Waiting Game -- Where is the WBC??

Dear Fod's,

Hi everybody. I had a nice surprise just now. Joe was at a meeting downtown that was supposed to last all day and he showed up here a few minutes ago. He still looks nice in a suit. When he surprised me, I really lit up. He can still make me see stars -- or is that the chemo? I was trying to get up the energy to blog today, but I am too tired. Good thing that the typing lackey is here now and still under my firm control.

Still no white count, hgb 8.2, platelets 13. These all sound low, but I have not required blood products for several days. I am taking this as a good sign that these counts are holding their own and not falling and maybe the wbc is just around the corner. Dr. Porter and Heather popped in for a visit. Did I tell you all that he had a baby boy 2 weeks ago and is he ever the beaming father or what? This is his first child. Dr. Porter said that my wbc should start to recover on Sunday or Monday -- but these things are on there own timetables. I still will feel better once I have some fighting ability back in my body. My kidney and liver functions are back to normal. That was a huge scare for me. They are being very cautious where my kidneys are concerned. I do not want to survive this and end up on dialysis! Unfortunately, the killer sore throat continues and I am not able to eat except for soft foods like pudding, jello and apple sauce which I have in good supply in my fridge.

The doctors and nurses are now scolding me for not using more pain sedation, but because of my allergies and nausea, the only thing that I can take without side effects is dilaudid -- a potent IV narcotic. So I take it at night for sleep, but tough it out during the day because of constipation. Drs. Porter and Millard have told me that their first goal is to get me out of here and their second goal is to minimize the pain and to please stop being stubborn. Can you imagine, me the "bullhead" of Lansdale being stubborn?? (lackey gone wild again)

Enough about illness. Of course, everyone knows that I am a nurse and spent 30 years in ICU. I too loved it most of the time, but had many frustrations with the physicians and was a strong patient advocate. From as long as I can remember I wanted to help to fix people and keep things neat and tidy. Other than my children, which are my greatest achievements, my nursing career is what I am most proud of. I love taking care of the patient at the bedside. Shut the door, give them long baths, soak their feet, help them to the chair, these things gave me great satisfaction. I miss it terribly, but could no longer do it physically. The way health care is going, I was not able to give the type of care that I wanted to give. Actually, a bunch of us left ICU at the same time and went to the surgery center, where I worked for about 2 years before I got sick. Wonderful group of caring doctors and nurses. We shared a lot of laughs there too. I hope to get back there if I can ever recover my strength after this, even if it is only one day a week. Along with taking care of patients, it was a great social event.

Joey -- never knew you wanted to be a Chippendale dancer or did you really want to be a chipmunk on the Chip and Dale cartoon show!! Your comment about the robot in training is certainly true, however, there is no robot in that house, you buggar!!! (lackey on fire now). You are so darn funny. You should blog every day to keep us howling with laughter. I too miss our ice cream socials where we laughed all the way home over nothing. Just giddy with being with each other, I guess. We are too peas in pod, except for "thunder and lightning."

OK -- that is all for today. Thank you for the cards, blogs and prayers -- they keep me going in this isolation.

Love to all.

Debbie

Waiting for a white count !!!

Hello Everyone,
Well i'm going to try and post for myself today. Let's see how it goes. Still feeling fluish and achy. Terrible sore throat (like a really bad streph throat ). I'm treating it with los of salt water rinses, numbing medicine that you swish and gargle, and lots of hot tea. I'm using lemon juice packets and splenda. No honey allowed because it's not pastuerized. Honey and lemon tea always worked wonders at home. I have not gotton weighed today but feel less bloated and am wee weeing ok so at least thats under control. The pneumonia is getting better, and my labs are allback to normal. So status quo for now.
Rick, don't you hate it when you lose a post or blog? sounds like you are almost done withthe house. Allelujah, free timefor biking and penn state fb..... Beth, glad you finished your classroom. Now do you knoe what you are teaching?.....Janet, as always you are too funny. I take it Harrison doesn't like having to smile on demand. Your mom did raise wonderful, independent kids. Your mom might not have your sense of humor or wit but she has the most incredible strength, stamina and giving hear of anyone i know....Beverly and Holly i miss you both and get a little melancoley when i think of all the funny stories and great times shared at Nph. I just heard from sue sobel (she writes a great letter) and i find myself thinking about the good ole days and all the lifelong friendships we share. Bevvie why did youhave to take your bra ? you never wore one anyway girlfriend....Mo have a safetrip to Scranton to get yor folks. Evan is woooodddeeerrfulll. Its those kind eyes and accent and how he holds both of your hands in his. Even though there gloved, it felt good. I usually just touch fingers (like ET ) with joe and the boys. Well not much else to report cause the docs have not made rounds yet....MDF good luck with colloge applications and decision making. I know COD Eileen is goin thruthat with Mere as soon as she gets the yr. started as Senior class President. Can't believe you both have babies starting college. Eileen tell Colin that he will se plenty of playing time. I sure wouldn't want to run into him or he into me. But he loves his Aunt Debbie and would never want to .hurt me. Anyway I'm mean with the flying pick up sticks. (family joke- remember "cover your eyes") .Well i will close for now. Visitor Alison , i think its time for another question to keep us laughing. Speaking of laughing, who told the teddy bear joke?? At the time if i could have peed my pants i would have. Todays joke was also sweet.....
Thanks a bunch for writing,
Love always Debbie

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah

Dear Fod's,

Hi everyone! I am still pretty weak so Joe is doing the typing for me. I tried to type today but could not hit the right keys -- it looked like it was coming out in a different language. So Joe is typing tonight, but under the strictist scrutiny.

Nothing new to report medically today. I love this new attending physician -- he is so kind and thoughtful with me. My throat is pretty sore today and it is hard to eat. I was able to eat more protein today and had mac and cheese for lunch and dinner and yogurt for breakfast. Joe brought me some applesauce, jello and rice pudding for the fridge so there is something for me to eat. Did you know that a Dove bar has 5g of protein?? Who would have thought! Haven't attempted it yet, but maybe later tonight. Still no real appetite, I am forcing it down to get enough protein to help the stem cells to engraft.

Still no wbc and that is knocking me out. Maybe 6 days to go. I am just dragging today and feel worn out. I have a little back ache and am just not quite feeling right today, but did lose another 4-5 pounds. No biking today, but I did do some of my other exercises.

Thanks for the blogs, posts and cards. I will try to comment more tomorrow. I miss you and love all of you guys.

Love to all.

Debbie

No PIC Line Today

Dear Fod's,

Thank you for all of the great posts today. Joe read them to me and they just made me howl. Rick your legal spin on the accused was hysterical. Of course, Joe should have invoked the 5th amendment rather than trying to explain his motives. Janet, technically, you were right and I had a stem cell transplant, which means that they took the stem cells from the donor's blood. But Dr. Porteruses the words interchangeably because the stem cells are found in the bone marrow. In a conventional transplant, the stem cells are havested from the bone marrow and not the blood -- does that make sense? I can just picture you and Jonathan going through this routine in front of a bunch of 3rd graders. Kris, I too can remember, not the day, but the exact moment that our eyes met across the room at the old ICU in Memorial Hospital and we became inseparable. All of those trips to Lake Michigan and Wendy's, and can you remember when my "car was too short" and fish net underwear and the mackeral? I have not viewed the video yet, but will after this post. Thank you for sending it. Edie, I remember too becoming fast friends with you. You the innocent, naive beauty and me the wild girl from the third floor. You have always been my best advice giver. How did I ever get through that first year? Who was that chemistry teacher who passed me with a "C" when I never passed a test for the entire year. He passed me because I promised to clean his apartment for an entire year! COD -- I always want to be part of your daily life and Saturday night sounded like such a blast. I too have a lot of friends with married kids and nice houses. Any takers out there? Good luck to the kids in school and good luck to Colin in football and Mere as the Class President. You are all such talented and creative writers, that I pale by comparison, but I used to make a mean chocolate chip cookie. What a great bunch of friends and what a great way to keep in touch!

I have dropped another 6 pounds of fluids today and definitely think that I am getting this part behind me. I am trying to eat small amounts of protien every 2-3 hours, i.e. yogurt, cheese slices, but am having trouble swallowing because I have mucousitis in my throat. It kept me up for most of the night. I made myself 3 cups of tea over the night with lemon, if I could only have some honey -- but alas that is one of the forbidden foods. I am doing hourly mouth care and hoepfully, this will prevent it from getting out of control. The nuitritionist came up today and marvelled at how well I am doing, my albumin level, i.e., protien is lower than normal but she said that after 5 days of not eating, that I was very proactive in trying to ingest as much protien as possible. If I can stay one step ahead of the mucousitis, I should be OK.

A new attending physician started today (they all take a 2 week rotation). Mo I think you and Bob had him, Ivan Millard. I think that he is wonderful, kind and patient. He explains everything. The big hero, Dr. Porter also stopped in today. Ivan and Dr. Porter conferred and they want infectious disease to see my line but they think that my central line is still OK because I have not had a fever. So we got a reprieve from the PIC line today. The bed side insertion does not worry me. However, the bedside removal of my 9 month old line is very scary. By now, it must be attached to something in there. The source of the infection was a uti and a bowel infection. Again, this happened because I have no white counts to fight any infection and I can become infected from my own body. At the first sign of another fever, my line is outta there and the PIC line will be inserted.

