Joe now has three birthdays. The day he entered the world. The day of his transplant. And the day he was baptized. Today marks two years since Joe was baptized on a beautiful Easter morning! It is evident that God has used Joe in a very remarkable way to touch the hearts and lives of so many, and I know that the Lord will continue to do so.
After a relaxing weekend, we returned to the hospital yesterday. The major highlight of the day was that Joe had his line pulled. It had been in for 11 weeks, and Joe was all too happy to have it pulled. This does mean that he'll have to go back to being a human pin cushion. We are hoping he won't need much more than blood draws though, and Joe can handle that - easy. Joe is currently enjoying the absolute bliss of taking a shower without having a ziplock bag or 'Press and Seal' and tons of tape protecting his line and making it difficult to move his neck. Now he gets to wear fun little bandages over the spot where his line was. I never buy regular bandages, so Joe always has to put up with various super heroes and cartoon characters. The nurses get a kick out of Joe's different bandages, which makes me happy!
We had today off, and we'll have Thursday off too. Hurray! Any day away from the hospital is a happy day. We were able to get a lot of things done today, so that was nice. Back to the hospital tomorrow. We'll find out then whether Joe's Monday draw was CMV negative or not. Let's pray for continued negative results and higher blood counts. Come on, get to it! :)
As you know, we consider blessed those who have perservered. You have heard of Job's perserverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
~James 5:11
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sunday, January 14, 2007
All of our days are running together...
For most of the morning I kept thinking it was Tuesday, only to realize it is only Sunday. Each day is so similar, it is becoming difficult to keep track!
Just like the sun peeping through the clouds, Joe's silliness will reveal itself throughout the gloom of each day. He will say something completely ridiculous or cute that will make me laugh and reassure me that everything is going to be okay. To be perfectly honest though, the past few days have been pretty miserable for Joe. After he was discharged, he had little appetite (with the exception of Friday evening when he would sneak bits of food with a gleam in his eye.) Unfortunately, virtually everything that entered Joe would quickly exit in a most unpleasant manner. These past two nights have been rough as he has been waking up several times to dash to the restroom. Joe almost constantly feels nauseated. The drugs help, but they aren't perfect. It has been rough. It is so difficult to see Joe go through this, and I can only imagine how awful it is to live through it.
According to the doctors and the nurses though, Joe is just an average Joe. Everything he is going through is perfectly normal and expected for a post-transplant patient. It would be much more remarkable and interesting if Joe were to not experience any nausea or loss of appetite. So he pretty much just needs to bear with the blahs for a little while longer, then things should start to get better. Besides that, the doctors and nurses feel that Joe looks great considering he is five days out from a PBSC transplant. I must agree. (Not that I'm biased or anything.)
Thus far, Joe has managed to avoid any transfusions. This shouldn't last long, but we're happy to avoid them for as long as possible. Each morning we go to the hospital, Joe has his blood drawn and is given IV fluids. Yesterday, Joe didn't eat anything which was more or less suggested by the doctor. Today, he is feeling every so slightly better, and so Joe started to eat again. So far his lunch (congee/jook/rice porridge/mue/okayu/lugao/pick your favorite name...) has not made a reappearance in any form, and it's been a couple hours. This is a very good thing.
Now, Joe is happily perched on the couch, in front of the television, watching football.
___
Just to go back to transplant day briefly (or not so briefly!). As I mentioned before, everything went very smoothly. The donor had her cells harvested on Monday. Joe's transplant was on Tuesday. It is really interesting, because many years ago, Joe did a summer internship in a Lab at Allegheny General Hospital. There he met a gentleman named Don. After Joe started his residency at West Penn, he had the opportunity to go back to AGH several times for rotations or conferences.
One time, Joe decided to go back to the lab where he worked and see if he still knew anyone there. Don was still there!!!! Now here is the fascinating part. This year, Don started working at West Penn in a lab where they do all things bone marrow related. Turns out, he had seen Joe's name several times but never made the connection. That is until Joe returned for his transplant. Someone referred to Joe as Dr. Lin. Then it all clicked. Don went up to visit Joe before the transplant. Then on Day 0, Don personally delivered the cells to the room, and wrote Happy Birthday on the dry erase board. Don apparently knows a bit more about Joe's donor. But being the good worker that he is, and wanting to keep his current job, he hasn't revealed anything to us. Oh well.
