Relax Everyone

I have been getting some flack regarding the comment I made regarding Jen's makeup for Halloween. 

A. This was something she and I have discussed over the last few days / weeks.
B. She thought it was funny...  And still does!

Remember, laughter kills cancer.

Things are Looking Up

Now that Jen has been home for a few days, it seems that she is back to where she was before entering MSK!  She looks good although not much in the way of makeup will be needed for Halloween!

I have been home since Wednesday night.  I think that Jen just feels better having me around.  I guess it gives her a sense of security.  I really do not do all that much directly for her.  Just cursory stuff like washing clothes, cleaning, shopping and some meal preparation.  But as long as she is happy then I am happy.

Our niece Brooke is coming in for the weekend.  She will help Jen organize the pictures we have and get them up on the wall.  This will be a nice distraction for Jen.  I think that Brooke also enjoys the change up in her day!

Kudos to all of you who have been dropping off meals and snacks.  We have enjoyed potato pancakes, ravioli, apple crisp, bran muffins, pumpkin muffins and a host of other wonderful things.  The cooking contest is still open but I must say the competition is very stiff!

To all our friends and family, thank you for keeping us in your hearts and minds.  Please be sure to take care of yourselves as well as you have taken care of us!

Today is a Good Day

Spoke to Jen this morning.  She is doing well.  She is very happy to be back home.  Jen plans on spending some time working on OCYC stuff and getting our holiday cards in the works.

It is nice to know that she is home and comfortable.  I expect to be back home latter today and I am looking forward to seeing her!

Thank you all.

Good News

Real quick (No Fish... quick, not quickie)  Jen is getting out today.  Alan is picking her up around noon as I am in York PA.  Good job Al!

Moving Forward Again

I spent some time with Jen this weekend at MSK.  Katie was home and on Saturday she and I went in for a few hours.  I again went in on Sunday by myself.  I have no problem making the drive but dealing with the city traffic takes its toll.....

Jen is still in the hospital. She will be there today and probably tomorrow.  She is on IV antibiotics, along with her other prophylactic medications.  She has heard through the nurse’s aides that she needs to be fever free for 72 hours before she can be released.  If she stays fever free, 72 hours will occur on Tuesday night.  And if so, she would possibly be released on Wednesday morning.

When she comes home, Jenny will be on her off week from chemo.  So she should be feeling pretty good.  She is feeling good now ... getting antsy in the hospital.  The doctors assured her (and she assured me) that nothing we did (or didn't) do caused this infection. It's just the chemo that wiped out her white blood cells that brought this all on.

They are also waiting for some of her numbers to come up. For those "number" people, here where she stands....

                                    #s per this morning        Average Range

         WBC                              0.3                               4-11

         Hemoglobin                  8.3                               11.5-16   (Transfuse at <8)

         RBC                               3.06                             4-5.2

         Platelets                         18                    (Transfuse at <10-20)      

Again, Jen and I thank you all for your help, prayers and generosity. 

Two Steps Forward Three Steps Back

Sadly I must report that Jenny is back at MSK in NYC.  She went to MSK Basking Ridge on Thursday to get a shot to help increase her white blood cell count.  All seemed to go well.  She woke up on Friday early morning not feeling well at all.  To use her words that she texted me “… I feel like CRAP …” She called MSK and they told her to come in to the Urgent Care unit.

As it turns out, Jenny picked up an infection somewhere along the line and her white blood cell count was virtually nonexistent.  So now she is back there…  Not sure for how many days.  I was out at work in York PA when this all happened.  I give kudos to Alan for handling things in a very calm fashion.

This frustrates me on multiple fronts:

-        When Jenny got her chemo on Tuesday they knew her blood counts were low.  Why the, hell did they not give her a blood transfusion?

-        Am I wrong to go into work in York PA?  I can do some things from home but not all of it.  When things like this happen I question whether I am making the right choices.

-        This not fair to Alan.  He has accepted a lot of responsibility at a time where he has his own life choices to make.

