasn't that doctor.
As Dad explained, it is completely frustrating to keep having these "spells" with no understanding as to why they happen. The doctors keep messing with his heart medications and fluids and that is really aggravating. He is convinced if they would let all that alone, he'd be fine. I am not sure that he is correct, but it's his body, he probably knows.
His white cells came back at .5 again today. No word on the ANCs when I talked to my Mom around 4:30pm.
I know Dad is sick and tired of being in the hospital and who can blame him. Like he told me today, he's been in there three months already. He's worried that these "spells" will be what sets him back from going home sooner than later. Every day he's there postpones his transplant.
I am praying as we get closer to him going home after this round that he can retain remission until he goes back in a few weeks later so we can get this transplant underway. If the leukemia comes back again before he can get the transplant going, it will be a set back like no other. I wish they would just go ahead with it while he's there, run the next round of chemo and get it going. Why risk sending him home and having things go wrong? I know, I know - do I have an MD after my name? Nope.
The upside is Dad is feeling well enough to be crabby. I take that as a good sign.
Love to you all, hugs and blessings for your prayers. I know so many of you lift us up in your hearts daily and we thank you for it. Keep up the good work! : )
Mom made a Steak n Shake run for Dad today on her way to the hospital around lunchtime. Considering how crabby Dad was when I talked to him earlier in the morning, I was so glad she was getting him some "fun" food.
Dad apparently was having a "dizzy" day and couldn't even sit up without feeling light headed and faint. It was really, for lack of another word, "pissing him off". The doctor came in and in Dad's words he, "chewed him a new XXXhole". Glad I wasn't that doctor.
As Dad explained, it is completely frustrating to keep having these "spells" with no understanding as to why they happen. The doctors keep messing with his heart medications and fluids and that is really aggravating. He is convinced if they would let all that alone, he'd be fine. I am not sure that he is correct, but it's his body, he probably knows.
His white cells came back at .5 again today. No word on the ANCs when I talked to my Mom around 4:30pm.
I know Dad is sick and tired of being in the hospital and who can blame him. Like he told me today, he's been in there three months already. He's worried that these "spells" will be what sets him back from going home sooner than later. Every day he's there postpones his transplant.
I am praying as we get closer to him going home after this round that he can retain remission until he goes back in a few weeks later so we can get this transplant underway. If the leukemia comes back again before he can get the transplant going, it will be a set back like no other. I wish they would just go ahead with it while he's there, run the next round of chemo and get it going. Why risk sending him home and having things go wrong? I know, I know - do I have an MD after my name? Nope.
The upside is Dad is feeling well enough to be crabby. I take that as a good sign.
Love to you all, hugs and blessings for your prayers. I know so many of you lift us up in your hearts daily and we thank you for it. Keep up the good work! : )
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Day 24 - Busy weekend
Sorry for not posting yesterday. We had a busy weekend. I still have a bad cold, so I haven't been able to visit my Dad, but I've been getting updates a couple times a day from he and my Mom.
Apparently yesterday Dad had 15 hours of IV drips going, one after the other. If it wasn't his steroid it was an antifungal medication, antibiotics, fluids, platelets or some periodic table element (magnesium, potassium etc). All of that, I know, made for one unhappy Grandpa.
Today, he said he didn't quite have his sea legs under him. Unfortunately, he is in a-fib again, which could contribute to this a little, I guess. Remember A-fib is when his heart goes out of rhythmn. They are watching him carefully.
Yesterday, his blood counts were WBCs .4 and ANCs 80.
Slowly, slowly, they are creeping up there.
We need them to take a good jump here soon, though - just for morale. Come on you little buggers.
Dad had a goal of being home by Memorial Day. I don't think he will make it for that, but I could be wrong. Hopefully, he'll be home the following weekend at the latest (I'm optimistic).
Thanks for checking in with us! God Bless and have a good night! : )
Apparently yesterday Dad had 15 hours of IV drips going, one after the other. If it wasn't his steroid it was an antifungal medication, antibiotics, fluids, platelets or some periodic table element (magnesium, potassium etc). All of that, I know, made for one unhappy Grandpa.
Today, he said he didn't quite have his sea legs under him. Unfortunately, he is in a-fib again, which could contribute to this a little, I guess. Remember A-fib is when his heart goes out of rhythmn. They are watching him carefully.
Yesterday, his blood counts were WBCs .4 and ANCs 80.
Slowly, slowly, they are creeping up there.
We need them to take a good jump here soon, though - just for morale. Come on you little buggers.
Dad had a goal of being home by Memorial Day. I don't think he will make it for that, but I could be wrong. Hopefully, he'll be home the following weekend at the latest (I'm optimistic).
