So far so good

Nurse said he did well with chemo last night. Haven't heard from Dale yet. That is good because he is sleeping well enough not to wake up every 1/2 hour. Will report more as I know more.

2B today

I take Dale to Huntsman this morning to begin the next round of Chemotherapy. He is doing well and ready to submit himself once again to the process. Six days this round. Constant chemo drips. Constant care. Constant don't feel so well for the six days and hopefully, better when he gets home. Last round with the B formula blends, there were two weeks of laundry in one day (for two weeks), many neighbors sitting with him through the weeks, and ER visits-one turning into an additional Huntsman week's stay. The Science Project hopefully has been adjusted making this round of chemo more doable for Dale.

We are so grateful to phone calls, visits, cards, thoughts, meals, Celestial Cleaners, and Heavenly Sitters. It makes this "easier" continuing. Coming home to a clean smelling home, freshly vacuumed and dusted is so appreciated. One thing that I can shelf in the back of my mind, because I know someone is taking care of us. Many, many thanks to all that have been there for us.

Clorox, our new friend

We attended a meeting with the BMT team at University Hospital. Met with social worker, nutritionist and a nurse. Each gave us their part of what is to come. All were a bit surprised we were there so far away from the actual time Dale will do his BMT--not for several months, and not until chemo is all done. He begins 2B Wednesday and has until 6A/B to 9A/B, so a several months to go. They called us, set the appointment, and so we received the instructions. By the time Dale's begins, there will be a completely new Huntsman Hospital section for BMT patients. That will be nice. Summary of the instructions: 100 day process of 10 or so days preparing Dale for BMT at hospital, in & out possibly. Three to four weeks of BMT process at hospital in a "negative atmosphere" room which has everything he needs because he won't be leaving the room. If he does leave, it will be with mask and sanitation gear. After the three to four weeks there, he comes home for two weeks of 24-hour home care, by me &/or others that can transport to Huntsman, check for symptoms and such that will need to be addressed at Huntsman BMT.  Home will need to be sanitized, dust free, with well-cooked food only. Burnt-cheese sandwiches each day may get old, so I will have to learn to well-cook more foods. Raw foods won't work, fruits & vegetables need to be peeled and cooked, I will eat the berries, Dale will eat the peaches. Good, because I don't like to share my berries and I don't like peaches anyway. Restaurant and deli foods are forbidden-not safe enough to eat (what does that tell you?).

All in all, lots to prepare for, and sanitation is a must. Visitors will need to begin wearing masks or just not breathe when they come over. Hand washing needs to be thorough. Sanitation, bleach, and disposable gloves will be the decor and air freshener of choice. Be aware.

Good Sundays

Sunday was a good day of rest and rejuvenation. I am loving other people's recipes and cooking. It really is an act of love and service to us. Visitors checking in on us is also a great joy. Dale felt much better today--a good night's rest and whatever goes on inside his blood making system, must have worked okay. His voice is good today, and appetite fine. We had a talk of faith this morning as I was flushing his lines which seemed to help his fears. Good job, Jan! That is what wives do so well.  

Home, but not too well

Home now. Saturday chores sort of completed (sorry, Mom). Watching conference. Dale not really feeling too well, is quietly suffering, and anxiously waiting for the next event his cancer treatment will bring forth. That is just how it is. I want to be by him for support, not even downstairs, it is just better to be together. I think he likes it better if I am close by.  I do too. This is a crazy, crazy mess. Dale is curled up on the couch, watching a Hallmark movie. I am trying to work on paper, a little. Good luck on that. Have found some more resources though, now I need to read them.

Friend brought dinner-delicious! Thank you. Another mowed lawns. Thank you.

Donate Blood

Huntsman Center takes careful steps along the way. Dale was admitted then doctors take blood results and consult on what is next. They finally gave him additional pints of blood last night around 6 PM. That was 24 hours from admissions to ER. In the meantime, I believe the drip lines included antibiotics and saline for hydration. His spirits were good although until after blood was delivered, pretty weak. They told him that he is right on the track with other patients; they all have the same kind of reactions to treatments, stem cell harvesting, and, well, cancer. We will attend a BMT class on Monday. Looks like that part of treatment will be very intense and difficult so they have to prepare us several months ahead. Thing about Dale, though, once he gets the information of how hard it will be, he will begin anxieties, fear, and hopelessness for the several prior months, anticipating and trying to prepare for the worst. I need to be aware and cognizant of his anticipatory needs and anxieties to assist him in making it through.

Slight smile today. 

Spent time with brother and his wife, and sister last night. Delightful time. Spontaneous gatherings are nice and well needed. I put a plead out to all to donate blood and platelets if you are able. We had blood donations at the school and added an additional day to provide services to all volunteers. Go students! It is a good way to give of your time and self to others, with minimal pain.

Beautiful sky view from room 4510. 

ER visit Huntsman stay

After good days there are not so good days.

The night turned into IVs, blood work, antibiotics, oxygen, chest x-rays, morphine, and Dale staying and me going home. I was right on the blood work, that it was different at least. Red blood and platelets were good, in fact a healthy high. White blood on the other hand was way way too high. Something must be going on, so even though temperature stabled, and Dale felt better with all the IVs flowing in his system, Huntsman doctor said admit him. Makes sense. Next guess is he will be at Huntsman for the day and come home. Fair enough. He just needs to be stable enough to come home. They took four different cultures and will get results tomorrow. More answers then.

My brother wants me to post on Facebook, so sorry Facebook folks, if you did not want to know more about our intimate cancer life, you'll be getting more of these posts because one actually has to go to blog to read it, whereas Facebook is everywhere and looked at frequently.