Everyone seems to be amazed at how well I am doing every day. So if I can just string a few good days together, I should be in good shape. They brought into the room what they call a "bike" which is really two pedals on a stand. I went from the Cadillac of all bikes in 7003 to a skateboard! Oh well. I did manage to use it for 20 minutes today.

I got platelets today and will probably need blood tomorrow. That always makes me feel more perky. Once again, thank you for all of your stories. I am so lucky to have you all in my life.

Love to all,

Debbie

No PIC Line Today

Dear Fod's,

Thank you for all of the great posts today. Joe read them to me and they just made me howl. Rick your legal spin on the accused was hysterical. Of course, Joe should have invoked the 5th amendment rather than trying to explain his motives. Janet, technically, you were right and I had a stem cell transplant, which means that they took the stem cells from the donor's blood. But Dr. Porteruses the words interchangeably because the stem cells are found in the bone marrow. In a conventional transplant, the stem cells are havested from the bone marrow and not the blood -- does that make sense? I can just picture you and Jonathan going through this routine in front of a bunch of 3rd graders. Kris, I too can remember, not the day, but the exact moment that our eyes met across the room at the old ICU in Memorial Hospital and we became inseparable. All of those trips to Lake Michigan and Wendy's, and can you remember when my "car was too short" and fish net underwear and the mackeral? I have not viewed the video yet, but will after this post. Thank you for sending it. Edie, I remember too becoming fast friends with you. You the innocent, naive beauty and me the wild girl from the third floor. You have always been my best advice giver. How did I ever get through that first year? Who was that chemistry teacher who passed me with a "C" when I never passed a test for the entire year. He passed me because I promised to clean his apartment for an entire year! COD -- I always want to be part of your daily life and Saturday night sounded like such a blast. I too have a lot of friends with married kids and nice houses. Any takers out there? Good luck to the kids in school and good luck to Colin in football and Mere as the Class President. You are all such talented and creative writers, that I pale by comparison, but I used to make a mean chocolate chip cookie. What a great bunch of friends and what a great way to keep in touch!

I have dropped another 6 pounds of fluids today and definitely think that I am getting this part behind me. I am trying to eat small amounts of protien every 2-3 hours, i.e. yogurt, cheese slices, but am having trouble swallowing because I have mucousitis in my throat. It kept me up for most of the night. I made myself 3 cups of tea over the night with lemon, if I could only have some honey -- but alas that is one of the forbidden foods. I am doing hourly mouth care and hoepfully, this will prevent it from getting out of control. The nuitritionist came up today and marvelled at how well I am doing, my albumin level, i.e., protien is lower than normal but she said that after 5 days of not eating, that I was very proactive in trying to ingest as much protien as possible. If I can stay one step ahead of the mucousitis, I should be OK.

A new attending physician started today (they all take a 2 week rotation). Mo I think you and Bob had him, Ivan Millard. I think that he is wonderful, kind and patient. He explains everything. The big hero, Dr. Porter also stopped in today. Ivan and Dr. Porter conferred and they want infectious disease to see my line but they think that my central line is still OK because I have not had a fever. So we got a reprieve from the PIC line today. The bed side insertion does not worry me. However, the bedside removal of my 9 month old line is very scary. By now, it must be attached to something in there. The source of the infection was a uti and a bowel infection. Again, this happened because I have no white counts to fight any infection and I can become infected from my own body. At the first sign of another fever, my line is outta there and the PIC line will be inserted.

Everyone seems to be amazed at how well I am doing every day. So if I can just string a few good days together, I should be in good shape. They brought into the room what they call a "bike" which is really two pedals on a stand. I went from the Cadillac of all bikes in 7003 to a skateboard! Oh well. I did manage to use it for 20 minutes today.

I got platelets today and will probably need blood tomorrow. That always makes me feel more perky. Once again, thank you for all of your stories. I am so lucky to have you all in my life.

Love to all,

Debbie

The Case of the Missing Blog

Dear Fods,

Some of you may be wondering what happened last night to the blog. The accused is sitting here typing this for me, as he can not be trusted to type on his own and I am still too weak to type. The accused posted a short blog letting everyone know what bad shape I was in ( which is true) and his frustrations at the some of the staff. The accused was intending to make another, behind my back call, to our special friend because of my inability to eat anything at any time, nor for any reason (there he goes again!). So I read the blog at about 8:30 and tried to edit the post with the help of my accomplice Jester, and she edited the offending lines. Then lo and behold, while we were looking at our screens and talking on the phone, the entire post vanished!

Prior to this vanishing act, I had called the accused to voice my objections to his offending post and forbade him to have an intent to make a behind the back call, and I surmise, because he will not admit it, that in a fit of rage the accused deleted said post, willfully and with malice ( aren't my dictations skills improving?? Not !!! ) So we kissed (absolutely against the regulations -- no skin to skin contact -- Thank God for small favors) and he has agreed to be my lackey typing slave for the afternoon.

Here is the abridged correct version of ICU as opposed to Joe's inaccurate version. In truth, I was very ill, I had no blood pressure, very low hgb, requiring 3 units of blood, low platelets, requiring 20 units, and my max fever was 104.6. This is called spetic shock. It was an emergency situation when I got to ICU and there were at least 6 doctors in the room, doing an ultrasound of my abdomen, sticking me sixteen times in the neck and clavicle in order to insert a second line in case emergency "resuscitation purposes". You can imagine the scene with low hgb and no platelets. I "chose" this moment to become claustophobic. The doctor had my face covered in towels and I had to keep my face to the right. Bear in mind that I still had the rigors (ask Fod Eileen) when I finally told him to stop because I could not take it any longer, I raised my hand, broke the sterile field, the doctor agreed and he stopped the procedure.

I was then taken down for a CAT scan in the bowels of HUP for a scan of my chest and abdomen. Mikey T was there for me for that journey. Of course, I had gown, mask and gloves on for the journey through the bowels of Penn to get to the CAT scan department. Once there, they put me in the machine, which is actually open -- not an MRI where you feel entomed -- and no sooner shad they tarted the scan when I started banging on the walls to get me out of here. They couldn't hear me because I was so weak, but they heard the banging. Does low bp cause claustrophia? Eventully, they got the CAT scan done and it showed massive fluid build up in the abdomen, inflammation of my bowel, a stone in my gall bladder, thankfully not the duct, and pneumonia. The blood cultures came back, gram negative rods in my blood. Most likely from a uti, they continued to pour fluids into me and 500 cc's per hour for the next twelve hours. All of my lab work was abnormal, kidney and liver abnormal, and even my bleeding times were off, requiring vitamin K. With the support of my family and all of your prayers, I somehow got through that awful day.

The next day my bp was much improved, the dopeamine came off, but now they wanted to "tap" my belly to get the fluids out! By the way, the doctors who are suggesting this look like they are in high school. One even had freckles and braces. A child progidy who wanted to poke my belly for some experience. I said no way buddy! Our friend Mary Ellen was there as well as Kava, the pastoral minister that I have become very close to. I was beginning to feel like a lab rat and started to cry when who walks in but Dr. Porter! If I wasn't so weak I would have jumped up and kissed him, but there is the no skin to skin rule. He calmed all of my fears and told me that it would probably take 1 week to feel much better. Everything was not going to turn around in a day.

The ICU docs wanted to keep me until Friday, but Doctor Porter convinced them that if my labs were better, that I should go back to Rhoads 7 on Thursday, which is what happened. I had one of the kindest nurses ever in ICU who took great care of me and was kind and considerate to all of my needs. Initially, all I wanted was a bottle of water and some vaseline, which the nurses could not provide. I was not allowed to drink and they never found the vaseline.

I returned to Rhoads 7 on Thursday a very weak puppy, but never so happy to see a toilet and sink. I gained 25 pounds of water weight which has mobilized in my belly making me very uncomfortable. It is difficult to breath and impossible to eat. Each day now though I am improving. I lost 4 pounds over the night and am finally starting to wee wee. I even ate some breakfast and lunch today, in small amounts which seems to have placated the accused.

They now think that they will take out my central line because they think that it is now infected from the blood infection. So probably tomorrow, I will have a PIC line inserted into my arm.

When I was not able to pray anymore myself, I felt the love and prayers from all of you carrying me through this difficult time. Jessie came to visit on Friday and Saturday and Walid watched the kids alone. What a great Dad! Thank you for all of the funny stories and jokes, blogs, cards and gifts. Joe or Mikey have been reading the blogs to me when I cannot read them myself. This blog has been a God send and my link to all of you until we can visit in person, which I hope will be soon on this journey to my recovery.

I love you all immensely and pray for you every day.

Love to all,

Debbie, as transcribed by the accused.

Rhoads 7014

Dear Fod's,

This afternoon we properly installed Debbie into her new room and she is now back into her own PJ's, sheets, comforter, books, computer, microwave, etc. She was able to shower and change into new PJ's. Jessie came up for a quick visit and was able to help with the unpacking. This room is bigger than the other one and has a nice view of the Penn campus.

