January 23rd- Birthday Celebration
Bill awoke on the morning of his birthday with no fever. His voice was a little stronger and he seemed to have “turned the corner”. I arrived at the hospital with a birthday balloon, cupcakes, and a sack full of cards and gifts. The nurses were waiting for me. They had a small cake from the hospital. With fifteen ladies packed into his very small private room, they sang “Happy Birthday”. Bill smiled from ear to ear. The nurses had arranged a manicure and hair trim for him. This coal miner received his first ever manicure for his 59th birthday.
The picture was taken 5 minutes before his world fell apart.
Bill was receiving platelets while they gave him a manicure. He began shaking and had this desperate look in his eyes. I’m running for the nurse, the manicurist and hair stylist are getting more than they bargained for, and Bill was having an allergic reaction to the platelets. It took about 15 minutes for the Demoral, and steroids to do their job. Bill then slept for 4 hours. He hardly remembers the rest of the day.
On Tuesday, we started all over again. It was a much better day. Bill awoke a little stronger. We opened birthday cards and gifts. He actually got out of bed for the first time in 10 days and walked the hall. The nurses made a big fuss when they saw him walking the floor (they all love him). Bill still has not had a piece of birthday cake because he isn’t making saliva when he eats. So, ice cream is good, but not cake.
Today, Wednesday, they tried platelets again, and there was NO reaction. Amen.
The doctors had told us several days ago that his fevers were caused by a staph infection. Once the antibiotic cleared up the infection, they were going to remove the PICC line, (the tubing that runs from a catheter in his arm to his aorta). His blood cultures came back good. His fever is gone. And the PICC line was removed today. They replaced it with a Power PICC! We’ll see what new and improved wonders this new line will provide.
This evening Bill again walked the hall. He seems a little stronger, but his blood work is still going up and down, and his ANC is still zero. It needs to be 500 before he can go home. Today he received his 7th Neupogen shot to increase white cells. So the numbers should rise any day. Back in September he only needed 4 Neupogen shots to get those white cells dividing. His body is just “wore out”, as they say in Kentucky.
I am hoping the next few days will be uneventful and will let you know when he is home again and feels like phone calls.
This evening we are praying for the physical, mental, and emotional strength it takes to build bone marrow for the fourth time. If anyone can do it, Bill can, with a little help. Amen.
Bill awoke on the morning of his birthday with no fever. His voice was a little stronger and he seemed to have “turned the corner”. I arrived at the hospital with a birthday balloon, cupcakes, and a sack full of cards and gifts. The nurses were waiting for me. They had a small cake from the hospital. With fifteen ladies packed into his very small private room, they sang “Happy Birthday”. Bill smiled from ear to ear. The nurses had arranged a manicure and hair trim for him. This coal miner received his first ever manicure for his 59th birthday.
The picture was taken 5 minutes before his world fell apart.
Bill was receiving platelets while they gave him a manicure. He began shaking and had this desperate look in his eyes. I’m running for the nurse, the manicurist and hair stylist are getting more than they bargained for, and Bill was having an allergic reaction to the platelets. It took about 15 minutes for the Demoral, and steroids to do their job. Bill then slept for 4 hours. He hardly remembers the rest of the day.
On Tuesday, we started all over again. It was a much better day. Bill awoke a little stronger. We opened birthday cards and gifts. He actually got out of bed for the first time in 10 days and walked the hall. The nurses made a big fuss when they saw him walking the floor (they all love him). Bill still has not had a piece of birthday cake because he isn’t making saliva when he eats. So, ice cream is good, but not cake.
Today, Wednesday, they tried platelets again, and there was NO reaction. Amen.
The doctors had told us several days ago that his fevers were caused by a staph infection. Once the antibiotic cleared up the infection, they were going to remove the PICC line, (the tubing that runs from a catheter in his arm to his aorta). His blood cultures came back good. His fever is gone. And the PICC line was removed today. They replaced it with a Power PICC! We’ll see what new and improved wonders this new line will provide.
This evening Bill again walked the hall. He seems a little stronger, but his blood work is still going up and down, and his ANC is still zero. It needs to be 500 before he can go home. Today he received his 7th Neupogen shot to increase white cells. So the numbers should rise any day. Back in September he only needed 4 Neupogen shots to get those white cells dividing. His body is just “wore out”, as they say in Kentucky.
I am hoping the next few days will be uneventful and will let you know when he is home again and feels like phone calls.
This evening we are praying for the physical, mental, and emotional strength it takes to build bone marrow for the fourth time. If anyone can do it, Bill can, with a little help. Amen.
9 comments:
Lookin' good, Dad!
Maggie says get better soon - she wants some Grandpap time!
Love, Janine
Bill - it was good to talk to you the other day. Good to hear that you have enough hair for a haircut. You and Nancy are looking good in the picture. Be careful with the cake. After about one day they get as tough as a week old steak. Your future looks bright with the donor and we all hope that that event comes much sooner than later.
David Eaker
Not much to say but hang in there. I read and hope. Hope we can talk soon.
Sounds like you've had a rough couple of days. When there are lows...highs are on their way. We'll be praying for your blood counts to come up and for fevers to be gone for good. Hope you can eat the cake soon..but I'd rather have ice cream too!!
Lots of Love & Prayers,
E.b.
So glad you finally got to enjoy your birthday - as we were always told as kids, you can celebrate your birthday anytime! Life is always full of ups and downs - and they eventually balance out.
Here's to balance in your life!
Love, prayers, and good health!
Gail
Bill and Nancy, I'm sure that you could have done without the all the excitement on Bill's birthday! But are you sure he wasn't allergic to the manicure? Tough guys like Bill just aren't used to being pampered like that!
Bill, I hope you get a little more energy each day. We're still thinking of you and hoping that every day brings a little more strength and stability. I hope you are able to go home soon. I'll have some soup waiting for you!
Keep fighting. It's tough, it's tiring, but you can do it!
Take care,
Janet and John
Hope you are on your way up especially with your blood counts. Ice cream is always better than cake especially if it is chocolate. Maybe you can get Nancy to make you a "set 'em up" like grandma would make us when we were kids.
Praying that the ups and downs will soon level off.
Love,
Paula
Bill - our best to you. Hang in there!
and... happy birthday! :-)
Marlon & Jennifer
Dearest Bill and Nancy,
Hello and best wishes from your older friends (Janet, soon to be 60) and George, soon to be 64). Happy Birthday!!! Your webpage is amazing as you are. We pray that God continues to hold you in his hands and gives you strength. We also pray for Nancy, she is the angel in your life. We hope to be able to call you soon and talk overe ole times. Love, the Desko's
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