Thanks for checking in with us! God Bless and have a good night! : )
Friday, May 21, 2010
Day 22 - Feeling Better
They started Dad on an IV steroid last night and by this morning he was feeling like a new person. Thank goodness. He said he couldn't believe how much better he was doing. He got up, ate 3 square meals, felt good, and walked three laps in the hall. After being pretty much bedridden for 5 days, we all cautioned him not to over do it. You know how it is, you feel good, you go crazy, and then tomorrow, you pay for it.
His numbers today-
WBC .3
ANC - 30
ANCs went down, but they said not to worry. That number is actually a component of several numbers. His sample today was just not showing any of the other numbers so all they had was the WBC to multiply by 10 and there you get the 30. It's way more complicated, but I don't understand it all.
God bless, Happy Weekend to you! Enjoy the good weather.
His numbers today-
WBC .3
ANC - 30
ANCs went down, but they said not to worry. That number is actually a component of several numbers. His sample today was just not showing any of the other numbers so all they had was the WBC to multiply by 10 and there you get the 30. It's way more complicated, but I don't understand it all.
God bless, Happy Weekend to you! Enjoy the good weather.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Day 21 - numbers
Dad's WBC's today went up from .2 to .3
Dad's ANC's went up from 40 to 60.
They're starting to make their move. We want them to safely recover - no blasts.
Pray for Dad to stay blast free.
Dad's ANC's went up from 40 to 60.
They're starting to make their move. We want them to safely recover - no blasts.
Pray for Dad to stay blast free.
Day 21-Cautiously Optimistic
Last night Lydia "graduated" from preschool and my Mom came. The twins sang in the program which was very cute. Mom filled me in on Dad at the program. Apparently, they restarted the prednisone for the gout (which is the steroid) and then an orthopedist came in yesterday and wanted to draw fluid out of Dad's knee. He said, "no" at first. Then the Dr. explained that they actually think he has bursitis and not an infection in his knee, but they want to do a draw and test it anyways - then Dad conceded. I don't blame him for not wanting a needle stuck in his knee!
He was still very stiff yesterday and not moving well, but the good thing was his blood results came back and his white cells were still at .2, they didn't go down, so YEAH! The other news is that he has ANC's! YEAH! Remember, ANCs are neutrophils that are components of the white cells that fight infection etc. He has 40. Normal is 1000, but it's a move in the right direction - from 0 to 40. YEAH again!
Small victories, people, we're talking small victories -but victories nonetheless.
This morning I talked to Dad and woke him up actually - ooops! It was 9:45! He had taken two pain pills before bed last night and finally got a good night's sleep. I asked how he felt and he said he was "cautiously optimistic" but he hadn't tried to get up or anything. That's okay! I'll take cautiously optimistic over the doldrums we have had the past few days. I don't blame him at all for any of it, he's been a trooper!
She had told me last night that Dad is calling her the "food nazi" because she's pushing him to eat all the time. Well, he's lost 8 pounds since being in the hospital and he does need to keep up his strength and eat more. He's trying. It was funny, though, because this morning he told me the "food nazi" is coming in later. Heee Heee Hee.
Hospitals make for a lot of togetherness - sometimes too much! : )
He was still very stiff yesterday and not moving well, but the good thing was his blood results came back and his white cells were still at .2, they didn't go down, so YEAH! The other news is that he has ANC's! YEAH! Remember, ANCs are neutrophils that are components of the white cells that fight infection etc. He has 40. Normal is 1000, but it's a move in the right direction - from 0 to 40. YEAH again!
Small victories, people, we're talking small victories -but victories nonetheless.
This morning I talked to Dad and woke him up actually - ooops! It was 9:45! He had taken two pain pills before bed last night and finally got a good night's sleep. I asked how he felt and he said he was "cautiously optimistic" but he hadn't tried to get up or anything. That's okay! I'll take cautiously optimistic over the doldrums we have had the past few days. I don't blame him at all for any of it, he's been a trooper!
She had told me last night that Dad is calling her the "food nazi" because she's pushing him to eat all the time. Well, he's lost 8 pounds since being in the hospital and he does need to keep up his strength and eat more. He's trying. It was funny, though, because this morning he told me the "food nazi" is coming in later. Heee Heee Hee.
Hospitals make for a lot of togetherness - sometimes too much! : )
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Day 19 - Gout Returns
Dad was still having pain in his extremities today. Mainly in his feet and right forearm. They determined that his gout has come back and is really aggravated. We are actually wondering if this whole episode isn't a severe attack of gout. They apparently reduced his steroid to control his uric acid and the gout a couple days ago, then the onset of these symptoms began.
Chemo can really irritate your uric acid levels anyways. Add that to him being preconditioned to have gout and you have a flare up.
My parents' pastor visited today. I know my Mom was very grateful for that. He administered the annointing of the sick blessing to my Dad. Dad made sure it wasn't "last rites" before accepting it, I'm sure. Nowadays, they don't do "last rites" it's become a blessing of the sick and you can receive it as much as you'd like.
