Back in the Hospital

Sat. evening around 8:00, it became evident Ray was running low on platelets. After speaking to the Dr. we headed to the hospital. Shortly after we got there he began running a high temp, so obviously all the tests, blood cultures, x-ray, etc. were done. Not only is his platelet count dangerously low, his red blood count is also. He did get a platelet transfusion immediately, and if they can keep his temp down long enough, he'll also be getting 3 units of packed red blood cells over the next 12 hours.

The fever indicates there is some kind of infection going on, which we'll learn more about that later. He was exhausted when I left his room, and it looked as though the chances of getting some rest were slim to none.

More later,
Kim

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are so very thankful for all our family and friends who have been such a wonderful support for our family. We can never thank you all enough for everything that you've done, so we are thanking God for each of you.

Ray was in to see the Dr. this morning for more lab work. His blood counts are all very low, most especialy his white blood count. He was told to stay away from crowds and just stay in for the holidays. Just like the last round, the Dr. is trying very hard to keep him out of the hospital.

We're OK with staying home. I'll be making the traditional Thanksgiving meal for Ray, myself, Daniel and Mary. With spending so much time in the hospital these past 4 months, we'll cherish the time at home.

On Monday, it's back to the Dr.

Have a very blessed and safe Thanksgiving!
Love you all,
Kim

Yea!!

We got back home early yesterday morning (Sat.) around 8:30. That's the earliest yet Ray's been able to get out of there. He knew he'd finish the meds early Sat., so already on Friday he started getting the ball rolling for being dismissed. It paid off. But let's see, how many times have we done this?

Had a busy day yesterday, so I'm just now getting this posted.

Ray's feeling very fatigued. He's able to be up for a while, but spends most of the day in the recliner. He planned to go to Mass yesterday evening, and as he was getting ready to go he decided he just didn't have the strength to make it. The chemo seems to be affecting him sooner this round. In the past, his energy was pretty good for about a week after he got home. Each round has been unique.

Love you all,
Kim

Brief Update

Things are going great for Ray, thus far. His appetite is still great (he's even worried about his weight) and he's been walking the halls quite often to get some exercise. He's always happy to have visitors and phone calls. His blood counts are still pretty good, which means his resistance
is good. Plans are for him to be home Saturday.

Love you all,
Kim

Round Four

Ray's 4th round began this afternoon, and has been uneventful for the most part. He's got the routine down now and knows pretty much what to expect next. As I've said before, he's on first name basis with all the people in the admitting office, the 6th floor nurses, even the housekeepers. They all love to see him come in, smiling and always has something positive to say to each one he meets. I do believe though, some of the nicest people in the world, work at that hospital. We feel so blessed to be there. He will be finished with this round Sat. morning and be able to go home then.

He said today he's beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel; with only one more round to go after this.

I thank God often for each of you, our family and friends who have been our prayer warriors.

Love you all,
Kim

Next Round

Today, the Dr. was pleased with the progress made, so pleased Ray will begin his next round of chemo on Monday.

It seems so sudden after he just spent all of last week in the hospital, but we know this is getiing one step closer to finishing these treatments. Plans are that after this next round, he'll only have one more.

Thus far, each round has been unique. I guess it's the fear of the unknown that makes us hesitant. God is so good to us, we know and trust He'll carry us through once more.

The timing for this round will be good as Andy's college graduation will be Dec. 13th, and by then Ray should be back on his feet and feeling pretty good again. Most importantly, be able to be in a crowd again.

Love you all,
Kim

Baby Brooke of Booker

We made a trip to Booker Sunday afternoon to see Steve, Amber & kids and had a great time. I wanted to share some pictures with you.

Ray is doing well, all things considered. He feels exhausted most of the time, but we know that's to be expected and will get better. He returns to the Dr. tomorrow morning for more blood work.