Debbie is still in a lot of pain and is being medicated. It will take a few days for her to lose the extra fluids so she is still uncomfortable. The latest wrinkle is that she now has pneumonia and she is being treated for that as well! Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, she will be feeling more like herself.

Deb sends her love to all.

Outta ICU --Thank God!!

Dear Fod's

Debbie made progress today and she is not in life threatening danger. She is still very uncomfortable, weak, bloated and has difficulty breathing and relieving herself, but the Docs feel that she has turned the corner on the infection and that she is on the mend. They moved her back to Rhoades 7014 tonight and she is very pleased. She was able to shower, put on new pajamas and relax again, if that is ever possible at HUP.

When I arrived today @ 10:00 AM, Debbie was carrying 10-15 pounds of extra water weight, was flushed to the face in a great deal of pain and very shaky. She had not uirnated for over a day and was filling up with fluids (She was beginning look like Norm from Cheers!). Her bad kidney levels were rising and she was very uncomfortable, to say the least. Her slightist movement was painful because of all of the fluid and her respirations were short and rapid. She could not stand, sit or lay and be comfortable -- nor was there a Doc in sight.

It was necessary to call our special friend and hit the cage today with our biggest coal shovel!! When we were done banging the cage and within the hour, we were taking numbers at the door for the doctors who wanted to talk to Debbie. After a few dissertations, explanations, drug reversals, inversions, corrections and reversals, things were getting focused and productive. Then, as if on que, Dr. Porter came in to visit with Debbie and to set the house in order. He came in from having his new baby and while on vacation to see how Debbie was doing -- clearly in for canonization by Debbie, and I must say that he did an excellent job at calming his patient, who knows a lot, but not quite enough (Apology noted to Dr. Teklits). His explanations put Debbie at ease and she was able to rest comfortably thereafter (and thanks to the fentenol!!).

The group explained that Debbie has an old fashioned UTI that they are now treating with antiobotics. They know what the bacteria is and how to handle it -- that is good. The bad news is that her kidney function levels are elevated (PKD problem) but the good news is that they know why-- there were high levels of the anti-rejection drug that impact the kidney function, so they will back this off for a day and her levels should improve.

As to Debbie's lower region problem, they explained that she is having a problem going not because of any organ failure but because one of the antibiotics negatively affects the efficacy of the bladder muscle. They have switched that one off and she is now "going" again, which is good. While very bloated and uncomfortable, we hope that this extra fluid will gradually come off and that she will become more comfortable over the next few days. We will cede the chair to Norm!

Deb is happy to be back on Rhoades 7 and we are hopeful that we will only have good progress to report tomorrow. The doctors were all very positive on her prognosis today and we know that Debbie will do her part and more. We thank you for your prayers and support. The past few days blogs are with Debbie in hard copy. Hopefully, she will be back on live shortly.

Deb sends her love to all.

ICU Update

Dear Fod's

Our latest report (from Mike, the cleanup hitter tonight) is that Debbie is alert, walking when she can, and every bit still in the game! Joey went down early today and stayed with Debbie until around 2:00 PM when I arrived. He gave us multiple reports during the day and helped his Mom during some difficult spots. By the time I arrived, it seemed to me that the antibiotics had begun to take hold during the course of Joey's stay and that Debbie was still fighting and turning the corner on this infection.

During my stay, Debbie slept for the first hour or so and then became a little restless, had some back pain and seemed bloated to me. When I spoke with the Nurse, he explained to me that he thought that Deb had a urinary tract infection and that this was impeding her natural abilities. By his counts, she was positive 5 liters. Although Debbie tried, she was not very successful. Not to mention the fact that she is out in the "open" on a free standing comode!! Hopefully, this will turn around.

Debbie began to awaken during the end of my stay and they had her scheduled for a CAT scan of her abdomen. Deb was able to walk to the gurney and help the Transport staff to get her on and all hooked up for the trip down. Right on schedule, Mike arrived and was able to spell me and go down with the Transport team with Deb. As you have long since learned, the T's only travel these floors in pairs (it is an old Hungarian thing). We are awaiting the results of the CAT scan.

Mike said that Deb was doing well after the CAT scan, was not left to rot in the HUP halls, (because one of the T's was there), and was doing well as she drifted off to a well deserved sleep.

I will spend the day with Debbie tomorrow after a few "must do" European issues in the morning. We have two new movies to watch and, hopefully, she may be interested in an ice cream sandwich with the show.

AN OBSERVATION AND MY PREDICTION:

Early this morning, when I first arrived in Debbie's ICU room and saw her with the high fever, her flushed face and being very uncomfortable, I noticed out of the side of my eye that the man in the room next to her was awake and watching television. He was a very big man and he was in obvious discomfort. There is a fogged glass window between the rooms and I noticed a poster on his side of the glass. It said "NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL" -- (raised golden helmut) -- and "WE ARE -- ND!" This was my sign, like when Joey was born in Memorial Hospital in South Bend. We are going to be OK.

When I came back this afternoon, the guy and the poster were gone and I did not ask where they went because they were there for us when we needed them.

Debbie is going to beat this!

Deb sends her love to all.

ICU

Dear Fod's,

Debbie had a bad day yesterday, as Fod Eileen will confirm, and she continued to deterioate through the evening with high fevers, rigors and abdominal pain. At 1:30 AM Debbie called and said that they were transferring her to ICU for closer observation. When I arrived, and spoke to the nurses, they said that Debbie was either having a reaction to the blood products or has an infection. Before the transfer they began antibiotics which they will continue in ICU. Her blood pressure also dropped and they began dopomine. As you can imagine, Debbie was not happy with this move!

When I first visited with Deb, she had a high temperature and was flushed in the face. They were beginning a procedure to run a second line on the left side of her neck, in case of emergency resuscitation. I was asked to leave and transferred the contents of Debbie's room to the car, including the microwave. Consistent with HUP policy, she will be assigned another room, etc. when she is discharged from ICU.

The doctor could not accomplish the procedure and with 10 platelets, Debbie convinced him to stop trying. When I was allowed back in the room, her fever had fallen and she was beginning to sleep. They hung some platelets, took a chest X'ray, Deb reacted to the platelets, they gave her a pill and restarted the platelets and she was sleeping and not nauseous at around 5:30 AM. I doubt that she will remember any of this stuff when she wakes up.

I have a few "must do's" at the office this morning but will go back down after lunch. Joey will take the 8:15 train into town and Mike will come on after his work. We will keep you posted again tonight.

Deb sends her love to all.

What Great stories !!!

Hello Fellow Bloggers,

So good to hear from you all. I love all of your stories. Alison you had me weeping or "seeping" as my friend would say about you and your husband sneaking a day off to be together and
christmas shop. I have a very good husband but we only Xmas shopped together last year. I was not yet diagnosed but was feeling very sick and my Dr. ( Bob,of Mo and Bob) wanted me to stay home and take it easy as some of my labs were abnormal but not quite clear yet that i had leukemia. Follow that ? Anyway i said i was gonna just run to a few stores, and he said no way! But i am very strong willed and said i was goin. Well he came with me in case anything would happen. (i would get these sudden fevers and chills and abd. pain that would come on very quickly ) So we left the house at 7:30 am stopped at Starbucks for tea and coffee and headed to the mall. No looking and feeling sweaters. "just pick one Deb".Got a few things very quickly and off to Target to get our precious Grandson a wagon. Got that ,and some dvd's and cd's for the boys and on to Old Navy for my boys and niece and nephew. Joe got a big carry all bag and we started stuffing gloves and hats and sweaters in the bag. We were home by 1pm. That was the quickest i've ever shopped in my life. i already had girlfriends gifts as i by them throughout the year when i see something they would like i pick it up.I was on a mission this summer to get as many gifts as i could because i will sorta be on house arrest for 100 days after transplant. Thats mid nov. if all goes well. Another reason to beat this as my husband will not know what to do with all the loot i've collected. I even have my tea party favors bought and ready to go. But boy oh boy do i regress. this was about Alison and her sweet date with her hubby. I think if i told joe we would doa ittle shopping and then bar hop he would be more willing. But not before saying "bar hop, Who are you and where is my wilf" to suggest bar hopping......Bev i loved your story about Australia. You must wear that get up to the cosmo party. That could be a game we could play. For those of us that don't know each other. trying to figure out who everyone is. Of course i knoe everyone cept. Alison. And bevwill be a dead giveaway. Now where did that come from"dead Giveaway" Friend Kris would you get on that please..... Rick enjoyed your story. Was glad you could show it off to the folks. Did mom REALLY throw a pork chop at you? Suzanne i wish i could help you pack. I bet you are coming across all the girls old dresses and toys and photos. When i clean my closet i always get sidetracked looking at old photos. And i saved way too much. I'm so excited for you moving to a new place....Mo and Bob please let me know if you hear anything about Bill....
Thankfully not too much to report from here. Still not sleeping, even with 2 sleeping pills last nite. A sore throat persists but not the dreaded mucousitis. No fevers or chills but if i could get out of this room iwould give someone all the money in my wallet. Speaking of wallets. mine is at home but if you were to look in it, probably $100.00 in cash, numerous credit cards (janet does that hurt your credit rating?) and receipts from my early Christmas shopping and my nurses license., my ss card drivers license and my bone marrow registry card. Doubt that anyone will want me as a donor now. Also pictures of the grandbabies. Well i'd better close this before it vanishes into thin air.
istarted this at 7:30 am justtakes forever to complete...love you all......Debbie

What Great stories !!!

