Update
Dear Fod's,
It has been a while since the last posting and we wanted to update you on Debbie's progress. She continued to slide through last weekend and we went down to HUP on Monday and Tuesday to get blood and platlates. We also had a meeting with Dr. Porter on Monday.
In typical HUP tradition, Debbie knew that she needed blood on Monday and called ahead to Porter's office to get the process started. She was having bad headaches which she now knows come on when her hemoglobin is too low. In order to maximize our visit, Deb wanted to get typed and cross matched before waiting for her appointment, so that they could order the blood while we were with the Doctor and transfuse her after the visit before the lab closed. When we got there, we had to wait to talk to Heather and when we did, we had to wait until we saw the Doctor, and when we were done with the Doctor, it was too late to get the blood. Mind you, we were all done by 2:45, but in HUP world, it takes a minimum of 2 hours to get the blood up to the floor and by the time it would have arrived, the girls would have went home. So we had to come back on Tuesday! They did give us platlates and we were free to go home at 4:45 on our favorite road.
The doctor also ordered a CAT scan to make sure that Debbie was not having any cranial bleeding because her platlates and hemoglobin were so low. While we were waiting for the blood that never came, we made an appointment in Lansdale for the CAT, but then had to cancel it when we learned of the return trip to HUP. Luckily, our Aetna case manager was able to have the CAT arranged for Tuesday morning at HUP.
We arrived back down at HUP at 7:30 AM and waited for the office to open. Once Debbie was settled in, I had to return to the office for some immoveable meetings until 1:00. Debbie was done by that time and back we went to fetch her home. We beat the traffic on that day. The CAT scan was clear and this batch of blood and platlates seem to have helped her turn the corner. Her recovery definitely took longer this time than the last. The nurses said that Debbie's marrow is getting tired from all the chemo and that it will take longer and longer to come back. Not a pleasant thought.
Debbie has agreed to a final round of consolidation chemotherapy starting next Monday for 6 days, just like the last round. Next week she intends to visit with Jester and her family and to spend some time with her grandbabies. That will be good for her.
Debbie had a good day today. She ventured out to the King of Prussia Mall and is eating pizza at the moment. All good signs! We will keep you posted.
Deb sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 7:06 PM
20 Comments:
Debbie:
It was so good to have an update. The thought of East Coast pizza makes my midwestern mouth water.
I am glad you are feeling a little better. One more round of the consolidation. You have proven you can do it. Keep it up.
I am typing feverishly to be the first to post. I will post more and hope to catch up with you this weekend by phone. Dave is on call. Mere has Junior Ring Day on Sunday. We will just be hanging out this weekend.
Take care....Hugs and Kisses
...COD Eileen
King of Prussia mall!! That is the sign of a healthy woman!!! :) Glad to hear you're fighting through it!
Love,
Sarah Booth and Family
Hey Deb, between your blogs and mo's im starting to get a not too good impression of the organizational skills of the HUP,, only redeeming feature is that your doing well now.. have a great time in md.. enjoy the grandbabies.. rest alittle , then knock off this last consolidation.. good luck,, thinking of all of you..love, mdf
Man, I was biting my nails the whole time reading your latest post - especially that part about the CAT scan. Phew - breathing a sigh of relief after hearing it was all okay...and that you were eating pizza. Guess that means the mouth boo-boos are healing well.
Hope you are relaxing and enjoying your weekend, Chizzie. We arrived in Copenhagen yesterday evening. Let me just say that British Airways must have been taking lessons from HUP - it took all day and into the night to get here from Dublin. Today will be a walkabout and tomorrow we might hop on a ferry over to Malmo Sweden, I think. There's a Rembrandt exhibit in town too, though and we want to get in on that. There's a lot to do here, including a Museum of Erotica! Mr. Hal expressed an interest in that - ahem. Know we won't get to it all...but we'll give 'er the old college try.
We'll also be thinking of you on Monday when you head down to HUP for round 2 of the consolidation chemo.
Inquiring minds want to know - will you and Dr. Bob be roomies???? Hah-hah.
I'm thinking of you honey!
All my love - K
Aunt Debbie,
I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better now and thankful that you are a nurse. HUP doesn't seem very on the ball! Your trip to visit Jess, Walid, Christian, and Emma sounds like fun. I wish I was going with you! I can't wait to meet Emma. Please take lots of pictures!
Lisa
Debbie:
I am so excited to hear that you are feeling a little better. I bet your new grand baby is just adorable. Still going to keep you in my prayers!....LOVE YOU!!
Dear Deb and Joe;
Been watching for the posting. I don't know Debbie you are a strong person God love you Goodnews o
about your cat scan
I love you both.
BIG HUGs
Your Aunt Angie
Hi Chiz - back at ya for a quick kiss and a hug. It's midnight here in Copenhagen and we're thinking of you.
Fell off the wagon today and had a Carlsberg beer. Mmmm. Very good pilsener here in the land of the Danes.
Hope you're having a great weekend.
