Sunday, September 17, 2006

What a Day! What a Day!

Dear Fod's,

This will be a short factual post. I arrived at 9:00 AM today and Deb was still bloated and heavily sedated. Her drainage was working fine and she was feverless for the evening (a good sign that they have hit the infection point). Of course, this new incision has its own discomforts, however, it seems to be doing what it is supposed to do. Poor girl looks like she has Guiness draining out of her and she never drank a drop of it!

When not sleeping, Debbie forces herself out of the bed and had a "bird bath" sitting at her sink trying to freshen up a bit. You have to give her credit for her perservance even thought she may not remember any of this. With the incision and the Guiness draining out of her, we went through sheets and three sets of PJ's before noon today. Deb's new washer and dryer are earning their keep this week. Jester arrived at around 11:30 and she stayed with Debbie until around 3:00.

For the important news. Debbie's wbc was .4 and her ANC was 240! (MayDay -- that means "absolute neutrofil count" -- I don't know what it is either but when you get to 500, you can come home!) hgb held today and platelets were fine. We think that Debbie is rallying -- albeit as Debbie -- but she is rallying and we think this is good. It will take a few more days for her to recover from the procedure, lose the fluids and start to feel better. Hopefully, we have rounded this corner and Debbie will be able to come home again.

Shortly after Jester arrived, Mike called to tell us that he would not be able to visit today because he had "blown a knee" in the first game of his adult soccer league. Long story short, we spent the afternoon in Grand View's ER getting X- rays and a knee immobilizer and pain medication. We were home in time to see the Eagles lose and everyone at Grand View was very nice and pleasant. He will have an MRI tomorrow morning to see if there is any ligament damage. He is in a lot of pain and cannot put any weight on his leg, but I think he will live to play another day. That said, it was somewhat liberating for him to use his own insurance card for this ER visit. He even has a better drug plan than we do!

Debbie sends her love to all.

23 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

GO DEB!
love LK

9/17/2006 6:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie,
Finally!!! OK--I googled ANC and this is what I come up with:
"Calculating Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)

The absolute neutrophil count (ANC), a part of the CBC, is a measure that helps your health care provider assess your body's ability to prevent and fight infections. Below is a brief explanation of how ANC is calculated. A patient's risk of infection begins to increase when the ANC falls below 2,000, with the greatest risk occurring below 500.

Lab values reported in percentages
If total white count = 2,000/mm3
Total segs* = 23% Total bands = 2%
23% x
25% x
Total of
segs & bands 2% =
2,000 =
Total
white count 25%
500
ANC


Lab values reported in total numbers
Total segs* = 0.4 Total bands = 0.1
0.4 +
0.5 x .1 =
1,000 =
0.5
500
*Segs may also be referred to as neutrophils or granulocytes."

Thank God you fever has subsided. I guess today is a day for injuries--as I just returned from ER--I fell while trying to move our bed and broke my wrist. I'm OK__sorry about your knee Mike, that is painful.
I'm typing with one hand, but doesn't stop me from logging on to your blog--and I will continue to pray for you, Debbie. Good news today--just hope you start to feel better and better with each day.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
much love, tessa

9/17/2006 7:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Debbie & Joe,
Mom & I spent the afternoon watching Shane play his 1st football game as an outside linebacker. We'll conveniently avoid mentioning the score as it was a "whitewash"; but they played hard & learned plenty. We checked the blog at Rick's place before we left for home w/o success, but we were delighted to read it upon arriving at home. Halleluja!!; we'll take these readings as a huge step forward, & wait to see how soon the ANC count will hit the magic "500" level. Thank goodness the "Guiness procedure" is working, & we hope that the fluids continue draining rapidly. This was a very uplifting blog, & we share your joy in Debbie's progress. It has been quite a struggle for her & for all of you!. Love, Mom & Dad

9/17/2006 7:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Deb, I'm so glad that the ANC and white count are getting better! Thank God! I feel so bad about Michael, we offered to help but the K boys said they would take him to the ER, I hope everything turns OK tomorrow with his MRI. Get some rest. We're praying for you and we love you very much. Mary

9/17/2006 7:44 PM  
Blogger Kris McLay said...

Thanking God for answered prayers!

So glad to hear that the fevers are down, the counts are up and you are hanging tough, my Chizzie. It sounds like you have indeed turned the corner and are ready to rally. Looking for my rally cap as we speak!