-        Why does jenny have to be so stubborn?  She is looking for reasons why this happened…  It’s the dog, the cat; the house is not clean enough.  Of course it could not be that she is outside raking and tires out and sits on the ground, where the dog, cat, duck, fox, squirrels, mice, ants and anything else might have been…  Or dropping in at school which everyone knows is a cauldron of germs activity that is always present in grammar schools.  She needs to take it easy. Period.

I am very despondent at this time and I am just trying to stay calm, cool and positive.  I thank you all for your support.  Please say a prayer for my wife.

Blue Drinks

Yesterday Jen went into MSK for her chemo treatment with Al.  These appointments have been moved up to earlier in the day.  This is good.  Instead of getting home at 10:00 pm, Al and Jen were home by a record 2 p.m.

Jen was not sure if she was to have another blood transfusion.  As it turns out, her red and white cell counts were borderline.  The doctors decided that she did not need to have a transfusion at this time.  This may leave her tired for the next week.  The doctors told her to take it easy….  Obviously, they do not know my wife!  “take it easy” is not in her vocabulary.  The only way to get her to take it easy will be to hospitalize her again.

As an example. This past weekend I was clearing the leaves from the lawn.  We live in an area with very mature foliage.  I am using the backpack leaf blower and Jenny insisted in helping with the rake.  She promised to take it easy and I admit that it does go faster with her help.  So I am doing my thing with the leaf blower and ear protection and she is raking.  I turn around for a minute or two.  When I turn back I see she is half sitting / lying on the ground!  Now for those who know me, my immediate reaction is one of yelling (it is a family trait I inherited….  Sorry mom and dad but that is the truth).  She gives me the “….. Oh I am alright…. I just needed a little rest….”  Once this is all over and Jen beats this thing, I am going to be the one who needs a little rest…..  on in a little tropical island sipping many high alcoholic blue drinks!

So, since she did not get a transfusion this week, Jen needs to go in next Tuesday even though it is her week off.  Dr. Moskowitz wants her to come in so he can again check her blood counts.  They may do a transfusion then.

There has been an uptick in the snacks that have been sent over to the house!  JoDee sent in an apple crisp and Elaine some brain muffins (with and without dates).  I have no idea how; Tom and Drew keep their girlish figures with that kind of food coming out of those kitchens.  I do not care how much running around they do!  I would be twice the man I am now.

Jen and I thank you all for your continuing support.  It makes me teary eyed when I think of everyone’s generosity.  Bless you all!

Marathon chemo – ½ done with Escalated BEACOPP treatment

Yesterday Jen and Al left at 6:15 a.m. for MSK.  At 9:15 blood and vitals were taken.  At 9:45 doctor’s consultation. They waited until 12 to receive chemo that lasted until 6 p.m. They got home at 8 p.m.  From what I am told Jen, she was on edge and talked the whole way home!  Maybe it was something that was in the medication she was given.  Alan gets kudos for being patience, especially being only 20 years of age!

Jen’s red blood cell count (rbc) was down to 3.6. Dr. Moskowitz informed her that she might need a blood transfusion next week, so thanks to all who donated blood!  Especially the 0- ones. Jen will find out next week if she needs a transfusion. But the doctor said if the rbc count were low right now, it would most likely be lower next week due to the chemo. Her white blood cell count is at an all right 8.4. She was worried about this being low, due to having a cold last week. But the cold is gone and the count is still up, so she is relieved.

The doctor mentioned some long-term treatments. They won’t know what long-term treatments will be done until a PET scan is done at the end of the fourth round (another 6 weeks or just before Thanksgiving if all goes planned). At that time he is expecting to go from the Escalated BEACOPP chemo regiment to the less harsh BEACOPP chemo for another 4 rounds or 12 weeks). He also mentioned radiation for whatever may be left of the tumor after treastment.  Recent studies are showing there may be no benefit to radiation. So time will tell on this one. In the event you may have more interested in the BEACOPP treatment, the following site explains the “poisons” and program: http://lymphoma.about.com/od/treatment/qt/beacopp.htm

Jen loved Alan’s response after the doctor left.  Jen went over the results that the doctor had given to her to make sure she had gotten the details right.  Alan's response was, “They’re going to do what they’re going to do. Not much you can do about it. Go along with the flow.” That made her smile and relax.