Love to all - K
Debby & Joe,
Another difficult week is now behind you; one more to go & let's hope that it's "blue skies" from there on. Lord knows, the both of you deserve a stretch of good weeks as a result of these last treacherous 3+ months. HUP is in definite need of an organizer & there can't be a good reason for HUP not being ready to give you the blood that you needed. We couldn't think of a better way of lifting your spirits than seeing Emma & Christian again. Enjoy every minute of your being with them, & rule out any thoughts about the HUP. Our thoughts & prayers are always with you,Love, Mom & Dad
Debbie:
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Enjoy your visit with the grandbabies!!! They always make a day special!! Good luck with the next round of chemo..keeping you in our prayers.
I too wondered if you and Bob would get to be "roomies".
Take care. Carolyn Stuart
Debbie:
Don't want to interrupt your visit with Jessie and the babies...But don't forget to include photos of the baby and Christian when you post again. We are anxious to see everyone!
Enjoy the visit. Lot's of love! COD Eileen
Hi Debbala ..I haven't been too up to blogging..dang hip transplant stuff..for all you FOD's.. not a recomended part time activity..I may have more fun buried in an ant hill at high noon..then again..maybe not!!I know you are doing well (via the bongo drum messages in old Lansdale) and thank God for this more than many times a day..also adding Dr. Bob to the more than many times.. can't kneel ..but as I recover I have naught else to do but pray ,sleep ,pray, sleep once in a while eat..O.K. more than once in a while I do eat..drugs do take the appetite away thank God for that too!!...Keep up the good health my dear and the happy attitude..will see you soon I hope(after the tonsils maybe if I'm not bleeding too much..I'll bring my own ice pops) love ya :)Bev
Hi Chiz-
It's Monday morning here in Denmark so I am thinking of you and you and your next trip to HUP.
Although I am also thinking that you would rather be buried with Bev in her ant hill at this point. (been thinking about you and your hip tx too, Bev. But the bongos didn't reach this far and I didn't know about the tonsils. Yikes! Good luck on that!)
Lit a candle for you and Bob here in the Cathedral of Our Lady, Chiz. It's the Lutheran church where the Crown Prince got married a few years ago. Thought it wouldn't hurt! It's a pretty, but plain church in the old part of town that includes a royal box complete with crown. It also has a beautiful pipe organ that really belts out the tunes. The organist was practicing and I was tempted to ask if he knew 'Hang on Sloopy' thought it would be a good song for you and Bob...
Know that I'm thinking of you honey child. Hope you had a terrific weekend with the family Teklits and are charged up and ready to get this consolidation round behind you. Prayers Up!
Love you - K
Hi there Deb,
Hope you had a great time wih the grandkids. Best way to build the stamina. Keeping you in my prayers. Take care with this next round.
Love and hugs,
jean
Hey Deb..how many of these consolidation rounds do they have with chemo?? Honestly, between reading and writing to you and Bobs blog i am feeling very knowledgeable about all of this.... good luck on the last round? of consolidating.. and do me a favor.. pass Bob up on the laps if you see him.. (just make sure your gown is tied tightly in the back!).. keep strong.. love,,,mdf
Hi Chiz-
Just a quick one before we leave Denmark and head back to London. Wondering how you are doing and if you are back at HUP. More bird business - the national bird of Denmark is the swan and you see them floating all over the place. There was one that flew past the window of the club floor lounge yesterday and it looked so big and was flying so fast it kind of scared me! Dang. We're up twelve stories so it really had some lift behind it. I have never seen one flying, have you? Thinking of you and now I have to go throw all my stuff in my bags and take off again. Denmark has been quite enjoyable, I'd definitely come back for another visit. You'd go nuts at the Rosenthal China place and Georg Jensen does some mean silversmithing as well. I know you need more dishes. Well, kiddo. I hope you are doing okay and that you and Bob are doing laps and chasing down the dietary aides! Hope to come see you upon my return. Love you - K
Deb
This blog is the greatest. I can keep up with your progress without bothering you. God knows your schedule is busy. Things sound positive and there is nothing like being surrounded by the love of friends and family (especially grandbabies) to help the healing process. As always you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Gaffney
Joe and Deb,
Sorry you had such a rough week again, but I'm glad that things are looking better for you now. And if anything can lift your spirits, it will be visiting with Jessie, Walid and the little ones. Hope next week goes better for you and I'm glad your feeling better now.
Take care,
Jeanne
Dear Deb,
Well I tried to give you a call today and no answer, so my hope is that you are on the way to VA to visit with your adorable grandchildren. Have a great trip. Take care. You and Bob are in my prayers constantly.
Love and hugs
Jean
Hey Cousin:
Just checking in. Dave and I are headed to the state medical convention for Friday/Saturday. It is in St. Louis so we will commute. It's only 50 minutes and it beats trying to get everyone at home situated as well.
Today I took a huge step and accepted a part-time job at the high school as the annual fund director. I know...I am crazy. But I decided it is a great start to re-entering the world from the stay at home status. I have been trying to come up with something as I know Brendan's next 5 years will fly by and then what will I do. So...since all I have done since choosing to stay at home is fundraise...what else would I do.
I hope you are still having a fab time in DC. Mere is at her last ACT prep night before Satudays big test. Bee and Colin send thier love as they are both here goofing around and Dave sends his greetings. He is headed home from a meeting in St. Louis.
Keep on smilin' Love COD Eileen
Post a Comment
<< Home