Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Hopped back into the hospital

Round 3 had been going quite smoothly and we were really enjoying our time at home… until Sunday night. On Sunday my Dad spiked a fever and it was back to the hospital for team Jer. Along with the fever, my Dad had been experiencing increasing amounts of pain in the abscessed area. The pain in the ass was back! How bad this time? We had to wait and see. He has also been experiencing some chest congestion; for this reason he is put on isolation until the nasal pharyngeal swab results come back; which will determine if a virus is causing this. (FYI- watching a nasal (nose) pharyngeal (pharynx=throat) swab was one of the most uncomfortable things I have been apart of yet! Its just as you imagine… swab goes up through the nose, down to the throat… you can all collectively gag with me)

It is Wednesday now (4/20 for all you hippies), and we are still in the hospital. He has been put on an IV antibiotic to help battle any infections or viruses he may have running around in his body (the results from the lab have yet to come back to definitely determine what the cause of the fever or chest congestion was). My Dad’s hemoglobin levels are struggling to make any gains, or even stay above the transfusion line (less the 80). He has received multiple bags of blood and a few bags of platelets, but he can’t seem to hold on to those red blood cells! Jer is going to have to start producing some RBCs STAT!

We went for an ultrasound on Monday to take a peep at the developments of Mr. Abscess. The ultrasound showed that the abscess is too small to do any type of intervention (ie. Drain) at this time. Once my Dad’s counts start coming up, his WBCs may go into worker mode and fill this abscess with pus; thus forcing us to drain it at that time. But, until then, the situation is under control with some good old pain meds.

The doctors are trying to get us out of here tonight and allow us to go on a pass until Friday. I don’t know how my Dad is getting to the hospital Friday, because it’s a holiday, and I don’t work holidays. Hopefully, Friday goes off without a hitch and his counts will be on the rise because we’d like to have Jer Diddy home for Easter weekend. Plus… there aren’t any good hiding spots for the Easter bunny in this hospital room.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Round Tres

Here we are, knee deep in round 3.

We are on Day 12 of round 3, and things are moving along as ‘planned’. My Dad did the same regiment as round 2, as we are continuing with consolidation treatment. Evening chemo (sleep overnight in the hospital)/morning chemo- home for 24 hrs- REPEAT (for 3 sessions, totaling 6 doses of chemo). On the day my Dad stared chemo, he was also started on antibiotics. This was given as a preventative measure, in hopes of warding off that persistent ‘pain in the ass’. My Dad is still experiencing discomfort in the area, but it isn’t near the pain he has experienced in prior rounds; so keep those fingers crossed this thing doesn’t manifest again!

This round of chemo did not start out great. As this is our third round, the chemo drug, cytarabine, has been building up in my Dad’s body since the first doe in round 1. What this means for my Dad is that he will experience chemo side effects sooner, and his counts will drop faster… how exciting for him. Jer and I were at the hospital on Monday and the blood work showed his counts are on the brink of bottoming out. We will be back at the hospital Wednesday; at that time my Dad will most likely need a blood and/or platelet transfusion. On a side note, Canadian Blood services just informed me via snail mail that I am O positive, same as Jer! If it comes down to it, I’ll lay there while they suck blood directly from me into my Dad. I’m not sure if that procedure is approved (or ever done for that matter), but hey, I’m willing to try!

As of today, we are in the “sit and wait” period of the round. We are watching the counts drop, HOPING and PRAYING that we can sneak through this round infection free, and then watch the counts rise. My Dad’s counts should be coming up around Easter, which is perfect timing because my Dad promised me an Easter egg hunt. I know what you are thinking; I’m 25, I’m basically 40, too old for hunting. But who is too old for fun and chocolate? Plus, my Dad and Kelly have moved into this new house- new hiding spots for my Dad, I mean the Easter bunny. My brother and I could hunt the terrain of our Lake Bonavista house with our eyes shut. With a new landscape…. This could be a weekend long treasure hunt.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Love

This is a picture from the blood drive.
These girls are the closest thing I have to siblings now. They are my sisters (a couple are absent).
I can't thank them enough for their love and unconditional support.

I wanted to personally thank the people who arranged the blood drive. Everyone wants to do something to help Papa Jer or lend support, but doesn't know how. You offered a vehicle for people to come out and do such a selfless act that not only my Dad, but many other patients who need blood greatly appreciate.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the blood drive to donate blood!
I am terrified of needles, therefore I have never donated. After seeing what my Dad goes through on a daily basis and watching how a bag of blood can literally save someone's life, I knew it was time. My eyes were filled with tears, body was shaking, and my hands were as clammy as a kid during the dance unit in junior high gym class. But.... I did it! And so did many other people! With my Dad in mind, you did a selfless act. Your blood may not directly benefit my Dad, but it will greatly impact someone's life who needs something as simple as blood to survive.

When my Dad is feeling better, I will get him, Kelly and myself into the incredible shirts you had made and take a picture for the blog!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

A word from our sponsor...

Hi everyone, I wanted to thank all of you who participated and organized the March 23 "in honor" blood donor clinic. By giving blood you have helped many people and saved lives. It doesn't get any better than that.

I have now completed my second round of chemotherapy. During my week off, my days were focused on getting my energy back and preparing for the next round of chemo. This means eating frequently and well (no junk food!), sleeping as much as possible, walking and doing breathing exercises. The activity and breathing are to help blood circulation and eliminate toxins caused by chemo.

The rest of my time was spent traveling to and from the hospital for various appointments. Kelly is also keeping me busy with those little jobs around the house that never seem to get done- between that and the hospital there hasn't been a dull moment.

I started Round 3 of chemotherapy on Friday. One thing we are learning about our treatment "plan" is that there is no plan. The course of treatment changes daily and sometimes hourly. For example, due to a worldwide shortage of the chemotherapy drugs I was taking, Round 3 was to involve a different protocol. At the last minute (a half hour before my first dose), a small supply was found so that I could continue on with the same treatment as I had in Round 2.

Thank you all for the cards, gifts and ongoing words of encouragement. In addition to the physical challenges of this disease, the mental battle has been very trying. Your support and positive thoughts are helping me through the tough moments.

Looking forward to Spring finally arriving, as I am sure you all are!

Jerry