We Got News!
Dear Fods,
I had Court today in Philadelphia and expected to have a nice "nooner" visit with Debbie and then return to the office for the afternoon. Court went in my favor, but not as expected, and I was able to be with Debbie by about noon. While walking across the bridge -- with the canvas bag in tow -- full of the supplies needed for 7014 -- I saw Dr. Porter in the hallway? He was talking to a colleague and I was on the phone to Amsterdam so we both nodded as we passed, and that was all from him.
When I got to Debbie's room, she told me that Dr. Porter wants her to go home next Monday!!?? Plus, he ordered up a BMB for the afternoon to see what is going on in there (Yikes!! -- we hate those!!). Debbie's wbc was .6 today, we never got the ANC, and she is still on a Christmas Tree of meds! How is this all coming home??? Apparently, if she starts eating, they will wean her off of the IV's and let her take these meds by mouth. They clamped off her gall bladder bag and are checking to see if it will start taking care of itself. If she spikes a fever, they will re-attach the bag and let it drain externally, but that will not keep her from coming home.
The BMB was to be arranged around my availability today (no kidding -- that is what they said!!) Of course, that is not what they did, but it was nice to hear that once. I said that I was ready @ 1:00 and they said they would come @ 3:00 and they came at 4:30 (HUP time). It was a good procedure for Debbie. She was heavily sedated by the time they started and we hit the pump about 8 times during the procedure. We will have the results later in the week.
I will try to arrange a conference call with Dr. Porter and the rest of us to understand what is going on here and what we need to be prepared to do. Debbie is desperate to come home and we would love for her to be with us -- but we will need a detailed care plan, med schedule and most likely, a ton of help. I think that there is not much more that Dr. Porter can do for Debbie @ HUP that we cannot do for her at home -- with the proper precautions in place. I am still hopeful that with time, Debbie's counts will recover. She will be much happier here for the Fall and the college football, the leaves turning colors in her backyard, visiting with her friends and to be close to her family rather than to be down at the HUP.
And that is all I have to say about that. I will tell you more after the conference call, and believe us when we say that we have questions.
Thanks for the cards and the blogs. There is a big pile of cards that we will read to Debbie tomorrow.
Debbie sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 7:50 PM
23 Comments:
Hallelujah!
Thanking God for answered prayers and confident that Deb's healing process will be significant when she arrives at Tennis Way.
I am stunned by this news so I can only imagine how you guys are feeling!
Know that there are an army of FOD's out here waiting to support you and lift you up in any way we can.
I love you guys.
K
Joe and Deb, we all look forward to Deb being back in her own home. We'll be here for whatever you need, I'm sure you know that by now.
Love,
Cathy
Dear Debbie,
WOW see what happens with magic meds! I believe getting home will be the best medicine for you. I can imagine the conference call!!~! lots of questions.
Hope you are feeling better by the minute and all the numbers keep climbing. I know you will be well covered with all your FOD nurse friendsw. lots of love, visitor alison.
What??? That is such wonderful news. I'll bet you have questions!!! How it lifted my spirits, I can only imagine how high you must be now :)
Sorry you had to go through another BMB--I guess they have to do what they have to do.
Rest up my dear Debbie. I will make special "Thank you God" visits to the Grotto all week.
Home Sweet Home!
xoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Love you,
tessa
What great news!!! Start counting the days till you come home instead of counting the days you have been in that God awful place! We knew you would fight your way through this. Just start eating so you can get rid of those IV's. And when you are home we will all line up to help in any way we can. Just give a holler across Tennis Way and I'll be there!! And if the "T" men need help ahead of time, don't hesitate to ask.
Keep up the good work and positive WBC's.
Karen
BMB behind you... Family and Tennis Way in front of you.
So glad to hear the wonderful news. Sign us up for any and all help.
Autumn Hugs,
The Smith's
Does this mean you're going to need rolling papers?mdf
Have to make a prayer of gratitude for this news. Hope you will all indulge me.
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Father in heaven,
We thank thee.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Debbie,
That is wonderful news! There is no place like home! You will be feeling so much better when you are back home surrounded by your family and friends. That was one of the two best things I heard today. A dear friend has been waiting to adopt from China for over 17 months and just got pictures of her new baby daughter today. If Joe or you need anything please feel free to let me know. God Bless you Debbie!
Love,
Donna from Ocean City
Dear Deb,
Bob and I are so thankful you will be home soon. I know you must be chomping at the bit to get the heck outta Dodge. I hope the gallbladder cooperates....it may need another lecture from Lee-Lee. Now we pray...no fevers and a good appetite, so you can take all those meds by mouth. I agree that being in your own cozy nest will allow you to get the best rest, so you can continue to recover.
We will be here for you and joe and the whole gang....whatever you need. We love you all, Mo
PS to Kris, thanks for sharing the RWE poem/prayer. It's perfect.
Mrs Teklits,
Home sounds good to me ~!! I am sure you are happy to be going home to your own home with love of your family & friends all around!!-- And your beautiful backyard (especially in the fall!).. I know the boys/men look foward to having you home!!!
And of course im here to help you or the rest of your amazing family with anything you may need <3
Love Always,
Allison
DEb, i will pray that the gallbladder does what its suppose to do and you can get back home!!! Isn't that a wonderful thing to hear.. not only "lets get you home by monday!" but "you really need to start eating!"