Hello Fellow Bloggers,

So good to hear from you all. I love all of your stories. Alison you had me weeping or "seeping" as my friend would say about you and your husband sneaking a day off to be together and
christmas shop. I have a very good husband but we only Xmas shopped together last year. I was not yet diagnosed but was feeling very sick and my Dr. ( Bob,of Mo and Bob) wanted me to stay home and take it easy as some of my labs were abnormal but not quite clear yet that i had leukemia. Follow that ? Anyway i said i was gonna just run to a few stores, and he said no way! But i am very strong willed and said i was goin. Well he came with me in case anything would happen. (i would get these sudden fevers and chills and abd. pain that would come on very quickly ) So we left the house at 7:30 am stopped at Starbucks for tea and coffee and headed to the mall. No looking and feeling sweaters. "just pick one Deb".Got a few things very quickly and off to Target to get our precious Grandson a wagon. Got that ,and some dvd's and cd's for the boys and on to Old Navy for my boys and niece and nephew. Joe got a big carry all bag and we started stuffing gloves and hats and sweaters in the bag. We were home by 1pm. That was the quickest i've ever shopped in my life. i already had girlfriends gifts as i by them throughout the year when i see something they would like i pick it up.I was on a mission this summer to get as many gifts as i could because i will sorta be on house arrest for 100 days after transplant. Thats mid nov. if all goes well. Another reason to beat this as my husband will not know what to do with all the loot i've collected. I even have my tea party favors bought and ready to go. But boy oh boy do i regress. this was about Alison and her sweet date with her hubby. I think if i told joe we would doa ittle shopping and then bar hop he would be more willing. But not before saying "bar hop, Who are you and where is my wilf" to suggest bar hopping......Bev i loved your story about Australia. You must wear that get up to the cosmo party. That could be a game we could play. For those of us that don't know each other. trying to figure out who everyone is. Of course i knoe everyone cept. Alison. And bevwill be a dead giveaway. Now where did that come from"dead Giveaway" Friend Kris would you get on that please..... Rick enjoyed your story. Was glad you could show it off to the folks. Did mom REALLY throw a pork chop at you? Suzanne i wish i could help you pack. I bet you are coming across all the girls old dresses and toys and photos. When i clean my closet i always get sidetracked looking at old photos. And i saved way too much. I'm so excited for you moving to a new place....Mo and Bob please let me know if you hear anything about Bill....
Thankfully not too much to report from here. Still not sleeping, even with 2 sleeping pills last nite. A sore throat persists but not the dreaded mucousitis. No fevers or chills but if i could get out of this room iwould give someone all the money in my wallet. Speaking of wallets. mine is at home but if you were to look in it, probably $100.00 in cash, numerous credit cards (janet does that hurt your credit rating?) and receipts from my early Christmas shopping and my nurses license., my ss card drivers license and my bone marrow registry card. Doubt that anyone will want me as a donor now. Also pictures of the grandbabies. Well i'd better close this before it vanishes into thin air.
istarted this at 7:30 am justtakes forever to complete...love you all......Debbie

SORRY FOR THE POST 1

Hey Everyone,

So sorry for posting so late. I did not have a good nite or morning. I'm feeling better now.Last evening i began to feel achy all over (like when you get the flu )and my mouth started to burn. I have an ANC (absolute neutriphil count )of 0 for 3 days now so i am bound to feel rundown and achy. But i just tossed and turned all nite and could not get comfortable. I really had to drag myself out of bed today. The docs and nurses said it was ok to chill in bed for a day but with my 2 bouts of pneumonia previously when i had an ANC of zero i thought i should be up and about (as much as i can in this room ). So i made my bed and then the surgery center girls called . Its always so good to talk to them and catch up on their lives. My nurse Nicole came in with a cupful of pills and told me to take them cause i was getting platelets and needed the tylenol and Benedryl so i would not have a reaction. You know how desperate i am getting for company so i just kept talking to the SC girls. Well Nicole came in to hang the platelets and i was still talking. She started the transfusion before I realized I didn't take the pills. She was not happy with me. I told her i have never had a reaction to blood products and hung up the phone. I'm not kidding within 20 min. I had terrible abdominal pain and started throwing up. I also broke out in several hives, but did not tell anyone, lest I be chastised further. They gave me ativan for the pain. They have doubled my dose of magnesium so I get 2 grams IV a day and 2 grams PO a day. The tacrolimus eats up the mag and they need to replace it. So maybe I cannot tolerate that much mag by mouth and that is why I got sick, but who knows.

Joe is here now and retrieved this blog which was lost for about 5 minutes! I am now feeling OK -- not great but better than earlier in the day. So now to you guys: Mo and Bob, hope you had a safe trip home, it looks like a beautiful day -- it must have been hard to leave the beach. Bev - hope your party goes well tomorrow, I wish I was there to see all my old friends... Rick - glad you had a good weekend. Hanging a few pictures does not sound too bad. There is nothing like freshly painted rooms and remodeled bathrooms. Hope you are done now and can enjoy the football season... Beth - lying on a float in your pool sounds wonderful, except I have to do it at night from here on out. No more sun, ever. I have to be fully covered because of the BMT I could get 3rd degree burns from the sun. I have not come to grips with this yet, but we will deal with it once I am out of here... Sue and Rich - are you really alone in an empty house now?

Well, everyone enjoy these last few days of summer. I am ready to say adios to the summer. I am more of a cool weather gal. Hope all is well with you and your families.

Love you lots.

Debbie

Beautiful Sunday !!

Good Morning All,

It's always so good to read your post's. Mo I can Smell the bacon frying. Try one of Robin's cinnamon buns, they are yummy. I would eat a whole on e every day we were there. I'm sooo glad you got to get away for a few days and that the weather cooperated...KM , youknow me well, I cussed like a sailor all the way down the mountain..Looking forward to seeing you too and gettingan update...Its almost Sept.......Alison, how of you to have adopted a midshipman. She must love having home cooking and being able to sleep in and enjoy your families life....Beverly, you know how i can always picture you playing Ave Maria on the accordian as a kid ? Welli can really picture you sliding down the mountain screaming all the way. Did the leeces hurt ? Did you have blisters all over?Ya know that reminds me of the day up at Lee's lake house when we jumped from a rope over the lake in our skivvies. I remember screaming like a banshee , thinking we were all going to die of head injuries. Thankfully, no serious injuries other then the loss of your 1ct. diamond earring and damaging your Rolex. What the hay were you doing wearing all that jewelry ? OOOHHHH! i forgot i was talking about our gal Bev.....Rick glad you got some R&R this weekend. I'm excited for you to start goin to the football games. What a glorious way to spend a fall sat. I'm praying and praying that i'll be home for the ND -Penn state game. Even if i have to sit on the couch and be waited on like Cleopatra.....

I'm still doing ok. Every day i wake up thinking , "is this the day i'm gonna get reall y sick?We will take every good day ican get. Do oyu think the stem cells are lost? I got 2 units of blood AND Tylenol yesterday soi'm ready to dance. If they would just let me out of solitary confinement. I see lots of pts. lapping thru the window. Remember the movie with John Travolta "The Boy in the Bubble", Well that's how i feel. So many new pts. to meet and greet and here i am. Not complaining just rambleing on and on. Joe and the boys are coming down soon, so that will keep me busy. Have a great day........ Love Deb

Good Saturday Morning !!!

Hello Everyone,

Hope this finds you and your families well. Looks a little cloudy out there today. Is it less humid ? Before i forget (which happens to me all the time now-The dr. will say she is cured of leukemia but we're sorry to tell you she has Alzhiemers), Janet Russell you are so darn funny and witty. I remember that fun nite in the limo and the play and i do think we badgered you. Poor thing, i'm sorry. You were so committed to getting married to the rite man and having children, and here you are with the perfect husband, beautiful kids, a gorgeous home and nice friends. What more could you ask for /Ask any of us old ladies and we all would say we married too young. But when you are young and in love thats all that matters.
Patty i loved St. Martin also. what a beautiful and relaxing place. Speaking of which,naming one of our favorite days other then wedding day and our kids birth day(which of course were miraculous)one of my favorite days was in St. Martin with my husband. We had a nice day at the beach and took a snooze to the sounds of a rain shower. We got up and were having a drink at the bar overlooking the sea and there was the brightest rainbow i have ever seen. It was so romantic and magical. Really it sounds corny (not smells just sounds...HaHa), but simple family outings were always a favorite. The kids at Disney World, seeing the excitement on thier faces our first nite of vacation on the boardwalk. Also we used to ski and i loved having us all together on the mountain, especially at Lake Placid. The kids begged me to go to the top of the mountain (where they had all been the whole week.I never got off the baby slopes there..very tough mountain to ski) so on the last day i relented and took the chair lift to the top. It was really a breathtaking view with all of us together, for about two minutes until they all skied down the moutain leaving me alone. I was petrified, certain i would die and so angry with all of them cause they promised me they would help me down. Well with sheer determination i made my way down the mountain, just so I could ground everyone for leaving me alone.

