It is Day 14 since the beginning of consolidation therapy and Gloria's white cells have hit bottom (i.e. the nadir). Fortunately so far we have been fever-free, rash-free, and nausea-free (we are also diarrhea-free but mom said we couldn't use that word - too bad she's got chemo-brain and can't stop us). Hopefully we will remain infection free and get through this time comfortably. We are currently in the Kettering Medical Center where Mom is receiving a platelet infusion. Her platelet count dropped along with the neutrophils and she has a few bruises to show off. We will probably be back for blood sometime during the next week.
We have been enjoying the beautiful late summer days, watching the turtles basking themselves in the midday sun on the banks of the pond and catching glimpses of the few remaining fireflies in the evening. Team Gloria are keeping up with cooking and cleaning (Mom has been telling us that we make good mommies) and are also managing to get out and have some fun.
Once again we want to thank everyone for your good wishes, love and support. We cannot express how grateful we all are and how blessed we feel.
Lots of love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney, and Gloria
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Pond Side
This round of chemo is over and rather than recovering in The James, we have been released to recover in Dayton. Gloria made it through the consolidation treatment with flying colors, but now we are anxiously waiting while her counts bottom-out. As her white-blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets decline, we will be going to the outpatient clinic here in Dayton to get blood drawn to keep an eye on things and to get blood transfusions and platelets when needed. The biggest concern now is that Mom's immune system will be compromised and this time, Team Gloria are the nursing staff. Much to Sid's chagrin, not one of the cast of Gray's Anatomy has come home with us! But, Team Gloria are safely ensconced at Sid's house enjoying the views of the trees and the pond from the many windows.
Again, we are in lock-down mode, so as much as we would love to see everyone, it is imperative that we keep Gloria safe from infection. We are happy to receive your love and support via blog, email, mail and phone, so keep it coming! One terrific surprise we had on our arrival home was a brand new set of plants and stepping stones in the garden, all provided by our wonderful neighbors, Tina and Kay, and assisted by our new friends, Elise and Macy, who just moved into the neighborhood. We can't express our gratitude enough!
Lots of love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney, and Gloria
Again, we are in lock-down mode, so as much as we would love to see everyone, it is imperative that we keep Gloria safe from infection. We are happy to receive your love and support via blog, email, mail and phone, so keep it coming! One terrific surprise we had on our arrival home was a brand new set of plants and stepping stones in the garden, all provided by our wonderful neighbors, Tina and Kay, and assisted by our new friends, Elise and Macy, who just moved into the neighborhood. We can't express our gratitude enough!
Lots of love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney, and Gloria
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Holiday Is Over
Sorry for the lapse in updates - we've been trying to enjoy every minute of being at home before having to return to The James tomorrow that we haven't posted anything! Here's what's happening:
Last Sunday, Rebecca woke up at 3am (ok, it was actually Monday) with a raging fever. In the morning she was whisked away with a virus to her father's, where she has been cossetted in isolation. We aren't sure what it is but it seems to be presenting itself like Fifth's disease - http://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusb19/fifth-disease.html - fever, headache, body aches, and a rash over her entire body. Needless to say, no one has been enjoying this, least of all Rebecca. In the meantime, Gloria has been feeling well and getting stronger everyday. The only good news about the timing of Rebecca's illness is that Mom was already self-sufficient: cooking, cleaning and even ironing (her favorite Saturday pasttime) for herself and Team Gloria. Karen and Sid have been taking good care of her and Mom has gotten to enjoy some time outside in the beautiful weather we are having!
Mom and Sid are preparing to head back to The James tomorrow for the next round of treatment. Although she isn't super thrilled, she heads back with the knowledge that she is strong and with the experience to know that she can get through this. It also helps that Mom takes with her all of the love and support she has received from all of her friends and family! We'll continue to keep you all abreast of the situation and please continue to send good thoughts and energy our way!!
