Another Extended Stay at MRH

We originally thought mom would just go to the hospital for a day or so to get blood, but as it turns out, she's going to stay for longer. They have found two blood clots - one in each leg - and she has been placed back on bed rest. The DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in her right leg is much bigger and is causing her a considerable amount of pain. She has been put back on morphine for pain management. The clot in her left leg is much smaller, and wasn't causing noticeable pain, but it was found after they imaged her legs (MRI).

They are worried that the clots may spread to other parts of her body, so they have begun treatment immediately. She has been placed on heparin to reduce the clotting in her blood. At this point, they are not sure why she has developed these blood clots, but from what I understand there is an increased risk of blood clots with chemotherapy.

Her spirits are still good, and we are pleased that she is being treated on the 2nd floor of MRH. The progressive care unit is really good there, and mom knows them ALL by name (not surprisingly). She has insisted that Heather and I "stay in our routines", so we are not planning to go to Blacksburg yet. As her immune system is bouncing back, it may be appropriate for those of you in the area to see her later on this weekend (Sunday perhaps). In the mean time, she didn't get much sleep last night so it might be good to let her rest for a few days.

Staying for a while

Mom received 3 units of blood starting early this morning.  She is feeling better, but they have found a blood clot in her right leg. Starting tomorrow, they'll give her some medicine to bust up the blood clot.  It's been causing her considerable pain, so hopefully the clot will break up soon. 

Her spirits are high, and she feels ok about being back in the hospital.  We are all happy that she is at MRH, since Dr. McCoy will be able to check on her.  He's been great and has treated mom for years.   She will stay in the hospital through the weekend and until she gets her strength back.  

Beth Back in the Hospital

Mom is back in the hospital.  She is feeling very weak, and is currently in her "nadir" (low-point) after the latest round of chemo (administered last week).  Her prognosis is good.  She will receive 3 units of blood tonight and tomorrow, and should go home tomorrow evening.  The physicians are not worried - this is purely precautionary.  

She was staying with the Hunnings and was a little pale and very weak this morning.   Kay took her to Dr. McCoy's office around lunchtime, and he decided that she needed blood when her hemoglobin levels were around 7.3 (it should be around 12).  

Mom is in MRH again, in Room 205 (she was in 208 for 3 weeks in December).  She got to know her nurses so well after her previous stay, so she is in very good and friendly hands.  

It is raining here today, but we're expecting ice and snow later. My wound vacuum went off at 6:45 this morning and stopped working, so Kay, Joe and I had to decide if we were going to try and get me to my house, or stay here. I called the manufacturer, and just like OnStar, they had it Reset within 10 minutes!! You just gotta love modern technology.
I had my IVIG treatment yesterday, as well as my blood levels. Both my white and red blood cell levels are low, but not enough to require blood, thank goodness. But, the loss of energy is frustrating and naptime comes regularly.
I started going through all the cards, gifts notes, etc. last weekend and I know I have been horrible about not writing thank-you notes. Honestly, while I was on morphine, I cannot remember who sent/gave me what, so I do beg your forgiveness if I haven't written to you personally.
I have CT scans scheduled for my abdomen, chest and neck on the 9th, which should give us a better idea of how the tumor has progressed (or disappeared!). The 4th chemo treatment is scheduled for the 11th. David will be coming up for that as he wants to check on me, too!
Thanks (as always), for all the support! I love you!

It's been a good week

I was having trouble getting into the Blog, but thanks to David's good help, I'm back.

It's been a good week. I was on my 3rd week "high energy," so was able to organize some things includng the MOUNDS of paperwork that come from stays in 2 different hospitals and about 6 doctors on my case!!

Thank you SO much for the generous donations of Leave I have received. As of 4 o'clock today, I officially went on the Family Leave Program, having expired all my leave I previously have. Each donation just brings me to tears, as I never realized the generousity of people who are both friends and family but are also strangers to me. I truly intend to "Pay it Forward" once I get healthy again.