You're in my prayers. Keep on keeping on, honey. We love you and send you vibes galore!

Back in NJ after a great weekend in DC - and couldn't have come back to better news. Hey, remember what we used to call "bird baths" back in the day, Chiz? P-T-A baths. I'll leave it up to the enterprising FOD's to fill in the blanks. ha-ha.

Tough weekend for KOD and and fellow FOD, Mike and Tessa, taking tumbles that leave them on the injured reserve list! Hope you two are feeling okay!

You did a great job with your one handed googling, Tessa. Thanks for the info from one of the medically challenged here on the board.

Thanks Joe, Jess, Joey and Hopalong Mike for taking such good care of our galpal.
Love to all -
K

9/17/2006 7:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting me know what an ANC is everybody!!Maybe it was just waitng for someone to ask? ha.. sooo sooo happy that it is finally out of the 0 range! Bet tomorrow deb will feel so much better!!Now you start climbing back up that hill deb!!
Mike.. i know exactly how you feel and am so sorry for you! I don't know how many times i have hurt my knee.. I've had them drained, immobilized,scrutiniized, you name it.. it's why i don't/can't run anymore (that plus im almost 50,,jane fonda,, you can kiss my..) anyway,, hope it feels better soon also..
Deb.. we will all continue to do our prayers for continue climb, and i think Alison will continue to get everyone at happy hour to burn their fingers singing for you!
Have a good night sleep,feel better tomorrow.. keep draining the bad stuff away! love you, mdf.

9/17/2006 7:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear All, I never had a doubt that Deb would continue as it should be. She's so strong and I know it will be no time before she is resting in her own bed at home. Sorry about the knee - what a pain. And - sorry about those Irish. Terry was so upset, we left after third quarter. Just not the same for me since the girls have all graduated. Hoping it was just a bad day for ND. Bless you all and thanks for all the upadates. Love to you all. The Crones

9/17/2006 8:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Debbie,

What great news! I am so happy for all of you. I'm so glad that things are finally turning around and hopefully, you'll be home soon. Just let the Guiness keep flowing and get your much needed rest! I'm sure you can't wait!

Sorry Mike hurt his new. Hopefully, the MRI won't show anything!

Love,
Jeanne

9/17/2006 8:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,Deb,
I live in Arizona and every morninig I get up and rush to your blog with a prayer and hope. Today I had to check one more time and saw the good news, I am so happy for you, I have been joining the 5 pm prayers(here at 2 pm)and know your on the up swing. You have so much love and support you must be a very special person. I will continue to watch and pray for better and better reports.
God Bless
k in Tucson

9/17/2006 9:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Debbie,
I am so happy to hear the great news about the anc and white count.
I prayed at mass today that God would hear all the prayers to make
you feel better real soon. My heart
goes out to you for all the pain you endured. I hope that you begin
to feel better real soon. May God
continue to watch over.
Love, Donna from Ocean City

9/17/2006 9:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WAY TO GO DEB! xoxoxoxkathi

9/17/2006 9:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you GOD!!! the prayers and Debbala's amazing strenght and constitution are paying off ...you go girl of ours..THIS LITTLE LITE OF OURS.....shine on honey..ANC and WBC ..up, up, up ..all the way ...one day at a time..you will do this....GO DEB,GO...GO,DEB,GO!!! love you,hugs and kissesXXOO :)Bev

9/17/2006 9:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My, my Deb. You are just too amazing! I've been away for one week, and look at all you've been through. I'm so happy to hear that your numbers are back on the charts and that home might be possible soon. That's the best medicine you can receive.

So sorry about Mike's knee--if he needs a ride to the Doctors or the hospital, you know he can call me.

I love when Joe explains the coverage plans for the FOD's each day. Perhaps he should consider a new career in logistics?

Hope to see you real soon, sweetie. How I do miss having tea with you :)

Love,
Cathy

9/17/2006 10:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yippee Snippee! Debbie! I am so thrilled to read tonight's blog. I just received an email from a seminarian from our little town and he asked about how you were doing. He continues to keep you in his prayers. I am so excited. I can go to bed with a smile on my face :).

Another parishoner asked about you today and she reminded me of her niece who one year ago had a stem cell transplant for some rare blood disorder...Black Phantom Diamond something or other...essentially no red blood cell production. She has had an excellent result. Not sure what the medical term for that is but what about complete engraftment.

