Cancer in check!

I came home Sunday, Kara brought Mom down after church and I waited so they could visit 1 1/2 hours.  Mom brought Snicker Doodles and Choc. Chip cookies for either Barb or caregivers could enjoy them.  It is a long 6 hour trip for her to come to visit such a short time but she is glad we are taking her.
I was going to go back Thurs to Mon but  My daughter's son had had the stomach bug starting last Thurs. but had gone back to school  on Mon. He was sent home because he supposedly had "D" and wasn't to return till clear 24 hours.  Both parents had business out of town, she  flew to  New York on Monday, and husband flew out to Pennsylvania Tues. morning. So I had Bryn Mon. & Dayse on Tues. He was fine until 3 and then he start complaining about his tummy to the point of hollering.  I ended up taking him to the hospital (since Dr. felt it might be an appendicitis) We were there until 9, the other grandmother came too.  (I didn't want my daughter to come home to a sick boy and it would be harder to take him late at night and have another child to keep up with) Grandpa took Bryn home, since we seem to going to be there a while.  The Dr. put an IV in and gave Dayse some ZoFran for nausea and a bag of fluid.  After X-rays, blood draw, and urine sample, they said it didn't look like appendix, but to keep him on liquids for 2 days and he could go back to school Fri.  They seem to think he had just not gotten over the stomach bug yet.   Sooooo all that to say I feel like I need to stay home for 48 hours to make sure I am not caring a bug to Barb.

On Monday They gave her platelets so that they could do another bone marrow biopsy.  When platelets are to low (hers @10) There is a danger of bleeding. With her stomach hurting so bad she just wasn't sure she could do it (lays on her stomach for the procedure).  They gave her morphine
first , this time it seem to help she didn't think it was too bad.  Then that afternoon they did another CT Scan to again look for the source of pain.  This time they saw a blockage in the small intestine, Options: all fluids including meds, take Go Lightly (like for a colonoscopy) or lastly surgery!  When the platelets are that low it is really not an option!  I pulled a skin tag off her lip when I got there last week (at her request) I thought she would bleed to death before I could get it to stop!  Ice in a wash cloth.  They think the fluids will cause her to pass the blockage.

Then on Wed. we got the word that the cancer is in check the counts of Accute Myloid Lukeimia went from 35% to 3-4%!  yea!!  Now the focus is on getting her well enough to come home and continue treatment here!  While she is having to receive blood and platelets every day she will not leave the hospital.  So Pray specifically that she can start to grow her own WBC RBC and Platelets and that the CRP continue to diminish.

Psalms 6: 2  Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.  (My whole body is in pain and needs your healing touch)

Psalms 30:2  O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

Praise God, we have a loving father who hears our cries and he is in control of our very being!  I am trusting in his will for Barb, and that we all are praying more and trusting and we all have our eyes on Him as he wants us to do!

Slow Saturday

It has been a quite day today.  Breakfast early, lunch way late -1:30!  Had a unit of platelets.  Weekend Dr. so no new information.  Pain still presist.  Barb is tired and hasn't wanted to walk just resting.  We are waiting for JJ to stop by as he is returning from AL heading home.  

After JJ left (5:30) we walked around the whole wing and then again after supper about 7 we did it again.  We saw nurse Grace she was so pleased to see Barb out and walking, said she loved her hair! Or lack of it!   We showed her B's fingers ( the whole 1st knuckle has peeled off!) she said to eat more protein and fats (cheese) I told her she wasn't eating much of anything! With the fluid she is so full she just doesn't eat more than 3 bites of meat, 1/4 cup potatoes, jello or some ice cream.  For breakfast she had 1/2 of her oatmeal! 

My daughter was concerned that I had taken Barb off the medicine That is not what I meant!  I just ask the Doctors questions that concerned me, they agreed and changed the meds.  So I hope you didn't think I was making these changes myself!

They just came to do vitals and says she has 100.3 temp!  How can that be when you take 2 antibiotics at all times!

John 14: 27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your Hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Making some changes

I have been making notes to talk to the Dr. concerning the confusion and the bloating so here is what we determined.

