Belated Update

We have been remiss in keeping this little blog up to date since Deann has been back in Carson City. Sorry bout that ...we forget that some of you are counting on us for an update now & then, so here it is!

The Huntsman Clinic folks told us there is no real normal pattern patients can count on to predict how they will respond to their treatment. Deann seemed to sail through the toughest times and then got feeling worse when we thought she should have begun to feel better. After getting back to Carson City she spent a week in Carson Tahoe Hospital battling fever & diarrhea. She was in an isolation room for potentially contagious “bugs” but they were ruled out. The docs got her fever down a bit and let her go home. She’s been home for two weeks now & is feeling better. Her fever set back the treatment she was supposed to start after returning to Carson City but she’ll be able to start that tomorrow. The plan is for her to return to Salt Lake on January 11th for transplant number two.

We are so thankful for all the support shown to us since we’ve been back. From wonderful meals, to help with chores, to gifts, visits, cards and calls...I know it’s what keeps a smile on the Clinic Queen’s face!

Home at last!

Deann is finally back at home. She was able to go home on Saturday and is enjoying the comforts of her home, kitty cat, and husband.

More to follow.

Going home soon!

Momma Deann is doing much better. I spoke with her today and she seemed to being feeling more like her old self. There is the possibility of allowing her to go home this weekend, however we don't want to rush things and make sure she is healthy enough to leave.

Unfortunately I don't have much more info at this time, but will get my facts in order and post them as soon as I know what is the 411.

Word-

Sarah

Much Thanks!

Thank you to all those who Fasted today, Deann and fam appreciate all your efforts.  

Deann is still in the hospital, boo.  But the staff is keeping her fever down, making her feel much better.  They are testing various things that may be causing her fever, but until they know the reason she is trying to rest, stay hydrated and build up strength.  

Thanks for all you care, we will keep you posted.

Sarah

Fast and Prayers!

Deann and Jim made it home to CC on Saturday, unfortunately Deann had to go to the hospital on Sunday due to a fever.  She is still there, and will be until they can determine the cause of the fever and then treat it.  Her family and friends will be holding a special Fast in her honor tomorrow, Tuesday the 17th.  We would love all to join who are able to fast, but if not please send lots of prayers and positive thoughts her way.  She needs a little positive power right now.

I am sure she would love visit, but she is currently in an isolation room because of infection and can't have guest at this time.

Thank you again for all your love, support and friendship.  It has truly helped us all get through this time.

Lots of love,

Sarah

Coming home

To all my very dear friends –


Once again, you’ve made it possible for Jim and me to keep our chins up & continually move forward. We have been officially dismissed to go home for a few weeks & cuddle in our comfy bed & lead a more normal life. I can’t wait to see my cat, but I hope she remembers us. It seems a new relationship has been established with Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Kristi.


We thank the Hansen’s so much for the care of our home and cat. That was such a comfort to me to have them there.


All of you, my friends, are so precious to me. Knowing I have people who pray on my behalf is very powerful. Your comments have helped me in ways I can’t even describe – I get very emotional when I think of all of our lives and relationships. I must quit with this sappy stuff because I can’t see through my tears!


At any rate, the clinic team has determined that my blood levels are where they need to be, so I’m coming home with lots of pills & lots of instructions. I will be home for 5-6 weeks & return around Christmas week to begin the process all over again – but hey – I’m half way there!


Jim and I talk about our blessings and the many incidents in our lives that have shown to be truly blessings, although sometimes well disguised, for our good. How blessed we are to have access to this amazing technology & incredible medical staff – to have the insurance support to help pay for it – but most of all, the love we have for one another!


I love you dear friends. I’ll see you and talk to you in a few days.

Deann's travels

I know for sure that Deann is feeling better. Two nights ago, we were sitting at the table in our apartment when she started to get up. I asked where she was going and she said, “Well, I really only go a couple of places in this apartment...poop and poop again.” Good to see her bathroom humor returning. I was getting worried there for a while.

She really is getting better, although she is still incredibly weak. She had a blood transfusion yesterday, which seemed to help some. She is still on oxygen & looks like she will be for a while. Sarah mad e dinner last night for us and Deann ate pretty well. That was good to see although I don’t think Sarah planned on her eating. Maybe she was just trying to tell me something!

It’s pretty amazing to see all the patients being treated here for multiple myeloma. They come from all over the country. It’s great to think that so many people will be helped in fighting this disease. We get the feeling that the clinic has a tough job treating as many as possible while attending to each individual’s needs. There are many changes in how things are done from Deann’s first visit and unfortunately, insurance coverage plays a part in some of them. We are so lucky to have good coverage.

Should know tomorrow what the plan is for her release back to Carson City. We’ll keep you all posted!

Engraftment!

Engraftment achieved on Friday! White blood cell count is come up very nicely over the last two days so Deann has taken a big step on the road back from transplant hell. Got a ways to go before they’re ready to turn her loose but there are definite signs that she feels a little better today. She’s back on oxygen and has some lung congestion and spends most of her time sleeping but had more spark today. The plan is to give her a blood transfusion tomorrow to help her red blood cell counts and check her Tuesday. If she’s doing better then, she might be able to come home later in the week. They’ve told us with this treatment there really is no normal, so we’re not getting too excited just yet...just grateful that we have the support of our family and friends and in knowing that you’re all with us.

Still waiting...

