Another day

Here in the hospital room. Abbey and me with Becky, having a nice visit. Also had a nice visit with her brother and wife. Soon she will receive an IGG infusion(immuno-gammoglobulin) in layman's terms..it's an elevated/potent medicine, designed to boost her immune system. Her white count a little high, but OK..her platelets are good.
Onward forward...God Bless..

Celebrate life..

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Stable..and improving..

For a few days, Becky was in a sorta 'holding pattern'/ stable with not much improvement, but the last 3 or 4 days have seen some elevated performance. Stronger physically and mentally. Yes, she is still getting nutrition from the 'bag', yet, more and more solid food being consumed. So much so, the Dr. has reduced the liquid food intake level. Also slightly reducing the prednisone/steriod. That's good! But again, back to sustaining/taking the meds that were prescribed months ago, then reduced, then ceased. Oh well, so be it, will do what it takes to beat this Graft vs. Host disease. It is what it is for now. Just keep looking for tomorrow's Sun to rise and look for 'rays of sunshine' to penetrate the downtrodden and the sometimes gray or even dark blanket of emotion..But, make no mistake, Becky/We are NOT defeated. We embrace our faith, our hope, our deep love for each other..We do ask the Lord to sustain our dented spirit. We may experience moments of heart and soul paralyzation, but we also experience moments of the deepest love for each other and for God,that, as I have said before, may or may not otherwise have been realized in this life on earth.
We still don't have any time frame for Becky's release, other than Dr. Snyder did say he would discuss her going home in a few days. Did ya get that one? In a few days, he will discuss Becky coming home. Until then, Becky thanks you all for your love and prayers. She is so encouraged by your words and actions...

We know everybody has a story. Everybody..

Much Love, Celebrate Life..

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Just keep at it..

Slight improvement today...some pep in her voice. My sweet wife's attitude or psyche did take a hit with this admittance, but she is truly amazing in her day to day 'let's just do it' stance. That's what she does..she just does it. All the meds are back, the ones that were halted a few weeks ago. A labryinth of medicinal administration, Becky's day. Still getting her nutrition from the 'bag', but she is eating a very, very small amount of solid food. We honestly do not know how long she will be hospitalized this time. As indicated, we just put one foot in front of another and work through each day. And so it goes...Abbey is doing fine. Enjoying a little chillin' after a hectic last few weeks of middle school.
Hope and pray all is well with you. Watch out for the labryinths of life. May you find some time to 'chillax'..that's chill and relax. :)+=

Celebrate Life..

Bill, Becky and Abbey

And so it goes..

Becky showing slight signs of improvement..She is weak, but engaging, though she does tire easily. Saturday, Abbey was able to visit Becky in the room! As mentioned, this was not allowed during her other stays. They talked of Abbey's middle school graduation and more. Good 'medicine' to Becky, need I say. And some family came to visit which was a nice surprise. She is getting nutrition from the 'bags' as I call it. She's trying solid foods, but they just aren't taking hold yet. She is back to many of the meds she was tapered off of a few weeks ago...Her skin rash was showing signs of disappearance, but still 'maps' her body quite well.
We are still a little numb, but again not shocked, not at all. Just put one foot in front of another, and pray for 'home worthy' restoration for Becky, soon. We know she is where she should be, the re-admittance was absolutely necessary.

Thank you all so much for your care, support and of course prayers..
We trust in the Lord, we do. This is not easy, no it isn't..the frustration, uncertainty and disruption, envelope us at times, to the point of despair. But we still believe in God's goodness, mercy and omniscience.

Much, Much Love..Happy Father's Day to you dudes!

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Hospital...

Had some tests today...not feeling so hot. Very nauseous..weak.
Again, we know Becky is where she should be, Lord just help us all adjust mentally. We know this is what has to be..we know the hospitalization is best.
Onward forward..even if it seems 'forward then reverse', we still know there are 'turning cartwheel' days ahead..

Much Love..celebrate life!

Bill, Becky and Abbey..

Becky-hospital..

Yes, Becky is back in the hospital. The Graft Vs. Host disease (you can Google to get a little info on this disease) really showed itself the last 24 to 48 hours...She and I both agreed the re-admittance would probably come to fruition and indeed it did. Homecare was just not an option with the symptoms/manifestations Becky was displaying. She has lost almost ten pounds in the last 8 or so days..The skin rash was spreading. She is of course, disappointed, discouraged & dejected, but again, we saw within the last few days a hospital stay was inevitable. Becky was most of all disappointed she would not be able to attend Abbey's middle school graduation. Since Becky's last discharge back in late January, attending Abbey's graduation was one of her goals. Yet, we know, this will pass, and that most importantly, Becky must experience good health. Abbey is OK, she knows Mom needs hospitalization. She knows this is our life right now, and we were all told, the Graft vs. Host disease can surface within the first two years of the stem cell transplant. OH! Good news, Abbey can actually visit Becky's room now. The '18 and under' patient visitation restriction (due to swine flu fears) has been lifted. This was a big boost to Becky.
Need I say, we covet your prayers directed toward the rid of this disease, for it to succumb to the medical regimen Becky will endure. She has already improved due to the meds administered thus far, especially the hydrating fluids.
I've said it with some frequency, but ya know, we ALL have a story. Life gives us stories of triumph and tragedy. We just ask the Lord to walk-guide us through them all..He does.

