And the counting starts all over again. Today is day 1 of the second round of chemotherapy. Ryan had 1 bag of his first chemo medicine this morning and they started him on a second late this afternoon. It is still dripping, and looks like it will for a while.
This drug can cause dizziness and blurred vision as well as dryness in the eyes, so he is getting eye drops to help with that. Someone bought Ryan a pac-man game that you plug into the TV, we have enjoyed playing that tonight. It has about 10 different games on it, it is pretty cool. Ryan is enjoying himself. He has had a good appetite today and Aubrey and I have been enjoying our visit with him tonight.
Ryan is his normal joking self which is such a blessing to me because I hate seeing him look so weak and sick. He's not up to much this week, just getting the drugs in him and hoping for few side effects.
Everything is going well as of now.
-A
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Round Two Begins
Well, I had to return Ryan to the hospital today. I'm actually still here with him, but will be heading home to get Aubrey soon. The doctor was in about lunch time and said that Ryan needed about 12 hours of fluids before the chemo starts and so he has to wait until mid-morning tomorrow to start the chemo. He will have one drug tomorrow and another on Wednesday/Thursday. He will also get a flush of chemo in his spinal fluid on Friday. As long as he doesn't have any major side effects and his temperature stays down, he will probably come home Friday night or Saturday, I'm thinking it will most likely be Saturday.
He feels pretty good today. He got here in time to eat lunch and he's now getting his fluids. Other than that, he's not doing anything else today. The doctor said he sounded good when he listened to his chest and was quick to make sure he didn't do any work over the weekend :)
We played cards this afternoon and he's interested in some show on the history channel, not really my cup of tea. I felt like we moved out of the hospital Friday, but we brought lots of his posters and pictures back today, so I decorated the room all over again this morning. It makes Ryan feel a little better about things, so I'm glad to do it.
Ryan is back in his original room, so if you come to visit, it is like he's never left.
We pray this week that his chemo isn't too tough on him, side effect wise, and that he gets to come home quickly at the end of the week. I pray that the weekend was good to help keep his spirits up through this week. I know that our loving God answers our prayers and that he is constantly watching over us and guiding us through this.
-A
He feels pretty good today. He got here in time to eat lunch and he's now getting his fluids. Other than that, he's not doing anything else today. The doctor said he sounded good when he listened to his chest and was quick to make sure he didn't do any work over the weekend :)
We played cards this afternoon and he's interested in some show on the history channel, not really my cup of tea. I felt like we moved out of the hospital Friday, but we brought lots of his posters and pictures back today, so I decorated the room all over again this morning. It makes Ryan feel a little better about things, so I'm glad to do it.
Ryan is back in his original room, so if you come to visit, it is like he's never left.
We pray this week that his chemo isn't too tough on him, side effect wise, and that he gets to come home quickly at the end of the week. I pray that the weekend was good to help keep his spirits up through this week. I know that our loving God answers our prayers and that he is constantly watching over us and guiding us through this.
-A
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A Relaxing Sunday
What a great weekend we have had. Before Ryan ever went to the hospital, he received an invitation from two of his students to attend their National Technical Honor Society induction today as an honored teacher. Ryan very much wanted to attend, but we weren't sure if that would happen or not. I was actually planning to attend in his place if he wasn't feeling up to it. We slept in again this morning and he thought that he would have enough energy to go, so we went to my parents for lunch with them and my brother's family and then we left Aubrey with Grandma and PaPaw and went to CTC. Ryan was able to walk up on stage with both of his students.
We then visited with Ryan's brother and sister and brother-in-law at his parents' house for supper.
Aubrey had an exciting day because she got to see all her grandpas and grandmas, all her aunts and uncles, both of her cousins, and both mommy and daddy were home too!
We serve a mighty powerful and loving God. I am so thankful that Ryan got to be home this weekend. When I return him to the hospital tomorrow, I know the time is finite and as long as all progresses well, he will be back home again next weekend.
"Life is 10% what we get and 90% how we react to it."
-A
We then visited with Ryan's brother and sister and brother-in-law at his parents' house for supper.
Aubrey had an exciting day because she got to see all her grandpas and grandmas, all her aunts and uncles, both of her cousins, and both mommy and daddy were home too!
We serve a mighty powerful and loving God. I am so thankful that Ryan got to be home this weekend. When I return him to the hospital tomorrow, I know the time is finite and as long as all progresses well, he will be back home again next weekend.
"Life is 10% what we get and 90% how we react to it."
-A
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Slow Saturday
We had a very enjoyable day with Ryan home today. We slept in for probably the first time in 3 weeks, all three of us stayed in bed until 9:00! Then Ryan wanted to go and pick up some parts for some of the farm things, so I drove him to a couple of stores while Aubrey slept in the van.
When we returned, he had a nap and Aubrey and I picked up around the house. A couple of Ryan's friends from college, our dads, Ryan's brother, and another friend came and worked outside getting the planter ready. Ryan had to supervise, a little while at a time, while they were working. We enjoyed pizza with our families and friends tonight.
