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The Hard Search For Blessings

I’m trying really hard today to find the blessings that surround me. It has been another long day. But the sun did shine and the nurse did find me a comfortable chair to sit in while Jennifer got another transfusion today.

Jen had an appointment this morning in Lima to have her counts checked. We expected they would be low based on how she was feeling. Her platelets were low again and her hemoglobin not far behind. Her white count had a very slight improvement.

When they called for her to get a transfusion in Lima (both hospitals), neither had platelets available until tomorrow so I decided to make a trip to The James.

With already being in Lima at 1220, I expected we would arrive around 2ish. That was not to be the case. Immediately we got held up by a train for nearly 30 minutes. With it being the lunch hour, I thought best to make sure Jen got something to eat before we left lima. Plan to swing through the drive through at Happy Days near Memorial Hospital resulted in another 15 minute set back.

By the time we got here, through registration it was near 4pm. Not a good plan at all. To add to that they decided Jen also should get hemoglobin but she can’t get both at the same time. So we discussed hemoglobin in the morning instead. We hoped to get those in Lima however to be cross and matched for blood in Lima, we had to be there tonight.

Also the platelets the lab sent down was a larger bag and that took three hours to receive instead of two. So we are staying in Columbus tonight, she gets hemoglobin tomorrow morning and hopefully home by afternoon. So much for spending a relaxing day at home for her birthday tomorrow.

Blessings. …I’m having to really search today.

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Blood Needed

ATTENTION LIMA AREA FRIENDS!

There is a desperate need for blood donations for the Lima area.

Today I was told I need another platelet transfusion but they can’t get me the transfusion until tomorrow because neither Lima hospitals have platelets on hand for me.

This is a huge issue that needs addressed. Please if you can donate blood do it. One donation equals 4 blood transfusions and 4 platelet transfusions.

Contact the Red Cross or one of the hospitals to get more information about donating.

I am traveling to Columbus to the James to get the transfusion that I need. Please donate. Please.

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Note to Self – Bring more yarn!

So we are hanging out this evening at St Ritas. Jen had a headache today and called down to the James. Since her platelets were low range yesterday, we decided best to have her counts checked this evening.

Of course we aren’t dealing with hematologist here, so the number of other test they decided to include seems a little overkill when you know start with blood test and go from there. So we sit and wait.

< I should have brought more yarn >

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Not much change over the last few days. Randy took Jen to her appointment this morning to have her numbers checked. Jen’s energy levels have stayed fairly decent, so we weren’t surprised her hemoglobin is still fairly high for having received chemo last week. But her white count and platelets are really low. This means she must be extra cautious as she will be susceptible to infections and bleeding. So we are hand washing several times a day, wiping down door knobs, light switches, and surfaces and making sure Jen’s contact with the outside world is limited. She is also to be careful not to fall or bump into things so she spends a lot of time watching movies and playing on her phone.

We are still unsure if Jen will make an appearance on Sunday to the paint and sip benefit. If she does, it will be for a very short time and will be keeping a distance from others as to not pass any germs to her. Although others may feel fine, her immune system is too weak to fight much right now. So we will wait and let her decide on Sunday what she like to do.

There are still seats for the 3pm section of the paint and sip for Sunday. When we heard Angela Gamble hasn’t had much outside support we decided to split the proceeds from it with her. Angela is home from the James after having surgery last week. Also Amy Snavely, from Kalida, had been hospitalized for pneumonia and is waiting on a bed at the Cleveland Clinic to open. Please keep both these beautiful women in your prayers tonight. Finally we also ask for a prayer for someone we shall not name, whose cancer has spread and will be receiving additional treatment in the days and weeks ahead. Cancer seems to not take a break and all too often we are hearing of yet another who is battling this terrible disease.

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A Birthday Wish

With my birthday just a week away I have been thinking a lot about what I want.

Of course I want to be healthy and cured and that is just around the corner with my transplant in a few short weeks. So what else could I possibly want right?

With having 2 full matches on the registry I feel very blessed and wish everyone like me could have the same opportunity.

So here is my birthday wish.

I want 10 of my friends here and now to pledge to go to www.bethematch.org and sign up to get tested to be someone’s match.

That sounds easy right?

