Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Going Home on Wednesday
Just got a call from the medical doctor of Matts. Since Matt hasn't been eating or walking enough yet today, it looks like they want to keep him one more night. They will do one more set of blood test in the morning to confirm everything is looking good. Matt will need to work hard tonight and tomorrow, but looks like we will be home with him tomorrow.
Praise God - REMISSION!
Matt just got the call from the doctor that the test confirms REMISSION! I'm home resting from the early morning exercise and Whataburger run, but Matt promises that he will get up and do his physical therapy and eat something before I head back to hospital this evening. That, hopefully, will then be his ticket that he can go home tonight.
I feel like someone does need to pinch us, since it sure didn't seem like just a week ago we would be at this point, actually crossing over, and coming out of the tunnel!
Thank you again for your prayers and good thoughts. That is what carried us through to this point and what we will continue to need in the upcoming months. We need to continue praying that over the next three weeks Matt's strength will increase to be able to armor his body for the next round of chemo. We still have some hills to climb.
Again, Praise God for His mercy, loving kindness, and His protection over not only Matthew but all those who have cared for him at the hospital.
Love to each of you.
I feel like someone does need to pinch us, since it sure didn't seem like just a week ago we would be at this point, actually crossing over, and coming out of the tunnel!
Thank you again for your prayers and good thoughts. That is what carried us through to this point and what we will continue to need in the upcoming months. We need to continue praying that over the next three weeks Matt's strength will increase to be able to armor his body for the next round of chemo. We still have some hills to climb.
Again, Praise God for His mercy, loving kindness, and His protection over not only Matthew but all those who have cared for him at the hospital.
Love to each of you.
Day 22 - Can we go home yet??
So Matt slept the whole day and most of the night yesterday. Nurse Sandy was finally able to kick his butt out of bet around 2:30 a.m. to start to get ready for some laps around this floor of the hospital. He was also ready to eat. So at 3 a.m. I head off to Whataburger for a ketchup only burger. Get the burger back and when he opens it, there is MUSTARD. Really Whataburger, you can't do this one order right for somebody who hasn't really had solids in 2 weeks, really!!! So back up I head where the guy argues with me that the receipt shows it is ketchup only, but he won't look at the burger. Finally I have to show that it is yellow "ketchup". Oh, were bad, he says. So 15, long minutes later I have the right burger and head back to the hospital. Matt was sitting in the family waiting room, ready to eat. He finished 3/4 of the burger.
Matt, at 7:30 a.m., is still in the lobby sitting up in a chair watching tv. We want to keep him up as long as possible, but I've finally headed back to get some nap time.
Dr. came in and he and I have had a long talk about what is next. We are confident the results will show remission, but Matt just can't believe until he sees the test results. We are going to be getting some help for Matt for him to see mentally the gift of life he has been given. Dr. says that we will get Matt hooked up with other young folks who have a much worse time with cancer than Matt has had. This hopefully will be helpful to group talk about stuff.
So I'm expecting a great day today. I'm praying we get home tonight and back to some sort of normalcy this week. Of course we still have several months of chemo to get through before he truly kicks this for good, but the worst of this is over. It's only going to get better from here on out.
Even after we get home, please continue to watch for updates on this blog and please continue your prayers.
Love to you all!
Matt, at 7:30 a.m., is still in the lobby sitting up in a chair watching tv. We want to keep him up as long as possible, but I've finally headed back to get some nap time.
Dr. came in and he and I have had a long talk about what is next. We are confident the results will show remission, but Matt just can't believe until he sees the test results. We are going to be getting some help for Matt for him to see mentally the gift of life he has been given. Dr. says that we will get Matt hooked up with other young folks who have a much worse time with cancer than Matt has had. This hopefully will be helpful to group talk about stuff.
So I'm expecting a great day today. I'm praying we get home tonight and back to some sort of normalcy this week. Of course we still have several months of chemo to get through before he truly kicks this for good, but the worst of this is over. It's only going to get better from here on out.
Even after we get home, please continue to watch for updates on this blog and please continue your prayers.
Love to you all!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sleepy time
Matt has been back in the room from his biopsy for about an hour. They couldn't give him enough drugs to put him out, so he was semi awake and could feel the procedure. He said it wasn't fun. The first biopsy they had to give him 5 times the normal amount to knock him out and he was asleep for about six hours. Hopefully he will begin to wake up sooner today so we can get to working on all his tasks to be able to leave.
Hoping for good news tomorrow!
Love ya!
Hoping for good news tomorrow!
Love ya!
Day 21 - Morning - Bone Biopsy Today
God is Good!
We started this journey on November 4th. Today is the 21st day since IV chemo started and this was our goal for Matt's re-test. The bone biopsy will be done in the next hour and we should have the results showing he is in remission tomorrow afternoon. Doc says everything is now up to him as to when Matt wants to get home. If Matt actively gets to moving he could go home as early as TOMORROW night! WHAT??? Tomorrow? YEA. (It didn't seem like this day would ever come when we were in the worst part of the storm.)
Matt MUST do the following things before they will let him leave.
Once we leave we will still have consolidation (post-remission) therapy to go. Unknown how many months.
Oh my gosh...as I type they just came and removed EVERYTHING, all IVs, all pain med machines, it's all GONE. I feel like we should have had a ceremony or something to celebrate. It's for real, really, now.
Pray today that the biopsy is all great news. Pray that Matt will do his job today so we can get out of here. Bless each of these nurses, techs and doctors who have worked with Matt while we have been here. They have truly been wonderful in getting Matt to this point of leaving. And bless each of you have continued to keep us in your thought and prayers. We are not done yet, so do not cease in your prayers.
Love and thanks to each of you!
Here was my reading this morning from Joyce Meyer's book Starting Your Day Right Devotions:
Go on Through
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect} and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Knowing God personally requires trusting Him through the hard times in life and not running away from trials. It requires being faithful to do whatever He says to do, being steadfast while waiting for Him to work out your problems.
You understand how faithful and how good God is when you see His deliverance in your life. You can't get that certainty by reading a book about Him. Your faith increases by going through tough times and seeing His presence make a difference in your life. Don't run away from God during tests and trials; draw near to Him, and listen for His voice of assurance.
We started this journey on November 4th. Today is the 21st day since IV chemo started and this was our goal for Matt's re-test. The bone biopsy will be done in the next hour and we should have the results showing he is in remission tomorrow afternoon. Doc says everything is now up to him as to when Matt wants to get home. If Matt actively gets to moving he could go home as early as TOMORROW night! WHAT??? Tomorrow? YEA. (It didn't seem like this day would ever come when we were in the worst part of the storm.)
Matt MUST do the following things before they will let him leave.
- Get off the pain button - which they are going to remove in about 6 mins.
- Get off the all the IV - which they are going to remove as well this morning
- Eat - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and plenty of snacks in between.
- Get up and move on his own. They will send a PT up to the room today to get him exercising his legs and working on taking laps today.
Once we leave we will still have consolidation (post-remission) therapy to go. Unknown how many months.
Oh my gosh...as I type they just came and removed EVERYTHING, all IVs, all pain med machines, it's all GONE. I feel like we should have had a ceremony or something to celebrate. It's for real, really, now.
Pray today that the biopsy is all great news. Pray that Matt will do his job today so we can get out of here. Bless each of these nurses, techs and doctors who have worked with Matt while we have been here. They have truly been wonderful in getting Matt to this point of leaving. And bless each of you have continued to keep us in your thought and prayers. We are not done yet, so do not cease in your prayers.
Love and thanks to each of you!
Here was my reading this morning from Joyce Meyer's book Starting Your Day Right Devotions:
Go on Through
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect} and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Knowing God personally requires trusting Him through the hard times in life and not running away from trials. It requires being faithful to do whatever He says to do, being steadfast while waiting for Him to work out your problems.
You understand how faithful and how good God is when you see His deliverance in your life. You can't get that certainty by reading a book about Him. Your faith increases by going through tough times and seeing His presence make a difference in your life. Don't run away from God during tests and trials; draw near to Him, and listen for His voice of assurance.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday Afternoon - Great News!
I waited today to update everyone until we had the CT Scan results as to what is causing the pain in Matt's left side. The doctor just called to say that the spleen is still 17 cm so it is enlarged. The colitis is better but still some inflammation. There is some fluid around the lung in the area where she feels that Matt may have snapped or fractured a rib then he had the coughing spell the other day. If the rib is fractured it will be a couple of days as we wait for it to heal itself.
He complained the morning of all his bones hurting, which is great. This means that his bone marrow is now producing, so it actually swells up in the bones and caused pain, I guess like growing pains. Again the doctor was very pleased that his white count is now in normal range and everything is producing.
Last night he spent about 2 1/2 hours pulling out all his loose hair on his head. I had to help finish the few remaining hairs with the buzz clippers. He had to cover his face with a towel so he didn't see himself in the mirror. He said he never wants to have his picture taken while bald or talk about this after we get totally well. I will say, much too my surprise, he has a very nice shaped head so the baldness actually looks quite good.
So for so much great news, I would ask that everyone continue to pray this evening that tomorrows bone marrow biopsy will bring Matt the best news possible, that the leukemia is in remission. It seems like he has has such a tough couple of weeks, I can't help but be worried.
To get him home as soon as we can, I'd ask that we pray he begin to eat and move around more. Right now he is still in pain, but we've got to encourage him to get up and sit in the chair, walk around in the room, etc.
Again, I can not ever begin to thank everyone for all their prayers, various gifts, and good thoughts. Just know they are appreciated.
Love to you all.
He complained the morning of all his bones hurting, which is great. This means that his bone marrow is now producing, so it actually swells up in the bones and caused pain, I guess like growing pains. Again the doctor was very pleased that his white count is now in normal range and everything is producing.
Last night he spent about 2 1/2 hours pulling out all his loose hair on his head. I had to help finish the few remaining hairs with the buzz clippers. He had to cover his face with a towel so he didn't see himself in the mirror. He said he never wants to have his picture taken while bald or talk about this after we get totally well. I will say, much too my surprise, he has a very nice shaped head so the baldness actually looks quite good.
So for so much great news, I would ask that everyone continue to pray this evening that tomorrows bone marrow biopsy will bring Matt the best news possible, that the leukemia is in remission. It seems like he has has such a tough couple of weeks, I can't help but be worried.
To get him home as soon as we can, I'd ask that we pray he begin to eat and move around more. Right now he is still in pain, but we've got to encourage him to get up and sit in the chair, walk around in the room, etc.
Again, I can not ever begin to thank everyone for all their prayers, various gifts, and good thoughts. Just know they are appreciated.
Love to you all.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Day 20 - Evening
So the xray taken today of Matt's chest didn't really show anything, so a CT Scan is scheduled for in the morning. They will take a closer look at the lungs and spleen to see if either might be what is causing the pain.
He has been pretty heavily medicated today due to the pain, so we still haven't buzzed his hair. He is really loosing a lot of hair now, especially where his head rubs on his pillow. Of course the hair is getting everywhere, in his drink and food, so he is constantly wanting to check for hair on everything. Hopefully tomorrow after the scan results come back he will want to cut it all off.
His swollen legs and feet are going down some now that they have taken him off several of his antibiotics. He also doesn't look as yellow, his color is coming back. So that is all good, praise God. Hopefully when they take blood this morning at 4 a.m. it will continue to show his blood and platelet counts increasing, showing his body is waking up and making good stuff on it's own. We still didn't need blood or platelet transfusions today. So YEA!!!!
Hopefully we will have an uneventful night and nothing new will be bothering him tomorrow. The bone biopsy is still scheduled for Monday.
Continue to keep us in your prayers. We still have several months of chemo treatments to go once we get home. I'm thinking we have maybe two more weeks here in the hospital before we go home, so pray we both keep some sanity. 23 days of son and mom together can begin to take it's toll. :)).
Love to you all!
He has been pretty heavily medicated today due to the pain, so we still haven't buzzed his hair. He is really loosing a lot of hair now, especially where his head rubs on his pillow. Of course the hair is getting everywhere, in his drink and food, so he is constantly wanting to check for hair on everything. Hopefully tomorrow after the scan results come back he will want to cut it all off.
His swollen legs and feet are going down some now that they have taken him off several of his antibiotics. He also doesn't look as yellow, his color is coming back. So that is all good, praise God. Hopefully when they take blood this morning at 4 a.m. it will continue to show his blood and platelet counts increasing, showing his body is waking up and making good stuff on it's own. We still didn't need blood or platelet transfusions today. So YEA!!!!
Hopefully we will have an uneventful night and nothing new will be bothering him tomorrow. The bone biopsy is still scheduled for Monday.
Continue to keep us in your prayers. We still have several months of chemo treatments to go once we get home. I'm thinking we have maybe two more weeks here in the hospital before we go home, so pray we both keep some sanity. 23 days of son and mom together can begin to take it's toll. :)).
Love to you all!
Day 20 - Morning - Difficulty Breathing
The doctors will be in later, since it is a Saturday. Matt had developed a pain in a specific spot on his left side. They are thinking the pain is actually because of maybe a clot or spot on his lung. They will be ordering either a CT Scan or x-rays to today and figure what is going on. He can only take very shallow breaths right now since he says it feels like a broken rib with shooting pains.
On the bright side, his body is producing white blood, platelets, and red blood, all the good stuff, all on its on. YEA!!!! They have now remove the signs about hand washing and masking off the door, but still if visitors feel they may be a little sick he is wanting people to still mask up and be germ free.