Tonight was bath night and Daddy gave Aubrey her bath. She was all smiles when I went in to get her in the towel, she enjoyed Daddy being home.
Looking forward to another great day tomorrow. We are praising God that Ryan is strong enough to be home and we get to spend two whole days together as a family before he's back to the hospital. We also praise God for our wonderful and supportive families and the great friends all around.
-A
When we returned, he had a nap and Aubrey and I picked up around the house. A couple of Ryan's friends from college, our dads, Ryan's brother, and another friend came and worked outside getting the planter ready. Ryan had to supervise, a little while at a time, while they were working. We enjoyed pizza with our families and friends tonight.
Tonight was bath night and Daddy gave Aubrey her bath. She was all smiles when I went in to get her in the towel, she enjoyed Daddy being home.
Looking forward to another great day tomorrow. We are praising God that Ryan is strong enough to be home and we get to spend two whole days together as a family before he's back to the hospital. We also praise God for our wonderful and supportive families and the great friends all around.
-A
Friday, March 27, 2009
We're Home
What a great feeling. We are home. Ryan is laying on the floor in the living room next watching Aubrey play right now. Both our parents were here a little while ago and we ate supper together, the fish and company was good!
Aubrey has been trying to crawl and doing it in the presence of others, but I've never ever seen her do it at home, Ryan had told her she had to wait until he got home and she was showing her stuff tonight. She can sit herself up and has a crawl, flop type of movement going on. She gets where she wants to go.
After about 2 hours in Sidney trying to get Ryan's prescriptions filled, we got home and the first thing Ryan did was take a walk around the barnyard. I think he just wanted to smell the fresh air! He then had to have a nap before supper and then has been resting since then.
The nurses taught me how to wake him every hour and check his vitals :), but I figured I might let him sleep two hours in a row instead of just one . . . just kidding. All he has to do is check his temperature before bed and when he wakes up and take all his pills and he's good.
We're looking forward to a quiet day at home tomorrow.
-A
Aubrey has been trying to crawl and doing it in the presence of others, but I've never ever seen her do it at home, Ryan had told her she had to wait until he got home and she was showing her stuff tonight. She can sit herself up and has a crawl, flop type of movement going on. She gets where she wants to go.
After about 2 hours in Sidney trying to get Ryan's prescriptions filled, we got home and the first thing Ryan did was take a walk around the barnyard. I think he just wanted to smell the fresh air! He then had to have a nap before supper and then has been resting since then.
The nurses taught me how to wake him every hour and check his vitals :), but I figured I might let him sleep two hours in a row instead of just one . . . just kidding. All he has to do is check his temperature before bed and when he wakes up and take all his pills and he's good.
We're looking forward to a quiet day at home tomorrow.
-A
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A Happy Day
I spent the day at the hospital with Ryan today. It was nice just sitting in the room with him. We also went for a walk around the hallways on the 5th floor of the hospital. The doctor was in around lunch time and he told us that Ryan's treatment plan will be chemo for 5 days every 21 days. They do this 8 times. Ryan starts his second round on Monday.
The nurses have been pretty strong proponents of Ryan's idea for coming home and the doctor told Ryan that as long as his fever stays down and the cat scan he had today looks normal that he would be able to come home tomorrow afternoon and stay for the weekend.
I have certainly been praying since then that everything looks good when the doctor sees the cat scan tomorrow. Even if only for 2 days, I am ready for Ryan to be home!
The doctor told Ryan that his counts are looking good and that he looks good.
Hoping to write this under the same roof as Ryan tomorrow night!
-A
The nurses have been pretty strong proponents of Ryan's idea for coming home and the doctor told Ryan that as long as his fever stays down and the cat scan he had today looks normal that he would be able to come home tomorrow afternoon and stay for the weekend.
I have certainly been praying since then that everything looks good when the doctor sees the cat scan tomorrow. Even if only for 2 days, I am ready for Ryan to be home!
The doctor told Ryan that his counts are looking good and that he looks good.
Hoping to write this under the same roof as Ryan tomorrow night!
-A
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Not much to report
There hasn't been a lot going on today and besides Ryan's numbers, we don't really know anything more than what we knew yesterday.
Ryan's white blood cell count was 15,700 today. That is a little higher than normal, but after talking to the nurse, she assured me that it is ok. His hemoglobin is 11.1 and is supposed to be 14-17, so he's getting closer. His HCT (red blood cells) is 32.1 and is supposed to be between 38-45% and his platelets are 115 today. The average for them is 130-400, so they've made huge improvements the last two days. He was actually supposed to get some platelets before his surgery to change his port, but since they came up so well they didn't have to give him any.
I haven't seen him yet tonight. They took him for surgery around 2:30 and the surgeon called around 5 and said all went really well and they got the ports changed out and he would be in recovery for 1-2 hours. It has been an hour, but he isn't back to the room yet, I keep waiting for him to return.
We are planning to talk to the doctor tomorrow to know what his treatment plan will be and when he will get to come home.
I hear that his cough is maybe a little better today.
Please pray for his spirits and wisdom for the doctor to know what is the best way to continue his treatment.
