Hello,
We are back from Buffalo and everything went great. All of Rita's numbers were excellent so we are home until next Monday when Rita will have another biopsy. We plan on enjoying the time at home and I plan on keeping food in front of Rita. By the way, she gained another 4 pounds and is up to 124. I'll get her over 130 before course 3!!!
We hope that you all have a great New Year and that 2011 brings us to a cure for Rita and a healthy, happy and blessed time for all of us. We look very much to returning to our normal lives. Truthfully through, I don't thing our lives will ever be the same. This has touched us profoundly and I know that we will never take anything for granted ever again.
Happy New Year!! Dave & Rita.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Day 150
Merry Christmas!!
Just wanted everyone to know that we have had a wonderful Christmas. We have spent precious time with our family and close friends and have enjoyed some great food. Rita has really enjoyed the food and conversations and has held up really well. We are now having some quiet time and resting up. We will be traveling back to Buffalo on Monday and hope to come back home the same day. I'll keep you posted on how Rita does on Monday and if there are any changes to the current plan. As I'm sure you all have become used to, we never know for sure what we will be doing next but, based on how Rita is feeling and acting, I'm confident that we will stay on this track for the next few weeks.
So, it has truly been a blessed Christmas and I thank all of you for helping to put us in this position. Your thoughts and prayers have been heard and answered and for that, we are thankful. Enjoy the rest of your holiday season and please remember Rita as we move into the new year. She will be facing even more difficult challenges and she will need for you to continue to support her with you prayers. We are now about halfway through this process. We have learned so much and believe that what we have learned will help us through the next half. We move forward into 2011 full of optimisim.
Talk to you soon, Dave & Rita
Just wanted everyone to know that we have had a wonderful Christmas. We have spent precious time with our family and close friends and have enjoyed some great food. Rita has really enjoyed the food and conversations and has held up really well. We are now having some quiet time and resting up. We will be traveling back to Buffalo on Monday and hope to come back home the same day. I'll keep you posted on how Rita does on Monday and if there are any changes to the current plan. As I'm sure you all have become used to, we never know for sure what we will be doing next but, based on how Rita is feeling and acting, I'm confident that we will stay on this track for the next few weeks.
So, it has truly been a blessed Christmas and I thank all of you for helping to put us in this position. Your thoughts and prayers have been heard and answered and for that, we are thankful. Enjoy the rest of your holiday season and please remember Rita as we move into the new year. She will be facing even more difficult challenges and she will need for you to continue to support her with you prayers. We are now about halfway through this process. We have learned so much and believe that what we have learned will help us through the next half. We move forward into 2011 full of optimisim.
Talk to you soon, Dave & Rita
Monday, December 20, 2010
Day 145
Hello,
We are back home after going out to Buffalo today. Rita's numbers were good but they decided to give her a blood transfusion so that she wouldn't have to go back on Thursday. That means we are home until next Monday. Things continue to look positive and we are hopeful that the rest of the treatment goes smoothly. We are really happy that Rita gets to spend the holidays at home and that she will get a chance to continue to get stronger. I'll keep putting the food in front of her and she will continue to get as much in as possible. She did gain one more pound over that last four days and I think that is pretty good because ahe has also increased her activity. I think she is putting herself in a good position for transplant.
Not much else to say at this time. We continue to be thankful for all of your prayers, cards, and thoughtful gestures. We are doing OK and trust that this process will result in a positive outcome. I don't know if I will get to blog before Christmas so, we wish all of you a Merry and Blessed Christmas. Enjoy your families and don't pass up the opportunity to tell each one of them how much you love them.
We love you, Dave & Rita.
We are back home after going out to Buffalo today. Rita's numbers were good but they decided to give her a blood transfusion so that she wouldn't have to go back on Thursday. That means we are home until next Monday. Things continue to look positive and we are hopeful that the rest of the treatment goes smoothly. We are really happy that Rita gets to spend the holidays at home and that she will get a chance to continue to get stronger. I'll keep putting the food in front of her and she will continue to get as much in as possible. She did gain one more pound over that last four days and I think that is pretty good because ahe has also increased her activity. I think she is putting herself in a good position for transplant.
