What a terrific day. Terry was discharged this afternoon and our house is a home again. Karen left a message on the white board in the hospital room, "2009 started with a diagnosis and ended with a transplant, 2010 means remission". I will second that.
When we got home the front bushes were decorated with burgundy ribbons (the color adopted for multiple myeloma), the front hall had a beautiful Christmas lamppost that had been in the hospital room and there were many balloons wishing Terry a recovery and more burgundy ribbons.
After a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner we opened the presents that had been under the tree for the past few weeks. Our Christmas came a little late but it was the best one ever. God smiled on us today.
This is the last of the daily blogs as Terry's appointments, checkups, etc. are all sporadically set for the next few months.
Thank you all again, for your support, we are forever in your debt.
12/30/09
12/29/09
DAY 14 - HALLELUJAH
What a day! From the beginning to the end, it was a wondrous day. Terry's numbers continue to climb, she was perky and awake all day. Not one little nap as her energy climbs. Her IV fluids were cut by 50% and if she continues the progress she will lose all IVs tomorrow. Her doctor continues to say she could be home be the end of the week.
The dietician visited and told Terry that she will not have a lot of restrictions when she is discharged. There are some precautions to take, but a lot fewer than we thought there would be. In the afternoon two of Terry's best friends came by and they all swapped Christmas gifts. Terry had a blast joking, gossiping and just visiting with Jacqui and Betty Ann, both co-workers when Terry worked at the Livonia DPW. Another good sign is that I was given some prescriptions to fill for Terry as an outpatient. We are all praying she will be home for New Year's Eve.
The dietician visited and told Terry that she will not have a lot of restrictions when she is discharged. There are some precautions to take, but a lot fewer than we thought there would be. In the afternoon two of Terry's best friends came by and they all swapped Christmas gifts. Terry had a blast joking, gossiping and just visiting with Jacqui and Betty Ann, both co-workers when Terry worked at the Livonia DPW. Another good sign is that I was given some prescriptions to fill for Terry as an outpatient. We are all praying she will be home for New Year's Eve.
12/28/09
DAY 13 WE ARE BLESSED
Today has been pretty good. Terry's numbers are moving in the right direction, Dr Mineishi said again she will probably go home later this week, Terry forced herself to do some extra walking. It was a good day.
Right now, I am sitting in Terry's hospital room while she grabs a few zzzs. So I started to think (something I don't do often). Terry and I are truly blessed. This disease sucks but she has avoided the worst side effect that most transplant patients get. They often get blisters in their mouth, on their lips and in the throat. Some patients can't even drink due to the swelling and soreness and may require a tracheotomy. Terry lost her hair for the second time. Big deal-she looks cute in a babushka anyway. We have an outpouring of cards, food, gifts, calls, visits, e-mails from friends and relatives, friends of friends and relatives of relatives. People we have never met have sent along their prayers and well wishes. We've heard from and seen people that we lost contact with over the years. We are blessed that our small family has been able to be together during the entire transplant process. We have terrific insurance and it is a good thing because this ordeal can run $300,000 to $400,000. We are so fortunate to live close to the University of Michigan which is recognized as a Cancer Center for Excellence. We are only 30 minutes away. We are blessed that Dr. Mineishi, who is recognized by his peers as a leading expert in bone marrow transplant. God has smiled on us and we are blessed.
Right now, I am sitting in Terry's hospital room while she grabs a few zzzs. So I started to think (something I don't do often). Terry and I are truly blessed. This disease sucks but she has avoided the worst side effect that most transplant patients get. They often get blisters in their mouth, on their lips and in the throat. Some patients can't even drink due to the swelling and soreness and may require a tracheotomy. Terry lost her hair for the second time. Big deal-she looks cute in a babushka anyway. We have an outpouring of cards, food, gifts, calls, visits, e-mails from friends and relatives, friends of friends and relatives of relatives. People we have never met have sent along their prayers and well wishes. We've heard from and seen people that we lost contact with over the years. We are blessed that our small family has been able to be together during the entire transplant process. We have terrific insurance and it is a good thing because this ordeal can run $300,000 to $400,000. We are so fortunate to live close to the University of Michigan which is recognized as a Cancer Center for Excellence. We are only 30 minutes away. We are blessed that Dr. Mineishi, who is recognized by his peers as a leading expert in bone marrow transplant. God has smiled on us and we are blessed.
DAY 12 HAIR TODAY-GONE TOMORROW
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.
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.
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