Lisa hit the wall at about 5:00 this morning....1 hour after crazy Mom decided to go to bed. She had been a bit nauseous thru the night with a few upsets. I was so tuned into my work that I didn't notice the night had turned into the wee hour of the morning. I finally went to bed at 4:00 only to be woken an hour later by Lisa's machine going off. As I silenced the machine, Lisa gave me a look and we both grabbed for the bucket. It looked like creamed corn, it smelled like creamed corn.....it wasn't creamed corn. Ick, Ick, Ick. I have to say, the kid is a trooper. Multiple trips to the bathroom ensued between 5 am and 9 am with Lisa clearing the pipes both ways. She finally settled down for about an hour and I grabbed a quick shower. At about 10 she was at it again. As she stumbled out of the bathroom butt-naked her doctors came in. As they talked about her progress and symptoms, Lisa planted her face onto the clean diaper on the bed. She laid there for a second and then leaned over into the bucket. She put on quite the show for the docs. It was quite comical as everyone maintained their composure and the docs kept talking and Lisa kept barfing and laying her head on a clean diaper. The Benadryl finally kicked in and she is sleeping now, with her head resting on the clean diaper.
You go girl!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I am stunned!
I can't believe how well Lisa is doing today. It is so awesome!!!! I wasn't really sure what to expect...but this is a wonderful reprieve.
Yesterday was pretty rough. Lisa just didn't feel good, she's was nauseous and achy and whiny. By the time Mike relieved me, I wasn't sure who was more whiny...her or me....I couldn't take it anymore. I really questioned how I was going to last for the next two weeks.
But today is great. When I opened the door to the room, I expected the moans and groans and the "hospital smell" of the sick. I was stunned when Lisa beamed "hello", a big smile was in place of the groans and the smell of creamed corned replaced the hospital smell. I was even more shocked when she ate a pretzel and drank some water. Wow...this was totally unexpected.
The nurse was just talking with me and commenting on how good Lisa was doing, but again cautioned that things are going to get worse before they get better. So...I going to the get the most out of tonight....what a difference a week has made....it's so nice to have good day!
Yesterday was pretty rough. Lisa just didn't feel good, she's was nauseous and achy and whiny. By the time Mike relieved me, I wasn't sure who was more whiny...her or me....I couldn't take it anymore. I really questioned how I was going to last for the next two weeks.
But today is great. When I opened the door to the room, I expected the moans and groans and the "hospital smell" of the sick. I was stunned when Lisa beamed "hello", a big smile was in place of the groans and the smell of creamed corned replaced the hospital smell. I was even more shocked when she ate a pretzel and drank some water. Wow...this was totally unexpected.
The nurse was just talking with me and commenting on how good Lisa was doing, but again cautioned that things are going to get worse before they get better. So...I going to the get the most out of tonight....what a difference a week has made....it's so nice to have good day!
Transplant
5 minutes before transplant and the anticipation is building. By all accounts this is a huge moment. Without the transplant, which is basically an infusion in this case since the cells are her own, she's defenseless. She won't survive. That part is so surreal. She's doing "very well" considering what she has been through the past 7 days so I can't imagine anything but a successful outcome.
She's sleeping. Good for her. In a few moments a team of doctors, nurses, technicians, and who knows will be in here, and she'll sleep through it all, hopefully. We just gave her some Tylenol and Benadryl to help her cope with some of the side effects so she should sleep through it.
The transplant (transfusion) should only take 15 minutes. I've read that some people consider this a rebirth and treat it like a birthday. Here they come... more later
11:34 AM and were done, just like that.
So the cells arrive in what looks like a five gallon milk container. You know one of those containers that are narrower around the top that milk is collected in. Anyway they take the top off and cool air (must have dry ice in there or something) comes pouring out. The technician puts on an insulating glove and reaches in and pulls out a pouch with her stem cells. It's a tiny thing for the size of the container. She thaws it out in a small heating tray atop of the cart that is carrying the milk bucket and after it's ready hands it to nurse Stephanie, who hangs it on the IV poll and starts the infusion. Just as we read about, the smell of cream corn fills the room. Apparently the preservative that is used in preserving the stem cells is the cause of the smell.
Lisa starts to stir awake as the cool cells are introduced to her body. I think the smell and taste almost make her gag but she manages to settle down and relax. The team of doctors and nurses comment that this is the best infusion they've seen. I wonder what normally happens. This is pretty much what I expected but they seem very pleased that she took it so well. Great!
The doctors have cautioned that she will get "worse" before getting better and that the most difficult days are coming as her blood counts continue to drop and she becomes more susceptible to everything. Keep her in your prayers. We'll keep her isolated, warm, and comfortable.
She's sleeping again. [I silently implore the stem cells] Get to work cells, take hold and heal her. Thank you all for checking in and continuing to pray and send positive energy. We'll update again soon.
She's sleeping. Good for her. In a few moments a team of doctors, nurses, technicians, and who knows will be in here, and she'll sleep through it all, hopefully. We just gave her some Tylenol and Benadryl to help her cope with some of the side effects so she should sleep through it.
The transplant (transfusion) should only take 15 minutes. I've read that some people consider this a rebirth and treat it like a birthday. Here they come... more later
11:34 AM and were done, just like that.
So the cells arrive in what looks like a five gallon milk container. You know one of those containers that are narrower around the top that milk is collected in. Anyway they take the top off and cool air (must have dry ice in there or something) comes pouring out. The technician puts on an insulating glove and reaches in and pulls out a pouch with her stem cells. It's a tiny thing for the size of the container. She thaws it out in a small heating tray atop of the cart that is carrying the milk bucket and after it's ready hands it to nurse Stephanie, who hangs it on the IV poll and starts the infusion. Just as we read about, the smell of cream corn fills the room. Apparently the preservative that is used in preserving the stem cells is the cause of the smell.