Not much else to say at this time. We continue to be thankful for all of your prayers, cards, and thoughtful gestures. We are doing OK and trust that this process will result in a positive outcome. I don't know if I will get to blog before Christmas so, we wish all of you a Merry and Blessed Christmas. Enjoy your families and don't pass up the opportunity to tell each one of them how much you love them.
We love you, Dave & Rita.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Day 141
Hello,
We are back home until next Monday. Good news!! The bone marrow biopsy results showed no sign of leukemia so Rita is still in remission!!! Also, her blood seems to be improving on its own so that is a good sign that her bone marrow is recovering. We will need to go back to Buffalo on Monday for lab work and if everything looks good, we can come home again for the rest of the week. If all this work out, we will be home for Christmas and New Years and then back to Buffalo on January 3rd for another bone marrow biopsy which will determine when Rita can start course 3. All in all, things are looking very positive.
Going to keep this short but I wanted to make sure you got the good news as soon as possible.
Take Care, Dave & Rita
We are back home until next Monday. Good news!! The bone marrow biopsy results showed no sign of leukemia so Rita is still in remission!!! Also, her blood seems to be improving on its own so that is a good sign that her bone marrow is recovering. We will need to go back to Buffalo on Monday for lab work and if everything looks good, we can come home again for the rest of the week. If all this work out, we will be home for Christmas and New Years and then back to Buffalo on January 3rd for another bone marrow biopsy which will determine when Rita can start course 3. All in all, things are looking very positive.
Going to keep this short but I wanted to make sure you got the good news as soon as possible.
Take Care, Dave & Rita
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Dayt 139
Hello All,
Another good day out here in Buffalo. Rita took a "catch up on my rest" day and I got quite a bit of work doine. We didn't go out today as the snow was pretty heavy and we really didn't need to. Our next visit to the clinic is Thrusday and we hope to go home right after we are done there. I keep putting food in front of Rita and she does her best to get it down. We hope that by the time we get back to the clinic on Thursday that her weight picks up some.
We just got through walking the halls at the hotel. The most Rita had done before was 5 times around the floor we are on and tonight she did 9 times around!! Thats progress!! You would all be proud of her to see the way she is fighting this thing. Of course, its probably my cooking that is giving her the energy she needs to do it.
Well, OK just a short note tonight. We are waiting for the results on Thursday and then we'll let you all know where we are in the process.
Goodnight, Dave & Rita
Another good day out here in Buffalo. Rita took a "catch up on my rest" day and I got quite a bit of work doine. We didn't go out today as the snow was pretty heavy and we really didn't need to. Our next visit to the clinic is Thrusday and we hope to go home right after we are done there. I keep putting food in front of Rita and she does her best to get it down. We hope that by the time we get back to the clinic on Thursday that her weight picks up some.
We just got through walking the halls at the hotel. The most Rita had done before was 5 times around the floor we are on and tonight she did 9 times around!! Thats progress!! You would all be proud of her to see the way she is fighting this thing. Of course, its probably my cooking that is giving her the energy she needs to do it.
Well, OK just a short note tonight. We are waiting for the results on Thursday and then we'll let you all know where we are in the process.
Goodnight, Dave & Rita
Monday, December 13, 2010
Day 138
Hello,
We had a pretty good day today. Rita's bone marrow biopsy went well - we will probably get the results on Thursday. Her numbers were pretty good today which we are taking as a good sign. Dr. Wetzler told Rita that he is not going to start her on course 3 for at least three weeks. They will do another bone marrow biopsy on January 3, 2011 - three weeks from today. That will determine when she can start course 3. While this delays the process by about a month, it does mean that Rita will be able to be home for Christmas and New Years. She is really happy about that. We think we will be able to come home Thursday and then maybe back here next Monday. We are currently on twice a week in the clinic (Mondays and Thursdays) but, if her numbers get good enough, they may change that to just once a week for a few weeks. We'll see how that develops. At the least, we should be able to get home every Thursday through Monday (or Sunday depending on the weather) until they start course 3.
