Day 319 BMT 109

Hello everyone. This is Rita. I got released last Sunday with great results and now only have to go back to Buffalo every other week and the other week I can go to Faxton Hospital with Dr. Butala. I am feeling good. My family can't believe that I am allowed to drive, but Dave took me out for a test drive and I didn't miss a beat. Monday, I went to Price Chopper, loaded the groceries in the car and even brought them into the house and put them away. They were all amazed! I said I have alot of catching up to do. It's hard not to be able to touch flowers or dirt, so Dave did a few planters for me, and my sister Sue did the rest. I am allowed to water the plants, though. I can't clean, dust or put dirty laundry in but I can unload the dishwasher and put the clothes in the dryer and fold them. It is so hard for me to watch people do so much for me. My sister, Eva, faithfully came every 3 days to collect my mail and water my plants. I thank her. My sister Sherry has been my spiritual soul mate every step of the way. Thank you Sherry. I would like to thank my friends, people I didn't know, the many prayer groups that prayed for me, people that sent me many, many cards and my family, and especially my kids who have given me so much love, so much of their time and have sacrificed so much. For all they have done for me, I will be eternally grateful. The benefit was wonderful. I wish I could have been there. I would like to especially thank my wonderful husband, Dave. He spent most of the time by my side, even sleeping in the recliner next to me in the hospital. He pushed me all the way, and I know I wouldn't have done all the walking and eating if he wasn't there. Thanks again to you all. I love you all, Rita

Day 311 BMT 101

Hello,

Well, we are still out here in Buffalo. So far, the results of the bone marrow biopsy are all good. While there has been an increase in the percentage of blasts, they are still within normal range. The reason we are still here is that Friday morning, day 100, Rita woke up with a slight fever. Due to that, the doctor would not release us to go home. Rita did not need to be admitted so we are back at the hotel. We have an appointment tomorrow morning (Sunday) and hope that they will let us check out of the hotel and come home tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see. Rita is feeling pretty good and her temperature has returned to normal. They have taken more blood samples and testing to see if thay can determine the cause of the fever. We may or may not know the results tomorrow but still hope to come home as long as her fever dosen't come back.

I know this is short but there really isn't much else to say. This is just how it goes with this process. Its the old "one day at a time" thing. We are doing good and are optimistic that we will be home tomorrow.

Take care, Dave & Rits

Day 307 BMT 97

Good Evening,

Here is the latest. Since we last posted, we have experienced some downs and ups. First, Rita's numbers sort of crashed for a few days. During this time, the doctors told us not to worry but, as I'm sure you can understand, we were more than a little concerned. When we got to the clinic visit on Friday 5/20/11, Rita was neutropenic and it was questionable as to whether or not we would be able to come home for the Memorial Day weekend. We were sort of bummed out at this time. Our next clinic visit was Wednesday 5/25/11 and we knew that if the numbers didn't improve, they would probably tell us we couldn't go home. After Rita had her blood taken and we were waiting for the results, Rita decided that we should reherse our lines so that we could convince the doctors to let us go home. So, we spent at least a half an hour going over what I would say if the doctor said so and so and what Rita would say if they said something else. We acutally had a pretty good script all ready to deliver. Well, the NP came in and brought Rita's numbers up on the computer. Much to our amazement, the nmbers had improved to a point that we had not seen for over a month. All of our rehersal time was for nothing - to make a long story short, they told us to go home and that they would see us next Tuesday.

So we packed up and went home for the holiday weekend. It was a great time. Selpt in our own bed, had quality time with family and friends and then drove back out to Buffalo yesterday. Today started early with a 6:30 AM visit to phlebotomy and then an intrethecal lumbar chemo infusion and then a bone marrow biopsy. Rita tolerated all of this like the champion she is. Her blood chemistry is excellent and her WBC and ANC is also excellent. We will now wait until we get the results from the bone marrow biopsy to see if we can come home for good on Friday. I'll be sure to let you know how all of this goes. Rita has a couple of more tests tomorrow (bone density and PFT) and then, its pretty much a waiting game until we get the bone marrow biopsy results.

We hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend - we sure did with being close to our family and friends.

Thanks to all for the continued prayers, Rita & Dave

P.S. Please excuse spelling and grammar - I didn't check this as usual.

Day 293 (BMT 83)

Hello Everyone!

I'm back out with Mom this week until tomorrow. We have been pretty low key this week so far due to the miserable weather. At least Mom doesn't feel like she's missing much. Who wants to be in the cold drizzle anyway? She's been fervently working on her thank you notes. I can't believe her dedication. She is really something else.

We had another clinic appointment today and Mom had another great report. Her numbers are technically down a little but the Doctors all assure us this is a normal part of the routine and that they will likely ebb and flow for a while.

Mom is still on track to be coming home June 3rd. I can't even put into words how amazing it is to write that. We all can't wait to have her right where she belongs. It was a beautiful summer last year, but no matter what the weather, this will be the best one ever.

Love,

Amy

Day 287 BMT 77

Hello Folks,

Its hard to believe another week has gone by since our last communication. The time is really flying by and the days are full of good things. Rita is doing great!! I spend most of my day working which feels great as it is a sign of things getting back to normal. We had another good visit to the clinic this morning and all of Rita's numbers continue to be right where the BMT team wants them to be. Another victory today for Rita - she was taken off of her potASSium today!! No more mixing the elixir from hell with yogurt and giving it to her while trying not to look at her face!! I could always feel the eyes letting me know how mean I was by making her take this evil concoction!! I don't know who is more relieved - her or me.

So, as you can see, we continue to take baby steps back to a healthy Rtia and a normal life. We even have been able to take a few walks outside in the evening as the weather is starting to get better. Rita still has to be careful while out in public as she is still on immunosupressants and probably will be until the end of August. These are the little adjustments we will need to make and, with time, those to will pass.

We are getting closer to the time when Rita can come home and, to me, I feel like a little kid that is full of anticipation at Christmas time. It is going to be so good to see her with all of her family and friends close by and to see her be able to reconnect. I know that many of you will also appreciate having her back in your lives - its going to be a great summer!!

Goodnight and take care, Rita & Dave

Day 280 BMT 70

I can't be;ieve that it has been 10 days since our last post. I guess that is a good thing because we are in a place where the days fly by and Rita is doing great. I just got back to Buffalo after being home for a couple of days. I got some of my spring work done and, unfortunatly, the weather on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was not very good so, I could not get everything done that I had hoped to. It will just have to wait. Amy was here for the past few days (thanks Obie) and her and Rita had a great time. It is very good therapy for Rita (and I'm sure for the kids) when they can spend some time with their mom. I feel much better going home these days as Rita is such a champion and is doing so well. I don't feel like I'm leaving a sick person anymore and that really feels good.

With all of the progress that Rita has made, we can see the time when we will be home and back to a more normal routine. It will be awsome and we have all of you to thank for that. The science here is amazing but the power of your prayers is even more amazing - thank you so much.

Love, Rita & Dave

Happy Easter!! Day 270 BMT 60

We can't believe how far we have come and, on this special day, we want to make sure to give thanks. We are thankful for all of you and the blessing of seeing Rita get stronger and healthier day by day. There is no doubt in our minds that the power of prayer has played a key role in this.

Today is day 60 and it also marks another milestone for Rita - she will go off of one of her immunosuppressant drugs. Clinically, its a big step so we pray that she continues to do as well as she has through each of these events. For Rita, it means getting rid of six "honking big" pills each day which significantly improves her outlook on the day. As you know, pill taking is not one of her favorite things. So, step by step, Rita is getting closer to coming home and to a full and complete recovery. Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming so that we can all pull Rita through the finish line.

We hope that all of you have a happy and blessed Easter.

Love to all, Rita & Dave