Good Afternoon Everyone,
As Beth told you I have been re-admitted to the hospital at UofM. I finished all my meds a week ago today and by Sunday I felt myself sliding down hill. I be came extremely short of breath. Just walking to the kitchen felt like a marathon, and I was gasping for air. Long story short I was asked to come in. I did and they (medical staff) did not like what they saw. So here I am!
The cat scan of my lungs showed a more severe pneumonia than before. My lung capacity is REALLY low. Dr M and the nurses could not believe that I did not have the need for oxygen. I must have really efficient lungs. Of course I have had many tests, blood work x-rays and a bronco scope with a lung lavage. So far all that is showing up is the RSV virus. We will wait for more results. Dr. M will not let me go home until we know exactly what is in my lungs and I significantly improve. I am in complete agreement with him. I am receiving such a high level of care. I am relaxed here because of the quality of care for me.
So my friends I accept that I may be here for a week or more. I am in a locked down mode. You have to go through 2 doors just to get to my room! I am completely isolated.
One little side note to the women who were on one of my teams. I don't know if you remember "your body will do exactly what your mind tells it to do". That came back to me yesterday as I was being prepped for the scope going down my throat to my lungs. They started the procedure and had me inhaling lidocaine. To say it was vile barely scratches the surface. I told myself, my mind will control my body so starting now, don't think about what it tastes like, think about inhaling deeply and my lungs etc. becoming relaxed. Don't let yourself think about choking and work with the test, don't resist. The procedure itself was not bad at all and was over very quickly. My body cooperated and obeyed my mind. It turned into an amazing experience.
When you pray please lift up my family. This is really hard for them, it takes a toll on them emotionally and physically. They are in the busiest years of their lives with work demands and raising their very active families. The girls are on the go and make it look easy. Those of us who raised families know exactly what I mean. So please keep them in your prayers.
Could I ever thank all of you enough for your friendship, love and concern? I am humbled by my family and friends. I never dreamed of what a caring and loving support system I would have someday.
Grace and Peace, Peggy
Friday, January 31, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Back in Ann Arbor
Hey everyone,
I wish this weren't the case but mom has been re-admitted. She began having difficulty breathing and called her doctor on Tuesday. To play it safe they wanted her to head over first thing this morning. Kate is with her and the initial chest X-ray is showing that her pneumonia is worse than before. Her blood pressure was also extremely low and she was dehydrated.
She is back in the bone marrow unit and received three liters to help hydrate her again and that also helped her blood pressure go up a bit. This evening they did a cat scan and we will have those results tomorrow. They are trying to figure out exactly what type of pneumonia she has so that they can treat it correctly. She told me that they waved their magic wand and she is feeling better already.
Please pray that the cat scan will provide answers for the doctors to determine what to do next. Thank you for keeping mom in your prayers.....
Beth
I wish this weren't the case but mom has been re-admitted. She began having difficulty breathing and called her doctor on Tuesday. To play it safe they wanted her to head over first thing this morning. Kate is with her and the initial chest X-ray is showing that her pneumonia is worse than before. Her blood pressure was also extremely low and she was dehydrated.
She is back in the bone marrow unit and received three liters to help hydrate her again and that also helped her blood pressure go up a bit. This evening they did a cat scan and we will have those results tomorrow. They are trying to figure out exactly what type of pneumonia she has so that they can treat it correctly. She told me that they waved their magic wand and she is feeling better already.
Please pray that the cat scan will provide answers for the doctors to determine what to do next. Thank you for keeping mom in your prayers.....
Beth
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Pneumonia is not much fun!
Friends and Family,
There are always a few bumps in the road aren't there? Beth did a great job filling out the details of the last week. I have to admit pneumonia is not a lot of fun. I am doing much better, no fever, I can breathe. I am coming close to being able to take a deep breath! Once again the Drs. and nurses at UofM were amazing. I don't know quite how they (meaning whoever does the hiring) attain such a body of employees with high levels of people skills. Everyone and I do mean everyone from techs, respiratory personal and the woman who cleaned my room every day were so compassionate and helpful. It really helps with the healing process to be able to relax about who is caring for you when they are so on top of things. Just one example, my labs from Sat. morning came back that I was extremely anemic and needed a blood transfusion. Annie, my nurse. was concerned that with a transfusion it could result in excess fluid in my lungs which certainly would not a good thing at that point. She stood by my bed thinking and finally said "I don't believe it. It just does not make sense. We are going to redo the labs because my gut is telling me this is not right". And right she was! My next labs came back and my hemoglobin was much higher than the first one done 4hrs. earlier. We thanked her profusely for her action and she responded." it's called critical thinking and common sense" and that my friends is the kind of care I have been receiving.
