Terry had her 1 year post transplant appointment with her transplant specialist. We were hoping and praying that her stem cells would keep her in remission for a while, but they pooped out and her bone marrow cancer is back. She will be starting a course of chemotherapy next week and it appears she will be getting chemo on an intermittent basis for the next 2-3 months. At that time she will be put through a bunch of tests to see if she is ready for another stem cell transplant. Last year she received her own cells. Although she has plenty of her own cells in frozen storage the medical opinion is to receive someone else's cells. The good news is that Terry's sister Helen is a perfect match. Helen is a wonderful lady and is more than willing to give her cells to help her sister.
There is some more good news. Terry will be able to travel to her home town of Rome, NY to spend Christmas with her family. Last year she was in the hospital for Christmas. I will be updating this blog as more news and events transpire.
In the meantime we wish you all a happy and holy Christmas.
12/13/10
7/20/10
'TIS A PUZZLEMENT
Well, nobody can explain why Terry's blood pressure and hemoglobin plummeted. As the King of Siam said, "'Tis a puzzlement."
Terry's blood pressure and hemoglobin are both normal and her cancer cells, which were making a bit of a resurgence are retreating. Today was all GOOD news. There is no tenable medical reason why what happened happened. It just might be that God is working in His mysterious ways again.
Terry's blood pressure and hemoglobin are both normal and her cancer cells, which were making a bit of a resurgence are retreating. Today was all GOOD news. There is no tenable medical reason why what happened happened. It just might be that God is working in His mysterious ways again.
7/12/10
SHE'S FREE
The docs all agreed that Terry is too healthy to be in the hospital, so the wardens set her free. Her discharge diagnosis was acute dehydration. Now we have to find what caused that and what the long term ramifications are. Needless to say, everyone is glad to have her at home. Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers.
7/11/10
BUMP UPDATE
She looks good-but that is like judging a book by its cover. The Hospitalist came in and told us Terry's hemoglobin was looking good and that her blood pressure was close to normal. He is a bit worried about her renal function and the underscoring cause of these latest problems. He changed a few of her meds, cut her i.v. in half and told us we have to wait for the blood and urine tests to come back. Terry's renal ultrasound looked good from a macroscopic view-now we need to know from a microscopic perspective.
The good news was the Oncologist came by and as far as he s concerned Terry could have been discharged today. The Nephrologist never came in today. It is the Hospitalist's call as to her release date. Looks like she has one in favor of letting her out and we wait on the other two.
Maybe tomorrow????
The good news was the Oncologist came by and as far as he s concerned Terry could have been discharged today. The Nephrologist never came in today. It is the Hospitalist's call as to her release date. Looks like she has one in favor of letting her out and we wait on the other two.
Maybe tomorrow????
7/10/10
THE BUMP LOOKS SMALLER
Still in the hospital, but things are looking better. Terry's hemoglobin is going up, blood pressure is going up, creatinine clearance is coming down. These are all good signs! There are a bunch of possibilities to Terry's current renal status. The most likely are:acute volume depression (which is reversible), a side effect to Diovan (which is reversible), myeloma kidney (which can be treated). We are hoping the problem is caused by one of the first two mentioned. There are other possibilities but they seem remote at this time. In the meantime we wait for the results of many tests that have been done.
She looks really good tonight compared to the past two days. Her color is back as is her mental acuity. We aren't sure how many more days she will be hospitalized but I'll keep you posted.
Keep up the good thoughts!
She looks really good tonight compared to the past two days. Her color is back as is her mental acuity. We aren't sure how many more days she will be hospitalized but I'll keep you posted.
Keep up the good thoughts!
7/9/10
THE BUMPS KEEP COMING
Terry has been doing pretty good since January. She went through 3 months of cardiac rehab with flying colors. Her nickname was "Speedy Gonzales" when she was on the tread mill. Her strength was growing daily as was her hair. It is now the length and fashion of Jamie Lee Curtis in the yogurt ad. 2010 was looking bright!
And now the rest of the story. She has hit another bump in the road. For the past two weeks Terry was growing more tired each day and then an awful cold set in. She visited her primary care doctor and he unhappy with her low blood pressure and hemoglobin, both had been normal just 3 weeks ago.
I took her into the ER last night about 9 PM. At 3 AM she was admitted. And from 3 AM to 9AM there was no rest due to constant pocking, testing, beeps, etc. All day today was a parade of specialists, hematologists, oncologists, nephrologists, hospitalists and a few others. She received two units of blood and about 6 gallons of IV fluids. Her color has returned and her blood pressure is starting to come back up.
She has to stay in the hospital for at least two more days. Then depending on the many test results we will go from there. Here's hoping this is just another bump in the road to recovery.
And now the rest of the story. She has hit another bump in the road. For the past two weeks Terry was growing more tired each day and then an awful cold set in. She visited her primary care doctor and he unhappy with her low blood pressure and hemoglobin, both had been normal just 3 weeks ago.
I took her into the ER last night about 9 PM. At 3 AM she was admitted. And from 3 AM to 9AM there was no rest due to constant pocking, testing, beeps, etc. All day today was a parade of specialists, hematologists, oncologists, nephrologists, hospitalists and a few others. She received two units of blood and about 6 gallons of IV fluids. Her color has returned and her blood pressure is starting to come back up.
She has to stay in the hospital for at least two more days. Then depending on the many test results we will go from there. Here's hoping this is just another bump in the road to recovery.
5/4/10
2 MONTHS SINCE NORMAL
These blogs will become less frequent as Terry progresses in her recovery. She saw her primary oncologist last week and all lab work was completely normal. That continues to bolster our hopes and prayers.
Terry started some cardiac rehab one month ago. Three times a week she attends an exercise class where she has been doing the treadmill and weight lifting. Her nickname is "Speedy Gonzales". (No profiling intended).
Terry continues to get stronger every day. Among other things that Jim and I are grateful for is she is the full time cook now, among other chores she has resumed. The food is 1000% better than just a few months ago.
Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and well wishes.
Terry started some cardiac rehab one month ago. Three times a week she attends an exercise class where she has been doing the treadmill and weight lifting. Her nickname is "Speedy Gonzales". (No profiling intended).
Terry continues to get stronger every day. Among other things that Jim and I are grateful for is she is the full time cook now, among other chores she has resumed. The food is 1000% better than just a few months ago.
Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and well wishes.
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