Hi! How are you guys? We're doing pretty good. I'm happy, the Partriots beat the Eagles on Thursday. Brady looked good.
Now on to the stuff you guys want to know about. Derek is doing pretty good. He got blood Saturday, but like I said that's routine. His neutrophils took a big jump from Saturday to Sunday on their own. That's a good sign.
Here is the big exciting news! While we don't yet have a go home date they said they are going to start his go home work up next week. I think all the tests take around 2 weeks. So if everything goes according to plan (ha!) we should be able to go home mid-September! The tests they do are similar to the work up when we first got here.
Some prayer requests for when we leave if you please: A house that allows us to have a dog. It can't be on well water. We'll need it when we get out of here. All of my family is on well water so we can't stay with them when we get back. Well water isn't as purified as normal water so Derek can't consume it. A job for me. Something with relatively good hours. I'm thinking some type secretary job. I'm pretty good with computers and such and they usually have good hours.
I appreciate the prayers so much! They are so beneficial to our health. Not just physical but spiritual as well. I can't wait to come home and see all of you. We can all praise God for how He has taken care of us. We serve such an awesome God!
I'll let you know more when we have some dates. I'll post our phone number again in case anyone hears of any houses.
206-262-9003
"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well .My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee." Psalm 139:13-18.
God bless!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
I Can Finally Write!
Hello all! We're here and doing fine. I was gone all last week and our internet has been acting up. A trip that was supposed to last 1 night ended up lasting 4 nights. Jerry, Meg, and the kids were in town visiting and we decided to go camping with my Dad and step mom, Julie. Her family owns some property on Hood canal and we thought it'd be fun to go camping for a night. It was fun until Grizzie (Asher) spiked a fever in the middle of the night. He was pretty sick. I felt really bad for him. The fever was off and on, but we couldn't go home and risk exposing Derek to whatever Griz had. It was a hard week on that aspect. A good aspect is that I got to spend a lot of time with my Dad, sister, brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew. It was fun, but also good to get back home to Derek.
Derek is doing well. Since I last posted he contracted a virus (nothing serious). It's called CMV. It isn't serious unless you are immunosuppressed, which Derek is. They have him on an IV medication called Foscarnet. His numbers have continued to hold. He'll probably have to get blood tomorrow which is no big deal and is to be expected. The results of the bone marrow biopsy came back. They were good. No virus in the marrow and he has completely engrafted. I was worried at first when his numbers started to decline that it might be graph rejection, but the doctors said that he is fully engrafted, Praise God!
The kids are doing well. I took Ashley for a girls day yesterday. We went to the mall, had lunch, and she got a purse. It's pink and came with some little lip glosses in it. She slept with it. It was great though. I think we both really needed it. Derek and Alexander went with his Uncle Bill to their cabin. Brian, Danielle, and their kids are in town for vacation. It was a full day, but it sounds like they had fun. Alexander got to ride his first ferry. Derek said he asked questions the entire time. He is so inquisitive. Diann (Derek's aunt) took Asher to the zoo. She said he loved the gorillas. She said they were wrestling around and Griz loved it.
I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for the delay in updates. I will try to be more diligent in writing. One last thing, football is starting soon! I can't wait! Sorry, I had to sneak that in. It's my favorite time of year. What's that I hear about USC being ranked something other than 1st?
"4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4, 6&7
God bless!
Derek is doing well. Since I last posted he contracted a virus (nothing serious). It's called CMV. It isn't serious unless you are immunosuppressed, which Derek is. They have him on an IV medication called Foscarnet. His numbers have continued to hold. He'll probably have to get blood tomorrow which is no big deal and is to be expected. The results of the bone marrow biopsy came back. They were good. No virus in the marrow and he has completely engrafted. I was worried at first when his numbers started to decline that it might be graph rejection, but the doctors said that he is fully engrafted, Praise God!
The kids are doing well. I took Ashley for a girls day yesterday. We went to the mall, had lunch, and she got a purse. It's pink and came with some little lip glosses in it. She slept with it. It was great though. I think we both really needed it. Derek and Alexander went with his Uncle Bill to their cabin. Brian, Danielle, and their kids are in town for vacation. It was a full day, but it sounds like they had fun. Alexander got to ride his first ferry. Derek said he asked questions the entire time. He is so inquisitive. Diann (Derek's aunt) took Asher to the zoo. She said he loved the gorillas. She said they were wrestling around and Griz loved it.