Dad received blood last night, which was good. His white cells went up to .2 today as well. Up from .1 all along - which is basically "0".
If you aren't a blood or platelet donor already, I strongly encourage you to contact a local Red Cross and find out if you can donate. I wish I could. I'm barred from giving due to places I've lived at certain times in the 1990s. It kills me that I can't contribute because if donors didn't give like they do, where would that leave my Dad, who uses these donations on a regular basis? It truly is the gift of life and it's something we can do to help him and others like him.
Give in my Dad's name and then tell him you did. He'll tell you how grateful he is to the strangers who've been sustaining him because they chose to give.
Thanks for checking in! God bless!
Chemo can really irritate your uric acid levels anyways. Add that to him being preconditioned to have gout and you have a flare up.
My parents' pastor visited today. I know my Mom was very grateful for that. He administered the annointing of the sick blessing to my Dad. Dad made sure it wasn't "last rites" before accepting it, I'm sure. Nowadays, they don't do "last rites" it's become a blessing of the sick and you can receive it as much as you'd like.
Dad received blood last night, which was good. His white cells went up to .2 today as well. Up from .1 all along - which is basically "0".
If you aren't a blood or platelet donor already, I strongly encourage you to contact a local Red Cross and find out if you can donate. I wish I could. I'm barred from giving due to places I've lived at certain times in the 1990s. It kills me that I can't contribute because if donors didn't give like they do, where would that leave my Dad, who uses these donations on a regular basis? It truly is the gift of life and it's something we can do to help him and others like him.
Give in my Dad's name and then tell him you did. He'll tell you how grateful he is to the strangers who've been sustaining him because they chose to give.
Thanks for checking in! God bless!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Day 18 - addendum
Dad is getting xrayed on his wrist and knee to see if anything is going on. He also has an injection sight on his abdomen that is getting worse. They started treating it with a topical antibiotic.
Otherwise, still dizzy and lightheaded today.
Signing off! for now.
Otherwise, still dizzy and lightheaded today.
Signing off! for now.
Day 18 - Wrist and Knee
Went by to see Dad this morning, which was good. He was really having a lot of light headedness and his right wrist ached as well as his left knee. They just felt sprained and stiff, he said. Overall, he felt a little better than yesterday on the pain front (with some help from oxycodone), but was worse on the light headedness.
The nurses wanted him to take his blood pressure lying down and then standing. He did fine laying, but standing was impossible. He couldn't stand long enough for the blood pressure cuff to do it's thing. Then he kind of collapsed back into his pillow on his side - just dizzy and weak.
Don't know what that is all about. I am hoping by later this afternoon, some of that subsided - sometimes it does.
He ate a good breakfast while I was there and then Ethan and my Mom came, so we all visited. He was in good spirits.
His blood results yesterday showed no change. Remember, we're waiting for his counts to start coming back up.
Just want to send a quick note to my friends in the Thompson and Shriner Families who just lost a Dad to Kidney Cancer on Saturday evening. It was a long journey for all of them. My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to you right now and as always, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
The nurses wanted him to take his blood pressure lying down and then standing. He did fine laying, but standing was impossible. He couldn't stand long enough for the blood pressure cuff to do it's thing. Then he kind of collapsed back into his pillow on his side - just dizzy and weak.
Don't know what that is all about. I am hoping by later this afternoon, some of that subsided - sometimes it does.
He ate a good breakfast while I was there and then Ethan and my Mom came, so we all visited. He was in good spirits.
His blood results yesterday showed no change. Remember, we're waiting for his counts to start coming back up.
Just want to send a quick note to my friends in the Thompson and Shriner Families who just lost a Dad to Kidney Cancer on Saturday evening. It was a long journey for all of them. My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to you right now and as always, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Day 17 - Aching Bones
Dad had a rough night last night because his joints and bones started really aching and hurting. He's really stiff today and was pretty uncomfortable. They think it is his white blood cells returning but when I pressed Dad for more info, he didn't have any and he just said, "that's what they think." I was thinking, "What? Nobody has ever had this happen and they can't tell us more?"
He got blood work back while I was there, but the only number missing was the White cell count (weird). They doubted they would see much change in the number today, but hopefully tomorrow. My concern is if the number jumps TOO MUCH - it could be a not so great sign.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.
They have him on some mild pain medication to make him comfortable and we're just hoping it subsides soon.
Two of Dad's Rugby buddies came by while I was there - THANKS! I think it really cheered him up to see you guys! Just having someone else to visit with is always a bonus!
Keep the faith people! Pray for zero blast tolerance in my Dad's system! We want those buggers out of here. Thanks for checking in!
He got blood work back while I was there, but the only number missing was the White cell count (weird). They doubted they would see much change in the number today, but hopefully tomorrow. My concern is if the number jumps TOO MUCH - it could be a not so great sign.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.
