Good evening from my new home ! Candlewood Suites is a big change from the hospital, although the hospital was not bad.
I got up at 8 and showered and ate breakfast and then had to be at the clinic at 11:15. We left a little early because we were not sure what the schedule would be. The first thing that I had done was labwork and then was put in an isolation room because of my influenza -but it was a room with an lady that had it too. We had a good conversion and it was nice to met somebody new.
I got an IV of saline solution and and an IV of magnesium. They gave a copy of my labs and the nurse said that it was very good, I just needed to be sure to drink, drink, and drink!
My platets are up to 189 and my white blood cells are up 10.7. Praise God that is very important.
While I was in clinic Pam met a lady there that was waiting on her husband and she gave Pam a tour of the unit and then Pam went to CVS to get my meds and to the grocery store that was next door and ran the food back to the hotel and just as I was getting done she walked through the door and away we went -perfect timing. Then we rode around the vicinity of the hotel to see if we could find a Wal-Mart or CVS or Foodlion but we couldn't find anything so we came back to the hotel. I thought that I would laydown to rest for a while and I slept for 2 hours.
My nose was very stuffy tonight so I hopped in the shower and stood in the steam for a while and that really helped. The nurses at the clinic was talking about how many of their patients have this influenza and that you can pick it up anywhere. They said that the most important thing to do is watch what you touch and to wash hands and use hand santizer and to keep your hands away from your face.
Pam fixed me a wonderful dinner of shell pasta with carrots, onions, mushrooms, crabmeat and celery all sauted and then an Italian like dressing. Then she fried up some apples. Although I had to admit to her that I could not taste it a lot I knew that if my taste buds were normal it would be delicious.
Well, I have the same schedule at the clinic tomorrow so I think that after 10pm meds I will hit the bed.
Gods Blessing to All of You,
Gloria
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
day 16 after transplant
Good evening to all !
This has been a long but wonderful day. First of all this is the Lord's day and I watched Charles Stanley on TV. He had a wonderful message on the trials in our lives, if we follow God, He is always there for us and that will make your faith stronger and then you are to serve others by helping them. So true.
Dr. Chung came in and said that everything is a go and to drink plenty of water or liquid. That would get rid of all the toxic and help keep all my other organs functionng. At least my appetite has come back a little, it still all tastes like metal but I am able to eat noodle soup and keep it down. He said that he was glad to see me go but that he would miss me - I entertained him !
Next Rodney and I started to pack up and they wanted us out by 3 and that is about the time that Ryan and Jennifer came so they took down all the cards and and other decorations. The nurses helped us to put everything on a cart and we were off to the pharmacy to get my meds and then off to my new home for several months, The Candlewood Suites. It is really nice and they couldn't have been more accomodating. Now that it has been cleaned and redecorated it feels like home.
I have a wonderful caregiver, Pam, here with me until Tuesday and then Rodney will come down for the rest of the week. She was a big help in getting my meds straightened out that I will need for tonight and tomorrow -- that took a while because there so many and they have to be taken at a certain time. She will be coming back for the whole next week. I am just so humbled at everyone that has volunteered to come stay with me. I just can't imagine people who do not have the kind of support that I have from my loving family, church family and neighbors and just friends that I have known. A gaint big thanks to all of you.
Well it has been a long day, after all I am only 16 days old and I need my rest. I have to be at the clinic tomorrow at 11:15 and am hoping that I will not have to stay there all day but whatever it takes I'll do it.
Love to all,
Gloria
This has been a long but wonderful day. First of all this is the Lord's day and I watched Charles Stanley on TV. He had a wonderful message on the trials in our lives, if we follow God, He is always there for us and that will make your faith stronger and then you are to serve others by helping them. So true.
Dr. Chung came in and said that everything is a go and to drink plenty of water or liquid. That would get rid of all the toxic and help keep all my other organs functionng. At least my appetite has come back a little, it still all tastes like metal but I am able to eat noodle soup and keep it down. He said that he was glad to see me go but that he would miss me - I entertained him !
Next Rodney and I started to pack up and they wanted us out by 3 and that is about the time that Ryan and Jennifer came so they took down all the cards and and other decorations. The nurses helped us to put everything on a cart and we were off to the pharmacy to get my meds and then off to my new home for several months, The Candlewood Suites. It is really nice and they couldn't have been more accomodating. Now that it has been cleaned and redecorated it feels like home.
I have a wonderful caregiver, Pam, here with me until Tuesday and then Rodney will come down for the rest of the week. She was a big help in getting my meds straightened out that I will need for tonight and tomorrow -- that took a while because there so many and they have to be taken at a certain time. She will be coming back for the whole next week. I am just so humbled at everyone that has volunteered to come stay with me. I just can't imagine people who do not have the kind of support that I have from my loving family, church family and neighbors and just friends that I have known. A gaint big thanks to all of you.
