Still in a Holding Pattern
Dear Fod's,
Hello everybody. Another night of high fevers 104, but no rigors. Have to be thankful for the little things. The blood cultures showed gram negative rods which means that there is some kind of an infection floating around in there, but it is not specifically identified yet. They have started new antibiotics and hopefully, we will stay out in front of this one. The doctors keep reminding me that the last time that I had this, I ended up in ICU. They say that I have a strong constitution. Still nothing on the BMB yet. Since it was done on Thursday, the weekends don't count, and they are a few days behind. They are hopeful to have some results tomorrow.
They did some special blood tests today (an engraftment analysis) to see if the engraftment process has started. It will take a few days for these results to come back as well. My wbc is 0.2 which I am taking as a definite positive movement. Dr. Porter cautioned me that the count could go down tomorrow so don't get too excited.
Dr. Tsai is back on for a 2 week rotation and he is one of my favorites. He was the first one on my case when I was admitted back in December. Hopefully, he will be the one who writes my discharge orders!! He said that part of the reason why I remain so immuno-suppressed is because of the meds I have taken and the infections I have had. No news from the donor as to whether she is willing to donate anymore. This time, they want to take her bone marrow which is a trip to the OR, which is a huge commitment. So we don't know where we stand with her.
So how about that PSU / ND -- I was really pulling for PSU because I am still mad about ND firing Ty. The O'line looked very much improved from the game the week before. I was happy for ND but sad for State. But hey, this is only the second week of the season. It ain't over until the fat lady sings.
Lizzie K -- thanks for your note that says no single second is unbearable. Bev -- hoping things are well with Jen. Cathy G -- thanks for the pictures. You all looked magnificant. So sorry that I missed it. Who is the jokster! They make me lol. Donna Tea Bags, hope you had a relaxing time at the beach. It must have been so nice just the two of you.
To answer the current question: I met Joe when I was 14 and he was 15. We hung out in the same group of friends. My first real boyfriend was Greg --blogger Beth's husband -- who was neighbors with Joe. But alas, Greg was too sweet and kind for me. Joe was the bad boy and I was instantly attracted. He dated several of my friends before he got to me -- but then he was my first official date on my 16th birthday. And the rest is history. We dated through high school and college -- with a brief split in nursing school to sow my wild oats, but then came crawling back to Joe. But through thick and thin, he has been the light of my life and my true soul mate. We are very different as in opposites attract, I guess. Me being outgoing and social and he being quiet and a loner. But there is noone I would rather spend time with. So this is a great question and should make for more interesting reading.
Sorry I am not answering the phone or up for company. I am a little down in the dumps, but with some more wbc climbing, I will feel better soon. I know that you are all with me in the middle of the night when I am having these fevers. Thank you for all of your love and support.
Hope all is well with you and your families.
I love you all.
Debbie
posted by Joe @ 5:56 PM
17 Comments:
Dear Debbie,
So sorry to hear you are having more fevers but I do like the sound of WBCs climbing, however slightly!
Question of the day - How I met my other half... Lenny and myself met in work (they say 60+% of second marraiges are made at the workplace - is that because you don't have a life as a single parent!!??). We knew each other for several years before we started dating.. He is shy and introvert and of course.. well... I'm not!! We are the "mini-Brady Bunch" with me having a boy and Lenny having a girl just 40 weeks between them, they could be Irish twins...!~ They share the same birthmark and both still clutch onto "Mr. B & Bunny" the childhood comfort toys they both got attached to while on opposite sides of the ocean! We've been married 5 years, I received my US citizenship 2 weeks later (not due to marraige!) and he got his "Paddy licence" Irish citizenship this year so we are both citizens of the world! Many many "coincidences" brought us together... He is the first man that I could fall asleep on his chest... somehow the rhtyhm of his heartbeat seems to soothe me more than any other could.... guess that's when I knew for sure I could feel safe with him. aaah the mush!
Anyway Debbie, hang in there, no one second is unbearable is a good one... Keep looking forward, you are on the home straight...and your donor will come through if you need her, as she is now connected to you for life and through all the FODs...
Lots of love , visitor alison.
I too believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thoses little WBC's are inching their way out. Cheer up! I just know that you are sitting there with the cutest p.j.'s on, red toe polish on and a smile on your face whenever anyone comes to your door. Your really are the bestest person!
Love,
Donna Tea Bags
We were young when we meet our husbands.... we were babies!!!!
Good God.... doesn't this Blog come with spell and grammer check????
Donna Tea Bags
or
crap I sent the blog out without checking it again!!
Debbie & Joe,
The key item in tnis blog was the wbc count rising to 0.2, & we hope that this is the beginning of a positive, upward trend. The rise may not be much, but I recall my PSA risng from 0.1 to 0.2 & the Urologist ordered all kinds of tests, which turned out negative due to instrumentation error. We are optimistic that your small count increase is a positive trend due to the begining of the engraftment process, & the higher the wbc, the happier we'll all be. Let's hope that the staff can successfully thwart any infections from occurring, as we're not desirous of any negative items keeping you from getting better & going home!. Let's hope that JoPa can motivate his squad of young Lions 'cause the schedule isn't going to get any easier with the Buckeyes looming big on the horizon & revenge in their hearts for the stinging defeat at Beaver Stadium last year. It's easy for us to say "don't get down in the dumps" but your strength & grit will get you over this last hump, along with Dr Tsai's discharge papers. You're always in our thoughts & prayers, Love, Mom & Dad
Hi Deb!
A little climb in WBCs sounds like great news to me! You are in our prayers constantly and I hope they wipe out that infection and you're feeling better soon. Stay strong and get your rest.
