August 31
Grow strong in your weakness. Some of My children I've gifted with abundant strength and stamina. Others, like, you have received the gift of frailty. Your fragility is not a punishment, nor does it indicate lack of faith. On the contrary, weak ones like you must live by faith, depending on Me to get you through the day. I am developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. Your natural preference is to plan out your day, knowing what will happen when. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness.
Jesus Calling
(Sarah Young)
We all read this devotional on Friday morning. My mom gave us Jesus Calling so that wherever we are, we are all reading the same thing every day.
Friday morning, mom was woken up by an intense pain in her right side. This pain was something new, not her normal bone pain, and caused her to have some difficulty taking deep breaths. She also pointed out that her left leg was slightly larger than her right leg. She proceeded to call her hematologist to see if they could check her out and they were unable to get her in. We had planned to go Grand Rapids to get her head wraps and scarves so we decided to go with the original plan and do a little "chemo" shopping. As we were heading to the shop we noticed that the Cancer and Hematology office was located right next door so we checked it out to see if another doctor could see her. Again, they were booked and advised us to go to the emergency room if her symptoms were of concern.
With a lot of back and forth we both had a feeling that she should be seen at the ER. Mom knew that if it was dad or one of us girls that she would make us go so she obliged and did the same for herself.
Mom was admitted to Spectrum Hospital on Friday afternoon after a leg ultrasound and chest cat scan confirmed a bi-lateral pulmonary embolism. Mom has a DVT, which is known as deep vein thrombosis. This blood clot is from her ankle to just above her knee. The blood clot broke off and traveled through her heart and settled into both her lungs. Mom is very lucky and we are so thankful that she didn't try to ride out the pain. She trusted her gut and what gut instinct she has! We have all learned a lot through this process.
They have mom on a heparin drip and are drawing her blood ever six hours to check her coagulation levels. We will know more in the next few days, but right now things are looking good and her levels are at therapeutic stage. Morphine is helping to control her bone pain.
Mom is currently resting, Sarah is sleeping next to her and Jen is reading the latest People :) Dad and Kate are en route from the lake. Right now mom needs sleep and everyone is taking such great care of her and for that we are thankful.
We are unsure of how this will impact the now 5 week-ish away stem cell transplant. The Spectrum medical staff will consult with the U of M transplant team after the holiday weekend. For now, we are enjoying some quality time and I know Jen and Sarah liked "spooning/sleeping" in a cot at the end of mom's bed last night.
Thank you for your continued prayers for mom and her donor. We will keep you posted on mom's progress at the hospital this week. This week we are depending on Him, trusting Him and asking for His strength.
Beth
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Stem Cell Transplant on the Horizon
Mom had her appointment at U of M today with her transplant doctor. Based on a number of factors, including looking over her lab results and listening to her describe the clinical progression of her disease, the doctor feels that it is time for her stem cell transplant. We do not have a hard date set; however, we are looking at about 6 weeks from now.
What will happen during those 6 weeks? U of M will notify the donor this week. The donor must go through an informational session, agree to donate, get a physical, follow the medicinal protocol and finally donate. Concurrently, mom will undergo her own battery of tests, including another bone marrow biopsy about 2 weeks before her transplant. As caregivers, we will attend a Nurse Teaching Session. Once all the stars align, and both mom and her donor stay healthy, she will have her central line inserted just before she is admitted. On admission, she will undergo 4 days of full chemo, 1 day of rest and then the transplant.
It looks like mom and dad have located short term housing near the hospital, which will be used as the "base of operations" during mom's recovery.
As one might imagine, this process is beginning to feel very real. Thank you for your prayers, love and support, all of which are felt. Together, we will get through this!
Love,
Sarah
What will happen during those 6 weeks? U of M will notify the donor this week. The donor must go through an informational session, agree to donate, get a physical, follow the medicinal protocol and finally donate. Concurrently, mom will undergo her own battery of tests, including another bone marrow biopsy about 2 weeks before her transplant. As caregivers, we will attend a Nurse Teaching Session. Once all the stars align, and both mom and her donor stay healthy, she will have her central line inserted just before she is admitted. On admission, she will undergo 4 days of full chemo, 1 day of rest and then the transplant.
It looks like mom and dad have located short term housing near the hospital, which will be used as the "base of operations" during mom's recovery.
As one might imagine, this process is beginning to feel very real. Thank you for your prayers, love and support, all of which are felt. Together, we will get through this!