Well it has been a long day, after all I am only 16 days old and I need my rest. I have to be at the clinic tomorrow at 11:15 and am hoping that I will not have to stay there all day but whatever it takes I'll do it.
Love to all,
Gloria
Saturday, September 27, 2008
day 15 after transplant
Good evening to all -- I guess that everyone is watching the Tech game tonight. Steve, so far it is going in your favor! Thanks so much for your surprise visit, good to see your smiling face.
Today was a very good day for me. First of all my soul mate is here with me. He did take a break this afternoon and a co-worker from Travelers picked him up and they went to his house and then to a Brazilian resturant for dinner (thanks, D.A.). Anybody who knows Rodney knows that he is like "Mikey" and he will try anything. He came back very impressed with the different food that he got to taste, While he was gone I rode my bike and then took a nap (truthfully a deep sleep!).
The doctors were here today and and they said that it would be up to me as to how I feel tomorrow and how much food I can eat and keep down, They gave me an IV of some anti-nausea meds this morning and it has worked wonders. I have kept down all my food (even though it still tastes like metal). I even drank the broth from my noodle soup, before I would pick out the noodles (Richard one of my nurses scolded me for not drinking the broth because I was wasting about 100 calories - he was proud of me today). Also, Dr. Chung is very impressed with my platelett count he said that they sometimes struggle to get other patients count to 50 and my platelett count as of yesterday was 117 !! Nurse just came in to give a copy of my new labwork for today and my platets are now 141!! GOD IS AWESOME !
One other thing that the nurse told me is that I am one of the few patients that she has worked with that has had a very mild case of mucositis. Usually people get sores in their mouth and throat that they can hardly swallow and can last for 2 weeks. AGAIN GOD IS AWESOME!
I have Pam Cox (a nurse) coming to stay with me from Sunday to Tuesday afternoon and Rodney will be with me until Sunday evening. I appreciate everyone who has volunteered their time to come stay with my- it is very humbling and I am looking forward to having your company.
I will post the new address at the Candlewood Suites as soon as I know the room number.
I've told you about the ten-year-old girl that is in my former "ocean" room that she had her transplant yesterday and she has been very sick with this. Her name is Shyanna please let's all remember her and her family in our prayers. It hurts for me to know that she is sick but be assured that she is in the best of hands here.
Wish that we could be in church with all of you but every week that passes gets closer to that wonder day. Miss and love all of you.
God Bless.
Gloria
Today was a very good day for me. First of all my soul mate is here with me. He did take a break this afternoon and a co-worker from Travelers picked him up and they went to his house and then to a Brazilian resturant for dinner (thanks, D.A.). Anybody who knows Rodney knows that he is like "Mikey" and he will try anything. He came back very impressed with the different food that he got to taste, While he was gone I rode my bike and then took a nap (truthfully a deep sleep!).
The doctors were here today and and they said that it would be up to me as to how I feel tomorrow and how much food I can eat and keep down, They gave me an IV of some anti-nausea meds this morning and it has worked wonders. I have kept down all my food (even though it still tastes like metal). I even drank the broth from my noodle soup, before I would pick out the noodles (Richard one of my nurses scolded me for not drinking the broth because I was wasting about 100 calories - he was proud of me today). Also, Dr. Chung is very impressed with my platelett count he said that they sometimes struggle to get other patients count to 50 and my platelett count as of yesterday was 117 !! Nurse just came in to give a copy of my new labwork for today and my platets are now 141!! GOD IS AWESOME !
One other thing that the nurse told me is that I am one of the few patients that she has worked with that has had a very mild case of mucositis. Usually people get sores in their mouth and throat that they can hardly swallow and can last for 2 weeks. AGAIN GOD IS AWESOME!
I have Pam Cox (a nurse) coming to stay with me from Sunday to Tuesday afternoon and Rodney will be with me until Sunday evening. I appreciate everyone who has volunteered their time to come stay with my- it is very humbling and I am looking forward to having your company.
I will post the new address at the Candlewood Suites as soon as I know the room number.
I've told you about the ten-year-old girl that is in my former "ocean" room that she had her transplant yesterday and she has been very sick with this. Her name is Shyanna please let's all remember her and her family in our prayers. It hurts for me to know that she is sick but be assured that she is in the best of hands here.
Wish that we could be in church with all of you but every week that passes gets closer to that wonder day. Miss and love all of you.
God Bless.