I brought up the clippers to shave his head. He has lots of hair coming out now, a bald spot in the back of his head where it rubs more on his pillow. He wanted it shaved last night but with his chest hurting it was talking all of his energy just to breathe. So maybe later today he will want it cut..
So prayer for this morning is that his body continue to produce all the good stuff to get well and that we find out what is going on with his lung and we can fix it today.
Thank you God for the beautiful sunrise this morning. I keep thinking I need to take a picture of the sunrise views from this floor's waiting area to post for everyone. It was absolutely beautiful today.
Enjoy your Saturday and love to you all.
On the bright side, his body is producing white blood, platelets, and red blood, all the good stuff, all on its on. YEA!!!! They have now remove the signs about hand washing and masking off the door, but still if visitors feel they may be a little sick he is wanting people to still mask up and be germ free.
I brought up the clippers to shave his head. He has lots of hair coming out now, a bald spot in the back of his head where it rubs more on his pillow. He wanted it shaved last night but with his chest hurting it was talking all of his energy just to breathe. So maybe later today he will want it cut..
So prayer for this morning is that his body continue to produce all the good stuff to get well and that we find out what is going on with his lung and we can fix it today.
Thank you God for the beautiful sunrise this morning. I keep thinking I need to take a picture of the sunrise views from this floor's waiting area to post for everyone. It was absolutely beautiful today.
Enjoy your Saturday and love to you all.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Day 19 - Too Much Tryptophan
Matt and I both must have been given something to sleep, I guess mine was overdose on Tryptophan. I didn't have a nap yesterday so it all caught up with me last night and this morning. I didn't go to bed until 1:30 a.m. last night and have slept until 10 a.m. this morning. WOW!
Matt is doing better overall today. His gut pain is down to about a 2. His overall color is looking not as yellow. He does have some new pains we are working with, but nothing major. All three doctors came by to say he is doing so much better. They are going to take him off 1 or 2 of the antibiotics and lowering the dose of the $1,500 nutritional drip.
Our goal today is to really wholeheartedly begin eating more solids, when he is awake. He ordered a blueberry muffin this morning, still untouched on his bedside table. He says he has to psych himself up to eating and it takes a while. At least the room smells like something good now.
Sounds like everyone who has updated me has had a successful Black Friday shopping trip. It was sleeting this morning at the hospital so you had to be pretty crazy to be standing outside in that stuff early this morning. But glad you have your shopping done now.
Continue to pray for Matt's healing. His bone marrow biopsy is on Monday. We are praying that it shows he is in remission so that we can get home soon. Pray his body continues to increase his white counts and platelets so it can get stronger. Pray he can hold down solid foods more today.
Thank you and love to you all.
Matt is doing better overall today. His gut pain is down to about a 2. His overall color is looking not as yellow. He does have some new pains we are working with, but nothing major. All three doctors came by to say he is doing so much better. They are going to take him off 1 or 2 of the antibiotics and lowering the dose of the $1,500 nutritional drip.
Our goal today is to really wholeheartedly begin eating more solids, when he is awake. He ordered a blueberry muffin this morning, still untouched on his bedside table. He says he has to psych himself up to eating and it takes a while. At least the room smells like something good now.
Sounds like everyone who has updated me has had a successful Black Friday shopping trip. It was sleeting this morning at the hospital so you had to be pretty crazy to be standing outside in that stuff early this morning. But glad you have your shopping done now.
Continue to pray for Matt's healing. His bone marrow biopsy is on Monday. We are praying that it shows he is in remission so that we can get home soon. Pray his body continues to increase his white counts and platelets so it can get stronger. Pray he can hold down solid foods more today.
Thank you and love to you all.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Day 18 - Thanksgivings
Matt did pretty good today considering everything he is going through. He was able to eat some chicken noodle soup and hold it down. They have kept the fever down most of the day, but also kept him heavily medicated so he slept most of the day away.
We had lots of family coming in and out in shifts to visit for Thanksgiving, so I know he enjoyed that, even if he slept through most of the visits.
Ashley and Bekah was successful in their first attempt at cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I think everyone and enjoyed it much to their surprise.
Of course it was a great night tonight with the Aggies big win over t.u. Great game indeed to be thankful for.
So I can truly say there was much to be thankful for today. Thank you to everyone who is supporting Matt in prayer.
Be safe tonight all you Black Friday shoppers. (Ya'll are crazy!!)
Love to you all.
We had lots of family coming in and out in shifts to visit for Thanksgiving, so I know he enjoyed that, even if he slept through most of the visits.
Ashley and Bekah was successful in their first attempt at cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I think everyone and enjoyed it much to their surprise.
Of course it was a great night tonight with the Aggies big win over t.u. Great game indeed to be thankful for.
So I can truly say there was much to be thankful for today. Thank you to everyone who is supporting Matt in prayer.
Be safe tonight all you Black Friday shoppers. (Ya'll are crazy!!)
Love to you all.
Day 18 - Morning
White count is up from 4 to 5 this morning. So that is good. Still planning to have bone marrow biopsy on Monday. Liver is looking better and there is movement sounds in his gut. So sounds like his body is trying to start healing itself.
Doctor wants Matt to begin eating small meals, "grazing" as he calls it throughout the day. Now we just have to figure out what he might be hungry for.
Sounds like my family will be going downtown to watch the Aggie Band march in today at 1. I'll be heading home to shower and get my maroon on to watch the game tonight at 7. I think the game should be pretty exciting to say the least....but I'm thinking we are going to Beat the HELL out t.u. Gig'em!!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving...don't eat too much!
Love to you all.
Doctor wants Matt to begin eating small meals, "grazing" as he calls it throughout the day. Now we just have to figure out what he might be hungry for.
Sounds like my family will be going downtown to watch the Aggie Band march in today at 1. I'll be heading home to shower and get my maroon on to watch the game tonight at 7. I think the game should be pretty exciting to say the least....but I'm thinking we are going to Beat the HELL out t.u. Gig'em!!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving...don't eat too much!
Love to you all.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
We're Clean!!!!
Okay, Missy is now my favorite nurse....she got Matt to take a shower and wash his hair. He looks like he is feeling so much better now that he is clean. And he smells tons better from my end. It's funny that his sense of smell is so heightened right now, yet he couldn't smell his own stinky self.
I enjoyed my day with Nolan. We went to Academy to get some hunting clothes that fit him. He had gotten so tall since last year that nothing at all fit him. When we left, there was traffic all over the place and police cars blocking access to 35. We wouldn't decide if there was actually an accident or if traffic was so heavy due to the holiday that they weren't letting cars on. It took us about 40 mins to get home down Main St. and then over to 620. (I hate this time of the year when drivers are at their crankiest..)
Sounds like everyone I've visited with are busy cooking and getting ready for tomorrow. Enjoy your day!
Pray that some of Matt's new pains will go away. Pray that we can keep the fever down (it shot up to 103 again while I was gone). Pray that he can get some peaceful sleep tonight.
Love to you all!
I enjoyed my day with Nolan. We went to Academy to get some hunting clothes that fit him. He had gotten so tall since last year that nothing at all fit him. When we left, there was traffic all over the place and police cars blocking access to 35. We wouldn't decide if there was actually an accident or if traffic was so heavy due to the holiday that they weren't letting cars on. It took us about 40 mins to get home down Main St. and then over to 620. (I hate this time of the year when drivers are at their crankiest..)
Sounds like everyone I've visited with are busy cooking and getting ready for tomorrow. Enjoy your day!
Pray that some of Matt's new pains will go away. Pray that we can keep the fever down (it shot up to 103 again while I was gone). Pray that he can get some peaceful sleep tonight.
Love to you all!
Watching for New Infections
So all the doctors (three of them) have been by to see Matt. Now there is thinking that the pic lines have a bacteria in the tubing. I guess what I heard is because the various things they are counting a fluctuating too much from day to day. In addition the fevers he keeps getting aren't explained by any obvious bacterias they have been testing for. This means that if the new blood test from his other arm show any signs of a particular infection they will pull the pic lines and redo the lines. I don't know if I'm praying for this to happen or not to happen. It take about an hour to put the line in and it is painful.
So please continue to pray that they will find the cause of these fevers and it will be something that can easily be fixed. Pray that Matt can get a break in the lousy cards he is being dealt.
The good is Matt is they also want Matt to try and begin to eat something. We need to start slowly, but maybe just chicken broth today, even a teaspoon full at a time. We want to work up to him being able to eat solids next week.
So please continue to pray that they will find the cause of these fevers and it will be something that can easily be fixed. Pray that Matt can get a break in the lousy cards he is being dealt.
The good is Matt is they also want Matt to try and begin to eat something. We need to start slowly, but maybe just chicken broth today, even a teaspoon full at a time. We want to work up to him being able to eat solids next week.
Day 17 - Morning
Well Matt's white count has doubled to 4 this morning, so that is good, but it should be around 11 by this point. Doc will go ahead and schedule the bone biopsy for Monday so we can confirm that the leukemia is in remission. All the other test ran yesterday were "uneventful" per the doc. So I guess that is good that nothing new showed up.
Ginger Ale seems to be Matt's favorite drink now. It has really helped calm the nausea and he drinks about three cans of it a day. So that is really good, I'm sure, to have a taste for something besides Fiji water.
Matt was so funny last night. We stayed up talking about all sorts of stuff from 10 until 12:30ish. I think after sleeping for so long he really does just want to be awake and talking and talking and talking. I had to google all sorts of stuff his brain had been thinking about while sleeping to get the facts straight. Who stared in what move, what move in the 1980's was about a robot, where we could find 600 Polaroid film, etc.
I guess all of you out in the real world are preparing for the feast for tomorrow. I can't imagine how crazy HEB must be today as everyone gets all the last minute stuff they forgot. Matt won't be up to eating any of that good food tomorrow so take an extra bite for him if you think about it.
Love to you all and enjoy your day.
Ginger Ale seems to be Matt's favorite drink now. It has really helped calm the nausea and he drinks about three cans of it a day. So that is really good, I'm sure, to have a taste for something besides Fiji water.
Matt was so funny last night. We stayed up talking about all sorts of stuff from 10 until 12:30ish. I think after sleeping for so long he really does just want to be awake and talking and talking and talking. I had to google all sorts of stuff his brain had been thinking about while sleeping to get the facts straight. Who stared in what move, what move in the 1980's was about a robot, where we could find 600 Polaroid film, etc.
I guess all of you out in the real world are preparing for the feast for tomorrow. I can't imagine how crazy HEB must be today as everyone gets all the last minute stuff they forgot. Matt won't be up to eating any of that good food tomorrow so take an extra bite for him if you think about it.
Love to you all and enjoy your day.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Have no Fear
Matt is sleeping due to so many drugs in his system. He has many dreams when he sleeps like this and has to ask out loud if he is awake or still dreaming. We won't have results on the CT Scan or the new blood cultures until in the morning. They did blood cultures since his fever went crazy again last night and they think it may have been a reaction to one of the blood transfusions he received. We will see.
I've been doing several devotionals during the night and found this good one online for Joyce Meyers. I've tried very hard not be to fearful through this and to remain positive. Anyway, thought you might find this helpful as well. Pray About Everything and Fear Nothing!
Pray for a peaceful night, fever free, basically for an uneventful night. Day 21 is Sunday, so pray that on that day we will see a drastic change in his white cell count, for the upward, healing kind of counts.
Thankful that Bekah has made it on the plane and should be head safely to San Diego to be with Ashley for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow should be a day of cooking and preparing for the feast they have planned on Thursday.
Love to you all.
I've been doing several devotionals during the night and found this good one online for Joyce Meyers. I've tried very hard not be to fearful through this and to remain positive. Anyway, thought you might find this helpful as well. Pray About Everything and Fear Nothing!
Pray for a peaceful night, fever free, basically for an uneventful night. Day 21 is Sunday, so pray that on that day we will see a drastic change in his white cell count, for the upward, healing kind of counts.
Thankful that Bekah has made it on the plane and should be head safely to San Diego to be with Ashley for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow should be a day of cooking and preparing for the feast they have planned on Thursday.
Love to you all.
Day 16 - Morning
So last night we thought was going to be a good one, but as soon as the words were spoken his temperature crashed to a extreme low of 96 around 1:30 a.m. He starting shaking cold and the nurse and I had to start working fast to warm him back up. Blankets, sheets, lots of layers. Crazy. So we got him warmer, quite down, and asleep. Then at 4 a.m. when she came to check his temperature it had shot up to 103. Now at 7 a.m. it is finally back down to 100.
His white count is 2 today. Doc says his body is using all the white counts he has to fight the colitis. Doc has ordered another CT scan this morning to look closer at his liver, he is still very yellow all over his body and eyes. Pray that the jaundice is a side effect of one of the antibiotics he is on and we can stop it and not some infection or failure of the liver.
Day 21 (after chemo) is Sunday so our goal is to see the white count increasing by then.
Hope you all have a great day today, keep us in your prayers.
Love to you all.
His white count is 2 today. Doc says his body is using all the white counts he has to fight the colitis. Doc has ordered another CT scan this morning to look closer at his liver, he is still very yellow all over his body and eyes. Pray that the jaundice is a side effect of one of the antibiotics he is on and we can stop it and not some infection or failure of the liver.
Day 21 (after chemo) is Sunday so our goal is to see the white count increasing by then.
Hope you all have a great day today, keep us in your prayers.