For transplants, doctors aim to get 4-6million cells/kilo. (I hope I'm writing this correctly!) Joe's donor provided 10 million cells/kilo. The doctor gave the go ahead to give them all to Joe. So now we hope and pray that the donor cells thrive and set up camp in Joe, and the bad cells get booted. This is all creating a temporary mess in the Land of Joseph, but temporary is the key word. None of us can wait (Joe most of all) until he engrafts (that is, when the stem cells begin to grow and make cells) and then starts to feel better.
For now, it is all about taking it easy, and taking everything one step at a time. Fortunately, we have tons of help. We are now living in Hotel Mom & Dad. It has been great since we are all together. My parents have been visiting as well to provide added support.
As usual, we are feeling the love from everywhere. I can not stress how encouraging it is for Joe to know that so many people are keeping up with his status. I know that he is lovable and one can't help but want him to hurry up and get better. Joe doesn't always realize this though. So thank you everyone for making this just a little more clear for him!
___
A very Happy Birthday (a little early) to my dear pseudo-cousin Van. Have a wonderful time celebrating. Hope you find some time to relax and get pampered!
Just like the sun peeping through the clouds, Joe's silliness will reveal itself throughout the gloom of each day. He will say something completely ridiculous or cute that will make me laugh and reassure me that everything is going to be okay. To be perfectly honest though, the past few days have been pretty miserable for Joe. After he was discharged, he had little appetite (with the exception of Friday evening when he would sneak bits of food with a gleam in his eye.) Unfortunately, virtually everything that entered Joe would quickly exit in a most unpleasant manner. These past two nights have been rough as he has been waking up several times to dash to the restroom. Joe almost constantly feels nauseated. The drugs help, but they aren't perfect. It has been rough. It is so difficult to see Joe go through this, and I can only imagine how awful it is to live through it.
According to the doctors and the nurses though, Joe is just an average Joe. Everything he is going through is perfectly normal and expected for a post-transplant patient. It would be much more remarkable and interesting if Joe were to not experience any nausea or loss of appetite. So he pretty much just needs to bear with the blahs for a little while longer, then things should start to get better. Besides that, the doctors and nurses feel that Joe looks great considering he is five days out from a PBSC transplant. I must agree. (Not that I'm biased or anything.)
Thus far, Joe has managed to avoid any transfusions. This shouldn't last long, but we're happy to avoid them for as long as possible. Each morning we go to the hospital, Joe has his blood drawn and is given IV fluids. Yesterday, Joe didn't eat anything which was more or less suggested by the doctor. Today, he is feeling every so slightly better, and so Joe started to eat again. So far his lunch (congee/jook/rice porridge/mue/okayu/lugao/pick your favorite name...) has not made a reappearance in any form, and it's been a couple hours. This is a very good thing.
Now, Joe is happily perched on the couch, in front of the television, watching football.
___
Just to go back to transplant day briefly (or not so briefly!). As I mentioned before, everything went very smoothly. The donor had her cells harvested on Monday. Joe's transplant was on Tuesday. It is really interesting, because many years ago, Joe did a summer internship in a Lab at Allegheny General Hospital. There he met a gentleman named Don. After Joe started his residency at West Penn, he had the opportunity to go back to AGH several times for rotations or conferences.
One time, Joe decided to go back to the lab where he worked and see if he still knew anyone there. Don was still there!!!! Now here is the fascinating part. This year, Don started working at West Penn in a lab where they do all things bone marrow related. Turns out, he had seen Joe's name several times but never made the connection. That is until Joe returned for his transplant. Someone referred to Joe as Dr. Lin. Then it all clicked. Don went up to visit Joe before the transplant. Then on Day 0, Don personally delivered the cells to the room, and wrote Happy Birthday on the dry erase board. Don apparently knows a bit more about Joe's donor. But being the good worker that he is, and wanting to keep his current job, he hasn't revealed anything to us. Oh well.
