ups and downs

Yesterday Mom was feeling pretty good. She was pretty tired but the nausea has settled down and the heartburn is much better. She said she was really bored yesterday. This morning I called and we had planned to go get a bite to eat to get her out of the house for awhile. She called me back a little while later and said she had a rash on her legs, was not feeling very good and had called the doctor. We went in about one o'clock for blood tests. Her platelets were down to 6 - anything below 10 is tricky and so she was in need of platelets immediately - the doctor had to get on the phone with the blood bank and tell them it was an emergency and we needed it at the office NOW. Her WBC was down to 1.2, anything below 1.0 and she goes back in the hospital...also her neutrophils were down to .09 and at .05 she has to go back to the hospital and be put on IV antibiotics. So we are right on the edge right now...she goes back to the dr office on Friday to see if things have leveled out. In the meantime, she needs to take her temp every few hours and watch to see if the rash gets worse. BTW, the rash(which is a bunch of red dots just under the skin) is due to low platelets, so its a good thing she saw it when she did. When I left her a little while ago she was really tired and not feeling well at all. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Home again

Mom is home and resting for now. She hasn't felt very good the last two days, really tired, a little nauseous, a little dizziness and weakness, sore stomach and esophagus(who knew that would be a side effect?). We have to keep a close watch on her throat, a common and pretty serious side effect is sores in the mouth and throat. Her eyes have been bothering her a bit - I read the pamphlet about the eye drops, they say they help with blurred vision but they may also CAUSE blurred vision, huh? - so she's just not feeling really great. I took her to the doctor this morning to get her PICC line flushed and dressing changed; she had a bad reaction to the bandages she had previously so her whole upper arm is pink and broke out so now we have that to keep an eye on too. She had a shot to boost WBC production, which is pretty standard after chemo...it causes achiness and discomfort in your bones for awhile. She had blood drawn too, her WBC(white blood cells) is down to 2.2(normal is 4-11), her platelets are down to 21 (normal is over 100), so she'll have platelets given to her on Thursday when we go back in for another round of blood tests. I know more about blood and what it does and how it works than I ever thought I'd need to know...
I met Dr. Lee today too, she seems like a very nice, very caring doctor. She was very gentle with Mom and took a good long look at her arm, which reassured me, as the nurses in Portland didn't speak very kindly about the staff down here taking care of the PICC line(apparently it isn't used as often down here) and with it being a little less than perfect looking right now, well...

Hopefully we'll get through this week and she'll start feeling better again. I have to keep reminding her that this is a long, serious process - it's ok that she doesn't feel good right now but it will get better. She's been a little more emotional, which I think can be a side effect, but I also think could just be that the longer we all have this stress, the harder it gets to deal with it.

Happy Easter!

Church was great - the bells played and the choir sang and were lovely...now we are home and are planning a Guitar Hero tournament with the kids for the rest of the day. Not our usual Easter Sunday but is what feels right, right now.

The last few days seem to have flown by. Mom has been feeling a better, they've been keeping her full of anti-nausea meds which seem to do the trick. The girls and I went over yesterday afternoon and spent about an hour with her, she was getting antsy to be home. After we left there we went over to the house and did a quick cleaning - sweep, mop, vacuum, etc...to get ready for her to come home.

This morning we headed to church about 10. A few minutes after we got there she called and said they released her and her and Dad were on their way to church to eat some breakfast with us. She came in and ate and then left again, she decided she didn't think she could make it through the service. So they went home and she is resting, I don't think we'll go over to see her today but I'll see her tomorrow. She goes back to the hospital tomorrow for some meds and to have her PICC line cleaned. I think she goes in again later in the week for blood tests. Her WBC and platelets are getting pretty low now(which is good) so she may need a transfusion soon too.
Because this treatment is a little different from the last round, she has antibiotics to take at home(she had them in the hospital too) to keep illness at bay, plus they now have her on eye drops to keep her eyes healthy, the chemo can create problems so she'll continue to do the drops during treatment. That's all I can remember for now, I'm sure I'm forgetting something that's coming up. :)

This is the day that the Lord has made; Rejoice and be glad in it!

