Movin' on up!

Today marks two weeks since Joe's transplant. He has been feeling fatigued, but things are slowly getting better and better. Today was a good day for counts. Joe's platelets are now 66. His WBC jumped up from the 60s to 166. And his hemoglobin is 10.2. The doctor said that his platelets should continue to rise, his WBC should start jumping up, and it is pretty definite Joe will be able to avoid getting any blood transfusions! Yippeeeeee!!!!! It is amazing how well Joe has been doing through the whole transplant process. God continues to bless us beyond measure.

Joe's temperature started to creep up last night. It went up to 99.9. This morning it was 99.6. Also, the area around Joe's port has been a bit tender. There has been no swelling or pus. Just to be on the safe side and to avoid any surprise admissions due to fever, which is a sign of infection, which means several days and nights in the hospital - Joe was given Vancomycin today. If you recall, this is the stuff that causes red man syndrome. Joe didn't have as strong of a reaction today as he did back in August. But this time, with no hair he did look a bit like the red version of a Blue Man from the Blue Man Group. All is well now. Joe is just more tired than ever because he got some Benadryl to help with the itching from the Vanco.

Once I get back to my normal computer, I'll start sharing photos from these past couple weeks. :) As always thanks for all of the love.

Long day.

Sometimes it seems that Joe's body wants to create a little excitement just to make things more interesting. On Tuesday, Joe's platelet count was 10. He had a platelet transfusion. Yesterday, his platelet count went all the way up to 11! Today it was 9. Joe had another platelet transfusion. His body, after pondering a bit decided that things have been a bit boring. So Joe's body decided to break out into a rash after receiving the transfusion. It started out as a bit of itchiness in the neck area. Then some little bumps near the belly. Soon enough, Joe's whole front and back was bright red. Joe was in agony with the itchiness and burning. Then came some tightness in his chest, and nausea. Fortunately, some benadryl, solumedrol, and ativan fixed Joe up in no time...it also knocked him out. Joe thought he was asleep for about 30 minutes, but it was actually a few hours. There is absolutely no sign of the rash anymore, which is great. Joe got an EKG just in case. It was normal. A whole bunch of cute nurses were popping into the room to make sure that Joe was okay. He was being given the royal treatment. All is well now. Hopefully, Joe's body decides to behave better now. We were only at the hospital for eight and a half hours today.

His WBC is still low, low, low - just 51. Yet, Joe continues to avoid getting any fevers. Praise the Lord! He eats a bit here and there. Just enough to keep him going. And in case you're curious, Joe still has a full head of hair. It is stuck to his head like superglue. We're taking bets as to whether he'll end up losing it or not. Okay, maybe not. I don't want to be accused of encouraging gambling.

Just a friendly reminder, although we are thankful for the gesture, Joe is not able to receive fresh flowers and plants right now. Just knowing that people are loving and praying for Joe is the best gift ever.

Also, a certain day of a certain week, of this month is special. And although I like to acknowledge such things when I'm aware, this time I've been given strict orders not to say anything. So for those readers who know what I'm talking about - I'm not being bad and forgetful. I'm just obeying orders. And for those who haven't the faintest idea what I'm babbling about...that is good, because you're not supposed to. :)

HUGS

Last night I stayed at Sheena's place for the third time this week. It is just so nice to have the company of someone who is a little more removed from the situation, ie. not in the family. :) Plus, I like being close to the hospital. As always she was the perfect host...although we stayed up a little too late, having some girl talk. We were literally running on fumes, and were acting quite loopy. It was great to have that release though. Some other sweeties who live near the hospital like Myra and Neeta have offered to let me sleep over as well. I may have to take them up on their offers soon before a)They change their minds! and b)I wear out my welcome at Sheena's. :)

I got to the hospital early, and visited Lilly. She is such a doll, and has been very helpful in helping us figure out stuff like insurance and other things that are important but don't come to mind immediately when someone you love is sick. Well, while we were having our nice little chat, Shalin walked in and joined us. Then the next thing I knew, most of the radiology residents were in the room. Of course they were all asking about Joe, which made me feel good. Everybody loves him!

When I went to see Joe, he was smiling and eating his breakfast. He looked even better today. It's exciting, because he started the week pretty miserable (understandably!), but each day he looks a little bit more relaxed, and a little bit more positive. YAY. After breakfast, he was immediately wheeled down to see the dentist again. They decide the didn't want to risk doing anything with his gums since his platelets are so low. So he was just told to continue to use the special rinse and use a nifty little gadget to irrigate the area.