For transplants, doctors aim to get 4-6million cells/kilo. (I hope I'm writing this correctly!) Joe's donor provided 10 million cells/kilo. The doctor gave the go ahead to give them all to Joe. So now we hope and pray that the donor cells thrive and set up camp in Joe, and the bad cells get booted. This is all creating a temporary mess in the Land of Joseph, but temporary is the key word. None of us can wait (Joe most of all) until he engrafts (that is, when the stem cells begin to grow and make cells) and then starts to feel better.
For now, it is all about taking it easy, and taking everything one step at a time. Fortunately, we have tons of help. We are now living in Hotel Mom & Dad. It has been great since we are all together. My parents have been visiting as well to provide added support.
As usual, we are feeling the love from everywhere. I can not stress how encouraging it is for Joe to know that so many people are keeping up with his status. I know that he is lovable and one can't help but want him to hurry up and get better. Joe doesn't always realize this though. So thank you everyone for making this just a little more clear for him!
___
A very Happy Birthday (a little early) to my dear pseudo-cousin Van. Have a wonderful time celebrating. Hope you find some time to relax and get pampered!
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
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Round 5 - Complete
Joe has completed his 5th round of chemo!!!! He is more sore than usual, but that didn't keep him from putting in a few half days of work. Joe's counts are looking good, so continued praise for that!
On Thursday evening, Joe had the opportunity to spend time with Mammen. It was a great time for them hang out with out the annoyance of nagging girls...ok, ok. Without the nuisance of annoying ME! :)
Friday night we went to fellowship. This morning, we got to spend time with Joe's parents. They even brought over some yummies!
That's about it. On to prayer requests and praises!
***
Please pray for Baby Livi
and family. They have been stuck in the hospital, because poor Livi got the flu. She is doingbetter now, but she won't be discharged until she is off of oxygen for 24 hours. That hasn't quite happened yet.
Pray for Amy and family. Amy was diagnosed with AML around the same time Joe was diagnosed. Her journey has been rough, but she has such strength, and so much faith. Monday is her "Day Zero." She'll be going through a PBSC transplant, with her brother as her perfect match.
***
PRAISES!!!!!
Christine received news (As of Nov. 6) that she will be able to go HOME! She is the girl who had the risky partial-match transplant. She was on hospital grounds for 134 days at the time of her last update. I hope she is home now!
Thank you to Mammen for treating Joe to dinner! It was fun for him to get out of the house.
Marcus celebrated a birthday on Friday. HAPPY belated birthday!!!!!!!
And...the 12th is another SUPER SPECIAL day!!!!!! It is my In-loves' (I've discovered that sounds much better than In-laws....) anniversary! Such a beautiful couple. Happy happy anniversary Mamma and Dad!
And, a very HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my MOMMY!!!!!! She's turning...uhm...39. :)
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
~Psalm 71:8,14
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Rash
Monday morning, Joe developed a rash for his birthday. A bunch of red bumps. He continued to get more as the day progressed. A bunch of doctors looked at the bumps, but still no clear answer as to what it is. They weren't itching or hurting him...but at times they feel tender. He was transferred to a negative pressure room on a different floor in case what he had was contagious. (We secretly...or not so secretly love the staff on the old floor better...but this bunch isn't so bad either.) Visitors now have to make sure to wear a mask and gloves around Joe.
As can be understood, Joe was pretty down on his birthday. He did have a few vistors though...some who made him tear up. Ahem...Brian and Ariel! Grrrrr... When I get the chance I print out emails and grab the mail and sit and read him all the love messages he has received. It means so much to both of us to get messages of all kinds...funny, sweet, thoughtful. It also means so much to hear that people all over are praying for us and sending Joe virtual hugs and happy vibes. :)
Joe got to chat with some friends over the phone. Then he was given a sleeping pill, so by the time I left, he was snoring peacefully. yay!
Monday night, I stayed at Sheena's place. She was the perfect hostess. It was nice to have the company, and she made sure I slept well and ate well! She even provided me with my own personal soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. :) If you ever need a place to stay in Oakland, give her a call, she'll take care of you. Hope I don't get in trouble if she gets a million calls. :)
Tuesday morning, Joe got to shower and shave which did wonders for his spirits. His rash got worse, but it still wasn't painful. The docs are thinking it is possibly a viral infection. He did receive another blood transfusion that started around noon. And he was wheeled downstairs where Dr. M. gave him a triple lumen so he doesn't need to be a human pin cushion anymore. He has been pricked and poked so many times for transfusions, and IVs, and blood draws. Poor babe.