Rita continues to get stronger - she did the tunnel walk and stairs after the bone marrow biopsy today and felt good all the way. We do need to get some meat on her bones so we will be working on that a little more vigorously. She will be getting whole milk and cupcakes and anything else she can get get down. She seems determined to get this weight thing under control.
Enough for now - we'll be sure to let you know when we get her results.
Dave.
We had a pretty good day today. Rita's bone marrow biopsy went well - we will probably get the results on Thursday. Her numbers were pretty good today which we are taking as a good sign. Dr. Wetzler told Rita that he is not going to start her on course 3 for at least three weeks. They will do another bone marrow biopsy on January 3, 2011 - three weeks from today. That will determine when she can start course 3. While this delays the process by about a month, it does mean that Rita will be able to be home for Christmas and New Years. She is really happy about that. We think we will be able to come home Thursday and then maybe back here next Monday. We are currently on twice a week in the clinic (Mondays and Thursdays) but, if her numbers get good enough, they may change that to just once a week for a few weeks. We'll see how that develops. At the least, we should be able to get home every Thursday through Monday (or Sunday depending on the weather) until they start course 3.
Rita continues to get stronger - she did the tunnel walk and stairs after the bone marrow biopsy today and felt good all the way. We do need to get some meat on her bones so we will be working on that a little more vigorously. She will be getting whole milk and cupcakes and anything else she can get get down. She seems determined to get this weight thing under control.
Enough for now - we'll be sure to let you know when we get her results.
Dave.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Day 137
Hi Folks,
Sorry for the absence in posting to the blog. We were able to go home for a few days and it was pretty busy. We are back in Buffalo now as we decided to come back a little early to beat the weather. Tomorrow Rita will have another bone marrow biopsy to try to see why her numbers haven't come back the way they should. We will probably get the results on Tuesday and then know where we go from here. We are hoping that we can get started on course three - the last one before the stem cell transplant. Course 3 will be 28 days and then, once Rita has recovered from that, its the final step in this long process. We are both a little nervous about that but want to get on with it.
There is not much news to report. Rita is feeling pretty good and has maintained her strength so we take that as a good sign. I'll be sure to post as soon as we have the information from her biopsy.
Have a good evening, Dave.
Sorry for the absence in posting to the blog. We were able to go home for a few days and it was pretty busy. We are back in Buffalo now as we decided to come back a little early to beat the weather. Tomorrow Rita will have another bone marrow biopsy to try to see why her numbers haven't come back the way they should. We will probably get the results on Tuesday and then know where we go from here. We are hoping that we can get started on course three - the last one before the stem cell transplant. Course 3 will be 28 days and then, once Rita has recovered from that, its the final step in this long process. We are both a little nervous about that but want to get on with it.
There is not much news to report. Rita is feeling pretty good and has maintained her strength so we take that as a good sign. I'll be sure to post as soon as we have the information from her biopsy.
Have a good evening, Dave.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Day 131
Hello All,
The clinic appointment went well today. Rita's numbers have recovered nicely thanks to the growth factor shots she has been getting. We were hoping to come home today but decided not to risk it with the weather we have been having. Rita is being taken off all of her antibiotics and the growth factor shots so we thought it would be best to stay until Thursday to make sure that she is stable. We are doing good and will make that decision on Thursday. Hopefully, we can get home for the weekend and then back here on Monday. Everything is day to day. We just need to stay flexible and adjust accordingly. Today, after the clinic, we walked back to the hotel through the tunnel from the clinic. This is about a 5 -10 minute walk which Rita handled with no problem. At the end of the tunnel walk, there are a set of stairs - maybe 15 -18 steps or, you can take a little elevator up to the hotel lobby level. Well, Rita dosen't really like the little elevator thing so, she just started up the stairs. She made it all the way up and hardley got tired through the process!! Also, she gained another pound today - thanks to mine and Lisa's cooking.
So, things are going pretty well. We are both anxious to get home but know we need to error on the side of making sure Rita is in a place where she can get help if needed. If we are able to get home, we will probably celebrate Christmas a little early because Rita will be in the process of course 3 at Christmas time and will not be able to be home for Christmas. I'll make sure we have enough Christmas spirit out here and we'll make the best of the situation. Its all of the future Christmases that are really important anyway.
