Good morning, it is for me because I slept in my own bed last night wedged between my dear Sarah and Nathan. Nothing like that to boost the spirits. I got home last night around 6:30 to my kids happy and my brother and my sister in law who had dinner on the table for me. I can't tell everyone how much it means to me the help you are giving us during this time.
Now for the important stuff. Yesterday, Jim's day pretty much sucked. No better way to put it or positive way to spin it. He was pretty miserable. His doctors say he may have a week of this misery before it gets better. It may even get worse. But, he is doing as expected and it WILL get better. I keep reminding him that. He is not having any major problems but he just describes it has his regular Chemo he had before times 100. I talked to him last night before bed and he didn't really want to talk, just sleep.
This morning I have not been able to reach him. I hope that means he is up and in the shower. I will be going back to the hospital as soon as I get cleaned up. My sister in law (really just my sister) will be up to the house today and my nephew will come and spend the night tomorrow night with the kids. We are going to bring the kids down for a short visit tomorrow. Hopefully that will boost Jim's spirit. As bad as he feels, he really misses them. Also, my dear sweet mother (who just broke her hip 2 months ago) is going to make the 5 hour drive from St. George on Monday to come and coddle her grandchildren. I am grateful and they are excited.
Well, that is the scoop. I will check in tomorrow.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Day 3
Yesterday, Jim felt pretty yucky but made it through the day. The Chemo is definitely catching up with him.
Today, Jim is feeling pretty bad. His white count is down to 0.3 and he is now on neutropenic precautions, which means we have to be extra careful he doesn't get sick. He has developed some sores in his mouth and is having trouble eating. As bad as that sounds, it is typical and was expected. I am sure he will have a few more days like this before it goes up. I just keep reminding him how good he is going to feel when this is all over. Sometimes it takes the bad to really appreciate the good. He is pushing through like always though. He even took a small walk in the halls and is taking his shower. Now he just has to put in his time and wait this thing out.
Today, I have to go home for the night. I haven't been home for 3 days and it is taking its toll on the kids. I feel so conflicted about leaving him and leaving them. That is the hardest part for me is juggling myself between them. Spencer is as scout camp and Sarah and Nate have been staying at a dear friends. Nate was feeling a little home sick though, so I think it will be good to have a night to cuddle with him.
Keep up the prayers. We need them.
Today, Jim is feeling pretty bad. His white count is down to 0.3 and he is now on neutropenic precautions, which means we have to be extra careful he doesn't get sick. He has developed some sores in his mouth and is having trouble eating. As bad as that sounds, it is typical and was expected. I am sure he will have a few more days like this before it goes up. I just keep reminding him how good he is going to feel when this is all over. Sometimes it takes the bad to really appreciate the good. He is pushing through like always though. He even took a small walk in the halls and is taking his shower. Now he just has to put in his time and wait this thing out.
Today, I have to go home for the night. I haven't been home for 3 days and it is taking its toll on the kids. I feel so conflicted about leaving him and leaving them. That is the hardest part for me is juggling myself between them. Spencer is as scout camp and Sarah and Nate have been staying at a dear friends. Nate was feeling a little home sick though, so I think it will be good to have a night to cuddle with him.
Keep up the prayers. We need them.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Day 2
Yesterday was a pretty non-eventful day. Jim got 8 more bags of stem cells. Now we are done with that part. He pretty much slept the day away.
This morning was a slow start. Not feeling so great today. Blood counts are definitely dropping. Energy and motivation are down the toilet now. So, now we just wait for the counts to drop to nothing, hope he doesn't have any complications and wait for the counts to come back up.
Jim still smells like tomatoes today. My brother was here last night and said that if we just had a hot plate in the corner with some tomato soup cooking on it, the smell wouldn't seem so strange. Nedra, Jim's sister couldn't smell it at all. That's because Jim is the youngest and he will always be the perfect little baby brother in the family. Can't even stink.
Kids are good. Spencer left on a young mens repelling camp out with our church. Funny thing. My mom in St. George got a text message from Spence saying "I'm leaving." She didn't know he was going to camp and just thought he was fed up with this whole situation and was leaving. She of course quickly called him and he put her mind at ease. So, I am glad he gets a break though.
Well, that is my exciting update. Thanks for tuning in.
This morning was a slow start. Not feeling so great today. Blood counts are definitely dropping. Energy and motivation are down the toilet now. So, now we just wait for the counts to drop to nothing, hope he doesn't have any complications and wait for the counts to come back up.
