After thinking for a bit, I fear that I may be the reason that Joe is in the hospital. Just last week, I mentioned that I was craving a Pittsburgh Grilled Chicken Salad from the hospital Friendship Cafe. Of course, I didn't know when I'd get one, since Joe and I have been eating lunch at home - even on hospital days. Alas, yesterday, I was able to get my salad. But I didn't want it to be because Joe was admitted back to the hospital! So is this indirectly my fault? Nah.....
Joe continues to be doing well. Tests for CMV are drawn every Monday and Thursday. So tomorrow Joe will be tested again. The doctor said that he anticipates that the results will still be positive - although if it is negative, the doctor will celebrate with Joe! The doctor is also quite confident that by Monday, the test will be negative. Both CMV, and the Ganciclovir used to treat it cause neutropenia, so Joe's counts have been dipping. Treating Joe is really an art blended with science. Everything needs to be balanced. When the doctor was explaining things, it was like reading a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. If "this" goes down to "this" than we'll need to do "this." But if "this" happens, we do "this." I'm just glad that the doctors are experienced and confident. Not to mention that ultimately, God is in control. *whew*
In other news, the shower in Joe's room was only spraying freezing cold water this afternoon, but it was quickly fixed. Yay! Joe's appetite has been great. So great that the hospital food actually seems appetizing. And, Mint Mojito is a pretty fun flavor of Orbit gum!
Since it has been requested, here is the link if you'd like to send cards to Joe while he is incarcerated...
WPAHS E-Card
He is back at West Penn Hospital, and for now he is in N-612.
Showing posts with label WPAHS E-card. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WPAHS E-card. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Happy belated Birthday to Joe!
Just a quick little update. I'll write more later...
Joe had his transplant yesterday. It was really incredbile. They hooked him up to a bunch of monitors. Out came a little bag with 251 mL of cells. The bag was hung. Fourteen...FOURTEEN MINUTES later, Joe had new cells floating around his body knowing exactly where to go. Joe was closely monitored for an hour after the fourteen minute transplant. All was well. He then had to continue to receive IV fluids for an additional 3 hours. After all was said and done, it was getting late. Joe could have been discharged, but since we have to be at the hospital every morning at 8am for thirty days anyway, he decided to stay another night.
Well, this morning, Joe's stomach was bothering him a bit more than usual. He was sent to get a CT scan. Apparently, he has some inflammation in his colon. Things like this are to be expected as his counts continue to go down. They were still going to let him go home. But then after the bigwigs discussed some more, they decided that they would like Joe to stay a little longer just to be safe. So, my dear Joe is still in the hospital. He's not too thrilled about being here yet another day. Who would be? But Joe is staying strong.
One more note, Joe received over 70 cards as of the time of his transplant yesterday. It came in two waves. Each delivery, the lady would go, "I can't believe it!" So much love for Joe!!!!
Thank you to Susan N. for telling everybody about the West Penn card site!
Thanks to Sheena for hanging out with me the other night.
Joe had his transplant yesterday. It was really incredbile. They hooked him up to a bunch of monitors. Out came a little bag with 251 mL of cells. The bag was hung. Fourteen...FOURTEEN MINUTES later, Joe had new cells floating around his body knowing exactly where to go. Joe was closely monitored for an hour after the fourteen minute transplant. All was well. He then had to continue to receive IV fluids for an additional 3 hours. After all was said and done, it was getting late. Joe could have been discharged, but since we have to be at the hospital every morning at 8am for thirty days anyway, he decided to stay another night.
Well, this morning, Joe's stomach was bothering him a bit more than usual. He was sent to get a CT scan. Apparently, he has some inflammation in his colon. Things like this are to be expected as his counts continue to go down. They were still going to let him go home. But then after the bigwigs discussed some more, they decided that they would like Joe to stay a little longer just to be safe. So, my dear Joe is still in the hospital. He's not too thrilled about being here yet another day. Who would be? But Joe is staying strong.
One more note, Joe received over 70 cards as of the time of his transplant yesterday. It came in two waves. Each delivery, the lady would go, "I can't believe it!" So much love for Joe!!!!
Thank you to Susan N. for telling everybody about the West Penn card site!
Thanks to Sheena for hanging out with me the other night.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Day -1
Wow, wow, wow! All of you did an amazing job making Joe's day today. 
The hospital delivered 28 cards to his room today! This makes a total of 30 cards that he has received from the WPAH site, not to mention the ones he's received by snail mail. The lady who delivered the cards said that if he received a dozen more, he may break a record! Joe was so thrilled to read all of the sweet and thoughtful messages. He received cards from three different countries. After every few cards, Joe would look down and exclaim, "Wow! There are still so many cards left!" Thank you so much for the outpouring of love. The smiles on Joe's face were priceless. If you haven't already, you can still join in the fun! Just click here. Follow the directions and choose "West Penn Hospital." The best part is that it is free. :)
Last night Joe finished all of his chemotherapy. He was SO happy! Joe took it like a man, and that part is finally over.
