Today was to be our movie day. Adele did not feel up to it - and to be honest, I am not excited about the movie choice anyway.
This morning, John Hopkins called to say that the insurance company has decided to refuse the transplant on the basis it is experimental. The part about how they choose the donor is, so they called the entire process experimental. Patrice at JH is working on getting it resubmitted, probably as a standard transplant, not as a research or experimental transplant. Pray for the insurance to allow the transplant!
I have had quite an education on Social Security and all of its quirks.
We also had to get an account setup for Adele to have the PSERS direct rollover $$ go into. With some help from Vanguard, we were able to get that done, and shy of one small form to have them fill out, everything is ready there. We are ready in good time for the March 31st appointment with PSERS.
Chemo will start Friday, and we will start that day with a Social Security appointment.
Pray with us and give Thanks for all that the Lord has done today, and all that He will do tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The highs and lows on Monday
Monday was a roller coaster day again. Adele & I decided to get out and do something, to get her out of the house, before she is bound indoors from fear of infection. We love the pictures Julie keeps sending of Ruby, fashionable girl that she is. They help so much when we get them, Adele loves to just coo over each for a minute or two and look at every part of the picture. This is Monday's picture from Facebook!
She made an appointment for Dr Balepur on Friday, after which he will probably send her to LGH and the start of chemo. Dr B also scheduled a MUGA scan at LGH on Wed, cardiology scan. Other things this week include a dental appt on Tues, a haircut on Thursday, Social Security appt on Fri morning right before the doctor's visit. Oh, we are still trying to decide whether to try for the disability or not - as I just found out that it might get her on Medicare sooner than 65 and that would be disastrous for my health plans.
We stopped by the doctor's office and picked up papers, went to Boscov's and PJ shopped, I got some K-Kups and a new knife for veges (all of $2.99 on sale). Then home and lunch, after which Adele went upstairs to sleep a while, and I went to Weis to get groceries. At
Weis, I had a customer call, and decided to go to Lebanon Mon afternoon. Ran to Lebanon and fixed the problem, modem was too old for Win 7, and while I was driving back, I received a call from John Hopkins Hospital.
It seems that, our insurance is balking at covering the stem cell transplant, because of the research portion of it. They are calling it experimental, and do not want to pay for any of it. The nurse at JH that I talked with (part of Dr Meade's team) said she had many ways to convince them, not to worry. I suppose we could always ask for a "normal" sister transplant and be within the insurance companies standards. It will work out, just another way to get us both upset and more depressed. It hit Adele had, and she was quiet for the entire evening.
Tuesday, we plan on getting to the movies in the morning and having lunch at Isaac's in Lititz. That should be a good diversion, and then I can get back and work for the rest of the day.
Lately I cannot sleep well, even with ambien. I keep running through all the scenarios of her retirement plan and what we should do with the different plans they offer. Spreadsheets, checking out the different funds to invest in, etc. Sometimes it is just so much to think about, along with Social Security and whether I will have her with me in 5 years or not. I need to leave it up to the Lord, He will take care of us, He is carrying both of us on His shoulders right now.
Thank You Lord, for what You have done for us today, and what You will do for us tomorrow!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday afternoon and the Doctor emails us
Our oncologist here in Lancaster emailed Adele this afternoon and said he expects the biopsy results this week, and would like to see Adele Friday afternoon. He expects to admit her to Lanc General, on 8 Lime, for the first chemo round this next weekend. He wants to get this moving, hurrah!
Our doctor in John Hopkins also emailed Adele this weekend with a list of meds that they gave her in the hospital. That will help us get working on the disability report for Social Security.
Oh, our SS appt is Friday also. Guess that will be cancelled or fit in before the doctor's appt.
Talked with Julie and Ruby this afternoon, nice to hear both of them. Eric is wiped out after a long last week with Bone Dry and a start for Penn Roofing in the same week. A sole proprietor is born yet again! Good luck to my favorite Son-in-Law! Oh yeah, my only son-in-law, but still favorite!
Adele is happy Dr Balepur wants to get going now, the sooner the better. Waiting has been very hard. Thank You Lord for helping us get this started.
Our doctor in John Hopkins also emailed Adele this weekend with a list of meds that they gave her in the hospital. That will help us get working on the disability report for Social Security.
Oh, our SS appt is Friday also. Guess that will be cancelled or fit in before the doctor's appt.