OK - Goodnight - Love, Dave & Rita.
The clinic appointment went well today. Rita's numbers have recovered nicely thanks to the growth factor shots she has been getting. We were hoping to come home today but decided not to risk it with the weather we have been having. Rita is being taken off all of her antibiotics and the growth factor shots so we thought it would be best to stay until Thursday to make sure that she is stable. We are doing good and will make that decision on Thursday. Hopefully, we can get home for the weekend and then back here on Monday. Everything is day to day. We just need to stay flexible and adjust accordingly. Today, after the clinic, we walked back to the hotel through the tunnel from the clinic. This is about a 5 -10 minute walk which Rita handled with no problem. At the end of the tunnel walk, there are a set of stairs - maybe 15 -18 steps or, you can take a little elevator up to the hotel lobby level. Well, Rita dosen't really like the little elevator thing so, she just started up the stairs. She made it all the way up and hardley got tired through the process!! Also, she gained another pound today - thanks to mine and Lisa's cooking.
So, things are going pretty well. We are both anxious to get home but know we need to error on the side of making sure Rita is in a place where she can get help if needed. If we are able to get home, we will probably celebrate Christmas a little early because Rita will be in the process of course 3 at Christmas time and will not be able to be home for Christmas. I'll make sure we have enough Christmas spirit out here and we'll make the best of the situation. Its all of the future Christmases that are really important anyway.
OK - Goodnight - Love, Dave & Rita.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
day 129
hi everyone! i'm here with mom and dad....it feels so good to be back! we just finished up dinner... made scalloped potatoes and ham.. seemed pretty good, mom ate a whole bowl full. she's pretty skinny, so i'm hoping to fatten her up while i'm here..
i came out with some presents that mom loved.. new flannel pj's! a couple pair from ellen and kelly, a beautifully warm fleece sweater from patricia and a pair of red microfleece pj's from me.. warm, fuzzy.. exactly what mom loves. she's in ellen's pj's now.. loving them. they came out of the dryer and were immediately put on.. she looks beautiful in them..
mom's doing really well now that she's back in the hotel room.. she's sleeping well.. eating better and feeling better too. it's her little home away from home..
she has a clinic appointment monday, we hope that the growth factor shots she's been getting are working and she'll get to come home for a few days to rest.. we'll see soon..
it's amazing how mobile mom is.. she's walking with out her walker.. and i know dad already said that.. but now i believe it... she's actually walking around, getting up.. everything with out her walker.. without any help. pretty cool..
there's not much to report on.. just resting and relaxing.. feels good.
thank you for continuing to read, care and pray for us....
love.
i came out with some presents that mom loved.. new flannel pj's! a couple pair from ellen and kelly, a beautifully warm fleece sweater from patricia and a pair of red microfleece pj's from me.. warm, fuzzy.. exactly what mom loves. she's in ellen's pj's now.. loving them. they came out of the dryer and were immediately put on.. she looks beautiful in them..
mom's doing really well now that she's back in the hotel room.. she's sleeping well.. eating better and feeling better too. it's her little home away from home..
she has a clinic appointment monday, we hope that the growth factor shots she's been getting are working and she'll get to come home for a few days to rest.. we'll see soon..
it's amazing how mobile mom is.. she's walking with out her walker.. and i know dad already said that.. but now i believe it... she's actually walking around, getting up.. everything with out her walker.. without any help. pretty cool..
there's not much to report on.. just resting and relaxing.. feels good.
thank you for continuing to read, care and pray for us....
love.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 126
Hello,
Well, it has been a little tense the last few days. Rita's numbers did not come back like we had hoped. That made us a little concerned about her bone marrow biopsy. We were praying that her bone marrow results were favorable and that the cause of her numbers staying low was not a relaps of her disease. We found out today that we were right. Her biopsy results were good. No relapse!! It just seems that it will take her a little longer to recover from all of the chemo that they have given her. They started her on a growth factor shot today and I will continue to give it to her until her bone marrow starts to produce the healthy infection fighting cells that she needs. This could be a few days to a few weeks. She will be tested every couple of days to see where she stands.
