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| MUSKEGON!! |
Next: Days +7 & +8 of recovery
Monday, July 2, 2012
Day +6 of recovery
Days +4 & +5 of recovery
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
My apologies to all. Last night Greg and I watched two DVD movies and when I woke up, the time was for me to go to bed which I did. Hence, no blog posting. Sorry about that.
For the weekend I decided to start the BRAT diet. For those uninitiated, this means I began eating bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast. This comes as a highly recommended food group when one's stomach is not feeling the best. After experimentation I am just eating the BAT diet. Seems the rice, at this time, irritates my tummy. Greg, however, says the rice is ok. The problem lies with the small amount of butter I asked him to add to the white rice to produce a little flavor. Greg insists the butter produced more than a little flavor. Maybe he's right. So for now, rice is off the list, but the remaining ingredients appear to be agreeing with my stomach.
My appointment with Dr. V. is at 1:00 this afternoon. I will know my day's destination - home or Colleen's - after meeting with him. I have plans where I want to be at day's end, but I do acknowledge that God directs my steps. He knows best and He is in control. However, I still hope and pray to be home in Muskegon today.
The drum roll please...
Next entry: Muskegon or Bust!
My apologies to all. Last night Greg and I watched two DVD movies and when I woke up, the time was for me to go to bed which I did. Hence, no blog posting. Sorry about that.
For the weekend I decided to start the BRAT diet. For those uninitiated, this means I began eating bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast. This comes as a highly recommended food group when one's stomach is not feeling the best. After experimentation I am just eating the BAT diet. Seems the rice, at this time, irritates my tummy. Greg, however, says the rice is ok. The problem lies with the small amount of butter I asked him to add to the white rice to produce a little flavor. Greg insists the butter produced more than a little flavor. Maybe he's right. So for now, rice is off the list, but the remaining ingredients appear to be agreeing with my stomach.
My appointment with Dr. V. is at 1:00 this afternoon. I will know my day's destination - home or Colleen's - after meeting with him. I have plans where I want to be at day's end, but I do acknowledge that God directs my steps. He knows best and He is in control. However, I still hope and pray to be home in Muskegon today.
The drum roll please...
Next entry: Muskegon or Bust!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Day +3 of recovery
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Good news - bad news...or...maybe I should have skipped that piece of pizza.
Yesterday, Thursday, I awoke and felt the best I have in a long while. I even felt energetic enough to iron my Chemo Quilt. Colleen and the girls arrived safely in the late afternoon. However, their luggage did not. They had flown Air Canada and the airline didn't really know where all their suitcases were at the moment, but their world-wide lost luggage system would find the missing pieces and restore them posthaste. (interpretation: hopefully the luggage is somewhere on the planet and you'll get it before everything inside becomes antiquated.)
Last night Colleen ordered Jets Pizza over the internet for delivery. That sounded good to me so when it arrived I decided to try a piece. This morning when I awoke my stomach and bowels were in rebellion. I have not had the best of days. When I saw the doctor this afternoon for my scheduled appointment, he explained that the chemo has probably made my stomach temporarily lactose intolerant which means that the pizza was a poor food choice for me. So I got the bad news. I have to stay around for the weekend to see if my stomach and bowels will behave. I'm taking Imodium AD every six hours and Ativan for nausea every six hours for the next two and 1/2 days. On Monday I am scheduled to meet with Dr. V at 1:00 to see how I am doing. If well, then I can probably go home. If not, then maybe reentry into the hospital to find out what is going on.
There is good news, however. My numbers are really good. WBC: 6.6 (right in the middle of the normal range); Hemoglobin: 10.6 (still going up); and Platelets: 78 (also still going up). Praise the LORD!!
I'm going to have to remain patient and slowly acclimate my stomach to normal food again. In the meantime, I'll eat cheerios, bananas, crackers, anything bland that my tummy will tolerate. One nurse told me the time frame for my stomach to accept my former dietary choices could be 3 months or more. I must be patient which is so-o-o-o-o not my personality. God is leading and teaching me throughout this journey. I must learn to follow and obey. He has reasons for all He does even if I don't always understand.
I will close on a positive note. Air Canada found all the luggage and is delivering it tonight. (In fact, the 3 duffels have arrived as I "speak".) Indeed, God has everything under control.
Next: Days +4 & +5 of recovery
Good news - bad news...or...maybe I should have skipped that piece of pizza.
