September 21, 2007 Update
Dear Fods,
We are sitting here on Friday afternoon visiting with Debbie. Joey took a train down and I came down mid-afternoon from the office.
Debbie says,
It has been a rough week so far. Two of the old injection sites from the vidaza became very inflamed early in the week and because I have not had a white count, turned into a huge cellulitis. We had a regular appointment on Wednesday and we got there in the nik of time. As we were sitting at Penn, the arm was literally starting to swell up. I was admitted on Wednesday and am now on four antibiotics (for the med crew, vanco., gent., levo., and cleocin) and the arm continues to get worse. The cellulitis now extends from under my arm to my wrist. Temps range from 101 to 103 and there is terrible pain in my right arm (thank God for the pain meds!)
Since Wednesday I have had 2 CAT scans, 1 MRI, 3 chest X-rays, 2 ultrasounds, four sets of blood cultures and two skin biopsies (of the leukemia bumps not the vidaza site). The MRI showed massive swelling and inflammation of the entire arm and the point of concern is that it may spread to my muscles -- yikes!.
So everybody, please kick up the prayers that my WBC will come backup so that I can fight this new thing.
My favorite infectous disease doctor Mindy Schuster suggested an orthopedic surgeon to see me as there is some concern about compartmental syndrome. Right now, we just have to pray and keep the antibiotics going and hope that the cellulitis stops spreading and begins to subside.
On a lighter note, they have stopped the clinical trial and the nausea is gone! My appetite is pretty good considering I am at HUP -- but outside food only! There is a new deli in Penn Towers and they make really good soup. Today I had corn chowder and I ate the whole bowl.
Jessie is coming up for the weekend and she will visit with me on Saturday and Sunday. It will be nice to have the three kids together.
Thank you for all of the calls, blogs and cards. It has been a very hectic few days with all of the tests they are taking, but they are working hard to get on top of this. I will try to post again soon. I think I may be here for a little while this time.
I hope all of you and your families are well. I am glad all of the college freshmen have settled in. Mary Day when Jessie left, I cried every day for three weeks missing her so much. But I am sure Patrick is as happy as he can be.
Love to you all.
Debbie
posted by Joe @ 5:17 PM
10 Comments:
Hi Debbie,
I am so sorry about your arm and all the pain you must be having.
I think about you daily and always
keep you and your family in my prayers. We are back into the swing
of school with all the fun homework
and oh such early mornings. Sure do
miss the shore life. Well rest and soon you will be back in the comfort of your home. I hope and pray that you will be feeling better real soon.
Love,
Donna,Chuck and Wyatt
hey deb...i am so sorry about these recent developments...those antibiotics must do their job!!!!they are so strong...remember when we hung them!!! we have been running with the big red band (brent plays trumpet in it) i have never been a band parent before...wow! do what ever you can at the bedside to keep those cellutis factors away...i think about you daily and pray for you every day...love you, bren
Dear Deb, my thoughts are with you always be strong and you will fight this. Love Linda sheets
Oh Deb,
I hope the wbc's come up overnight. We will be stepping up the prayers for this. Are they considering neupogen now, in the face of the increased infection? I'm so glad Jess is coming up and Joey was there today. I'm sure he cheered you up.
Wanted to let you know that your nurse Bridget has signed up to walk w/ us at Gwynedd. Nobody could figure out who Bridget Fonash was, than she e-mailed Meg and told her...she thinks the world of you, as does everyone who knows you.
Know that we think of you 24-7, miss you and love you. Bob sends his love and says "hang in there kid, one day at a time."
Thank Joe for writing and please tell him we are here if you need any little thing.
All our love,
Bob and Mo
Debbie,
Prayers are being kicked up that your WBC gets better so you can fight this. Have a nice visit with Jessie! Feel better and stay strong.
xoxo Meg Noon
Hi Debbie,
Sounds like the hospital is where you need to be right now. Hope all those antibiotics do their thing as well as the pain meds.We think of you guys all the time and extra prayers are coming your way. Having your kids there must be the best!!!! Love you Debbie, take it one day at time.
Love,
Lorraine and Bob
Okay, so this is a drag again..but i will kick up the prayers and well wishes that everything starts to work the way it's suppose to be.. wbc's up, pain gone, swelling down...
thanks for the note about how you felt when Jesse left.. i now know exactily what you mean.. but do know he's having a blast.. he went kayaking in the ocean and ran over a sea otter.. ha.. the whole family popped up their heads and barked at him.. he is buying a skim board, has gone hiking, to bonfires, and oh yeah,, he actually started classes this week... seems to be excited about them...talked to him on thurs and he said he was exhausted from his first week in college!(he has fridays off)., i guess his dorm room is the room to hang in , cause not only do they have a variety of video systems, but surround sound,, and playing guitar hero with surround sound is "hella dope" ha. the uc's move into their dorms this weekend...
Mark is busy with baseball and school, this is homecoming week..monday is dress up as your favorite plant or jungle animal..then wed. is wacky wednesday.. so he has been planning for that.. also think he is hoping to go to the Giants last game on wed... last time Barry will play as a giant. has to work it out though with practice, homework, and dad...
Im still hooked on that damn Ben and Jerry's turtle soup ice cream.. so,, i have tried to even out the caloric intake by having soup for dinner,,then the ice cream.. doesnt' seem to be working..
' Stay strong deb... the prayers will increase..lots of love..mdf.
mrs teklits,
I am soo sorry that you are having such a rough time! My family and I are praying for you extra to get through this rough time quickly! Enjoy your weekend with all your kiddies around you... and know that we are thinking about you constantly.. can't wait to see you!
LOVE YOU!
Allison
Dear Deb,Joe and Family;
We are all pumping up the prayers. God love ya,you are such a hero.
Thinking of you all the time.
Lotsa Love going your way.
BIG HUGS
Your Aunt Angie
Dear Deb:
We are increasing the prayers! Get that cellulitis gone! Andrew had it once in his face from a bite. Took 3 antibiotics and a couple days in the hospital for him and he had a white count to help. Hope yours kicks in soon and whips the butt of those germs....
Love and prayers
Cindy Bodish Ebner and family
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