7/6/15 -Staying Positive

Hi, quick update on Jan:

While they are unsure why she lost 10 pounds, they gave her something for appetite and with fluids she's up over 20 pounds which they think is almost all water weight. She is swollen and a little uncomfortable. They're taking care of it though. And with her food allergies she's down to maybe 5 options for meals and she's over them already.

Since Jan doesn't have her appointment with the transplant team until the 14th, she's left without a lot of answers until then, and without answers it's easy for the mind to wander and worry. While we are all overwhelmed at the kind and wonderful people who are constantly willing to help and we understand good intentions, we are trying to keep positive until we have a better understanding of her situation.

A lot of people ask what they can do, if you want to visit Jan, you can always send a text to see if you can bring her another snack or meal option other than the hospital food? You can always send her something funny, laughter is always better than crying.

Since there is still a lot we don't know, we know it's best to stay positive and keep our heads up through this. We don't know the answer to a lot of hard questions right now, but we do know Jan is still here, still a Mom, Grandma, sister, and friend. and she needs a good laugh right about now.

Thanks again for the continued prayers and thoughts on our family's behalf.

7/4/16 - New Chemo

I'm in the hospital today through Friday to receive the new R-ICE chemo.  It has more severe side effects than the last chemo. Confusion and  kidney damage are a couple of the things they'll be watching for.  They are having me drink 3 quarts of water all day and giving me medicines designed to protect my kidneys, but there is nothing they can do about the confusion but luckily there's a less than 5% chance of it.  So if you come to visit me, it might be more entertaining than you bargained for.  They're also concerned about my weight loss over the last week (10 pounds) and are giving me something to increase my hunger.

I need a couple favors once I'm released.  If I get as sick and fatigued as they tell me I will, then I'll need someone to take me to my oncologist appointments on July 11 and July 18th at 2 pm.. Both appointments are just to check my blood so they should take less than an hour.  Thank you. 

I meet with the transplant team sometime on July 14th. For some reason I'm really scared for this appointment. Terrified.  I'm probably going to be on Valium that day.  My sister Jill is going with me so I won't be alone.  I understand that they'll test my five siblings in hopes of finding a bone marrow match. I'm lucky I have a large family.  I'm hoping they aren't looking at doing the transplant in the near future so I have some time to process everything they'll tell me.  I understand I'd be in the hospital 5 weeks for it.  

Thank you for your kind texts, emails and posts.  Also thanks to all the people who've driven me to my chemo appointments and those who brought me dinner.  It's wonderful to have such a great support system!