Day 17
Well, if things could go from bad to worse, they did that today. Mike spent the night last night and helped Debbie on numerous occasions. Although her temperatures seemed to improve, her swollen throat only got worse. Mike helped Debbie eat some diced peaches for breakfast, however, she has not eaten enough in the last week to keep a bird alive.
The throat continued to deterioate over the course of the day to the point where they scheduled Deb for an emergency tracheotomy and prepared to move her to the ICU unit. Cathy and Mary were with her today and that was very helpful to us and comforting to Debbie. The ENT guys delivered some steroidal treatment -- which luckily began to take good effect. However, Cathy and Mary called me at about 3:00 to come down, "on the double," because at the time Deb was scheduled to be trached and moved to ICU. The thought of a trach with no WBC or platlates is very bad all around. Luckily, by the time I got there, Deb's condition had improved somewhat and they had cancelled the surgery. But because of the precarious nature of her throat, they moved her to ICU for observation. They will continue to administer the steroids and hopefully, she will be moved to a step down ICU unit tomorrow, and "double hopefully" she will be back to Ravdin 9 in a further day or two.
Despite everyone's efforts to make Deb's room comfortable, with her own bathroom and bathtub, when we went to ICU, we were evicted from that room and everything had to be moved out and taken home! She is now in a glass walled room, hooked up to monitors without her own bathroom at all! Just a commode in the middle of the room. Can you imagine?
Finally, and most sadly, the biopsy was not clean. Deb will need another round of induction chemotherapy to get into remission, which will require another 3 weeks in the hospital. Although she came down from 27% to 6% -- they want it to be lower than 2% before the consolidation round of treatment. In spite of this all, and despite her exhausted, immaciated state, I could see her begin to rally tonight and to get ready for another fight. We need to understand a few things first, but Deb is determined to see Emma and she will come through this.
Deb sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 8:44 PM
19 Comments:
Dear Deb and Joe
You are real warriors.I am so sorry for you. I keep praying .
Thanks to all your family and all your wonderful friends.
Catch those BIG HUGS from Your Aunt Angie with lots of Love
P.S. I was knocked off line so I had to start over again.
Today's post rendered me speechless. I spoke with Mom as I was driving home and she had read the post and it brought me to the point of tears.
I'm thrilled you made it through the day without a trach. I know you were happy not to have one.
No private room. Don't they realize who you are? You get that throat cleared up so you can make some noise around there!
Not that you are in the mood to eat but I happily sent the Nonnie cookies off today with some other goodies in the box as well. They freeze well and you make sure that Joe and the boys know that I counted every one of them so you will know if there is one missing.
The kids all send their love. Mere and Colin are done with finals! Yippee....
Rest up and keep the faith Deb! Love, Love, Love YA..Cousin Eileen
hey debbie sorry about not bloggin in a while i hope u feel better because we need to play scrabble again!
Aunt Debbie,
I'm sorry to hear the results of the test weren't what we had hoped for, but at least it is working and the % dropped. (It's times like these that I wish I went into nursing so I understood what the heck was going on! Luckily you have many friends who are nurses who know what to do!) I hope your stay in the ICU is quick so that you can return to a private room. I also hope the steroids help fix your throat.
Reading these updates breaks my heart. As the page loads, I keep my fingers crossed hoping for some good news. I'm certain that wish will come true very soon. You keep fighting and we'll keep praying!!!!
Uncle Joe, Jess, Joey, and Mikey, hang in there! Your love and constant support will help Aunt Debbie through this! I love you guys!
Lisa
Dear Deb,
Thank God you didn't need the surgery today. I know the news you received was not the best but hopefully you view some of what happened today as positive - the meds you received are helping your throat, you were able to eat something - (Keep eating those diced peaches!) and the percentage has improved. Keep fighting! I can't wait until we are on the beach in SIC and Joe has just brought down our Margarita's and you are telling us about your beautiful Emma and Christian!
Love to both you and Joe (and Joey, Mike, Jess, Walid, Christian and Emma),
Barb
Hi Mom and FODs,
I don't know what to say really about today's events. I am thankful that my mom had her friends and my dad and brothers there by her side. I am relieved that the trach was cancelled. I am encouraged that this ICU visit will be very brief and mom will return to the ninth floor soon.
I can't say much else. I see three different doctors tomorrow so I should have a pretty good feel of how things are going with Emma and I and may get the green light to visit.
Walid edited and shrunk the dvd we made last evening so I could have a file of a manageable size to share with anyone who may be interested. Believe me, this will help bring a smile to your face. This little guy keeps us busy but he keeps us going despite everything.
Follow these steps after clicking on the link below (or open in a new window):
Click the Download button
Click save when asked whether to save or open.
Open the downloaded file
You will need windows media player to run this file.
http://www.bigupload.com/php/download_file.php?id_file=CFB0AD98
Thanks to everyone for their prayers, phone calls, emails, letters, love, and support.
J
All i can think of is"if you don't suceed the first time, try and try again!" easy for me to say, sorry today wasn't the greatest of outcomes..but it sounds like it's working(even though it's putting you through the wringer,would love to say other things but afraid i might shock fod's)Im hoping round 2 will get your counts right and you start feeling better! lots of love and hope,,,mdf
Deb,
Sorry you have had a rough couple of days.Wish i could be there cheering you on in person, but both Deb and I are with you in spirit. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Hang in there cuz things will get better....keep fighting....
Love,
Rich & Deb Friedman
Okay guys, call me crazy but I heard something in today's post that encourages and heartens me greatly.