Tuesday night was a rough one for Mom. She has had quite the selection of roommates while in the hospital. Tuesday night she had a 90something lady who hallucinated and talked all night long. They ended up having 2 nurses in the room with her all night to keep her from trying to leave. She would go from wanting to go home to asking if they liked the puppy in the corner to crying, so needless to say Mom didn't sleep much. They finally moved Mom to a new room yesterday afternoon but the rough night really took a toll on her. I had planned to take the kids over to see her but she just wasn't feeling up to it. She has had a little bit of nausea. When Dad was there after work she got sick, and she wasn't able to eat much last night. I talked with her this morning and she was feeling a little bit better but I think things are not going as well as she had hoped and its starting to get her down. I'm glad she only has to be in the hospital for a couple more days. So, I'm on my way over there now to try to help take her mind off it for a little while, play some cards or something...
We are also very excited because Mom's best friend from Nebraska is coming out to stay with them for a week...she gets here the 20th and will be here for casino night (which Mom is really hoping she is up to going to)...so glad that Joyce will be here soon!

I almost forgot to mention, her new room# is 2402-2, the extension to her phone is #2432.

Casino Night Info!

Debbie Hanslovan and friends are hosting a benefit night for Mom. Here is all the info, if you'd like to purchase tickets to come please contact either myself 541-928-0230, Marjean Johnson 541-926-1941 or Debbie 541-926-9331. Thanks!

Saturday, April 24th
5:30pm for Games and Appetizers
Live Auction begins at 8:00pm

Riverside Community Hall, 35283 Riverside Dr, Albany
Tickets $10 per person includes: appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages and $5 Casino script

Sponsored by friends of Karen Wetzel. All proceeds go to offset medical and other costs in Karen's fight against Leukemia.

One bag at a time...

She's still doing great. She is feeling pretty well, had a little nausea last night and couple minor moments today but overall feeling well. She's now had 3 bags of chemo, 9 to go. We played the "golf" card game for about an hour, sat and chatted for awhile. I think being in the hospital again has brought back the sense of fear, of worry in all of us. We had a little break from reality over the past couple of weeks as she started to feel good again. Now we're back in the middle of it and all the feelings we had before have come back full force. We've started talking about bone marrow transplants and medical directives and blood counts and platelets and all the other stuff that goes with being in the hospital. So, its hard to know we're going to have this emotional roller coaster over the next few months, along with her physically feeling so up and down. But for now, its one day at a time, one bag at a time...

Round Two

So Mom reported in for duty at the Corvallis hospital at 8 this morning. They weren't ready for her...it was after 9 before she was admitted, she sat around until 10:30 to get her PICC line flushed and it was one o'clock before they gave her the first dose of chemo. She will receive one bag every 12 hrs for the next 6 days. Each bag takes about 3 hours to empty into her system. It'll be something like 1500cc of chemo by the end of the week.
This time around she has to share a room (right now with an 18 yr old girl who has Lupus)...it definitely isn't the same vibe as it was at OHSU. Things are pretty chaotic, it feels like she is just one of many patients - the nurses at OHSU were very caring and very careful with everything they did, they specialize in bone marrow treatment. I'm not saying they aren't taking good care of her in Corvallis, its just VERY different over there. She isn't in a cancer wing, she's just one of many patients with a variety of illnesses...glad she only has to be there for a week. Good news is there are no visitation restrictions, the kids can go see her...and we don't have to suit up!

So far, she's just bored and just hanging out waiting until she gets to go home. Easter is Sunday and we're hoping that they finish up the chemo Saturday night so she can go home early Sunday morning.