As Beth told you my last trip was nothing but good news, as was the trip before that. I will tell you something happened after Thanksgiving and I was hungry, eating well and lots of energy. I was able to do all my Christmas shopping, even made one power shopping trip by myself. I had to laugh, I had at least 8 good sized bags and was able to handle it. When I think about a year ago and I could not hold up a sheet to make my bed! I was able to grocery shop, wrap gifts and prepare meals on Christmas Day. Of course the girls helped with everything. Kate came over one afternoon and finished my downstairs tree and also helped me with the wrapping. I just want you to know I had so much fun doing all the things that sometimes I would complain about (to myself, of course). Groceries at Meijer, pushing my cart in the parking lot in snow and slush, in quite a snow storm. I tell you I was beaming. Pretty sure anyone who looked at me must have wondered, "what on earth is she so happy about?' What a true joy to be able to return to what I considered normal! It was a wonderful Christmas, one of our best because everyone was appreciating everything.
So this little setback will take a few more days/weeks to get my strength back. The promise is there for a normal future.
One last piece of information, I know my donor's identity! I am waiting to call her when I know I won't have a coughing fit. She seems wonderful, a MS counselor, basketball coach and very active in her church. Once I speak with her, with her permission, I will tell you more about her. Oh yes she lives in Northeast Georgia. She has been on the registry for 20 years and I was her first and only recipient. I know she gave me some awesome cells.
Well that about sums it up. What a journey this has been and I wouldn't trade it for the world. No matter what happens or when it happens it has been so worthwhile. I think the best part is that I have learned to be a better listener. When you listen and not chime in it's amazing how much more you hear when you are not formulating in your head as to what you are going to say.
My heart is full. I am beyond blessed by all of you. I know I have not even met many of you who read this but you know one of my daughters and you are there to comfort and encourage them.
Speaking of family all are doing great. Jen keeps telling me how hard it is to raise teenagers and I just think," Oh really?" Now that's funny! Four daughters through their teen years and 20years of coaching. I do laugh sometimes at how much all of you love and appreciate your Mom and Dad, because back in the day they were such a pain to you!
Yes indeed, life does have it's challenges every step of the way. Our purpose is to meet that challenge, learn the lessons that we are supposed to learn, help and love each other. It is very difficult for me to put into words the blessings of my heart.
Now off to a delish dinner of lasagna my friend Cheryl prepared for us. See what I mean ? What great family and friends we have, our richest blessing, other than God's grace which is sufficient for me and for each of you.
Grace and Peace, Peggy
There are always a few bumps in the road aren't there? Beth did a great job filling out the details of the last week. I have to admit pneumonia is not a lot of fun. I am doing much better, no fever, I can breathe. I am coming close to being able to take a deep breath! Once again the Drs. and nurses at UofM were amazing. I don't know quite how they (meaning whoever does the hiring) attain such a body of employees with high levels of people skills. Everyone and I do mean everyone from techs, respiratory personal and the woman who cleaned my room every day were so compassionate and helpful. It really helps with the healing process to be able to relax about who is caring for you when they are so on top of things. Just one example, my labs from Sat. morning came back that I was extremely anemic and needed a blood transfusion. Annie, my nurse. was concerned that with a transfusion it could result in excess fluid in my lungs which certainly would not a good thing at that point. She stood by my bed thinking and finally said "I don't believe it. It just does not make sense. We are going to redo the labs because my gut is telling me this is not right". And right she was! My next labs came back and my hemoglobin was much higher than the first one done 4hrs. earlier. We thanked her profusely for her action and she responded." it's called critical thinking and common sense" and that my friends is the kind of care I have been receiving.
As Beth told you my last trip was nothing but good news, as was the trip before that. I will tell you something happened after Thanksgiving and I was hungry, eating well and lots of energy. I was able to do all my Christmas shopping, even made one power shopping trip by myself. I had to laugh, I had at least 8 good sized bags and was able to handle it. When I think about a year ago and I could not hold up a sheet to make my bed! I was able to grocery shop, wrap gifts and prepare meals on Christmas Day. Of course the girls helped with everything. Kate came over one afternoon and finished my downstairs tree and also helped me with the wrapping. I just want you to know I had so much fun doing all the things that sometimes I would complain about (to myself, of course). Groceries at Meijer, pushing my cart in the parking lot in snow and slush, in quite a snow storm. I tell you I was beaming. Pretty sure anyone who looked at me must have wondered, "what on earth is she so happy about?' What a true joy to be able to return to what I considered normal! It was a wonderful Christmas, one of our best because everyone was appreciating everything.
So this little setback will take a few more days/weeks to get my strength back. The promise is there for a normal future.
One last piece of information, I know my donor's identity! I am waiting to call her when I know I won't have a coughing fit. She seems wonderful, a MS counselor, basketball coach and very active in her church. Once I speak with her, with her permission, I will tell you more about her. Oh yes she lives in Northeast Georgia. She has been on the registry for 20 years and I was her first and only recipient. I know she gave me some awesome cells.