Gloria
Friday, September 26, 2008
Day 14th after transplant
Good evening -- I guess everyone is busy watching the debate. This has been a kind of uneventful day --rainy and the nurses with other patients so they didn't drop in like they usually do. The 10 year old girl that moved into my ocean room had her transplant this afternoon and my nurse had to stay with her -- she got really sick. Let's all say a prayer for her and her family.
I have tried to eat today but nothing tastes good. It all tastes like metal. But I know that I have to eat be able to get out of here. They say that it will take a while to get the old taste buds back.
Rodney got here tonight about 7:15 and it sure was good to see his face. He was concerned how he was going to get me packed up and moved so Ryan and Jennifer has volunteered to come down Sunday afternoon to help. It is surprising how much stuff you collect in a few short weeks and we thought that we had it under control.
I still have this influenza but prayfully it is gettting better. My lungs are still clear and my temperature is normal. It is just a little bothersome.
I continue to thank everyone for the cards and the love and support. I know that without all of this support I would not be doing as well as I have done. Candlewood Suites and then the next step is home.
God Bless and love you all,
Gloria
I have tried to eat today but nothing tastes good. It all tastes like metal. But I know that I have to eat be able to get out of here. They say that it will take a while to get the old taste buds back.
Rodney got here tonight about 7:15 and it sure was good to see his face. He was concerned how he was going to get me packed up and moved so Ryan and Jennifer has volunteered to come down Sunday afternoon to help. It is surprising how much stuff you collect in a few short weeks and we thought that we had it under control.
I still have this influenza but prayfully it is gettting better. My lungs are still clear and my temperature is normal. It is just a little bothersome.
I continue to thank everyone for the cards and the love and support. I know that without all of this support I would not be doing as well as I have done. Candlewood Suites and then the next step is home.
God Bless and love you all,
Gloria
Thursday, September 25, 2008
13th day after transplant
Love to all,
I had a pretty good night until about 6:30 so I finished another book. Then breakfast came and it was ok --cream of wheats and applesauce. At least it stayed down. Then I rode my bike and watched all the people going to work and then it started to rain. It has rained here really hard all day-- they say it is because the State Fair started today and it always rains. Sounds like when the circus comes to our town.
My flu is not any worse but now I cough and cough -- they finally gave me some cough syrup-- hope it helps. I think that there are other people on the floor that has this also.
My lab work was good today --platets high and sugar down and my white blood count is down to 3 from 4 yesterday but they said that was normal. They took the food in a bag away and they want me to eat solid food now. I still do not have much of an appetite but can't get out of here until I start eating and keep it down.
Dr. Chung told me today that I will be discharged on Sunday ! I will have another address at the Candlewood Suites. He first said Friday but I said that is tomorrow and I can't get ready that fast so he said Sunday. This is about 1 week earlier than I expected so Rodney and I are scrambling trying to get everything ready.
God is so awesome and He has been with me every step of the way. If you just have the faith of the size of a mustard seed you can move a mountain and lots of prayers from wonderful friends like you sure does help also.
God Bless you All,
Gloria
I had a pretty good night until about 6:30 so I finished another book. Then breakfast came and it was ok --cream of wheats and applesauce. At least it stayed down. Then I rode my bike and watched all the people going to work and then it started to rain. It has rained here really hard all day-- they say it is because the State Fair started today and it always rains. Sounds like when the circus comes to our town.
My flu is not any worse but now I cough and cough -- they finally gave me some cough syrup-- hope it helps. I think that there are other people on the floor that has this also.
My lab work was good today --platets high and sugar down and my white blood count is down to 3 from 4 yesterday but they said that was normal. They took the food in a bag away and they want me to eat solid food now. I still do not have much of an appetite but can't get out of here until I start eating and keep it down.
Dr. Chung told me today that I will be discharged on Sunday ! I will have another address at the Candlewood Suites. He first said Friday but I said that is tomorrow and I can't get ready that fast so he said Sunday. This is about 1 week earlier than I expected so Rodney and I are scrambling trying to get everything ready.
God is so awesome and He has been with me every step of the way. If you just have the faith of the size of a mustard seed you can move a mountain and lots of prayers from wonderful friends like you sure does help also.
God Bless you All,
Gloria
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
day 12 after transplant
Hello to all,
Today I got up and rode my bike and took my shower and got my meds. They are wanting to wean me off of this food in a bag so they want me to eat more solid food. I really do not have an appetite but this morning for breakfast I ate one small pancake and jello. Well that didn't stay down very long ! I had hot tea which tasted good and helped to soothe my throat.
I got a large stack of cards again today -- thanks to everyone.
