Day 19

There's a light at the end of the tunnel and we're getting closer to it. We got to play hookey today from the cancer center -- we slept late, ate breakfast, and got ourselves ready for a visit with Papa (Momma's Daddy) and Ms. Jo (Papa's little lady).

Background story on Papa and his little lady --- I met Ms. Jo while lifeguarding one summer before leaving for college. Her husband had passed away and she spent her days sitting by the pool with me soaking up some Vitamin D and watching her grandkids swim. I'd mentioned my handsome Papa to her a few times and one hot August day he just happened to stop by the pool for a visit -- conveniently while she was there. They seemed to hit it off during their first encounter but Papa played hard to get for a month or so and didn't call to ask Ms. Jo out until the Fall. He always says that he told her he'd call just not when he'd call.....always the jokester. They had their first official date and have been together ever since --- 8 fun filled years or is it 9?? Ms. Jo has become a part of our family and in a way a quasi grandmother for my sister and I. She was the stand in bride during my rehearsal and was seated as a grandmother would be during the wedding. I know they both drive each other crazy sometimes but I can't imagine the last few years any other way.

Back to today -- we headed out tonight for a red meat fest at The Peddler Steakhouse here in Greenville. Papa ordered the prime rib well done, then I convinced him to change it to medium. It of course came out bloody as a stuck pig (not a big deal for me or my dad) but not so appetizing for the cowboy. He's convinced food gets spit on when you send it back -- we sent it back anyway for a little more heat. Momma and I split a ribeye which was decent, Lib had chicken, and Ms Jo had a very well done ribeye. I was definately intrigued by their massive salad bar. I'm wondering if I can convice the chefs at Morrision to start putting Vienna sausages on the salad bars in our cafes??? That was a first and no I didn't put them on my salad.

Overall the food was good but the company was better. It's been nearly 6 weeks since Momma has seen anyone besides her caretakers (me, Jess, Daddy, and Lib) and the folks at the cancer center so it was nice to see them. If we all disappear next week it's because we packed up and headed to the Keys --- I'm hoping my Florida fever rubbed off on the great traveler.....

Oh and about the light at the end of the tunnel --- we could possibly be going home next week. :)

Fighting Like A Girl

Still Fighting

We're still here! Last week's work meeting in ATL was crazy busy and left little time for updates. Beyond a week long migraine and elevated liver enzyme levels there wasn't much to report.

Daddy stepped in and did a great job as caretaker for the week.

We went in to the cancer center this morning for labwork. No need for fluids today. Liver enzyme levels are still elevated however they've gotten significantly better since Friday.

We get a day off tomorrow -- Papa and Ms Joe are coming up for a visit. We'll have to be back at the cancer center on Wednesday for labwork.

I'll leave you with the Week 6 Photo

Fighting Like A Girl

Quick Update

Super quick update before I head down to my meeting.

Engraftment happened Sunday! She's no longer neutropenic and was released from lock down yesterday! No more extra fluid bag to carry around either.

I think she and daddy went out to celebrate last night -- for his birthday AND for her. :)

How GREAT is our God?

Fighting Like A Girl

Day 9 & 10

Just arrived at the outpatient center at St. Francis for weekend labs, fluids, and doc appointment. We've been here for 45 minutes already and she's only had her BP and weight taken. No labwork yet which means the doctor will be here before the lab results are. Fluids haven't been hung yet either which means we'll be here even longer than we need to be. Not sure what the deal is but they need to get moving.
ETA: Fluids are going. The doctor came in and said things were looking good (no need for blood products today -- something they mentioned possibly needing yesterday). Sigh of relief. Labwork is back and looks good. WBCs are up to 2900.


Saturday

Blood pressure yesterday was significantly better. WBCs were up to 500 from 200 on Friday. Lab results didn't show neutrophil counts so I can't report on those. She also had to have fluids.



Lib (momma's sister) came and took over for the afternoon so I could do a little shopping. EJ also came down for dinner and a movie -- I can't believe it had been two weeks since we'd seen each other.



I forgot to mention a few posts back that she started neupogen shots again on Wednesday. She's not experiencing any bone pain yet like last time. We're becoming pros at changing fluid bags, operating pumps, and giving shots. The neupogen shots as well as antibiotics will stop when neutrophils reach 15,000.

I'm leaving for a week long meeting in Atlanta later today. Lib will be staying with momma tonight and Daddy will be here tomorrow afternoon to take over for the week. Should be an easy week for him especially if she's taken off of lock down mid week as expected.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and well wishes!

