Craig still wasn't feeling well onTuesday, so he went to see Dr. Meyer. Craig was dehydrated and went to ambulatory care, where chemotherapy is done, for a liter of fluid through his port. He had perked up by evening.
This morning he felt horrible so we checked his standing and sitting blood pressure and pulse. There a was difference between the pressures and pulse was high. Back to ambulatory care for 2 liters. After the fill-up, Craig actually smiled. He seems OK tonight.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
4.26.09, Day 23. There's still a long recovery ahead.
It's good to be home and getting back into our normal routine. We're still working on getting thank you notes and a Christmas letter out.
Carl wondered when we were going to Rochester in April. He was happy to hear we won't go back until late June.
Craig's appetite is improving, but he still does not feel well. It will take some time for him to get back to the same level he was before going to Rochester.
We received a forwarded email and this was part of it:
FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you're sick
SOUTH DAKOTA FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home
We found out this is true. Craig and Gail
Carl wondered when we were going to Rochester in April. He was happy to hear we won't go back until late June.
Craig's appetite is improving, but he still does not feel well. It will take some time for him to get back to the same level he was before going to Rochester.
We received a forwarded email and this was part of it:
FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you're sick
SOUTH DAKOTA FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home
We found out this is true. Craig and Gail
Friday, April 24, 2009
Day 21, 4.24.09. There's no place like home.
Wednesday morning Craig had his exit visit with his doctor and nurse coordinator. Thursday morning Craig had an opthamalogy consult. The doctor told Craig the same thing Dr. Beemer in Pierre told him. We finished packing the car and headed west.
We met my sisters, brother in law, mother and Carl in Sioux Falls. We loaded Carl's things in the car and headed home to Pierre. Tonight Carl said that mom was home to stay with him.
Craig is tired tonight. Harmons brought a delicous dinner over. Craig ate the most he has since the transplant. Bobbi from Craig's office dropped off a care basket and we are still enjoying the care basket Alan sent to Rochester.
Craig needs to have blood work done next week and we don't have to return to Mayo until late June.
We truly appreciate all the help and prayers. Gail
We met my sisters, brother in law, mother and Carl in Sioux Falls. We loaded Carl's things in the car and headed home to Pierre. Tonight Carl said that mom was home to stay with him.
Craig is tired tonight. Harmons brought a delicous dinner over. Craig ate the most he has since the transplant. Bobbi from Craig's office dropped off a care basket and we are still enjoying the care basket Alan sent to Rochester.
Craig needs to have blood work done next week and we don't have to return to Mayo until late June.
We truly appreciate all the help and prayers. Gail
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Continuation of Day 21.
There was a message the internet connection was lost, so I published quickly.
Back to Craig's cousin Margaret Eichstadt Affeldt. I had met her mother Hertha and immediately recognized Margaret because she looked just like her mother.
We had some excitement tonight. Someone burned dinner and set off the fire alarms. It never hurts to have a drill the the worst consequence is that it took some time to get the elevator working again.
Day 18, 4.21.09. Unless there's an unexpected bump in the road, Craig will be released Thursday morning.!
Good news is Craig's blood counts soared today. White blood cells and platelets are in the low normal range. His hemoglobin isn't normal and Craig is fatigued and has nausea yet. It's going to take some time to recover from the chemo and for Craig to back to his precancer level of energy.
Craig met one of his distant cousins for the first time today. She and her husband live 25 miles from here. She left Wolsey before Craig was born.
Craig met one of his distant cousins for the first time today. She and her husband live 25 miles from here. She left Wolsey before Craig was born.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Day 17, 4.20.09, Counts and nausea are increasing
Rain has fallen here on and off since Saturday afternoon. It's cold and windy, but better than snow.
It seems everything can't improve at one time for Craig. Nausea has bothered him today and he's decided a 12 hour IV medication is helping. That's no problem since he's still going in to the clinic twice a day for a check up and antibiotic.
The good news tonight is that his blood counts have increased dramatically since yesterday.
No doctor has even hinted at a time he can be released. We're optimistically packing up a few things from the room and eating the food in the pantry and refrigerator.
Kay McClain from Craig's office surprised us with a visit. She brought her son here for tests and they were on their way out of town. It was good to see a familar face and so thoughtful of her to stop.
We've had a few visitors during out stay. Craig's cousin Kathy and her husband Rich stopped on their way home to Wisconsin. The minister, vicar, and lay minister from Trinity Lutheran have been here several times.
There is a rapid turn over of people staying here. It's good they are well enough to go home, but we miss our new friends.
The people waiting for organs stay here the longest. It's difficult to watch their physical condition slide downhill. This has reinforced our believe in the importance of donating organs. The positive aspect is that as soon as they receive the organs, their physical condition improves dramatically and quickly.
It seems everything can't improve at one time for Craig. Nausea has bothered him today and he's decided a 12 hour IV medication is helping. That's no problem since he's still going in to the clinic twice a day for a check up and antibiotic.
The good news tonight is that his blood counts have increased dramatically since yesterday.
No doctor has even hinted at a time he can be released. We're optimistically packing up a few things from the room and eating the food in the pantry and refrigerator.
Kay McClain from Craig's office surprised us with a visit. She brought her son here for tests and they were on their way out of town. It was good to see a familar face and so thoughtful of her to stop.
We've had a few visitors during out stay. Craig's cousin Kathy and her husband Rich stopped on their way home to Wisconsin. The minister, vicar, and lay minister from Trinity Lutheran have been here several times.
There is a rapid turn over of people staying here. It's good they are well enough to go home, but we miss our new friends.
The people waiting for organs stay here the longest. It's difficult to watch their physical condition slide downhill. This has reinforced our believe in the importance of donating organs. The positive aspect is that as soon as they receive the organs, their physical condition improves dramatically and quickly.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Day 16. 4.19.09. Craig has the "neutrophil glow."
Craig's hemoglobin, platelet, and white blood cell counts continue to steadily increase. This is good. Today Dr. Lacy said Craig's face looked rosier, which is a sign of engraftment for neutrophils. Neutrophils are one of the 3 kinds of white blood cells.
When neutrophil counts are over 500 for 2 days in a row, serious consideration can be given to sending a patient home. Craig's are at 150. We hope he may be released at the end of the week, but there are no guarantees. We'd like to go home tomorrow.
Craig's days are gradually improving, but he has his good and not so good times of the day. Evenings are more difficult. He still has to go into the clinic every evening at 8 pm for an antibiotic.
Craig's hair is thinning somewhat, but it looks fairly normal. This has caused some jealousy with female myeloma residents.
Craig is eating more every day, but I'm still eating more than him. This makes meal preparation easier. I don't have to worry about fixing elaborate, tasty meals. I just put food on the table and he eats some of it.
Yesterday and today it rained here. Rochester has had an open winter since January and the rain is needed. Gail
When neutrophil counts are over 500 for 2 days in a row, serious consideration can be given to sending a patient home. Craig's are at 150. We hope he may be released at the end of the week, but there are no guarantees. We'd like to go home tomorrow.
Craig's days are gradually improving, but he has his good and not so good times of the day. Evenings are more difficult. He still has to go into the clinic every evening at 8 pm for an antibiotic.
Craig's hair is thinning somewhat, but it looks fairly normal. This has caused some jealousy with female myeloma residents.
Craig is eating more every day, but I'm still eating more than him. This makes meal preparation easier. I don't have to worry about fixing elaborate, tasty meals. I just put food on the table and he eats some of it.
Yesterday and today it rained here. Rochester has had an open winter since January and the rain is needed. Gail
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)