Yesterday, Thursday, I awoke and felt the best I have in a long while. I even felt energetic enough to iron my Chemo Quilt. Colleen and the girls arrived safely in the late afternoon. However, their luggage did not. They had flown Air Canada and the airline didn't really know where all their suitcases were at the moment, but their world-wide lost luggage system would find the missing pieces and restore them posthaste. (interpretation: hopefully the luggage is somewhere on the planet and you'll get it before everything inside becomes antiquated.)
Last night Colleen ordered Jets Pizza over the internet for delivery. That sounded good to me so when it arrived I decided to try a piece. This morning when I awoke my stomach and bowels were in rebellion. I have not had the best of days. When I saw the doctor this afternoon for my scheduled appointment, he explained that the chemo has probably made my stomach temporarily lactose intolerant which means that the pizza was a poor food choice for me. So I got the bad news. I have to stay around for the weekend to see if my stomach and bowels will behave. I'm taking Imodium AD every six hours and Ativan for nausea every six hours for the next two and 1/2 days. On Monday I am scheduled to meet with Dr. V at 1:00 to see how I am doing. If well, then I can probably go home. If not, then maybe reentry into the hospital to find out what is going on.
There is good news, however. My numbers are really good. WBC: 6.6 (right in the middle of the normal range); Hemoglobin: 10.6 (still going up); and Platelets: 78 (also still going up). Praise the LORD!!
I'm going to have to remain patient and slowly acclimate my stomach to normal food again. In the meantime, I'll eat cheerios, bananas, crackers, anything bland that my tummy will tolerate. One nurse told me the time frame for my stomach to accept my former dietary choices could be 3 months or more. I must be patient which is so-o-o-o-o not my personality. God is leading and teaching me throughout this journey. I must learn to follow and obey. He has reasons for all He does even if I don't always understand.
I will close on a positive note. Air Canada found all the luggage and is delivering it tonight. (In fact, the 3 duffels have arrived as I "speak".) Indeed, God has everything under control.
Next: Days +4 & +5 of recovery
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Day +1 out of hospital
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
What a joy to sleep late this morning. No 4:30 a.m. vitals reading and blood draw. Still woke up a few times at night though. Am drinking quite a bit of liquid during the day per doctor's orders and what goes in must come out - day and night. Felt great being able to shower without my IV bag/pump pole tethered to me. Still am feeling a bit fatigued and did rest/sleep quite a bit during the morning hours. My appetite still is not what it used to be. The doctors said that food won't be on the top of my things- to-do list for quite a while yet. The chemo does quite a number on the taste buds so the flavor of foods could take up to 3 months to return. Rough way to go on a diet, but the outcome might be worth it.
My sister, Lois, and good friend, Mary, drove over from Grand Haven/North Muskegon for a visit. We spent most of the afternoon talking and playing cards. Fun to see them. After they left I stretched out on the couch and fell asleep for awhile as Greg drove to a Meijer a few miles away to pick up the last of my prescriptions. Have a few pills to take over the next several days and weeks. I don't like pills, but I dislike being attached to an IV pole even more, so I will put up with gulping a few pills/day.
Tomorrow Colleen and her two daughters arrive here from Cairo, Egypt. Will be fun to see them. The pool is filled and warmed for them so they can go swimming. The temp is forecast to be in the triple digits tomorrow, so I am sure a dip in the pool will be enjoyable. I am not supposed to swim in pools for awhile, but, fortunately, the house is air conditioned.
Even though I've slept quite a bit today, I'm getting ready to hit the hay for tonight. I'll write more tomorrow concerning my stem cell recovery journey. I praise God and continue to follow in His steps.
Next: Day +2 of recovery
What a joy to sleep late this morning. No 4:30 a.m. vitals reading and blood draw. Still woke up a few times at night though. Am drinking quite a bit of liquid during the day per doctor's orders and what goes in must come out - day and night. Felt great being able to shower without my IV bag/pump pole tethered to me. Still am feeling a bit fatigued and did rest/sleep quite a bit during the morning hours. My appetite still is not what it used to be. The doctors said that food won't be on the top of my things- to-do list for quite a while yet. The chemo does quite a number on the taste buds so the flavor of foods could take up to 3 months to return. Rough way to go on a diet, but the outcome might be worth it.
My sister, Lois, and good friend, Mary, drove over from Grand Haven/North Muskegon for a visit. We spent most of the afternoon talking and playing cards. Fun to see them. After they left I stretched out on the couch and fell asleep for awhile as Greg drove to a Meijer a few miles away to pick up the last of my prescriptions. Have a few pills to take over the next several days and weeks. I don't like pills, but I dislike being attached to an IV pole even more, so I will put up with gulping a few pills/day.