Jim still smells like tomatoes today. My brother was here last night and said that if we just had a hot plate in the corner with some tomato soup cooking on it, the smell wouldn't seem so strange. Nedra, Jim's sister couldn't smell it at all. That's because Jim is the youngest and he will always be the perfect little baby brother in the family. Can't even stink.
Kids are good. Spencer left on a young mens repelling camp out with our church. Funny thing. My mom in St. George got a text message from Spence saying "I'm leaving." She didn't know he was going to camp and just thought he was fed up with this whole situation and was leaving. She of course quickly called him and he put her mind at ease. So, I am glad he gets a break though.
Well, that is my exciting update. Thanks for tuning in.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Day 1
Jim did very well yesterday. He got in 8 bags of stem cells. They medicated him really well so he was pretty sleepy and slept through much of it. The preservatives that they use to store the cells breaks down and smells very bad. There is much debate about what it smells like. Some say creamed corn. I think it smells like sweet tomatoes, but not in a good way. It sweats out through his pores so he should smell like this (stink) for a couple of days. The preservative is poweful stuff. While the stem cells were infusing Brendan had an allergic reaction. Apparently that is not uncommon. There are some nurses that cannot even work the floor while they are infusing. Brendans throat started closing up and he was having trouble swallowing. A dose of Benadryl took care of it. So, during the transfusion, I was splitting my time between Jim's room and the ER. Needless to say, Bren will not be coming around for a few days now.
The reason they call this day 1 is because it is the first day after transplant. That is a very important thing around here, what day you are on. Everybody knows what day you are. The first 30 days are the most crucial, but you are on watch for about 100 days. Around day 7 - 14 is when they anticipate blood counts dropping and possiple problems. Most people end up getting blood transfusions during that time and alot develope infections. So now, is watch and wait. After everthing drops, that is when they hope the stem cells start doing their job.
This morning Jim woke and took his walk around the unit. He is showering now. On the agenda today, 8 more bags of stem cells and then we are done with that part.
Kids are doing well. Spencer thinks he is Dad and Mom combined. He has quite the routine every day. He gets to go to camp for a few days, so I am glad he will get a break. As always, keep praying. We certainly feel your prayers.
Have a great day!
The reason they call this day 1 is because it is the first day after transplant. That is a very important thing around here, what day you are on. Everybody knows what day you are. The first 30 days are the most crucial, but you are on watch for about 100 days. Around day 7 - 14 is when they anticipate blood counts dropping and possiple problems. Most people end up getting blood transfusions during that time and alot develope infections. So now, is watch and wait. After everthing drops, that is when they hope the stem cells start doing their job.
This morning Jim woke and took his walk around the unit. He is showering now. On the agenda today, 8 more bags of stem cells and then we are done with that part.
Kids are doing well. Spencer thinks he is Dad and Mom combined. He has quite the routine every day. He gets to go to camp for a few days, so I am glad he will get a break. As always, keep praying. We certainly feel your prayers.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Day Zero - stem cell day
Good Morning;
One week down. Yea!
Yesterday Jim had a non eventful day. Non eventful around here is good. I got back to the hospital around 6:00 PM. Hopefully got the kids settled for another couple of days. When I got here to the hospital Jim had started another round of violent hiccups. If you recall, a couple of days ago he had them for a day and a half. He also was a little nervous about today. We said a prayer together before bed. He prayed that his hiccups would go away and he would be comforted about today and rest well. I kid you not, after he said Amen, there was not one other hiccup. Wow, what a testimony about faith and prayer. A Miracle!
Today, Jim gets 8 bags of stem cells. Tomorrow he gets 8 more. It is just like getting a blood transfusion but the preservatives they use to store the cells can cause havoc while you are getting them. They will keep Jim pretty drugged today in order to prevent reaction. so, here we go.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support. The comments on the blog are amazing.
One week down. Yea!
Yesterday Jim had a non eventful day. Non eventful around here is good. I got back to the hospital around 6:00 PM. Hopefully got the kids settled for another couple of days. When I got here to the hospital Jim had started another round of violent hiccups. If you recall, a couple of days ago he had them for a day and a half. He also was a little nervous about today. We said a prayer together before bed. He prayed that his hiccups would go away and he would be comforted about today and rest well. I kid you not, after he said Amen, there was not one other hiccup. Wow, what a testimony about faith and prayer. A Miracle!
Today, Jim gets 8 bags of stem cells. Tomorrow he gets 8 more. It is just like getting a blood transfusion but the preservatives they use to store the cells can cause havoc while you are getting them. They will keep Jim pretty drugged today in order to prevent reaction. so, here we go.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support. The comments on the blog are amazing.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 16
Good late morning,
Yesterday was a great day for Jim. He was feeling well. He had his last chemo and tolerated it well. His blood counts were maintaining yesterday so I lobbied for him to get a walk outside. He hadn't seen the sun since Monday so he said it was surreal. He had to wear his "costume" of course so the only thing that was exposed was his bald head, but none the less he enjoyed it. He actually went out twice.
