A Little Improvement

The liver function tests today shows a little improvement....very little, but improvement nonetheless. The Dr. said we should wait another week before he tests again, but is hopeful that by next week things will be well enough that chemo treatment can begin again. Ray returns for tests on Tues. Feb. 2. We're trying so hard to be patient and yet we feel once again we're in a race with time.

We were certainly disappointed, but are grateful that Ray is feeling well. We had a busy weekend, even made it to Naz for my uncles', twins Jerry & James 80th birthday party. It was great to get to see and visit with so many relatives and friends. We also had the opportunity to attend a memorial service at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial honoring 31 from the Texas Panhandle killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wow! A very moving ceremony. That certainly helps keep things in perspective.

We don't expect any change until next Tues., but if there is, I'll let you know.

Love you all,
Kim

Bummer

It looks as though our metal is being tested once again. Chemo had to be stopped this morning due to "liver function imbalances." At this point, it's not clear if the liver problems are from the previous chemo or from some other meds that Ray is currently taking. To avoid the risk of further liver damage, the chemo has been stopped, the other meds are being adjusted and we'll wait a few days to see if the liver recovers/reacts.

Ray was discharged from the hospital late this afternoon. His next blood tests won't be done until Monday, so we'll know then if there is any change. The decision as to when chemo will resume, won't be made for at least two weeks.

We'll wait and see....hope and pray. Thanks for all your prayers!!

Love you all,
Kim

Here We Go Again

The next round of chemo did indeed begin today. Ray checked into the hospital around noon, optimistic that after this round he'll be ready for the transplant. The Dr. was really encouraging today after receiving more results from the last bone marrow biopsy, and after speaking to the Dr. in Maryland.

This round should go pretty much the same as the last one did. Chemo will be administered for seven days....Ray will be able to go home for a few days....and then probably return to the hospital to ride out the "bottomed out" period. He's ready to get it started and get it finished. He'd been feeling good most days, but still experiencing times of extreme fatigue. But that's been the routine for quite some time now. I'll keep you posted.

Love you all,
Kim

Events of Today

Not long after we arrived at the Dr. office this morning, Ray had another one of those fainting spells...like the one he had on Christmas Eve morning. This time he really scared about 15 nurses and Drs. At the time, I was waiting for him, while he was in the lab when I heard and saw nurses and Drs. running into the lab. Of course, I took off running too (didn't want to be left behind) and there he was on the floor with a room full of people working to arouse him. After several minutes, they had him on a gurney and had an IV going. Long story--short, he was dehydrated and after about four hours of IV fluids (given in the Dr. office) he's had a rapid and complete recovery. The Dr. called it a "vagal response" and is a result of the body going into a "fight or flight" mode.

Great news on the biopsy: The results show there's no leukemia cells in the marrow. His blood counts for today were all improved since Monday...more good news. He'll have a few more days to continue getting stronger, and then start another round of chemo next Wed. or Thurs.

I asked the Dr. if he is calling this "remission"--to which he answered, he is calling it "preliminary remission." He and the Dr. in Maryland agreed in order to have a "sustained remission" another round of chemo needs to be given. We knew he would most likely have another round (protocol) but were hoping for the possibilty of moving forward with the stem cell transplant.

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Love you all,
Kim

Better & Better

Ray continues feeling better each day. He had another CBC this morning showing his counts continue to improve. In fact, last Friday he was given appt. times to have CBC for Mon., Wed., and Fri. of this week...but since his counts were so improved this morning, he was told he could cancel the Wed. appt. He will return on Fri., and of course more blood work will be done then, and we'll also get results from the biopsy done last Fri.

He really is doing better and better each day. Sunday afternoon he took a walk (1 mile) around the park, and today he did some shopping on his own. Thank you for all your prayers!

Love you all,
Kim

Biopsy

Ray was feeling well enough this morning he felt he could make it on his own to the Dr. for the blood work. After all he was just going in for the daily CBC routinely done dozens of times before. Well the Dr. sprang a surprise on him and decided another bone marrow biopsy should be done today. I felt terrible that I wasn't there with him while that was being done. He did make it through the whole procedure just fine...without me. They kept him there a little longer than usual, drinking plenty of fluids, making sure he was OK before he left, and he made it home without any problem. Those biopsies are done with a local anethesia in the hip. We'll know the results in about a week.

His counts are still improving each day, so he's been given the weekend off. Nice! Have a great weekend!

Love you all,
Kim

Doing Better

Ray's feeling better today than he has in a couple of weeks. He even did some driving today...that could just mean that he's had it with my driving!

The daily blood tests are showing steady improvements--slow but steady. Tomorrow (Friday) will be a repeat of a blood test at the Dr. office and then on to the hospital (outpatient) for an injection, but there's talk of taking the weekend off. That would be nice as it has been taking about four hours each day, mostly spent waiting.

I hope everyone has been keeping warm in this bitter cold.
Love you all,
Kim

Yes!

We got Ray home today around noon. The Dr. decided I.V. antibiotics (at home) won't be necessary--oral should do the job. That makes things so much simpler and easier. We do have to make that trip in for blood work every day for a few days, and then depending on the counts possibly onto the outpatient clinic. We're glad to do that as opposed to actually being IN the hospital.

Ray feels good, although he does tire easily and is pretty weak. Just as you would expect after nearly two weeks of laying in the hospital, not to mention chemotherapy. It's going to get better though. The nutritionist gave him a stern talking to about maintaining his weight. I've got plans to do lots of cooking of all the foods he loves. You know what happens though....his weight stay the same or drops, and mine climbs.

Love you all,
Kim

Home Tomorrow

We found out just a few minutes ago that Ray will be able to go home tomorrow morning. It looks as though he'll be continuing some I.V. antibiotics and also a daily injection for a while at home. Not sure yet how often he'll have to return to the Dr. for blood tests. We'll be given further details on all that when he's dimissed. It will be great to finally have him back home. Thanks for all your prayers!

Love you all,
Kim

Brief Update

Wow! I didn't realize so many many days had slipped passed since I last posted. So how about a brief update on the patient and other happenings at the Husemans'.

Ray is still in the hospital with all the blood counts bottomed out. This morning he was given two more transfusions--one unit of platelets and one of packed red blood cells. I asked him if he'd started asking the Dr. when he could possibly be going home. He hadn't asked, and just looked at me and said he wasn't ready to go home yet. I was sure hoping by now he'd be stronger and his counts on an upward trend. Since he's not itching to get out of there, that tells me he has a ways to go yet. I continue to ask the Lord for patience for me and strength and healing for Ray.

Andy and Britteny's wedding was beautiful. God has truly blessed us with another beautiful daughter-in-law. Ray was able to watch the entire ceremony...live! from his hospital room, via webstream. Joe and Andy worked hard setting this up, and Joe did a fantastic job with the camera during the ceremony. Modern technology--isn't it great?

Mary and Daniel will be back in school tomorrow morning. Katie and Jenna left this morning for College Station. Soon we'll be settled in our usual routine (whatever that is). After a whirlwind weekend full of holiday cheer, out of town wedding, numerous kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in and out of our house; this afternoon we had no choice but to clean house and do laundry. As of now, it's looking as though we might be able to salvage the house, so please come back and visit again real soon.

Throughout the holidays and the wedding we were reminded many, many times of how we are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. We truly do love each and every one of you, and daily thank God for you!

Love you all,
Kim