Love to you all.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Day 15 - Night
Terry surprised me this morning and came to the hospital to relieve me today. Thank you to whomever at Dell allowed this to happen. I was able to go home for the longest amount of time yet and caught up on my sleep and even had the urge (yikes I hate to admit this) but to do some cleaning. Really just to do something normal and non-hospital for a while. We were able to enjoy a family meal together at home, Nolan's choice, chicken fajitas. My sister, Elizabeth was able to relieve Terry at 5 for him to eat with us.
I think Elizabeth enjoyed her time with Matt tonight. She is the feeding of ice expert now and he immediately complained that I wasn't doing as good as Elizabeth had done it.
Fever is staying below 100 which means we are pumping him with platelets and blood as much as we can. I see outside the door his next $1,500 meal waiting him for tonight. Yum Yum. He is still nauseated, but isn't complaining constantly as he was the past several days, so I'm thinking it is getting better. His color looks better and he is joking around with his nurse.
The nurses up here are overworked and severely stressed this week. They are working single handily with 10 patients at a time. They don't get additional help (a tech) until they hit the 10:1 ratio. Of course Matt seems to take them the most amount of one on one time right now, yet they have other patients just as sick they are needing to help. I understand that it got so bad today while I was gone that they had to call in the director to assist with just Matt. GOOD, maybe someone higher up can see how crazy this 10:1 ratio is. I keep praising the nurses at how good they are doing and how pleased we are with their care of Matt, they are doing an excellent job!
Congratulations and prayers of thanksgiving go out to a friend from the past in becoming a grandma today. Looks like little Cole is truly a little angel. What joy!
I hate to sound like a broken record, but continue to pray for the nausea to go away (it has been little by little each day) Pray for another semi-peaceful night of sleep for Matt. Pray that his platelets will begin to climb, I think they were just 60 this morning. Pray that MaMaw has a safe trip here tomorrow as she comes to sit with Matt.
Thank you to McNeil students, 60 of them, who donated blood today in Matt's name. That is a huge gift. May you each be so blessed for your sacrifice of time for him.
Love to you all!
I think Elizabeth enjoyed her time with Matt tonight. She is the feeding of ice expert now and he immediately complained that I wasn't doing as good as Elizabeth had done it.
Fever is staying below 100 which means we are pumping him with platelets and blood as much as we can. I see outside the door his next $1,500 meal waiting him for tonight. Yum Yum. He is still nauseated, but isn't complaining constantly as he was the past several days, so I'm thinking it is getting better. His color looks better and he is joking around with his nurse.
The nurses up here are overworked and severely stressed this week. They are working single handily with 10 patients at a time. They don't get additional help (a tech) until they hit the 10:1 ratio. Of course Matt seems to take them the most amount of one on one time right now, yet they have other patients just as sick they are needing to help. I understand that it got so bad today while I was gone that they had to call in the director to assist with just Matt. GOOD, maybe someone higher up can see how crazy this 10:1 ratio is. I keep praising the nurses at how good they are doing and how pleased we are with their care of Matt, they are doing an excellent job!
Congratulations and prayers of thanksgiving go out to a friend from the past in becoming a grandma today. Looks like little Cole is truly a little angel. What joy!
I hate to sound like a broken record, but continue to pray for the nausea to go away (it has been little by little each day) Pray for another semi-peaceful night of sleep for Matt. Pray that his platelets will begin to climb, I think they were just 60 this morning. Pray that MaMaw has a safe trip here tomorrow as she comes to sit with Matt.
Thank you to McNeil students, 60 of them, who donated blood today in Matt's name. That is a huge gift. May you each be so blessed for your sacrifice of time for him.
Love to you all!
Day 15 - Morning - Enough of the Rapids, Please
Doctor Kocs came in early, 5:45 a.m., this morning, which always startles me. But he said that we have another week to go before we hit the right turn in this journey.
What he said reminded me of when dad and I use to go on long overnight canoe trips growing up. I remember dad always had a map to show the different turns and bends in the river. The map would show us what to expect....smooth or white, rougher waters. But even though it might show us the waters were going to be rough, we didn't always know to expect, just to expect roughness. I remember the one time we were not prepared. I didn't have my life jacket on, and the canoe did hit more rapids than expected and the canoe flipped me out and down the river, just as I was getting my arm into the life jacket. I remember being churned in and out of the water. I'm sure dad was quite worried when he didn't see me bobbing up and down as quickly as he wanted. I'm sure he was in a panic as he tried to get to me. But he did get to me and we finished that overnighter.
Well that is what we are going through right now. We knew going into this journey to expect some rough waters, but we didn't realize just how rough this trip was going to be, me and Matt. But the doctor has given us some hope that we are getting closer to the end. Knowing we have just one more week of white water lets us know we can to the end.
Please continue to be our zipped up life jacket as you continue your prayers for us. Please continue for healing of Matt's colitis and the protection that he doesn't develop additional infections on this new nutrition IV. The new meds are helping with the nausea, but continue to pray the nausea will cease.
What he said reminded me of when dad and I use to go on long overnight canoe trips growing up. I remember dad always had a map to show the different turns and bends in the river. The map would show us what to expect....smooth or white, rougher waters. But even though it might show us the waters were going to be rough, we didn't always know to expect, just to expect roughness. I remember the one time we were not prepared. I didn't have my life jacket on, and the canoe did hit more rapids than expected and the canoe flipped me out and down the river, just as I was getting my arm into the life jacket. I remember being churned in and out of the water. I'm sure dad was quite worried when he didn't see me bobbing up and down as quickly as he wanted. I'm sure he was in a panic as he tried to get to me. But he did get to me and we finished that overnighter.Well that is what we are going through right now. We knew going into this journey to expect some rough waters, but we didn't realize just how rough this trip was going to be, me and Matt. But the doctor has given us some hope that we are getting closer to the end. Knowing we have just one more week of white water lets us know we can to the end.
Please continue to be our zipped up life jacket as you continue your prayers for us. Please continue for healing of Matt's colitis and the protection that he doesn't develop additional infections on this new nutrition IV. The new meds are helping with the nausea, but continue to pray the nausea will cease.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day 14 - Night - Food for Though?
I was able to go home again this afternoon to sleep again in my own bed for a while. It had been a rough 24 hrs. so I always feel more energized and equip for the night when I have had some sleep.
Ashley called while I was home. She is hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her place for several friends and Bekah will be coming to help cook. She is asking a billion questions on how to cook the turkey, when to thaw, when,when, when.....so I hope I helped her somewhat. I have faith that she can do this dinner and it will turn out fabulous! I know that with everyone pitching in they will have a great time. We got to talking about Thanksgiving traditions, reminiscing of when the kids were younger. I remember the kids always loving to help with this little sweet treat. We always made such a mess in the kitchen and I think the kids were typically covered in icing by the time we finished, but they were good memories. I figured I would share it with everyone keeping up with this blog and you could make it and think of us on Thanksgiving.... OREO TURKEYS!!!
Okay, now back to more food like stuff. Matt will finally begin tonight at 9 PM an IV nutrition concoction. It is mostly sugar with vitamins and good stuff that will feed him. The nurse was warning me that there is a higher chance to develop infections when on this, but after not eating in a week it is necessary. Now let me tell a little story before I finish this one.
Several years ago Terry and I headed out to Vegas for a romantic getaway which included dinner at Picasso's. We had the most expensive meal we have ever had, four course, wine with each course, amazing dinner at a mere $200 per person, which made it hard for me to fully enjoy....but it was great. Flash forward to tonight's meal for Matt. He too will be having the most amazingly expensive meal of his life, one he will never taste, but we hope will nourish him....at a mere price of $1,500 per 24 hrs. I'm too tired to be more witty and do an American Express kind of comment, but the bottom line is this meal will be Priceless!
May this week be filled with many blessing for you and your families as you come together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Be thankful for even the smallest things this week as you are together. I know I'm so very thankful for each and everyone one of you, friends and strangers alike.
Ashley called while I was home. She is hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her place for several friends and Bekah will be coming to help cook. She is asking a billion questions on how to cook the turkey, when to thaw, when,when, when.....so I hope I helped her somewhat. I have faith that she can do this dinner and it will turn out fabulous! I know that with everyone pitching in they will have a great time. We got to talking about Thanksgiving traditions, reminiscing of when the kids were younger. I remember the kids always loving to help with this little sweet treat. We always made such a mess in the kitchen and I think the kids were typically covered in icing by the time we finished, but they were good memories. I figured I would share it with everyone keeping up with this blog and you could make it and think of us on Thanksgiving.... OREO TURKEYS!!! Several years ago Terry and I headed out to Vegas for a romantic getaway which included dinner at Picasso's. We had the most expensive meal we have ever had, four course, wine with each course, amazing dinner at a mere $200 per person, which made it hard for me to fully enjoy....but it was great. Flash forward to tonight's meal for Matt. He too will be having the most amazingly expensive meal of his life, one he will never taste, but we hope will nourish him....at a mere price of $1,500 per 24 hrs. I'm too tired to be more witty and do an American Express kind of comment, but the bottom line is this meal will be Priceless!
May this week be filled with many blessing for you and your families as you come together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Be thankful for even the smallest things this week as you are together. I know I'm so very thankful for each and everyone one of you, friends and strangers alike.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Day 14 - Nausea is Better
Matt's nausea is better, they have changed up and doubled the dose. We are getting ready to start platelets now. This afternoon they will start "feeding" him through his IVs. He hasn't had food for the past 7 days. He nibbles but can't hold down anything so we've got to get something in him. Feeding him through his IV is good since his colitis is still bothering him something awful and the lest strain on that area the better. We are also now concerned with some crackling sounds in his lungs...so they will watch him closely today.
He is now tasting the styrofoam cups when he sips his FIJI water....so we are now icing the water bottles down so he can sip cold water from the bottle. Terry is going to be a small ice cooler up today to start keeping bottles iced down.....though as cold as we have the room you'd think the water would freeze on their own. The room is set at 68 and we have a fan now running on high to keep him cool. I'm very tempted to run out to my car, where I have my thick heavy winter coat in the back seat...through I'm thinking people may think me quite odd.
Here's to a better afternoon for Matt.
He is now tasting the styrofoam cups when he sips his FIJI water....so we are now icing the water bottles down so he can sip cold water from the bottle. Terry is going to be a small ice cooler up today to start keeping bottles iced down.....though as cold as we have the room you'd think the water would freeze on their own. The room is set at 68 and we have a fan now running on high to keep him cool. I'm very tempted to run out to my car, where I have my thick heavy winter coat in the back seat...through I'm thinking people may think me quite odd.
Here's to a better afternoon for Matt.
Day 14 - Pray for Non-Nausea
So we have been up all night battle the overwhelming, non-ceasing nausea. Matt hasn't slept really at all last night. His fever is staying around 100 but he is red and splotchy all over and we have him covered in ice bags that are melting so fast against his body that I have emptied out the ice machine on this wing. Sweet nurse Shaun has finally hunted down a fan to blow on Matt, which in the past 10 mins. has seemed to help somewhat. Now if he can cool down enough to sleep a little.
For those of you praying please be specific that his nausea will go away for even just a little bit of time today. Second, pray that he will feel cooled off from his constant burning on fire feeling. And last, pray for those students who will be giving blood in Matt's name tomorrow at the McNeil blood drive. What a wonderful gift they will be giving.
Thank you all for your constant lifting up of prayers for Matt.
Have a wonderful Sunday and love to you all!
For those of you praying please be specific that his nausea will go away for even just a little bit of time today. Second, pray that he will feel cooled off from his constant burning on fire feeling. And last, pray for those students who will be giving blood in Matt's name tomorrow at the McNeil blood drive. What a wonderful gift they will be giving.
Thank you all for your constant lifting up of prayers for Matt.
Have a wonderful Sunday and love to you all!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Day 13 - Night
Matt is still feeling horrible. Praying the hormones will begin to increase white count soon, which will help balance everything else going crazy right now in his body. God has blessed Matt in so many ways through our two weeks here already. I know there is a purpose in everything and I pray that Matt will know and feel that purpose & love more each day. Special things are in Matt's future, he just doesn't know it yet.
Sweet Vicki was a saint today. She stayed the afternoon with Matt and I know it got a little bad by the time I got here tonight. I was able to go home this afternoon and get some deep sleep so I feel renewed and ready for tonight's battles.
Matt completed two platelets tonight and we will be doing blood tomorrow, if the fever stays down. The morning will bring another chest x-ray to make sure nothing it happening as he has more difficulty breathing. I'm sure all three doctors will be making their rounds again with him since each are watching different things going on with Matt.
I tried looking for Matt's quilt I made him years ago to bring up here. I know when he was little he was always so scared of bad thunderstorms and he use to sleep with that quilt during the storms cause it was like me hugging him. I'm gonna bring it up here all clean as soon as I find it somewhere in him room.
Continue to pray for some relief to his colitis and heartburn pains. Pray that his nausea will cease tonight. Pray we see a boost in white counts. Pray the jaundice will begin to improve. Pray for some straight deep sleep for him for longer than 2 hours at a time. Pray for the nurses on staff tonight, they seem to be a little (a lot) short handed tonight. I know they look pretty weary by the mornings. Pray for Ashley, Bekah and Nolan. I know this can't be easy for them as they hear of and watch the sufferings of their brother.
I came home to a mailbox full of such sweet cards and letters. Thank you to everyone for your good thoughts. Our family is so lucky to have so many people who care so much about Matt.