Lisa starts to stir awake as the cool cells are introduced to her body. I think the smell and taste almost make her gag but she manages to settle down and relax. The team of doctors and nurses comment that this is the best infusion they've seen. I wonder what normally happens. This is pretty much what I expected but they seem very pleased that she took it so well. Great!
The doctors have cautioned that she will get "worse" before getting better and that the most difficult days are coming as her blood counts continue to drop and she becomes more susceptible to everything. Keep her in your prayers. We'll keep her isolated, warm, and comfortable.
She's sleeping again. [I silently implore the stem cells] Get to work cells, take hold and heal her. Thank you all for checking in and continuing to pray and send positive energy. We'll update again soon.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Chemotherapy is DONE
God willing, done forever. Lisa completed her last dose, a high dose at that, today at about 11:00 AM. According to the team she is doing remarkably well. Unfortunately that remarkably well includes one unhappy digestive tract. Between midnight and noon today she threw up 8 times. We've increased the anti nausea meds which seems to help and she's been sleeping for the past couple hours. As we expected she's stopped eating but we've hooked her up to IV nutrition.
The remainder of today and tomorrow is for rest and to clear the chemotherapy drugs from her system. Then on Thursday she'll receive her bone marrow transplant, which should be a bit anticlimactic from what I understand. The BMT team will come in and hang the bag and that will pretty much be it. Since the cells are Lisa's own we don't expect any complications with the transplant. The risk comes from virus, bacteria, and germs while her immune system is recovering.
Thanks for checking in. Keep the prayers coming. We'll update again on Thursday.
The remainder of today and tomorrow is for rest and to clear the chemotherapy drugs from her system. Then on Thursday she'll receive her bone marrow transplant, which should be a bit anticlimactic from what I understand. The BMT team will come in and hang the bag and that will pretty much be it. Since the cells are Lisa's own we don't expect any complications with the transplant. The risk comes from virus, bacteria, and germs while her immune system is recovering.
Thanks for checking in. Keep the prayers coming. We'll update again on Thursday.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
3 down 3 to go
Well, we've got 3 days of chemo done and have 3 more left to go before a day of rest. The first drug thiotepa has left Lisa nauseous but very clean. She's thrown up every day since receiving it both in the morning and night. Because of the drugs toxicity, she had to get 4 baths a day. She handled that pretty well. We started our new drug today-- carboplantin. No baths required, but she seems even more nauseated. As anticipated, she's already stopped eating. We've dropped from eating all the time to eating just 2 spoonfuls of cereal today....1.5 of which she threw up.
She'll have one day of rest...Wed....after that she begins her stem cell transplant. So far the doctors are pleased with her progress. She is one tough cookie and still is getting up and about. Unfortunately because her counts are starting to drop and she has very little immunity she's not allowed in the playroom or around others who might get sick, so the days are pretty long and boring. Click her to read more about Bone Marrow and Stem cell transplant.
A big thanks to Grandma Mc for taking a turn at the hospital last night so Mike and I could have a night off. It was a wonderful reprieve for us and hopefully not to rough on Grandma.
She'll have one day of rest...Wed....after that she begins her stem cell transplant. So far the doctors are pleased with her progress. She is one tough cookie and still is getting up and about. Unfortunately because her counts are starting to drop and she has very little immunity she's not allowed in the playroom or around others who might get sick, so the days are pretty long and boring. Click her to read more about Bone Marrow and Stem cell transplant.
A big thanks to Grandma Mc for taking a turn at the hospital last night so Mike and I could have a night off. It was a wonderful reprieve for us and hopefully not to rough on Grandma.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Lisa's chemo treatment has started
Lisa was admitted yesterday and chemo started today....apparently the chemicals are so toxic she will require 4 baths a day for the next 4-5 days. After the chemo is completed she will have a day of rest and will start transplant after. Goal is to be out in 3-4 weeks...keep your fingers crossed.
On a personal note...I don't normally share business updates with you, but this seems to be the quickest way for me to get info out to everyone. Borders had to reduce corporate payroll again in what hopefully is the final phase of job eliminations at the corporate level. 136 corporate positions were eliminated yesterday and today. Fortunately, my job was not eliminated but I have been asked to go part-time. While not an ideal situation for Mike and I financially, it allows me to continue to be employed and make some income. God works in mysterious ways and I'm sure this will work out for the best.
Interestingly enough the quote on my calendar today was "Though we may encounter both calm and rough waters, it is all part of the sea of life". Amen to that!
On a personal note...I don't normally share business updates with you, but this seems to be the quickest way for me to get info out to everyone. Borders had to reduce corporate payroll again in what hopefully is the final phase of job eliminations at the corporate level. 136 corporate positions were eliminated yesterday and today. Fortunately, my job was not eliminated but I have been asked to go part-time. While not an ideal situation for Mike and I financially, it allows me to continue to be employed and make some income. God works in mysterious ways and I'm sure this will work out for the best.
Interestingly enough the quote on my calendar today was "Though we may encounter both calm and rough waters, it is all part of the sea of life". Amen to that!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Blip in the radar
Well, the blip in the radar this time is Mike and I. Lisa still has a cough and runny nose which the doctors were okay with. However, Mike is just getting over a fever bug and as I met with Lisa's doc today discussing her symptoms I realized I was running a temp. The decision was made that we should hold off admitting her for a few days to give Mom and Dad time to get back on our feet...the rational being we're not doing her any good if we're not on top of our game.
So, we have a two days to kick this bug. She is scheduled to check in on Wed provide nobody gets any sicker.
So, we have a two days to kick this bug. She is scheduled to check in on Wed provide nobody gets any sicker.
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