November 10, 2001

Update # 14 

Good Morning, 

We have had an interesting week.  Jeff has always been his own person and we're convinced he likes to keep us hopping. 

School went well.  He stayed after on Monday to catch up on Tech Lab.  Of course, no school on Wednesday due to fashion show.  Report cards for 1st quarter came out Thursday night.  He got six A's and two B's --not too shabby!  He was absent 20 of the 44 days. 

The kids had no school on Friday due to Parent/Teacher Conferences Thursday night and Friday morning.  Before I left for school, Jeff asked me to rub his right side - he had slept funny.  I did that and then Ken and I left.  Later Jeff felt something on his side and saw a small rash.  An hour later he checked again and it was larger.  He called Ken home, who called Heartland Home Health, who called Costas, who said bring him in immediately.  SHINGLES!!!  Ken and Jeff left at 10:10 and were able to get started on IV meds early.  It goes from the middle of the front abdomen around the right to the middle of the back.  Chu was gone so O'Connor took a look and got things started.  He commented Hodgkin's patients are the mostly likely of all cancer patients to get shingles.  Of Hodgkin's patients who have had chicken pox, 42% of them develop shingles.  We caught it early and it has not gotten any worse.  Home health came last night and this morning to teach us to administer the IV to his broviac.  He'll have meds 3 times a day for 5 days.  Jeff says they don't hurt too bad but we do have Tylenol w/Codeine if necessary.  No school next week until they scab over. 

All scheduled tests for Monday were cancelled.  They already rescheduled them for Friday the 16th.  Our consultation meeting has not yet been rescheduled.  We're hoping for the 19th or 20th.  

On to the fashion show.  Absolutely wonderful!!  We were there from 9:00 till 2:30.  Different stores from Clayton and Ladue set up tables to sell their items at "The Boutique".  They had a photographer take the kids pics before they got started with rehearsal.  They had a small breakfast of donuts, fruit and drinks for models and parents. Then the 23 kids had their "runway" rehearsal.  Kids from age 2 to 21 participated this year.  The kids then went off for their "Subway" lunch while the main luncheon for the 900 guests was devoured in the ballroom.  The food was delicious!!  At 1:00 the show began with a few professional models and 4 Cardinal players as the adults.  They had the show divided into little vignettes so there were 7 clothes changes.  The 21-year-old guy and Jeff got the dressing room with the 4 Cardinal guys-- two current - Mike Matheney, Craig Paquette, and 2 retired - Ken Dayley, Tom Lawless. The clothes were beautiful and the kids were great.  Jeff said they had fun looking at the price tags for the mink, beaver, suede, leather  and everything else they wore.  Then the cancer kids were all given shirts with their name and age, sterling bracelets,  and balloons.  The really small kids were given a step stool with their name on top plus little bears.  The organization said they make about $80,000 for the day.  Not bad!!  We are making wonderful memories during this unusual time in our lives. 

I have not idea what I'll end up writing about next week.  I thought we'd have a couple weeks of not much but our sweetie might have different plans again!!!  We keep pushing forward.  Graduation items are being ordered this week and Wartburg's early application is  due December 1st.  Thanks for being there for us all. 

Love,

Marcia