A Normal Life

Life seems to be getting back to normal. Jim had a good night's sleep last night (sans sleeping pill!) Today we went to the gym and he is walking with a walker a little further every day and faithfully doing the exercises that daughter-in-law, Ann, the physical therapist extrordinaire, instructed him to do. Each day he is stronger and his appetite is great! Tomorrow night he will join the ROMEO's at their favorite restaurant. Thanks to all our supporters! Barbara

DEO GRATIAS

MY DEAR FRIENDS, AND I WILL NOT ENUMERATE ALL OF YOU BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE 3 INK CARTRIDGES LEFT. THIS REMISSION WAS CAUSED PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE OF THE PRAYERS, HOPES, AND INTERCESSIONS OF ALL OF YOU. I CANNOT ADEQUATELY EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOUR CARING. YOU HAVE SAVED MY LIFE AND DARE I SAY THE LIVES OF ALL MY FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND ALL THOSE I HAVE COME TO KNOW, LOVE, AND RESPECT OVER MY 70 ODD YEARS. YOU ALL WILL REMAIN FOREVER IN MY HEART. LOVE, JIM

CELEBRATE WITH US!!!!!!

Yesterday at NIH we found out that Jim's CT scans showed that all of his lymph nodes have gotten even smaller than the CT scans in June! The bone marrow biopsy showed that the marrow was clear except for 5%. That 5% consists of CLL cells which is so minimal that the doctors are not concerned. Doctors are very pleased and don't need to see him for 3 months! So we are greatly relieved and thank God for this blessing and thank all of you for all the prayers and loving concern. Another bonus--Jim slept for 10 hours last night! Love to all, Barbara

More Normal

Still having ups and downs with the sleeping (last night a good night/Friday night a disaster). PT is down to twice a week for 2 more weeks and that has really made Jim stronger. His appetite is back to normal also (a side effect of one of his drugs is "overeating") so I think we'll be seeing a weight gain soon. He entered a weight bet with Frank Birkenseher --Frank has to lose and Jim has to gain! Poor Frank--didn't know about the side effect of the drug--maybe you should cry foul! Anyway, things are looking more normal. Jim wanted to go to church today, so we did. We went to Queen of Peace and saw Mike Hanna (a long-time high school friend of Mike's) directing the choir. It was a wonderful liturgy--so we may have discovered a new church to go to! Barbara

Back to NIH Tomorrow

A little change in plans. The bone marrow biopsy was moved up to tomorrow (Wed. 8/12) and because we decided not to go away with our kids to LBI next week (Jim is afraid to go so far away from his doctors), the new date for CT scans and clinic appointment is going to be Thursday, Aug. 20. We should be getting an update of Jim's progress on that date. Naturally we're hoping that he is in remission, but that mysterious low neutrophil count is nagging away at us. I went to a support group for caregivers of patients with Cancer last night with Erin (her idea) and found it very helpful. I was amazed at how many people are facing the same issues as we are and how hard it is. Jim only had one hour of sleep last night so I've hired Tsega, the Home Health Aide, back for tonight. Also, Dr. Roath, whom we saw today, explained that his body is getting used to the Lunesta that he takes to help him sleep at night. Therefore he has to skip it one night every week to allow it to get a "kick start" again. He will be taking Melatonin tonight--don't know if it will do anything, but worth a try. Happy dreams you all! Barbara

Hanging in There

We had a fairly good week, with Jim's sleeping improved, but interrupted. Has a hard time going back to sleep. We had a great visit from Jeanne and Frank Birkenseher from Thursday til Sunday (Alyssa stayed with Erin and all the girls enjoyed each other). Such good old friends--it was so good of them to come. Jim had some periods of agitation, but they always seem to occur right after awakening--the doctor says that he is "locked into REM sleep" when that happens and we need to wake him up fully by turning on all the lights, the TV, the radio, get him up and dressed. That seems to work to calm his agitation. He still gets PT 3x/week and that definitely is making him stronger. The new worry is that his neutrophils have gone down (300, then 280) and the folks at NIH don't seem to know why. So we are taking neutropenic precautions once again (STRICT hand washing, wearing a mask around others, monitoring temp 4x/day, etc.). This has gotten Jim very anxious again understandably. The next blood test will be this Thursday, Aug. 13. Keep those prayers coming! Barbara

HALLELUIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim slept 10 1/2 hours last night with this new sleeping pill. And today his thinking was much clearer. This was the first full night's sleep he has had in 4 months! He was a little too groggy this a.m.--wanting to go back to bed a lot. So the doctor wants him to try a half of the sleeping pill tonight. We told Tsega, the aide to come back tonight so we can make sure this is not just a fluke. He went to get fitted for his hip brace and although it looks very cumbersome he says it is comfortable. He doesn't have to sleep with it on but says he'd like to try it. It makes him feel secure that his hip will stay in place. I guess any one of us who had his/her hip dislocate 15 times we'd do the same. I know its been one of his big worries. Thank you Jason for giving up most of your day to us yesterday and to all the ROMEO's (Yes, it is "Retired Old Men Eating Out") for bringing the food, beer, soda, but most of all yourselves to Jim at home! Joe, Mike M., Dan, and YJ came as well and I think a good time was had by all. Barbara

Looking Up

Things are looking up. Even though Jim hardly slept at all last night, Tsega, the home health aide was here and was particularly attentive and compassionate with Jim. When she left this morning he said, "You'll come back, won't you?" Today the new psychiatrist ordered a new sleeping pill and explained most of Jim's symptoms--thinks its from the chemo. Hope the new med. works! Had the ROMEOs over tonight for pizza--Jim just loved it. Barbara

About the Same

Everything about the same. Interviewed a Home Health Aid (a nursing student from Ethiopia)yesterday and we both think she'll work out for night care for JIm--liked her a lot. Jim sees neurologist tomorrow and another psychiatrist (one with more experience in geriatrics and medical problems) on Tuesday. Hope for the best. Barbara