Good night and love to you all!
Sweet Vicki was a saint today. She stayed the afternoon with Matt and I know it got a little bad by the time I got here tonight. I was able to go home this afternoon and get some deep sleep so I feel renewed and ready for tonight's battles.
Matt completed two platelets tonight and we will be doing blood tomorrow, if the fever stays down. The morning will bring another chest x-ray to make sure nothing it happening as he has more difficulty breathing. I'm sure all three doctors will be making their rounds again with him since each are watching different things going on with Matt.
I tried looking for Matt's quilt I made him years ago to bring up here. I know when he was little he was always so scared of bad thunderstorms and he use to sleep with that quilt during the storms cause it was like me hugging him. I'm gonna bring it up here all clean as soon as I find it somewhere in him room.
Continue to pray for some relief to his colitis and heartburn pains. Pray that his nausea will cease tonight. Pray we see a boost in white counts. Pray the jaundice will begin to improve. Pray for some straight deep sleep for him for longer than 2 hours at a time. Pray for the nurses on staff tonight, they seem to be a little (a lot) short handed tonight. I know they look pretty weary by the mornings. Pray for Ashley, Bekah and Nolan. I know this can't be easy for them as they hear of and watch the sufferings of their brother.
I came home to a mailbox full of such sweet cards and letters. Thank you to everyone for your good thoughts. Our family is so lucky to have so many people who care so much about Matt.
Good night and love to you all!
Day 13 - Same Old Same Old
Same old information, nothing new.
He is still in pain, still having trouble breathing. Two sets of the doctors came in this morning to say everything is normal with what is going on in his body right now. Once the white blood cells can start to increase then the infection he has going on will begin to go away. His body will begin to heal. He is still yellow all over, jaundice, because of his liver emzymes. We joked that we could take him over to the maternity ward and get him butt naked in one of those light machines....he just said he wouldn't fit (so the nude part didn't bother him???)
Since he is having difficulty breathing during the night they did do another chest x-ray that we won't have results back until this afternoon. They are looking for either lumps and fluid. Doctors didn't seem that concerned with that this morning.
He really likes his night nurse, Kristen, who will be here again last night. She was on top of everything last night without us ever having to call for her. He did do a weird fever thing. By mouth he was normal, but under his arm he would be 102. Strange. They ended up bringing those mood ring kind of thermometers to stick on his head....so if you visit today, that is what the black rectangle is on top of his forehead.
I'm planning on taking advantage of Vicki and Kyle coming to visit today to go home and sleep in my own bed for a while. Maybe they can talk him in to going ahead and shaving his head today or tomorrow, since his hair is coming out now on his pillow more than before.
Have a good Saturday (it is Saturday right??). Please continue your clicks and prayers!
Love to you all!
He is still in pain, still having trouble breathing. Two sets of the doctors came in this morning to say everything is normal with what is going on in his body right now. Once the white blood cells can start to increase then the infection he has going on will begin to go away. His body will begin to heal. He is still yellow all over, jaundice, because of his liver emzymes. We joked that we could take him over to the maternity ward and get him butt naked in one of those light machines....he just said he wouldn't fit (so the nude part didn't bother him???)
Since he is having difficulty breathing during the night they did do another chest x-ray that we won't have results back until this afternoon. They are looking for either lumps and fluid. Doctors didn't seem that concerned with that this morning.
He really likes his night nurse, Kristen, who will be here again last night. She was on top of everything last night without us ever having to call for her. He did do a weird fever thing. By mouth he was normal, but under his arm he would be 102. Strange. They ended up bringing those mood ring kind of thermometers to stick on his head....so if you visit today, that is what the black rectangle is on top of his forehead.
I'm planning on taking advantage of Vicki and Kyle coming to visit today to go home and sleep in my own bed for a while. Maybe they can talk him in to going ahead and shaving his head today or tomorrow, since his hair is coming out now on his pillow more than before.
Have a good Saturday (it is Saturday right??). Please continue your clicks and prayers!
Love to you all!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Day 12 - night
Matt seems to be feeling better, though he always does after his visits with Kyle, Laura & George. He was up talking since 6 p.m. tonight. He had Vicki go out an get him a banana snow cone, which I understand he ate almost all of. Of course Kyle let me know that Matt has been over self medicating himself with the button being pushed every 6 minutes.....so Matt wants to make sure I don't let him push it tonight as often. Wish me luck with that. I will say the medicine has helped with the pain in his gut. Hopefully the new antibiotic is what is helping also him feel better.
I was able to go home and eat, shower and get back up here by 9:30 p.m. As I was sitting in the hallway talking with my sister-in-law, who comes up the back elevator, but a sweet co-worker who is battling pancreatic cancer. She has been thought and prayed for many times while I have been here with Matt so it was both good and bad to see her tonight. Anyway, she is our across the hall neighbor for the next couple of days. So while you are lifting up prayer for Matt please lift up an extra big one for Lillie.
Pray that Matt continues to be in less pain and that we can keep the fevers down long enough to finish up the second blood transfusion tonight. Pray for some rest tonight (for both of us).
Have a great weekend and enjoy your family.
I was able to go home and eat, shower and get back up here by 9:30 p.m. As I was sitting in the hallway talking with my sister-in-law, who comes up the back elevator, but a sweet co-worker who is battling pancreatic cancer. She has been thought and prayed for many times while I have been here with Matt so it was both good and bad to see her tonight. Anyway, she is our across the hall neighbor for the next couple of days. So while you are lifting up prayer for Matt please lift up an extra big one for Lillie.
Pray that Matt continues to be in less pain and that we can keep the fevers down long enough to finish up the second blood transfusion tonight. Pray for some rest tonight (for both of us).
Have a great weekend and enjoy your family.
Oxygen Time
Matt's oxygen was low this afternoon, so it is oxygen bar time. I guess since his stomach area is so swollen there is not enough room to breath, thus less oxygen in the blood. Still trying to get fever down to 100 so we can begin our daily cocktail of platelets and blood.
We did finally get the sonogram and confirmed that the gallbladder is full of stuff and the other organs are inflamed in that area....but we haven't heard back anything differently from the doctor.
Had some sweet visitors this afternoon and want to thank everyone at RRISD for their lovely gift this afternoon and to thank McNeil High for the blood drive on Monday. I understand that the school is asking the blood be in Matt's name. That is such a huge gift. Thank you!!
Please continue the prayers that we can get all these secondary problems over with so we can get back to the business of recovering his body enough to go home soon. I'm thinking we will be here another two weeks.
Have a great night! Love to you all!
We did finally get the sonogram and confirmed that the gallbladder is full of stuff and the other organs are inflamed in that area....but we haven't heard back anything differently from the doctor.
Had some sweet visitors this afternoon and want to thank everyone at RRISD for their lovely gift this afternoon and to thank McNeil High for the blood drive on Monday. I understand that the school is asking the blood be in Matt's name. That is such a huge gift. Thank you!!
Please continue the prayers that we can get all these secondary problems over with so we can get back to the business of recovering his body enough to go home soon. I'm thinking we will be here another two weeks.
Have a great night! Love to you all!
Waiting Game for Sonogram
Still waiting to have sonogram for Matt. Someone came up over and hour ago with a wheelchair....ha ha ha. Matt is so doped up right now he can't move, so I don't know why the machine wasn't brought up to his room to do the test, so now waiting on "new orders" for the machine to come to him.
The pain is still bad, even though they have him asleep, cause he keeps moaning a grabbing at his stomach. The doctor has now started a morphine drip machine that can give a dose every six minutes if Matt pushes on the button. But again, he is asleep and doesn't realize the drip is at his bedside yet.
Hopefully we will know more soon.
On another note, you may have now noticed Amazon Ads on this blog. This is another way that Ashley has set up to raise some funds to offset medical costs. If you so choose to do some of your Christmas shopping via this blog, via Amazon, then anywhere from 10-15% of sales are sent back to Matt. So why not shop a little while you are visiting for updates.
The pain is still bad, even though they have him asleep, cause he keeps moaning a grabbing at his stomach. The doctor has now started a morphine drip machine that can give a dose every six minutes if Matt pushes on the button. But again, he is asleep and doesn't realize the drip is at his bedside yet.
Hopefully we will know more soon.
On another note, you may have now noticed Amazon Ads on this blog. This is another way that Ashley has set up to raise some funds to offset medical costs. If you so choose to do some of your Christmas shopping via this blog, via Amazon, then anywhere from 10-15% of sales are sent back to Matt. So why not shop a little while you are visiting for updates.
Day 12 - morning
Thankful to God for answering prayers. Matt was in more comfort with his gut pains. He kept fever free without ice baths, but we kept the meds going every 3-4 hours for fever. We finally settled down to sleep at 5 a.m.....hence the later post this morning. I think Matt was a night owl at home, so it has carried over to the hospital as well....which is totally opposite for me.
Two of the doctors were in this morning early. Oncologist feels everything is going as it should be, and the gut inflammation is part of chemo killing off everything. The blood test haven't come in yet for the morning but we will be looking to see if the hormone is increasing his white counts to begin getting himself healthy again.
The Infectious Disease doctor listened to Matt's gut and said it sounds better. It is still a little swollen so there is still concerned that too much fluid (infection) is in the right side. The ultrasound will be sometime this morning, but as I've told Ashley this morning, WHEN is the million dollar question. At least that test will be performed here in the room.
I hope all of you who have family coming home from college for Thanksgiving Break have safe travels and that you enjoy each and every minute with them. Give them a hug and let them know you love them. I pray that Bekah enjoys her Thanksgiving with Ashley in San Diego.....apparently Ashley is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for several friends at her place...thought, thank goodness (for those that know her) she is NOT doing the cooking.....which is something to be thankful for!!!
Thank you Jerry for coming to Austin for the bath and bed makeover for Matt. I haven't been back to the house, but I understand from everyone who came to see the changes that they are WONDERFUL...just as you and your crew were. We will never be able to thank you enough!
Thank you all, again, for the prayers and blood donations for Matt. They really do mean more than you could know.
Love to you all and have a great Friday!
Two of the doctors were in this morning early. Oncologist feels everything is going as it should be, and the gut inflammation is part of chemo killing off everything. The blood test haven't come in yet for the morning but we will be looking to see if the hormone is increasing his white counts to begin getting himself healthy again.
The Infectious Disease doctor listened to Matt's gut and said it sounds better. It is still a little swollen so there is still concerned that too much fluid (infection) is in the right side. The ultrasound will be sometime this morning, but as I've told Ashley this morning, WHEN is the million dollar question. At least that test will be performed here in the room.
I hope all of you who have family coming home from college for Thanksgiving Break have safe travels and that you enjoy each and every minute with them. Give them a hug and let them know you love them. I pray that Bekah enjoys her Thanksgiving with Ashley in San Diego.....apparently Ashley is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for several friends at her place...thought, thank goodness (for those that know her) she is NOT doing the cooking.....which is something to be thankful for!!!
Thank you Jerry for coming to Austin for the bath and bed makeover for Matt. I haven't been back to the house, but I understand from everyone who came to see the changes that they are WONDERFUL...just as you and your crew were. We will never be able to thank you enough!
Thank you all, again, for the prayers and blood donations for Matt. They really do mean more than you could know.
Love to you all and have a great Friday!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Matt Just Can't Get a Break
Matt sure needs a break today.
We now know why he is in such pain. Seems that there is a bacteria running crazy in Matt's right side (a bacteria that is normally in each of us, but with nothing to fight it, it has gone super crazy). He has severely inflamed and swollen colon, spleen, appendix, gall bladder, and liver. The ultrasound will be done sometime tonight to help determine more info on the gaul bladder and liver, which also is spotty. At this point, he is not eligible to have surgery to fix or remove any of these, so the meds have got to work.
This new doctor has started a new antibiotic and anti-fungal medication that can hopefully keep things in check while we wait at least 72 hrs for his white count to start to kick in. He will be able to keep pain meds coming every three hours, so we will try to keep him asleep and fever free tonight. So we are in for a rough next three days.
We will be having visits from all three doctors tomorrow to really determine more.
Please continue your prayers, at this point I'm not sure specifically what should be prayed for, so just overall prayers.
We now know why he is in such pain. Seems that there is a bacteria running crazy in Matt's right side (a bacteria that is normally in each of us, but with nothing to fight it, it has gone super crazy). He has severely inflamed and swollen colon, spleen, appendix, gall bladder, and liver. The ultrasound will be done sometime tonight to help determine more info on the gaul bladder and liver, which also is spotty. At this point, he is not eligible to have surgery to fix or remove any of these, so the meds have got to work.
This new doctor has started a new antibiotic and anti-fungal medication that can hopefully keep things in check while we wait at least 72 hrs for his white count to start to kick in. He will be able to keep pain meds coming every three hours, so we will try to keep him asleep and fever free tonight. So we are in for a rough next three days.
We will be having visits from all three doctors tomorrow to really determine more.
Please continue your prayers, at this point I'm not sure specifically what should be prayed for, so just overall prayers.
Day 11 - Afternoon
Laura has been in charge today. She updated me all morning that Matt's fever had continued to go up this morning and he was still having severe stomach cramping. It doubles him over in pain it hurts so much. I've come on back up to the hospital to be with him this afternoon while Jerry and crew finishes up the bathroom and bedroom re-do for Matt. I can't believe they have gotten almost everything done by lunch....it would have been a month long do-it-ourselves project had Terry and I attempted this.
