Day 29
Deb had another good day today. She had visitors for most of the day, Jess spent time with her Mom, she ate well, took a nap and looked good when I arrived at about 3:00 PM.
Deb finished the chemo treatment today at about 2:00 PM -- so she is happy not to be hooked up to the pole! Her WBC is down to about 0. Her HMG is 8.5 so she will probably get a unit of blood. What they have done differently this time is that they have not started any antibiotics. Her allergic reactions to these drugs were her downfall the last time and since she never did have an infection to anything, they have decided to monitor her condition and not anticipate anything until there is a need for something. So far, this strategy is working and let's keep our fingers crossed that it is a winner.
Pammie visited Deb yesterday and we heard from Fred today. They have both agreed to help Deb and we will arrange for testing to see if they are a match for a potential stem cell transplant. Hopefully, we will not need it, but we are grateful for their agreement to help.
With the chemo done now we enter the period of the unknown. Because of the chemo, Deb is now completely compromised -- but not yet as weak as she was the last time. Hopefully, Deb will not encounter any temperatures or infections and she will come through this without any further problems. Unfortunately, this is an hour by hour type of thing. Everyone needs to be flexible and patient. We have had a lot of impromtu visitations over the past week and that was great for Deb. After tomorrow, the visitor Nazi will take control again, guards will be posted and Ninja will live in her ceiling until we see our way through this sensitive period.
Deb and I watched a bit of the Fiesta Bowl, she had her dinner (from home a mac and cheese) and I was able to come home and play with Christian for a short time before his bath and bed. I was surprised that they still even made play-doh let alone that it still smelled and tasted the same.
We appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness and help over the Holidays. It was uplifting for Deb to see everyone and, timing wise, it worked out perfectly.
Deb sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 7:36 PM
16 Comments:
Wow, I'm so happy to hear that you had another good day, Deb. I think having Jess and Christian here has done more than most of the meds you've had. I wish we could keep them here forever!
I sure hope this week is easy, Deb, but we'll all be there if you need us. I know we'll have to dodge the Nazi and the Ninja, but if you need us, it's just a walk in the park. I was so happy to hear that both Pam and Fred have offered to help you, I hope they are both acceptable donors if needed.
Sleep well, Deb. Thanks again to Joe for keeping us up to date--it's so important to those of us who can't be with you each day.
Love,
Cathy
Mrs Teklits,
I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed seeing you this weekend. I told Joey I would rather spend time with you then anyone else (he got jealous! haha) You are simply amazing!!! Stronger than anyone I know, no matter what you say! Your letter was the nicest ever... it made me cry! I agree with you on the beach days, you deserve them more than anyone in the world..My prayers and thoughts will be with you all throughout this week! Once again your family is amazing. It was SOO nice to finally meet Jessie! Christian is adorable too!!!!!! I look foward to much more time with your family when you are home & baby Emma too!!!!!! I am so glad that Fred has agreed to help too, maybe 2006 will bring much better times!!!! I am confident in that! Thank you again for everything you have done for me... my visits with you were wonderful! Stay strong!!!!
Love You ,
Alli <3
ps-- beware of the Crazed Red EYE Penguin/Pigeon!!! YIKES!!!
Deb & Joe,
I'm really glad to hear that Fred has volunteered too. Hopefully you won't need this, but it's great that both he and Pam are there for you. I hope and pray that this week goes smooth for you and I'll be praying for the test on Tuesday.
It's so great that Jess and Christian are here. That has to be the best medication in the world for you both right now.
Have a good night's rest!
Love,
Jeanne
Congratulations on another great day! I agree with Cathy about Jessie and Christian being the best medicine. Maybe Uncle Joe can arrange for some ninjas to keep them here!
I'm so happy that Fred has offered his help if you need the stem cells. Hopefully you won't need it, but it's nice to know that he and Pammy are ready and waiting.
Uncle Joe, I think I better start cooking. Eating play doh? You'll need much more than that to keep up with all of your laps with Aunt Debbie! Thanks for the daily updates. Even though I can't be there, it's nice to be up-to-date with everything that's going on.
Jess... call if you get a chance. I called your house last Friday before reading that you were here for a visit. I would love to see you, Christian and Emma before you head home!
I love you guys!!
Lisa
Dear Debbie and Joe
You sound good today I am so glad you heard from your brother thankyou Freddy. I am praying for you. Love you with all my heart.
BIG HUGS Your Aunt Angie
Deb,
I know YOU know what The Pieta is.
Kathi, I think you meant pinata, and are you related to Maryday???
Love, Mo
Did you watch all the bowl games?Mark gave up on ND with about 3 min left.. oh well.. hope your night went well, like the new approach the dr are taking.. Is Dr.Stud running the show now? Glad Joe is setting up the border patrol again.. don't want to take any chances with the low cts.