So to answer Mary Day's question I am doing fine, I had a little fever today,but it dropped down. My hemoglobin is 7.4 , so that means two units of blood and TYLENOL. HOORAY!!! I am not sleeping at night, and the food is terrible. Joe brings me frozen food from home though. I am getting friendlier with nurses, they are all very nice. There are a couple special ones even put up my idle chatter. So two and half weeks in and maybe only two more to go. Please keep the prayers coming, I am convinced that is what is keeping me going.

Have a great day, I love you all!
Debbie

The Blahs are Back!

Hello FODs and CODs,
This will be my second attempt at blogging to you today. The earlier one this morning vanished into cyberspace when I pushed publish. That makes me crazy, because I type to slowly! So FOD Eileen is here and she is typing for me, because it was painful for her to have to watch me type.
Thank you for you posts--I'm so enjoying all of your stories!
Bev--I can visualize Greece and your 'squid' picnic. I wish I could have been there with you. I would have been the girl roasting a hot dog as I don't like calamari. Good luck to Jen at the doctor's today. My doctors were in my room when you called, sorry that I missed you.
Visitor Allison--what a nice mom to take you son and his friend to see that goofy movie--I saw previews for it and it's certainly not my cup of tea, but I can see why a bunch of teenage boys would enjoy it. MDF--are your boys interested in this movie?
Mo and Bob--I'm so glad you are at the beach--and you are right--I am very jealous that you ate at Angelo's! Did you order a side of fries?--they make the best ones on the boardwalk! Hope you get some beachtime, and that the weather continues to be nice. Make yourself a cosmo, there should be plently of fixin's in the closet next to the fridge--shaker is in the cabinet above the stove.
Donna Teabags--I loved your visual of Aruba--I've never been, but I'm adding that to my 'to do' list. Jenny--I know that you are probably on vacation but I just needed to comment about your Mom's service--I wish I could have gone. How you got through the euology, I'll never know. But I agree with you that you mom would have had a good laugh with the ashes fiasco.

Today I woke up feeling very tired, sore throat, no fever, but my white count is now down to zero. Platelats and hgb are both 8. I did get platelets, but they won't transfuse you unless your hgb is below eight, so I guess I'll have to wait 'till tomorrow for blood. Silly of me to think that I wouldn't have an off day now and then. OK guys, thanks again for all the work that you put into the blog. It's saving me from going bonkers here in isolation. I hope you all have a great weekend--whether it's at the shore, doing stuff around the house, or taking kids to college.
Lots of love and kisses to you all. Debbie

HI There !!!

Hey Everybody,

Really enjoying all the blogs and memories. You are all so kind to keep writing. MDf , what a lucky girl to be living in San Fran during the 70's. You must have seen so much. I can just picture your perfectly manicured mom with hergloves. I don't think they make mom's like that anymore. Very Donna Reed and Leave it to Beaverish.Baseball camp sounds like a blast.....Km. your bodily description was hilarious and now i'm craving a perfectly toasted sesame bagel. Your little friend in the ER made me miss working in ICU and the surgery center. Old folks are the cutest. His family should allow him the bike just in restricted areas. A horse might really get him into trouble...AND i want to see you and our precious Trudy in a tennis match. Donna teabags could wear her Jackie O dress. I'll be the one in the beater....Artie, i think we met at a party after you and cathy got engaged, but i'm alitttle fuzzy on that too....Alison, do you feel like you are getting to know us better?
As far as my favorite travel destination (and i'm not that well traveled)I really love London and am in awe everytime we go. SSSooooomuch to see. History on every block. Iloved ireland bc of the people. We were in southern ireland and the views of the ocean were spectacular and the countryside looked a hundred years old with the thatched roofs and donkeys wandering in the streets. (this was 30 yrs. ago when joe was in law school and did a semester in london.)BUT i have to agree with my cousin Eileen, ITALY is my favorite. Ifelt so at home there. The people were wonderful. the food was to die for and joe loved the wine. I really enjoyed Rome and the colliseum and the Vatican and St.Peters. Florence is just the neatest place with the art and historical churches. But i think Assisi was so breathtakingly beautiful its hard to decide on just one place. I really want to go back as soon as i'm able to see the Amalfi coast and Calabris where my grandmother was from. Maybe next spring.
And the thing i would tell my young self"Don't sweat the small stuff".
Well i'm still doin ok. A little shakey today but my Tacrolimus level (dreaded rejection drug)was elevated so they cutthat back a bit. Other then that i'm ok. have a great nite and don't let the bed bugs bite. love you all..................debbie

Let's play another game!!!!

Good evening everyone,

I just had a nice visit from joe this afternon and from joey tonite. boy does he make me laugh. and it was good to see michael finally blogging. Another good day reading all your stories. kim i pictured the whole scene with Billy and you and your sweet mom listening downstairs. so funny. didn't you ever tell your mom that she ruined your life? i know i did but.....we won't go there.rick ,your rendition of growing up in the teklits household is worthy of a sitcom. you really should do stand-up comedy.but you being the baby i think the older sibs might tell a differant tale.
Still feeling ok. No problems to report. this isolation business is driving me a little crazy. when a nurse does come in i talk their ear offand they have to make a mad dash out of the room. i've kept visitors to just the bare minimum as recomended by the docs. just family and a few close friends and i talk their ears off too. soon there will be a support group offered at penn, named "the i just left Debbie's room" support group. thats why i enjoy the blog so much so thanks again for writing.
To answer alison's next question, What people don't know about us, thats easy but my close friends know the answer. I'm a little embarressed to admit that i'm still this way. ( but really working on it as i get older) If i get angry with someone or they hurt my feelings i have a difficult time continuing the relationship. I do feel like i will do anything for anybody but don't cross me. isn't that bad? it hasn't happened in a very long time, but i really don't like that about myself. Otherwise i'm an open book. Also i was a hippie, even had a volkswagon and wore flowers in my hair. I protested the war (not the soldiers bc my older brother was fighting over there)because of all the senseless killing. Also when i met my husband Joe he wanted to be a rock star (he played guitar, piano and harmonica in a band) I'm still not quite suer when he made the transition to being a lawyer. anyway hope you are all ok and that you are enjoying these last days of summer. will write tomorow.
love debbie

Thank You Alison !!!!

Good Morning Everyone,

I posted last evening thanking Alison for her wonderful suggestion of getting to know each other and how we all met. Its floating around cybersoace somewhere. Actually it got lost, i found it, then the computer went into hybernation(what the heck is that????) and just shut down and would not go back on. This am miracousuly(sp?)i turned it on and the blog was still there so i finished it and pushed publish and it vanished. I will try again!
So, Alison thank you for starting this wonderful trip down memory lane. I really was so touched and overjoyed and hysterical reading everyones stories.I have been blessed to have the best family and friends anyone could ask for. I'm embarressed by all their compliments because each and everyone of these friends have taught me to be a better friend, better cook, better mother and a better person. We have shared soooo much. Marriages, divorces, births, kids, kids going bad and getting better. (i would not have made thru my kids teen years if it wasn;t for my friends) death of our loved ones, illnesses and also sooooo much fun and laughter. It has been so much fun watching our kids grow and marry and start thier own families. I remember all of this when i'm sad or lonely down here and the love of all of you always gets me thru the nite(with just a little help fromsleeping pills). So please continue to share your lives with me. its always the highlight of my day.
I'm doing fine today. other then this backache i feel good. Another day in the good column.
KM, i hope shaun is feeling better today. that sounded scarey........
love Debbie

Keep Me Laughin !!!!