They have him on some mild pain medication to make him comfortable and we're just hoping it subsides soon.
Two of Dad's Rugby buddies came by while I was there - THANKS! I think it really cheered him up to see you guys! Just having someone else to visit with is always a bonus!
Keep the faith people! Pray for zero blast tolerance in my Dad's system! We want those buggers out of here. Thanks for checking in!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Day 15
It's been a crazy week. Carl went up to visit Dad after the Cardinal's day game yesterday. The Cards lost - so we've had a banner week at the ballpark! Not. Mom and I brought home a loser on Tuesday and Carl didn't do us any good yesterday. Let's hope the Girl Scouts can do better on Monday night when Carl takes Lydia & Quinn.
Just got off the phone with Dad. He had to go because the doctor came in, but he sounded great. He had a pretty good night. He did need blood yesterday afternoon, but it had been 5 days since he got it last. That is really good.
His dizziness is dissipating, so I know he got up and walked yesterday - which makes you feel so much better just to get out of the hospital room.
Thankfully, this round he didn't suffer any mouth sores, so he's been able to maintain his weight and eat on his own.
They keep saying he's doing really well, so we'll go with that! Right now we're waiting for his blood counts to come back. Yesterday his WBCs were still at .1 - he needs to recover those cells to get an immune system back before they let him leave -(which makes complete sense).
Basically, though, if you can visit - DO IT. The company makes the days go by faster. If you can't, send a note or card - it's always good to get mail. He's in room 6907 if you want to call. The number is 314-747-6907.
Thanks for checking in with us. No news is always good news. : )
Just got off the phone with Dad. He had to go because the doctor came in, but he sounded great. He had a pretty good night. He did need blood yesterday afternoon, but it had been 5 days since he got it last. That is really good.
His dizziness is dissipating, so I know he got up and walked yesterday - which makes you feel so much better just to get out of the hospital room.
Thankfully, this round he didn't suffer any mouth sores, so he's been able to maintain his weight and eat on his own.
They keep saying he's doing really well, so we'll go with that! Right now we're waiting for his blood counts to come back. Yesterday his WBCs were still at .1 - he needs to recover those cells to get an immune system back before they let him leave -(which makes complete sense).
Basically, though, if you can visit - DO IT. The company makes the days go by faster. If you can't, send a note or card - it's always good to get mail. He's in room 6907 if you want to call. The number is 314-747-6907.
Thanks for checking in with us. No news is always good news. : )
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day 12 - Cards Game - a bust
Visited with Mom & Dad at the hospital earlier today. Took Dad a couple BBQd pork steaks to knaw on, a chocolate shake and some birthday cake of Lydia's. I hope he ate some of it for Dinner. He ate lunch while I was there and did great! The hamburger he had smelled soooo good.
He is still dealing with some dizziness and low energy levels - which that is normal. His white cells went up a tad today - from .1 to .2 - that could be the start of a good thing (which is his body bouncing back from the chemo). Let's hope it is.
Otherwise, he's working really hard to keep the fluid intake going so he doesn't have to go back on the IV bag, but if he does - he does. He seemed in good spirits and overall, doing okay.
Mom and I went to the Cardinal's game tonight and had a nice time. They lost, but oh well. It was just nice to enjoy the evening outside and her company. We always have fun together. We both agreed that this is not what we thought we would be doing at this point in either of our lives (dealing with leukemia), but that when you look around - even though our hand of cards isn't great, it could be much worse. Be continually thankful for each of your blessings.
Thanks for checking in - send up a prayer for the pork steaks to look appetizing to Dad so he'll eat them for strength. : )
He is still dealing with some dizziness and low energy levels - which that is normal. His white cells went up a tad today - from .1 to .2 - that could be the start of a good thing (which is his body bouncing back from the chemo). Let's hope it is.
Otherwise, he's working really hard to keep the fluid intake going so he doesn't have to go back on the IV bag, but if he does - he does. He seemed in good spirits and overall, doing okay.
Mom and I went to the Cardinal's game tonight and had a nice time. They lost, but oh well. It was just nice to enjoy the evening outside and her company. We always have fun together. We both agreed that this is not what we thought we would be doing at this point in either of our lives (dealing with leukemia), but that when you look around - even though our hand of cards isn't great, it could be much worse. Be continually thankful for each of your blessings.
Thanks for checking in - send up a prayer for the pork steaks to look appetizing to Dad so he'll eat them for strength. : )
Monday, May 10, 2010
Day 11 - Happy Birthday Lydia
Today was a busy day. I went on Quinn's field trip to the zoo in the morning and Carl took the little ones to preschool. He was snack sneaker for Lydia's class for her birthday too! : )
I left the zoo around 1:10 and went to see Dad at the hospital. He was sitting up in his chair when I arrived. I thought he looked great, but he was a litle discouraged today because his nausea hasn't dissipated and his blood pressure was giving the nurses fits. At one point it was 80 over 40! That is not good.