1. If she are not fully emptying her bladder maybe we don't need Oxybutin. (one that will deter the         bladder and control the spasms)
2. Since the growth factor shots, she has been in increasing pain!  She has gained 14 lbs since last Wed. when I left.  I pointed these 2 things out to Dr. and he immediately went to the Growth Factor type they are using, this is a side effect of that drug.  Therefore they are going to talk to Dr. Barlogie to see about going back to Neupogen  which she used during the Multiple Myloma and one they use at Highland Oncology at home.  So I ask could they find out before noon so they would not give her the one she is having now.  They stopped it immediately.
2. She was not so confused when I left a week ago so what is different that might cause that.  The Ditrapan was started Wed. and can cause confusion,  So lets stop that.
We will see hopefully by tomorrow if she is feeling less pressure.

We found a tech nurse yesterday who could shave her head.  The shedding hair was also driving her nuts.  No she is bald and beautiful!  She does have a perfect shape head for this look!

So now you are up to speed with all we know.
Barb appreciates all the prayers, cards, emails and thoughts that are being sent her way!

Psalms 46:1 - 2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea

Changing of the Care Taker!!!

I am back in Little Rock taking care of Sis.  I made a run for it at 7:15 this morning between Ice Storm Warnings!  Jim came with me as far as Russellville where he had a meeting.  The drive on into LR was so tense!  It was raining so hard I could hardly see!  I  stayed in the passing lane and kept my eyes on the white outside line and was watching for lights ahead of me, thank goodness there was lite traffic!  I arrived about 10:45 so stopped at Chick FilA and got us all three some lunch.  Barb ate 3 nuggets, the fruit cup, and 1/2 strawberry shake, that's probably one of the biggest meal she has had in a few days.  The weather still looks gloomy outside.
Wow what a difference a week makes in the life of a patient!  Everything has gone south!  The CT Scan did not show any blockage, but it showed a lot of fluid in her mid section.  They catheterized her and she is voiding again.  The pain is still pretty bad, they think she has a UTI but since she has had so much antibiotic a culture won't grow.  They put her on Ditrophan and then gave her Dialudid for the kidney spasms within 2 hours of each other  this combination seem to cause anxiety! She is picking at any thing like a crack on her thumb now does not have 1 layer of skin! I put socks on her to keep her from picking at her chapped hand.  Her lips are so raw from the chapping, licking, rubbing, and more lip protection.  I hate to see her this way ! I know it is the drugs!  She will be telling you something and just drop off to sleep, in about 2 minutes she opens her eyes and finishes the sentence.  She is very bloated and legs are swelling she seems to be retaining so much fluid and yet her skin is dry, her eyes are dry and her lips are very dry.  It seems like an oxymoron!

Please pray that they can find the source of pain in her abdomen and why she is not eliminating the fluids.  Pray for no blood clots and no pneumonia !

Matthew 11:28 - 30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

catch up time

I have been home for a few days and have not kept up the day to day activity in LR.   Barb is hanging in there! I admire her for all she has been through! Her counts (WBC RBC Platelets) have all bottom out, unfortunately her CRP (infection level) is back up. When she went into the hospital it was at 80 with the heavy antibiotics it went down to 5 (does not register below 5) but today it was back up to 60. They do not know why or where the infection is, so she is on heavy antibiotics again. She has been taking Growth factor shots to hopefully increase the productivity of her bone marrow therefore boosting the WBC and other counts.  But in the mean time she is getting platelets every other day and had a unit of blood yesterday.

Sheroll is with her right now and I will go back down Thursday. She plans to take Barb down to the wig shop today (inside hospital) to have her head shaved and get another wig. She is weak and wasn't sure she would be able to go, but her hair is coming out and that is nerve racking, hair everywhere!

Sheroll reported that she has been having some stomach pain so they plan to do a CT Scanlooking for what that might be.  They have waited all day and finally has had it (7pm) So no wig today!

She is not eating well, mainly only eating breakfast, but I have seen the food she has to eat and that would help anyone go on a diet.  I have lost a couple of pounds while I am down there!  