Joe's rash looked better today. Yay! However, he is still febrile - but no more shaking chills. We keep praying that fever comes down!!!!!!

Kitty, Dr. B., and Brian stopped by for a visit. Vince also came to visit. Keep praying for him, because that boy has boards in a week. Joe's mom brought some lunch for Joe, and he ate almost all of it. YAY! I got to eat Joe's lunch. hehehe. In the afternoon, Joe felt well enough to roam the halls with me. It was the first time he felt good enough to venture out of his room just for fun.

(hmmmm...i don't remember if i mentioned this...but in case i didn't before. joe's back on the "better" floor. he was transferred there on wednesday. yippeee! also, we're still trying to limit visitors as best we can...but it's hard to turn away all the cool people who work at West Penn with Joe! and they are good and just come one or two at a time. the nice thing is no more gloves and masks necessary. but it is "no" to coughers and other sick people and "YES" to washing your hands!!!!)

After the walk, Joe and I both took a little nap. Ariel came to visit and brought some soup for Joe! So Joe ate some clam chowder for dinner. Much better than the pureed beets that silly boy ordered. They smelled so awful, he immediately slammed the cover back down and refused to lift it up again. Ariel also brought a "card" from the breast center. It was really cute, and also came with the message that a case of these special shakes have been reserved in his name! (healthyshakes.com) Too sweet. Myra and Sheru stopped by in the evening. Poor Myra got paged a million times in 2 minutes.

Now for the true highlight of our day. Since Joe is feeling better, and gloves and masks aren't necessary, he asked the doctor, "is it okay for me to hold my wife's hand?" Joe asked about hugs too. And we got the green light! So today, I got the biggest and best hug EVER. Honestly. It was definitely a "swipe away a tear" kinda moment. :) It has been so hard not to give Joe a million hugs a day when he's been going through all of this scary stuff that seems to warrant the need for EXTRA hugs. So yippeeeee for hugs!!!!! We're still being cautious of course. But my boy needs some hugs from me!

So today was the best day yet. We're hoping to get him home very soon so that he can rest properly, and get stronger before real treatments begin. Special shout out goes to "Student Nurse" Erin. She's not technically a student anymore. But in any case, she took care of Joe all day yesterday and today, and she was SO very sweet and careful and attentive. Also...Joe's door had been SUPER squeaky, which was SUPER annoying. It was especially awful at night when he was trying to sleep and the nurses needed to take his vitals. Well, today maintenance came up, and the door squeaks no more. ALSO, the DVD player in Joe's room wasn't working so we couldn't watch brainless movies to distract us. (Everybody Loves Raymond proved faithful though.) Well, that was fixed today as well. Lots of yays today.

Keep up those prayers and happy vibes, because they are definitely working. :) We need Joe's fever to come down and stay down so he can go HOME!!!!!!!! *****HUGS***** for everybody. Tomorrow is a new day. :)

Just a very quick update. Yesterday, a "mean fellow" pretty much told Joe that his rash could be Leukemia affecting his skin...which would mean that he would not respond as well to chemo. Uhm...he had just gotten a skin biopsy with no answers yet, so why freak him out like that?

Well, PRAISE GOD! Because today we found out it is actually a weird drug reaction, which is most definitely the least of all evils. Also, he had the inflammation of his gums checked out and for now he just needs to gargle with a special mouthwash. Tomorrow he may see the oral surgeon here for possible irrigation and debriding of the area.

Joe was mostly smiling today, which is GOOD! Especially considering he didn't sleep so well last night. He spiked another high fever. I know that it is so rough being in the hospital and going through all that he is going through. I'm so very proud of him though for trying to stay positive.

Joe's mom made him some goodies for lunch, which he was able to eat. And he ate most of his hospital dinner too. Yippee. My parents were around today too. My mom made Joe some cake, and he loved that.

That's all for now. I can't keep my eyes open. But as always thank you all for your wonderful messages and words of cheer! Sara and Mike M. sent balloons which really brighten up the room. And Lisa, who I must call tomorrow has been amazing in using her connections to plan an upcoming bone marrow drive! Sometime I'll have to make a list of thank you's. It would seriously be miles long, I think. We love ALL OF YOU!

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.

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.