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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Update on me and mine 
        
(Message started by: OneEyeBlind on Jan 6^th, 2004, 12:23pm)

Title: Update on me and mine
Post by OneEyeBlind on Jan 6^th, 2004, 12:23pm

Well, I have not been around much to offer support. In fact I suck of late. But in life sometimes, the only thing you can do is pray you get through the next day and hope people understand. I'll be back in full swing once things quiet down on the homefront. Dad's been sick and in and out of the hospital, hubby is getting ready to start the new treatment program (round 3 but still hanging tough) and Christopher of course is at the forefront of my prayers. My family is certainly challenged but hasn't given up hope. Never give up is our motto.

Here is another update on Christopher:

Dear Friends and Family,
The good news- after 4 days of harvesting stem cells last week they collected 3.5 million. This satisfies the doctors as enough for the transplant. The bad news- Christopher has not been eating well for weeks, in fact hardly at all. We've been home since Saturday night and I'm taking him in this morning for an admission. They will try to address his nutritional needs, take some tests, see why he's not hungry, try to pump him up with some IV food and hopefully put a smile back on his face (and
me).

It is difficult to watch the progression of this disease on a daily basis. How it robs you of your physical and sometimes mental health. I am grateful that the spirit cannot be crushed, though there are days it feels like it. Important lesson, don't live off your feelings!

On another note, January is the slowest month for blood donations due to sickness and weather. Why not get out and donate........you never know who you might help :)

Continue to pray for all of us. Chris has a week of vacation (he thought we could do some nice things as a family before the chemo admission, oh well) so he'll be alternating holding down the fort and being with Christopher. Katie and Adam are back on the school schedule and dealing with a single parent household. I continue to walk this road clinging to my Savior.

Psalm 42:11 "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."

In His Steps,
Chris, Maryann and Family

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Hirvimaki on Jan 6^th, 2004, 12:31pm

Thanks for the update on Christopher. Let Christopher and his family know that they are in my prayers.

All the best to you and yours,

Hirvimaki

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by cathy on Jan 6^th, 2004, 2:59pm

Nancy.....good to see you posting...you know your in my thoughts everyday...love and prayers to Red, Christopher.

Never give up!!

Cathy xox [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by echo on Jan 6^th, 2004, 3:06pm

thanks for the update Nancy. As always I will keep remembering you in my prayers.

Take care.

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Opus on Jan 6^th, 2004, 7:02pm

Thanks Nan,
Your family will continue to be in my prayers.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Little Deb on Jan 6^th, 2004, 8:54pm

Prayin' for the whole family and especially Christopher.
What a tough little guy he is. OK, maybe not so little. And so strong. We will be thinking of him and waiting to hear how he is doing.

Hugs, Little Deb

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by jonny on Jan 6^th, 2004, 9:01pm

You know where I stand Nanc......this way I dont have to swear to get my point across.......LOL

..........................................jonny

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by ClusterChuck on Jan 6^th, 2004, 9:03pm

Nan, I hope you know that Red and Christopher are never out of my prayers! Rest assured that your Clusterville family thinks of them often.

Thanks for the latest update. I though they wanted 10 million cells? Glad they have enough. Hope they figure out why he is not eating. Have you tried to bribe him with his favorite McDonalds?

Let Red and Christopher know I am thinking of them.

Chuck

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by TxBasslady on Jan 6^th, 2004, 10:35pm

Nancy,

I hope you know that our prayers for Christopher have never stopped.

Sounds like your plate is full. Please remember to try and take care of yourself!

You know where we are......should you need us :-*

Prayers and vibes to you and yours,

Jean

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by OneEyeBlind on Jan 6^th, 2004, 11:44pm

They did want 10 million. That was optimum. At this point they are going with the minimum that might work because he just doesn't have the gusto to give them any more. I think they feel they are lucky they got what they did without killing him.

McDonald's, Aunt Nan's turkey soup, and anything that might get his little tummy going have been tried. Can't fault my family on not giving it their best shot. Whatever he wanted, we cooked. Just doesn't seem to go down real easy. Oh well, lots of stuff in life we swallow don't go down easy. We'll see what the doc's can do for force feeding to get his energy level back up enough to be able to do the next round of chemo. He's up for it, cause he is my man. It's not that he doesn't want to eat, it's that he can't. Held the puke bucket one too many times to not understand that.

And round 44 starts ............

Perhaps me becoming a clusterhead was in HIS plan, letting me know that pain does not have to end your life ........ just alter it. Who really knows, I know nothing at this point.

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Charlie on Jan 7^th, 2004, 1:22am

I'm here for you and Christopher too. Thanks for the update.

Hope you can find some way to get him to eat. There are medications I think. Maybe he has enough drugs?

You're amazing Nancy

Charlie

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 7^th, 2004, 2:49am

Thanks for the update. I continue to pray for you & your family. Tell Christopher hi for us and that we're still with him.

Sending VIBES !!

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by juvy on Jan 7^th, 2004, 6:04am

thanks for the update nancy, my thoughts are with you all. give Chris a hug for me.

cheers,
April

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by brain_cramps on Jan 7^th, 2004, 7:01am

Thanks for the update. Hoping and praying for the best for you and your's

grant

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Jan 7^th, 2004, 9:51am

Nancy,
Huge vibes going up to YOU,
and your family
and Christopher and his family.
Take care,
Mast

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Edna on Jan 7^th, 2004, 6:14pm

Nancy, here's hoping you remember what you DO know............

WE LOVE YOU NANCY

Come here when you need us, but know we're with you always,

hugs and smiles,
EDNA

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by Jackie on Jan 7^th, 2004, 6:26pm

Nancy,
You and yours are always in our thoughts and prayers.
By the way....you're doing good, Sweetie. Keep hangin' in there. 2004 is gonna be better. :)

Love ya,
Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Update on me and mine
Post by OneEyeBlind on Jan 7^th, 2004, 6:27pm

Christopher lost 9 pounds in the last week. The hospital is very appologetic that they didn't catch the fact that they saw him almost every day and didn't notice. Thank God his mom is on top of things. They inserted a feeding tube (down his throat) yesterday and are hoping that that might help get him back up to where he needs to be for the next round of chemo. The plan is to keep him hospitalized and on a feeding tube until he is strong enough for the next round of chemo and then do the stem cell replacement. It might be months before it's accomplished. Since he will be on the feeding tube for an extended period, they are talking about inserting one directly into his stomach, thereby making it less painful for him, and also allowing him the ability to eat when he is up for it. They did some blood tests to determine the amount of damage that may have been done due to the malnutirtion. While his counts were less than half of what "minimal" is, they don't believe that any permanent damage was done.

We've got a date for tomorrow at 9 am. Told him I would bring breakfast. Wonder if they serve frosties that early in the morning ?

Thanks for the prayers and support. I'll give him your love tomorrow when I see him.