Talked with Julie and Ruby this afternoon, nice to hear both of them. Eric is wiped out after a long last week with Bone Dry and a start for Penn Roofing in the same week. A sole proprietor is born yet again! Good luck to my favorite Son-in-Law! Oh yeah, my only son-in-law, but still favorite!
Adele is happy Dr Balepur wants to get going now, the sooner the better. Waiting has been very hard. Thank You Lord for helping us get this started.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
A Great Friday
Friday was a doctor appt for me which I almost forgot, and then a delivery to Lebanon area. I got back by 11:30 or so and found Adele already doing household chores and eating. We had lunch, where she forced a 1/2 sandwich and had yogurt. She is a bit on the light side now and says she wants to gain weight now to build up for later, where she might not feel so much like eating, and possibly will need boost or something like that.
We had a quiet afternoon, and she had a shower (had to wait 24 hours because of yesterday's bleeding) around 3, and then we drove to Harrisburg for a G-Kids visit. We went to Mason's Taekwondo and watched him perform all his moves. Video at YouTube - rstauffer43's Channel so you can all see how he did.
We got home a bit late, but Adele wanted to relax with the Olympics, so we watched them until about 11 pm. She is starting on a new med, that is supposed to help her sleep, and it seems to work well. A mood stabilizer, as Dr Camerino put it. One a day, 3 hours before bed, so it is easy to get the right dosage. It is 9 AM Saturday and she is still sleeping. Just checked her and she is still out for the count. Great to be able to get a full night's sleep after so many restless nights that she has had. This could do wonders for her.
We also (again) talked about trying to see more of God's planning in everything that happens. She is getting very anxious every time something happens that she has not thought about, like the bleeding during the biopsy. She went on and on about how disappointed she was in herself (for taking aspirin) etc, etc. Friday we talked about seeing the good points in everything and she seems to be much better about the process on Thursday.
I know God's hand is in everything we are doing and helping guide the doctors and nurses we meet as we journey this path. He has never left us, and will help us get this done. Thanks be to the Lord for His help. I pray constantly "Thank You Lord for what You have done today, and Thank You Lord for what You will do tomorrow!" I am never sure how a day will be, tests made or not made, diagnosis - good or bad, He is helping us in all of this.
Pray for Peace as always, and a smooth week next week. Not much in the doctors visits next week. G-Kids here Friday night and Saturday, with them needing to be home Sat evening for Sunday church. We think the Science Factory would be a good field trip for them.
We had a quiet afternoon, and she had a shower (had to wait 24 hours because of yesterday's bleeding) around 3, and then we drove to Harrisburg for a G-Kids visit. We went to Mason's Taekwondo and watched him perform all his moves. Video at YouTube - rstauffer43's Channel so you can all see how he did.
We got home a bit late, but Adele wanted to relax with the Olympics, so we watched them until about 11 pm. She is starting on a new med, that is supposed to help her sleep, and it seems to work well. A mood stabilizer, as Dr Camerino put it. One a day, 3 hours before bed, so it is easy to get the right dosage. It is 9 AM Saturday and she is still sleeping. Just checked her and she is still out for the count. Great to be able to get a full night's sleep after so many restless nights that she has had. This could do wonders for her.
We also (again) talked about trying to see more of God's planning in everything that happens. She is getting very anxious every time something happens that she has not thought about, like the bleeding during the biopsy. She went on and on about how disappointed she was in herself (for taking aspirin) etc, etc. Friday we talked about seeing the good points in everything and she seems to be much better about the process on Thursday.
I know God's hand is in everything we are doing and helping guide the doctors and nurses we meet as we journey this path. He has never left us, and will help us get this done. Thanks be to the Lord for His help. I pray constantly "Thank You Lord for what You have done today, and Thank You Lord for what You will do tomorrow!" I am never sure how a day will be, tests made or not made, diagnosis - good or bad, He is helping us in all of this.
Pray for Peace as always, and a smooth week next week. Not much in the doctors visits next week. G-Kids here Friday night and Saturday, with them needing to be home Sat evening for Sunday church. We think the Science Factory would be a good field trip for them.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday 2/18/10
Adele slept in this morning, knowing today was biopsy day. We left for the Lanc Gen Hospital around 1:20 and arrived on time for her appointment. They took her back about 1/2 an hour later.