So just state in the comments below if you pledge to do this for me and others like me. And if you already have done so then share that too.

But let’s up the pot a bit……I also want to see this post get shared 10 times.

The more it’s shared the more people can see it and get on the registry. And the more on the registry equals the more matches for those like me.

That’s all I want for my birthday. Let’s beat cancer together and save lives today. Who is with me?

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The Cost of Cancer

For the last 3+ months, our lives have changed dramatically. As it has changed, we are also now witness to the many others who have the same journey we have. Each day, whether at home or at hospital, we find ourselves in discussions with other families who are learning this difficult path. When we sit down to eat in the cafeteria or take a walk to a restroom, we encounter the world of cancer. Or if we participate in a conversation in a support group, we often hear of the daily struggles.

Each day, you start with sorting out medications, appointments, new terminology you hadn’t heard before, and new staff brought on board. Connections to your pets, children and spouses change and rely on pictures and phone calls. The world looks different then ever before.

When you start thinking about the overall cost of it all, it is mental, physical, and financial. Mentally you cope as best you can, attempting to live in the moment but your dreams lash you into your subconscious mind. Physically you are exhausted. You find yourself no longer able to wear the same clothes as your weight falls or rises. And body aches from the tension and from sleeping on hospital furniture.

The things you are having to spend money on haven’t been budgeted for. Tanks of gas to and from hospital, to the pharmacy, to the doctors. Money for parking, even at $2 a day drains your pocket. Petcare, eating on the run, and double the number of hairbrushes, hairdryers, and shampoo because you no longer are all in the same place at once. They all add up. And when your income takes a hit from not being able to work, you go back to the mental anguish that enters your dreams.

The loss of another across the hall rings loud throughout the floor. The biggest fear of death is only compounded by all the other stresses. And the floor at the hospital becomes so stressed by all those fears.

This is cancer. This is the life of so many each day. This is not only my life, but too many in this world. So care a little more. Complain a lot less. And live each day to the fullest.

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Discharge Tomorrow?

If all goes to plan, Jen will be discharged tomorrow and be home by late afternoon/ early evening. Although she will be home, she will need to be vigilant with hand washing (as well as us), staying as active as she can handle (to keep her lungs open), and staying away from anything or anyone who may make her sick. Although her numbers should rebound faster this time around, they will fall low.

By her numbers falling, the hope is the remaining cancer is killed off and she regrows healthy cells. Once the cancer is under 5%, it is undetectable. Jen was at 7% at her last biopsy. She will have another biopsy around day 21 or when her counts begin to return to normal. Today is day 4.

Jen will have her counts checked at least twice a week in Lima and also can receive transfusions in Lima if needed. Most likely she will need a few rounds of hemoglobin and a couple rounds of platelets. Without these, she will be very tired, her heart works harder, and runs risk of bleeding. We are thankful we can get this done so that she can be closer to home.

If she stays well, she may not need to come back to stay until transplant. Fingers crossed that is the case!

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Randy came down to Columbus last evening to hang out with Jennifer and I. Tomorrow he will head back home but Jen and I will soon follow as Jen’s chemo cycles will be done Monday afternoon.

Jen’s numbers dropped a little today but her hemoglobin and platelets are still in normal range and white count, just under normal. Jen is very active while her numbers are still high. She has been challenging her brother to see who can walk the most steps. And just when she thinks she has him beat, he send her a message saying he is beating her by a few steps. So off she goes to walk another round.

When Jen is at home, she will have her counts checked frequently in Lima and can also receive transfusions if needed in Lima. However if she would spike any fevers, she will need to come back to Columbus. Hopefully that can be avoided.

We are hoping transplant is less then 8 weeks out, but that will depend on biopsies, lung, heart, and living function testing, and of course the donor’s schedule. Once we get to transplant, it will be several weeks of living in Columbus. But if all goes to plan, and we hope it does, maybe we will be back home by summer.

Also, please keep Angela Gamble in your prayers. She had a long surgery yesterday to remove the cancer in her breast. Jen and I went up to see her this afternoon. Hopefully she too can be going home in the next few days. On Sunday January 29th, we are having a paint and sip to benefit both Jen and Angela. We have a few seats left if you are interested.