I stayed a while, visited, took a walk with my Mom, and headed home to finish the birthday dinner and get the birthday festivities in order.
Yesterday, his blood came back good and no blasts were present. YEAH. That's all good. I just wish this dizziness issue would subside.
Lydia had a great day though. I can't believe she is 5. She's thrilled, of course. I'm in denial, myself. Probably a good place to be. : )
Thank you for checking in. Keep the prayers alive and well - pray not only for my Dad, but for all afflicted by illness. As I was leaving the hospital a young man was leaning on his father while he walked to the car. His mother was in front of him and he was very unsteady. You could tell he was a skeleton under his clothing. He wore a mask to protect him from germs. He could just as well have leukemia as anyone and probably did. He looked so frail, so young, so sick. I lifted up a prayer right behind him as I made it through the building to my car. I just know God has a purpose in our lives, but I don't know why these illnesses consume so many and become the cross to bear for so many families? What purpose is there in this suffering? In any suffering?
Anyways, not to be Debbie Downer, but pray for all who are sick. Please. It really was a wonderful day otherwise. : )
I left the zoo around 1:10 and went to see Dad at the hospital. He was sitting up in his chair when I arrived. I thought he looked great, but he was a litle discouraged today because his nausea hasn't dissipated and his blood pressure was giving the nurses fits. At one point it was 80 over 40! That is not good.
I stayed a while, visited, took a walk with my Mom, and headed home to finish the birthday dinner and get the birthday festivities in order.
Yesterday, his blood came back good and no blasts were present. YEAH. That's all good. I just wish this dizziness issue would subside.
Lydia had a great day though. I can't believe she is 5. She's thrilled, of course. I'm in denial, myself. Probably a good place to be. : )
Thank you for checking in. Keep the prayers alive and well - pray not only for my Dad, but for all afflicted by illness. As I was leaving the hospital a young man was leaning on his father while he walked to the car. His mother was in front of him and he was very unsteady. You could tell he was a skeleton under his clothing. He wore a mask to protect him from germs. He could just as well have leukemia as anyone and probably did. He looked so frail, so young, so sick. I lifted up a prayer right behind him as I made it through the building to my car. I just know God has a purpose in our lives, but I don't know why these illnesses consume so many and become the cross to bear for so many families? What purpose is there in this suffering? In any suffering?
Anyways, not to be Debbie Downer, but pray for all who are sick. Please. It really was a wonderful day otherwise. : )
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Day 10 - No news is Good news
I can't believe the past three days have flown by and I've had nothing earth shattering to report. I spent the better part of the end of the week getting ready for Lydia's birthday party on Saturday and Mother's Day.
Today, when I visited Dad, he was looking great! He's unhooked from the IV now unless he is getting his antibiotic IV fluid or other medication. His White cells (WBC) are at .1 and his platelets were at 8 today. He did get blood transfused last night, so his hemoglobin and hematocrit were good today. This evening he was going to be getting platelets.
Otherwise, all things Dad are status quo. We are all afraid to be so optimistic about the lack of side effects he's experienced this round of chemo. He hasn't had the red, swollen, peeled hands or the blisters in his mouth. He hasn't even suffered the extreme water retention. We just say everyday without those things happening, or starting, is a good day!
His appetite is relatively good. I brought him a shake today and a BBQ pork steak and he downed both with out a hitch. His appetite suffered last round too, if you remember.
Basically, we're just praying it stays this good.
Thanks for checking in with us. Keep the prayers coming. They must be working because we're doing really well right now. : )
Today, when I visited Dad, he was looking great! He's unhooked from the IV now unless he is getting his antibiotic IV fluid or other medication. His White cells (WBC) are at .1 and his platelets were at 8 today. He did get blood transfused last night, so his hemoglobin and hematocrit were good today. This evening he was going to be getting platelets.
Otherwise, all things Dad are status quo. We are all afraid to be so optimistic about the lack of side effects he's experienced this round of chemo. He hasn't had the red, swollen, peeled hands or the blisters in his mouth. He hasn't even suffered the extreme water retention. We just say everyday without those things happening, or starting, is a good day!
His appetite is relatively good. I brought him a shake today and a BBQ pork steak and he downed both with out a hitch. His appetite suffered last round too, if you remember.
Basically, we're just praying it stays this good.
Thanks for checking in with us. Keep the prayers coming. They must be working because we're doing really well right now. : )
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Day 7
There is nothing much to report today.
Dad will get platelets tonight, but his red cells are holding, so no blood transfusions tonight (which surprised me).