I know all your friends will chip in so you can relax and just concentrate on getting your health and strength back!
IM so happy for all you teklits!Im keeping everything crossed and continuing the prayers.. love,mdf
ps. Hey Alison..i helped blow a 5 year olds nose today.. does that count as kindness.....think that is great of you...
Debbie,
Reading Joe's e-mail made me cry! The thought of you finally coming home is the best medicine we could ask for! I hope it sparks your appetite! I noticed a higher WBC!
Prayers are in full force- I believe this calls for lights in Lansdale that will light up the sky when you come home. I bet the thought of coming home brings out the endorphins and strength for a strong recovery!
Lots of love and smiles,
Cindy G.
Gad Zooks, YOUR COMING HOME!!!..what a great surprise...Have no fear, we will all be there ...JUST WHEN YOU NEED US... and not a second more...You DID say that when you came home you'd let us (finally) pitch in and HELP!! Remember??? Just drove in from Newark N.J....(praying for you the whole way down)offering up a couple of good deeds I did today (for you of course) and this is the great surprise I get...I am crying with tears of joy...Love you lots and am sure that the rest of this week will find you eating like a little piglet....and just tell that ole gallbladder to chill and behave properly like a gallbladder should...you'll do just fine because YOU ARE JUST FINE!!Sweet dreams for now...we'll order some geese in the backyard for next week..maybe a few other things too:)...HUGS AND LOVE:)Bev
Fabuloso!
Now I am jealous! What can I do from here? I want to be part of the homecoming. I am so thrilled that the counts are on the move but would more like to know what Dr. Porter is up to. Hmmmm!
Spent more time with the birthday girl today (Aunt Angie). Took her to lunch which Dave was able to attend since a patient drank orange juice so they canceled a case. She came along with us to watch Colin play JV against our local cross town rivals. They had their first loss. 12-0. Colin blocked an extra point. He played hard and they really were more in the game than the score showed.
All else here is well. Everyone is happy to see the WBC's are going up. Good bye drain....now sister...you have to start eating.
Wish I was there to pitch in but you just never know with me...but I will behave until I get the green light to visit. Miss you bunches especially hearing your voice.
Look forward to the news to come. :) LOVE COD Eileen
Psalm 100: 4
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His Name.
Dear Deb and Joe;
I am as happy as everying else.
Just get your appetite back.
Love you dearly.
BIG HUGS
Your Aunt Angie
Yahoo, I can just see Casey wiggling with excitement to see her favorite neighbor once again!
What great incentive to eat!!! (That's one thing I don't need incentive for.)
Ah, the power of prayer! You are a walking miracle!
Donna - If you don't have a scheduler yet, I'd be willing to do it. Good idea. It'd funnel a lot of phone calls away from the T's. Sounds like they'll be busy enough. Joe or someone can give me a call if you want me to follow through. 215-721-9433. Then all you FODs can start flooding my phone line with your favorite skill(s) to share, best times available, etc.
Beth - Just curious. What do you put into your brownies??
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice!" Phil. 4:4
Love, Mussie
Hi Deb,
Just thinking about ya, so I thought I'd write to say hi. Hope you had a good nights rest. How's the appetite? Getting anything in? How are the "troubles" going?(geez, Alison, sounds like we're talking about Ireland). Hope they've abated by now. Well, back to the grind...guess what I'm doing????.........ironing!!! Big surprise, huh? Got a huge pile of clothes that have been staring me in the face for days(weeks?) now.
Miss you so. Waiting(along w/ all the other FODs)to see what I can do for you guys.
Love you honey, Mo
Debbie & Joe,
What a pleasure to read this blog!. We are so happy to see that things are beginning to look up. Going Home? - Unbelievable - but it sure is about time. Maybe at home you just might be able to get some well needed rest at night in lieu of being poked & prodded by a well meaning staff. Yes, you all must have a ton of questions to ask to be sure that all will go well at Tennis Way when Debbie gets home. We'd suggest that you postpone having the oft discussed "Cosmos Party" until all is well in hand. We were pleased to read the wbc is at 0.6; it's climbing, slowly but surely. If there is any way in which we could be of assistance, please don't hesitate to let us know. Love, Mom & Dad
Debbie & Joe,
What a pleasure to read this blog!. We are so happy to see that things are beginning to look up. Going Home? - Unbelievable - but it sure is about time. Maybe at home you just might be able to get some well needed rest at night in lieu of being poked & prodded by a well meaning staff. Yes, you all must have a ton of questions to ask to be sure that all will go well at Tennis Way when Debbie gets home. We'd suggest that you postpone having the oft discussed "Cosmos Party" until all is well in hand. We were pleased to read the wbc is at 0.6; it's climbing, slowly but surely. If there is any way in which we could be of assistance, please don't hesitate to let us know. Love, Mom & Dad
Debbie and Joe:
Just home from picking up Bee (for the FOD's that is Brendan, my 13 y/o)from school. As we were driving he said,"You know what I really miss...Kohr's Bros. ice cream"....No doubt thinking of you.
Not to mention yesterday he wanted a Penn State sweatshirt in a catalog.
Just wanted to let you know that he is always thinking of you, too!
Love ya...COD Eileen
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