With all praise to God, we are grateful to report that Mom received her new IV port yesterday and the surgery was successful. Thank you, God! Mom is in a lot of pain when she isn't on Vicadan, so she has made Vicadan her new best friend. When I talked with her this morning she was "feeling no pain" and was quite joyful. The doctors anticipate allowing her to leave the hospital sometime tomorrow. Mom is thrilled by this thought.
Unfortunately, the infection the doctors hoped to clear up by removing her last port did not work. Mom still has an infection somewhere in her body that is undetected. She currently has lesions on her spleen, liver and lungs along with the fungus on her lungs. She runs fevers most nights which need to be monitored diligently. Mom has been eating okay with no diarrhea or vomiting. This is very good.
Dad's trip to Mexico was successful. I had not realized that he had taken a "partner in crime' in join in his adventure. Ray Egan, Mom's brother in law, went with Dad. They arrived in Mexico on Tuesday and had dinner with friends. Then on Wednesday morning they headed north and returned on Saturday. It must have been lots of fun for both men as Uncle Ray had lots of new technology for them to try out along the way. I am sure that Dad enjoyed his time with Uncle Ray greatly. They have been good friends for years! Mom was very glad to see Dad when he returned.
All is right in Mom's world today, praise the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support. May your day be abundantly blessed.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Staying the Course
Mom is very excited that Kathie Laurence will be keeping her company this weekend at the hospital. Mom delights in Kathie and is always blessed to spend time with her. Dad is south of the border for the present. He has gone to Puerta Vallarta to pick up a car that he and Mom bought some time ago. Dad is probably having a great time. He has always enjoyed any time spent in Mexico. He also loves road trips and exploring. Surely he is taking comfort that Mom is in great hands enjoying wonderful company with Kathie.
When I talked last with Mom, she was doing well and staying the current course. The tentative plan is to try and put back in another "permanent" IV port on Monday, Lord willing. Mom is anticipating being able to return to the apartment at that time. This would bring Mom great joy.
We never know what a day will bring forth. We take comfort that God knows the future and has all our best interests in mind. May He be glorified even through Mom's illness. Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. Many blessings!
When I talked last with Mom, she was doing well and staying the current course. The tentative plan is to try and put back in another "permanent" IV port on Monday, Lord willing. Mom is anticipating being able to return to the apartment at that time. This would bring Mom great joy.
We never know what a day will bring forth. We take comfort that God knows the future and has all our best interests in mind. May He be glorified even through Mom's illness. Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. Many blessings!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A New Plan
The doctors are trying something new to help Mom overcome all the trouble she has been having with infections. Yesterday, the doctors removed Mom's IV port that was connected through her chest to her heart. This was a last resort but they are hopeful that by removing the port they can finally get the upper hand. Mom has a temporary port in her arm. The plan is to use this until Thursday or Friday and if all is well, the doctors will attempt to put another IV port in the other side of her heart. To prepare for the removal of the port, Mom received two units of platelets on Sunday and one before they removed the port yesterday. She also received a unit of red blood cells each day for the last three days. It seemed to have worked. She was able to have the port removed with minimal complications. When I talked with Mom yesterday afternoon she was "kind of happy" thanks to some Vicadan and she was delighted that all had gone well.
Mom is neutrapenic again so she has been moved back into a more isolated ward. She now in room 41 and can be reached at 650-498-3080. I know she would enjoy hearing from you if you have the opportunity to give her a call.
It is funny at times how one will amuse themselves when forced to find joy in uncomfortable situations. Mom has now named her portable IV infusion carrier "Mabel". She figured that since Mabel must go everywhere with her and Mom is attached to Mabel 24/7, she might as well look at her as a friend. She is also picking up on a few new hospital terminology tidbits. When a nurse came in looking for the "COW", all Mom could think was that the "COW" must be turned out with the bulls like they are at the ranch. Now Mom knows that in a hospital setting, a "COW" is the Computer On Wheels. You learn something new everyday.
Dad had a good time down at the ranch this past weekend. Mark had plans to be away so Dad returned to "hold down the fort". With Mom getting such wonderful care in the hospital, it was a perfect time for Dad to get away for a moment. All went well for both Mom and Dad while apart, although Mom was delighted to have Dad return.
Mom was doing good when I talked with her. She is her forever optimistic self and is finding joy and blessings in all she can. We will continue to pray that she can stay the course and her port can be reinserted. Thank you for your prayers. Many Blessings!
Mom is neutrapenic again so she has been moved back into a more isolated ward. She now in room 41 and can be reached at 650-498-3080. I know she would enjoy hearing from you if you have the opportunity to give her a call.