He had a little nausea today and dizziness along with semi-low blood pressure. His heart is in a-fib again, but that hasn't changed. The important thing about the a-fib rhythm is that it doesn't "flutter" - it's out of whack, but it's consistant.
He is eating - or trying to, even though he doesn't feel like it, which is good.
We are all a little bummed about the weekend coming up. We had great plans to all get together on Mother's Day before Dad was supposed to go in the hospital on the 10th. That and we're playing trivia tomorrow night as a team - sans Dad now (which will really stink. I wonder if they'd notice if we used our cells to have him at the table? ).
I know it has hit my Mom hard. Though we're grateful he went in early verses later to control the leukemia, it's still disappointing.
Thanks for checking in!
Dad will get platelets tonight, but his red cells are holding, so no blood transfusions tonight (which surprised me).
He had a little nausea today and dizziness along with semi-low blood pressure. His heart is in a-fib again, but that hasn't changed. The important thing about the a-fib rhythm is that it doesn't "flutter" - it's out of whack, but it's consistant.
He is eating - or trying to, even though he doesn't feel like it, which is good.
We are all a little bummed about the weekend coming up. We had great plans to all get together on Mother's Day before Dad was supposed to go in the hospital on the 10th. That and we're playing trivia tomorrow night as a team - sans Dad now (which will really stink. I wonder if they'd notice if we used our cells to have him at the table? ).
I know it has hit my Mom hard. Though we're grateful he went in early verses later to control the leukemia, it's still disappointing.
Thanks for checking in!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Day 6 - chemo completed
Just a warning - this could be a long one! : )
Dad completed this round of chemo this morning - alleluia! He's still suffering very few side effects, but we are all expecting that to pick up over the weekend and next week.
Talked to my Mom tonight and she said Dr. Westerfeld came in today (he's their primary doctor for all of this) and he was very positive and pleased with Dad's progress. The blood work shows that Dad's WBCs are down to .1 - which is pretty much nothing. The fact that he was at 40 last Friday and is already so down is a great sign that the "blasts" are responding to the chemo and responding well.
Apparently, the biopsy from a week ago came back and when Dad was re-admitted last Friday, his blasts were 40% of his bone marrow composition - which is not good. The only comparison you can make is that when we started all this, his first bone marrow biopsy in February showed his blasts were at 87%, so although the leukemia had returned last week, they caught it well before it had reached the stage we started at.
The doctor thought Dad wouldn't need another biopsy until he got home in a month or so. Dad told him that his goal is to be home for Memorial Day. The doctor said that might be very optimistic. Does this guy even know my Dad? If he has anything to say about it, he'll be home.
I asked Mom tonight about the bone marrow transplant and what that will do for us in truth. She explained that right now, the type of leukemia Dad has becomes increasingly resistant to the chemo and therefore chemo becomes obsolete as a treatment regimen the more you use it. The donor cells from the transplant will hopefully graft and fight off the leukemia cells that are resistant to the chemo and reproduce healthy cells. This could buy us years. I was happy to hear that, of course, since I didn't really know before this and didn't want to really ask either. We're all banking on this working.
So, the plan for now, is get through this recovery period from the chemo and go home for a week. Then Dad will come back in, re-do chemo, but a different kind, then go straight into transplant. This will be early to mid-June probably.
For now, we're grateful for today. It's funny but I used to be thankful for so many things - extravagant things, now I wake up thankful to be just opening my eyes to see another day. That's it. The basics.
When life hands you chaos, we all fall into survival mode and that means simplify. That would be why I just signed my kid up for swim team, the twins and Lydia up for swim lessons, am juggling two softball schedules and practices, dance classes, an upcoming recital, and school winding down - I've simplified alright! NOT! Well, maybe that part of my life isn't so simple, but my prayer certainly is - Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Keep the faith, keep up your thoughts and prayers for my family, and most of all take care of you.
Dad completed this round of chemo this morning - alleluia! He's still suffering very few side effects, but we are all expecting that to pick up over the weekend and next week.
Talked to my Mom tonight and she said Dr. Westerfeld came in today (he's their primary doctor for all of this) and he was very positive and pleased with Dad's progress. The blood work shows that Dad's WBCs are down to .1 - which is pretty much nothing. The fact that he was at 40 last Friday and is already so down is a great sign that the "blasts" are responding to the chemo and responding well.
Apparently, the biopsy from a week ago came back and when Dad was re-admitted last Friday, his blasts were 40% of his bone marrow composition - which is not good. The only comparison you can make is that when we started all this, his first bone marrow biopsy in February showed his blasts were at 87%, so although the leukemia had returned last week, they caught it well before it had reached the stage we started at.
The doctor thought Dad wouldn't need another biopsy until he got home in a month or so. Dad told him that his goal is to be home for Memorial Day. The doctor said that might be very optimistic. Does this guy even know my Dad? If he has anything to say about it, he'll be home.
