Pain in the Mouth!

We got off to a rough start today! Donald's mouth is getting worse and it is becoming harder to bare. It has brought tears to his eyes many times. The doctor ordered a different type of medication that is supposed to treat the sores in his mouth instead of just masking the pain for a short time. He has an arsenal of medications to put in his mouth and none of them seem to be working. Hopefully this one will give him some relief. I was able to get him to sit in the chair for about 15 minutes today and ate what he could of his breakfast while I changed his bed. His back hurts so very bad though. He has a hard time sitting up in the chair and especially trying to walk.

He had to get platelets again today. He tolerated them very well. His labs still look good with the exception of the platelets. He did spike a small fever this afternoon for a short time but it has gone back down and the doctor's don't seem too concerned. We spoke with the doctor today and she said that within the next week his white count should be high enough for him to go home for a little while. She wants to send him home for about a week and then do a biopsy in the clinic. He will then be able to return home while we wait for the results. Hopefully he will be well enough to go home sometime this week. He is soooo ready to get home for a little while. Praying for healing, wisdom and strength. Only God can heal Donald's body and give him and us the strength to carry on.

The Strength of Love

"Where is God?" It's a natural question when we're overwhelmed by tragedy. It can be a personal tragey, such as terminal illness or an untimely death; or it can be a national tragedy, such as our recent economic recession; or a global tragedy, such as wars between countries. Where is God in all this?

God would answer, "Right here with you, where I've always been." We fail to notice Him because we believe we're suffering something way too big for God to change, way too heavy for God to handle, so we don't involve Him. When He doesn't intervene in the way we think He should, we conclude God doesn't have the strength, power, or interest to do anything.

Our God, who was there when his beloved Son Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, is the same God who can and will carry the burden of our sorrows. Jesus' victory over death proves that even our worst tragedy, death, is no match for God, who invites us to lay all our fears at the foot of His throne.

Where is God in your personal tragedies and in the world's terrors? Right there with you! Let the eyes of your spirit see Him as He opens His arms of comfort and reassurance to you in all life's circumstances.

By: HSR - A Celebration of God's Love

Balance

Donald is still hanging in there. His spirits are high and he is trying to think positive. He has his moments but for the most part he is doing good. The neuropothy in his legs has gotten worse and he has almost fallen several times trying to get from the bed to the restroom or sink. They have started him on a medication that should help with the pain and numbness. It will take about 2 weeks to fully take effect but we are hopeful that it will help. The doctor wants him to try and move around as much as he can without tiring himself too much. They want him to try and keep his strength up or the bone marrow transplant. Our current plan is for him go home for a days once his white count comes back up and them come back to the clinic for a bone marrow biopsy to see how well the chemo is working. At that point they will decide what they want to do next. If the chemo is working but he is not in remission they will hit him with another round of chemo. If he is in remission he will go straight to transplant, and if the chemo is not working they will have to try something else. We are optimistic and know God is in control. We are so thankful for everything the Lord has done for us. He continues to bless us each and every day.

Night Sweats

Donald had another restless night last night. Between the leukemia and all of the medications, especially the steroids, he is sweating a lot. He woke up several times last night drenched in sweat. He sweats during the day but it seems to be worse at night. He has also started to get neuropathy in his legs and feet. It is very painful and is making it very difficult to get out of bed and walk. This is all a side effect of the chemo and should go away but it has him worried. His mouth is pretty sore but nothing like the last time. He is still able to eat solid foods and his appetite has been good. His platelets are beginning rise on their which is a good sign that the chemo is working. The doctor is wanting to let Donald go home before doing anymore chemo. We are not sure when or for how long yet but I am sure Donald will enjoy being home for a few days. They started him on a medication yesterday that boosts your white count so hopefully it will not be long before he can go home. It will do wonders for his mental state.  

I came across a poem today that I thought I would share with you all. It came from Helen Steiner Rice - A Celebration of God's Love.

Look on the Sunny Side

There are always two sides - the good and the bad,

The dark and the light, the sad and the glad...

