We carry on...

Still hospitalized...Looks like pneumonia is making it's exit, but that all too familiar Graft vs. Host disease is making a roar. Becky is weak from the heavy meds, and naturally weak from being in a hospital bed. She is grateful for the progress made, but dejected she will have to regain strength. A unique time in this hospitalization is the fact that Abbey and I were away for 10 days visiting family in NC. We had planned to go last summer but had to cancel since Becky was abruptly hospitalized. It's very amusing that Becky said a few months ago; "no matter where I am, you must take this trip, no cancellation, even if I am in the hospital'..well, I sorta let this directive roll off me, cause the health path was holding steady and glimpses of normalcy were being revealed. I, we almost chuckled, that nothing like hospitalization would occur like the past episodes, though we are well aware, anything can happen at any time. Well, it did, and it happened a week before Abbey and I were to depart and Becky was still adamant we go, so we did. We had a plan if discharge was to happen while we back in NC. Well, she was not discharged, which in some way was a relief to me, but of course this also meant a longer stay at City Of Hope. Abbey and I had a fulfilling time..it was very good for us mentally...the change of environment, seeing the NC family, Grandpa, an Aunt, an Uncle,  and various friends. Walking around, enjoying the small town pace.  Seeing the green trees, the dogwoods, azaleas, eating BBQ and hushpuppies, drinking a boatload of sweet tea, kayaking, and more...It was indeed very good for Abbey to see her Grandpa...
Becky was so glad we went, and I love her so much for clinging to the conviction that Abbey and I should go back east...there would be no talk of cancellation, though believe me, I did mention it, but no matter, the trip was made.
We saw her today..so good to hug and talk of our trip. Very refreshing to us all.
As mentioned, she is weak. Unfortunately, the meds are at levels we haven't seen since the early transplant days..Her platelets are low due to an anti-biotic she needs to keep the pneumonia at bay, she has had one platelet infusion. ..But, we know, we pray, strength will return. There is no sugarcoating, this is not easy now. Quite demoralizing, even more so, because we were on a very manageable and slowly improving road, but, BUT we know, we knew at any time the other 'shoe can/could fall' and it did...We WILL make it through this, but there is no doubt, the ball and chain effect is heavy..We thank you all for your prayers. We feel them. And believe me, we know we are receiving the best medical care possible..

Much Love to you all...May you indeed celebrate the preciousness of life.

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Renewal..restoration..

Becky is hopeful to be discharged on Monday, but this still to be determined...She had some nausea, a certain med level too high was detected, so they of course have to adjust this.
She is feeling pretty good, other than she feels fatigued, and her leg strength will need a renewed and spirited effort to get back to where she was...but it can be done! She has had some visitors which has been nice...She does get tired but it is a good tired as we say. As mentioned countless times, so thankful for the medical care she is receiving. This has been some road to travel, and need I say, proper, professional medical care is a must. Becky has endured much, we just pray she will continue to press on with the courage she has displayed since this journey began...

Our present life-walk hopes for restoration of health, for physical and mental renewal. Easter does offer hope, renewal and promise. We are thankful for this promise, for life everlasting. Though the trials the Lord endured were indeed horrendous, there was/and is the hope that paradise was possible, and it is..Amen...thank you Lord, for offering this hope.

Give your loved ones a big hug...

Enjoy each and every day..Yes, celebrate life..

Bill, Becky and Abbey

BETTER!

Removed oxygen feed, breathing good without it! A very good thing. Reduction in steroids..this is always a good thing. Still some pretty heavy anti-biotics and other meds, but Dr. says 'it's looking good in there'...
Becky a little/lot bummed that her legs are weak. She was getting some good strength in them, before this setback, but the darn steroids can cause weakness, legs almost a 'noodle-like' effect in the legs, or feels that way. Balance becomes an issue. But in time, this will come back..it will.
Thank you for your prayers..thank you so much. Hope your week is going well.
We look forward to Easter!

Celebrate life!

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Hospital...

Improving. Treatment adjusted to the specific pneumonia Becky has..A strain that is very, very serious..Her breathing is better. She still receiving a low dose of oxygen. Steroids, anti-biotic meds and other 'helpers' are part of the regime..She was in a good frame of mind today, especially since Abbey and I were there together..So good for her to hug and touch her daughter. Always the best medicine. As earlier mentioned, thought this may be a few days stay but truly we do not know...hopefully just another week or so, yet, this to be determined. We will press on..we will get through this...one day at a time.. We hope and you are pressing on.. God Bless you.. Celebrate life, Bill, Becky and Abbey

Admitted..again..

Been almost 9 months since last hospital stay. As written many times, we were experiencing some normalcy, some calm..and up until this past weekend..it seemed we were really staying this course, but we are/were well aware, things can change within a matter of 24 to 48 hours and they did. Becky had fever, but did subside while home, but dehydration and shallow breathing, lack of med intake were major concern..so correct decision made..must go to hospital. Becky very weak, difficult to even make it to car . We do our best not to overact when issues arise, we just do what we have to do. and again, we knew we had to go.. Dissappointed yes..almost surreal. Here we go again. But also relieved, we knew it was best. The breathing issue needed to be addressed..  Fluids at hospital immediately served for a more alert Becky...many tests were administered. Well, it is Pneumonia. Yes, Pneumonia. 

A fungal/bacteria pneumonia.   Meds adjusted for it and already she feels better. We think this stay may be only a few days, but we have been around the block a time or two..we never know. But again, she is doing better..breathing still somewhat shallow, but there is noticeable improvement just within last 24 hours. 

Still a little surreal. But we just get 'back in the game', adjust the life strategy and move on, hold on..but who's kidding who? It's not easy to do this...We ask the Lord to get us through another trial. We ask for strength, patience and more.. Becky was fairly upbeat tonight. Had good voice..She was just so glad to be feeling better.. Hope you are all feeling well. Stay positive and prayerful. We will get through this....again... 

Celebrate life,.. Bill, Becky and Abbey

A little under..

Had a down day Sunday and most of today..Nausea, headache, weak..Graft vs. Host related? Honestly, not sure..we'll see. There is a slight bit of improvement tonight..As always, appreciate your prayers. Stay tuned..

Celebrate Life,

Bill, Becky, & Abbey..(who, as I have said before, is doing good in school, maintaining good grades and if I may say, mostly displays a maturity beyond her years. Of course, she has had some mature situations to withstand)

Just thankful..

Becky so thankful for being able to do the things she can do...Still has fatigue and the heavy meds to deal with, and that nuisance Graft vs. Host disease, otherwise, we really are thankful she can do some household chores and a few other normal life goodies.
She gets CT scan in a few days..make sure those lungs are clear. And as mentioned, this will determine if we can drop a heavyweight med. YES! Love being able to say goodbye to another pill. But make no mistake, so grateful for the meds that have sustained, cured, prevented further illness or worse. Thankful for all those who have contributed to the research, the clinical trials, even the failures that provided the way not to go, which of course lead to the trail of triumph and cure.
Becky is the beneficiary of years of these trials and triumphs. Many of us are the beneficiaries of those who have gone before us, who suffered heartbreak and catastrophic circumstances which again paved the way for more Physicians and researchers to be firsthand observers of what treatments are best for total cure. I realize this may sound almost guinea pig-like, but even Becky's suffering will ultimately help someone. Her 150 days and nights in the hospital will somehow contribute more to the total eradication of her once bodily held disease Myelofibrosis. YES, once held, now gone. Thank you Lord for suffering for our sins..AMEN and Amen. Now cured.

Peace and goodness to you all.

Much Love,

Celebrate life..

Bill, Becky and Abbey