So Jen is home today feeling O.K. Chemo hasn’t hit, but the steroids have. Today and tomorrow are her days for taking 25-30 pills (18 of those being chemo taken orally). Good chasers are chocolate pudding, ice cream, ice pops, and jello. Although she likes that, these certainly are not the chasers of old!

Jen appreciates all e-mails (especially with pictures of fall, family or other related on-goings that take her mind away from her treatment). She also appreciates the cards, phone calls and visits from friends, family, fellow staff and neighbors.

Columbus Day Weekend

This past week was Round II, Week III.  For the most part Jenny is off the BEACOPP chemo medications during week III.  This was expecting to be a very “up” week for her.  Though not a bad week, she did not have a great week.  Some aches and pains along with a few poor nights of sleep put a damper on things.

I was gone from Wednesday morning (10/06/10) till Sunday evening (10/10/10).  When I got in  I found Jenny ensconced on the couch, not looking very happy.  But on the up side, Katie was home from school for the long holiday weekend.  Jenny enjoyed having both of her children at home.

Tomorrow jenny starts Round III of her BEACOPP treatment.  As you can imagine, she is not looking forward to it.  Alan will be taking Jenny into MSK.  I will be taking Katie up into Connecticut to pick up her car.  I want to be sure that it was put back together to my satisfaction.

This has been and continues to be a long, tiring battle.  The support that Jen and I receive is a great source of strength to us. It helps to rally us as a family to do whatever is needed to secure a decisive victory! 

To quote someone “Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.”

Cooking Competition - Jen says I am Missing It!‏

Jen wanted me to let everyone know that I am away from a computer till Monday (10/11/10).  She has been moving a "slow" but is otherwise fine.  Jen is looking forward to Katie coming home for the long weekend.

Some entries to the cooking contest are:

- Erin M. from Jens work sent in beef kabobs, mashed potato and broccoli.  A nice filling meal!
- Elaine C. from the neighborhood sent in pulled pork,Beef Brisket (Editors note: I was away and take no responsiblity here what so ever for this error)  mashed potato and corn bread.  Now I see why her husband runs all the time...  He is eating like a king!!

- Lisa B. and old neighbor submitted spicy meatballs.  She wants in on the contest with these.  I have not had them as I was away but Jen says they are very tasty.  She froze a few for me so Lisa, you may have a chance!

- Margaret D. from Jen's work come in with stuffed shells and stew.  I do not have cardinal knowledge of how they tasted as Al scarfed them down. Jen fought him off and was able to get two.  She confirms that they were delicious.

To all. many thanks for your help a support!

This Past Weekend - Round II, Week II Continues

The chemo is definitely kicking in, making Jenny tired at times. This past weekend she was good one moment, then down the next. But all in all, this has been a much better round than the last one (RI WII.) Tuesday starts Round II, Week III – the week off from chemo where Jenny feels better just about every day.  She is looking forward to a good upcoming weekend.  Katie will be home for the holiday and Jen is looking forward to seeing her.

This past Friday afternoon, Jenny’s friend from work, Sue, brought a very thoughtful basket from the teachers at Barley Sheaf.  This is where Katie and Alan went to Elementary School and Jen (besides doing the homeroom Mom stuff there) did some substitute teaching.  Jen was overwhelmingly touched by the thoughtfulness of the staff there. (I need to point out that our anti-terrorist protocols discovered an undercover Sock Attack force hidden within this gift.  As it turns out, this was a sleeper cell that was activated prior to the sock treaty.  Once they met with the sock High Command, they peacefully stood down and took their place in the sock drawer.)