All,

Good morning dear fod's. You are all so busy i feel like a slug. Rick, i can just see you loading up the new pantry. we moved our extra fridge to the garage. it's great when we make a trip to costco to unload the car right there. the kids must love having the extra food and snacks . I'm so glad you are finally finished painting. sounds like you redid your whole house. now REST or take a long bike ride.....Janet, you my dear should do stand uo comedy on the disney channel or some mommies only tv station. you are so funny. sorry about harrisons head. i can picture jonathan padding his "bad bad" sofa. i'm sure it won't make the trip to the new house. about the surgery i agree with mom you look just beautiful the way you are. but i imagine if you are uncomfortable all the time then it would be nice to have some relief.keep me posted.....cod eileen, rounding up calves first thing in the morning. i used to think it was bad just getting simmie out for one last pee before running out the door. good luck to the "addios" festivities for mayra and fabiola. i'm sure they would loveto spend the year with you.can i come next summer???...KM to catch up on our friend alison,visitor on Rhoades 6 you need to go back two weeks ago (you may have been at the beach).its a long ,inspiring, sad story.....
Not much new here. so far so good. just this nagging backache which i think is here to stay until i can get out of isolation again. I just sit in the chair or nap or use the bike. I really need to walk but theres no room. i did watch the yoga tape and beginners chant. its a littlle agressive in my preseant state but there are some good stretching exercises. Hope you all have a good day. looks like rain which i guess we need. i'll write again later. love deb

A little note

Hey all,
Really enjoyed your blogs today. MDF soory i missed you when i called, just wanted to let you know myself how much i enjoyed your cheerleadng. Good luck with the puppy tomorrow. Never a dull moment in your house.....Km, holy moly thats alot of fruit and salad. miss you like crazy. could sure use a nite at the mainland with our gang and mr. roberto......Alison , thanks for all your cute posts. i couldn't get to the ireland pictures when i clicked on the link. i'll have my husband try......bev. praying every hour for jen...will let you know about the stash...Terry so good to hear from you. We werein venice last year beautiful and romantic place. was hoping to go back to italy this year to the amalfi coast and the greek island cruise, maybe next year. Mo and bob you sound good. any word from bill? whats up with the white suit?......Janet, have a great get away with your boys. your right lots of sand but lots of laughs too. wish i could join you.....who wrote the dr. jokes???they were hysterical. i like the mowed lawn and theoscar meyer the best....sue s , how was moving david all went smoothly i hope.
I'm doin ok so far. Getting Methotrexate now to supress my immune system further and to help the stem cells "engraft" in my marrow. i have a little lip tingeling and numbness. i picture the stem cells like a little pac man chasing around looking for a place to "set up housekeeping" and banging into my lipsthinking they have found a nice spot. Does that makesense. Anyway, hope you all sleep well and have good dreams. i'll write in the am. love you guys....Debbie

Thanking you all !!!

Dear Loyal Fods and prayer sayers,

Thank You for all the prayers these last few days. Whew ! I needed them and felt them as you were sending them. Sat. started out great with a visit from Jess and Joey. I even put 30 min. on the exercise bike. Me who hates exercise. i thought it would help my back since i'm confined to my room and mostly sitting. Then joe came and we were having a nice visit and the ha started. If they would just allow Tylenol or Advil i think it would not have gotton so bad. We tried ice which helped initially and darkened the room. Joe left amd Michael came (poor mike is always the one with me when i get really sick).We tried to watch a movie to distract me from the ha but by 4pm i felt like my head was splitting in two and was very sick to my stomach every time i moved. I'm still begging for Tylenol (Bev, i could have used your frozen stash about now HAHA)They gave me IV Dilauded and Ativan for the nausea. For those non nurses that should have been enough to pt me out till sun. Am. Very strong stuff. But the Ha was so bad the meds just mademe throw up continuously. Now the Docs were getting scared because i guess i turned green and broke out in a sweat and my Bp shot up. I'm still asking for tylenol. They ordered A CAT scan instead. (STAT). that was at 9pm. the statct scan was am Sun.am. Being Sat. nite and all the traumas and gunshots i was low priority. Anyway bythe time i got back i was throwing up again abd Dr. Hexner (the attending for the last 2 wks.) saw me and gave me iv Compazine (an old fashionedmed for nausea). Well thats when all the prayers were answered and the ha startedgetting better. Its still there today, but 100% better then it was. I slept the day away even tho i kept telling myself to get out of bed but i just couldn't. Joe and joey came and that always brightens my day. Michael went to the Phillies game with his best bud Derekto celebrate his23 bd. they had a great time.I wish i could be home to make his fav. dinner but next year.

So today is a new day and i'm feeling ok. At least i'm outta bed and moving around. thanks million for all your wellwishes. i love, love hearing from all of you. joeread me your blogs yesterday and it made me smile evenin my hangover phase. hope you all have a good start to the workweek. love you all lots.............Debbie

Day 2: 13:45 hours

Dear Fod's,

Deb is resting quietly now. She had a rough night and, not surprisingly, the CAT scan never did take place on the third shift. Joey and I waited until around 02:00 and pushed off for home. Debbie had enough narcs on board to put an elephant to sleep and she was "zonked" when we left. They finally did the scan on day shift and all looks OK -- except that the headache persists.

When I arrived, Debbie was talking to her nurse and sitting in her chair. We did some new sheets and a clean comforter and that was enough work to knock her out again. Apparently, they gave her compazine, a nausea drug, but it has helped tame the headache. Nothing worse than a migrane. She is sleeping peacefully now and I have my brief case with me.

Nobody seems quite sure why Deb has the headaches -- most likely it is related to the preservatives in the stem cells. As more develops, we will keep you up to date.

Deb sends her love to all.

Day 2: 23:15 Hours

Dear Fod's,A

Debbie is having a rough day today. She had a headache all day today and it has only gotten worse as the day wore on. Jess and Joey came down early today and spent good time with their Mother, I did a middle shift and Mike came down for the close. Unfortunately, as the evening wore on, the headache continued to build and they have scheduled Deb for a CAT scan. After 9 months here, we knew better than to leave that maneauver to any third shift personnel on a weekend so Joe and I got back in the car and we are waiting for the Transport team to arrive to take Deb down for the CAT scan. And we have been waiting for about 2 hours so far. While we are sure that the CAT scan will show nothing, we are equally sure that a few hours in the halls of this place will do Debbie no good whatsoever. Joey will go down with Deb and make sure that she does not get lost in the halls.

We will stay here until Deb gets settled in and post again tomorrow.

Deb sends her love to all.

Good Morning Everyone

Hello Everyone,

So glad to be able to post this am. Again looks like a beautiful day. wish i was at the beach with all the family. Seeing Christian and Emma would do me a world ofgood. So, i'm feeling ok today. Just tired and a bad lower backache. I need my tub and 2 advil. Would someone slip me some? They are not allowed due to lowering platelets, although my counts are still very good. They are suppose to crash this week. Also my hair is suppose to fallout this week so we are going to beat it to the punch and shave it off today. You know that never bothered me. Very liberating. And now with the extra pounds and curves i won't be mistaken for a boy.
It was wonderful to have Jessie here yesterday. She is the best company and so kind and patient. The "Transplant" was certainly not like a blood transfusion. They pushed 9 bags of cold cells all between 55 and 65 c's. I guess i reacted to the preservative, but for about 10 min. i really felt like i was having a heartattack and going into pulmonary edema. I developed a wet cough and my pulse ox dropped to 83. it was the most frightening experience because they kept telling me to take a deep breath and i couldn't because my chest was too tight. thankfully, the feeling subsided after the stem cells were infused. They gave me iv benedryl and lots of steroids anticipating my allergic reactions. so i slepta short while and then felt better as the evening wore on. I do have the "corn" smell today. I can't smell it but the docs and nurses say its pretty strong. Apparantly, its from the preservative and will last a few days. I wished it smelled like popcorn but its not nearly as pleasent. So Thank you, thankyou for all the prayers and well wishes yesterday. I felt them all and was surprisingly calm all day. I've come a long way thanks to you guys and a special few who have coached me along in the faith dept. (you know who you are).
So now we just wait for the dogdays of engraftment to begin. I'm ready to catch the train as my friend suzanne says and yes i did bring my sneakers. Have a great day everyone and i'll post tomorrow. i love you guys. ........................Debbie

Where's the corn?

Well my dear FODs, mom made it through the transplant about an hour ago. It was hardly the same as a blood transfusion! Mom was hooked up to the BP monitor, her IVs, and a defibrilator (all standard procedure). The doctor pushed NINE bags of thawed stem cells over about 40 minutes and mom was very uncomfortable. The ice cold substance floating through her body turned her nails purple and her skin was cold to the touch although mom's face was flushed and she was complaining of being too hot. She had a lot of chest pressure that extended to her back and they gave her oxygen. The team (one nurse, one NP, one dr, and Mr. Stem Cell) said the preservative used for the stem cells can cause such reactions. The team also assured us that mom would feel better within 30 minutes. They gave her a lot of Benadryl and hydrocortisone to stay ahead of the allergic reactions. Mom had managed to get one hive as soon as they started, but last check it had disappeared. I'd ask her how she's feeling now but she's taking a much needed nap. Nurse just popped in and everything looks OK - bp, heart rate are all good and oxygen is now off.

All seems well - we'll have to have her 'birthday' party another time. She didn't even get to put on her sponge bob party hat!

We're still waiting to smell the corn. They said it lasts a few days but mom won't be able to smell it herself.

More later...Love you all!

Waiting...

Hi everybody,

I hear it's a beautiful day outside, the nicest day of the summer. I hope you are all enjoying it. Not too much sleep last night since they increased my IV fluids to 225/hr. Needless to say I was in the bathroom every 45 minutes. For my nurse friends, the IV now has NA, BiCarb, and K+ - don't know what that's all about but I'm assuming there is a little PH inbalance and electrolytes needed for this procedure. Otherwise I feel fine, no fevers or hives. I was a little nervous last night but I'm OK today. Jessie is here typing this for me. They did let me know that the transplant won't happen until 330 - and that's on HUP time...so who knows?!?

The nurses are very nice and lots of doctors have stopped in. I have the sweetest intern ever named Scott who is this old fashioned mid-Western farm boy turned doctor. He was on call last night and he told me he stayed up counting the stem cells and telling EACH one to head right to the marrow and that no detours were permitted. He's just precious. I think he looks at me like his mom. When did I become so old???