He ate some food his parents ordered for him. Yum! Then in the evening he had two B.M.'s which amazingly made him feel SO much better. It's so cute, because after just a few days in the hospital, Joe has accepted that he no longer has any shame. Every person who cares to listen or needs to ask, he just tells all. And, since we keep trying to stay positive and make the hospital environment as cheery as possible, I praise him for silly things like really good burps!
Unfortunately, by evening Joe developed a fever again. He was given some Tylenol and Benadryl which made him feel better. He didn't want to take a sleeping pill until after the fireworks, but of course the Benadryl made him drowsy, so he was nodding off anyway.
Joe's parents came to check in on him around 10pm. I was going to go home to sleep. But before I left, Joe discovered some blood in his stool. We wanted to make sure all was okay, and I think he needed the company, so I spent the night. He was checked by an intern, and a consult was set up for morning. At 11:45pm, Joe's parents returned! Joe's dad made Joe's mom brew up some homemade ginger tea to try and help break Joe's fever. Too cute. In the middle of the night, Joe received another platelet transfusion.
Turns out, it's not all that uncomfortable sleeping with a mask and rubber gloves! Beth took care of me too, and made sure I had a pillow and a blanket.
This morning, Joe's fever is down a bit. He seems to be feeling good, and some of the red bumps seem to be getting a little better. A bunch of doctors came in, but didn't give us anything extra to worry about. The only thing of concern, is that Joe is feeling the same soreness and redness in his gums that he felt when he got the infection in San Diego. This time it's on the left side though. The broad spectrum of antibiotics being pumped through him should keep it under control.
Joe was able to eat a fair amount for breakfast, which is good! And, Joe felt good enough to kick me out of the hospital and send me home for a bit. So today should be a good day.
Well, that's it for now. I keep telling everyone he's a fighter, because he is! We will get through this. And Joe has promised to keep fighting and not make a liar out of me. If he doesn't put up a fight, he gets a mean face from me...which actually makes him laugh. :) Now it's just mean eyes. But Joe knows me well and can always tell exactly what face I'm making. hahaha.
As can be understood, Joe was pretty down on his birthday. He did have a few vistors though...some who made him tear up. Ahem...Brian and Ariel! Grrrrr... When I get the chance I print out emails and grab the mail and sit and read him all the love messages he has received. It means so much to both of us to get messages of all kinds...funny, sweet, thoughtful. It also means so much to hear that people all over are praying for us and sending Joe virtual hugs and happy vibes. :)
Joe got to chat with some friends over the phone. Then he was given a sleeping pill, so by the time I left, he was snoring peacefully. yay!
Monday night, I stayed at Sheena's place. She was the perfect hostess. It was nice to have the company, and she made sure I slept well and ate well! She even provided me with my own personal soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. :) If you ever need a place to stay in Oakland, give her a call, she'll take care of you. Hope I don't get in trouble if she gets a million calls. :)
Tuesday morning, Joe got to shower and shave which did wonders for his spirits. His rash got worse, but it still wasn't painful. The docs are thinking it is possibly a viral infection. He did receive another blood transfusion that started around noon. And he was wheeled downstairs where Dr. M. gave him a triple lumen so he doesn't need to be a human pin cushion anymore. He has been pricked and poked so many times for transfusions, and IVs, and blood draws. Poor babe.
He ate some food his parents ordered for him. Yum! Then in the evening he had two B.M.'s which amazingly made him feel SO much better. It's so cute, because after just a few days in the hospital, Joe has accepted that he no longer has any shame. Every person who cares to listen or needs to ask, he just tells all. And, since we keep trying to stay positive and make the hospital environment as cheery as possible, I praise him for silly things like really good burps!
Unfortunately, by evening Joe developed a fever again. He was given some Tylenol and Benadryl which made him feel better. He didn't want to take a sleeping pill until after the fireworks, but of course the Benadryl made him drowsy, so he was nodding off anyway.
Joe's parents came to check in on him around 10pm. I was going to go home to sleep. But before I left, Joe discovered some blood in his stool. We wanted to make sure all was okay, and I think he needed the company, so I spent the night. He was checked by an intern, and a consult was set up for morning. At 11:45pm, Joe's parents returned! Joe's dad made Joe's mom brew up some homemade ginger tea to try and help break Joe's fever. Too cute. In the middle of the night, Joe received another platelet transfusion.