Fighting Like A Girl

Day 8

We're on the upswing! Counts are rebounding and the transplant nurse thinks momma will be out of this neutropenic stage by Monday! WBCs are up to 200 from 100 yesterday. Monocytes are up to 44%. She had to get extra fluids today and yesterday because of her low blood pressure. They decided to put her on two BP meds today that should help. BP this morning was 78/60 --- probably due to the dehydration which is due to the diarrhea. She was dizzy this morning when we were getting ready to leave for the cancer center so she's taking it slow when moving around.
The transplant nurse commented today that typically on Day 8 transplant patients have to be wheeled to the transplant unit in a wheelchair. No need for a wheelchair here!! Not surprising considering how great things have gone thus far.
The absence of the DAB pump hasn't been much of an issue. She's been able to control any nausea she's had with her ativan. As long as she keeps something in her stomach at all times she seems to do pretty well. She's been snacking on cheese, crackers, and cookies. Cheerios seem to hit the spot in the morning too.
Her love for sweet tea can't be quenched -- the transplant nurse warned her that she should probably stay away from her "favorites" for now so she doesn't develop an aversion to them later. She couldn't seem to find a beverage that tasted right -- she tried tea, Sierra Mist, Coke, juice -- nothing seemed to work. So we stopped at the gas station on the way home from the cancer center and I loaded up on a variety of beverage options for her to try. Her first test was a Sun Drop -- go figure it tasted good and she requested a 2 liter when I went to Walmart for groceries. Who's going to drink all of these odd ball drinks now?

Fighting Like A Girl

MJ is BACK!

We're still here! I made it back from my Philly work trip around 8:30 last night. Daddy was on cancer center duty on Monday. Jessica was on duty yesterday. They both did an excellent job filling in for me while I was gone. I didn't like being gone for the short time I was. I'm attending my company's national meeting in Atlanta next week and will be gone for 5 days -- Daddy will be here while I'm gone. I'll try my best to keep everyone up to date on her daily progress while I'm gone.




Momma had to be given extra fluids yesterday because her blood pressure dropped when she went from sitting to standing. Other than diarrhea, lack of appetite/taste, and low energy she seems to be doing pretty good considering what her body has been through. She's still neutropenic and will be for a few more days. Cancer center visit today was a quick one. Fluids and labwork. They also gave her a script for the diarrhea so she can try something other than Imodium. They reduced her DAB pump yesterday to try and start weaning her off the nausea meds. The transplant nurse mentioned trying to remove it completely tomorrow. She'll still be able to take meds by mouth. Let's hope that goes well -- it's not the most stylish accessory. But I must say there's only been 1 vomiting episode so that little bag of meds has done it's job!


One thing I noticed today --- the transplant nurse and nurse practitioner seemed so surprised that she hasn't developed mouth sores yet. It was kinda like they were disappointed when she opened her mouth and they didn't see any -- I know that's terrible to say but that's my observation. Hey she beat the record for stem cell collection why can't she beat the odds and not get mouth sores? I'm just saying.



Also, Google Analytics says we're getting visitors/readers from 13 states and 10 countries. Who are you guys? We'd love to hear where you're from and what brought you to our blog!



I'll leave you with our Week 5 photo. Channeling Michael Jackson and still smiling.

Fighting Like A Girl

Weekend Update

Friday
We spent the morning at the cancer center for labwork and to see Dr. F. Counts were still in the normal range. They sent us home with fluids -- so now she's carrying the DAB bag and a 2 pound fluid bag. They gave us 2 extra bags and taught me how to change them on Saturday and Sunday.
We tried to venture out to the grocery store Friday afternoon. We'd barely made it out of the hotel parking lot when we had to pull over to puke. She'd been sleeping and got up to go fairly quickly so we think she didn't take the trip out to the car slow enough. No puking after that.

Saturday
We made our way to the outpatient unit at St. Francis (the cancer center is closed on weekends) for labwork. We also saw Dr. F since she was on call this weekend -- all transplant patients are seen every day after transplant. They increased dosage on the DAB pump - it had been decreased on Friday and Dr. F thought it may have caused her increased nausea on Friday. She also gave us a script for Zofran to take as needed. Counts were still in the normal range Saturday.
Daddy arrived Saturday night to spend a few days so I can take a quick work trip out of town Monday and Tuesday.

Sunday
Back to St. Francis this morning for labwork again and to see Dr. F. They always check her BP sitting and standing -- she had a drop in BP when she stood up this morning so they decided to give her fluids.
The outpatient unit was insane when we got there. Every chair was full of patients, the nurses were behind, and the phones were ringing off the hook. The nurse taking blood from momma's port was talking on the phone the entire time regarding a patient who was being admitted. She ended up getting the patients name mixed up (actually used momma's first name) and wasn't even close to saying the correct last name. I wanted to say "Listen, we aren't in any kind of hurry today. Get the other patient admitted then come focus on us. I'm not impressed by your lack of multitasking skills." Everything finally settled down. We saw the doc and got the heck out of there.
Jessica was able to come today to celebrate her birthday a day early -- I can't believe she'll be 20 tomorrow. We went to lunch at Cracker Barrel (your favorite place PaPa!) then opened presents and had cake back at the hotel. She'll be spending the new two days with momma as well while I'm out of town.

I wonder if I can convince one of them (Jess or Daddy) to update this while I'm gone for two days?