Map of the Islands...

This is how Mom described her latest medical challenge. Mom is current back in the hospital for "spots" on her legs, which Mom says resemble a map of the islands. On Friday, Mom was unable to walk due to pain and to even touch the spots caused major pain. The doctors were not sure exactly what was causing this new condition but suspected a form of bacteria. Mom has become quite a challenge for the medical community. The infectious disease doctor who is handling Mom's latest condition has practice medicine for 20 years and had never seen spots like Mom's before. The doctor told Mom that she was "interesting." Now that Mom has been on antibiotics for bacteria for a couple of days, she is feeling much better. Praise the Lord!

When I talked with Mom yesterday, she was in a great mood. She was no longer neutrapenic...yeah! Her level was up to 1.26. She needed a 1.2 to be considered no longer neutrapenic, so the added .06 made her day. Mom had a unit of blood on Saturday and another on Sunday, along with platelets on Saturday. Mom's energy was up, she wasn't suffering from as much pain and was able to eat what she wanted. All delightful bright spots to rejoice about.

Mom is still struggling with an upset stomach. When she takes the medication to settle her stomach, it causes her to sleep more. The dilemma is vomit or constant sleepiness...neither are Mom's first choice. At least lunch was "still with her" when I talked to her.

Mom isn't sure when she will be released. She is in the E Ground Unit in room #38. Her direct line number is 650-498-3054. Please feel free to call if you'd like. Mom's emotional state is great. Mom is truly an example of how a positive attitude can make all the difference!

May your day be blessed.

Another Day in the Life...

I was blessed to talk with Mom today. She sounded great and was eager to hear how my family was doing. It is a blessing to have a mother who can look beyond her own troubles and offer up her support and encouragement when we are faced with trials of our own. Thank you Mom!

Mom is doing well but still faces her own daily trials and challenges. Recently it has been the constant pain she feels throughout her body. The doctors have her taking Vicadan every 6 hours to keep the pain under control. She has been given some reprieve on her vomiting now that she takes medication every 4 hours for to prevent it. Mom is on LOTS of medications. We joked about how she has become a pharmacist's dream! She is able to sleep about 5 hours at night which is good but still not enough to keep her energy up where she would like it. She was planning to receive platelets this afternoon which should help greatly in the energy department. This will be good.

Mom was pleased to share with me that her and Dad spent Sunday afternoon & evening with Uncle Ray and Aunt Christine. They enjoyed a delicious lasagna lunch and a wonderful potato soup for dinner. Both meals had been prepared by my cousin, Karyn Brelloch, on her last visit. Mom mentioned that Karyn had prepared many meals and put them in the freezer. How thoughtful! Mom said it was the "BEST" potato soup she had ever had and would like the recipe. How nice that Mom and Dad were able to enjoy good food, good company and a relaxing day.

Mom also shared with me something that gives me great peace about her mindset in all this. She said that the doctors really do not have any answers...she knows that all she can do is pray and trust that God will cause an answer to be found if it be His will. It blesses me to know that Mom rests in the will of God. Mom is not bitter in any way and is content to walk in the path God has set before her.

Thank you for your prayers. May your week be abundantly blessed.

Discharged!

Wahoo!! Mom was discharged from the hospital last night. What joy filled both Mom and Dad's hearts when the results from her blood cultures came back...NEGATIVE! Yeah!! This meant that Mom only had a bladder infection (easy to treat) verses a bladder infection along with another blood infection. Mom's countenance was so joyful when I talked with her last night. We had to laugh when we thought about how sweet "bladder infection" sounded compared to everything else she has had to hear lately.

Mom has an "off day" today and will not need to go to the Infusion Ward. She is so excited about staying home all day and relaxing with Dad. I am happy for her.

Please feel free to write, call or visit Mom. Information to do so is posted at the top of this blog. Hearing from you would probably make Mom's day!

Another Trip to the Hospital

Mom is back in the hospital again. Yesterday while in the Infusion Ward, Mom started vomiting and was running a fever. Mom tried to "hide" her condition but a very perceptive nurse noticed that she was huddled up under her covers and that she was looking "gray." Since being admitted to the hospital, it has been determined that Mom has a bladder infection. They are running some blood cultures to see if there are any other infections but the results are not back yet. Mom is taking all her usual medications, along with Benadril and Vicadan for some unexplained shoulder pain and antibiotics for the bladder infection. She is "feeling no pain" at this time. Yeah!!

Mom told me that one of the good things (another bright spot!) of being back in the hospital is the Sweet Dreams Bigalow tea. Mom says it smells "divine" and she doesn't even need to drink it to enjoy it...just smelling its delightful aroma is enough!

Mom is in her beloved Ground F Ward in room #38. The phone number is 650-498-3077. Mom would appreciate hearing from you if you feel lead to call her. Thank you for your prayers, concern and support. Many blessings to you!