The kids came up after dinner and had a Fathers Day celebration. They got to walk outside with their dad. It was very nice because it was just our family so the kids each took turns laying in bed with Jim. There was no x-box, just cross word puzzles and lots of loves.
I went home with the kids last night and will be going back today. I have a new found respect for my bed at home. Jim called me this morning and said he was doing well. On the agenda today; Nothing! It is a day for the toxins to leave his body and then he gets his stem cells tomorrow. They call tomorrow "day zero" or his "new birthday." He will be 2 days short of his dads birthday. He thought that would be cool to have it the same day, but not cool enough to wait 2 days.
Thanks so much for all of the sweet comments that are left on the blog. It does Jim's heart good.
Yesterday was a great day for Jim. He was feeling well. He had his last chemo and tolerated it well. His blood counts were maintaining yesterday so I lobbied for him to get a walk outside. He hadn't seen the sun since Monday so he said it was surreal. He had to wear his "costume" of course so the only thing that was exposed was his bald head, but none the less he enjoyed it. He actually went out twice.
The kids came up after dinner and had a Fathers Day celebration. They got to walk outside with their dad. It was very nice because it was just our family so the kids each took turns laying in bed with Jim. There was no x-box, just cross word puzzles and lots of loves.
I went home with the kids last night and will be going back today. I have a new found respect for my bed at home. Jim called me this morning and said he was doing well. On the agenda today; Nothing! It is a day for the toxins to leave his body and then he gets his stem cells tomorrow. They call tomorrow "day zero" or his "new birthday." He will be 2 days short of his dads birthday. He thought that would be cool to have it the same day, but not cool enough to wait 2 days.
Thanks so much for all of the sweet comments that are left on the blog. It does Jim's heart good.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday, June 15
Good Morning and Happy Fathers Day.
Yesterday, Jim felt a little "funky" as he calls it. He had not slept well the night before and his energy was way down. He started getting nausea medicine before meals though so that helped. He rested alot yesterday.
Today, he woke feeling pretty good. He slept well last night. I asked him since it was Fathers Day if he would like breakfast in bed (ha ha). Instead he had his breakfast in the lazy boy. We went on a hall walk this morning. That actually is really good because there are some nice big windows he can look out when he walks. I think looking outside is good for his soul. His room window has a lovely view of the side of the building. Right now he is riding the exercise bike in his room. He said he will probably only last about ten seconds but he has already done more than that.
On the agenda today. His last chemo. Hopefully that will be his last for several years. Also, the kids will be visiting after church so we can have a little Fathers Day celebration.
The kids and I are doing well. I took a long (too long) walk yesterday around city creek canyon. It was great to be out in the sunshine. I feel a little guilty when I go out though because I guess I think I need to suffer "the cave " along with Jim. I know it is better though if I can keep myself physically and mentally healthy. I won't be much good to Jim if I am not. So, that is how I rationalize going outside. The kids have had Jim's sister with them all weekend, so I know that is a great break for them. She plays with them and they got to go swimming yesterday and be kids. I am grateful.
Have a great Fathers Day!
Yesterday, Jim felt a little "funky" as he calls it. He had not slept well the night before and his energy was way down. He started getting nausea medicine before meals though so that helped. He rested alot yesterday.
Today, he woke feeling pretty good. He slept well last night. I asked him since it was Fathers Day if he would like breakfast in bed (ha ha). Instead he had his breakfast in the lazy boy. We went on a hall walk this morning. That actually is really good because there are some nice big windows he can look out when he walks. I think looking outside is good for his soul. His room window has a lovely view of the side of the building. Right now he is riding the exercise bike in his room. He said he will probably only last about ten seconds but he has already done more than that.
On the agenda today. His last chemo. Hopefully that will be his last for several years. Also, the kids will be visiting after church so we can have a little Fathers Day celebration.
The kids and I are doing well. I took a long (too long) walk yesterday around city creek canyon. It was great to be out in the sunshine. I feel a little guilty when I go out though because I guess I think I need to suffer "the cave " along with Jim. I know it is better though if I can keep myself physically and mentally healthy. I won't be much good to Jim if I am not. So, that is how I rationalize going outside. The kids have had Jim's sister with them all weekend, so I know that is a great break for them. She plays with them and they got to go swimming yesterday and be kids. I am grateful.
Have a great Fathers Day!
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