But in looking back over the good and the bad,

We're aware of the number of good things we've had,

And in counting our blessing, we find when we're through

We've no reason at all to complain or be blue...

So thank God forr the good things He has already done,

And be grateful for Him forr the battles you've won,

And know that the same God who helped you beforre

Is ready and willing to help you once more,

then with faith in you heart, reach out forr God's hand

And accept what He sends, though you can't understand...

For our Father in heave always knows what is best,

And if you trust His wisdom, your life will be blessed...

For always remember that whatever betide you,

You are never alone, forr God is beside you.

Moving Right Along

Donald had a good weekend. He is still getting platelets everyday but they are coming up a little on their own. They have been averaging about 14,000 for the past few mornings. They jumped to 74,000 after one of the donor platelets over the weekend. We need to get some more of those. :) The doctor is talking about doing a bone marrow biopsy before doing anymore chemo treatments. They are going to wait for his white count to come back up first. The doctor also said she would like to let him go home for a few days before starting another round of chemo. We will just have to wait and see how things go over the next few days. Everything seems to be going very good so far. His lab work looks great, considering. I was able to get him in the wheelchair last night and took him outside for a little while. I think it made him feel much better. He has not been outside in 2 months. I am going to try and get him out of the room at least every other day. It's not always easy to get him in the wheelchair though.

I was able to get the microwave and refrigerator in the room and checked out by maintenance. It will be so nice not to have to get ice for the cooler everyday. It holds a lot more too. This hospital room looks more and more like home everyday. I am sure we are the only people that have a microwave in the room. I just wish we had thought about it sooner. Now that we have all of this in the room they will probably let him go home. LOL!

We continue to be thankful for all of the many blessings God has bestowed upon us and pray for many more days of good news. Praying for healing and that the Lord will lead us down the right path with his treatments.

Protocol 3 Day 2

Donald was in a good bit of pain today! The chemo is starting to get to him. He had to have platelets and blood today. He is actually finishing up his last bag of blood as I type. His appetite is still pretty good though. I fixed him chicken salad sandwich when I got off work today and he almost inhaled it. It thought about eating another one but didn't want to push his luck. His shoulders have been hurting him a lot today, especially the one he had surgery on. It is probably a combination of chemo, leukemia, being in the bed most of the time and using his arms to get out of the bed. He was a little down today but seems to be coming around. He didn't sleep very good last night and wasn't able to nap much today either so hopefully he will sleep tonight. They should be finished with all of his meds, blood work, etc.. by 10:30 so he should be able to relax and get some rest. He is still doing exceptionally well considering the circumstances.

I spoke with the nurse today about bringing a microwave and small refrigerator to the room since we have to stay here for so long and she said she would check into it but thinks we can as long as maintenance checks them before we plug them in. That will help so much. This little cooler we have doesn't hold much and it is very tiresome trying to replace the ice everyday.

Praying for healing and strength! I read something today that made me smile. "God has not promised a smooth ride but He has promised a safe landing" :) We just have to keep our eyes on him. There are better days to come.

Protocol 3 Day 1

Donald did very good today! They started his chemo and he has had minimal side effects. A little nausea and a headache but that's not bad. This chemo runs for 24 hours and then they will give him a different chemo once a day for 2 days. After 3 days of chemo they will wait for his counts to drop and come back up and then do it all over again. His sugar is on the rise again due to the Prednisone but that is to be expected. He hasn't started freezing me out of the room just yet but I'm sure it won't be long now. :)  Donald spoke with the doctor today to try and cut down on the amount of finger sticks he is going to have to get. They will only be sticking him once a day along with the lab work they draw in the morning. That way they can see where his sugar is in the morning and at night. There's not much they can do about his sugar being high because it's a side effect of the drug but that do have to make sure it doesn't get too too high. He also got more family donated platelets today and brought his platelet level up from 9,000 to 21,000. Overall he is doing exceptionally well. God has been so very good to him and I know he is going to heal him. Thanking the Lord for another good day and praying for many more to come.