Her room # is 2416-2. You can call her at 541-768-5000, then wait for message to enter the 4-digit Patient Room#2437. Visiting hours are from 11am until 8pm, but the nurse told me they are pretty flexible as long as we aren't disturbing other patients. :)

Casino Fun Night!

Wayne and Debbie Hanslovan are planning a Casino Night to help raise money for Mom and Dad.

It will be Saturday, April 24th at the Riverside Grange Hall on Riverside Drive in Albany. (more details coming soon)
If you would like to help Debbie with any of the planning or selling tickets or gathering silent auction items please contact her at 541-979-7600.
Thank you!!!

The next phase...

Mom and Dad went to see Dr. Lee Friday afternoon. She was very impressed with how Mom is doing and was SOOO surprised by how much hair she has left.
Mom has one week of free time, then its back to work. Monday, March 29th she will check in to the Corvallis hospital and will remain there for 6 days for treatment. She will receive liquid chemo 2x a day and when that is done she'll be able to come home and recover there. They say she will feel pretty good while she is in the hospital but the worst of it will come after she gets home. She will have about 3 weeks at home while her white blood counts recover, then she'll go back into the hospital again. She'll need to do this 4 times, hopefully the last time will be sometime in July. She should be able to do 3 of the treatments in Corvallis, but probably the last one in Portland so they can do another bone marrow biopsy at the end of it.

So, its almost time for more cribbage and movie watching in the hospital, at least this time its only a 15 minute drive to see her. In the meantime, she's been keeping busy. She drove to church Wednesday night to watch the handbell choir play, Mom and Dad drove over to the coast yesterday to spend the day with us at South Beach campground, and she got her hair cut this afternoon. All in all, she's doing really well. Spring break is this week so we're going to try to get a few afternoons of fun in with the kids before she goes back.
Thank you to everyone who has brought food over to them, it is SUCH a help. They'll still need some help over the next few months as she goes up and down through the chemo cycle. Just give me a call if you'd like to help out.
Love to all!

REMISSION!!!

Yep its official! She is in remission! What that means is her latest biopsy came back with no detectable leukemia cells. They do not consider her cured though; she will need to continue with chemo treatments probably through the summer. This will be a continuation of one of the types of chemo she has already received, just in different doses.
The other good news is that she will be able to complete at least the next few treatments in Albany/Corvallis and will not be required to stay in the hospital. She will be calling Dr. Lee tomorrow to set up an appointment to go over the treatment schedule and get a little more info about how it all will work. It will most likely be a week of treatment, a week of "down", and two weeks of recovery, then start over with each treatment becoming a little easier on her.

Moving along

Well, haven't posted any updates all week so thought I'd better say how the last week has gone. She is feeling so much better. Food is staying down, its tasting better and she is feeling stronger every day. I so wish that she didn't have to go through any more chemo. Its so hard knowing that she will have to do this over and over again but its the only way to get her healthy in the end. She's had visitors off and on all week and everyone is doing a great job of staying just long enough but not too long. Its so nice to know that they have such great friends who care so much. I took Mom on a drive Wednesday afternoon and she said it really helped to be able to get out of the house and just enjoy the sunshine and Spring-like weather. Yesterday was Kasey's birthday so we went out to the house and had some cake and ice cream with them, Kasey had been so worried that she wouldn't be out of the hospital in time for the big day, so was special for him.

Tomorrow she goes back to the doctor to find out what is coming next. We'll be moving on to the next stage soon.

Meals

We've had several people ask if they can bring meals over for Mom and Dad.
If you would like to deliver a meal to them, please give me a call 541-928-0230 or email me amie663@yahoo.com to set up a day. That way we don't have too many or all at once. :)
Thank you again for all the support.

Homecoming!