I asked Mom tonight about the bone marrow transplant and what that will do for us in truth. She explained that right now, the type of leukemia Dad has becomes increasingly resistant to the chemo and therefore chemo becomes obsolete as a treatment regimen the more you use it. The donor cells from the transplant will hopefully graft and fight off the leukemia cells that are resistant to the chemo and reproduce healthy cells. This could buy us years. I was happy to hear that, of course, since I didn't really know before this and didn't want to really ask either. We're all banking on this working.
So, the plan for now, is get through this recovery period from the chemo and go home for a week. Then Dad will come back in, re-do chemo, but a different kind, then go straight into transplant. This will be early to mid-June probably.
For now, we're grateful for today. It's funny but I used to be thankful for so many things - extravagant things, now I wake up thankful to be just opening my eyes to see another day. That's it. The basics.
When life hands you chaos, we all fall into survival mode and that means simplify. That would be why I just signed my kid up for swim team, the twins and Lydia up for swim lessons, am juggling two softball schedules and practices, dance classes, an upcoming recital, and school winding down - I've simplified alright! NOT! Well, maybe that part of my life isn't so simple, but my prayer certainly is - Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Keep the faith, keep up your thoughts and prayers for my family, and most of all take care of you.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day 5 - last dose of chemo
Well, yesterday was a rough day. With Dad running his temperature and his blood pressure going all whacky, he was realllly out of it. Today, though, when I visited, he was great. We worked on a jigsaw puzzle for a while and he ate some lunch. He looked fantastic.
He took 7 laps around the halls today, which is over 1/2 a mile. He couldn't even do one when he was in the hospital before without a break.
Tonight is his last dose of chemotherapy this round. YEAH!
He is starting to develop some mouth sores again, which is expected, but we had hoped against all hopes that he wouldn't.
The doctor did say that the fever yesterday was a good thing. He said that when you have a fever, your body is breaking up the leukemia blasts, so basically, the worse you feel, the better your body is fighting. So, you want to feel like dog spit - great!
We're gearing up around here for Lydia's birthday. I can't believe she'll be 5 on Monday! We're having family over on Saturday for Mother's Day and her birthday. I'm looking forward to it, really.
I am doing Muffins with Moms tomorrow at preschool with the little ones, then I am going to try to run up to the hospital for an hour - so hopefully, I can report another "good" day then.
Night! Sweet dreams! God bless.
He took 7 laps around the halls today, which is over 1/2 a mile. He couldn't even do one when he was in the hospital before without a break.
Tonight is his last dose of chemotherapy this round. YEAH!
He is starting to develop some mouth sores again, which is expected, but we had hoped against all hopes that he wouldn't.
The doctor did say that the fever yesterday was a good thing. He said that when you have a fever, your body is breaking up the leukemia blasts, so basically, the worse you feel, the better your body is fighting. So, you want to feel like dog spit - great!
We're gearing up around here for Lydia's birthday. I can't believe she'll be 5 on Monday! We're having family over on Saturday for Mother's Day and her birthday. I'm looking forward to it, really.
I am doing Muffins with Moms tomorrow at preschool with the little ones, then I am going to try to run up to the hospital for an hour - so hopefully, I can report another "good" day then.
Night! Sweet dreams! God bless.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Day 4
Dad started the day out feeling pretty good, but by 1:00 pm was down and out with fever, chills, the shakes and a little delirium. He was running a good temp and his blood pressure was up to 180/80. His WBCs were down to .9 from 10 yesterday!
They are pretty sure he's fighting some kind of infection. He's on antibiotics and everything else.
I am hoping Mom reports later tonight that the rest of the day went better than the afternoon.
Fevers are always a worry, but Dad has run a low grade one everytime he's had chemo. This one is a little concerning because it is higher, but I'm hoping it's just par for the course.
Keep checking in on us! : )
They are pretty sure he's fighting some kind of infection. He's on antibiotics and everything else.
I am hoping Mom reports later tonight that the rest of the day went better than the afternoon.
Fevers are always a worry, but Dad has run a low grade one everytime he's had chemo. This one is a little concerning because it is higher, but I'm hoping it's just par for the course.
Keep checking in on us! : )
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 3
Dad was pretty run down today and slept mostly, Mom said. The combination of chemo and the crazy hours they make you keep in the hospital had him tuckered out.
When I got there today at 5:00, he was the perkiest he'd been all day. Tonight is the "hump night" for chemo - dose 3 out of 5, so that's a good milestone to recognize!
Dad's numbers were showing declining white cells today down from 30 yesterday to 10 today - quite a jump. There is still some speculation that his WBCs jumped so high because of the steroids he was on for his gout, but until we get the biopsy results we won't really know how much of the leukemia had come back before the chemo was started. I know I'm wanting to know the blast number from that biopsy - but so far, no numbers. Probably has a lot to do with the weekend.
