Day 44
Deb called this morning on the ride into work to tell me that her CAT scan showed that she most likely has pneumonia in both of her lungs. Obviously, she was very depressed by this news as we have been hoping that this news would not be the latest bad news on the journey. The doctor said that she would need a broncoscopy -- although that procedure seemed to be a bit up in the air when I left this evening. As I understand the procedure, they would enter Deb's lungs and take biopsies in order to find out exactly what is going on in there. This would be done in an OR and she would be put under -- not something Deb wants. They called in the infectious disease people and they did not think that this procedure was necessary now. So, we do not know what is planned for tomorrow in this regard.
Joey and I visited with Deb this afternoon and she was resting when we arrived. She was up in a second when she saw us and gradually came around as the visit progressed. They are giving her so many drugs that I cannot keep track of them, but whatever they had given her prior to our arrival was wearing off as the visit progressed and we had a good visit.
Deb had a copy of the CAT report and we both read it a few times. It is clear that they are seeing something in her lungs, but it is not clear from my reading of the report exactly what is going on in there. Most likely, it is pneumonia, however, the report was prefaced, conditioned, equivocated -- just like a lawyer had written it for them! Deb is not at all interested in the bronc and we are hoping they will hold this off for a few days to see what happens. She was not spiking termperatures today, seemed in fairly good spirits while we were there, and even did a bunch of laps. Joey had Deb out there for 7 laps tonight for a total of 10 laps today. By hospital standards, that is 6/10 of a mile.
Deb only had a tangerine for dinner, but claims to have eaten a good breakfast and part of her lunch. Luckily, her dinner tray did not go to waste with Joey around -- who like Mike -- can eat just about anything and like it!
I met Dr. Porter in the hallway, on my return from foraging, with oranges and Pepsis for Deb's fridge and we talked about Deb's lungs. He said that they had given Deb some steroids to help to clear up the lungs -- but when I mentioned this to Deb, she did not recall getting anything other than her normal breathing treatment, which she has been getting for some days. FOD's sorry for the lack of clarity here, but there is none. Just giving you the facts.
Obviously, our concern for the next few days is to clear up the pneumonia -- or whatever it is-- and to get those counts up. Thanks to everyone for the calls, blogs, cards, food, visits, etc. etc. etc. It is helping us to get through this difficult time.
Deb sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 8:46 PM
12 Comments:
Hey Deb. Every night, your blog reads like an episode of a soap opera! I'm just hoping you'll wake up tomorrow and feel better, and the pneumonia (or whatever it is) will have vanished.
I'll be down, Deb, as soon as this cold leaves me alone. Miss you terrible!
Love,
Cathy
Dear Deb and Joe
I'm sorry about the pneumonia no wonder you had a fever. How did you get that? Stay warm they know what they are doing . You will get through this Deb.I love you all I am praying.
BIG HUGS Your Aunt Angie
Hello Chizzie cat
Good talking to you tonight. I know you have so many worries right now. Please know that we are all with you in spirit and love and we all feel your moments of despair. You've turned the corner only to find another obstacle in your path. Don't it make you want to holler? It does me - so I can only imagine what you must feel like.
I AM glad to hear that the infectious disease doc is thinking your day without fever is cause for some further observation. That gives us FOD's more time to love bomb you and send you prayers, rosaries, chants, meditations, etc.
I look forward to seeing you in the morning. Sleep well. Just say no to fevers and say yes to wbc. Hang tough, sugar.
Love you - K
Now before anyone calls the fire department those candles were the kind that run on batteries... I'm not sure which FOD brought them in but they sure do lend a nice ambiance to our little Chizzie's suite. They even faked out Mary Ellen who was 'concerned' but didn't have the heart to say anything to Chiz. Imagine her relief at discovering they weren't the real deal.
Mo - I know where Chizzie came from (I stole it from Joe) but I have no clue what it means. I too, hope it doesn't mean anything blue - especially after calling Debbie that for 30+ years. Eek.
Eileen thanks for the psychic girlfriend shout out. It's all FOD's on deck for our Debbala (as Miss Bev would say.)
Pinochle group (aka high school crowd - do I have that right?) I loved the pics! You guys look like so much fun. I wish I played pinochle!
Hi Mama and FODs,
Here are a few pictures from the Orange Bowl - Uncle Rick sent them to share. In case anyone is wondering, I'm adding pictures to the existing photo album we created in the beginning of this ordeal. I'll always try and post the new ones to the front, but wanted to keep all the pictures organized in one location.
Ms. Janet, I feel your pain about being abnormally large during pregnancy. I've been hearing it since about week 6! My UPS/FEDEX/USPS men/women know I never make it to the door in time - they all leave packages at the door by default now.
My chocolate habit has gotten me into a bit of trouble - I have to sit for that dreaded 3 hour glucose test this week! I thought I was doing so well this time since I'm 15 pounds lighter than I was at this point with my first pregnancy - imagine dieting at a time like this! And up until now I wasn't even eating REAL ice cream! (a girlfriend of mine fixed that for me today, introducing me to some kind of Ben and Jerry's concoction - now I really know what I've been missing!)
On a happy note, Emma's birth is scheduled for March 20 - just 4 days before mom's - and it's only 8 more weeks away!