And Mo,do you wonder if kathi and i are related due to spelling errors, or crazy thoughts??????
Take care DEb. Stay strong.mdf
Woops, sorry Deb, i was trying to shorten Dr. Stadtmauers name..it's late.. bottom line, hoping and praying for a good week for you..mdf
It was sooo good to see you on Sunday,I didn't want to leave you .Between all of us you will get better...all better.
I love you Debbie...
Pam
Morning Deb,
Checking in before I leave for the day. Hoping you had a good night.
Wish you could read this stuff first thing in the morning too!
LOL at Kathi, Mo and MDF---the dog started barking at me.
Hang tough. Love, Kim
Hey Debbie:
It's a wonder I don't have a complex...what happened. Pammie, Debbie, Freddie, Ricky, Mickey, Ricky and Eileen...What were they thinking. I should have been a Vickie. Just kidding. Thrilled about Pammie and Freddie. I knew they would step up to the plate. Gosh would I love to see Freddie. I bet he hasn't changed a bit.
Watched some football yesterday....my sympathy to Joe for the Domers defeat. But that WVU us. Georgia game was worth watching. Today is the big day for Michael. Go Penn State. And of course, Colin is all about Texas so we will be watching the Rose Bowl tomorrow night. Or maybe he will as Bee has a basketball game @ 8:45. What are these people thinking. It is a school night not to mention the Rose Bowl.
Bee is off to school today. First day back. Mere and Colin start back tomorrow. Yippee...my life goes back to somewhat normal. But...the auction is 6 weeks away so I will be kept busy while they are at school.
Was that Pammie that I just read on the blog? And the Pieta...that had to be for selling Holy Childhood Seals...what about adopting pagan babies and tallying the pennies on the blackboard each day...maybe they didn't do that up East.
Mucho amor de ti...
Cuz Eileen
Lo siento....(I'm sorry)
That should have read...Mucho amor para ti....E
Hi,Deb
Glad to hear about another good day!
Kate's boyfriend is a Brit, so I asked him yesterday, "What would it mean to you if I told you to keep your pecker up?" After blushing a bit, he replied, "something a bit rude." I very quickly explained why I asked, and he speculated that your other resource might be from another area of the country where 'pecker' has a different meaning.
Joe, why are you tasting play-doh? Does it taste better than the hospital food? I wasn't gonna' offer to bring food over, 'cause I didn't think my cooking was much better than Penn's, but it's definitely better than play-doh.
Love and prayers hour by hour for another good day. Mussie
Hi Kathi, thanks i'll take that as a compiment also.. well, hope you slept well debbie and are feeling okay.. i felt i needed to clear some stuff up so you don't think i totally lost it out here.. remember that pt. named Agnes who always thought she saw (ithink it was Peter Lawford) but i had said Dean Martin and Mo so nicely let me know. Now the pieta thing apparently isn't a pinanta(see mo) so i don't know what that is , it must be a catholic thing, and even though im episcopalian(almost the same as catholic but without the guilt) i don't know what that is, or these different saints..anyone who wants to enlighten me is fine!
well, im off to bisselling again! Apparently my german shepherd doesnt enjoy going to the bathroom in the rain!
Hope its all good news with you today.. mdf
Well Deb nad Joe,
The upside of going through a losing season is when you come out of it you get first picks! Joe you have done a GREAT! job at recruiting. It sounds as if you have gotten the two top draft picks for Debs' team. Good news all around. Deb, Cathy and I are so happy to hear you are doing better with this round of chemo. Dr. Stud sounds like a real asset to the front office staff. You are going to have a strong play-off series. There are still a lot of challenges ahead, so hold fast to all that is good! Can you hear the cheers? We love you, and are praying for you. Can you feel the love? (God hears the prayers!) :) Love Artie
Debby & Joe,
Good news to see another day posted in the "good days" file; inputs such as these are uplifting to say the least. As for the chemo treatment being completed,"good riddance" are the best words we can add concerning such a barbarous modern day method of curing. Let's hope that the "numbers" the Drs. are looking for will be seen in the next biopsy. We were most pleased to read that both Fred & Pam have agreed to be stem cell donors if such treatment is necessary. We too were watching the Fiesta Bowl, & were rooting for ND to beat OSU. We chatted with Rick today, already parked & at the Orange Bowl. He inquired about the lates posting, & was pleased to hear that yesterday was another good day. He'll try getting together with Mike before the game; Mike's tour group hasn't as yet arrived at the Stadium for the game. Shane is having the time of his life, adding another to the list of PSU fans. LIke all of us, we remain steadfast in our prayers to the "heavy hitters" for your health & coming home soon. Love, Mom and Dad
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