So back to Matt. He now has and Infectious Disease doctor assigned to his case. They are concerned with the stomach cramping he has had the past three days so this new doctor is going to be doing a CAT scan this afternoon to see what is going on in the colon. Could be anything from a reaction the antibiotics to a bacteria that is multiplying in his colon. So hopefully this test will provide some answers. He has three yummy cups of barium to drink before 3:30. Thank goodness he is holding it all down, so far. I think they should come get him for the test around 4 p.m.
At this point, we are just praying for answers as to what is causing the pain so we can treat it and get rid of the fever.
Thanks for all your support in so many ways.
So back to Matt. He now has and Infectious Disease doctor assigned to his case. They are concerned with the stomach cramping he has had the past three days so this new doctor is going to be doing a CAT scan this afternoon to see what is going on in the colon. Could be anything from a reaction the antibiotics to a bacteria that is multiplying in his colon. So hopefully this test will provide some answers. He has three yummy cups of barium to drink before 3:30. Thank goodness he is holding it all down, so far. I think they should come get him for the test around 4 p.m.
At this point, we are just praying for answers as to what is causing the pain so we can treat it and get rid of the fever.
Thanks for all your support in so many ways.
Day 11 - Morning - Continued good news!
Matt was up and down a couple of time last night going to bathroom, which is great he has energy to want to walk that far and move around. Fevers didn't get over 101 as we continued ice and meds to keep it down. Matt & I didn't get to sleep until 5 a.m.
Doc came in a little earlier this morning, so Matt didn't get to ask the questions he asks repeatedly. Doc was smiling and saying everything is looking so good and that the DNA results yesterday were a HUGE (I think he said HUGE at least four times) thing in the recovery and the confidence we are going to get all of this leukemia. Today doc will start Matt on hormone injections to speed up the white blood cells recovery. They are sort of like injections in the stomach that diabetics take and I think (in my sleepy state) he said those would be daily. Doc is still trying to determine what is causing these fevers, which should be over with by now. I did ask what to expect when we get home. He said he would talk more with all of us, but once a month, for 3-5 months, Matt will be admitted into the hospital for a 5 day chem treatment given every 12 hours. It should be easier on his system than what he going through but because of the continuous length of the chemo he would be admitted to the hospital.
Matt "ate" a frozen chocolate Ensure this morning at 4:30 a.m. He likes them frozen so he has to use a spoon to eat, instead of drinking it. Makes it better. He is still wanting Mandola's for lunch so that is our plan.
Momma Laura will be with Matt today while I'm home with bathroom redo. I'm so excited that Matt won't have to worry about nasty bathroom stuff when he returns home. So thankful for wonderful friends!
Continue to pray for daily good news. Pray that the stomach cramps he is having will cease today (and not come back into another part of his body). Pray that today will be the last of his fevers. Pray he holds down solid food to get his energy back up. Pray that conditions are right to finish the bathroom project all in one day - today.
Hope your day is as good as ours. Love to you all!
Doc came in a little earlier this morning, so Matt didn't get to ask the questions he asks repeatedly. Doc was smiling and saying everything is looking so good and that the DNA results yesterday were a HUGE (I think he said HUGE at least four times) thing in the recovery and the confidence we are going to get all of this leukemia. Today doc will start Matt on hormone injections to speed up the white blood cells recovery. They are sort of like injections in the stomach that diabetics take and I think (in my sleepy state) he said those would be daily. Doc is still trying to determine what is causing these fevers, which should be over with by now. I did ask what to expect when we get home. He said he would talk more with all of us, but once a month, for 3-5 months, Matt will be admitted into the hospital for a 5 day chem treatment given every 12 hours. It should be easier on his system than what he going through but because of the continuous length of the chemo he would be admitted to the hospital.
Matt "ate" a frozen chocolate Ensure this morning at 4:30 a.m. He likes them frozen so he has to use a spoon to eat, instead of drinking it. Makes it better. He is still wanting Mandola's for lunch so that is our plan.
Momma Laura will be with Matt today while I'm home with bathroom redo. I'm so excited that Matt won't have to worry about nasty bathroom stuff when he returns home. So thankful for wonderful friends!
Continue to pray for daily good news. Pray that the stomach cramps he is having will cease today (and not come back into another part of his body). Pray that today will be the last of his fevers. Pray he holds down solid food to get his energy back up. Pray that conditions are right to finish the bathroom project all in one day - today.
Hope your day is as good as ours. Love to you all!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Matt is Up on Computer
Matt's fever is staying down this evening so far. He has been sitting up in his bed on his computer for about an hour now, so that is good. He still is suffering from sharp stomach pains today, but seems to not be bothering him too much right now. He is still wanting to eat but worried he won't keep it down. I ran to HEB to get him some banana popsicles...so hopefully he will eat those tonight.
Thanks again for all the prayers and clicks. Everything is working so thank you!
Here's to a fever free night and a great tomorrow morning.
Thanks again for all the prayers and clicks. Everything is working so thank you!
Here's to a fever free night and a great tomorrow morning.
Fevers Continuing
Matt has been battling the fever ups and downs again throughout the day. Just as they seem to be under control, they spike again.
He has finished another bag of platelets and will start another round of blood this afternoon, once his fever can drop around 100.
He is really wanting to eat, he is worried that he has already lost too much weight, which he hasn't. His bed is pretty cool, since it can weigh him while he is lying there. He laughed this morning that when he gets out he will have lost some fat and will be able to really buildup a set of abs that will look ripped!
I pray for safe travels for our friend Jerry and his crew from Houston tomorrow morning. He is coming in to get Matt's bath and bedroom ready for Matt's return home. What an amazing friend to give of his time and talents! (We love you Jerry!!!)
Laura is going to take off work to be with "Mattie" tomorrow while I'm at the house. Hopefully he will be feeling better for her to carry on some good conversation...and hopefully a great lunch.
Thanks again for the prayers, they continue to be working.
He has finished another bag of platelets and will start another round of blood this afternoon, once his fever can drop around 100.
He is really wanting to eat, he is worried that he has already lost too much weight, which he hasn't. His bed is pretty cool, since it can weigh him while he is lying there. He laughed this morning that when he gets out he will have lost some fat and will be able to really buildup a set of abs that will look ripped!
I pray for safe travels for our friend Jerry and his crew from Houston tomorrow morning. He is coming in to get Matt's bath and bedroom ready for Matt's return home. What an amazing friend to give of his time and talents! (We love you Jerry!!!)
Laura is going to take off work to be with "Mattie" tomorrow while I'm at the house. Hopefully he will be feeling better for her to carry on some good conversation...and hopefully a great lunch.
Thanks again for the prayers, they continue to be working.
Day 10 - Surprise Party!
Well this morning was like the best surprise party ever!!! Doctor came in with the DNA results, that we didn't think were coming until Friday. The DNA shows that Matt's leukemia will not require a bone marrow transplant. The chemo should do the trick, this first time around. Matt asked how much longer it will take to know for sure, and we think we will do the bone marrow test to see if the treatment killed everything within a week and at least another week for Matt's body to rebuild itself before he can come home. So best news we could receive today.
Matt still battled with high fever last night, but the nurse last night came every four hours with his meds to keep the fever down as much as possible. Matt did NOT have the leg pains as he did the night before and was able to have peaceful sleep throughout the night. (Which mean I feel very well rested this morning, since I slept too.) OF course it goes without saying, these were all request that were answered by your prayers.
Today we are going to be flushing out his port to keep everything flowing. No chest x-rays today. I believe both blood and platelets are coming again today. That should help more once we keep his fever down without aid of meds.
Thanks to those at Dell and RRISD who have donated blood. The coupons are starting to come in. Read my earlier post on how to donate if you want to.
Have a wonderful day and love to you all.
Matt still battled with high fever last night, but the nurse last night came every four hours with his meds to keep the fever down as much as possible. Matt did NOT have the leg pains as he did the night before and was able to have peaceful sleep throughout the night. (Which mean I feel very well rested this morning, since I slept too.) OF course it goes without saying, these were all request that were answered by your prayers.
Today we are going to be flushing out his port to keep everything flowing. No chest x-rays today. I believe both blood and platelets are coming again today. That should help more once we keep his fever down without aid of meds.
Thanks to those at Dell and RRISD who have donated blood. The coupons are starting to come in. Read my earlier post on how to donate if you want to.
Have a wonderful day and love to you all.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 9 - Night
Matt had a great afternoon from what everyone has said. I went home to sleep at 2 PM today and didn't get back up here until 10 PM. When I arrived he and Laura were having some good conversations, especially since the good drugs to relieve the pain and help him sleep had started. He was full of it...just like a regular "Mattie".
His fever is a little above normal tonight, but we are going to keep that in check so we don't get the spike we had last night. The nurse tonight is going to check in every half hour to make sure it all goes smoothly tonight.
God has been so good to Matt in so many ways. Hopefully he will be able to look back at this experience in his life and be thankful too.
Please continue your prayers. I have been so moved to receive so many calls from people I haven't spoken to in years who know of our situation. Your prayers and love mean more than you know....it's what give us strength through these times of darkness.
Please pray specifically that the fever stays down, that Matts legs don't give him sharp pain tonight, that Matt has a peaceful night of much needed continuous sleep. Please pray that Matt's wish of eating a bowl of Mandola's ravioli and a cheese pizza for lunch on Thursday will be able to happen.
May your night be a good one. Love to you all.
His fever is a little above normal tonight, but we are going to keep that in check so we don't get the spike we had last night. The nurse tonight is going to check in every half hour to make sure it all goes smoothly tonight.
God has been so good to Matt in so many ways. Hopefully he will be able to look back at this experience in his life and be thankful too.
Please continue your prayers. I have been so moved to receive so many calls from people I haven't spoken to in years who know of our situation. Your prayers and love mean more than you know....it's what give us strength through these times of darkness.
Please pray specifically that the fever stays down, that Matts legs don't give him sharp pain tonight, that Matt has a peaceful night of much needed continuous sleep. Please pray that Matt's wish of eating a bowl of Mandola's ravioli and a cheese pizza for lunch on Thursday will be able to happen.
May your night be a good one. Love to you all.
Day 9 - Morning
Someone asked, haven't we been in the hospital longer than eight days. Yes. The count of days is the number of days we are counting down from the first IV chemo treatment to day 21 which is the day another bone marrow test will be done. So we have actually been in for 12 days.
Matt's temp is still staying between 101 and 102+. He finally slept some at 4 a.m. until now. We will start more antibiotics and a patch for long term continuous pain relief. We've got to get his temp to 100 or below before we can start more blood then platelets today.
Good news overnight is there isn't kidney failure, lungs remain clear, and haven't found what's causing him to be so feverish....which means no bacteria found yet. So that is good.
We giggled last night when the fever was almost 104 and he was talking crazy talk. I think he watched too many Borne movies this week....because the CIA was coming to cut his legs off for sale at auction....so if he kept complaining his legs hurt they wouldn't want his legs....which apparently are a secret hiding place for swords. He was also very worried that I still might try to walk and eat Oreos at the same time which apparently could kill me.
His heart is being tenderized....he has told me he loved me for all I'm doing, which I told him I'd do no matter what. This morning when he was a little awake he wanted to make sure I go eat breakfast. He is also talking about when he gets out of the hospital not "if".
I can not begin to list all the thank yous to all of you who have done so much. Continue donating blood (see earlier post how if you don't know), continue prayers, specifically we can break this fever, pray for continued peace within his body.
Love to all and have a great day!
Matt's temp is still staying between 101 and 102+. He finally slept some at 4 a.m. until now. We will start more antibiotics and a patch for long term continuous pain relief. We've got to get his temp to 100 or below before we can start more blood then platelets today.
Good news overnight is there isn't kidney failure, lungs remain clear, and haven't found what's causing him to be so feverish....which means no bacteria found yet. So that is good.
We giggled last night when the fever was almost 104 and he was talking crazy talk. I think he watched too many Borne movies this week....because the CIA was coming to cut his legs off for sale at auction....so if he kept complaining his legs hurt they wouldn't want his legs....which apparently are a secret hiding place for swords. He was also very worried that I still might try to walk and eat Oreos at the same time which apparently could kill me.
His heart is being tenderized....he has told me he loved me for all I'm doing, which I told him I'd do no matter what. This morning when he was a little awake he wanted to make sure I go eat breakfast. He is also talking about when he gets out of the hospital not "if".
I can not begin to list all the thank yous to all of you who have done so much. Continue donating blood (see earlier post how if you don't know), continue prayers, specifically we can break this fever, pray for continued peace within his body.
Love to all and have a great day!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fever Ups and Downs...and Ups
Today has been a day & night I hope we don't have to repeat, but afraid we will be doing so. The fever remained around 102.4 all afternoon. I was exhausted and went home late this afternoon. Came back with fever under control at 99.....now it has spiked to 103.7. So ice packs are getting ready to start along with some more good drugs. He talking crazy stuff right now, he can't walk and eat oreos....I guess it is making very loopy to say the least.
It's going to be another long night.
It's going to be another long night.
Day 8 - Fever has started
No sooner than the chemo stopped, that his body began to heat up. His temp. has gone from 99 to 103 in 30 mins...that was an hour ago. We are working on three different antibiotics and stuff to drop his temp. He aches all over, he says it hurts just to breath right now. Just had a chest xray to confirm that all is okay with lungs. They also took blood three times today already running different tests and cultures.
