Most of Terry's hair came out today. This has happened once before due to chemo. She is not her hair! With or without her hair, she is beautiful.
Her numbers are starting to come up! YEAH!!!! Dr. Mineishi told Terry that he hopes to send her home sometime this week. DOUBLE YEAH!!! She did get two units of blood and a unit of platelets to help boost those numbers.
Chuck and Caroal Philpot stopped by in the afternoon. We have known these wonderful people for many years but hadn't seen each other for 5-6 years. What a wonderful visit.
Pat and Cindi Kelly came by later in the evening. More good friends. We had a terrific visit with them. Friends are hard to come by and we have to try to see each other more often.
The past few days the UM hospital had a slew of TV trucks parked outside. The guy who "allegedly" tried to blow up a plane over Detroit was a guest of the burn unit. He has since been transferred to a federal prison just south of Ann Arbor. Cops, FBI, hospital security were all over the place. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
12/27/09
CHRISTMAS PLUS 1 = DAY 11
It was a very good day. Terry's numbers remain low and she may have to have a transfusion tomorrow if they don't start to go up. However Dr. Mineishi told her she is right where he thought she would be at this time and if things continue as expected she will probably go home next week. The house is empty without Terry being there. The other really good sign is that Terry started increased her walking and she stayed awake most of the day. I am taking those as early signs of her getting better and ultimate engraftment.
12/26/09
CHRISTMAS (DAY 9)
Terry's temperature is in control and that is a really good thing. Her first blood culture doesn't show any signs of infection. THANK GOD.
She slept most of the day until the evening when Karen and Anissa got in from their drive from Tennessee. Their arrival and the fact that our small clan was all together was the shining star on the tree. Terry beamed and talked it up as only a mother/daughter combination can do. However after two hours of talking and exchanging a few presents Terry got tired and we called it a night. Terry radiated during the day, when she was awake, in anticipation of the visit. We all laughed, cried and reminisced during the visit.
It was a wonderful and blessed CHRISTmas. Happy birthday Jesus and thank you for today.
She slept most of the day until the evening when Karen and Anissa got in from their drive from Tennessee. Their arrival and the fact that our small clan was all together was the shining star on the tree. Terry beamed and talked it up as only a mother/daughter combination can do. However after two hours of talking and exchanging a few presents Terry got tired and we called it a night. Terry radiated during the day, when she was awake, in anticipation of the visit. We all laughed, cried and reminisced during the visit.
It was a wonderful and blessed CHRISTmas. Happy birthday Jesus and thank you for today.
12/24/09
WEEK 2 - DAY 8
Her numbers continue to fall with one major exception - her temperature. Once her temp hit 100.4 the team went into action. They need to rule out any possible infection. Blood cultures, urine cultures, antibiotic given and a chest x-ray all were done within 1 hour of the elevated temperature. Now we wait for the results.
Today was a very tired day for Terry. She did get 6 laps of the ward accompanied by our son Jim. It is nice to see that moose protecting his Mom.
This is the first Christmas season that Terry hasn't been with her Mom. I have decided that there wasn't a 2009 for us, we are going to go from 2008 right to 2010 and pick it up the way it was in 2008. This cancer thing sucks but she will beat it with the grace of God and all of the prayers being sent on behalf of her getting better. Thanks to all of you for being there for Terry.
Today was a very tired day for Terry. She did get 6 laps of the ward accompanied by our son Jim. It is nice to see that moose protecting his Mom.
This is the first Christmas season that Terry hasn't been with her Mom. I have decided that there wasn't a 2009 for us, we are going to go from 2008 right to 2010 and pick it up the way it was in 2008. This cancer thing sucks but she will beat it with the grace of God and all of the prayers being sent on behalf of her getting better. Thanks to all of you for being there for Terry.
WEEK 1-DAY 7
Hopefully week 1 went out like a lion and week 2 comes in like a lamb. Day 7 was the worst day yet. Terry's blood count, for almost all parameters, is way down. She was so tired that she only got out of bed for the trips to the bathroom. No exercise today. She had a massage scheduled that had to be delayed as her platelet count is so low, that a massage could cause bruising.
The one highlight of the day was when Marie and Jess came to visit. Marie went to high school with Karen a long time ago and has been a true friend since then. Jess is new to us, a very nice girl and a pleasure to meet.
The one highlight of the day was when Marie and Jess came to visit. Marie went to high school with Karen a long time ago and has been a true friend since then. Jess is new to us, a very nice girl and a pleasure to meet.
12/23/09
DAY 6
Wow-has it been a week that Terry has been in the hospital? Sometimes it seems as if this hospitalization started yesterday---other times it feels like a month.
Terry is doing better than expected, in terms of possible problems. Side effects have been held to a minimum, probably because Terry is following all orders and suggestions from the medical staff to a T. She is an ideal patient. Her husband is a pain, but that is to be expected.
