August 5, 2006

Update # 48

Good Morning,

Overall, things are going well for Jeff.  He has times when he sleeps alot and times when he's up for a few hours.

Tuesday was a quiet day although he did get sick a couple of times.  They said even though chemo ended Monday and he did well those 10 days, some residual effect could be taking place.

Jeff got 2 pints of blood and 1 pint of platelets on Wednesday since his counts were down. But his infection fighting count was starting to rise!  They were concerned about his kidneys so he had an ultrasound done on them.  (It showed ok.)  They gave him a little Lasix.  He also got sick a couple of times that day.

Wednesday morning, Jeff had Dave (Child Life) come and shave his head.  Jeff noticed hair coming off and said that's it.

Jeff still sometimes has that cough so they sent him for a chest x-ray on Thursday.  (Also ok.)  They did start him on Bactrim -- same dose as Hodgkin's, twice a day, 3 days per week.  Jeff's infection fighting count was again higher!  Jeff got sick only once.

We were visited by a "new volunteer" on Thursday.  Dr. Chu had on his new red volunteer shirt.  Dave (Child Life) is his new boss and told Dr. Chu to go cheer up people.  Now remember, Monday was his last working day so he stayed home 2 days!  Of course, he questioned Jeff a little more about things.  I saw Dr. Chu later in the day on a different floor.  He held up his new badge and said he didn't know about retirement -- he couldn't get in the doctor's lounge or the library!

Dave from Child Life was upset Thursday afternoon when only 1 of the scheduled 4 Cardinals showed up.  And that one did not make it to all floors.  All patients did receive a Cardinal Bear though.

Jeff received another pint of platelets on Friday morning.  And the infection fighting count returned to zero.  But this is all normal and they are still happy with Jeff.  We all enjoyed a visit from Len and his mom Joyce on Friday afternoon.

The Gestlands are driving in from Tulsa today so they can visit with Jeff tomorrow.  They'll return home on Monday.  Ramona and the kids start school before we do.

Oh, let me tell you how great it was to have 4 people unpack my classroom.  They put everything in its place, did bulletin boards, put up high things on the walls, decorated the hall wall -- all in about 3 1/2 hours!!!  Then the lunch was absolutely delicious.  I have my lesson plan book, grade book, and daily log book with me now so I can put in the dates for the year.

Our days are mostly quiet with the waiting of the bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Monday the 7th.  The nurses all enjoy the handful of cards that Jeff receives each day.  We feel the love and support that each of you send through your prayers.  We know we can't get through this without all of you.  We are so thankful to have you in Jeff's and our lives.

love,

Marcia