Again, pray for some recess from the pain. If he can just sleep for a few hours and stop fighting the pain it can let his body work on the fever. Pray we can get this under control today and it won't be long term this week.
Watching a love one so uncomfortable and in pain is the worst part. I'm glad Ashley came when she did so she didn't have to see him like this.
Again, pray for some recess from the pain. If he can just sleep for a few hours and stop fighting the pain it can let his body work on the fever. Pray we can get this under control today and it won't be long term this week.
Watching a love one so uncomfortable and in pain is the worst part. I'm glad Ashley came when she did so she didn't have to see him like this.
Day 8 - Morning
Chemo bag is still running. It has been a very rough night, with only about 30 mins of semi sleep at a time. Still no fever, but his body is in a battle. Hot and cold with violent shakes. The heartburn hurts from one end to the other as he says. Stomach cramps, thirsty, but if he even eats a piece of ice the acid floats up. The meds to help him relax just aren't doing the trick right now.
Dr. came in earlier this morning and they are mixing up a anti-acid with a pain killer for him to take. Hopefully that will sooth the heartburn to give him some longer sleep at a time.
Platelets are still low (17) so they are starting another bag of platelets around 9 a.m.
All through the night all he keeps talking about is how hungry he is for Mandola's ravioli and cheese pizza. We've talked about how I'm going to go over there at 10:45 to get his food and bring it over to the hospital in something to keep it hot, since it takes about 40 mins. to get over there and back. I keep telling him lets see how he feels once the heartburn stops.
Pray for some peace in his body, let his body just relax and not fight the shakes. Pray that we can get this heartburn feeling under control.
May today turn out to be a good day!
Dr. came in earlier this morning and they are mixing up a anti-acid with a pain killer for him to take. Hopefully that will sooth the heartburn to give him some longer sleep at a time.
Platelets are still low (17) so they are starting another bag of platelets around 9 a.m.
All through the night all he keeps talking about is how hungry he is for Mandola's ravioli and cheese pizza. We've talked about how I'm going to go over there at 10:45 to get his food and bring it over to the hospital in something to keep it hot, since it takes about 40 mins. to get over there and back. I keep telling him lets see how he feels once the heartburn stops.
Pray for some peace in his body, let his body just relax and not fight the shakes. Pray that we can get this heartburn feeling under control.
May today turn out to be a good day!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
End of Chemo - Day 7
So chemo will be ending sometime tonight. He has just a half a bag left to go. Matt did end up receiving platelets late this afternoon again. After visits from family and friends this afternoon he is getting some sleep. He has had bad heartburn today and they are trying to figure out what to give him that will work in calming that down. He also said he feels like he has a sore starting in his mouth.
Matt's going to miss having his big sister here in the middle of the night. I'm so thankful the Navy let her come on these past few days.
The doctor should be here around 6:30 a.m. tomorrow for updates. Hoping and praying for continued good news. This week will be the waiting game, waiting for the chemo to do it's stuff. This coming week is the when they say to expect fevers. Praying this week won't be as bad as it could be.
Can't thank everyone enough for their prayers, donation of blood, and general support.
Enjoy your night (YEA COWBOYS!!!).
Love to you all.
Matt's going to miss having his big sister here in the middle of the night. I'm so thankful the Navy let her come on these past few days.
The doctor should be here around 6:30 a.m. tomorrow for updates. Hoping and praying for continued good news. This week will be the waiting game, waiting for the chemo to do it's stuff. This coming week is the when they say to expect fevers. Praying this week won't be as bad as it could be.
Can't thank everyone enough for their prayers, donation of blood, and general support.
Enjoy your night (YEA COWBOYS!!!).
Love to you all.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Day 6
Today was another pretty good day after a rough night last night. I'm so thankful Ashley has been able to stay with Matt the past couple of nights. I think she is better at talking to him in the middle of the night to let him safely voice what is going on right now. We are going to miss her when she heads back tomorrow night.
Matt slept a lot again today, but did get out to the lobby area to move around and get out the hospital room. He has to stay completely masked up while out, but at least he was out. He was up watching the A&M game tonight and then started on another Borne movie.
I was able to sleep in late this morning before heading to the hospital. My friend Kim made it safely from Houston. As soon as she arrived we (Kim, Ashley & I) headed over to the Blood Center to donate blood. Due to Ashley's Navy travels this past year, she wasn't able to give, but I was touched to see one of our Arbonne consultants, Betty, come in to donate. As I keep saying, I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends. The lady at the front desk of the center said that a few people had come in yesterday to give for Matt. So thank you to everyone who is giving.
Tomorrow is day 7, the final day, of Chemo. YEA!! Again, everything is working so quickly and we continue to pray it is killing off those stinking Leukemia cells for good! Next week will begin the body's fight big time. We know the fevers are coming, but pray that it will be bearable for Matt.
May everyone say an extra prayer tomorrow for Matt. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Love to you all!
Matt slept a lot again today, but did get out to the lobby area to move around and get out the hospital room. He has to stay completely masked up while out, but at least he was out. He was up watching the A&M game tonight and then started on another Borne movie.
I was able to sleep in late this morning before heading to the hospital. My friend Kim made it safely from Houston. As soon as she arrived we (Kim, Ashley & I) headed over to the Blood Center to donate blood. Due to Ashley's Navy travels this past year, she wasn't able to give, but I was touched to see one of our Arbonne consultants, Betty, come in to donate. As I keep saying, I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends. The lady at the front desk of the center said that a few people had come in yesterday to give for Matt. So thank you to everyone who is giving.
Tomorrow is day 7, the final day, of Chemo. YEA!! Again, everything is working so quickly and we continue to pray it is killing off those stinking Leukemia cells for good! Next week will begin the body's fight big time. We know the fevers are coming, but pray that it will be bearable for Matt.
May everyone say an extra prayer tomorrow for Matt. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Love to you all!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Day 5 - Evening - Whataburger Time!!
Matt has been awake and watching tv since noon today. He isn't sick to his stomach anymore, thank goodness. He has been drinking the chocolate Ensures today and he just now has requested a Whataburger with fries and a large sweet tea with lots of ice. So hopefully that will stay down tonight.
His color and energy are good tonight. The blood and platelets are doing the trick. Hopefully he will feel good enough to shower. I know that will make him feel better.
He did take an interest in the hand held game that Ashley brought in. I think Alex is to thank for that?? He also spent about an hour on his computer catching up on the outside world. One of Ashley's high school friends brought a wonderful dinner for us earlier this week. Crystal the pulled pork sandwiches have been very much enjoyed! It's amazing to see what wonderful adults all of Ashley's friends have turned out to be. Their parents should be proud!
I think he has several visitors coming tomorrow afternoon. One of my high school girlfriends, Kim, is coming up from Houston tomorrow. I always enjoy her company when we get together for our weekend trips. I know I will enjoy her distraction from our current reality tomorrow.
Bless all those who are planning on donating blood or platelets this week. I think Kim and I are headed that way tomorrow when she gets in. Keep the prayers coming, they are so appreciated during this low point in our lives.
Good night and good weekend!
His color and energy are good tonight. The blood and platelets are doing the trick. Hopefully he will feel good enough to shower. I know that will make him feel better.
He did take an interest in the hand held game that Ashley brought in. I think Alex is to thank for that?? He also spent about an hour on his computer catching up on the outside world. One of Ashley's high school friends brought a wonderful dinner for us earlier this week. Crystal the pulled pork sandwiches have been very much enjoyed! It's amazing to see what wonderful adults all of Ashley's friends have turned out to be. Their parents should be proud!
I think he has several visitors coming tomorrow afternoon. One of my high school girlfriends, Kim, is coming up from Houston tomorrow. I always enjoy her company when we get together for our weekend trips. I know I will enjoy her distraction from our current reality tomorrow.
Bless all those who are planning on donating blood or platelets this week. I think Kim and I are headed that way tomorrow when she gets in. Keep the prayers coming, they are so appreciated during this low point in our lives.
Good night and good weekend!
Blood Donations in Matthew's Name
Thanks so much to everyone wanting to help in some way. The best gift right now, besides your prayers, is the gift of blood and platelets.
I just got off the phone with The Blood Center of Central Texas. Thank you to everyone who has been calling their offices. We decided that we should post the information so you could give anytime you wanted to at any of the Central Texas locations. He will be needing both Blood and Platelets while here in the hospital. Visit their website above to see if you are eligible to give. Click here to see location and hours of operation.
Bottom line, when you donate you will need to let them know you are donating in the name of Matthew Miller. They will then give you a $10 coupon that will need to be returned to Matthew to complete the back portion of the coupon. These coupons are good for 6 months and will be applied to the total blood bill from the hospital. Be sure to ask for the coupon, they might not automatically give it to you.
The coupons can be mailed to:
Suzy Harting
8807 Split Arrow Drive
Austin, TX 78717
Thanks to all!
I just got off the phone with The Blood Center of Central Texas. Thank you to everyone who has been calling their offices. We decided that we should post the information so you could give anytime you wanted to at any of the Central Texas locations. He will be needing both Blood and Platelets while here in the hospital. Visit their website above to see if you are eligible to give. Click here to see location and hours of operation.
Bottom line, when you donate you will need to let them know you are donating in the name of Matthew Miller. They will then give you a $10 coupon that will need to be returned to Matthew to complete the back portion of the coupon. These coupons are good for 6 months and will be applied to the total blood bill from the hospital. Be sure to ask for the coupon, they might not automatically give it to you.
The coupons can be mailed to:
Suzy Harting
8807 Split Arrow Drive
Austin, TX 78717
Thanks to all!
Day 5 - Morning
Everything is working, so it is good. Matt is starting platelets right now. The blood worked in improving energy. He is already grumpy telling us to be quite this morning, so you know he is feeling somewhat better. Ashely said that even if he looks asleep he is awake and hearing everything, just an FYI for visitors.
His friend Kyle is due in today, so that will be good. I'm going to try and leave to let them be alone in their time together...as boys should be.
Again, thanks for the prayers, keep them up.
His friend Kyle is due in today, so that will be good. I'm going to try and leave to let them be alone in their time together...as boys should be.
Again, thanks for the prayers, keep them up.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day 4 - Evening
Today has been another good day...chemo is working, that is why Matt feels so bad. Bad is actually good in this case.
I've been thinking a lot how lucky we are to have four great kids. It's amazing how they are all pulling together and handling all this so well in each of their own ways. I think back to when they were growing up, they could fight something fierce against one another, but let someone else mess with one of them and they would always stick up for each other. Well they are sticking up big time for their brother now. Their love for him is so great and I know that love is getting him through so much right now.
Rebekah and I visited a long time tonight. It is amazing how God is working in so many ways with so many lives. Rebekah is in the place she is suppose to be right now. Even though it so far away from home and I want so much just be be able to give her a big hug and tell it is all going to be okay....I have peace knowing she is being supported so well where she is. Her NMHU "family" has been so supportive of her right now. If she were at a bigger school I know she would have been lost in all of this. Coaches, team mates, students, and strangers - you guys will never know how much the mom loves you for your kindness. The prayers that so many students are lifting up for her brother are really touching both him and her. You are amazing! Go COWBOYS and COWGIRLS!
Sweet Ashley is staying the night with Matt tonight. I know I will be energized just sleeping in my own bed tonight. I will be able to go back stronger and renewed. Momma Laura is with "Mattie" right now and I know he will respond so well to her time with him. I pray that he will have energy this weekend to spend time with Kyle and Sara. Matt is so blessed to have friends like that.
Please continue the prayers from earlier today. Pray for a peaceful night and some recess from the all over body aches he is having. Love to you all and here's to a wonderful night!
I've been thinking a lot how lucky we are to have four great kids. It's amazing how they are all pulling together and handling all this so well in each of their own ways. I think back to when they were growing up, they could fight something fierce against one another, but let someone else mess with one of them and they would always stick up for each other. Well they are sticking up big time for their brother now. Their love for him is so great and I know that love is getting him through so much right now.
Rebekah and I visited a long time tonight. It is amazing how God is working in so many ways with so many lives. Rebekah is in the place she is suppose to be right now. Even though it so far away from home and I want so much just be be able to give her a big hug and tell it is all going to be okay....I have peace knowing she is being supported so well where she is. Her NMHU "family" has been so supportive of her right now. If she were at a bigger school I know she would have been lost in all of this. Coaches, team mates, students, and strangers - you guys will never know how much the mom loves you for your kindness. The prayers that so many students are lifting up for her brother are really touching both him and her. You are amazing! Go COWBOYS and COWGIRLS!
Sweet Ashley is staying the night with Matt tonight. I know I will be energized just sleeping in my own bed tonight. I will be able to go back stronger and renewed. Momma Laura is with "Mattie" right now and I know he will respond so well to her time with him. I pray that he will have energy this weekend to spend time with Kyle and Sara. Matt is so blessed to have friends like that.
Please continue the prayers from earlier today. Pray for a peaceful night and some recess from the all over body aches he is having. Love to you all and here's to a wonderful night!
Blood Transfusions Have Begun
So Matt is type O+....a giver and taker of all. He has two bags of transfusions today. They started the first one at 11:10 and it takes about 1-2 hours to complete each bag. They will change the chemo bag and then start the second blood. They watched for a 15 mins. to make sure he didn't have any reactions to the blood, which he didn't, so we know this will perk him up some.