I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for the delay in updates. I will try to be more diligent in writing. One last thing, football is starting soon! I can't wait! Sorry, I had to sneak that in. It's my favorite time of year. What's that I hear about USC being ranked something other than 1st?
"4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4, 6&7
God bless!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sorry For The Gap
I know it's been awhile. Sorry about that. The only excuse I can provide is that we've been busy. Derek's numbers have continued to decline and the doctors have been rearranging things in hopes that it would cause his numbers to increase. His appointments have been different than what we're used to, he's been getting blood, and there have been some medication changes. The problem is that his numbers have continued to decline.
I can't stress this enough though, nobody seems too worried. While they want to figure out what's going on they don't seem to believe it's anything really big. My big worry is that the graph is failing, but his nurse has assured us that the graph took.
They said that myelofibrosis is the hardest disease to come back from in relation to the graph. It takes a really long time for your numbers to reflect your progress. This being because of the scar tissue that has built up in the bone marrow. It's hard for the baby cells to get in there and start to reproduce. The scar tissue has to be eradicated and that takes time.
Derek is having a bone marrow aspiration done today. Your prayers would be appreciated. I'll let you know how it goes and what the doctors say.
I hope you all are doing well and staying cool. It's been very hot here. I love it, except at night.
"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
~Psalm 107:19-21
God bless!
I can't stress this enough though, nobody seems too worried. While they want to figure out what's going on they don't seem to believe it's anything really big. My big worry is that the graph is failing, but his nurse has assured us that the graph took.
They said that myelofibrosis is the hardest disease to come back from in relation to the graph. It takes a really long time for your numbers to reflect your progress. This being because of the scar tissue that has built up in the bone marrow. It's hard for the baby cells to get in there and start to reproduce. The scar tissue has to be eradicated and that takes time.
Derek is having a bone marrow aspiration done today. Your prayers would be appreciated. I'll let you know how it goes and what the doctors say.
I hope you all are doing well and staying cool. It's been very hot here. I love it, except at night.
"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
~Psalm 107:19-21
God bless!
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Actual Blog
So here is the post I promised. I put the kids down (for a nap, not forever), changed Derek's Hickman line dressing, and hooked him up to some hydration.
Yes, you read that right. He is back on hydration (did I already tell you that?). He also had to go get 2 units of blood yesterday. His hematocrit was pretty low (23%). All is well though, so no worries.
I think I told you that his kidney numbers were up (I think that was the reason for more hydration). The numbers are still elevated, but they are running some new tests and keeping him on fluids to make sure everything functions properly.
One reason for his hematocrit dropping so rapidly is that before transplant Derek's blood type was A+. Brian's blood type is O+. Thus making Derek O+ after transplant. Well, Brian's cells are alive and well in Derek's body and they are now recognizing Derek's A+ cells as foreign. They are playing a game of Space Invaders inside Derek's body and killing off the A+ blood cells. This causes his hematocrit level to drop.
Some good news! His spleen is getting smaller!
The doctors aren't worried about all of the new developments, but because small things can turn into big things, they need to check out and maintain every tiny detail of Derek's body.
The kids are doing well, the weather has been nice here. We take them to a park that is by our apartment. They enjoy that.
I'm still trying to find my groove. It's coming along, but at times it's hard to shift into the different roles I need to fill. Going from mother to caregiver to wife can be a struggle sometimes, but God is definitley there helping me along. He gave me this yesterday:
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
~Isaiah 41:10
Awesome, huh? The verse speaks for itself. It was a great comfort to my heart yesterday morning when I read that. I'm not doing it by myself, I have the Creator of the universe telling me not to fear and that He will uphold me with His right hand. I love it.
Thanks for the prayers and support. We miss you all. Hope you are all doing well.
God bless!
Yes, you read that right. He is back on hydration (did I already tell you that?). He also had to go get 2 units of blood yesterday. His hematocrit was pretty low (23%). All is well though, so no worries.
I think I told you that his kidney numbers were up (I think that was the reason for more hydration). The numbers are still elevated, but they are running some new tests and keeping him on fluids to make sure everything functions properly.
One reason for his hematocrit dropping so rapidly is that before transplant Derek's blood type was A+. Brian's blood type is O+. Thus making Derek O+ after transplant. Well, Brian's cells are alive and well in Derek's body and they are now recognizing Derek's A+ cells as foreign. They are playing a game of Space Invaders inside Derek's body and killing off the A+ blood cells. This causes his hematocrit level to drop.
Some good news! His spleen is getting smaller!