Day 9 for Deann since her transplant & there were some good indications in today’s blood tests that she will soon reach engraftment. Couldn’t prove it by the way she felt today, but we’ll go with the opinion of the experts. This time around, she’s unfortunately experiencing many of the normal side effects associated with this treatment. She is dealing with it like the trooper we know she is but doesn’t feel like wonder woman right now. It’s hard to see her so wiped out but we’re proud of how she deals with it. Amelia the nurse always wants to know what book Deann is reading & told her today that it’s the first time she has ever seen her not reading one... we’re hopeful that she’ll pick that book back up soon!

Down time

Deann is now Day 7 after her transplant...the time she is most apt to feel bad & she would not doubt confirm that she does. It’s sobering to see how quickly some of the treatment side effects can take hold. Yesterday, I went out for a couple of hours with her feeling pretty good & came back to see her totally wiped out. Still, as I look around the treatment center, I know she is getting through this better than most...of course that’s no surprise is it??

Last test showed her white blood cell count pretty much wiped out & now she needs to start generating those cells on her own. Typically that happens from Day 10 to 14. She just received a blessing from Trevor & Andrew, who broke his arm Saturday & needs one himself. Sarah is now taking care of all of us... so I’m pretty sure more kids aren’t in her game plan just yet. She just gave Deann a little trim ...nobody looks better in a buzz cut!

Please keep Deann in your thoughts & prayers because we all she needs that to help her through this thing!

Post Transplant Update

Deann has a couple of days off from any treatments today and tomorrow. She’ll get her final chemo Sunday & she also finishes up taking steroids & thalidomide then. I guess that means they’ve wiped out all the bad cells, along with quite a few good ones! Now, it’s up to her system to start generating new cells. She’s doing great...no more “good” vomits lately. We’ll be reporting her progress regularly.

Picture to the left is of Deann’s doctor, Dr Tricot (Tree-co as we say here in the States). He comes to Salt Lake from Belgium...with an intermediate stop in Arkansas (It looks like somebody from Arkansas under the influence of moonshine took this picture)! Dr. Tricot is just the kind of guy you want treating your loved ones for a serious illness. He is very thorough in his treatment of patients...takes the time to know all the details of their medical history and knows exactly how best to treat them. He loves Deann... always gives her a big smile & a pat on the head!

Another Birhday???

Well, Deann had another birthday yesterday and received a new birth certificate to prove it! I know most of us reach an age where we’d just as soon not have any more birthdays, but Deann now has three a year. I think she thinks she can use this as an excuse to pick herself up “a little something” three (more) times a year!

Things went great with the transplant. Deann is given her own stem cells through a blood transfusion. She collected enough stem cells last time for six transplants and did so in just one day of collection...that’s why she’s known as the Clinic Queen. An interesting side effect from the transplant is that the patient smells like corn for about a day afterward. ..pretty corny, eh?

Deann now has a couple more rounds of chemo, tomorrow and Sunday and the waiting begins for her “engraftment”. That’s when her body starts producing blood cells on its own again. Until then, she’s going to be vulnerable to infections and probably not feeling well. She loves to hear your messages of support, so please keep them coming!

Day minus one

The clinic queen is taking her medicine like a real trooper! She got her second round of heavy duty chemo earlier today. She made it through the first round last Friday in pretty good shape...had a few of the potential side effects, nausea & vomiting among them, but, as only Deann can describe, says the vomiting isn’t like regular vomiting. She was eating her breakfast Saturday morning, jumped up and ran to the bathroom, did her thing, and then came right back and finished up her scrambled eggs...no problem!

Things are very different from her first transplant experience. They are administering the drugs through implants in her chest! Now, I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not those kinds of implants (darn). Anyway, things are a whole lot easier this way as compared to the old port method the first go-round.

Tomorrow is transplant day, so we’ll post a full report then.

doing ggggrrreat!

Deann survived round one of chemo!  She was a tired and got a little sick, but handled it like a champ.  Tomorrow is round two, wish her luck! 

She was also able to go to Mazzi's 1st birthday party, she was pretty excited about that!

new home!

Also Jim and Deann moved into their new place, which just so happens to be bigger than Sarah and Trevor's house...so they are thinking about doing a house swap!  Pictures to follow, we know you all are super excited!!!

negative day 4

On Friday Deann will have her first round of chemo, which in the process of her treatment is called "negative day 4".  She will have 2 total rounds of chemo and then have her transplant....so her days will go as follows:

Friday:  Chemo

Saturday:  Off

Sunday:  Chemo

Monday:  Off

Tuesday:  Transplant

We will continue to keep everyone posted!

Some sad news...

We had some sad news today, Jim's dad passed away early this morning.  He was currently battling lung cancer and recently came down with the flu and wasn't able to recover.  He passed away peaceful and without pain.  He will be truly missed, but Jim and Deann are so grateful for the opportunity they had to be with him in their home for the last 6 months.  Their relationship with one another was something very special and important and this time that they were able to share with one another was very precious.

As Bob said, "You scream, I scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!!"

We love you Grandpa and will miss all the wonderful things about you!

We're waiting.....

And waiting...

Deann and Jim are in Salt Lake City, preparing for Deann to begin the first phase of her stemcell transplant. She is feeling positive and strong. However things have not gone as smoothly as hoped in regards to the office procedures. We were hoping that she would be starting chemo on Monday, but it has been postponed until Friday the 23rd. She will have two rounds of chemo and then go right on into the transplant.

It has been so good to hear from many of you, Deann and co. appreciate the love and support. Please pass on this blog and news to those who around you. We love you all.