This afternoon the doctors came in and said that my white blood count was 2 yesterday and today it is 4! I don't know what is normal -- I will ask them tomorrow. I told them that I was riding my bike and thinking how I could get out of here and one the nurses said to tie really tight square knots in sheets (Iam on the 10th floor). After they left I saw these two ropes swing in front of my windows and the next thing I see is a man swinging and trying to put a suction cup on my window --- thought they were coming to get me but he was washing the windows. Boy I wouldn't want that job.
Most of the afternoon I read a book and took a nap. I felt pretty lazy but I am trying to get over this influenza. I would like to be able to walk the halls but I have to stay in the room with the door shut.
Several people called and it was good to hear their voice and to talk to them.
That takes care of my exciting day.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers and calls and cards. God hasn't brought me this far to leave me now -- He will see me all the way through.
Love to all,
Gloria
Today I got up and rode my bike and took my shower and got my meds. They are wanting to wean me off of this food in a bag so they want me to eat more solid food. I really do not have an appetite but this morning for breakfast I ate one small pancake and jello. Well that didn't stay down very long ! I had hot tea which tasted good and helped to soothe my throat.
I got a large stack of cards again today -- thanks to everyone.
This afternoon the doctors came in and said that my white blood count was 2 yesterday and today it is 4! I don't know what is normal -- I will ask them tomorrow. I told them that I was riding my bike and thinking how I could get out of here and one the nurses said to tie really tight square knots in sheets (Iam on the 10th floor). After they left I saw these two ropes swing in front of my windows and the next thing I see is a man swinging and trying to put a suction cup on my window --- thought they were coming to get me but he was washing the windows. Boy I wouldn't want that job.
Most of the afternoon I read a book and took a nap. I felt pretty lazy but I am trying to get over this influenza. I would like to be able to walk the halls but I have to stay in the room with the door shut.
Several people called and it was good to hear their voice and to talk to them.
That takes care of my exciting day.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers and calls and cards. God hasn't brought me this far to leave me now -- He will see me all the way through.
Love to all,
Gloria
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
day 11 of transplant
Greetings to everyone,
Today was an uneventful day -- just a lazy day. I got up at 5a.m. and rode my bike and read my Bible.
At 10 a m they gave me Benadryl because they were going to give me platets and then they found out that the blood bank didn't have enough -- they said that was ok mine was not that low but they wanted to boost them a little. Well I had a wonderful nap -I slept until after 1 pm and could not remember what day it was.
The doctor that takes care of the food in the bag said that he wants me to wean off of the bag. So I ate some mashed potatoes, jello and a popisle. I just don't have much of an appetite.
Dr. Chung was is and he is pleased with my progress my white blood cells are up to 2 now ! He said that I was about a week ahead of schedule. Now if I can get rid of the influenza -- don't know how I got it but Dr. Chung said that it is a lot going around. There has been nothing said about me moving to another room so that is good.
Grady and Libby made me this decorated box with rainbows, birds, sunshine, trees and of course bugs on it (Libby loves bugs) and inside the box is 100 envelopes that I am to open one a day. Some envelopes have pictures of the kids and others have drawings and others have Bible verses. The one that I opened today was one that Grady wrote it from Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do no be terrifed; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go! That helped me through today thanks Grady --Mamaw loves you.
I am going to turn in early tonight and try to get rid of this bug - they say it just has to work its way out and rest is good for it.
God Bless Everyone
Love to All
Gloria
Today was an uneventful day -- just a lazy day. I got up at 5a.m. and rode my bike and read my Bible.
At 10 a m they gave me Benadryl because they were going to give me platets and then they found out that the blood bank didn't have enough -- they said that was ok mine was not that low but they wanted to boost them a little. Well I had a wonderful nap -I slept until after 1 pm and could not remember what day it was.
The doctor that takes care of the food in the bag said that he wants me to wean off of the bag. So I ate some mashed potatoes, jello and a popisle. I just don't have much of an appetite.
Dr. Chung was is and he is pleased with my progress my white blood cells are up to 2 now ! He said that I was about a week ahead of schedule. Now if I can get rid of the influenza -- don't know how I got it but Dr. Chung said that it is a lot going around. There has been nothing said about me moving to another room so that is good.
Grady and Libby made me this decorated box with rainbows, birds, sunshine, trees and of course bugs on it (Libby loves bugs) and inside the box is 100 envelopes that I am to open one a day. Some envelopes have pictures of the kids and others have drawings and others have Bible verses. The one that I opened today was one that Grady wrote it from Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do no be terrifed; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go! That helped me through today thanks Grady --Mamaw loves you.
I am going to turn in early tonight and try to get rid of this bug - they say it just has to work its way out and rest is good for it.
God Bless Everyone
Love to All
Gloria
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