Last night was one call after another. Adele would not answer the phone at all - hardly even wanted to answer the text messages from Beth.
It was nice having our nephew Chris here Sunday night, he gave us a full rundown on what he is up to, and how he is looking for an intern position as one of the final fulfilments of college. Julie seemed to think she might be able to help - that would be really cool!
He helped Adele keep her mind off the appointment with Dr Balepur until it was time for it. As you see in the previous post - we had a "hot spot" discovery then. Cancer is probably back - next to John Hopkins and we both are shocked. Last night we both felt like our world had come crashing down. I think it was almost like the shock of hearing a close friend had passed. I could not keep from crying inside and choking up every time I thought about what we went through.
Adele has another appointment today and once the internet gets back again - we will find out if Dr Meade has emailed her.
Please keep up here and do not call - it is frustrating for me to intercept calls and have everyone keep asking for news and Adele laying down saying - no calls at all. We need peace and quiet for a few days I think.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday Jan 25, 2010
Adele was worried all weekend about our appointment today - with Dr B, the oncologist. Rightfully so, it turns out. The PET scan from last Thursday showed three "hot spots". 1 under her arm and two in her neck. Oh Lord, let them be some kind of false positive!
We picked up the PET scan on CD in preparation for a John Hopkins trip to Dr Meade. Dr B in Lancaster thinks a biopsy is next, but defers to Dr Meade, as he is the head of the team working on Adele.
Once the next step and results are done, I will post more. All I want to do is eat chips and ice cream with a bit of whiskey to finish them off.
Stress is a BIG factor in our lives. Pray for release from that stress.
We picked up the PET scan on CD in preparation for a John Hopkins trip to Dr Meade. Dr B in Lancaster thinks a biopsy is next, but defers to Dr Meade, as he is the head of the team working on Adele.
Once the next step and results are done, I will post more. All I want to do is eat chips and ice cream with a bit of whiskey to finish them off.
Stress is a BIG factor in our lives. Pray for release from that stress.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Jan 21, 2010
Today is 1 Year plus a day since Adele's autologous stem cell transplant at John Hopkins!!!
Last week on the 14th we had our 1 year checkup in Baltimore. Blood work, CAT scan, bone marrow extraction, 4 of 5 immunizations, full physical and head doctor's appointment were all done - in that order - by 2:30 PM. We had arrived at 8:20, just in time for the 8:30 appointment.
Blood work was good, showing an good increase of platelets, some liver damage (we basically knew that), elevated thyroid numbers and all else was good. The CAT scan showed a return to normal size for the groin lymph nodes, while a question arose about one under her arm. The bone marrow was clean, no cancer there.
During the head doc's appointment, we heard about all of that, with a caveat about the enlarged lymph node under the arm. He said he wanted to hold back his final opinion until he saw the actual CAT scan, not just the lab tech's report. He also said he might consider a PET scan if he wanted to see the area clearer. As I understand, the CAT and PET scans together give a clearer picture of what is going on. Not that either is very clear. They are talking about a 2 mm increased, while the CAT scan only takes a picture every 3 mm. He also talked about the liver damage - never drink again (like that is a big problem with Adele - she only thinks about a drink once in a blue moon). He also said there could be thyroid damage, something called a "lazy thyroid", which could cause most of her symptoms lingering with her.
Today we are at the Lancaster Health Campus getting the PET scan and then back to Ephrata for a Dr C appointment and discussion about the thyroid - most likely tests will be done to see what is going on.
After all the tests are in - I will post something about how the results looked.
Pray for Peace in Adele
Pray for Haiti and all the families that lost so much
Thank you - Rick
Last week on the 14th we had our 1 year checkup in Baltimore. Blood work, CAT scan, bone marrow extraction, 4 of 5 immunizations, full physical and head doctor's appointment were all done - in that order - by 2:30 PM. We had arrived at 8:20, just in time for the 8:30 appointment.
Blood work was good, showing an good increase of platelets, some liver damage (we basically knew that), elevated thyroid numbers and all else was good. The CAT scan showed a return to normal size for the groin lymph nodes, while a question arose about one under her arm. The bone marrow was clean, no cancer there.
During the head doc's appointment, we heard about all of that, with a caveat about the enlarged lymph node under the arm. He said he wanted to hold back his final opinion until he saw the actual CAT scan, not just the lab tech's report. He also said he might consider a PET scan if he wanted to see the area clearer. As I understand, the CAT and PET scans together give a clearer picture of what is going on. Not that either is very clear. They are talking about a 2 mm increased, while the CAT scan only takes a picture every 3 mm. He also talked about the liver damage - never drink again (like that is a big problem with Adele - she only thinks about a drink once in a blue moon). He also said there could be thyroid damage, something called a "lazy thyroid", which could cause most of her symptoms lingering with her.
Today we are at the Lancaster Health Campus getting the PET scan and then back to Ephrata for a Dr C appointment and discussion about the thyroid - most likely tests will be done to see what is going on.
After all the tests are in - I will post something about how the results looked.
Pray for Peace in Adele
Pray for Haiti and all the families that lost so much
Thank you - Rick
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
No Bad News PLEASE
I have a quick note for everyone that talks with someone going through cancer treatments.
Adele is attempting to get her First Yearly checkup arranged, so she can get back to the second grade classroom in January. I feel that the cancer is gone and beaten. Pray for that to be the case.
In the mean time we will be traveling to Georgia and Christmas in the south. Eric, Julie and Ruby are anxious to see us and spend Christmas with us. Julie will be working most of the time, but we will get tons of Ruby time in.