Joe started his second dose of Thymoglobulin today. The wonderful part is that so far he is tolerating it extremely well. He has had no major side effects from it. Let's pray this continues to hold true! Apparently two other patients on the floor are receiving Thymoglobulin, and unfortunately they are not tolerating it so well. We don't know who they are, but we can surely say a prayer for them as well. It isn't easy for them, and it surely isn't easy for their families either.
Today, Joe also started taking two different anti-rejection drugs in pill form: FK5O6 and Cellcept. He will have to continue taking them for a year. Among other things he is also taking acylclovir, which he'll be on for at least 180 days. Also, avelox and diflucan which Joe will take until his neutrophil count rises again.
Tomorrow is the day! Day 0 (Zero) - Joe's new birthday. There will be no fireworks or fanfare. Just a bag of stem cells that he'll receive the same way he has received blood transfusions. That means today is Joe's last day being 100% Joe, 100% of the xy species, and 100%O+ blood type (His donor has A-type blood). This also means we need to be praying for his donor right now!!!!! This is her crazy day. After getting filgrastim injections for several days, she likely started the harvesting process this morning. The place where she is having her stem cells harvested is having her do a double donation. So she was hooked up for four or five hours this morning. She had, or will have a short break. Then this afternoon she'll be hooked up for another four or five hours. We are so incredibly thankful to this stranger for giving so much of herself so that Joe has a chance to be cured. How amazing is it that a girl of only 21 has been chosen to do something so noble, and has accepted the challenge. I imagine she has gone through so many emotions herself. She doesn't even know Joe! She is a very brave young lady. Hopefully one day, we will have the opportunity to meet her and thank her in person.
Shortly after Joe's transplant, either Tuesday or Wednesday and assuming all goes well, Joe will be able to go home. However, he'll have to return to the hospital every day for at least thirty days. Each day he'll have his blood drawn to see if he'll need any transfusions and to monitor his progress. We'll probably stay with his family initially so that we can all be together.
That's it for today's update. Thank you again so very, very much for all of the love you have sent Joe's way. It has really lifted his spirits to know that so many people are rooting for him.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
~Isaiah 43:2
The hospital delivered 28 cards to his room today! This makes a total of 30 cards that he has received from the WPAH site, not to mention the ones he's received by snail mail. The lady who delivered the cards said that if he received a dozen more, he may break a record! Joe was so thrilled to read all of the sweet and thoughtful messages. He received cards from three different countries. After every few cards, Joe would look down and exclaim, "Wow! There are still so many cards left!" Thank you so much for the outpouring of love. The smiles on Joe's face were priceless. If you haven't already, you can still join in the fun! Just click here. Follow the directions and choose "West Penn Hospital." The best part is that it is free. :)Last night Joe finished all of his chemotherapy. He was SO happy! Joe took it like a man, and that part is finally over.
Joe started his second dose of Thymoglobulin today. The wonderful part is that so far he is tolerating it extremely well. He has had no major side effects from it. Let's pray this continues to hold true! Apparently two other patients on the floor are receiving Thymoglobulin, and unfortunately they are not tolerating it so well. We don't know who they are, but we can surely say a prayer for them as well. It isn't easy for them, and it surely isn't easy for their families either.
Today, Joe also started taking two different anti-rejection drugs in pill form: FK5O6 and Cellcept. He will have to continue taking them for a year. Among other things he is also taking acylclovir, which he'll be on for at least 180 days. Also, avelox and diflucan which Joe will take until his neutrophil count rises again.
Tomorrow is the day! Day 0 (Zero) - Joe's new birthday. There will be no fireworks or fanfare. Just a bag of stem cells that he'll receive the same way he has received blood transfusions. That means today is Joe's last day being 100% Joe, 100% of the xy species, and 100%O+ blood type (His donor has A-type blood). This also means we need to be praying for his donor right now!!!!! This is her crazy day. After getting filgrastim injections for several days, she likely started the harvesting process this morning. The place where she is having her stem cells harvested is having her do a double donation. So she was hooked up for four or five hours this morning. She had, or will have a short break. Then this afternoon she'll be hooked up for another four or five hours. We are so incredibly thankful to this stranger for giving so much of herself so that Joe has a chance to be cured. How amazing is it that a girl of only 21 has been chosen to do something so noble, and has accepted the challenge. I imagine she has gone through so many emotions herself. She doesn't even know Joe! She is a very brave young lady. Hopefully one day, we will have the opportunity to meet her and thank her in person.
Shortly after Joe's transplant, either Tuesday or Wednesday and assuming all goes well, Joe will be able to go home. However, he'll have to return to the hospital every day for at least thirty days. Each day he'll have his blood drawn to see if he'll need any transfusions and to monitor his progress. We'll probably stay with his family initially so that we can all be together.
That's it for today's update. Thank you again so very, very much for all of the love you have sent Joe's way. It has really lifted his spirits to know that so many people are rooting for him.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
~Isaiah 43:2
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