Love you all,
Kim

Glad to be Home

We got Ray home today around 2:00. This morning it was looking doubtful that he'd be released today, due to a low platelet count. But another blood test was ordered (after some pleading) that proved his platelet count had improved since the last test eight hours earlier. The Dr. took that as a sign that it will continue to improve. Ray will have blood tests done every couple of days next week.

Thanks for all your prayers, love, and concern.

Love you all,
Kim

A Good Day!

After the morphine pump was removed, he's had no pain at all. So we feel sure he'll be released tomorrow morning. Took a few hours for all the nasty side effects to wear off, and after that, other than being very tired, he's back to feeling pretty good. What a blessing!

Dr. believes the pain was from a sudden onset of the body producing marrow, which is a very good thing. So, maybe it wasn't all in vain. I hope he never has to go through that again, at least not that many hours.

Love you all,
Kim

Friday

We are still in the hospital. Had somewhat of a setback yesterday. Out of nowhere, this horrific pain started for Ray. It got so bad, it was frightening. He kept saying his bones hurt, from his head down to his hips. The pain meds that were given would not even touch it. Finally they ended up putting him on a morphine (did I spell that right) pump to control the pain. So today, Friday they're going to take that back off and see what the pain level is.

Some of the previous meds he's been on has caused pain so we were expecting that, but nothing like he had yesterday. The nurses even said they had never seen anything like it.

If he can do without the pump for 24 hrs, he can go home. On the morphine, all he does is sleep. I'm ready to get him off that. Then, hopefully the only pain he'll have is the one he's married to.

More later,
Kim

Couple More Days

Well the Dr. did NOT think Ray going home today was a good idea; most especially since he had a temp of 103.2 on Monday afternoon and has no immune system to speak of right now. He advised (strongly) a couple more days of IV antibiotics. "An ounce of prevention" were his words.

Sounds as though Amber and baby are doing great. Can't wait to see them. Maybe this weekend. Oh, by the way, the baby's name is Brooke Kimberly :)

Love you all,
Kim

Grandbaby is Here!

Our little Brooke arrived at 4:45 this morning, weighing in at 6 lbs. 15 1/4 oz. Sounds as though everything is going great for Amber and Brooke. There not sure about the middle name yet. "Brooke Barack" has sort of a ring to it.

I hope to get up there soon- I know she can use another Mom. Hannah is home from school with strep throat (of all times.) They've got so many friends who have offered to help, so I know they'll do fine. God is so good!

More later,
Kim

Feeling Much Better

Needles to say, I left the hospital last night very worried. I even woke up around 3 a.m. (you know how things always seem worse in the dead of night) and couldn't go back to sleep. At 7:00 Ray calls, his voice stronger than ever and sounding so good, says, "I am starving! Bring me something to eat!! I told him he must be feeling better, and he said, "I feel 100 times better than I did yesterday." So after I dropped the kids off at school, I ran to his favorite Mexican food restaurant and ordered a super breakfast burrito just like he wanted.

He did have two more units of packed red blood cells today, so I'm thinking his energy will be much improved tomorrow and he's going to be telling the Dr. he's going home! We'll have to see what the Dr. thinks of that!

I hope you all had a chance to get out and vote, well THAT is if you voted for the same guy I did! Aren't you glad to have all this campaigning over with?

Love you all,
Kim

(Amber's still waiting to have the baby)

Hospital Again

Right as things seemed to be rockin' along so well, Ray had to be admitted to the hospital this morning due to his platelet count being so low. Yesterday, he began to notice red spots and bruising just under the skin, so this morning during his visit to the Dr., we learned that's what happens when the platelet count is dangerously low. He was sent immediately to the hospital, and platelets were ordered. As we're waiting for the platelets transfusion, he starts running a fever. So then the transfusion was put on hold, blood cultures and chest x-rays were done, and they began working to get his temp down. Finally, about 6:00 this evening his temp was back to normal, so he could receive the platelets. I guess we'll learn more tomorrow about cultures and x-ray results. When I left the hospital around 8:30, he was totally exhausted.

I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks, I know you will!

Love you all,
Kim