Celebrate life..

Bill, Becky and Abbey

More conclusive...still hard to believe..

Ok, you know that Measles thing just mentioned in the last blog? Well, even in the best of medicinal environs, the results can be a bit misleading or non-conclusive. It appears Becky does not have the Measles..the test actually came back 'false positive'. yeah, kinda of an oxymoron. We just got back from the hospital..long day. Now, we are 99% sure it is that Graft vs. Host disease mentioned in quite a blog entries....They did a skin biopsy to get further results. We know there is always a possibility this dimension of her illness can rear it's ugly head and indeed it appears it has...it is treatable, very treatable..but the rash/irritation was so severe, she was almost re-admitted to the hospital today! But, she was given proper fluids and meds and feels better tonight. She was, very,very dehydrated, and told what meds to take at home, and yes, we hope and pray we can treat this from home! No sugar coating, Becky has had a few rough days, no appetite, weight loss, nausea and more.....WE know we will jump thru this current 'ring of fire', just like we have the others...we will see victory in this battle, but no denying the discouragment and bewilderment. Good thing is, she does feel much better after the meds and fluids today and was able to shall I say "hold them all down"..That has been the problem..keeping fluids, meds and food down. We think this will run it's course, but the skin rash/irriation may take awhile to disappear.
We just pray she will not have to be readmitted, and that she will be able to make Abbey's graduation next week. We do continue to rely on the mercy and goodness of our Lord. Mysteries abound, and we know there may not answers to this chapter of life while on this flawed earth..We just have to carry on in faith..yes childlike faith, it's just what it is..simple, firm, uninteruppted faith.
We hope and pray all is well with you..We know everybody has a story..everybody.
We also know there are wonderful moments in our stories/trials that seem almost supernatural in depth and love..hang on to those..

Celebrate life...

Love to you all.

Bill, Becky and Abbey..

Hard to believe...

Hello friends and family..hope all is well with you..

As mentioned, Becky has a discomforting rash..thought perhaps to be the result of the CT scan over 9 days ago..a reaction to the chemical they inject into the body, making one glow a bit more. Of course, with sweet Becky nothing is routine. Well the rash is not due to the CT SCAN. She has the MEASLES! That's right, the measles! She has not been feeling well..lots of deep, resonant coughing..very lethargic. Some nausea, appetite loss. We were concerned that the rash was not diminishing at all, since it appeared approx. 7 to 8 days ago. Of course, a rash can hang around for quite awhile, but if it was a reaction to the CT scan, we thought perhaps it would make an earlier exit. We got the call yesterday, stating MEASLES was the diagnosis. Her blood test from the last visit revealed this. It takes a few days to get the results..the IGG test. (Immunoglobulins, An immunoglobulins test is done to measure the level of immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, in your blood.) Becky was actually relieved to know what caused the rash...though still kinda shocked from the diagnosis. AND this is how we think she got it! Someone with the measles about 3 or so weeks ago was in the same area at the hospital as Becky. We were told on our last appointment, the chances of getting the measles were slim, BUT they had to inform us of this person being in and around the area Becky frequents. Becky has had a few really rough days..Please pray this will not be a lengthy contraction. Pray she will be able to attend Abbey's middle school graduation in a week or so..Please! Yes, hard to believe another dimension or dynamic to this process. But we still thank the Lord for the good days she has had, and we know she will have!..

Much love..celebrate life..

Bill, Becky & Abbey

A little above par..

The golf analogy again if I may. We are now a bit 'above par', meaning the level or even course we have seen lately is seeing a few hazzards and causing a not-so-desired score. Becky has a rash that could be related to the Graft vs. Host disease OR it simply could be something else, could be minor. We, of course, were told to come in immediately to see the Docter. And Well, believe it or not, it may be a reaction to the CT scan she had a few days ago. The iodine..the fluid they inject to promote what I call, 'xray visibility', may suddenly be causing this rash..which covers most of her upper body. But, the oddness is, she has had multiple CT scans with this 'glow' fluid injected, but for some reason, this may be the one time her body, (and her donor's stem cells) said, "I think I'll let you know I do not like this". The rash caused itching and some major sleep deprivation. Of course, we have some meds to take care of the rash and we are thankful this rash is probably not related to the Graft vs. Host disease..We will know more in a few days. But again, upon Dr. Synder's exam he did not see this rash related to GVH. We also have a new med to squash the 'lung spots' formerly mentioned in other blog entries...The spots are looking much better, but there is one that needs a little more help toward the exit door.
So, the visit to City Of Hope was unexpected, but absolutely necessary. They gave her some meds while she was there..which took about 4 to 5 hours. We are so grateful to have this care...SO thankful! We saw a nurse who was so caring and loving while Becky was hospitalized..It was good to see her. She loves to sing in her church...She is so smart and so compassionate.

May God keep His ever watchful eye upon you..


Much Love...Celebrate life...Keep a song in your heart.

Bill, Becky & Abbey