With much love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney and Gloria
Last Sunday, Rebecca woke up at 3am (ok, it was actually Monday) with a raging fever. In the morning she was whisked away with a virus to her father's, where she has been cossetted in isolation. We aren't sure what it is but it seems to be presenting itself like Fifth's disease - http://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusb19/fifth-disease.html - fever, headache, body aches, and a rash over her entire body. Needless to say, no one has been enjoying this, least of all Rebecca. In the meantime, Gloria has been feeling well and getting stronger everyday. The only good news about the timing of Rebecca's illness is that Mom was already self-sufficient: cooking, cleaning and even ironing (her favorite Saturday pasttime) for herself and Team Gloria. Karen and Sid have been taking good care of her and Mom has gotten to enjoy some time outside in the beautiful weather we are having!
Mom and Sid are preparing to head back to The James tomorrow for the next round of treatment. Although she isn't super thrilled, she heads back with the knowledge that she is strong and with the experience to know that she can get through this. It also helps that Mom takes with her all of the love and support she has received from all of her friends and family! We'll continue to keep you all abreast of the situation and please continue to send good thoughts and energy our way!!
With much love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney and Gloria
Saturday, August 4, 2012
The Champagne Biopsy
Our first week at home ended on a positive note. On Wednesday, Gloria and Sidney reluctantly made their way back to the James Cancer Center to get the most recent bone marrow biopsy. The team of doctors assured us that Mom's blood work was looking good, showing improvements all around, but that there was a possibility of the leukemia returning with the recovery of her white blood cells. This made us a bit anxious and we were on edge for a few days. On Friday, the results came in and the verdict is....Mom is officially in remission! This helped to put us all at ease.
We are not out of the woods yet but this means that Mom gets to move forward with her treatment. She will re-enter the James on Monday, August 13 to begin the consolidation therapy. This is a fancy term for chemo but this time it is a little easier on the body, as it is a regimen of fewer chemicals at a lower dose. She'll get the chemo for 5 days and then will be in the James recovering, probably for a week or so after that. That means that we'll likely be home again at the end of August.
In the meantime, we are very much enjoying our time together at home. Mom is getting stronger by the minute. Karen and Rebecca are now allowing her to go up and down the stairs alone, and starting this morning, Gloria even got up and made her own breakfast. Rebecca was not too sorry to sleep in a little, and as you can imagine, Mom hates to be pampered, so she didn't mind getting her yogurt for herself. Now she is able to eat whatever she wants and tomorrow she will be free from the antibiotics and the fanny pack. She is particularly thrilled at this prospect. At the moment, she is watering her plants in her bathrobe, bald and beautiful.
Mom and all of Team Gloria want to reiterate our gratitude to everyone who has written, called, etc. It is humbling to be so loved and is helping all of us as we travel this road and all of its uncertainties.
Much love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney, and Gloria
We are not out of the woods yet but this means that Mom gets to move forward with her treatment. She will re-enter the James on Monday, August 13 to begin the consolidation therapy. This is a fancy term for chemo but this time it is a little easier on the body, as it is a regimen of fewer chemicals at a lower dose. She'll get the chemo for 5 days and then will be in the James recovering, probably for a week or so after that. That means that we'll likely be home again at the end of August.
In the meantime, we are very much enjoying our time together at home. Mom is getting stronger by the minute. Karen and Rebecca are now allowing her to go up and down the stairs alone, and starting this morning, Gloria even got up and made her own breakfast. Rebecca was not too sorry to sleep in a little, and as you can imagine, Mom hates to be pampered, so she didn't mind getting her yogurt for herself. Now she is able to eat whatever she wants and tomorrow she will be free from the antibiotics and the fanny pack. She is particularly thrilled at this prospect. At the moment, she is watering her plants in her bathrobe, bald and beautiful.
Mom and all of Team Gloria want to reiterate our gratitude to everyone who has written, called, etc. It is humbling to be so loved and is helping all of us as we travel this road and all of its uncertainties.
Much love,
Rebecca, Karen, Sidney, and Gloria
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