He is sleeping with the anti-nausea meds they have started, but he is still getting up to go to the bathroom as needed. So that's good. He did just say he wants some chocolate ensures for lunch, so we have placed that order through room service.
Thanks again for your prayers, keep them coming.
He is sleeping with the anti-nausea meds they have started, but he is still getting up to go to the bathroom as needed. So that's good. He did just say he wants some chocolate ensures for lunch, so we have placed that order through room service.
Thanks again for your prayers, keep them coming.
Day 4 - Thurs. Morning
First, it is hard to believe that a week ago today we were waking up to a very normal, regular day. We would all give anything to do a do-over and jump back to that normalcy. But with God's help and all the prayers from everyone we will continue to face our new reality with strength to get through this....and come out better in the end.
So Ashley made it in and visited last night for just a while. She will be here today with Matt. We are hoping that will lift his spirits. I know she will be spending a lot of time with him before she heads out on Sunday. She said it got to the point that she had to tell one of the higher ups that they would have to personally call me to tell me why the Navy wasn't letting her come home to see her brother....I guess that wasn't a call he wanted to make. So thanks for prayers in getting her here.
Matt has had real nausea problems and we have tried several meds. Pray today the new meds will help make him comfortable....that is all we are hoping for today is being comfortable. I don't think I was prepared at how quickly the chemo would take effect on Matt physically. So hard to watch any love one have to suffer.
So good news for today. Dr. came in to say white count is down to 1.4 and should be zero by tomorrow. Matt will begin blood transfusions this morning. So Chemo is kicking some serious butt.
The nursing staff here is great. They know just the right things to say to Matt to get him to do the littlest things for them. Eat a cracker, sip water, get up for a bit....something mom can't get him to do right now.
Please pray to stop the nausea today. Pray blood transfusions will do what they are suppose to do. Pray that something taste good...even a teaspoon full of something. Pray for the staff. Pray for comfort.
Love to each and everyone one of you. May you have a great day.
So Ashley made it in and visited last night for just a while. She will be here today with Matt. We are hoping that will lift his spirits. I know she will be spending a lot of time with him before she heads out on Sunday. She said it got to the point that she had to tell one of the higher ups that they would have to personally call me to tell me why the Navy wasn't letting her come home to see her brother....I guess that wasn't a call he wanted to make. So thanks for prayers in getting her here.
Matt has had real nausea problems and we have tried several meds. Pray today the new meds will help make him comfortable....that is all we are hoping for today is being comfortable. I don't think I was prepared at how quickly the chemo would take effect on Matt physically. So hard to watch any love one have to suffer.
So good news for today. Dr. came in to say white count is down to 1.4 and should be zero by tomorrow. Matt will begin blood transfusions this morning. So Chemo is kicking some serious butt.
The nursing staff here is great. They know just the right things to say to Matt to get him to do the littlest things for them. Eat a cracker, sip water, get up for a bit....something mom can't get him to do right now.
Please pray to stop the nausea today. Pray blood transfusions will do what they are suppose to do. Pray that something taste good...even a teaspoon full of something. Pray for the staff. Pray for comfort.
Love to each and everyone one of you. May you have a great day.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wed. Night - Waiting for Ashley's Arrival
Ashley's plane arrives around 10 p.m. tonight and she will be head here to see her brother.
Matt slept the day away, I think some of the meds are making him feel quite weird at times, rightly so. He wouldn't eat again today, so they told him will have to drink these Enlive drinks two times a day. He minded the nurse and had one for lunch. Then tried one for dinner and threw it all up while I was at home taking a shower. Sweet cousin Sarah was here and help quickly in getting the nurses. She has been wonderful coming daily in the afternoons to just sit with him. He likes knowing someone is in the room and not talking. Before I could head back to the hospital, I got a text from him that he was hungry for Golden Chicken's strips and mash potatoes with gravy and a roll. He ended up eating two strips and some potatoes. He has held it down, bu still feels sick to his stomach.
As I ramble, the reason he wanted to eat is so he will have strength when Ashley gets in. She is going to be able to stay until Sunday night. I'm thankful that God helped to intervene to finally get her leave stuff squared away for her to come. This will be good medicine for Matt and her.
Thanks again for everyone, friend and stranger, who has help in small and large ways. We appreciate it so much. Just knowing we have a team of people praying all over the states is comforting. Through God, Matt will be completely healed and able to live the normal life that 20 year olds should be living. Matt just hasn't accepted that yet...but he will, hopefully soon.
May you give your kids a big hug and tell them how much you love them tonight. Love to you all!
Matt slept the day away, I think some of the meds are making him feel quite weird at times, rightly so. He wouldn't eat again today, so they told him will have to drink these Enlive drinks two times a day. He minded the nurse and had one for lunch. Then tried one for dinner and threw it all up while I was at home taking a shower. Sweet cousin Sarah was here and help quickly in getting the nurses. She has been wonderful coming daily in the afternoons to just sit with him. He likes knowing someone is in the room and not talking. Before I could head back to the hospital, I got a text from him that he was hungry for Golden Chicken's strips and mash potatoes with gravy and a roll. He ended up eating two strips and some potatoes. He has held it down, bu still feels sick to his stomach.
As I ramble, the reason he wanted to eat is so he will have strength when Ashley gets in. She is going to be able to stay until Sunday night. I'm thankful that God helped to intervene to finally get her leave stuff squared away for her to come. This will be good medicine for Matt and her.
Thanks again for everyone, friend and stranger, who has help in small and large ways. We appreciate it so much. Just knowing we have a team of people praying all over the states is comforting. Through God, Matt will be completely healed and able to live the normal life that 20 year olds should be living. Matt just hasn't accepted that yet...but he will, hopefully soon.
May you give your kids a big hug and tell them how much you love them tonight. Love to you all!
Again, God is Good!
So this has been a crazy morning between Red Cross and Navy, but just received word that Ashley is legally approved for her leave to come home. The hospital case worker has worked hard for us this morning. Ashley is a basket case to say the least. She getting off the ship now and is on her way to get her stuff. Her plane leaves in less than four hours.
Matt has just about refused to eat, so nurses are now requiring him to drink Enlive, an apple flavored protein drink. Doctors have tried to explain that if he eats his energy level will increase and he will be able to keep moving around to feel better which will make his body respond better to treatments with less side effects...etc. We are in a not so good cycle right now. I know this visit from Ashley will lift Matts spirits!
No blood transfusions yet. He is about to start his last of the three day chemo at 2 PM. This is the one that I think gave him the hiccups so badly yesterday, so pray no hiccups today.
I can't thank everyone enough for all they are doing and praying for. Even the littlest prayers have been answered, so keep it up.
Matt has just about refused to eat, so nurses are now requiring him to drink Enlive, an apple flavored protein drink. Doctors have tried to explain that if he eats his energy level will increase and he will be able to keep moving around to feel better which will make his body respond better to treatments with less side effects...etc. We are in a not so good cycle right now. I know this visit from Ashley will lift Matts spirits!
No blood transfusions yet. He is about to start his last of the three day chemo at 2 PM. This is the one that I think gave him the hiccups so badly yesterday, so pray no hiccups today.
I can't thank everyone enough for all they are doing and praying for. Even the littlest prayers have been answered, so keep it up.
Day 3 - 11/10 Morning
God is good!
A little worried that dr. came in later, but we had great news yet again. White cells, which have been as high as the 60,000 count, are now down to 4,900!!!! That's right...just two zeros!!! We have also learned that the subtype is AML 5. So we feel confident we will get all the bad cells with this treatment.
He slept through the night and didn't start the negative talk, which is to be expected, until about 5 this morning, but it only last 15 mins. We haven't had any more hiccups as we did off and on yesterday. He still is upset that he has to be here, and just wished he was dead. He worries that one cell will remain and he will have this all over again. The dr. tried to reassure him that the dr. is doing his part and Matt has got to help a little. We talked about positive mental attitude needed to beat this. He aches all over, is hot a lot of the time, but then freezing. I can't begin to even imagine what he is going through at all, just wish I could take his place.
So the prayer for today is the continuation of good results and that Matt will open his heart and mind to Gods love and peace. Allowing a positive thought process to begin.
We are working on getting all the letters in order to get big sister, Ashley, here tonight. Pray that the Navy cooperates today!! I think Ashley will be a huge help in getting Matt out of his funk and grumpy mind game.
Again, the prayers are being felt big time in here. Please keep them up. Love to you all and have a great day!
A little worried that dr. came in later, but we had great news yet again. White cells, which have been as high as the 60,000 count, are now down to 4,900!!!! That's right...just two zeros!!! We have also learned that the subtype is AML 5. So we feel confident we will get all the bad cells with this treatment.
He slept through the night and didn't start the negative talk, which is to be expected, until about 5 this morning, but it only last 15 mins. We haven't had any more hiccups as we did off and on yesterday. He still is upset that he has to be here, and just wished he was dead. He worries that one cell will remain and he will have this all over again. The dr. tried to reassure him that the dr. is doing his part and Matt has got to help a little. We talked about positive mental attitude needed to beat this. He aches all over, is hot a lot of the time, but then freezing. I can't begin to even imagine what he is going through at all, just wish I could take his place.
So the prayer for today is the continuation of good results and that Matt will open his heart and mind to Gods love and peace. Allowing a positive thought process to begin.
We are working on getting all the letters in order to get big sister, Ashley, here tonight. Pray that the Navy cooperates today!! I think Ashley will be a huge help in getting Matt out of his funk and grumpy mind game.
Again, the prayers are being felt big time in here. Please keep them up. Love to you all and have a great day!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Really????????
Okay, so today has pretty good until tonight when we thought everything was okay with the Navy and Ashley coming home to see her brother the next few days. All day we were told we didn't need anything from hospital or Red Cross.
Well I get the call around 8 PM that she needs something from Red Cross asap or she can't come home as planned tomorrow night and the letter has to be emailed tonight. Really, with the hospital closed? Stupid Nimitz, stupid Navy, and stupid Red Cross for having an emergency 24/7/365 a day phone number that they don't answer or return messages!!!!
Thanks to nurse Gloria, she was able to reach the Chaplin who was able to assist tonight in getting the process ready for when Dr. Kocs arrives at 6 AM rounds. Then I just received the call from Ashley that her commander will give us until 6 AM to get stuff emailed to them in the morning. Pray that we can get all this Bulls**t stuff taken care of in time. Ashley is a basket case and I'm close. But all is good! :)
Here's to a great night. Keep up the prayers. Love to you all.
Well I get the call around 8 PM that she needs something from Red Cross asap or she can't come home as planned tomorrow night and the letter has to be emailed tonight. Really, with the hospital closed? Stupid Nimitz, stupid Navy, and stupid Red Cross for having an emergency 24/7/365 a day phone number that they don't answer or return messages!!!!
Thanks to nurse Gloria, she was able to reach the Chaplin who was able to assist tonight in getting the process ready for when Dr. Kocs arrives at 6 AM rounds. Then I just received the call from Ashley that her commander will give us until 6 AM to get stuff emailed to them in the morning. Pray that we can get all this Bulls**t stuff taken care of in time. Ashley is a basket case and I'm close. But all is good! :)
Here's to a great night. Keep up the prayers. Love to you all.
Day 2 - 11/9 Afternoon
So it has been a sleepy day today for Matt, but he needed his rest after a rough night. He finally has ate his breakfast, so that is good. I know MaMaw's deer steak will be good warmed up later when he wakes up.
Thanks for Sarah, Laura and Vickie's visits too....even though he is sleeping he opens his eyes every now and then to let us know he is listen to everything we are saying.
Nurse Cory is the man....the tv has arrived with Aunt Liz's playstation has arrived....so we may be up all night playing games after sleeping all day.
All levels are stable, so all is good.
Keep up the prayers! Love to you all!
Thanks for Sarah, Laura and Vickie's visits too....even though he is sleeping he opens his eyes every now and then to let us know he is listen to everything we are saying.
Nurse Cory is the man....the tv has arrived with Aunt Liz's playstation has arrived....so we may be up all night playing games after sleeping all day.
All levels are stable, so all is good.
Keep up the prayers! Love to you all!
DAY 2 - 11/9 Morning
First good news. White count has dropped from around 56,000 yesterday to 34,000 this morning. So Chemo is starting to kick some major butt!!! (quoting his doctor). Dr. Kocs has a good site on the type of leukemia Matt has (better than the American Cancer Society one, if you are interested is reading more.)
Last night was the roughest so far in our stay. Matt was up with major anxiety issues, rightly so, for about 2 hours. The nurses are wonderful. Sandy, our night shift, was great at trying her best to talk about if all with him. Matt admits that he had issues prior to this in building up things in his mind bigger than they really are. How he connects the smallest thing into becoming a natural disaster. So imagine how compounded that has become in here. So Dr. Kocs and Matt, have agreed to a longer lasting drug for night time to help keep him calm and stop his mind from wondering so much in the night. We have stressed to Matt that when he works himself up for two hours it's like major stress for his body to recoup from that kind of outbreak. So we start new meds tonight that should help.
He is starting to feel physically worse. Hot flashes, nausea, headaches. Smells are already bothering him some. Again, nurses say just to buzz and they will come in and take care of that type stuff immediately.
Continue to pray for good results daily. Each day will be filled with ups and downs. Right now the ups continue to win. Pray specifically for peace in opening up Matt's heart to accept our Lord. He is in the blame game and is doubting everything spiritually right now. So peace for tonight would be a blessing.
Again, thanks to so many people for all you have offered in prayer and kindness. I hope your day is a good one today. Love to you all.