Bright Spots

When I talked with Mom today, we laughed about the "bright spots" in her life. It was a sweet time. Mom had not gotten up for the day, aside to eat a small breakfast and then "dispose" of it. She was still in her pajamas around 10:45 AM. We joked about this being another one of the "bright spots" of her illness. After getting up early for many, many years, the Lord has made a way for Mom to sleep in, relax and take her mornings very slow if she chooses. She could be sad that she doesn't have the energy to rise early, move quickly and get much done, but she has chosen not to dwell on this and I am proud of her. She is determined to find each and every "bright spot" in her day. Her countenance is joyful and she is once again her optimistic self.

As far as her medical condition is concerned, things are not very good. Mom is taking medication to help with her vomiting but still finds herself throwing up every 2 hours...3 hours if she is doing well. Not an easy road to walk. She told me that she is only in pain when she vomits, so she is only in pain for short periods of time. This is good...it could be worse (Mom looking at the bright spot!). The vomiting does seem to slow down at night but her sleep still isn't very restful. This must be why she is tired so much of the time. She hasn't been given any more platelets since she had the reaction on Monday . The plan is for her to try and receive platelets again on Friday. Mom continues to receive antibiotics, minerals, etc. to help keep things in balance. She is really thankful about only having to go to the Infusion Ward every other day. Today was an off day. Mom was looking forward to staying at the apartment all day with Dad.

Mom enjoyed her visit with Morgan. Dad was able to "get away" for the day and go back to the ranch. He was glad to see Mark, Felicia and their children, along with catching up with things around the ranch. Mom said that one of the biggest "bright spots" in her illness has been the way Dad has slowed his life down to take care of her. Dad has blessed Mom greatly with his loving care and Mom is so grateful for her "what-a-guy" husband!

Mom is doing better than could be expected and gives God all the glory. Thank you for your prayers.

Not so Good

Mom is having trouble this evening. When receiving platelets, she had a reaction. This is her first reaction to a blood product. When I called, she was still in the Infusion Ward recoverying from her reaction. She had been given tylenol and demerol and was covered with blankets. Mom said that she started having excessive shills and a backache when the reaction started. She said she felt somewhat "out of it" due to the demerol. She didn't know how things would proceed for the night but was counting on Dad taking her back to the apartment just as soon as possible. She didn't finish out the platelets and I am not sure what the plan will be for tomorrow as for as that goes. Mom did know that from now on when receiving blood products, she would be required to take medication to prevent further reactions in the future.

Stasi told me that Morgan is due to arrive up at Stanford tomorrow to spend a couple of days with Mom. This will bring Mom and Dad lots of joy to be with Morgan. Morgan will also go with Mom to her appointment with Dr. Shrier. Morgan is graduating from Masters College this coming spring with a degree in biology/pre-med. She is looking forward to talking with the doctor! I am looking forward to hearing from Morgan all that Dr. Shrier had to say.

Please pray for Mom and Dad. Things are looking more serious with each passing day...as if they weren't serious enough. Your support, encouragement and prayers are a HUGE blessing to Mom. Thank you.

New Changes for the New Year

Happy New Year! With the New Year, new changes in Mom's treatment are here. Mom is having LOTS of trouble with her iron levels regardless of the treatment she is currently on. Normal for iron is 140. Mom has reached 6000! This has caused our "very stable, nothing affects him or gets him to react much" Dr. Shrier to "panic" as Mom put it. Dr. Shrier pulled Mom off her fungicide medication because it was compromising her body too much and has increased her iron reducing medication by 1/3. As Mom so delicately put it, "I am not sure if the fungus or medication will get me." Mom is struggling to stay her optimistic self at this time. I know she is doing all she can to be strong for Dad. Mom has been so brave, strong and optimistic for the last three plus years. We are all very proud of her! I was glad when Mom shared that she isn't in any pain, just very tired most of the time.

Mom continues to take the iron reducing medication over the 12 hour period. Unfortunately, this increase in medication has caused an increase in side effects. Ugh! Mom is now having to carry around something all the time as she is vomiting somewhat regularly. With this in mind, who could think about eating?! Mom is losing weight and eating very little. Mom said that she will be at her wedding weight soon if this keeps up. Dad is able to get her to eat clear broth soups. Mom loves soup so this is a good thing. Mom is still neutrapenic so fresh fruits and veggies are out.

There are always bright spots in every situation if we just look for the blessing. For Mom this means that she get a bed at the Infusion Ward instead of a recliner since she is so sleepy and feels dizzy often. Now that Mom isn't taking the fungicide, her treatments are an hour less since the antibiotics take an hour less to administer and she gets to go back to the apartment sooner. Mom mentioned to her doctor that she was feeling "dizzy" and had more trouble thinking these days. He decided to check to see if she was have a breakdown in her mental abilities. He asked her to count backwards from a hundred by seven's which she easily did. (Many of you who know Mom know that math and numbers are Mom's strongest subject. If the doctor asked me, I be in real trouble!) The doctor told her that he had "had enough" of that kind of talk and that she is mentally fine. She may be a little slower these days but now she is just like the rest of us! Blessings...there are always some to be found!