Love,
Jeanne
HI Debbie! Things are looking up as those numbers slowly climb...only positive thoughts!!!I am smiling as I read how we all met our husbands. We met at a college mixer(no such thing anymore). And since I was at an all women's school, he feels we were all desperate to meet guys!! (Maybe we were back then?) Of course, I say, why did he and his friends come in the first place???It must have been fate........and somehow 32 years have passed. Wish you didn't have to go through all this pain but you know everyone is sending lots of good wishes and prayers. Love, Trudy
Hi Debbie dear one...yeah any rise in WBC's is a good rise..we'll take it!! I was sound asleep last nite dreaming of you (it was all good)...You WILL go home my darling one,right now your room is your womb,and in this "room" you will bloom into your new life...be patient with your room,embrace it...it is sheltering you and protecting you right now ,but soon you will be back in your beautiful home,strong and healthy...one day at a time, right now...love you ,love you!!:)Bev
Hiya Deb,
That rise is encouraging. I hope it's the beginning of the engraftment, and by the time they get all the results the count will be well on its' way to normal. But one day at a time right?
I guess most of you know that Bob and I met at work...in the ICU at North Penn Hosp. At first I respected him as a physician. He was so caring and smart. Bob was separated at the time and started coming out with the nurses to different celebrations...Xmas parties, going away parties etc. I had baked something for a xmas party(I forget what), but Bob asked if I made scones. Well I had never made a scone in my life, but said "oh sure, I'll make some for you". So I found a recipe, made the scones and lemon butter, and put them all in a cute little basket, planning to take them to his office. By the time I called and said I was bringing them over, he said he was done and on his way home(as if I didn't know that). I said that was too bad, another time and he said why didn't I bring them to his house. So I went to his house after he gave me directions(like I didn't already know EXACTLY where he lived), and fell flat on my butt on his front sidewalk, which was covered w/ ice. It was February and he didn't tell me that he never used his front door, but always went in thru the garage. I was sure that he was inside laughing his head off at me and almost went home before I even got in the door. But somehow I got my nerve back, rang the bell and we've been together ever since. Like Edie, I have to say that Deb was in on all of it right from the beginning. She was my friend, confidante and surrogate mother all rolled into one. She gave me encouragement when I needed it and advice if I asked for it. Thank you for this question Alison. It's brought back so many wonderful memories of all the good, good times Bob and I have shared with Deb and Joe, who both mean so much to us.
Hope you have no fevers and get to sleep tonight Deb. BTW, are you able to eat yet? I guess the TPN is still going? How is your throat feeling? Sorry for all the questions...just things I've been wondering about. Hope each day keeps getting better and better. I miss you so much.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX, Mo
I'm sorry Donna...I just remembered it was you who came up with the question of the day. Thank you. BTW, what the heck were you trying to write about a house on your first blog????
Love, Mo
Dear Deb and Joe;
It's little ole me I'm still not sleeping at night. So I can really can get into praying. I want you to hang in there.
My birthday is coming up , but I am not going to celebrate it till you are out of the woods.
Eileen said,"thats ok with me mom.
Lotsa of love coming your way.
BIG HUGS
YourAunt Angie
hey Debbie....Just thought since I am having to be the mom this week since she is in tucson i would type up a blog...today i had to take brendan to school and today we were a block away and i say brendan do u have ur lunch...of course he forgot it..so me being the wonderful mother that i am i ran to the local gas station and got him a lunchable...Big Sexy's (Colin's) football team had a big win tonight 31-10......hope everything keeps getting better.....I'm thinking about you every night.... luv ya Mere
P.S. I am also doing laundry...I'm just growing up so fast!
Dear Debbie et al,
I know this is cheap advertising, but I wanted to spread the word that my mom and I are doing the Light the Night walk on 9/30/06 (in Penn's Landing) to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of you, of course! I already have a website for on-line donations. So, FOD's, log on to http://www.active.com/donate/
ltnPhilad/1780_sgoodyea
and make donations to fight these awful cancers. (Save some donations for when my mom registers her website too!) Or log on to lightthenight.org and sign up to walk with us!
Be well soon!
much love,
Sarah Goodyear
good morning deb,
what great reads! does meg noone have mo's quick wit or what? some of us fod's were wondering how the original mr and mrs teklits met. please oblige. deb i hope you have an okay day, thinking of you always and knowing that brunswick stew is around your corner. xoxo
ps, poor trudy, i beat her in all of our tennis matches this weekend. she should just give the game up and keep making cinnamon bread to go with the brunswick stew! more xo's
Mrs Teklits,
Its almost 5 oclock and that means there will be a plethora of prayers heading your way, among the countless prayers that are said for you when it isnt 5!!!- Wish there was something we could do to boost your spirit during this patch. Know how many people love you !!!! Im heading out of work for the day now.. but thinking of you always.
Love Always
Alli
Dear Debbie,
Still praying - still thinking.. and now hearing plans of Christmas just started thinking... we all need to plan the celebration party for when you get home.. oh yes... many steps... we can all plan virtually.. and for those who can't make it we will have an internet blogger party at the same time! It's all coming to me...
Will check in after I get back from picking Sam (my son) up from work - Rita's Italian Ice! He loves it there! Hope hope, hope you had a wonderful day.. lots of love Visitor Alison
Hey Debbie ~
I hope you had a restful day. It's beautiful outside... a pretty fall day. Blue skies, about 70ish and the air just smells like fresh cut grass.
I have to say that summer is my favorite time of the year. I love... the flowers and trees, the smell of the side walk after it rains on a hot day, hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on the grill, lots and lots of flip flops!
In fact, the last time I saw you you were wearing the cutest white blouse with dark pants and flip-flops and carring the best little purse with flip-flops on it.
That's it... you are the #1 summer girl!
bloggers what are you summer memories?
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