I read and waited for them to finish. Then the nurse came up and got me, and was a bit distracted when I asked how it went. It seems Adele was not to use aspirin, and had 2 on Wednesday, and bled quite a bit. The doctor was not even going to do the biopsy once he found out she had aspirin. He went ahead and stopped after he got some small samples. He did not like working with ultra sound, while she bled from the pin prick of a needle they used. He used the small needle, instead of the normal needle.
Now, if they got enough tissue, we are done with the biopsy. If not, ?surgery? might be the way to do it. The biggest problem, is the nurse practitioner told us the sample would be ready on next Monday. The doctor told her it will take a week. The same nurse practitioner did not say anything about aspirin or other drugs to avoid before the biopsy. Isn't it great when you get good news that things will go fast, and then get pulled down by the real doctor when he corrects the expectations. Adele was not happy after the biopsy!
Of course, because she was a bleeder, she had to go to the MOPU are and was monitored by a nurse for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. We left the house at 1:20 and got back around 6 PM. Long day for her, and many disappointments. I was then hit by her feelings and got depressed myself.
Today will be better! Adele is planning a shopping trip, with me saying, you go girl! Spend, spend, spend and get what you need, stop denying yourself.
Peace until the next step starts - Thanks to the Lord for everything He has done for us!
I read and waited for them to finish. Then the nurse came up and got me, and was a bit distracted when I asked how it went. It seems Adele was not to use aspirin, and had 2 on Wednesday, and bled quite a bit. The doctor was not even going to do the biopsy once he found out she had aspirin. He went ahead and stopped after he got some small samples. He did not like working with ultra sound, while she bled from the pin prick of a needle they used. He used the small needle, instead of the normal needle.
Now, if they got enough tissue, we are done with the biopsy. If not, ?surgery? might be the way to do it. The biggest problem, is the nurse practitioner told us the sample would be ready on next Monday. The doctor told her it will take a week. The same nurse practitioner did not say anything about aspirin or other drugs to avoid before the biopsy. Isn't it great when you get good news that things will go fast, and then get pulled down by the real doctor when he corrects the expectations. Adele was not happy after the biopsy!
Of course, because she was a bleeder, she had to go to the MOPU are and was monitored by a nurse for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. We left the house at 1:20 and got back around 6 PM. Long day for her, and many disappointments. I was then hit by her feelings and got depressed myself.
Today will be better! Adele is planning a shopping trip, with me saying, you go girl! Spend, spend, spend and get what you need, stop denying yourself.
Peace until the next step starts - Thanks to the Lord for everything He has done for us!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Consult done
We had her radiology consult today and have a needle biopsy scheduled for Thursday PM.
We are both happy to get this done ASAP and get the results now. Adele will call Dr Balepur tomorrow and ask about whether an appt should be made for next week, instead of waiting until March 1st.
A good day - ending it with cheese and crackers - and calling people that provided meals the past two weeks.
Oh, I got a chance this morning to talk with Sue up in Lebanon. She is looking great and is still going to John Hopkins for chemo and radiation. Keep her in your prayers also.
Praise the Lord for good days like this.
We are both happy to get this done ASAP and get the results now. Adele will call Dr Balepur tomorrow and ask about whether an appt should be made for next week, instead of waiting until March 1st.
A good day - ending it with cheese and crackers - and calling people that provided meals the past two weeks.
Oh, I got a chance this morning to talk with Sue up in Lebanon. She is looking great and is still going to John Hopkins for chemo and radiation. Keep her in your prayers also.
Praise the Lord for good days like this.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Monday evening
Today we went to the Oncologist and filled out all kinds of paper work for his new office. We were there from 10:45 until after noontime. Went to lunch at Oregon Dairy and then on to the Health Campus for blood work. After that we stopped with Mom & Dad at Luther Acres. Mom is getting around quite a bit better. The hamstring is healing.
Adele just needed a bit of help today, and did great with everything that was tossed at her. Now we are on to Lancaster General tomorrow and the consult for a needle biopsy later this week or next. Dr Balepur wants to get moving on this and we sure concur. Once the biopsy is done, its on to chemo and getting this cancer in remission, so we can get to start at John Hopkins.
A good day for all. Thank You Lord!
Adele just needed a bit of help today, and did great with everything that was tossed at her. Now we are on to Lancaster General tomorrow and the consult for a needle biopsy later this week or next. Dr Balepur wants to get moving on this and we sure concur. Once the biopsy is done, its on to chemo and getting this cancer in remission, so we can get to start at John Hopkins.
A good day for all. Thank You Lord!
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