Love,
Sarah
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Our first swabbing event was a success! Thanks to Dr. Stout and Gordon Dentistry for hosting the blood drive and swabbing event. Thanks to all of our friends for taking the first step to save a life. It was really neat to be able to help educate people about Bone Marrow/Stem Cell transplants....spread the word :)
So many of you ask how mom is doing, she is doing ok. On good days she rests a lot and we may get out and about for a bit. She had a massage yesterday and she really enjoyed it. On not so good days she is in bed all day and spikes fevers. To relieve some of her discomfort and pain we rub her legs and do cold compresses. I think we are all interested to see what her transplant doctor will say on Monday. Again, please be praying for mom's donor. We are not sure if she knows she is "the match" yet. Pray that she is ready and willing.
I, like my mom, love to watch the morning news. This morning Robin Roberts interviewed a transplant survivor and her donor who met for the first time. Safe to say I shed a few tears.
Mark your calendars for October 23 at Grandville High School for our next swabbing event! You must be between the age of 18-44 to be swabbed.
Much love,
Beth
So many of you ask how mom is doing, she is doing ok. On good days she rests a lot and we may get out and about for a bit. She had a massage yesterday and she really enjoyed it. On not so good days she is in bed all day and spikes fevers. To relieve some of her discomfort and pain we rub her legs and do cold compresses. I think we are all interested to see what her transplant doctor will say on Monday. Again, please be praying for mom's donor. We are not sure if she knows she is "the match" yet. Pray that she is ready and willing.
I, like my mom, love to watch the morning news. This morning Robin Roberts interviewed a transplant survivor and her donor who met for the first time. Safe to say I shed a few tears.
Mark your calendars for October 23 at Grandville High School for our next swabbing event! You must be between the age of 18-44 to be swabbed.
Much love,
Beth
Thursday, August 16, 2012
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Lots of ups and downs!
Hello to all my wonderful friends and family,
We saw my Dr. here in Holland yesterday and evidently the fevers are part of the disease. Something about the diseased stem cells interacting with other cells and hormones are produced which cause the fevers. I didn't quite understand it all but now I understand why Dr. Magineau asked me back in June if I was experiencing fevers. Just had one that got up to 101.8 and let me tell you they take something out of me! Dr. Batts (Holland) ran a battery of blood test and urinalysis just to make sure we weren't overlooking anything. There is no rhyme or reason to them, they just happen pretty randomly.
Beth has been with me since I got home from Piatt. Kate fixed dinner last night and again tonight. They have all taken such good care of me. It's a bit like having 4 moms!!
As of right now my appointment at U of M is Monday, August 27. It would not surprise me if it is "Go" time. It would still take close to a month, my donor needs a physical, her stem cells need to be stimulated, so it doesn't happen overnight.
Many of you know I have trouble praying for specifics but I am busting out of my spiritual box. Please pray my donor has peace, that she is healthy and that the donating process is as comfortable as all the literature says it is. I would love to meet her in 2 years and thank her for giving me a chance at life.
I have a peace about the transplant, can't really explain it but I do have peace. The girls will keep in touch with all of you.
On the 27th we are going to look at some apts. in the Ann Arbor area. Hopefully something nice will be available and affordable.
Again your messages, cards etc really lift me up.
The Holland Swabbing Event is a go. We have the required amount of people. Dr. Stout and Gordon have been extremely generous with their donations for it.
The Grandville High School Swabbing Event will be October 23, 4-7 p.m. Usually it costs $52 to process one person but Michigan Blood will only be charging $25 per person. We have donations that will be made and the remainder Dennis and I will pay for. If you are interested in donating any amount of money it would be appreciated. I want it to be free for young people....I know how many of you are on such a tight budget. There is a new stipulation, effective Oct.1, that potential donors must be between the ages of 18 and 44. We know younger stem cells are more effective and they are trying to get the Bone Marrow Registry to reflect that. Also - men are needed! So if you have a husband/boyfriend/friend that you can get to come please encourage them to do so. Men, especially, do better with male stem cells so would love to see some guys there. They do keep people on the list until they are 60. My donor is 47 and Kim said that is not an issue for me.
Seems appropriate that the woman who loves a good sale is able to offer a BOGO sale for stem cell donation! Needless to say I have not done much shopping for the last few months...maybe someday again?
I love you all and the peace that I feel has to be a result of all of your prayers. When I have some news I will let you know.
