An Interesting Adventure

Down in Dover

Friday, February 1, 2008

First, Sarah's surgery went long but well. As expected, she's in lots of pain, but we're trying to stay ahead of it with medication. She also has TONS of homework, so we've been negotiating massive incentive plans...

Meanwhile, the Williams Women are Down in Dover (and somewhere over the Midwest)

We had planned a get-well surprise for Sarah: Annie was coming to NH to camp out in the hotel with us for the weekend.

Unfortunately, due to really dumb weather (I'd say more but it would be #$%@, etc.), Annie's flight from Chicago to Cleveland was delayed. She arrived late, only to find that her flight from Cleveland to Manchester, NH was CANCELLED, with no options until 9pm-ish, and worsening weather forecast.

Plus she's really sick...

Sooo, she is presently flying BACK to Chicago and we're all VERY SAD.

Prayers for health all around, please:

Marsh, whose current doc -- in the rotation -- says he's right where they would expect for this point in Round 6;

Sarah, who is gamely working toward recovery already;

and Annie, feeling rotten, struggling to travel and, in my opinion, badly needing to be babied by her Mother!

Ah, well. Glad God's in charge of it all
--c.

Advancements on All Fronts

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Daily, long-distance phone calls with the nurse practitioners from The James have allowed me to stay up-to-date on Marsh's status. After nine days of neutropenia (white cell neutrophils too few to count), His counts started to climb yesterday. Meanwhile, his kidney function is stable, and his infection is under control. And they have been giving him regular transfusions, which give him a visible as well as tangible boost... All these factors combined mean that he is on the mend. The biggest remaining issue is the mouth sores and his resultant difficulty eating. Estimates are that he will be released Friday-ish... but you know how successful I have been predicting things to date (not!).

Here in New Hampshire, we awoke to 4+ inches of great packing snow -- it was beautiful! -- but the plane delivering Lori from Columbus was still early. We have spent the day trading information on meds and schedules, visiting Sarah's school (Shortridge Academy) and helping Sarah through her biggest post-op day so far. She is still in quite a bit of pain, but is doing really well. I leave late tonight; Sarah and Lorli will see the doc tomorrow, then work toward getting her back to school, little by little. We'll "make the call" this weekend as to whether she'll be able to return to campus Monday, or if I'll get to return to NH for another visit. Who knows?

Thanks for the continued prayer; we are gratefully supported by it, and further buoyed by grace.

--c.

Patient Updates

Friday, February 8, 2008

Marsh just completed his third week of Round 6 at The James. He is still there because
-his mouth sores, while beginning to heal, are still considered stage 2
-he is not eating and remains on IVs
-he has slept 24/7 for 3-4 days and is very weak as a result

Blessedly, Dr. Porcu (his oncologist) is on rotation right now, and is seeing him every day -- sometimes twice a day. Yesterday they ran a series of tests to see if they could determine a reason for the overwhelming fatigue... They do not really expect to find anything and are attributing his exhaustion to the fact that his body has been working so hard to fight the pain.

But, until his mucousitis is healed, he's eating (and keeping things down), he is off IVs, and he is strong enough to walk distances and handle stairs, they will not release him. Dr. Porcu estimates that to be up to a week longer.

That means it's time to start encouraging him.

He hasn't felt up to checking email or even his phone (yes, I'm really talking about Marsh), but when he's able, this will probably be the first place he'll look. So feel free to add a comment or two over the next few days. (And, if you've called and left messages, please don't be offended that he has not called back.)

As for Sarah, Nurse Nagy reports she is doing quite well. They're filling their time with homework, games, movies, knitting, and getting out and about (I'm not sure who is enjoying whom more). Despite continued snow, she's been to school several times, and is clearly getting stronger every day. The goal is for her to be well enough to return to Shortridge on Monday (02.11).

Thank you for your ongoing prayer support
--c.

Oh, My Goodness!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Oh, my goodness!

Last Friday (02.08) Dr. Porcu told us Marsh might be recovered sufficiently to come home from Round 6 the following Friday (02.15). Today he announced Marsh would be released tomorrow (02.12).

Could this be the power of prayer?

No question.

Thank you for lifting us up! Thank God for His incredible mercy!

But wait, there's more...

Marsh does not have to return to The James for Round 7 -- his LAST round of treatments -- until Monday (02.18)!

He was home for Christmas. He'll be home for Valentine's day. He'll be done before Easter. Blessings upon blessings...

--c.

Not quite what we'd hoped

Saturday, February 16, 2008

A quick update: Marsh is grateful for familiar space that stretches beyond one little room. Able to eat soft things, he is equally grateful for wider and more pleasing food choices. Unfortunately he has succumbed to a horrible cold, so, on top of being weak and exhausted from cumulative chemo, he basically feels awful. Still it's better to feel awful at home than in the hospital!

He's to see the doc on Monday morning, and, if given the go-ahead, be admitted for Round 7; no idea what will happen...

--c.

Swing and a miss

Monday, february 18, 2007

If you've been following along, you know that Marsh was scheduled to be admitted to The James today to begin Round 7, his final push through chemo.

Unfortunately -- or fortunately, depending on your point of view -- he was sent home becauset his mouth sores are not yet healed, and he has developed bronchitis... The bad news is that he feels so rotten and has another week to be anxious. The good news is that perhaps he will recover enough in this next week to actually have a good day at home!

It's all God's timing...

Time Out (again)

Monday, February 26, 2008

Our prayers this morning were entirely for God's timing...

Here's where things stand:

Marsh was not admitted to the hospital as scheduled, due to lingering mouth sores and elevated kidney counts.

Next projected admission date is Tuesday, Marsh 4 (yes, it's election day, so don't forget to vote, Ohioans!). At that time he will undertake Round 7, which is estimated to take four weeks...

Hmmm. Doesn't that make it April Fool's Day?

Whenever it comes to pass, thank you for your continued prayer support
--c.