Update from Dad
Update from Randy
Update time….well things can change on a dime here….after her fever broke about 5 ish this morning the day was pretty uneventful until about 3 when she was up going to the bathroom and got lightheaded and a little panicked, started coughing and threw up. This started a chain of events and a lot of attention from many nurses and docs that resulted in a lot of anxiety for Jenny. She had a chest xray and a chest ultra sound to make sure she did not take any material into her lungs. She was given some Demerol to calm her. Over the next several hours things calmed down and right now she is doing very well. The rash is starting to subside, which is a very positive development and that may spark a general rebound. The main concern right now is that she doesn’t develop pneumonia.
There is talk of icu to get more one on one care
but since she is doing better that is on hold.
Saturday December 17
2pm
Things here have declined over the last several hours. They have moved Jen to 14 floor to get more personal care. Jen’s pulse oxygen levels are low and her fever back. They have her on a cpap machine to improve her breathing. The doctor thinks this ugly rash she has is causing the fevers and most likely is in her inside as well as her skin. You can see the rash inside her mouth and throat.
She has swelled with water retention but with a low BP, they cant give her anything to take swelling down. I have called to ask Randy and the kids to come down to give me some rest and be close for Jen. The doctor says the next few days will be difficult but hopefully we can keep her from getting worse. Please pray God gives her the strength she needs as she has to battle through some bad days.
Randy’s boss scrambled to find coverage so he could be here. Although we have depleted all his sick time and vacation, this is where he needs to be. I am thankful he is able to be here as i am needing him by my side.
Prayers as she has been having a difficult couple of days. Little sleep and very uncomfortable. It’s so heartbreaking.
Her fever has come and gone a couple times now. They expect this will be the case as we go through the next several hours as the Tylenol wears off. They have assured me this is normal for her counts low and as long as everything like bp remain normal, she will be ok. It is still very hard to watch as nothing worse then watching your child be so weak. I don’t expect I will sleep much tonight but then sleep is overrated.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. We have been so blessed by having this army of family and friends through these difficult days. Randy,Jessica, Matt, Heather, and of course Jennifer couldn’t do this without you.
Bald Together with Baby Brother
Wake Up To Hope
This is from Jen’s book called Wake Up to Hope
Have you been praying and believing for something that’s taking longer then you thought? Many times people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their answer come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, you answer is closer than you think. If it seems as though things are getting more difficult, remember when the intensity heats up, that means, you are closer to your victory. It is always darkest just before the dawn appears.
Remember, you serve a faithful God. Know that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today, because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holing your promise.
While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up each morning and declare, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is comping. I will reap my harvest..” Stay in faith and be on the lookout because he has promised you victory, and it’s closer than you think!
Prayer for Today – Father in Heaven, You that You are my faithful God, and I can depend on You. Today I stand believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. My faith and trust are in You alone. I declare that my due season is coming and I will reap a harvest! I am looking for Your Goodness and expecting the victory.. Give me Your strength to stand strong until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Rash is causing some mild swelling but does not itch. Fever comes and goes. Leg wound seems to continue to grow more red around the spot stretching out beyond the bandage.
Her mood still good as she powers through day 17.
A Month In
Today we are a month in from Jen’s diagnosis. And although we won yesterday’s battle, there are many battles yet to fight.
Jen is running a higher fever today and it is being stubborn. So they have her packed in ice. Her shivering is beginning to calm which is good as she looked miserable.
Her rash is back again worse than before. It may be fever related but until they are sure they are stopping the clinical trial drug again. She just had a chest xray to make sure there is nothing there to be concerned about.
Days 14-21 are the hardest they tell us, and that surely seems to be true. Her WBC is rock bottom at a .2 and so fighting infections will take diligence and lots of antibiotics. And then after day 21 we should see those numbers start coming up. We are at day 16.
We talked more to the doctor about the future plans. Sometime in the weeks ahead, she will be prepared for a bone marrow transplant. At day 28, she will receive another biopsy to see if she has remained cancer free (another battle we are ready to fight). If she is, this is what they then label as remission. This will give green light to move forward to the next battle.
The transplant will require 100+ days of inpatient and outpatient treatment. She will need to live here in Columbus through all that. When talking to my brother Rick yesterday about all my fears about this, he reminded me to enjoy today’s blessings and trust in Him to provide for the days ahead. I need to hear that sometimes.
Please continue to pray for Jen. Your prayers I believe are giving her much strength. We are so impressed by this.
Rally Together With Jennifer 