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.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
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
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
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