3 years ago
Monday, June 30, 2008
There is no place like home
We are all home where we should be. David has an appointment each day either at the oncologists' office or at the hospital (on holidays or weekends) to get neupogen shots. Also, he has a follow up appt. with the thoracic surgeon and with the oncologists on July 11. Hope we can STAY home until the next treatment in 3 or 4 weeks. Keep praying! I have a dear friend who told me that her kids will be praying "Please help Mr. David fight his cancer just as the Jedi Knights and Rebels had to keep fighting Darth Vadar and the Emperor!" What a great way to look at this!! Until next time.....
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Hopeful!!!
The nurse last night said David's cough sounded better. (See, I call the nurses' station at about midnight or 12:30 and see how he is doing, I am such a pest!) The nurses are SO awesome!! We have our favorites, most definitely, but they are all such special and warm men and women!!
Today, after church, we all went over to the hospital area and Eli, Max and Tena went to Brown Park next to the hospital, and then Davey and I went to see David. The boys were glad to see each other! Davey had a snack and we hung out for about an hour. Then we went back to the park for a bit, went to lunch and home for naps for little boys. I went back up for a few hours before dinner. Sitting in the hospital room on David's couch with his arm around me, it reminded us of our first date, looking at the glow in the dark stars on his dorm room ceiling, but that is another story for another day, for those of you who are not already familiar with the tale of the never ending first date. I got home about 5:30, and after dinner (we bribed the boys... no, not bribed, just "motivated" them) we walked over to a local custard place for a treat. I figure the only real way to justify frozen custard is if you walk to get it!
The doctors are continuing to plan on eliminating any IV meds (maybe tomorrow) so David can come home (MAYBE TOMORROW!!!). We wait and see.
As many of you know, after previous chemo treatments, David has ended up running a fever and had to go back to the ER and getting re-admitted. So, we will watch his breathing to ensure he is not in distress and take his temperature each night, as instructed. If it goes up, to the ER we will go...
We did get some more food for thought regarding the BMT (bone marrow transplant- same as a stem cell transplant). We have been approved to go to either U of L or Vanderbilt, so we need to decide whether we want to stay close to home, so Davey can continue school as usual (although, one friend said, "It's not like he will struggle if he missed some school!") and we can go about as much of "normal life" as possible during that month or so. Our favorite oncologist did his training at Vandy, so he speaks very highly of their transplant staff. Like I said, food for thought.
I leave you with this quote...
Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.
Today, after church, we all went over to the hospital area and Eli, Max and Tena went to Brown Park next to the hospital, and then Davey and I went to see David. The boys were glad to see each other! Davey had a snack and we hung out for about an hour. Then we went back to the park for a bit, went to lunch and home for naps for little boys. I went back up for a few hours before dinner. Sitting in the hospital room on David's couch with his arm around me, it reminded us of our first date, looking at the glow in the dark stars on his dorm room ceiling, but that is another story for another day, for those of you who are not already familiar with the tale of the never ending first date. I got home about 5:30, and after dinner (we bribed the boys... no, not bribed, just "motivated" them) we walked over to a local custard place for a treat. I figure the only real way to justify frozen custard is if you walk to get it!
The doctors are continuing to plan on eliminating any IV meds (maybe tomorrow) so David can come home (MAYBE TOMORROW!!!). We wait and see.
As many of you know, after previous chemo treatments, David has ended up running a fever and had to go back to the ER and getting re-admitted. So, we will watch his breathing to ensure he is not in distress and take his temperature each night, as instructed. If it goes up, to the ER we will go...
We did get some more food for thought regarding the BMT (bone marrow transplant- same as a stem cell transplant). We have been approved to go to either U of L or Vanderbilt, so we need to decide whether we want to stay close to home, so Davey can continue school as usual (although, one friend said, "It's not like he will struggle if he missed some school!") and we can go about as much of "normal life" as possible during that month or so. Our favorite oncologist did his training at Vandy, so he speaks very highly of their transplant staff. Like I said, food for thought.