Dad's appetite took a dive today, so that is a bummer, but not unexpected. Before I left, he ate a ding dong and some cheesecake. Hey! If you need calories, and he needs them, why not live it up! : )
See you later!
Tomorrow William is getting tubes put in and his adenoids out, so I won't be visiting Dad until Tuesday.
When I got there today at 5:00, he was the perkiest he'd been all day. Tonight is the "hump night" for chemo - dose 3 out of 5, so that's a good milestone to recognize!
Dad's numbers were showing declining white cells today down from 30 yesterday to 10 today - quite a jump. There is still some speculation that his WBCs jumped so high because of the steroids he was on for his gout, but until we get the biopsy results we won't really know how much of the leukemia had come back before the chemo was started. I know I'm wanting to know the blast number from that biopsy - but so far, no numbers. Probably has a lot to do with the weekend.
Dad's appetite took a dive today, so that is a bummer, but not unexpected. Before I left, he ate a ding dong and some cheesecake. Hey! If you need calories, and he needs them, why not live it up! : )
See you later!
Tomorrow William is getting tubes put in and his adenoids out, so I won't be visiting Dad until Tuesday.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Day 2
Went up to visit Dad today and greeted him with, "so, they put you back in the slammer, eh?" and he said, "yep, back in the big house".
Too bad you don't get time served for good behavior in that joint. Anyways. Dad seems to be holding up, but it's only day 2. It had to be hard to hear that he had to go back in the hospital for another round of chemo yesterday especially when we had so much planned as a family in the next week before he was supposed to go back in (May 10th originally).
Today, we learned, that after this round of chemo, they hope to send him home for a week or two before re-admitting him in mid-June to do a fourth round of chemo which will be the prep for the transplant. More chemo.....ugh.
The doctor yesterday, my Mom said, was still very positive and said that he is still very much in the fight with my Dad on this. Basically, don't give up hope.
Today was a pretty good day overall - Dad felt good, is very active, ate great, and is doing his thing at the hospital. Let's hope for a lot of these kind of days! : )
Prayers to you! Good night!
Too bad you don't get time served for good behavior in that joint. Anyways. Dad seems to be holding up, but it's only day 2. It had to be hard to hear that he had to go back in the hospital for another round of chemo yesterday especially when we had so much planned as a family in the next week before he was supposed to go back in (May 10th originally).
Today, we learned, that after this round of chemo, they hope to send him home for a week or two before re-admitting him in mid-June to do a fourth round of chemo which will be the prep for the transplant. More chemo.....ugh.
The doctor yesterday, my Mom said, was still very positive and said that he is still very much in the fight with my Dad on this. Basically, don't give up hope.
Today was a pretty good day overall - Dad felt good, is very active, ate great, and is doing his thing at the hospital. Let's hope for a lot of these kind of days! : )
Prayers to you! Good night!
Day 1 & 2 - round 3 of chemo
Dad checked in the hospital last evening for another round of chemotherapy. I don't know the exact numbers yet from his biopsy (hope to find that out when I visit today), but the doctor decided to check him in immediately and start another round of chemo to try and get to remission a second time.
The bone marrow transplant can't be done unless Dad's in remission. The plan is to do five days of chemo, three weeks recovery and then go right into the transplant (early June). The donor is going to be on standby to harvest the marrow once we get closer.
All of that depends on him getting to remission this time. I will learn more today.
Mom and Dad seem in good spirits. He is in room 6907 again. If you want to send cards, send them to the house at 1420 Pepperhill Dr, Florissant, MO 63033. My Mom will take them to my Dad. As before, visitors are very WELCOME! The days are long in the hospital and, at least this week, my Dad will be feeling pretty good. It won't be for 10 days or so that the chemo will really strike and he'll probably have the mouth sores and other side effects going on.
Keep up the prayers - thank you for sticking with us. We'll be on another roller coaster ride for a while this summer, so check in with us here or call.
Love and Blessings.
The bone marrow transplant can't be done unless Dad's in remission. The plan is to do five days of chemo, three weeks recovery and then go right into the transplant (early June). The donor is going to be on standby to harvest the marrow once we get closer.
All of that depends on him getting to remission this time. I will learn more today.
Mom and Dad seem in good spirits. He is in room 6907 again. If you want to send cards, send them to the house at 1420 Pepperhill Dr, Florissant, MO 63033. My Mom will take them to my Dad. As before, visitors are very WELCOME! The days are long in the hospital and, at least this week, my Dad will be feeling pretty good. It won't be for 10 days or so that the chemo will really strike and he'll probably have the mouth sores and other side effects going on.
Keep up the prayers - thank you for sticking with us. We'll be on another roller coaster ride for a while this summer, so check in with us here or call.
Love and Blessings.
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