It is funny at times how one will amuse themselves when forced to find joy in uncomfortable situations. Mom has now named her portable IV infusion carrier "Mabel". She figured that since Mabel must go everywhere with her and Mom is attached to Mabel 24/7, she might as well look at her as a friend. She is also picking up on a few new hospital terminology tidbits. When a nurse came in looking for the "COW", all Mom could think was that the "COW" must be turned out with the bulls like they are at the ranch. Now Mom knows that in a hospital setting, a "COW" is the Computer On Wheels. You learn something new everyday.
Dad had a good time down at the ranch this past weekend. Mark had plans to be away so Dad returned to "hold down the fort". With Mom getting such wonderful care in the hospital, it was a perfect time for Dad to get away for a moment. All went well for both Mom and Dad while apart, although Mom was delighted to have Dad return.
Mom was doing good when I talked with her. She is her forever optimistic self and is finding joy and blessings in all she can. We will continue to pray that she can stay the course and her port can be reinserted. Thank you for your prayers. Many Blessings!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
In Again
Mom has a new phone number as of last night. This is how she told me she was back in the hospital again. Ugh! I was sorry to hear when I talked with Mom tonight that she was back in the hospital and had such a rough day.
Yesterday, while in the Infusion Ward, Mom started to spike a fever while receiving platelets. While her temperature continued to climb, she began to throw up blood. Not a good sign. This was an automatic trip back to her beloved Ground F Ward at Stanford Hospital! Although they have not pinpointed where the infection that is causing these new symptoms is located, the doctor began antibiotics immediately.
Mom was very transparent tonight on how her day had gone thus far. I appreciate Mom sharing with me how things really are with her. Mom said that today was one of the roughest days that she has had since she first was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. This is from a woman who has survived three rounds of IV chemotherapy so it must have been a bad day! Mom said that she didn't eat dinner last night and wasn't allowed to eat this morning because of the tests that need to be run on an empty stomach. Unfortunately, the tests were not able to be run as planned first thing in the morning and were finally done in the afternoon. After spending 1.5 hours in an MRI tube among other tests, Mom found herself "undone". By the time her first bag of red blood cells had been given to her, she had "had it". She found herself an emotional wreck, complete with lots of tears. She even had a headache and Mom rarely suffers from a headache. Mom told the nurse bringing in the second bag of blood that it would just have to wait...she couldn't take anymore at that time. Dad arrived back in time with cheese and soup to "save" his depressed, starving wife and encourage her to stay the course. By the time I talked with Mom, she was pleased that she could talk without crying and was working on becoming her optimistic self again. Food and encouragement are good things! Mom was still due for another test tonight to check out the condition of the fungus in her lungs and liver, so Mom's day wasn't over yet. Mom had no results from any of her tests but hopes to have more information when the doctors make their morning rounds.
Mom said this was the first time in all her illness that she questioned if everything was worth the fight. She is grieved by what she perceives she is put her family through. I told her that she is worth the effort and we all love her dearly. No need to worry about the rest of us!
Mom had a rough day but told me that she knows that tomorrow will be better. How I love the "Pollyanna" in my precious mother! If you would like to call and encourage Mom, you can reach her at 650-498-3061. She is blessed to be in room 21 on Ground F Ward. Thank you for remembering Mom in your thoughts and prayers. You are a blessing to us all.
Yesterday, while in the Infusion Ward, Mom started to spike a fever while receiving platelets. While her temperature continued to climb, she began to throw up blood. Not a good sign. This was an automatic trip back to her beloved Ground F Ward at Stanford Hospital! Although they have not pinpointed where the infection that is causing these new symptoms is located, the doctor began antibiotics immediately.
Mom was very transparent tonight on how her day had gone thus far. I appreciate Mom sharing with me how things really are with her. Mom said that today was one of the roughest days that she has had since she first was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. This is from a woman who has survived three rounds of IV chemotherapy so it must have been a bad day! Mom said that she didn't eat dinner last night and wasn't allowed to eat this morning because of the tests that need to be run on an empty stomach. Unfortunately, the tests were not able to be run as planned first thing in the morning and were finally done in the afternoon. After spending 1.5 hours in an MRI tube among other tests, Mom found herself "undone". By the time her first bag of red blood cells had been given to her, she had "had it". She found herself an emotional wreck, complete with lots of tears. She even had a headache and Mom rarely suffers from a headache. Mom told the nurse bringing in the second bag of blood that it would just have to wait...she couldn't take anymore at that time. Dad arrived back in time with cheese and soup to "save" his depressed, starving wife and encourage her to stay the course. By the time I talked with Mom, she was pleased that she could talk without crying and was working on becoming her optimistic self again. Food and encouragement are good things! Mom was still due for another test tonight to check out the condition of the fungus in her lungs and liver, so Mom's day wasn't over yet. Mom had no results from any of her tests but hopes to have more information when the doctors make their morning rounds.