Grace and Peace to you, Peggy
We saw my Dr. here in Holland yesterday and evidently the fevers are part of the disease. Something about the diseased stem cells interacting with other cells and hormones are produced which cause the fevers. I didn't quite understand it all but now I understand why Dr. Magineau asked me back in June if I was experiencing fevers. Just had one that got up to 101.8 and let me tell you they take something out of me! Dr. Batts (Holland) ran a battery of blood test and urinalysis just to make sure we weren't overlooking anything. There is no rhyme or reason to them, they just happen pretty randomly.
Beth has been with me since I got home from Piatt. Kate fixed dinner last night and again tonight. They have all taken such good care of me. It's a bit like having 4 moms!!
As of right now my appointment at U of M is Monday, August 27. It would not surprise me if it is "Go" time. It would still take close to a month, my donor needs a physical, her stem cells need to be stimulated, so it doesn't happen overnight.
Many of you know I have trouble praying for specifics but I am busting out of my spiritual box. Please pray my donor has peace, that she is healthy and that the donating process is as comfortable as all the literature says it is. I would love to meet her in 2 years and thank her for giving me a chance at life.
I have a peace about the transplant, can't really explain it but I do have peace. The girls will keep in touch with all of you.
On the 27th we are going to look at some apts. in the Ann Arbor area. Hopefully something nice will be available and affordable.
Again your messages, cards etc really lift me up.
The Holland Swabbing Event is a go. We have the required amount of people. Dr. Stout and Gordon have been extremely generous with their donations for it.
The Grandville High School Swabbing Event will be October 23, 4-7 p.m. Usually it costs $52 to process one person but Michigan Blood will only be charging $25 per person. We have donations that will be made and the remainder Dennis and I will pay for. If you are interested in donating any amount of money it would be appreciated. I want it to be free for young people....I know how many of you are on such a tight budget. There is a new stipulation, effective Oct.1, that potential donors must be between the ages of 18 and 44. We know younger stem cells are more effective and they are trying to get the Bone Marrow Registry to reflect that. Also - men are needed! So if you have a husband/boyfriend/friend that you can get to come please encourage them to do so. Men, especially, do better with male stem cells so would love to see some guys there. They do keep people on the list until they are 60. My donor is 47 and Kim said that is not an issue for me.
Seems appropriate that the woman who loves a good sale is able to offer a BOGO sale for stem cell donation! Needless to say I have not done much shopping for the last few months...maybe someday again?
I love you all and the peace that I feel has to be a result of all of your prayers. When I have some news I will let you know.
Grace and Peace to you, Peggy
Friday, August 10, 2012
Just when you think...
Just when you think you may have a while, mom's counts had plateaued and she could control her pain with Ibuprofen and Tylenol, her symptoms quickly became more aggressive. Last week she spiked a fever of 108 (and yes it was 108 we took her temp with two different thermometers because we thought the "cottage" thermometer might be broken). It did break after about 30-40 minutes and looking back was an indicator of things to come. Since that time, she has had little fevers come and go not higher than 103. Mom is strong but her pain has surpassed a tolerable level and she is now on a prescription of Morphine Sulfate.
Her second possible perfect match is not as "perfect" has the first. Part of that equation was the possible donor was two years older and had two pregnancies. At this point it looks like we will go with the first donor. We are beyond fortunate that her "best match" quickly responded. If you are not already on the registry please consider attending one of our swabbing events or order your swabbing kit online. I received mine in the mail yesterday.
Like she has stated in the past we have had a wonderful summer at the cottage but it is time for her to come home. She will have a doctor's appointment early next week with her doctor in Holland and then is scheduling an appointment at U of M for the following week.
It feels a little like time is slipping by too fast and our lazy days of summer have come to an abrupt halt. Mom's body has weakened....her spirit has not! As mom puts it "I am just ready to get this nasty disease out of me and start living again!"
Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Sarah
Her second possible perfect match is not as "perfect" has the first. Part of that equation was the possible donor was two years older and had two pregnancies. At this point it looks like we will go with the first donor. We are beyond fortunate that her "best match" quickly responded. If you are not already on the registry please consider attending one of our swabbing events or order your swabbing kit online. I received mine in the mail yesterday.
Like she has stated in the past we have had a wonderful summer at the cottage but it is time for her to come home. She will have a doctor's appointment early next week with her doctor in Holland and then is scheduling an appointment at U of M for the following week.
It feels a little like time is slipping by too fast and our lazy days of summer have come to an abrupt halt. Mom's body has weakened....her spirit has not! As mom puts it "I am just ready to get this nasty disease out of me and start living again!"
Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Sarah
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