I am sure the thought of going back to Tennis Way will give you the boost you need to raise the ANC higher. Imagine sitting on your back deck as the crisp fall air starts to arrive.

K in Tucson...are you really living in Tucson. That is weird I was just there on vacation.

Michael...hope your MRI goes well and you just stretched some things out of place...to think another hospital for you guys to navigate the system of...take it easy...

Debbie...I am so thrilled to hear that you are able to push yourself out of bed. You are my hero! Keep it up, girlfriend!

Love you to pieces...you too Joe!

COD Eileen

9/18/2006 12:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good morning deb,
thinking of you and hoping for another good day.xoxoxokathi

9/18/2006 7:44 AM  
Blogger Kris McLay said...

Good morning Chizzie-

Here's hoping your night was peaceful and today is another good one for you.

Is the Guiness still flowing???

Waiting anxiously for today's blood counts - hope they continue to percolate in the right direction.

Hey k in Tucson, it's great to see another Zonie on the blog. (I used to live in Sedona and still have family in Scottsdale) Thanks for joining us in lifting our girl up in prayer. God bless you!

Love you Chiz. Hope to see and talk with you soon. K

9/18/2006 8:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Debbie
You continue to be a source of inspiration and courage along with a reminder of how lucky I am. As always you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love
Kathy Gaffney

9/18/2006 9:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Deb.. are you feeling better? I sure hope so..are you still draining? How's the rash? Hey K.. when i was younger i lived in tucson also.. i worked at the st. mary's, and i worked at u.or a hospital and the Wildcat House(fod's it's not what it sounds like..it was a fraternity owned eating and dancing place).. Well.like Kris said.. i too, along with everyone else, will be anxiously awaiting the ct.s today! Hope and pray that they are up, up, up! YOu're hanging tough Deb.. proud of you! love, mdf

9/18/2006 9:45 AM  
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In fact, about a month ago, I spilled some red wine on my new white blouse. My inconsiderate and uncaring
husband started to belittle me about how clumsy I was, and generally started
becoming a pain in the neck. One thing led to another and somehow I
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with bleach alternative, and to my surprise and satisfaction, all of the
stains came out! In fact, the stains came out so well the detectives who came
by yesterday told me that the DNA tests on my blouse were negative and
then my attorney called and said that I was no longer considered a suspect in
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What a relief! Going through menopause is bad enough without being a
murder suspect! I thank you, once again, for having a great product.
Well, gotta go, have to write to the Hefty bag people.

9/18/2006 10:51 AM  
Blogger annapolisirish said...

Dearest Debbie,
I've tears in my eys.. you go girl.. I'm travelling today, will post more tomorrow...

Go girl go... guess the lighting up of the conference call is helping! You are simply the best!

lots of love, visitor alison

9/18/2006 11:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Morning Debbie dear,

Thinking about you and wondering how you're feeling today. Been praying every time I think of you....which is a LOT!...no fevers, pain or infections and rapidly climbing counts.

Hoping Mikeys okay too...nothing serious...you'll let us know, JT?

Thanks to all you guys for taking the time to share w/ us, and taking such great care of Deb. We do appreciate it. Love you all.

Well Deb, Kathy's here...it won't be long now before she'll be making her stops at Tennis Way. Keep fightin'...you CAN do it...think of those babies. Can't wait to see you/hear from you(on the blog)/talk to you. We are praying, lighting up, singing, chanting, hoping, and pulling for you girl! Keep the pecker UP!

Love you, Mo

PS to MDF, Anna, my S-I-L is from Tucson and went to X-ray school at St. Mary's. I guess, way back when, I knew you lived there but completely forgot.

9/18/2006 11:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah,, its 2pm here and i remembered the 5pm est prayer!! hope your doing better.. ttyl..mdf

9/18/2006 5:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

dear deb,

Hooray, I know you have been feeling lousy, but hopefully you have turned your corner. I did my prayer at 5pm tonight.
I printed out the pictures of C and Emma, everyone stops by my door to ask who those beautiful children are. I explain and then ask them to pray for you and they all have. I always have at least one person pop in during the day to inquire as to your status.
Take care,
Love , hugs, and prayers,
jean

9/18/2006 5:42 PM  

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