Last night was the roughest so far in our stay. Matt was up with major anxiety issues, rightly so, for about 2 hours. The nurses are wonderful. Sandy, our night shift, was great at trying her best to talk about if all with him. Matt admits that he had issues prior to this in building up things in his mind bigger than they really are. How he connects the smallest thing into becoming a natural disaster. So imagine how compounded that has become in here. So Dr. Kocs and Matt, have agreed to a longer lasting drug for night time to help keep him calm and stop his mind from wondering so much in the night. We have stressed to Matt that when he works himself up for two hours it's like major stress for his body to recoup from that kind of outbreak. So we start new meds tonight that should help.
He is starting to feel physically worse. Hot flashes, nausea, headaches. Smells are already bothering him some. Again, nurses say just to buzz and they will come in and take care of that type stuff immediately.
Continue to pray for good results daily. Each day will be filled with ups and downs. Right now the ups continue to win. Pray specifically for peace in opening up Matt's heart to accept our Lord. He is in the blame game and is doubting everything spiritually right now. So peace for tonight would be a blessing.
Again, thanks to so many people for all you have offered in prayer and kindness. I hope your day is a good one today. Love to you all.
Monday, November 8, 2010
NIGHT 1
So all in all it has been another great day! Matt has slept more today, but I'm sure that's because he was up more than he usually is, even for when he was well.
Big dose of chemo today beginning at lunch, and all has been well. He has had a good appetite and drinking plenty of fluids....so his "ins and outs" have been good. Hasn't been sick to his stomach at all. All blood counts and other stuff are still stable, which means another day with out a blood transfusion.
Deer steak is on the menu for lunch tomorrow, thanks to MaMaw and Grandaddy. They should be here from noon until four tomorrow. So I think I'll be heading to house for a nice warm shower.
Cousin Sarah came up for a good visit and helped me clean and set up some shelves in the room. I was getting tired of stuff in piles on the floor. I think she is going to come up and play some games once we get stuff from Aunt Elizabeth, that should help pass the time a little better.
I'm so thankful for "Momma Laura" coming up most of this late afternoon to sit with Matt. I had time to check in at work (and get energized with some most needed hugs), go grocery shopping (to be stopped by a couple of people we knew who have Matt in prayer) and cook "bacon and eggs" for Nolan for dinner (which of all things is what he was hungry for.)
I had a blessed phone visit from my uncles in Alabama and Georgia. It's great to know we have so many people all over the place keeping us lifted up in prayer. Prayer is the most powerful drug right now! May tomorrow be as great as today!
Love to you all!
Big dose of chemo today beginning at lunch, and all has been well. He has had a good appetite and drinking plenty of fluids....so his "ins and outs" have been good. Hasn't been sick to his stomach at all. All blood counts and other stuff are still stable, which means another day with out a blood transfusion.
Deer steak is on the menu for lunch tomorrow, thanks to MaMaw and Grandaddy. They should be here from noon until four tomorrow. So I think I'll be heading to house for a nice warm shower.
Cousin Sarah came up for a good visit and helped me clean and set up some shelves in the room. I was getting tired of stuff in piles on the floor. I think she is going to come up and play some games once we get stuff from Aunt Elizabeth, that should help pass the time a little better.
I'm so thankful for "Momma Laura" coming up most of this late afternoon to sit with Matt. I had time to check in at work (and get energized with some most needed hugs), go grocery shopping (to be stopped by a couple of people we knew who have Matt in prayer) and cook "bacon and eggs" for Nolan for dinner (which of all things is what he was hungry for.)
I had a blessed phone visit from my uncles in Alabama and Georgia. It's great to know we have so many people all over the place keeping us lifted up in prayer. Prayer is the most powerful drug right now! May tomorrow be as great as today!
Love to you all!
We got the hookup.....
Just a quick update. Our day nurse tech today is Cory....6'3", 260 lb. ex-Army, who is now moved up to our favorite! He asked Matt what he planned on doing today, asking if he had brought in his XBox, Playstation, etc. Matt said he didn't want any of those, since we just have a 18" tv in the room up on the ceiling and it would be worth trying to play if you couldn't see it. Cory said wait man, didn't they tell you....we have a big flatscreen tv we roll into the rooms when you want to play games....WHAT!!!!! So bring on the games!
Official DAY 1 - Monday 11/8
First and foremost today, is thank you to God for all things, good and bad, and for all those prayer warriors out there.
Okay, so we got the Red Rider Gun we wanted after all this morning. (Though as cold as the room is I could have accepted the sweater if that is what was given.)
Good news, if there is such a thing, from the dr. this morning. He is waiting on one more test but we are thinking we are dealing with AML 4 or 5. We will begin the next phase this morning of two chemo drugs, one a 24/7 for the next 7 days another that will be given once a day for three days. Right now we are hoping this will do the trick, but we will not know for sure until day 21 when another bone marrow test will be done to see if all the leukemia cells are dead. When we confirm the cells are dead, we will begin a four month outpatient treatment. If not, we will look at bone marrow transplant.
So Matt’s main question was if he was going to lose his nose hair. Answer is no.
Next question was how soon will he lose his body hair. This week sometime it will begin.
Is he confined to his room this week as we were told he would be? No, as long as he takes all precautions of being masked and visitors still wash hands, etc. when around him. Dr. said to take advantage of getting out of room while he can.
Next week will be a when Matt will begin to start feeling not so good. The chemo will have started to really attack so his body will be going crazy then.
I will take advantage of visitors coming to be with Matt this week. The one thing he is most freaked out about is being alone. Aunt Nikki will come visit this Monday and Friday. I think MaMa & Granddaddy have some appointments in Austin this week and will be stopping by. Momma Laura can come at 3 PM some days this week. Cousin Sarah has offered to come sit and visit too when she isn't at school. I think just coming to play games, joke around, talk when he want to talk will make the days go by faster.
Since I'm not feeling as if I've been hit with a Mac Truck anymore, I'm thinking I may try to go to work some this week, not today though. Maybe I can come in the afternoons and work until 7 or 8 at night and let Terry sit with Matt when he gets off work.
Again, keep the prayers coming cause they are working. Love to all of you, friends and strangers!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday Night 11/7
Another pretty good day. I went home at noon for some nap time after going out to buy some new undies and shorts for Matt to have up here. Our sweet neighbor (who is a nurse) made a wonderful mac and ham casserole that Nolan ate up as soon as he got it in the door. I might have to find out how she makes it, we might put some weight on him yet.
Matt enjoyed himself while I was gone. Friends Sara and Kyle and their parents (which is like Matt's second set of parents) came up for visits before going back to school at Baylor. Corn Dogs were Sara's treat for today, two of them, both gone. Then tonight it was pizza time, and again Matt at the whole thing! YEA!!
Love the nurse Tonya....I told her that it was low on the request but the hospital cot was not working....she just came back with a chair from the baby ward that folds all the way down to a very comfy bed....better than the chair Terry stole earlier for me.
Again, love you all for the prayers and positive thoughts being sent our way. They are being felt for sure. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and strangers in our corner!!!
Well this will be a short blog tonight. I feel like it is Christmas Eve and we know we are about to wake up at 6 a.m. to get some big gifts in the morning...but we just aren't sure if it is going to be the new Red Rider gun we are hoping for or the awful sweater. Here's to the gun!
Matt enjoyed himself while I was gone. Friends Sara and Kyle and their parents (which is like Matt's second set of parents) came up for visits before going back to school at Baylor. Corn Dogs were Sara's treat for today, two of them, both gone. Then tonight it was pizza time, and again Matt at the whole thing! YEA!!
Love the nurse Tonya....I told her that it was low on the request but the hospital cot was not working....she just came back with a chair from the baby ward that folds all the way down to a very comfy bed....better than the chair Terry stole earlier for me.
Again, love you all for the prayers and positive thoughts being sent our way. They are being felt for sure. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and strangers in our corner!!!
Well this will be a short blog tonight. I feel like it is Christmas Eve and we know we are about to wake up at 6 a.m. to get some big gifts in the morning...but we just aren't sure if it is going to be the new Red Rider gun we are hoping for or the awful sweater. Here's to the gun!
Sunday Morning 11/7
Great night of much needed sleep last night, for both Matt and I. The visitors and staying up in the waiting room to 11ish really wore Matt out, but in a good way. Nurse Annable and Matt have come up with some plans for Monday when things will start to change around here. So if you're in the area, today is the last PARTY day! Today though he will have to be masked if he is up and about in the lobby area.
Dr. Tao just came in to say all counts are still stable, which is great news. Kidneys are still a ok. She did visit a bit about things others can do for us. The reality is Matt will be needing both blood and platelet transfusions this week, multiple times while he is here. She said that people can check with their local blood banks to see if they can donate in his name. We will have to find out how all of that coordinates with the blood bank here in Round Rock, but that would be a huge gift for him for those of you asking what you can do. She said the platelet donation is a real process for the donor but if people have a couple of hours to spare that would be helpful. You don't have to be a match to Matt if you are able to donate in his name....so you'll actually be helping Matt and someone locally in your area.
Again the prayers have really been working so please keep lifting him in prayer!!
Dr. Tao just came in to say all counts are still stable, which is great news. Kidneys are still a ok. She did visit a bit about things others can do for us. The reality is Matt will be needing both blood and platelet transfusions this week, multiple times while he is here. She said that people can check with their local blood banks to see if they can donate in his name. We will have to find out how all of that coordinates with the blood bank here in Round Rock, but that would be a huge gift for him for those of you asking what you can do. She said the platelet donation is a real process for the donor but if people have a couple of hours to spare that would be helpful. You don't have to be a match to Matt if you are able to donate in his name....so you'll actually be helping Matt and someone locally in your area.
Again the prayers have really been working so please keep lifting him in prayer!!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
11/6/10 Saturday Night
What a difference in life from yesterday. Matt’s spirits are pretty high today. “HIGH” being the key word!
He started out slow this morning but we have had stable news from both set of doctors (medical and oncology). There were some scary test results this morning about kidney possibly starting to fail, but thank God it was an error in the report and all is amazingly good. Tests have remain stable in results for blood levels. So it has been a good day.
I was able to go home and get some sleep in my own bed and took a nice long shower. I was so happy when I returned to the hospital to hear laughter coming down the hallway. Big sis, Ashley, had sent in the Marines to kick Matt’s butt outta bed. They had him walking the hallways for some much needed exercise. Their visit really helped get him occupy his mind. After they headed out he was ready to get a much needed shower. It is a lot easier now that the picc line is in. So I know he felt like a million bucks after the shower.
I was waiting in the bigger family waiting room for him to finish when his friend Sara came in with a huge bag off magazines and games along with an Oreo sonic ice cream thing. That apparently hit the spot since he ate almost half of that. Dinner was all gone….grilled cheese made especially for him.
All the visitors today really helped. Our friends from Houston even came in. (That was a much needed break for Terry and me.) We were so loud in the waiting room with our stories and laughter I was worried we might all get kicked out. Matt is coming to some terms and acceptance with what is now a reality. He was able to joke, too much at times, about how he is feeling and what he has. I’m worried it may have freaked out the girls from Houston….but that is the Trainer way to cope. Laughter is the best medicine was so true tonight. Here it is, 11 PM, and he is just coming in from being out in the waiting room. Nurses have said this is so good, to let him have visitors and be out of the room now when he can, since things will be changing when he begins the next stage of treatment next week.
The staff here has been amazing. The nurses have been so kind and letting us know what ever Matt wants they will get. Annabell is the night nurse that Matt has bonded so well with. She gets his humor and is also in her 20s so she is just telling him like it is.
So thank you all more than you know for your prayers. Keep them coming. Hope to continue with good news tomorrow!
11/6/10 Saturday Morning
Last night was a little rough for Matt as the reality is setting in and we are know this isn't a dream. We will be going through ups and downs and angry periods for a while.
We were able to start to take some meds last night to help keep his mind from going in all sorts of directions.
I didn't realize that Chemo would change his taste buds so quickly. He is finding that nothing taste right, water, milk, nothing. So we are already difficulty eatting. So pray that he can keep trying until he finds some he is hungry for. Dr. says he can eat all candy if he wants too...wow!
Pray for his sisters out in San Diego and New Mexico. I know this is so difficult to be so far away but thank goodness for internest, skype and oovoo....they are able to be in the room when they want.
We are starting the germ free part now too. Visitors are welcome and will help preoccupy his mind right now, but there will be lots of hand washing and masks for those who think they might have something, even a slight runny nose. His friend Kyle & family will be visiting again before going back to Baylor. Matt really enjoyed that yesterday.
Thank you all again for the prayers.
We were able to start to take some meds last night to help keep his mind from going in all sorts of directions.
I didn't realize that Chemo would change his taste buds so quickly. He is finding that nothing taste right, water, milk, nothing. So we are already difficulty eatting. So pray that he can keep trying until he finds some he is hungry for. Dr. says he can eat all candy if he wants too...wow!
Pray for his sisters out in San Diego and New Mexico. I know this is so difficult to be so far away but thank goodness for internest, skype and oovoo....they are able to be in the room when they want.
We are starting the germ free part now too. Visitors are welcome and will help preoccupy his mind right now, but there will be lots of hand washing and masks for those who think they might have something, even a slight runny nose. His friend Kyle & family will be visiting again before going back to Baylor. Matt really enjoyed that yesterday.
Thank you all again for the prayers.
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