Turns out, it's not all that uncomfortable sleeping with a mask and rubber gloves! Beth took care of me too, and made sure I had a pillow and a blanket.
This morning, Joe's fever is down a bit. He seems to be feeling good, and some of the red bumps seem to be getting a little better. A bunch of doctors came in, but didn't give us anything extra to worry about. The only thing of concern, is that Joe is feeling the same soreness and redness in his gums that he felt when he got the infection in San Diego. This time it's on the left side though. The broad spectrum of antibiotics being pumped through him should keep it under control.
Joe was able to eat a fair amount for breakfast, which is good! And, Joe felt good enough to kick me out of the hospital and send me home for a bit. So today should be a good day.
Well, that's it for now. I keep telling everyone he's a fighter, because he is! We will get through this. And Joe has promised to keep fighting and not make a liar out of me. If he doesn't put up a fight, he gets a mean face from me...which actually makes him laugh. :) Now it's just mean eyes. But Joe knows me well and can always tell exactly what face I'm making. hahaha.
Monday, July 03, 2006
32nd birthday.
Today is my sweet Joe's 32nd birthday. Unfortunately, he's spending it in the hospital. Saturday evening, it seemed Joe had irritated his gums by one of his back molars. Possibly a little cut? It wasn't bleeding though, and he was meticulous about making sure everything was clean. Sunday morning around 1am, Joe began feeling cold. He thought it might just be the A/C, so he turned the temp up a bit and put on an extra blanket. But at around 3pm, he checked his temperature about 7 times, and it was 101.7. Not good. He was able to reach a hem-onc fellow and was told to start some antibiotics he had been prescribed for just such an occasion. We were to show up as usual for his appointment. Around 7:30am, we learned that Joe would be admitted overnight.
At the hospital, Joe tried to bargain with the doctor to go home for his birthday! It seemed as though it was a possibility early in the day...However as the day progressed and into the evening, Joe had several episodes of shaking chills...each one seemingly worse than the last...which led to a high fever. It became clear that Joe would likely be in the hospital for awhile.
Between yesterday and today, Joe was visited by our parents. Also SuAnn, Jimmy, and his parents from NJ! David, Myra, Terry...and Ariel and Lilly stopped by with a card but didn't get to see Joe. What can I say but we continue to be overwhelmed by the love and concern everyone has expressed. We appreciate that we are being showered with prayer. It seems as though we keep getting bad and scary news. But through it all we know we have God, our family, and our friends. Joe has the absolute best possible network of people fighting with him, and that has brought such peace to our hearts. Plus the nurses in the hospital have been so great. Diane was the best. She had the evening shift, and it was clear that she was so busy. But she always made us feel at ease, she stayed positive and kept saying to Joe, "no problem! It's my job!" in a way that made it clear he was in good hands.
Well, being in the hospital is NOT a fun way to celebrate a birthday. But Joe is in good hands, and for that I am very thankful.
At the hospital, Joe tried to bargain with the doctor to go home for his birthday! It seemed as though it was a possibility early in the day...However as the day progressed and into the evening, Joe had several episodes of shaking chills...each one seemingly worse than the last...which led to a high fever. It became clear that Joe would likely be in the hospital for awhile.
Between yesterday and today, Joe was visited by our parents. Also SuAnn, Jimmy, and his parents from NJ! David, Myra, Terry...and Ariel and Lilly stopped by with a card but didn't get to see Joe. What can I say but we continue to be overwhelmed by the love and concern everyone has expressed. We appreciate that we are being showered with prayer. It seems as though we keep getting bad and scary news. But through it all we know we have God, our family, and our friends. Joe has the absolute best possible network of people fighting with him, and that has brought such peace to our hearts. Plus the nurses in the hospital have been so great. Diane was the best. She had the evening shift, and it was clear that she was so busy. But she always made us feel at ease, she stayed positive and kept saying to Joe, "no problem! It's my job!" in a way that made it clear he was in good hands.
Well, being in the hospital is NOT a fun way to celebrate a birthday. But Joe is in good hands, and for that I am very thankful.
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