Well that about sums it up. What a journey this has been and I wouldn't trade it for the world. No matter what happens or when it happens it has been so worthwhile. I think the best part is that I have learned to be a better listener. When you listen and not chime in it's amazing how much more you hear when you are not formulating in your head as to what you are going to say.
My heart is full. I am beyond blessed by all of you. I know I have not even met many of you who read this but you know one of my daughters and you are there to comfort and encourage them.
Speaking of family all are doing great. Jen keeps telling me how hard it is to raise teenagers and I just think," Oh really?" Now that's funny! Four daughters through their teen years and 20years of coaching. I do laugh sometimes at how much all of you love and appreciate your Mom and Dad, because back in the day they were such a pain to you!
Yes indeed, life does have it's challenges every step of the way. Our purpose is to meet that challenge, learn the lessons that we are supposed to learn, help and love each other. It is very difficult for me to put into words the blessings of my heart.
Now off to a delish dinner of lasagna my friend Cheryl prepared for us. See what I mean ? What great family and friends we have, our richest blessing, other than God's grace which is sufficient for me and for each of you.
Grace and Peace, Peggy
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Home
Thank you for all the sweet messages everyone. Mom is home and resting. Please continue to pray that her body will recover quickly.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
back in the BMT
Hello friends and happy new year. Mom has had a pretty eventful week and we wanted to let everyone know what was going on....
Last Saturday mom began having some cold like symptoms but nothing that was too worrisome. Monday and Tuesday were a normal Ann Arbor visit with doctors appointments and ECP. Mom can fill you in on the details of that appointment when she feels up to it. Overall, another good report.
Wednesday she was really quite sick and spent the day resting. The symptoms she was having led us to call U of M and on Thursday we were advised to head to Spectrum to get her checked out. Her doctors in Ann Arbor faxed a thorough list of tests for the staff at Spectrum to complete...EKG, MRI, chest scan, nose swab, blood draw. They sent her home Thursday evening with a diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection along with an antibiotic and an inhaler.
Friday mom was quite weak and exhibiting the same symptoms as the day before. That afternoon we received a call from U of M that she tested positive for RSV and she needed to get to U of M immediately.
She was admitted to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in an isolation room in the wee hours of Saturday morning. They are treating her for viral atypical pneumonia. On Saturday she received steroid breathing treatments along with other heavy duty concoctions to help relieve her. She responded very well to this treatment on Saturday and by that evening was sending humorous texts and was able to talk to us when we called.
Last night however, she spiked a fever and the coughing picked up. She remains pretty uncomfortable and will continue to stay in isolation until her fever is gone for 24 hours and the doctors feel her symptoms are under control.
She is in great care and the staff at U of M is going above and beyond to help her gain strength.
Please pray that she is able to rest tonight and that she responds well to all of her treatments. Once again, she is in isolation, so no visitors are allowed at this time (Dad is the only person allowed to be with her). Her main focus right now is to rest and get healthy. At this time it's best to keep her conversations limited.
Thank you for your prayers,
B.
Last Saturday mom began having some cold like symptoms but nothing that was too worrisome. Monday and Tuesday were a normal Ann Arbor visit with doctors appointments and ECP. Mom can fill you in on the details of that appointment when she feels up to it. Overall, another good report.
Wednesday she was really quite sick and spent the day resting. The symptoms she was having led us to call U of M and on Thursday we were advised to head to Spectrum to get her checked out. Her doctors in Ann Arbor faxed a thorough list of tests for the staff at Spectrum to complete...EKG, MRI, chest scan, nose swab, blood draw. They sent her home Thursday evening with a diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection along with an antibiotic and an inhaler.
Friday mom was quite weak and exhibiting the same symptoms as the day before. That afternoon we received a call from U of M that she tested positive for RSV and she needed to get to U of M immediately.
She was admitted to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in an isolation room in the wee hours of Saturday morning. They are treating her for viral atypical pneumonia. On Saturday she received steroid breathing treatments along with other heavy duty concoctions to help relieve her. She responded very well to this treatment on Saturday and by that evening was sending humorous texts and was able to talk to us when we called.
Last night however, she spiked a fever and the coughing picked up. She remains pretty uncomfortable and will continue to stay in isolation until her fever is gone for 24 hours and the doctors feel her symptoms are under control.
She is in great care and the staff at U of M is going above and beyond to help her gain strength.
Please pray that she is able to rest tonight and that she responds well to all of her treatments. Once again, she is in isolation, so no visitors are allowed at this time (Dad is the only person allowed to be with her). Her main focus right now is to rest and get healthy. At this time it's best to keep her conversations limited.
Thank you for your prayers,
B.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)