Thanks to everyone that has been watching these pages. - Rick
- No matter how much you want to empathsize with that person. Do Not Talk About Your Friend or Anyone and end it with "But they died". What an easy way to kill all hope and thrust someone into deep despair.
- No matter what you think you know about cancer like Lymphomia, unless you are an Oncologist, there are too many different types of cancer to make any kind of association with a friend - that died in 3 months.
- Listen to them, hug them, pray for them (with them if they are OK with that), get them on a prayer list. BUT Do Not say anything that is Negative. It Does Not Help At All. Those words just hurt and bring down the person with cancer. Be supportive and uplifting, not down and dreary. Love the person, they do not need to hear about death.
Adele is attempting to get her First Yearly checkup arranged, so she can get back to the second grade classroom in January. I feel that the cancer is gone and beaten. Pray for that to be the case.
In the mean time we will be traveling to Georgia and Christmas in the south. Eric, Julie and Ruby are anxious to see us and spend Christmas with us. Julie will be working most of the time, but we will get tons of Ruby time in.
Thanks to everyone that has been watching these pages. - Rick
Monday, September 14, 2009
Final post until January Yearly testing
Today is "Day 236" post transplant and everything is pretty much normal. Except for the need to get back some stamina, Adele is very much just as she was pre cancer. Her hair is a bit shorter and undyed, but she is delighting in the ease of getting ready in the morning with her new "doo".
Cancer is gone, life and all its quirkyness is back to normal. Sometimes I wish for these past 2 years to disappear and never have been, but I know that is not posssible. I do thank God everyday for healing Adele, and giving me the strength to care for her. Now I need strength to carry on while she prepares for getting back to work next year.
So much else to say, just no need now - you all know how much I appreciate everything you have done for us. Thank you many times over, and may God Bless You Always.
With Love - Rick
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 209 - Normal days
We got back from Georgia on Sunday the 9th. Since then I have mown the yard 4 times, to get it to the right height, weeded all those monstors that grew while we were gone, and killed the ones around our flagstone path. Work is slow, but that's OK, I get to use the Vette on sunny days.
Adele is on track and having "fun" making up for lost time. She has seen the eye doctor, dentist, family doctor, gyn, had a mamogram and treated at the foot doctor for another ingrown toenail. We had an interesting talk last week, as she was crying about having to see all of these doctors. My take on it was, "Be happy that you can go see alll of these doctors, without having to take antibiotics first. You are OK now and should be happy you can do this."
She got a laugh out of that, thinking about it and realizing that I was probably right - one of the only times in my life!
We visited with our other grandchildren (Tom & Shannon's) before they went to Maine - yes in the same cabins we always used. I fixed their PC and they were happy to be able to email again, especially since the motel reservation was in the email. Talked with Tom last night, and he said it was high 80's to 90 degrees in Bar Harbour, so they did not escape the heat.
Not much more, other than normal life, going on around here.
Thanks - Rick
Adele is on track and having "fun" making up for lost time. She has seen the eye doctor, dentist, family doctor, gyn, had a mamogram and treated at the foot doctor for another ingrown toenail. We had an interesting talk last week, as she was crying about having to see all of these doctors. My take on it was, "Be happy that you can go see alll of these doctors, without having to take antibiotics first. You are OK now and should be happy you can do this."
She got a laugh out of that, thinking about it and realizing that I was probably right - one of the only times in my life!
We visited with our other grandchildren (Tom & Shannon's) before they went to Maine - yes in the same cabins we always used. I fixed their PC and they were happy to be able to email again, especially since the motel reservation was in the email. Talked with Tom last night, and he said it was high 80's to 90 degrees in Bar Harbour, so they did not escape the heat.
Not much more, other than normal life, going on around here.
Thanks - Rick
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day 196 - also our 39th Anniversary
Today is Adele and my 39th wedding anniversary and we are enjoying it in Augusta, GA with Julie, Eric & Ruby Rose. Last Thursday was Adele's 6 month full checkup and she passed with flying colors!
She had blood tests, bone marrow extraction, a cat scan and got probed by a nurse practitioner and a doctor. Everything was great, the cat scan showed no active sign of lymphoma!
We left Friday for GA and arrived here Sat around noon. We used Adele's new Malibu to come down with 31 + mpg the result. Love the way it handles in traffic and the OnStar is a plus, along with our trial of XM/Sirus satellite radio. 50's, 60's and jazz the whole way down without worries of losing the signal.
Today Ruby is at the day care. She is a really active little girl and we needed to take a rest day or two, we are only grandparents and getting older, not younger. She is such a sweet little girl and busily crawling all over the place, chattering as she goes!
Thanks for listening - Rick - edited by Adele
She had blood tests, bone marrow extraction, a cat scan and got probed by a nurse practitioner and a doctor. Everything was great, the cat scan showed no active sign of lymphoma!
We left Friday for GA and arrived here Sat around noon. We used Adele's new Malibu to come down with 31 + mpg the result. Love the way it handles in traffic and the OnStar is a plus, along with our trial of XM/Sirus satellite radio. 50's, 60's and jazz the whole way down without worries of losing the signal.
Today Ruby is at the day care. She is a really active little girl and we needed to take a rest day or two, we are only grandparents and getting older, not younger. She is such a sweet little girl and busily crawling all over the place, chattering as she goes!
Thanks for listening - Rick - edited by Adele
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