Mom said this was the first time in all her illness that she questioned if everything was worth the fight. She is grieved by what she perceives she is put her family through. I told her that she is worth the effort and we all love her dearly. No need to worry about the rest of us!
Mom had a rough day but told me that she knows that tomorrow will be better. How I love the "Pollyanna" in my precious mother! If you would like to call and encourage Mom, you can reach her at 650-498-3061. She is blessed to be in room 21 on Ground F Ward. Thank you for remembering Mom in your thoughts and prayers. You are a blessing to us all.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Rollercoaster
I am sorry it has been so long since I have blogged about Mom. Everyday life chaos and the difficulty of dial-up have hindered me greatly. Mom is doing fine as can be expected with such life threatening conditions. Over the last few weeks Mom has been on a roller coaster finding herself in and out of the hospital. Currently Mom is back at the apartment, yeah!
Mom has been enjoying eating as she chooses, although she is isn't eating out much as she thought she would do once she was no longer neutrapenic. The last two times she has eaten out the food "has not agreed" with her. So Dad has been blessing her with his home cooked meals, thanks to wonderful food from Safeway. Mom is very pleased with this situation. Fortunately, Mom is no longer throwing up all the time and has started to put some weight back one. She isn't very happy about the weight but the doctors are very happy.
Mom continues to need red blood cells and platelets regularly. She is also going to remain up near Standford for at least the next two months due to the treatment she is receiving for the fungus in her lungs. Until the fungus is under control on her lungs, all the doctors can do is to continue monitoring her liver. The infection in her port seems to be taken care of which is a praise to God that the line didn't need to be removed. The doctor who inserted her line said it was one of the most difficult that he has ever put in and it was even on the "easy" side. He said that once removed, it wouldn't be able to be put back in. With this in mind, Mom is overjoyed that her line is currently "safe".
Mom is doing well with her daily trips to the Infusion Ward. She is sorry that her favorite nurse, Linda, recently broke her leg and is off recovering. Mom misses Linda greatly. Mom spends anywhere from 2.5 hours to 7 hours per day in the Infusion Ward depending on what is needed that day. Makes the 2.5 hour days seem like a treat!
Dad is hanging in there with his loving care of Mom. Mom does think he needs "a break" and wishes there was more she could do to bless him and make this situation easier. They really do love each other a lot!
Thank you for all your prayers, support and encouragement. Mom is grateful and appreciates you all. Please don't hesitate to call or write Mom when she comes to mind. You would make her day.
Many Blessings!
Mom has been enjoying eating as she chooses, although she is isn't eating out much as she thought she would do once she was no longer neutrapenic. The last two times she has eaten out the food "has not agreed" with her. So Dad has been blessing her with his home cooked meals, thanks to wonderful food from Safeway. Mom is very pleased with this situation. Fortunately, Mom is no longer throwing up all the time and has started to put some weight back one. She isn't very happy about the weight but the doctors are very happy.
Mom continues to need red blood cells and platelets regularly. She is also going to remain up near Standford for at least the next two months due to the treatment she is receiving for the fungus in her lungs. Until the fungus is under control on her lungs, all the doctors can do is to continue monitoring her liver. The infection in her port seems to be taken care of which is a praise to God that the line didn't need to be removed. The doctor who inserted her line said it was one of the most difficult that he has ever put in and it was even on the "easy" side. He said that once removed, it wouldn't be able to be put back in. With this in mind, Mom is overjoyed that her line is currently "safe".
Mom is doing well with her daily trips to the Infusion Ward. She is sorry that her favorite nurse, Linda, recently broke her leg and is off recovering. Mom misses Linda greatly. Mom spends anywhere from 2.5 hours to 7 hours per day in the Infusion Ward depending on what is needed that day. Makes the 2.5 hour days seem like a treat!
Dad is hanging in there with his loving care of Mom. Mom does think he needs "a break" and wishes there was more she could do to bless him and make this situation easier. They really do love each other a lot!
Thank you for all your prayers, support and encouragement. Mom is grateful and appreciates you all. Please don't hesitate to call or write Mom when she comes to mind. You would make her day.
Many Blessings!
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