Rita was discharged this afternoon so we are back in the hotel room. I can't tell you how good this feels for both of us. Its not home but, its not the hospital either. One of the hard things at the hospital was the food. I don't want to brag but, tonight I made Rita spaghetti with meatballs and sausage. I must say that it was very good. Rita seemed to enjoy it and I hope that it will be the beginning of her eating better and putting on some weight. Her strength is much better and she no longer is using the walker to get around. Now, we need to fatten her up a bit so I'll be working on that.
So, the plan is that we will be going to the clinic every couple of days until her bone marrow recovers and then, we hope to go home for a respite before she starts course three. We are getting ever closer to transplant. For me, its like struggling through a subject all year long and knowing that you have one opportunity for success and that is to pass the final. Its a good thing that Rita is taking the test because she has always passed and has even helped a few of us get by with her. I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about.
So, to summarize - Rita is still in remission - we are back in our hotel room - Rita is getting a growth factor to help her bone marrrow recover - she is getting antibiotics to keep infections away - she will be tested every couple of days to make sure her blood stays in acceptable parameters and will get blood products if necessary - we hope to come home when her marrow recovers to the point that she doesn't need transfusions or supplements - course three will start when she has recovered enough to handle the new chemo. We are getting closer to transplant - that is the ultimate test. I know she will get through that like she has all of this so far.
I know I am rambling a bit but this past two weeks has been difficult. When we went to the hospital with the fever, we thought it would be a couple of days at the most. Now, over two weeks later we have learned that nothing is predictable with this disease. We need to be flexible and adjust to whatever is handed to us. So far, I think we are doing a pretty good job at that. Hum, I wonder if all of your prayers have anything to do with that. We all know the answer. Thanks Folks!!
OK - Goodnight, Dave & Rita
Well, it has been a little tense the last few days. Rita's numbers did not come back like we had hoped. That made us a little concerned about her bone marrow biopsy. We were praying that her bone marrow results were favorable and that the cause of her numbers staying low was not a relaps of her disease. We found out today that we were right. Her biopsy results were good. No relapse!! It just seems that it will take her a little longer to recover from all of the chemo that they have given her. They started her on a growth factor shot today and I will continue to give it to her until her bone marrow starts to produce the healthy infection fighting cells that she needs. This could be a few days to a few weeks. She will be tested every couple of days to see where she stands.
Rita was discharged this afternoon so we are back in the hotel room. I can't tell you how good this feels for both of us. Its not home but, its not the hospital either. One of the hard things at the hospital was the food. I don't want to brag but, tonight I made Rita spaghetti with meatballs and sausage. I must say that it was very good. Rita seemed to enjoy it and I hope that it will be the beginning of her eating better and putting on some weight. Her strength is much better and she no longer is using the walker to get around. Now, we need to fatten her up a bit so I'll be working on that.
So, the plan is that we will be going to the clinic every couple of days until her bone marrow recovers and then, we hope to go home for a respite before she starts course three. We are getting ever closer to transplant. For me, its like struggling through a subject all year long and knowing that you have one opportunity for success and that is to pass the final. Its a good thing that Rita is taking the test because she has always passed and has even helped a few of us get by with her. I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about.
So, to summarize - Rita is still in remission - we are back in our hotel room - Rita is getting a growth factor to help her bone marrrow recover - she is getting antibiotics to keep infections away - she will be tested every couple of days to make sure her blood stays in acceptable parameters and will get blood products if necessary - we hope to come home when her marrow recovers to the point that she doesn't need transfusions or supplements - course three will start when she has recovered enough to handle the new chemo. We are getting closer to transplant - that is the ultimate test. I know she will get through that like she has all of this so far.
I know I am rambling a bit but this past two weeks has been difficult. When we went to the hospital with the fever, we thought it would be a couple of days at the most. Now, over two weeks later we have learned that nothing is predictable with this disease. We need to be flexible and adjust to whatever is handed to us. So far, I think we are doing a pretty good job at that. Hum, I wonder if all of your prayers have anything to do with that. We all know the answer. Thanks Folks!!
OK - Goodnight, Dave & Rita
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