The doctors aren't worried about all of the new developments, but because small things can turn into big things, they need to check out and maintain every tiny detail of Derek's body.
The kids are doing well, the weather has been nice here. We take them to a park that is by our apartment. They enjoy that.
I'm still trying to find my groove. It's coming along, but at times it's hard to shift into the different roles I need to fill. Going from mother to caregiver to wife can be a struggle sometimes, but God is definitley there helping me along. He gave me this yesterday:
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
~Isaiah 41:10
Awesome, huh? The verse speaks for itself. It was a great comfort to my heart yesterday morning when I read that. I'm not doing it by myself, I have the Creator of the universe telling me not to fear and that He will uphold me with His right hand. I love it.
Thanks for the prayers and support. We miss you all. Hope you are all doing well.
God bless!
A Blog For A Blog
I'm writing to tell you I do have an update, but I'm going to write while the kids are napping. That way I can write uninterrupted. Hope you are all doing well!
God bless!
God bless!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
It Brings A New Meaning To The Word Tired
As you can tell by the title of the post, I'm exhausted. It should get better as we get used to having the kids again. I'm trying to incorporate Derek's care and the kids' care. The problem is that there is so much to remember. The good thing is that it is forcing me to get super organized. Otherwise, very important things would not get done.
The kids are adjusting well. I think they are glad to be back with us. Tonight, I took Ashley for a walk and then we got ice cream. It was good to get some one on one time with her. I think it helps with her behavior.
We took them to the zoo on Friday. They had a lot of fun. I'll post pictures later (due to the late hour, I'm lazy). Alexander's birthday was Saturday. He had a good day. I'll post pictures of that later too(see above).
I hope everyone is doing well. Derek had to go back on IV hydration. His kidney levels are increasing. They also decreased the level of one of his medications. Hopefully that brings his kidney levels back to normal. I will let you know what we find out.
We moved into a new apartment, that means a new phone number and new apartment number. They are:
525 Minor Ave. N
Apt. 202
Seattle, WA 98109
206-262-9003
We appreciate the prayers and support. Please pray that I am able to efficiently care for everybody in the household. My sincerest desire is to see that my family is loved, cared for, and healthy or on the way to getting healthy.
"10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10&11
God Bless!
The kids are adjusting well. I think they are glad to be back with us. Tonight, I took Ashley for a walk and then we got ice cream. It was good to get some one on one time with her. I think it helps with her behavior.
We took them to the zoo on Friday. They had a lot of fun. I'll post pictures later (due to the late hour, I'm lazy). Alexander's birthday was Saturday. He had a good day. I'll post pictures of that later too(see above).
I hope everyone is doing well. Derek had to go back on IV hydration. His kidney levels are increasing. They also decreased the level of one of his medications. Hopefully that brings his kidney levels back to normal. I will let you know what we find out.
We moved into a new apartment, that means a new phone number and new apartment number. They are:
525 Minor Ave. N
Apt. 202
Seattle, WA 98109
206-262-9003
We appreciate the prayers and support. Please pray that I am able to efficiently care for everybody in the household. My sincerest desire is to see that my family is loved, cared for, and healthy or on the way to getting healthy.
"10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10&11
God Bless!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
"I've Been Ready For This My Whole Life"
It' here! I'm picking my kids up today! I haven't seen them in 4 whole weeks. I think it's been the longest 4 weeks of my life. It has also been an informative, growing 4 weeks. The kind of growing only God can accomplish.
It's now time to start a new chapter in this story we call our life.
I talked to the kids on the phone the other day and they are pretty excited to come here. I was relieved at that. I had crazy thoughts go through my head. Like maybe they didn't want to live with us anymore. What if I forgot how to be a mom, my mom and Derek both assured me that no, I did not forget how to be a mom. I know God is going to bless this time for our family.
Some prayer requests: That's I'll be able to manage Derek's care and the kids' care, that my sights remain fixed on the Lord and His Glory, and that I remember the amazing miracles God has performed through this.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2
It's now time to start a new chapter in this story we call our life.
I talked to the kids on the phone the other day and they are pretty excited to come here. I was relieved at that. I had crazy thoughts go through my head. Like maybe they didn't want to live with us anymore. What if I forgot how to be a mom, my mom and Derek both assured me that no, I did not forget how to be a mom. I know God is going to bless this time for our family.
Some prayer requests: That's I'll be able to manage Derek's care and the kids' care, that my sights remain fixed on the Lord and His Glory, and that I remember the amazing miracles God has performed through this.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2
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