I had my 3rd chemo treatment yesterday so begin the "down week" today. I have my blood tested next week and hope I do not need another blood transfusion. My levels prior to the treatment were very good and Dr. McCoy was very pleased.

Dr. Stoeckle changed my bandages today and removed the rest of the abdomen stitches, which have been in for 7 weeks. Wasn't too much fun getting them out, but it sure was great to be done with that part of the procedure. I will need to keep the wound vacuum on until all drainage stops or until it isn't deep enough to warrant it's use. Hope this isn't "TMI" for some of you!

I have been staying with Kay and Joe Hunnings this week, but will go home for the weekend as John is coming to give them a break. Like the Rhudy's, they have been the best host/hostess and my time here has been very good.

Cindy Finney has been wonderful about being my taxi driver for doctor appointments and I do so appreciate her supervisor letting her do this for me -- Thanks Lefter!

I hope to try and work toward getting at home and taking care of myself after next week. Only then can I continue to regain my strength and try to get back to the office and my regular routine.

Thanks to everyone for all the calls, cards and well wishes -- I do so appreciate them!

Requests

Nothing new today, but I'm on my "high" energy week. John is coming tomorrow to take me to my appointment with Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon) so that gives Ann a break from being taxi driver!! She's still responsible as cook, though! Our friends Sue and Bill Foster brought over dinner and man, was it good. We loved that fresh fruit salad -- and all the rest!!

Tomorrow, two members of Tech's Personnel department are coming to the Rhudy's to discuss the Family Medical Leave program with me. My request should be approved within 48 hours, and an email will be sent university-wide that I am in need of leave donations. When you receive the email, if you are a State employee, would you please consider donating Annual Leave to me? I cannot ask for donations once the email is sent. I sure would hate to go Leave-Without-Pay! Faculty should check with their departments as Tom can donate leave, but Daddy cannot, so it must have something to do with status.

Thanks to 5 generous people, I have received that many units of blood and may need more after each chemo treatment. If you are not a regular blood donor, would you please consider donating? Ann said it only takes about a hour. I have O-positive and was told one can donate blood specifically for me. If I don't need it, it will go to the next person who does.

I hope everyone is doing well otherwise. I miss everyone and hope to see you soon!

Weekend Update

Staying at the "Rhudy House of Love" as Heather calls it, has definitely helped. Dan and Ann have been absolutely the ultimate caregivers and I've gotten a lot of rest, and been fed very well, of course! We've had our share of talks and laughter, too! As they are leaving for Florida next weekend, Kay and Joe Hunnings have invited me to stay with them. I'm hoping that prior to my 3rd round of chemo on the 21st, I'll be able to get home for a morning or afternoon, as I really do want to be able to take care of myself eventually.

Both wounds are healing nicely -- changing that vacuum dressing requires pre-pain medication, but is bearable once that kicks in.

The spot on my left arm is shrinking, no fever and fortunately my blood levels have been good. Next week should be a higher energy level, then I start the downhill on the 21st. I did discuss with Dr. McCoy's office the rounds of chemo treatment versus the all-important 2009 date of April 11th (David and Trisha's wedding). As I want to be at "peak" energy level, they will move Round 6 to the week after the wedding so that made me very happy.

I'm hoping I can do some reports for the office prior to going on the Family Medical Leave program. I swear I have seen every "Little House on the Prairie" episode so would welcome somthing for which I could use my brain!

I do so appreciate everyone who is willing to donate time to me. It still baffles me that I was supposed to have something so simple, yet complications from surgery has made it very hard. Thanks to everyone for the calls, cards and posts - I am so blessed to have so many caring friends!

Wednesday's Update

Mom went to the hospital today (outpatient clinic) and received 2 units of blood to increase her red count. She is still very weak, but should start to bounce back a little by the end of the week as her body recovers from Chemo Round 2. The swelling in her arm and legs has gone down substantially, which is very encouraging. The combination of the reduction in swelling and her decreased food intake have accounted for a loss of 30 pounds over the last 6 weeks, although she would not necessarily recommend this particular dieting regimen to any readers hoping to fulfill New Years' Resolutions!