Kasey and I met Dad about 7:45 yesterday morning to go to Portland. When we got to the hospital about 9 Mom was up and waiting for us. Kasey had to stay out in the lounge outside the unit, so he took a book and we took turns leaving the room to go check on him. The biopsy was scheduled for 11:30 so we had to hang out until then. Dad took Kasey down to ride the tram and Mom and I played cribbage until the nurse came to give her a sedative. Once the biopsy was over she slept and we went down to have lunch and ride the tram again(Kasey thought it was pretty darn cool). After lunch we got everything packed up and then waited for the nurse to go over discharge papers. Got the prescriptions straightened out and we were out of there. Kasey was waiting just outside the unit doors, and he was the first person to get to give her a hug without the gown, the mask and the gloves on in 5 weeks. Mom even walked the whole way - from her room, down the elevators, through the halls and to the front door. It was pretty powerful for her to see other people, be in the middle of all the commotion of the hospital, after being isolated for so long. We had a great drive home, it was sunny and nice and warm. So we were home by about 4:30...and she was worn out and ready to sit in her own home, in her own chair.

I talked with her this morning already and she had a good night. She's feeling better every day.

She goes back to OHSU next Tuesday to map out the next steps. But for now, SHE'S HOME!

Mary Kay Fundraiser

My Aunt Barb(Dad's sister) is hosting a fundraiser to help raise money to pay medical bills. 30% of all Mary Kay orders placed through her or her website between now and March 21st will go to Mom. (if sales reach $500, 50% of proceeds will go to Mom).

You can place an order by going to www.marykay.com/bbwetzel or calling or emailing me and I'll get it ordered for you.
Order between now and March 21st for delivery the week of March 28th.

Also, if anyone would like to host their own MK event, and books it in March(to be held in April), she will contribute 30% of all sales from those parties as well. And don't forget all the gift opportunities coming up: Mother's Day, Father's Day, grads, brides, etc. Mary Kay has 90+ products $10 & under.

Thanks for your support!

Day 32

SHE'S COMING HOME!!!!!!!!

I got the call this afternoon after church; they are going to do the biopsy first thing in the morning and then we can get her discharged...so Dad, Kasey and I are headed up early to go get her. She is SO EXCITED and so are WE! We'll have lots of continuing care to do and life will turn upside down again but she'll be AT HOME! WOOHOO!

As for the rest of the day...
I hadn't been to church since before she was diagnosed, knew it would be hard to go but I had some meetings to attend today so it was time to go. I was doing just fine, chatting with everyone, getting hugs, answering questions...and then we went in for the service. I made it through the first song but then it just hit me that she is missing this, this which is so much an important part of her life, so much HER...I just couldn't bear the thought that I was there singing and listening and being a part of it, and she couldn't be...it just isn't fair. Then we got to the prayers and her name was read (along with a HUGE list of others, so many people need our prayers) and Kasey broke down and had to leave...such a kind and tender heart on that boy.

After church the kids sat with our friend Tami who tried to teach the kids how to crochet a hat...COMEDY! but they stayed with it and the hats should be done in a couple of days...such a nice thing for them to get to do. Then I got the call from Mom and we packed up and left...we already had plans for dinner with friends so we headed over there. We left the kids with the guys and Tania, Isla and I went to Mom and Dad's and cleaned the house one more time...wiped down everything with disinfectant and got it ready for her to come home tomorrow. Even got some balloons to hang from the steps...so the house is ready, we're ready, she's ready - its finally time!

Day 31

Well Rachel and Dad left about 7:30 this morning to go up...said she was just finishing breakfast when they got there. She has been feeling better the last few days, still fighting nausea and I hate to minimize it cuz it isn't fun and its affecting her eating, but really is so much better than it was. She's been eating most or all of her plates the last 2 days which is sooo much better.
Rachel said she had a good time, they played cards and went on walks...Rachel and Dad went on the tram again, she said it was more fun this time, not as scary.