Suzanne, it was great to hear from you - buying and selling what? Did you buy a new house?

Jessie will post later to let you know how I've done. I didn't want you all to worry. No news is good news.

More later.

Love,

Debbie

14hours to go !!!!!

Hello Loyal fodders,

Thanks for all todays blogs. Really what a fun bunch. Donna Teabags, picturing you getting into your casings made me hysterical. Thats why you always look so good and a nice smooth line. Doesn't that make the Jackie O look a little more extreme? JeanR your poor dog . i picture you being met at the door with a raging animal nipping at yourheels until you get him out....Bevvie have a great time in Fla. with the gang. Hope the inhalers do the trick...Sue i would love to help in the kitchen, especially if there is ice cream involved. I am available tomorrow (jus kiddin)...Eillen your almost done with theliving room. you go girl and just say "yes" to a green couch...COD Eileen, glad your 8th gr. party turned out so well. Fabiola and Myra must be lovin their visit....hope i spelled names rite....Cathy G I sure hope Cheryl is feelng better and they can figure out wht is causing these puzzeling symptoms. I'm sending love and positive thoughts....

Well tomorow is the big day. Lots of hospital staff in to day to discuss the transplant for tomorrow. Hopefully all will go smoothly. They will be pre-medicating me for any type of allergic reaction and a Dr. will be present....so if you don't hear from me don't worry ,be happy i'm just sleeping it off. Jessie is coming from D.C. to be with me so i will have her post and let you all know how i'm doing. Tomorrow is considered day "0" also my 2nd birthday as in new life.We hope new marrow. I know with all your prayers and good wishes i will be carried along a safe path to healing. At least i know that thisweek. Next week i may not be so sure (haha). Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite dear friends..................Love debbie

Dalky Island

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for all the cute stories. you can tell Ms.Madalalyn is still a baby. A year or two more she would have hightailed it out of the tub never to return and Edie would have had to replace the br. Happy Anniversary Cathy and Artie. that was a cute blog. Kim just wait, the real quilt has not even started yet. Mid and late teens nearly did me in. I couldn't even say the right thing! But they all grow up and then you become friends. Or in mine and Jessie's case, shes become mymother. Whatever sound advice she gives (shes been very calm thruout all this) i'm the obedient child and say ok Jess. Not quite when that transition took place (probably rite after diagnosis when i refused to get out of bed)but it did.

Not too much to report. The nausea continues butnot as bad. If you can picture this, yesterday i was banned to the family center for 5Hrs. while they cleaned my room. Because of the bad nausea they had given me iv Phenergan. Well all you nurse friends know that was always a fav. of mine because it gave pts. a good rest. Well let me tell i stumbled tothe Fr looking forthe nearest couchor lounge chair. NONE in site. I fell onto this little square hard loveseat. BIG LADY on a lttltle couch. I feel fast asleep till they brought in lunch which started the nausea all over again. I drifted off to sleep thinking of Dalky, Ireland. I really could picture the mist rising anove the boats while the craggy faced fishermen untangled their nets. I was to Ireland a long time ago and always wanted to get back. Imagination will have towork for now. Hopefully a quiet day. Chemo is done and jus waiting for the stem cells. Remind me again, Who are we talking about?????

Lots of love to all my bloggers and their families.Debbie

Good Morning you clever people,

Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your lives. it is the best entertainment of the day.here it is 7:30 am and already i've peed my pants from laughing and cried reading Joeys, Cathys and sweet Bonnies blogs. Lets get down to business. mdf they should have been videotaping you trying on that sports bra. i could never figure out why girls liked them so much after you would dislocate your shoulders geeing into it. they have a life of their own and are very angry creatures ! Rick you need to take a few days off already.sounds like you are running morning tillnite. You are a wonderful father. nice of you to take shane both ways. i'm sure he is enjoying time with mom and dad. Cathy i'm sorry about cheryl. i hope they get to the bottom of whats wrong. maybe our friend maryellen need to take her labs to hup?????give her a kiss for me.i was very touched by the quote by walt whitman....Bonnie what a sweet,sweet picture to drift off to...Brenda, if you read this is miss you guys too.i just loved working with you. always smiling and you worked like a dog. makes you happy that school is starting soon huh? ...Mo i am so glad that you started PT. it sounds like just in the nick fo time....Bob, thank you for posting your very own note to me. the drs. think i'm doin great so far. a little concerned about the allergic reactions but ready to forge ahead....Aunt Angie, i can't take credit for all the confusion. its like living in a tornado (or my brain) with all these random thoughts and stories flying about. love you lots aunt angie...Beth, i am so sorry about gregs mom. please give him a hug for me and tell him i'm thinking of all of you now and in the coming days. She was a wonderful, smart and gracious woman....Joey t you are the best and i love you lots. you bring such laughter to our lives and inchess to my hips being my partner in ice cream raids. remember to water the flowers.
I've got to close because they are going to kick me out of the room for a 3 hr. sanitizing and my isolation will then begin. Decontamination shower and all. i'm feeling good so far a little nauseated but not too bad. i'll tryand write again tonite. i love you guys !!!!
"Chintzy"

Laughing Out Loud !!!!!!

Hey Guys,
You are all too funny. I'm sitting here after a restless nite laughing my head off. You are all so clever and your writing filled with nuances. Hey maybe we could get our own TV show.Km can be in charge of the details. It would be a chick flick kinda show. Guys could watch but wouldn't understand the banter back and forth between us and its so good to Visitor Alison joining rite in. Kim you must be in heaven with the big boys away. Two kids is much more managable then 4. Did i tell you how good it was to see allyour family at the shore? Your mom was just beaming having her brood together. I'm embaressed to say I'm not really sure why our may day is the Cal. cheerleader. I thought cause shes always "cheering " me on from Cal. Is there a juicey story behind this tale? Susan S, don't be disheartened about David being quiet at dinner. Most young adults just "tolerate" us parents being around. you need to talk to blogger Eileen further about this.
Thank Goodness no fever greater then 100 sincce Sun nite. And so far no hives since last eveving. They startedthe dreaded Tacrolimus (anti-rejection drug)at 5am today. its a continous iv drip that has many nasty side effects, I will need q30 min. v.s for the am and blood work daily to make sure its not too toxic to my liver. And instead of complaining, i should be on bent knee thanking God that they have such wonderful drugs that will cut back on graft vs. host disease. Also startedAcyclovir (for viruses) and Voriconozole (for fungal infections) So now that we have those bases covered i guess this transplant is really going to happen. Double YIKES !!!!
I keep telling myself that by Christmas i should be feeling better and maybe cured of this "bad " leukemia. Joe and i attended a support group yesterday for Leukemia and Lymphoma Pts. It was good to hear other pts. stories and concerns. Spouses of pts. all seem to have the same feelings of helplessness and attending to details of getting the pt. well. They said they all felt numb and looked ahead to "whats next". i think it helped joe. As for me we talkedabout "the monsters "that come to live under my bed when 10pm arrives.Iguess i'm doing all the right things like readind and writing notes or watching a movie. My new tape on meditation and chanting should come today. Are you getting a mental picture of me sitting crosslegged on the bed fingertips touching and me chanting.? It should be a challenge to sit still and be quiet for awhile. Well i hope you all have a good day. It looks like beautiful weather outside. Beautiful blue sky. As Joey and KM said keep the blogs coming. They make my day. Lots of love to one and all,,,,,,,,,,,,Debbie

The Blahs, Blahs, Blah's

Hello Everyone,

It is so good to hear from all of you on the blog. So many wonderful memories and cherished friendships. I am the luckiest "chintzy" in the world to know al of you. For those of you that didn't understand KM hilarious blog let me explain. I used to callmy friend Kris "Chizzy". But she calls me "Chizzie" now. Donna teabags said we should open the "singles cruise to the Cal. cheerleaderwhich would be our very own MaryDay Foley who lives in California and writes the funniest blogs and really spends her life with her kids. Chintzy is Kris who lives in New Jersey. Carrie Bradshaw is Sarah Jess Parker from Sex and the City. Miss Mo come on now. I've even watched the show. It's very fresh and i guess edited from when it was on HBO.
What this all has to do with anything i don't know but it sure made me laugh reading it all. I think its agreat idea to open the cruise to the bloggers, we could fill a cruise ship, or at least a floor. Think of the gabfest that would be. We should maketeabags model her workboots and beater outfit, and her reversable Jackie O dress for evening wear. For those who don't understand this story you will just have to wait till the celebration singles cruise.
Well i had a yuckynite !!! No sleep cause the antibiotic is burning a whole in my stomach and the Doc's won't discontinue it cause "it's a vital part of the treatment and hangs out awhile after its discontinued and thats good for the gut".Then i had two bouts of hives (all over) that needed iv Benedryl. They think caused by the chemo which also still needs to be given. Busulfan (chemo drug) started last nite but not before starting Dilantin400mg. (big dose) to prevent siezures. that caused bizarre dreams. The nurse needed to draw q 15 min. blood levels times 5.
This all started at midnite and ended at about 5am, just in time for weigh in (never a pretty site especiaaly now when i've had iv fluids continuesly since adm..i look like the pillsbury dough girl)
and labs only to start chemo again at 6am. not much sleep last nite . More hives all over again this am. Dr. Porter was in and said this is all expected except the hives. If this tx/ works my knew immune system will not have all these allergic reaction. Amazing isn't it!!!
i would love to respond to all your blogs but that would take all day and i am gonna try and nap. Know that i read all of your stories and well wishes, usually more than once. You all make me laugh and cry and inspire me to keep going. i am ready to go home now......see whinning already. any way will post again tomorrow.

lots of love to all...Deb

Good Morning !!

