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A Word From Jen

Today is Day 14.

I had a bone marrow biopsy today to see how the chemo has worked. Fingers crossed that I won’t need any more. Once I go home they will do another biopsy usually the wee following to see if I am in remission. We should have the results sometime tomorrow.

I have been running a low grade fever off and on for days. Every time my fever goes to 100.4 and over they have to do blood labs from my line and from my arm to look for infections. I have been on antibiotics for almost a week to help kill off what my body currently can’t. The blood cultures they do take up to 5 days to come back.

One of my cultures did show an infection in my central line. They are running more labs to see if it is still there since it was days ago that the culture was done. They don’t believe the infection is in my blood stream.

But with it being in my line they may have to remove the line for a few days and put a new one in after the infection clears. If they do this they will have to put an IV in which they have had trouble find a vein for.

I’m pretty tired today. I got a unit of platelets today and will probably get another unit of blood tomorrow since they took so much from me today.

The art therapist came in today. Although I was too sore and tired to do much we did talk quite a bit which was good.

Although I’m tired and sore I am feeling pretty good and continue to stay positive and take things one day at a time.

Please keep the prayers coming and remember to appreciate the small things. Although it’s cold and snowy enjoy the cold air on your face, the way the snow flakes fall to the ground, or the way the snow sounds as you walk through it.

We take those small beautiful things God gives us for granted. Although I am not a winter person and the snow and cold is not at the top of the list of my favorite things, but they are on the list of things I cannot enjoy right now.

Appreciate and love those little things.

God bless!

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Mom Back in Columbus

Hello from The James! I am back in Columbus with Jennifer today and plan to stay through mid next week. Today Jen’s counts dipped low enough they decided she need a transfusion of platelets and one of hemoglobin. The platelets were at 8. Anything under 10, you run risk of brain bleeds so we are happy she received those. Normally a transfusion will bring score back to about 50. (Normal is over 150).

Her hemoglobin (red blood cells) dipped under 7. Because red blood cells carry oxygen, these being low make Jen very tired. It also makes her heart work harder. Jen’s white count is at .4. They do not give white blood cells. This is up to Jen to remake. They do however have a shot they can give to help boost but the purpose of chemo is to destroy the abnormal white cells. Unfortunately along with that goes her normal ones.
Jen still has one sore on her leg they are watching. It is full of fluid and they may need to release it at some point. Because they don’t know what the sore is caused by and because of her very #s low, they have her under an isolation. The nurses, doctors, and PCAs and others who enter her room are required to dress in protective clothing until they know if the sore is an infection that can be spread.

Other then very tired, Jen seems to be handling it all well. She takes frequent naps so her being in more of an isolation is welcome right now.

Columbus isn’t suppose to get as much snow as back home. It would be very pretty to watch the snow fall from the 16th floor however.

As some of you know John Glenn passed away yesterday. He too was here at the James. Randy was here when his motorcade left the hospital.12

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A Word from Jen

The past 12 hours have been long and rough. I spiked a fever late last night. So when that happens they do a lot of blood work and antibiotics. As well as extra vitals through the night. By my 4:30 vitals this morning my temperature was back to normal. I did get sick out of the blue this morning, but other than that I feel good.

I’ve been pretty tired the past few days. I seem to sleep better through the day than I do at night.

My spirits still remain good as we power up to get me through the low cbc numbers and my risk of infection over the course of the next week.

I appreciate all of the prayers, cards, and gifts I have gotten. I truly am blessed to know so many wonderful people.

Lots of love from Columbus!
God bless!

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Day 4 of 7

Today is day 4 of the 7 days of Chemo.

Jennifer hasn’t been eating much over the last several hours. She is bothered by the smell of many foods. She also had trouble swallowing her meds. She is taking an anti fungal med, meds to keep her acid levels down, an allergy med for her rash, and meds to help with nausea.

Her mood is still very good. We went for a long walk last evening but as her numbers drop her energy levels will decrease.

Jen’s dad is coming down today and her grandma is flying in from Florida today to see her.

Please continue to keep her in your prayer

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Surprise Visit

Hello from Columbus!

Today had a bit of a rocky start for me, but powered through.

I didn’t sleep well last night, but managed to get a few winks this afternoon.

Yesterday evening my mom came down and stayed the night. She brought the rest of my stuff to help me feel a bit more at home. We decorated my room for Christmas and the staff here love it!!

I got a surprise visit from my Aunt and Uncle today (Rick & Lori) which was awesome to have.

My dad came down today as well. And we are watching football. 🙂

I haven’t been able to each much. Smells of food turn off my appetite. Seems the only things I have managed to eat in the past 24 hours have been Gold fish, pb&j sandwiches, apple slices, bananas, and captain crunch.

My chemo is now on Day four. No more plus 3s. Chemo is doing its job. My wbc and platelets continue to drop like they are supposed to.

Although I feel tired and icky I know I am where I need to be. I am remaining as positive as I can be.

Thanks for all the continuous thoughts and prayers. I truly think it helps just as much as the meds they give me.

Sending lots of love to all of you reading this. Remember to enjoy the little things and smile when you can.

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Now that we have Jennifer ‘s room decorated for Christmas, let the festivities begin.

If you like to send her a Christmas card (which she would love), her address is

The James Cancer hospital & Solove Research Institute
Attn : Jennifer Honigford 1604
460 West 10th Avenue
Columbus Ohio 432105

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Word From Jen – December 1

Good morning all!

Last night was a good night. My rash is slowly giving way. I was able to get some good sleep last night even with the early morning vitals and blood labs.

This morning they had to redo my labs to check to see if the first labs were right. My hemoglobin dropped from an 8.2 to a 6.9 and then read a 7.0. So l will be getting a hemoglobin transfusion. I don’t need platelets or anything else which is good.

With being on chemo and IV fluids my counts are going to drop. The fact that I have gone almost 2 full weeks without needing a transfusion is amazing.

My sister Jessica Crawford stayed the night with me. We played countless rounds of rummy and learned how to french braid my hair….well sorta.

Yesterday we went on 2 walks around the hospital and my own floor which will reduce the heparin shots that I may need.

Today we did another quick walk around the floor before I was due for a refill on my chemo and my transfusion.

The nurses and PCA’s here love my hair Laura Moreo. Already planning my next color!

1

My brother Matt Honigford is coming down to see me this afternoon/evening and I believe mom and dad will be back down tomorrow.

They keep talking about moving me down to the 15th but that hasn’t happened yet so I am not holding my breath. I don’t mind the 16th floor.

If you want to send me an ecard or a present my current room number 1604. If I happen to change rooms before it gets to me they will make sure I get it anyway.

I really appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers and the donations. It really helps more than you know.

If you want to visit please let me know and we can set that up 🙂

Keep my family and me in your thoughts and prayers as well as those in Tennessee. Those fires are scary and can’t imagine what the people of Tennessee ate going through right now.

God bless!