Three very wonderful things happened on DAY 6. In chronological order they are as follows:
Paul and Margie Beauregard visited in the early afternoon. Terrific friends and wonderful people. We have known them for about 13-14 years. As we got to know each other we learned how closely our lives paralleled. We have a lot in common except they go to Florida each winter while we stay in Michigan. Yes-I am jealous.
Later in the afternoon Terry received a shot of G-CSF. This is a drug that will help stimulate her stem cells to increase at a faster rate and induce the cells to become neutrophils, leucocytes, platelets and a bunch of other type cells. This drug will help Terry get better quicker and ultimately come home. It is lonely at home without Terry there. Our poor cat (Lacey) is having Meowmy withdrawal. She is becoming CATatonic.
Finally, in the early evening two more wonderful friends, Harry and Dixie Doerr came to visit. Terry's room has some Christmas motif about it and the centerpiece is a beautiful lamppost adorned with lights, garlands and ornaments. Harry and Dixie had given this to us just a week ago. It will become a mainstay of our annual decorations. This year it is a light for Terry's future and a reminder of Harry and Dixie. We normally spend New Year's Eve with the Doerr's. Can't go out with them this year, but we are planning New Years with Harry and Dixie for next year.
Terry is doing better than expected, in terms of possible problems. Side effects have been held to a minimum, probably because Terry is following all orders and suggestions from the medical staff to a T. She is an ideal patient. Her husband is a pain, but that is to be expected.
Three very wonderful things happened on DAY 6. In chronological order they are as follows:
Paul and Margie Beauregard visited in the early afternoon. Terrific friends and wonderful people. We have known them for about 13-14 years. As we got to know each other we learned how closely our lives paralleled. We have a lot in common except they go to Florida each winter while we stay in Michigan. Yes-I am jealous.
Later in the afternoon Terry received a shot of G-CSF. This is a drug that will help stimulate her stem cells to increase at a faster rate and induce the cells to become neutrophils, leucocytes, platelets and a bunch of other type cells. This drug will help Terry get better quicker and ultimately come home. It is lonely at home without Terry there. Our poor cat (Lacey) is having Meowmy withdrawal. She is becoming CATatonic.
Finally, in the early evening two more wonderful friends, Harry and Dixie Doerr came to visit. Terry's room has some Christmas motif about it and the centerpiece is a beautiful lamppost adorned with lights, garlands and ornaments. Harry and Dixie had given this to us just a week ago. It will become a mainstay of our annual decorations. This year it is a light for Terry's future and a reminder of Harry and Dixie. We normally spend New Year's Eve with the Doerr's. Can't go out with them this year, but we are planning New Years with Harry and Dixie for next year.
12/22/09
DAY 5
It is hard to believe that Terry's stem cells are now 5 days old. I am not one to push for child labor, but I'll make an exception in this case. I want those cells doing what they are supposed to do and to do it NOW. Listen up cells, Santa is watching!!!
Day 5 was pretty good for Terry. She is more tired than she has been in the past, but that is to be expected as her blood counts continue to fall.
There were a few very high points in the day. At noon the mail delivery person came into the room and announced to Terry that she had won. She won the letter lottery as there were 31 cards delivered to Terry. Lots of love, prayers and well wishes were delivered with those cards. Terry welled up on more than one occasion while reading the cards. Thank you all for helping make her day.
Right after lunch, Cindy Reese came to visit. It was quite apropos for Cindy to be the first non family visitor as her husband Mark recently underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant. He received his cells from a donor whereas Terry received her own cells. Cindy brought lots of joy, advice and empathy to Terry and me. Cindy is one of our heroes, as is Mark.
Later in the afternoon Jim and Heidi Cole came by. We have known them for over 10 years and they, too, are wonderful people. Their visit cheered Terry up immensely. Truly terrific people, even if they are Ohio State fans.
Day 5 was pretty good for Terry. She is more tired than she has been in the past, but that is to be expected as her blood counts continue to fall.
There were a few very high points in the day. At noon the mail delivery person came into the room and announced to Terry that she had won. She won the letter lottery as there were 31 cards delivered to Terry. Lots of love, prayers and well wishes were delivered with those cards. Terry welled up on more than one occasion while reading the cards. Thank you all for helping make her day.
Right after lunch, Cindy Reese came to visit. It was quite apropos for Cindy to be the first non family visitor as her husband Mark recently underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant. He received his cells from a donor whereas Terry received her own cells. Cindy brought lots of joy, advice and empathy to Terry and me. Cindy is one of our heroes, as is Mark.
Later in the afternoon Jim and Heidi Cole came by. We have known them for over 10 years and they, too, are wonderful people. Their visit cheered Terry up immensely. Truly terrific people, even if they are Ohio State fans.
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