Good Morning everybody,

Well good newa ! i've been without fever and chills now for 12 hrs. i needed 2 showers overnite because i was so sweaty and the water feltso godd. i even got 5 hrs. of sleep, which is probably a record for me. i am slowly getting used to this lap top although my typing is very slow. i like that i can keep in touch with you all at any time and read about you guys too. MaryDay glad the boys are all back home and thatTim will be back to work. Does he still commute to san fran or does he work locally? are you anxious to start back to school?
Mo and Bob and Kate, thanks for the visit and nice blogs. Km you sweetgirl you write such nice words.funny you should mention breathing, the pastoral minister here, Kava(who is greatly loved by all, especially me) mentioned breathing and chanting( kinda like a yoga hindu thing)Joe is gonna see if he can finda dvd for me to practice. she said if you can really control your breathingand chant you can be transported to a "higher" place. i should have taken a class before coming in. i will practice slow breathing today if i can keep quiet long enough. (haha)
Bob anf Kim and kids, hope allis well with you guys and that baseball is good or haveyou finished that special team already? you should all get together with my boys for a day of golf. I hear young bob will beat them all now. Rick, you sound very busy with all the renovatios going on but new bathrooms are the best. it makes such a differance in a house as we've done allbr's in the last 5 yrs. i hated the dust and having workman there but the end result was worth it. Send a pictue when your done.
And to cod eileen WOW 600 hundred people and parties from am till late pm. even for a gal like me who likes to party and dance that sounds like a long day. remeniscent(SP) of the old southern parties that lasted days and the women would nap in the afternoons. Remember Gone with the Wind?)anyway love to dave and the kids, and a special hug to aunt angie.
Well i could keep going and going but this is taking me forever to type.
One more big hello to tessa and cheryl the indiana contingent and lori too if she is reading this. it is so good to rekindle these frienships although you were never far from my thoughts. i know i am rambling on and on but i want allfods to know i think of each and everyone of you everyday and am grateful that God has put you in my life and that truely you are helping me more then you will ever know on this journey. So keepthe blogs comin when you have time. i know that you areall very busy with jobs and kids.i know that you with me in spirit always and i thank you for that. i will write again later.
lots of love debbie

Good Morning !!

Good Morning everybody,

Well good newa ! i've been without fever and chills now for 12 hrs. i needed 2 showers overnite because i was so sweaty and the water feltso godd. i even got 5 hrs. of sleep, which is probably a record for me. i am slowly getting used to this lap top although my typing is very slow. i like that i can keep in touch with you all at any time and read about you guys too. MaryDay glad the boys are all back home and thatTim will be back to work. Does he still commute to san fran or does he work locally? are you anxious to start back to school?
Mo and Bob and Kate, thanks for the visit and nice blogs. Km you sweetgirl you write such nice words.funny you should mention breathing, the pastoral minister here, Kava(who is greatly loved by all, especially me) mentioned breathing and chanting( kinda like a yoga hindu thing)Joe is gonna see if he can finda dvd for me to practice. she said if you can really control your breathingand chant you can be transported to a "higher" place. i should have taken a class before coming in. i will practice slow breathing today if i can keep quiet long enough. (haha)
Bob anf Kim and kids, hope allis well with you guys and that baseball is good or haveyou finished that special team already? you should all get together with my boys for a day of golf. I hear young bob will beat them all now. Rick, you sound very busy with all the renovatios going on but new bathrooms are the best. it makes such a differance in a house as we've done allbr's in the last 5 yrs. i hated the dust and having workman there but the end result was worth it. Send a pictue when your done.
And to cod eileen WOW 600 hundred people and parties from am till late pm. even for a gal like me who likes to party and dance that sounds like a long day. remeniscent(SP) of the old southern parties that lasted days and the women would nap in the afternoons. Remember Gone with the Wind?)anyway love to dave and the kids, and a special hug to aunt angie.
Well i could keep going and going but this is taking me forever to type.
One more big hello to tessa and cheryl the indiana contingent and lori too if she is reading this. it is so good to rekindle these frienships although you were never far from my thoughts. i know i am rambling on and on but i want allfods to know i think of each and everyone of you everyday and am grateful that God has put you in my life and that truely you are helping me more then you will ever know on this journey. So keepthe blogs comin when you have time. i know that you areall very busy with jobs and kids.i know that you with me in spirit always and i thank you for that. i will write again later.
lots of love debbie

Moved Again!

Dear Fod's,

I hope that this beautiful day finds you having fun in the sun and enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer. The last 24 hours have been frought with 103 degree fevers and rigors ("shaking"), but they give you IV demeral to control the shaking. That really knocks you for a loop. I am now on tylenol round the clock.

The doctors came in this morning and asked me how was I feeling. Because I was only 101, I said pretty good! I did six laps and within 10 minutes, I broke out in huge clusters of hives all over my body. So they brought the doctors back into the room and gave me more IV benedryl. Between the dermeral for the shaking and the benedryl for the hives, I was comatose for most of the morning.

When I awoke, they told me that I was moving up to the 7th floor. A room had opened and I had to leave my precious nurses and staff on Rhoades 6. My room is tiny with a great view of the HVAC system for the entire hospital! I will be stir crazy before this is over.

I feel pretty good right now and Mike and I will go for a few more laps after this post. Joe is here and helping me type this blog. I am still getting used to this new machine and its key positions.

I like the picture of us -- we had a great time that weekend and I will have good memories to tide me over in this midget room. The boys were goofing around in most of the pictures and Christian was not too interested in the family photo shoot. After seeing Jessie looking like a model in every shot and the boys horsing around in them, it reminded me of when they were all small kids. Boy how time flies.

I have on more shot of the dreaded Campath tonight and then start Fludarabine tonight, IV and then Busulfan, IV until Wednesday. Then two days of "rest" before the stem cells are infused. This is scheduled for this coming Friday. The donor's cells have been harvested and they are in the freezer waiting for me.

With what this chemo is intended to do to my body, it is no wonder that I am having fevers, shakes and hives. It is destroying my immune system and making way for a new one. This is all simply unbelievable. One day at a time, one day at a time, one day at a time.

Thank you for the cards, blogs and prayers. I love hearing about your lives and what is going on in the outside world. I am going for a walk now and I feel another fever coming on -- yukko!

I love you all.

Debbie

Moved Again!

Sending Love

We'll be back to the beach eating Puccini's in no time!

And so we Begin

Hello everyone,

Well here i am at penn posting my first blog on my new laptop. Actually we got it for Mike (his 3rd graduation present, it must be nice to be the little prince. Thanks to Krissy we now have a broadband wireless card which means that i have internet acess from my room this will come in handy when i am in isolation on monday and cant leave my room at all.
They started the chemo Campath, an injection. By 9:oo thursday morning i had a fever of 103. I havent been below 101 since yesterday, i feel as if i have a bad case of the flu aches and pains and a little nausea. My nurses as usual are wonderful as is everyone down here. i am crossing the days off the calendar, reading the daily word and thinking of all of you standing behind me to help get me through all of this. I didnt expect to feel this sick this soon but, the doc says this is the worst of the chemos and it should get better next week just in time for the transplant YIKES! Joe and the boys have been down, Bob Mo, and Kate stopped in because Bob had an appointment with Dr Luger. We all need to keep bob and mo in our prayers as he will need a stem cell transplant in the coming months. Another fever is coming on strong so joey is now taking over the duties of typing. Thank you for all the cards, blogs, well wishes, prayers and gifts you have all sent my way. Its good to know i have so many people supporting me i will write again tomorrow Love debbie and joey

We Finally Made It !!!

Dear Fod's,

This will be a short post tonight. We are still at the hospital and Debbie is going through the admission process. Yes, that is right! We waited all day to be admitted -- thank God that we did the waiting at home. By 4:00 PM I had given up hope that we would be admitted today, when Heather called my cell phone to ask where we were! I exclaimed, in Lansdale waiting for the call from Admissions! Of course, we had called admissions throughout the day and were told that there were no beds. When we got here, Nurse Patty told us that they had Deb's bed ready @ 7:00 AM!!! This place is beyond description.

Debbie is in room 6018 on Rhoades 6 -- yes with all of her buddies, and they are being great to her. Everyone is stopping by to say hello and to catch up.

This room assignment will be short term, until a bed opens up on Rhoades 7 which is the transplant floor. We will set Debbie up here temporarily until she moves into her new quarters. For this stay, Debbie will have her own laptop with a Verizon Broadband card so that she should be able to stay connected with everyone. Hopefully, she will get the hang of the IM as well as the blog and email. We will set the laptop up tomorrow.

Deb sends her love to all.