The doctor walked into Bill’s room and said, “BORING……. Nothing new, everything moving along as we expect." No fevers, no reactions. Just working on building those good white cells back to “normal”. He still receives either one or two 5-unit bags of platelets everyday.
Today is Bill’s 5th shot of Neupogen, the good white cell builder. The ANC (Absolute Nertrophil Count) will have to rise above 500 for Bill to go home. It still remains at zero.
For those keeping track:
White cells 500, HGB 8, and Platelets 10,000. The doctors assure us, that when the numbers begin to go up, they will rise quickly. But nothing yet.
Questions you all have asked?
Q: Can Bill talk on the phone?
A: Bill is still anemic, which means VERY TIRED and doesn’t want to talk on the phone. He will call you if there is something you need to know. For the same reason he doesn’t need company either. Especially if the Chicken Pox virus is at your
house!!!!! Bill has NO immune system. You can’t even shake hands with him, and
guys, absolutely NO HUGGING.
Q: Has Bill lost weight?
A: Bill has lost 15 lbs. He now weighs under 170 lbs. But, with the Sunday School
Class’s help, we will have him fattened up in no time. Bill did not get physically ill from the chemo, but he eats very small portions. He is just not hungry.
Q: Has Bill lost his hair?
A: Yes. And he hasn’t shaved for 2 days. I think he likes that part.
Q: When will Bill come home?
A: Doesn’t look like it will be this week. We will aim for next week.
I know I am being “The Overprotective Caretaker”, but Bill is not recovering from surgery. He is recovering from his blood supply (bone marrow) being destroyed, and the chemo is still doing that. It is an effort for him to sit in a chair or sit up to eat. But he is a fighter, and is giving this all he has. When I said he was a “Cancer Survivor”, that means he survived the first round of chemo, but has a lifetime battle ahead of him. This is far from over.
Our prayer for Bill/Dad this day is for the Lord to give his body the strength to make the “good” white cells that will help his body heal. Amen
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6 comments:
Good report - you get an A+ ! So many unanswered questions on this end. You guys do a really good job keeping us informed. Believe me, I know about being the caretaker. You have to - no one else will!! Hey, there is always something good in everything - no shaving? That is definitely a positive! Waiting is always so difficult, but wait we must! Wait for babies, wait for planes, wait for kids to get out of the bathroom! You are doing so well - bored is an improvement! Keep pointed in a positive direction and good things will continue to happen. Listen to me, I've become the family philosopher! Pearly words from little sis!
Keep up the good work!
Love, prayers, and good health!
Gail
Hi Bill,
We are thinking about you everyday as you get stronger. I know the waiting game is the worst, especially when you aren't sick but just very, very weak. But rest, eat and stay positive. This will all be behind you in no time. God is taking care of your body and there is a reason that he hasn't restored all of your energy back. Listen ...he thinks that you need more rest.
It is kind of like waiting for the baby....like your new grandson and Karey right now. You two can wait together by email.
Take care and keep up the great progress.
Suzanne and Joe
Mom & Dad -
A little humor for your Wednesday...
You Might Be A Redneck If...
Double By-Pass Surgery is only done when it's shown on The Learning Channel.
You have a choice of walkers, with or without a gun rack.
You share the Recovery Room with a sick cow.
The bill is figured either in dollars or chickens.
Hospital food consists of picking your own corn on the roof.
Ambulance is a mule driven buckboard with a spinning lantern.
Nurses wear flour sack uniforms and look like burned out cloggers.
Dogs hang around O. R. for scraps.
Stay positive Dad (you, too, Mom) - you can do this! You have so many people who love you and want you to beat this thing!
Love, Janine
How does it feel to be called boring? Great, and keep it up. K"vill is keeping up with you and wish you the best. We talk about you every Sunday. Your ears should be burning. I can't wait to see you Bill when your hair returns. Shelby's was curly-curly, kinky curly. You will be soooooooo cute!!Shannon is getting ready to leave. He is excited, but we are sad. I got use to having Noah around. Hopefully, he will be where we can drive to reach them. Keep resting. Thanks for all the updates.
Love you both,
Becky
Bill & Nancy - Prayers go out every day at lunch as a minimum. Hang on my friend. Keep resting and let all this stuff do its work. Do what you can and don't worry about what you can't do as it will come later. We could talk patience but I am not familiar with that subject.
David Eaker
Bill and Nancy,
You're getting so close to being able to go home! That is WONDERFUL! Take advantage of all the rest you can get now; it's a proven fact that the more grandchildren you have, the less rest you get! Looking forward to hearing more about Andrew's arrival to the world and your arrival to your house! Both of you, take good care of yourselves. I think of you often and hope for a speedy recovery.
- Janet and John
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