Tomorrow Colleen and her two daughters arrive here from Cairo, Egypt. Will be fun to see them. The pool is filled and warmed for them so they can go swimming. The temp is forecast to be in the triple digits tomorrow, so I am sure a dip in the pool will be enjoyable. I am not supposed to swim in pools for awhile, but, fortunately, the house is air conditioned.
Even though I've slept quite a bit today, I'm getting ready to hit the hay for tonight. I'll write more tomorrow concerning my stem cell recovery journey. I praise God and continue to follow in His steps.
Next: Day +2 of recovery
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Day +12
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
And the winner is---Dr. Ayash & colleagues!! The radiologist had insisted that the 2 sets of X-rays indicated a nodule; pneumonia. Dr. Ayash had just as affirmatively insisted that what was showing was a rib. To break the stalemate, a CAT scan was ordered yesterday. The results were known today. Yep, you guessed it...a rib. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have a rib than pneumonia. Besides, a rib is much more functional. (Didn't God do something special with a rib?)
That problem having been solved, the decision was made to DISCHARGE! me today. I am now resting comfortably at Colleen's sans Picc line. For the first time since June 14 I'll be able to sleep all night without disruption. No vitals; no medications; no blood draws. Just glorious, restful, uninterrupted sleep. Early on in my hospital stay a nurse said, "You want sleep? Go home!" Hospitals are not places of rest. That being said, I did receive fantastic care from dedicated, loving people who made me feel as comfortable as possible. The entire staff from house keeping to doctors were as friendly as could be. When I left, more than one staffer invited us to come back as visitors to say "Hi" and let everyone know how I was doing. I'm scheduled for a clinic appointment on Friday. I think we'll stop upstairs to say "Hello".
My numbers for today were great. WBC: 6.6 (normal range is 3.5 - 10.6); Hemoglobin: 8.8; and Platelets: 15. Friday more blood will be drawn and we'll see how the numbers are then.
God has been so faithful and good throughout my cancer journey. I have grown closer to Him and He to me. I know as I continue my recovery and make plans for the future that He will be directing my steps. I have complete confidence and trust in His guidance. I give Him all the glory for what He has done in my life thus far. I am His child and feel completely "In His grip".
Next: First full day out of the hospital.
And the winner is---Dr. Ayash & colleagues!! The radiologist had insisted that the 2 sets of X-rays indicated a nodule; pneumonia. Dr. Ayash had just as affirmatively insisted that what was showing was a rib. To break the stalemate, a CAT scan was ordered yesterday. The results were known today. Yep, you guessed it...a rib. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have a rib than pneumonia. Besides, a rib is much more functional. (Didn't God do something special with a rib?)
That problem having been solved, the decision was made to DISCHARGE! me today. I am now resting comfortably at Colleen's sans Picc line. For the first time since June 14 I'll be able to sleep all night without disruption. No vitals; no medications; no blood draws. Just glorious, restful, uninterrupted sleep. Early on in my hospital stay a nurse said, "You want sleep? Go home!" Hospitals are not places of rest. That being said, I did receive fantastic care from dedicated, loving people who made me feel as comfortable as possible. The entire staff from house keeping to doctors were as friendly as could be. When I left, more than one staffer invited us to come back as visitors to say "Hi" and let everyone know how I was doing. I'm scheduled for a clinic appointment on Friday. I think we'll stop upstairs to say "Hello".
My numbers for today were great. WBC: 6.6 (normal range is 3.5 - 10.6); Hemoglobin: 8.8; and Platelets: 15. Friday more blood will be drawn and we'll see how the numbers are then.
God has been so faithful and good throughout my cancer journey. I have grown closer to Him and He to me. I know as I continue my recovery and make plans for the future that He will be directing my steps. I have complete confidence and trust in His guidance. I give Him all the glory for what He has done in my life thus far. I am His child and feel completely "In His grip".
Next: First full day out of the hospital.
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| Pumping me full of energy to finish my quilt |
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| The completed Chemo Quilt |
Monday, June 25, 2012
Day +11
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Greg left early this morning for Colleen's because the pool man was scheduled to come open the pool between 9:30 and 10:00. Good thing he left shortly after 8:00. The pool guys were there at 9:35. Greg called and said the pool is open; is being filled; and the heater is on so it will be warm when Colleen arrives later this week.
In the meantime, two visitors arrived unannounced. Surprise! Surprise! My brother, Howie, and his wife, Audrey, drove up from Tennessee to say "Hi!" Greg knew they were coming but said nothing because they wanted to surprise me. Had a fun time talking with them for most of the day. They left mid-afternoon. Howie has to be to work tomorrow night. They picked a good day because I am feeling much better.