I hope everyone is doing well and thank you again for the continued unwavering support you provide me and my family with each day!
Deb,
Just got home from work and checking in. God must think as highly of you as we all do. Betcha' wish he didn't trust you so much? Hang in there. Hope all the meds do the trick - and SOON!!
Mo, if it makes you feel any better, I keep having trouble viewing the new pics Jessie posted. I tried signing in and not signing in but all I get is the page that says 'show slide show', but no pics. Hope you have better luck with your thermostat! Anyone have any suggestions re what I'm doing wrong?
Joe and family - prayers keep coming. Wish I could do more. Mussie
Hi Deb, this just sucks.. plain and simple, but im hoping your in a valley,and will be climbing up soon..you better be..im having a harder time trying to come up with positive sayings..now that they know what is in your lungs, and with the med for the wbc's you should be on your way!!!
Its 11 at night and my son, patrick, just got home from a friends house studying for finals tomorrow.they have been studying since about 7. so we'll see how his chemistry test goes!
I wonder if God thought it would be funny to put a perimenopausal women with puberty age kids?
Good to hear about Jesse and your new granddaughter,, what a gift for you all, and she might even be v born on your bday..
.
Hey Mo, glad you have heat.. why don't you buy a wood burning stove? We got one 3 years ago , and havent had the heat on since!
While im at it, hey ruth, sorry if i wrote some mean stuff to you years ago..i don't do that well with those chain letters on the internet and had been picking up viruses.. apparently i let loose on you..sorry..
well, my concience is better now, my son is home, i've written to you, i better go to bed.. tomorrow is wacky wednesday at school and i need to come up with a wacky outfit... shouldn't be too hard..
Deb, you have to stay strong and get better..my next saying might be"
rome wasn't built in one day" and that doesnt sound nice...see what i mean! Hang tough, you got both coasts pulling for you..love,mdf
Hi Debbie,
Boy this story is like a roller coaster..good day..bad day..I want all good days so you can come home and get real good food and sleep and company and hershey kisses too.
I love you Debbie Teklits.
Pam
Hey Deb:
What can you do to shake this pneumonia? I have to admit a bronc sounds like a yucky procedure.
So wish I could get to see you but I am holding off for better days. Speaking of better days...tomorrow Brendan turns 13. A happy day for him, for me not so. I can still remember telling him that Merlin was going to place him under a spell at the age of 5 so he would stay young. So much for that!
All else here is status quo...kids doing the school thing, Dave keeping busy healing the broken and me .... doing auction stuff.
Spoke with Rosemarie and gave her your new number. She said she had been trying to get through. I mentioned that you had been exceptionally fatigued as of late and that maybe you had opted not to answer the phone.
Work on your appetite. You need that to keep all other things working.
Love you to pieces. Cuz Eileen
Hi Deb,
Just read your newest chapter from the blog and I'm glad they decided to hold off doing the bronc, at least for now. Hopefully the pneumonia will clear on its own. (Have to agree with Cathy G. on the soap opera) Glad to here that Joey isn't going hungry...and Deb, maybe today is the day you get some good news from the Docs for a change Thoughts and prayers are with you
Love
Dick
Dear Dear Debbala..I finally got to speak with you on the phone ..wow,you sound so really really good (even through all that coughing)and lo and behold your wbc is up to 3.6 that is a miracle in and of itself!!! Miracles do happen and you my lovely are one of them...faith and trust ..your last words to me before you hung up ..these are the operational words now..your great determination and strong will are channeled into faith in God and trust that He will always take care of His precious child Debbala. Have no doubts ever, you are His helpless child now,and He will be there to scoop you up and save you, even if your way down the block,and lying in a puddle..just ask Him... You are not strong willed and determined for nothing!! It was great hearing from Jess and seeing the pics ..I had trouble viewing them too (if Mussie is reading this) and I accidently,but to my relief, hit the picture itself and the slide show opened up..great viewing ..its so good to see you smiling so Debs ..I couldn't get my eyes off your face..you look so happy..you should keep that picture near your bed..it would give you great inspiration (you probably already have it blown up and across a wall or something) I feel a bit helpless now ,not able to do much to help physically, but I'm right in there non stop with the prayers and roasaries and I feel sure that along with all the other prayers,that it's making a big commotion, and "THE BIG GUY" is definitely listening and will never let you down...keep the faith and the trust..love you lots :)Bev
Debby and Joe,
We're not going to be discouraged by the results of the CAT scan since it's but another hurdle to overcome. You've been battling this for all that you've got, & we think that your will is stronger than all of what we've seen to date. Don't let these latest findings discourage you! We couldn't help but smile at the comment about both Mike & Joey's appetites. You continue to be in our thoughts & prayers, LOve, mom and dad
Up, down, up, down. This is very frustrating! I'm sorry to hear about your lungs, but at least they're going to hold off on that test. That doesn't sound like fun at all! I hope they are giving you whatever you need to get rid of this so you can bounce back.
I'm so happy to hear a few happy words from Jesie! I can't believe Emma will be born in two months! If Emma likes chocolate and ice cream, I think she should have it!
Hang in there and try to eat some good food!
Love,
Lisa
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