I leave you with this quote...
Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
My Barky Husband
David's cough today seems to be getting better, although it still sounds like the barky croupy cough kids get sometimes. You know, the kind of cough you hear and think of the seals at SeaWorld...
He has had several people from work come visit. What a blessing that people are taking time out to visit and call. He's enjoying seeing everyone and knowing the latest.
His pulminologist, Dr. Ramaswamy, who has such great bedside manner, said he is "not concerned like he was a couple days ago," although he wants to leave the helium/oxygen mix in a missile looking tank in David's room, just in case he has trouble breathing. David says it makes him sound like Donald Duck. His blood counts are doing well. His WBC was 30,000 (normal is 4000- 10,000). Obviously, the meds are working in the way of increasing his WBC. He's really only on one medication, one antibiotic and if he can begin taking those orally rather than intravenously he'll be able to come home!
The boys are doing well. Davey went to a birthday party today and then was playing at a friend's house until late, so he has been distracted from the "Daddy isn't home" situation. Max is continuing to be entertained by "Aunt" Tena and Eli. Tena and I are realizing how stressed we would be if we had 3 children. All of you with more than two kids are amazing! Who knew that adding just one more kid to the mix would be so much more work - and more love, of course.
Tena and Eli are staying until NEXT Saturday, instead of the original plan of leaving today. I am hoping to take Davey to see Wall-E next week. Anyone seen it yet??
Please leave messages/comments and don't forget to vote in the poll!!
Keep praying!
He has had several people from work come visit. What a blessing that people are taking time out to visit and call. He's enjoying seeing everyone and knowing the latest.
His pulminologist, Dr. Ramaswamy, who has such great bedside manner, said he is "not concerned like he was a couple days ago," although he wants to leave the helium/oxygen mix in a missile looking tank in David's room, just in case he has trouble breathing. David says it makes him sound like Donald Duck. His blood counts are doing well. His WBC was 30,000 (normal is 4000- 10,000). Obviously, the meds are working in the way of increasing his WBC. He's really only on one medication, one antibiotic and if he can begin taking those orally rather than intravenously he'll be able to come home!
The boys are doing well. Davey went to a birthday party today and then was playing at a friend's house until late, so he has been distracted from the "Daddy isn't home" situation. Max is continuing to be entertained by "Aunt" Tena and Eli. Tena and I are realizing how stressed we would be if we had 3 children. All of you with more than two kids are amazing! Who knew that adding just one more kid to the mix would be so much more work - and more love, of course.
Tena and Eli are staying until NEXT Saturday, instead of the original plan of leaving today. I am hoping to take Davey to see Wall-E next week. Anyone seen it yet??
Please leave messages/comments and don't forget to vote in the poll!!
Keep praying!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lymphoma - Take 2
Since March when the PET scan and CT scans indicated there was no Cancer, we believed we were over the hurdle and were looking forward to the next months of continued health for David.
In May, we celebrated David's Cancer-Free Status with 98 people at the Louisville Bats game. The afternoon was perfect and the Bats even won! Go Bats!
David had a cough that was being treated with antibiotics when we went on our annual trip to the beach in Florida with my parents, my brother/his wife/their son and our two boys two weeks ago. Upon our return, David went in for another PET scan and CT scan. The next day, he met with his oncologist (the amazing Dr. John Huber) to review the results.
That afternoon, David called me to let me know that his Cancer had returned. I was having a regular day with Davey and Max and he called my cell to let me know this latest bit of news. What devastation.
I quickly called my parents and requested them to come and went home to David. We dropped off the boys at our friends' house and drove David to Baptist East.
The next day, the biopsy was done and they inserted chest tubes. Since then, the doctors have gotten pathology reports and determined the course of action needed.
