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! : )
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