Author: Greek Fighting Orange

Friday- the 4th day of chemo and now we have to stop!  PICC line still bleeding.  Newest X-rays are showing bowels are backed up.  Nauseous today & extremely uncomfortable.  So we’re being told about an NG tube, to help relieve nausea & distension in abdomen. Sounds awful!!

Other symptoms include difficulty breathing but is completely pain free.

Today as soon as dad would begin to rest someone from the hospital staff would come in. It honestly was making me angry & I felt so bad watching them wake him up and ask him the same questions over and over.  He remained calm and patient with them.  He knows they are all there to help him, but it sometimes feels like the entire hospital is coming into the room. There were multiple nurses, PA’s, kidney dr, GI team, liver specialist, surgery team, infectious disease dr, oncologist….and I might have missed one or two.   Please don’t misunderstand, we are thankful for all the work the medical staff is doing, but it’s so hard to see him  so sick. You think with all these smart people why is he suffering so much?

Chemo has been stopped until his other organs can recover.

 

3/4

white blood count- 25.8 Friday 3.2 today

platelets- 19 Friday 7 today  normal levels (150-450)

Lots of friends and family are visiting, luckily the nurse said we have one of the bigger rooms.  Right now we are in recovery mode.  Resting more comfortably and started blood transfusions and platelets.  All 4 grandchildren and 4 children have been visiting as much as possible.  Our grand babies bring Chris so much joy!

It amazes me how important pooping is! We take it for granted! We assume we will poop every day or every other day!  But when you can’t poop it becomes a topic of conversation! When Chris was able to poop (a very little) we celebrated! I was texting others! I was relieved!  My sister in law reminded me about when one of her sons couldn’t poop and when we did we cheered!  So the next time you poop, do it in honor of Chris!! Thank you!

Chris had a bad night that turned into a bad day. Platelets are low (11) normal is 150-450,  PICC line is bleeding due to low platelets. Bruises are popping up all over him, another low platelets problem. Heart beating too fast, oxygen too low, bowels aren’t moving! Another EKG and chest X-ray! He is eating less each day. White blood count is dropping (81.0) normal is 3000-12000 and it was over 90000, a good thing for sure! Two bags of platelets have helped the bleeding slow from the PICC line.  X-ray on abdomen due to distenson & stomach problems.

My heart aches watching this strong wonderful man grow weaker before my eyes. Have I mentioned we have been married 40 years, last June?

Chris’ Mom came home from Florida today.  She knew Chris was sick but she didn’t know how sick. It  was heart wrenching, trying to explain  it to her! I’m not sure she understood our words but her eyes could see. PRAY!

I must tell you that Chris and I have the most amazing family and our friends are second to none.  Our Maumee Valley family has been working hard to take care of our business and our wonderful customers. We are so thankful!!

Hi Everyone!

So the unofficial diagnosis is is AML or Acute Myloid Leukemia with Monocydic Features!!!! What the :$&;/!!!! Our world changed and will never be the same! PRAY!  I’m learning about platelets, hemoglobin, white blood cells, PIC lines, etc. etc. We have a doc for cancer, a doc for infectious disease, a heart doc, a kidney doc, you get the picture. Let me tell you what a blessing nurses and the nurse aids are! These people are awesome! They are kind, friendly, patient, knowledgeable, and caring! They are preparing me to take my honey home in a few weeks.

So if you are a Greek guy you are probably a hairy guy, right? Well the sticky things they put on you to monitor your heart don’t stick to your skin very well because of your hair but when they need to come off……ouchy plus 10!!!  Chris wound up with several sets of these on his chest and abdomen. I would pulled a couple off from time to time, receiving the “what the heck are you doing look” every time.  I knew it hurt but he had about a dozen unused on his body!  Someone had to take them off, lol!  During one of his tests, a cute young lady was doing, she had to take more of the unused stickys off.  Chris later told us he couldn’t flinch or act like it hurt because he was trying to be all manly!

I am not kidding about my title!  Blood tests galore continued to say high white blood cell count. Docs brought in this 2 page description…..Leukemia in Adults. This is becoming serious. However it’s still not sinking in!  My honey is strong! Always doing something! Going here! Helping there! How can this be?? I will still be asking this question for days and weeks to come.