My numbers help explain why I am feeling good. My WBC: 2.2 (normal range starts at 3.5); Hemoglobin: 8.4 (a tick up); and Platelets: 12. Woo! Hoo! Come on stem cells!! Praise God for His grand design and wonderful creation!!!
A nurse practitioner came into my room this morning and said I would probably be discharged this afternoon. So soon?! Wow! Relax, this joy and jubilation was short-lived. Dr. Ayash arrived and said there was a disagreement between she & her colleagues, and the radiologist regarding what my 2 sets of X-rays showed. The radiologist insists the X-rays indicate the presence of pneumonia. Dr. Ayash and team don't see these indications reading the same X-rays. So, how to solve this professional dispute? I was scheduled for a CAT scan, the results of which will be available tomorrow. In any event, Dr. Ayash believes I'll be able to go home (to Colleen's) tomorrow. If pneumonia is present, I'll be released with an antibiotic to take. I have to return 3 days later anyway and another look can be taken if necessary. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion to this medical debate: Dr. "A" vs. The Radiologist. Who do you think is right?
Tomorrow: Exciting Day +12
Greg left early this morning for Colleen's because the pool man was scheduled to come open the pool between 9:30 and 10:00. Good thing he left shortly after 8:00. The pool guys were there at 9:35. Greg called and said the pool is open; is being filled; and the heater is on so it will be warm when Colleen arrives later this week.
In the meantime, two visitors arrived unannounced. Surprise! Surprise! My brother, Howie, and his wife, Audrey, drove up from Tennessee to say "Hi!" Greg knew they were coming but said nothing because they wanted to surprise me. Had a fun time talking with them for most of the day. They left mid-afternoon. Howie has to be to work tomorrow night. They picked a good day because I am feeling much better.
My numbers help explain why I am feeling good. My WBC: 2.2 (normal range starts at 3.5); Hemoglobin: 8.4 (a tick up); and Platelets: 12. Woo! Hoo! Come on stem cells!! Praise God for His grand design and wonderful creation!!!
A nurse practitioner came into my room this morning and said I would probably be discharged this afternoon. So soon?! Wow! Relax, this joy and jubilation was short-lived. Dr. Ayash arrived and said there was a disagreement between she & her colleagues, and the radiologist regarding what my 2 sets of X-rays showed. The radiologist insists the X-rays indicate the presence of pneumonia. Dr. Ayash and team don't see these indications reading the same X-rays. So, how to solve this professional dispute? I was scheduled for a CAT scan, the results of which will be available tomorrow. In any event, Dr. Ayash believes I'll be able to go home (to Colleen's) tomorrow. If pneumonia is present, I'll be released with an antibiotic to take. I have to return 3 days later anyway and another look can be taken if necessary. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion to this medical debate: Dr. "A" vs. The Radiologist. Who do you think is right?
Tomorrow: Exciting Day +12
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| Doing today what I love doing |
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| Feeling good working on my "Chemo" quilt |
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Day +10
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Today we celebrated two events. Number 1: my WBC continued going up. Praise the LORD! And Greg celebrated his 66th birthday. We even had a small party with ice cream and cake. Last week Sunday when good friends, Kathy and Bob visited, they brought with them a pound cake for the purpose of celebrating today. Then this morning my cousin Barb called and said she and her husband Keith were in Livonia visiting their daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and Guillermo and they wanted to come visit. We said certainly; we've love to have them. Upon arrival we broke out the cake and some ice cream cups which Louise had ordered with a few of her meals. A fun time was had by all.
My numbers for today: WBC: 0.5 (still going up!); Hemoglobin: 8.3 ( still above 8); and Platelets: 15 (after the infusion of yesterday). I did feel better today and walked 16 laps (1 mile). My biking was interrupted by our visitors so I only rode 2 kilometers instead of my planned 10. Sure felt good to be out and about for awhile. Only experienced one bout of nausea today. This should continually improve as my WBC climbs. I'm ascending out of the low, wet zone of the high wire to use Nik Wallenda and his Niagara Falls tight rope walk as an example. My strength and health should improve on a daily basis.
A second chest X-ray was ordered today as the first one taken earlier this week suggested something suspicious. The new X-ray showed a small amount of fluid in each lung, but not enough to have any affect on my heart or lungs. I have no temperature suggesting no infection and my lungs sound clear when the nurses listen with their stethoscopes. We'll wait and see what Dr. Ayash has to say when she visits tomorrow. I'm not worried; God is in control.
The third weekend is coming. And Dr. Ayash said this is the weekend when she becomes crabby. So we are looking forward to my being discharged this week, the LORD willing.
Next: Day +11
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