Author: Greek Fighting Orange

It’s the first day of September, where does time go? Our niece, Emily, said it smelled like fall last night. Maybe it is the “smell” of the leaves turning colors or the little bit of crispness in the air, I don’t know? Now I can’t tell you what that smell is but when we left to get my honey’s blood work, I agreed, it smelled like fall! 

Question of the day…..Does anyone know how to get a stubborn, sick, Greek man to drink more liquids?? His kidneys really need moe liquids! I’ve tried tea, Gatorade, flavored water, plain water, etc. (He can’t have any alcohol btw) Part of the problem is he doesn’t feel like eating OR drinking. He makes himself eat somewhat but the drinking has been a challenge for him and me!

Other than that, Chris is doing well. Still very tired and he can’t do much. He is a little frustrated with that. Everyone, including me, tell him “One day at a time”. I’ve told him “your body is so busy rebuilding itself that it gets exhausted easily”. The folks at the hospital tell him to be more active but he isn’t supposed to be in the kitchen (too many germs) and he isn’t allowed to do any yard work (again too many germs). Of course, we are working thru these things, and I will continue to push, ever so gently. 

We hope you all have a good holiday weekend! We will be praying for and missing everyone at the Greek Festival next week! OPA!

Yesterday was a whirlwind day! We got to our Columbus home around 2:00-3:00. Chris needed a rest and truthfully I did too. But while he rested I needed to sanitize handles and faucets and door knobs and light switches, etc. etc. Laundry needed to be done too. We knew we would be discharged soon so I had been bringing home a bag full of things for the last few days. We still had another 4-5 more that needed to be put away. Needless to say I didn’t rest. 😳 Coffee helped! (Today is better!)

After my honey rested, we went through ALL his medicine. Let me tell you what a chore that was! What was worse than that was “I” was now responsible for making sure he got the right medicine, at the right dose, AND that he took them at the right time. One medicine we don’t start until they tell us it’s okay, another medicine has the dose adjusted twice a week, another one he needed to take the third dose at midnight! Besides those 3 there was only 8 more! 😳 His first dose of meds, we set up, was at about 8:00 pm! Just when I thought we were good, he felt sick and threw up, his medicine was in him about 30-45 minutes. What is a girl to do? 🤔

Chris had a appointment at the clinic this morning. He had some blood work done and we saw his transplant doc. Dr. Devine is a really nice guy and Chris and I really like him. He was very pleased with Chris’ progress and reassured us both that everything that is happening during this time is “normal” problems that they see every day. He made sure that we know that we just need to hang in there, things WILL get better.

Love, hugs, and prayers for all of you!

I hope my post today finds you all doing well! The doctors decided Chris needed to stay till tomorrow. The mouth sores are better and he is eating a bit more. Answered prayers! His white blood count, platelets and neutrophils continue to go up! Hemoglobin and magnesium aren’t cooperating as well and may need to be helped along. He is pretty weak and tires easily, every day is a little better. I think he thought he was going to be able to do things he did before right away. Things as simple as the distance he could walk without tiring or how fast he could go a mile on the stationary bike. It’s just going to take a minute I tell him. 

Chris developed a infection in his colon called C Diff. It’s a little setback and requires another pill but nothing that will keep us from going home tomorrow! YIPEE! I was at the hospital earlier today and wore my mask and washed my hands like usual. I left and  when I got back I had to wear a gown, mask and gloves! Also you have to wash your hands when entering and leaving his room! We will have to be careful when we go to Cindy and Clark’s home too because C Diff is contagious. I don’t know how I can wash my hands more than I already do! Lol! There is not enough lotion to help them now! 

Hi all! Chris is doing great! Counts are moving in the right direction. Still eating only liquids though, darn mouth sores! They are getting us ready for discharge SUNDAY OR MONDAY! Yes I said Sunday or Monday! You might be saying to yourself “Wow, that was fast” or “How can that be?” or “The figs on the fig tree aren’t even ready” or “Could Chris really be Superman?”. Whatever it is, I’m saying it too!😁

Our floor at the hospital had a mini, 15 minute walkathon today! It was for all of the donors that give of themselves so selflessly. I had on my tennys and bandana in case a broke a sweat. 😀 All kidding aside, they need people to register to give bone marrow and/or stem cells. (Thank you Elaine!) The walk is a way to make people more aware of the need. I don’t know much about it yet, but I know you need to be between the ages of 18-44. Not just young at heart! You can find more information at the National Marrow Donor Program or at http://Bethematch.org. It has been pretty amazing what the staff at The James has done, and will continue to do, to treat my honey’s Leukemia. I’ve said it before, they knock him down, so they can pick him up and make him better!

My honey is hanging in there as best as he can. It has been harder for him to get even his Ensures down. Only two yesterday and less than that today. He was able to eat a yogurt and a little chicken broth. His white blood count is going up, ever so slowly, so the mouth sores will get better as his counts go up! The Nurse Practitioner and the Doctor both say Chris is doing well. They are impressed that he can still take his pills with his throat so bad! They encourage him to keep moving and eat what he can. It’s a good thing he put most of his weight back on! He has some reserve right now. 😊

Today would have been my Mom’s 82nd birthday. I am missing the love and support that she would have so freely offered during the last year, when I broke my ankle and now with Chris’ health problems. Love you Mom!

It also is Chris’ parents anniversary. I’m not sure how many years they would have been married but it would have been over 60 years! Sadly, Chris’ Dad isn’t here with us anymore. However, we are very thankful for all of the love and support his Mom has offered us over the last year. She is an amazing lady, as many of you know. We love you Mama and miss you Baba!