I don't want to pin down anything yet...but lets just say that her home coming is getting very very close (barring any unforeseen setbacks), they took her off the antibiotics today and if she goes without a fever for at least 24 hours we're one step closer...the doctors and nurses are all hinting at it, and some are guessing at which day it'll be, but we won't know for sure until probably the day she's ready. Her next bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for Monday but now they are saying that she could maybe come home without the results of that if all her other numbers and such are in line...so we just wait each day and watch her numbers rise.

I'll probably be headed over to their house on Monday morning to do a thorough cleaning and disinfect the kitchen and bathrooms - just in case!

Day 30

I went to see Mom again today. Our days are starting to become routine now, but soon we'll have some new routines to start. She should be home one day next week, at least that's what we're shooting for. She is feeling stronger and is more alert than she has been, its easier to hold a conversation with her now...she said that when she first got there and looked out at the view, everything was a blur, a maze...now she is able to figure out where she is and what she's looking at - so that is a good sign!

I was able to speak with the doctor again today. He was patient with me and my questions, but wanted to be sure I understand that anything he says is only a possibility, we have to take it one day at a time because so many things can affect the course of treatment. But it did help to at least be able to hear directly from the doctor what "should" happen next. Her white cells are steadily climbing, although a bit slower than they'd like, and her eating is getting a little better so we're solidly on our way to getting her home, its just a matter of time. Treatment going forward is somewhat mapped out, but by no means set in stone, we have to make sure that she is in remission first.(Leukemia patients are either untreated, in remission or relapsed). Once they have determined if she is in remission(no leukemia cells measured) they will decide on the next course of treatment for sure. That should be next week after the bone marrow biopsy.

Dad and the girls had planned to go up again in the morning but yesterday Jessika came down with a cold, so its just going to be Rachel and Papa...she is very excited and so is Grandma...Jessika is taking it pretty well, especially knowing that she may get to see her at home soon.

Days 28 and 29

Today was Mom and Dad's 38th anniversary! Rheanna called and sent some balloons to the room and I called the nurse and asked if there was anything special that could be done for them. She was able to call down to the kitchen and they sent up a special cake for them to share at lunch. They both sounded very surprised and happy! I was glad that Dad was able to get the day off to share it with her.

Things continue to move along in recovery. She is gaining strength back daily(she doesn't think so, but we see a marked improvement), she's walking more laps now than she could when she first went in to the hospital. Her white blood cell counts are coming back as they should, so once the eating and drinking are under control, they'll let her out to come home. That doesn't mean that we are out of the woods or that she is cured, but we are well on the road to recovery and winning this fight! Many more long days are ahead of us, but we are strong, we are confident and WE WILL WIN!

And next year at this time, who knows - maybe they'll be in Hawaii for their anniversary!

Day 27

Yesterday seemed to fly by. Went up to see Mom again. She was pretty tired yesterday, had a hard time getting motivated to get moving but we got all the normal stuff done and she ate a decent lunch. We played a little cribbage and then she got sleepy so I ended up leaving a little early and she took a nap. They say when you start getting bored its time to go home...she's there! She's still receiving blood products though so not time to come yet, but the nurse said her white cell counts are coming back, so its just a matter of time now.
Going to start getting the house ready for her to come home. I talked to the nurse a bit about what has to be done to get ready...what to expect when she gets home. She can have visitors and can go visiting, just not in large crowds...she can go to the store but avoid peak hours and take her sanitizers with her. No plan yet for her continued treatments, but we'll know more after the next biopsy.

Days 25 and 26

The last two days have been pretty good. Mom is feeling a little better each day, just still having trouble with eating. She will have one more bone marrow biopsy next week(probably on Monday) and if the results of that come back as expected(good) then she should be able to come home around Wednesday the 10th.
I posted a couple pictures of Kasey from the OSU game yesterday. We had a really good time, weather was awesome(no rain) and the seats were incredible. He was amazed at how fast they could throw the ball...said one time "I don't understand how it keeps happening, he hits it and starts running and then the other guy gets the ball and throws it and he gets out." Not quite like 4th grade bball, hehe. :)