April 10, 2009

• Not the best week I've had

  These are the e-mails I sent this week: 

  Monday, April 6, 2009 10:33 AM

  I'm an inpatient at Grossmont Hospital because I woke up yesterday with shaking chills.  My white blood cell count dropped very low, and so here I am.  I'm getting IV antibiotics, and am feeling better, though the chills continue to come on every so often.  As most of you know, I've been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  It's serious, but can be cured.  I've had one dose/cycle of chemo, and it apparently was a doozy.  It looks like I'll be here through today because the doctor wants the results of the bloodwork taken yesterday before he'll release me.    Please pray for our family -- John is taking this very hard, and the boys too.  We are blessed by your love and support.  I can't have fresh flowers or fresh/uncooked food like fruit or salads.  Not that I'm expecting anything, but was told to pass the restriction on to everyone.    Love in Jesus, Nancy

  The doctor today said "several more days, up to a week" when I asked how long I'll be here.  I'm terminally unique.  The one in a thousand patient who gets this sick without a verifiable cause. 

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  Still in the hospital

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  	Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 6:09 AM
  I'm on an oncology unit at Grossmont, on infection precautions because my white count went so low, and they still don't know what caused me to have "rigorous chills" on Sunday and Monday.  The blood culture is still growing so they don't have an answer yet.  I'm on IV antibiotics, and may be here as long as a week.    Joseph is on spring break this week and next, and James will be out next week for his spring break.  It's tough to be away from them.  It's even more tough for them to be told not to touch me or come too close when they visit.  I can't even kiss my husband.    Please keep us in prayer.  God bless you all!   Love, Nancy

  Prayer request

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  	Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 10:08 AM
  My white count is still extremely low, even after getting special medicine to stimulate production.  The part that is most concerning is the type that fights infection is zero.  I'm not sure when I will get out of the hospital now.  Please pray that my infection fighting white cell count will come up.     I was admitted Sunday morning after I started shaking uncontrollably at home.  The on-call doctor told me to go to the ER.  They don't know why I was shaking, but I'm in "isolation" here.  People can visit me, but can't touch me, and no fresh fruit or fresh flowers allowed.    It's amazing how much a person starts to crave an apple or banana when told you can't have it.  Nancy

  Link to my friend's website for the 100 mile bike ride for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

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  	Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 10:06 AM
  http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/ambbr09/kmolinajne    I thought you might be interested in this website.  I used to sit in the cubicle next to Kirsten at my old job.  She is a  wonderful person, and has made me her honorary team member for the ride.    Nancy What is neutropenia? "Neutropenia" is a condition of an abnormally low number of a type of a particular type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. White blood cells (leukocytes) are the cells in the blood that play important roles in the body's immune by fighting off infection. Because white blood cells can be affected by many diseases, doctors will often check the "white blood cell count" in evaluating health conditions. The normal white blood cells are of different types and include neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. The average blood concentration (cells per cubic mm) for each type are: neutrophils (3650); lymphocytes (2500); monocytes (430); eosinophils (150); basophils (30). Neutrophils function by actually killing and eating up microorganisms that invade our bodies. "Neutropenia" is present when the neutrophil count is less than 2000. My count on admission was essentially zero.  I was put on IV antibiotics, and then given Neupogen to stimulate white cell production.  The first day my count was 34, the second 150.  My overall white count on Sunday was 1500, on Wednesday was 1700, Thursday 3700 and today was 16000.  The doctor didn't tell me what my neutrophil count was today, but normal white cell count is 5000.  I was discharged home today.       To celebrate my release, John and Joseph and I went to Souplantation (AKA Sweet Tomatoes) for lunch on the way home.  I ate a wonderful fresh salad -- yummmmm, potato leek soup and a lemon muffin.  James was at school when I got released so he missed out on the party.    But he came running inside when Joseph went out to meet him yelling, "Mommy's home, mommy's home!"  My oncologist said from now on, he'll give me neulasta after each chemo.  Neulasta is a longer acting version of neupogen.  The most essential part of all of this is the power of prayer.  I asked for specific prayer for my white count on Wednesday and it jumped Thursday and then again on Friday.  I believe God said yes to everyone's prayers for me.  So, I'll just request that you keep them up!

   

  • 10:14 pm
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