We expect 2-3 rounds of chemo, each taking up to 4 days - David will need to be inpatient for these. (Not necessarily impatient, however, no guarantees, of course!) Following those, more scans, more pathology reports and a bone marrow transplant utilizing his own marrow.
This will most likely be done at Vanderbilt - depending on where our insurance company authorizes these treatments.
Right now, David is doing fine with this new treatment. His breathing is difficult when he tries to talk. The good news is that the respiratory therapist has stopped treatments because the problem isn't with his lungs but with his trachea. The tumor is putting pressure on part of his trachea which makes it difficult for him to breathe. Now before you think that he isn't getting enough oxygen to his brain, let me assure you that his sense of humor and, therefore, his pulse oxygen levels are still at their highest levels!
We are so blessed to have many people praying for us and helping us through this. My parents were able to stay until the weekend to help with the boys and with my sanity. Also, the Mom's group from church will be bringing meals each Tuesday and Thursday through the first week of September. Husbands of the Mom's group will be mowing our yard every Saturday. David's co-workers/work friends have been so generous to also provide meals for the freezer and grocery store gift cards. Jennifer Straub did some covert duties at the house this weekend and then made a trip to the airport. Our friend, Tena and her adorable one year old son, Eli, have been in town this week (from Texas) and has been keeping the boys in the afternoons so I can spend time at the hospital with David. Numerous people have called, sent cards and emails offering to help in other ways. I'm sure I've forgotten someone or something so please forgive me!
We feel confident that this is just another bump in the road and that God will see us through. I will update as time allows - or whenever Tena can take dictation by phone!
In May, we celebrated David's Cancer-Free Status with 98 people at the Louisville Bats game. The afternoon was perfect and the Bats even won! Go Bats!
David had a cough that was being treated with antibiotics when we went on our annual trip to the beach in Florida with my parents, my brother/his wife/their son and our two boys two weeks ago. Upon our return, David went in for another PET scan and CT scan. The next day, he met with his oncologist (the amazing Dr. John Huber) to review the results.
That afternoon, David called me to let me know that his Cancer had returned. I was having a regular day with Davey and Max and he called my cell to let me know this latest bit of news. What devastation.
I quickly called my parents and requested them to come and went home to David. We dropped off the boys at our friends' house and drove David to Baptist East.
The next day, the biopsy was done and they inserted chest tubes. Since then, the doctors have gotten pathology reports and determined the course of action needed.
We expect 2-3 rounds of chemo, each taking up to 4 days - David will need to be inpatient for these. (Not necessarily impatient, however, no guarantees, of course!) Following those, more scans, more pathology reports and a bone marrow transplant utilizing his own marrow.
This will most likely be done at Vanderbilt - depending on where our insurance company authorizes these treatments.
Right now, David is doing fine with this new treatment. His breathing is difficult when he tries to talk. The good news is that the respiratory therapist has stopped treatments because the problem isn't with his lungs but with his trachea. The tumor is putting pressure on part of his trachea which makes it difficult for him to breathe. Now before you think that he isn't getting enough oxygen to his brain, let me assure you that his sense of humor and, therefore, his pulse oxygen levels are still at their highest levels!
We are so blessed to have many people praying for us and helping us through this. My parents were able to stay until the weekend to help with the boys and with my sanity. Also, the Mom's group from church will be bringing meals each Tuesday and Thursday through the first week of September. Husbands of the Mom's group will be mowing our yard every Saturday. David's co-workers/work friends have been so generous to also provide meals for the freezer and grocery store gift cards. Jennifer Straub did some covert duties at the house this weekend and then made a trip to the airport. Our friend, Tena and her adorable one year old son, Eli, have been in town this week (from Texas) and has been keeping the boys in the afternoons so I can spend time at the hospital with David. Numerous people have called, sent cards and emails offering to help in other ways. I'm sure I've forgotten someone or something so please forgive me!
We feel confident that this is just another bump in the road and that God will see us through. I will update as time allows - or whenever Tena can take dictation by phone!
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