Psalms 29: 11   The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Day one of Recovery

We are waiting for change over in caregiving.  KK is on her way down, she is leaving Fayetteville at 9 am and then I will head home again.  Barb is not feeling good today, a little nausea, maybe other issues.  They gave her some Zofran for the nausea. Pray that the meds will work and keep the nausea at bay.  She got her platelets yesterday around 4 and today she is getting blood, they just started it.


The nurses are very good on this floor.  The nurses from Ireland are so fun!  We love listening to their dialect!  The one we have had for the last 2 nights has reservations 2 weeks from Monday to take a cruise on the cripple ship floating in the gulf!  It is fun to tease her about her ship!    She has called but does not get anyone to tell her the plan!  The thing is, when you schedule a vacation at work it doesn't change because your plans don't work out! So we hope they replace the ship with an upgrade!

Barb has been able to FaceTime with the grand-babies back home and that is precious to her!      

Prayer request today would be that the nausea does not get worse and that the meds will keep it in check!  That she feels good while KK is here and they have a great time together.   Also for safe travel time for all of us as we go back and forth.

Genesis 28: 15 MSG   " Yes, I'll stay with you, I'll protect you wherever you go, and I'll bring you back to this very ground. (to a healthy state) I'll stick with you until I've done everything I promised you." 

Last Day of Chemo!

Wow God is so good!  Sis has done real well with the treatment so far!  My prayer is that God will wrap His Love around her like a snug cocoon of protection during the next week!  Her WBC are at 0.12 and Platelets 18 and others falling as expected.  She will get platelets today since they are to be above 20.  She is getting more and more tired.  The walks continue but less times around and some stops on the way.

Today we had some good Pizza and home made salad with great salad dressings made fresh by Pizza D'Action.  It was donated by the owners for F7 Bone Marrow Patients & Family.  The  Cruise Director (activity director) has been planning, decorating, and encourageing us to celebrate  " Mardi Gras"!  complete with beads and games.

It is a good thing that we had the pizza because lunch is still not here!  The Food here is in transition and not very good as of late!  Barb had enjoyed some of the meals, but since they reworked the kitchen it is rarely on time and very rarely tasty.

1Chronicles 16: 34-35 NIV84   Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his loves endures forever.  Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us(me) from the (cancer) nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise."  MSG verse 36 Then everybody said, "Yes! Amen!" and "Praise God!"

Back in Little Rock

Well it is Sunday evening and I am back in Little Rock.  Barb is really doing well.  She will finish the 7 day Chemo Tues. evening.  She has had one unit of platelets and probably won't need more till Tues.  She looks great and is in good spirits.  When I got here we did her exercises,  (me too, and I can feel the stretch as much as she does! )  Even though they are simple ones,  like leg lifts sitting and standing,  toe curls and tip toe calf  stretch.  I had brought my EHC "Strong Women" exercises for us to do, then the physical therapy guy brought a pamphlet by that was very similar.  She also walks 3 and 4 times per day making large circles around the floor.  She is prone to blood clots so it is very important to keep moving.  I know our cousin Angie will be proud us!!!!

I ask that you pray for continue strength, energy, and encouragement!   As her blood counts fall into the  negative side pray she will not get too sick, that God will sustain her through this as only He can!

Psalm 119:116 NLT      LORD, Sustain me as you promised, that I may live!  Do not let my hope be crushed.

Day 3 of Chemo

Today Sis finished one of her Chemo (the 3 day 1 hour strong one) She was feeling ok.  We washed her hair and fixed it today because she had company and I came home for the weekend.  Larry brought mom down to see Barb.   It was a good visit but sad when we all left and it was just her and Clay.

Pray that she will be able to keep up the strength God has given her so far!  She is a very strong lady, I admire her so much!  She probably will start having platelets given to her tomorrow as her count will be below 20.

Praises for all the safe travel today to and from Little Rock and Pray for safe travel on Sunday for the next change of care givers.

Psalms 105:1 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.  Let the whole world know what he has done.