We made it out to LI late Saturday morning.  Friday night was a “down” night for Jen.  The treatment from Thursday was kicking in and she did not feel very well.  This gave me an opportunity to spend some time with the boy’s playing cards!  It turned out to be a late night for me.  So, when Jenny tried to get me up and going at 6:00 am (yes 6:00 on a Saturday morning) she had no luck what so ever,

We got out to the summer house around 2. First thing we did was hop in the boat to cruise the bay and see the Whitebread race.  But we got as far as the KP sandbar and the engine conked out.  In short, the water was not circulating through the engine so it over heated at high speeds.  We were able to get back to the dock. 

As background, the Whitebread is an annual event that Jenny has participated in for many years… when she was younger is was the “King of the Bays” race.  She wanted to see the start of the race (8:00 am) but that just did not happen.  Now she couldn’t get out too see the race’s finish.  Jenny was just about in tears.  Of course this is now frustrating living daylight out of me.  I knew how important it was to her.  I wanted to motor out to the race at low speed, watch the race and return but this would have been Stupid with a capital “S”

Fortunately, our friends the Millers and the Goellers came to our rescue.  They pick us up at the Galley Ho dock and we made it to the race’s finish.  Jenny was able to get a bunch of pictures.   Afterward, we spent some time hang out off Wickham’s beach for a few hours with some friends and their boats.

Afterward we went to the Whitebread party.  Although we had a good day, Jenny started to get tired so we left far earlier than usual. 

The amount of support that Jen received over the weekend was overwhelming. She enjoyed seeing everyone.  The same for me on both accounts. I truly appreciated everyone’s support!  Jenny knows that if prayers and good thoughts can cure a disease, she’s cured!   Jenny appreciates all the well wishes on e-mails, phone calls, Facebook, and cards in the mail. This gives Jenny something to look forward to at all points of the day so please keep it up!  Again, Jenny and I thank you all for your support!

Round II Set II

Editors Note:  I wanted to post this on Friday 10/01/2010 but did not get a chance.

Thursday 09/30, we went to MSK Basking Ridge for Jen’s white blood cell infusion shot.

-        Drive Time -> 25 Minutes

-        Wait Time -> 60 Minutes

-        Actual Time Getting the shot -> less than 5 Minutes

-        Time spent in Best Buys looking at TV’s -> 120 minutes

-        Cost -> $299.99 for the TV.

No sure, but it may have been cheaper to go into MSK NYC…….

We hope to get to Long Island for the Whitebread race this past weekend.  It would be our last Harrah for this season.  I need to clean the boat out and decommission it for the year.  I expect that this may be a little easier than usual.  Normally, Jen insists on clearing it out top to bottom so it does not get moldy over the winter.  This involves some heavy duty cleaners.  Not good for Jen.  And even after doing so, it sits all winter and in the spring it is …….  You guessed it… Dirty and Moldy requiring it to again to be cleaned with heavy duty cleaners.  So I think we will skip the fall cleaning.

We were hoping to leave on Friday 10/01 early this afternoon, but due to flooding and a rough night of sleep for Jenny last night, it will be later in day.

Jen is looking forward to getting our on the boat and taking pictures at the start and finish of the Whitebread race (prefer multigrain myself).   She is also hopes to get to the Whitebread party.  With a low immune system, she needs to sit in a well ventilated area and keep some distance from people.

Many thanks to our neighbor Elaine.  She made some real good Banana muffins.  The timing was perfect.  Jenny’s stomach was upset and the muffins settle it right down.  Jenny’s co-worker Pat dropped off lasagna and Beef barley soup. Alan woofed down the lasagna so it must have been good.  The soup was delicious.  Jenny also found it to be nutritious and soothing to have the day or two after chemo

Jenny appreciates all the well wishes on e-mails, phone calls, Facebook, and cards in the mail. This gives Jenny something to look forward to at all points of the day so please keep it up!  And again, Jenny and I thank you all for your support!