Joe writes:
I could see her rally tonight and get ready for another fight...Deb is determined to see Emma and she will come through this.
Not for nothing, this is the best thing I've heard for a few days and by God, I am up for another round, too!
Chizzie, you continue to amaze and astound. Your strength and grit are awesome! I love you honey.
We shall overcome, baby.
K
My sweet friend Debbie--you are an inspiration to all of us, your strength and determination are unending. Mary and I were privileged to spend a day with you and see first hand how you met an incredible challenge with grace and dignity. I remember the ENT docs conferring in the hallway after scoping you and commenting again and again how "calm" you were. I know you can feel the love and adoration from an entire community of friends that would do anything in the world to help you recover from this devasting illness, but all we can do is pray and offer our support through a keyboard and computer screen.
You fight hard, sweetie. This next round won't be easy, but you've got a wonderful family waiting for your return, and Christian and Emma will need lots of laptime when you're feeling better. We love you, Deb.
Deb,
We're so sorry to hear that you'll have to stay in the hospital longer than you anticipated. On the positive side, it's good to know that the treatment is working. Mom & Ro send their love and hope to talk to you soon.
Eddy, Shirl & Lisa
Hello Chizzie-
Just a quick note before we hit the road for NM this morning. I hope you had a quiet and restful night after all the hubbub yesterday.
Oh, how I wish I was there to hold your hand, to windex your glass walled room and to clorox your bedside commode. Had to LOL at Joe's description of your room yesterday. Yes, Joe there is no privacy in the wonderful world of ICU. I join Miss Mo and the other "Nurse Bugger FOD's" in being glad that you are in ICU and getting the good care you need right now.
Funny, when I read the post yesterday about your being moved to the unit I thought of the first time ever I saw your sweet face.
It too was in an ICU but this one was at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. When our eyes met across that crowded hospital bed I knew we were going to be friends. Lucky me, it turned out that we were going to be friends for life.
I love you, Chizzie. Stay strong and dig deep. You can do this, honey. I know you can.
Joe, Jess, Joey and Mike. You guys rock. What would our Chizzie do without you? Sending you all the best. Hang in there guys.
Love - K
All Right!!!
The Refs finally made a call in our favor. Its first and goal. Time to suck it up Deb!! You go Girl!!(I know that's not a guy phrase, but I just had to say it) I know the prayers of all the faithful help direct Gods healing power to where it is most needed. This should be a source of great joy to all of us! Deb, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith. You have an incredible family, and a army of friends. We in the Chadwick family count ourselves Blessed to be part of that army. God Bless you, and keep up the good work. You are going to be a Christmas Miracle just like I was. I can feel it in my heart. Love Artie
Debby & Joe,
We were thoroughly disheartened after reading yesterday's posting. We could hardly imagine things getting worse, & yet they did!. This is now the time to "rachet it up a notch" with regards to our prayers for Debby's health. We will begin invoking one of Debby's favorite saints, Padre Pio, to beg for her health, & for the strength that you, Joe & family, as well as all of us need to see this through. We may disheartened, but not without hope that you will regain your strength & health. You have "an army" of well-wishers rooting & praying for you, & one day hopefully before too long, you'll be home with your family & friends. Keep up the good fight; you are always in our thoughts & prayers,
Mom and Dad
Dear Deb, I am so sorry to hear your biopsy was not clean. I had high hopes. I don't understand the numbers but if you are at 6% down from 27%, it sounds as if the treatment is working and for that I am grateful. I can't imagine what you are going through but keep on fighting. We need you in our lives. Love, Kay
Deb, I'm so glad we have this blog to read but sometimes it makes me frustrated because I can't be there to make things better. But if I were a betting girl, I'd put all my chips on you, Deb. You've got one heck of a fighting spirit and at times like this - it's not the docs, not the meds (although they certainly help!)- it's pure guts and the will to beat it. Now that's the Debbie I have always known! Until I can visit you in person, you will remain in the very heart of my prayes. Love you! Susie
Hi Deb,
What a battle you are facing. I know you have it in you to face it head on. Keep on rallying. As Mo said,again thank god for steroids. My mom sends her love and keeps you in her prayers. Julie and Donelle also are sending all the good vibes that they have to you.
Joe, I am keeping you all in my prayers. Thanks so much for all of the updates. I know this is a rough time for you all.
Debbie, hope today was better!Sort of relieved your getting intensive care.. not that your in the icu, but i like the fact that nurses are at your beck and call..
Crazy week at school.. can't believe they have the kids in school till tomorrow.. do you know how excited a class of kindergardners are!!That is what i do now..from working in the unit to working with sp.ed kindergardners...they are pretty cute(well except the one that threw up in his sleeve this week,or the one that bit the other boy cause he was playing where he wanted to be, or the same one that slugged the other boy in the face cause he wanted to get off the bus first)but besides that its fun! but boy, are they wound up!Of course i have sort of been instigating it with the different xmas things i have been bring in..
Anyway Deb.. stay tough, get that Italian inner strength to fight against this...
by the way,, when is emma due?? mdf
Hi Debbie ~ I'm so glad to hear that today was a much better day than yesterday. I was with my mom this morning (Thursday) when you called her (collect! ha ha!) from the ICU. To see the huge smile on her face and the tears pouring from her eyes made me realize how very special you are to her, and to so many people!
I've spent this past month at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and I can sympathize with everything you're going through. I've had a few patients with AML admitted for induction and consolidation chemotherapy, and thankfully, they've all done super well. I wish you the same outcome, a million times over!
much love,
Sarah Goodyear
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