Good news: pneumonia is smaller, they seem less worried about that. Also, we won't have to leave Scripps to do the Bone Marrow Transplant, that was misinformation we were given. Docs said yesterday that they hoped that he could get the necessary remission from this round and that we could find a donor match in one of the four sibs and that we could proceed directly to the Transplant next. That is a very rough process. I try to read but the information freaks me out. Gene only wants to know about today and tomorrow, he has said he can't really think about the long term, but he is very positive.
Yesterday when I got there he was very weak didn't look good. Then they gave him his first transfusion with a little benedryl to help him sleep. I'm not really up on all the vampire craze, if I were I'd probably have a clever metaphor but I will tell you this, he came roaring back after only half a bag! A colleague came to visit and he was up and animated. He ate well, had lots of visitors and even did his walk at 7:30 at night. He is though, starting to have the chemo effects and although he focuses on the possibilities that say he won't have the worst effects ( mouth sores, nausea, swelling, and more) they want us to know it is a possibility.
The hospital day is so crazy, so busy, practitioners in and out it seems like every 15 minutes. Taking a shower is a big event. Yesterday there were some mechanical difficulties with the iv unit because they unhooked him for a shower and the nurse got busy and it ended up clotting in the lines. They solved it but didn't need that worry.
He keeps the phone ringer off most of the time, so if you've tried to call and can't get through that is why. Gene never likes to talk on the phone under the best of circumstances, though he is grateful for the caring best wishes. So send cards and letters, he will have time to read that because they are short, and will get the messages. The wireless access is spotty and they can't seem to solve it so I've been able to share some but not all of your messages. We hardly even have time to talk to one another about non-hospital stuff. 3307 Mt. Carol Dr. San Diego CA 92111. He has lots of books and movies but so far not a long enough stretch of time to do either of those.
So many people praying thank you for providing that research documented support! Jose Luis and I are setting up a visit schedule for the SDSU folks. If you come, no germs, there is a sink in the hall right outside the door, wash your hands there and then resist the urge to shake hands although he wants to. Keep the visits 15-30 minutes. He rallies, but then is tired afterwards and they are indicating that it will be a downhill slide in his energy (and health) the next 2-3 weeks while he hopefully rebuilds his immune system. (You may want to call or text me first to see how he is feeling. I have had spotty service: 858-337-5358.) He has NO immune system now the metaphor we can handle; They factory wasn't producing, so they fired all the workers (even the good ones, the red blood cells) and we are in the process of hiring new ones, bringing in the blood transfusions for the temporary workers!
Patty and Jim are holding my hand, giving me just the right amount of space and guidance...Jim sandbagged the garage yesterday as we are having a series of major major storms.waves to 18 feet! Looks like the North Shore of Hawaii (saw pics on tv, not real life) and rain up to 6-8 inches in a week. The world inside the hospital you hardly know what is happening outside.S.we have an ocean view room and see the tents being set up on the Torrey Pines Golf Course for the tournament coming up, but you don't know what is really going on, time stands still and surges and fast forwards all at the same time. When folks ask Gene what he wants what can they get him he says, "fresh air".
I'm still a walking zombie, though I know how important it is to take care of me, it is hard. I did sleep last night thanks to Benedryl and Patty is making sure I eat. Emilia is back on duty today at the hospital, we didn't want her driving in the awful freeway storm conditions but Patty and Jim will ferry her. That will give me a bit of time to deal with my leave stuff, which may not be as flexible or generous as I'd hoped.
Send cards, letters, jokes, chuckles by snail mail and email. This will be a long haul and I'll need a long list of support providers so keep those offers warm. And keep praying, sending hopeful and positive thoughts. And thank you.
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