She has a red spot on her left elbow that her physicians are interested in monitoring (opposite arm where all of the problems happened before). They are a little worried about that becoming infected, so they have put her on anti-biotics (keflex) as a precautionary measure.

Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon) also saw Mom today, and is pleased about the healing of her wounds. The clavicle wound looks really good, and shows all signs of healing. Accordingly, they are only placing gauze over that wound. The abdomen wound looks better, but the wound-vac will be maintained for probably another month to keep infection away.

Mom will continue to stay at the Rhudy's house for the near future.

Spirits High, Blood Cells Low

Hi everyone. Mom is doing ok this week. She is staying with Ann and Dan Rhudy in Christiansburg for a few days while John spends time with his family.

Mom is now 7 days out from chemo, which is when her blood cell count reaches a nadir. Some background: all cells in our bodies are constantly being broken down, and new ones are constantly made to replace them. Different tissues in the body have different 'turnover' rates. Hair, intestinal, and cancer cells are types that turnover fast, and all are the most disrupted by chemo. In general, chemotherapy does not kill cells that are already alive, but disrupts the cell cycle of cells that are being made (technically, Rituxan is an exception to this rule as it marks CD20 positive B cells for destruction). It takes about 5-7 days for the alive blood cells to die off, and they are temporarily not replaced due to the chemo. Hopefully, the dividing cancer cells are not replaced at all - that's the point!

Accordingly, due to low red and white blood cells Mom is feeling very weak right now. Physically she is able to move around and she's loving Ann's cooking, but she just does not have much energy due to her low blood cell counts. This is expected. She went to see Dr. McCoy (hematologist/oncologist) today, and he is going to give her a blood infusion so that her red count increases. Her white blood cell count should begin to increase again towards the end of this week. She is most suceptible to infection at this point.

Mom has not felt too nauseated from the chemo (knock on wood), but it does appear that some of her hair is starting to fall out. She has an appointment with McCoy tomorrow to get the blood, and another on Thursday with Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon) to look at her wounds. She is still receiving coumadin, but her blood has maintained an appropriate "viscosity".

She hopes to give another update herself soon.

Hey everyone!

Thanks again for all the messages.

Just when I thought things were getting better (and they are health-wise), Freedom First Fraud Dept called me New Year's morning and told me that some on-line hacker had accessed my Debit Card to the tune of $1,300!! So yesterday we had to go to the local branch here and file a Fraud Report, THEN I had to ride to Blacksburg to file a Police Report. I was dog-dead tired by the time we got home and I went straight to bed!

John's ex-wife died this morning, so my longest best friend Ann Rhudy has offered to have me come stay with her for several days. What a blessing to have her in my life. Betty Lee is going to Blacksburg this afternoon so I will ride with her up there.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. I love you all!

Happy New Year EVERYONE!!

I cannot begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading all the well wishes and support emails. Thanks to my dear friend Cindy, she came down to Roanoke yesterday and helped me get to all the websites I needed since my Remote Desktop Control won't work at John's right now.

I have to thank first-and-foremost my children (including new soon to be DIL Trisha, of course), for creating this website and keeping it up-to-date. I hope it has been helpful to everyone. While I have always been proud of them, I have never been more proud than all their love, support and care they have given me, especially when I was in the hospital(s). They went above and beyond and I'm sure saw more of their mother/new MIL than they ever expected!

I came home from Lewis Gale on Tuesday night after my 2nd round of chemo was done, and did not have any complications with that. It was good to get more than 2 hours of sleep without vitals/blood being taken, etc. John has been a great nurse but I think at times I've pushed him to his patience limit!

I go back to the oncologist next week, who wants to check me weekly. He said yesterday I was a "delightful patient but VERY complicated!" Who -- me? Anyone who knows me would agree with that! I also have an appointment with Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon), so follow up on getting the wound vacuum removed soon. Carrying this bag around is getting old -- I don't know that I have a Vera Bradley bag in which it will fit!

Thank you so much, again, for all the posted notes. I love you all!