Jesus is Calling

Thank you Rick (Small group leader at Cross Church ) for sugguesting the devotional book "Jesus is Calling"!  Wow it is like Jesus wrote it to my Sis this week!  If you have it read Feb. 6 & 7!!!and think of a sick person!
If you do not own this book, there is a Free App on your smart phones!  just search "Jesus is Calling" you can even set a reminder to read it same time everyday!
Enjoy!

Day 2 of Chemo

It is a cloudy day in Little Rock, but sunny in our room with attitude!  After a good night sleep, we got up got dressed, had a salon by Candes morning! And waited: 1. for medicine ( sweet informative nurse),2. doctor to come in he said she was doing good - her counts are dropping. They are suppose to but when they are all the way down she will be weak and very possibly sick.  3. Then we waited for house keeping then it was time for lunch and it was late! so it has been a hurry up and wait day!!

We went to the floor social that happens every day at 2.  All of  the Multiple Myeloma patients are on this floor.   We had root beer floats and played bingo.  Sis won two times!  We will get out as much possible  while we can.  

Please pray for her strength that she will only be weak and that the sickness is more nausea than stomach issues!
Psalm 31: 19 oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you,

started Chemo

Its Wednesday morning and we are up and have had breakfast (cereal for both of us and then they brought her breakfast at 8:45 and pretty cold)

About 9:30 last night they came in with  the 24 hour drip of chemo and a 1 hour drip of another chemo (the 3 day 1 hour one), so we begin!  The Doctor has been in today and says she already responding, her counts are dropping.  He said it is ok that she eat some fresh fruit only because alot of people are malnourished  due to what is offered here.  Yesterday she had boiled okra! She didn't eat it but that is the point, the patients do not get the needed fruits and vegetables unless they can have fresh fruit and salads.  They tell us they are washed as required at UAMS, but not to only eat the fresh things.  When you are neutropenic you can not have fresh fruits or vegetable, no fresh flowers, limited visitors ( they could be carring a bug, she has to wear a mask to be safe) They said they do not allow any flowers in the hospital!  Boy thats hard on the florist around town!

Her address while here is:  (Just enter her name on top then)  
UAMS  Room F722
4301West Markham St.
Little Rock, AR  72205
 
Psalm 27: 1,3  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Though an army (illness) should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war (Cancer/Chemo)  arise against me, yet I will be confident.

I'm in Little Rock

Well it took a while to get here, but I arrived safely!  It took me 45 minutes to get from Maumelle exit on I40. to the hospital,  a normal 15 minute drive.

I did get here in time to hear what the plan is from the Doctor, that was my goal!  We were very disappointed to hear that it is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) but we now know what it is and what the treatment will be.  She is ready to get started so life can move on!  So she will have a 7day 24 hour per day drip of chemo with a piggy back (3 day) secondary chemo during the 7 days.  She will become very weak and neutropenic , at that point we will wait for the counts to move back up.  If they do not come back up at a good speed they will give her her some of her own stem cells that were harvested 3 years ago when she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.

 Psalm 105 :4 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Monday

I have been busy tonight trying to get packed for my trip to Little Rock to stay with my sister for the rest of the week.  She seems in good spirits when I talk to her and I know she is strong and wants to move on with what ever is next for her.  I am anxious to get there - see her and hear what the Doctors have planned for her treatment.

 Pray for safe travel for our family, her daughter will be coming home as I take her place staying, her husband will be traveling down and back tomorrow so that he will be there when Dr. come in with the plan and then of course, me, leaving around 6am!!! early for me!!! 

Phillippieans 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

Sunday

What  great services these past two weeks we have had!  Great reminders of what we are to do in life! Prayer - we are to have a life centered on conversation with our Holy God!
And have we ever lately, in concern for my sis! Some have prayed for the Doctors to be baffled!  And they are - all I have mentioned that she has in this blog before now is in question!  She does have an infection, in fact the count was at 80 when she entered, today it was 7.? when it is at 5 they said it would not register and she could start treatment.  However, the Doctors are re-looking at everything!  Does she really have Acute Myloid Leukemia?  As I have prayed all week that God would take control of the disease.  I pray that is what is happening.  2Kings 20:5  This is what the Lord the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears: I will heal you.