More tomorrow
-A
Ryan's white blood cell count was 15,700 today. That is a little higher than normal, but after talking to the nurse, she assured me that it is ok. His hemoglobin is 11.1 and is supposed to be 14-17, so he's getting closer. His HCT (red blood cells) is 32.1 and is supposed to be between 38-45% and his platelets are 115 today. The average for them is 130-400, so they've made huge improvements the last two days. He was actually supposed to get some platelets before his surgery to change his port, but since they came up so well they didn't have to give him any.
I haven't seen him yet tonight. They took him for surgery around 2:30 and the surgeon called around 5 and said all went really well and they got the ports changed out and he would be in recovery for 1-2 hours. It has been an hour, but he isn't back to the room yet, I keep waiting for him to return.
We are planning to talk to the doctor tomorrow to know what his treatment plan will be and when he will get to come home.
I hear that his cough is maybe a little better today.
Please pray for his spirits and wisdom for the doctor to know what is the best way to continue his treatment.
More tomorrow
-A
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
My Day at Home
Today was a better day than yesterday. Ryan's temperature has been normal all day and he seemed to have a little bit more pep than he did yesterday.
His counts have risen again today, white counts 3700, ANC 1300 and platelets are 51. Dr. Meyer, the surgeon, was in this afternoon to tell Ryan that they are planning to put his permanent port in tomorrow afternoon. That should happen around 3:00, pray that all goes well and the surgery is a quick one.
We will get the results from the blood and urine tests tomorrow. There is a chance that Ryan has a bit of pneumonia, that should be taken care of by antibiotics, but we won't know that for sure until tomorrow.
We both had a rough couple of days, but with prayer and a good chat this afternoon, we're looking up again. We're not letting Satan get hold of this family in this situation. We know that our God is a good God and we will cling to the hope for a positive future.
-A
His counts have risen again today, white counts 3700, ANC 1300 and platelets are 51. Dr. Meyer, the surgeon, was in this afternoon to tell Ryan that they are planning to put his permanent port in tomorrow afternoon. That should happen around 3:00, pray that all goes well and the surgery is a quick one.
We will get the results from the blood and urine tests tomorrow. There is a chance that Ryan has a bit of pneumonia, that should be taken care of by antibiotics, but we won't know that for sure until tomorrow.
We both had a rough couple of days, but with prayer and a good chat this afternoon, we're looking up again. We're not letting Satan get hold of this family in this situation. We know that our God is a good God and we will cling to the hope for a positive future.
-A
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Day of Poking and Prodding
Today has not been the greatest day since arriving at the hospital. Ryan had a temperature last night when I left the hospital, but it got higher over night. He said that he slept well, but he did not feel well this morning. By lunch time, his temperature was down and it has stayed down all day, but he doesn't really feel a whole lot better. By the time I left the hospital tonight, his temperature was back up a little. I talked to him a little before 10 tonight and he told me that he actually felt a little better than he had when I left, that's good news!
His cough actually doesn't seem to be as bad and his numbers are up, but there is something in his lungs and the doctor isn't sure right now what it is. They have taken several blood and urine samples today so that they can determine exactly what's going on.
Ryan is so strong, he prays for me everyday, even though he's the one whose body is struggling with this disease. I've had a rough couple of days, but the Bible tells me to "Cast all my anxiety on Him because he cares for me." 1 Peter 5:7 and that's what I'm trying to do.
Praying for a good night's sleep and a better day tomorrow.
-A
His cough actually doesn't seem to be as bad and his numbers are up, but there is something in his lungs and the doctor isn't sure right now what it is. They have taken several blood and urine samples today so that they can determine exactly what's going on.
Ryan is so strong, he prays for me everyday, even though he's the one whose body is struggling with this disease. I've had a rough couple of days, but the Bible tells me to "Cast all my anxiety on Him because he cares for me." 1 Peter 5:7 and that's what I'm trying to do.
Praying for a good night's sleep and a better day tomorrow.
-A
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Another Sleepy Day
Ryan has been sleeping a lot this afternoon. His white count is up again today, the total white count is 900 and the ANC is 819. Some of his other numbers - red blood cells and hemoglobin were down so he got 2 units of blood today. He also has a low grade fever this afternoon. The nurse said it isn't high enough to call the doctor, but they are watching it.
Ryan has been shaking some as he slept today, the nurse said it could still be from the steroids in his body for from the temperature. He seems to be getting a restful sleep, but it bothers me to watch him shake.
His hair began to fall out a little yesterday, so he has decided he is getting it buzzed later on this afternoon.
His blood pressure was a little high today and when the doctor came in they decided to put him on blood pressure medicine. The last time they took his vitals, his blood pressure was down from what it was this morning.
The nurses told him was allowed to go out walking in other areas of the hospital today, but he has been sleepy and we haven't ventured out of the unit yet. Maybe he'll feel like it after supper, or maybe we'll wait until tomorrow.
The cough is still bothering him, although when he sleeps, he does not wake up coughing.
We praise God that his counts continue to rise. I pray that his fever will go down to normal and that he will feel better tomorrow after resting all day today.
Ryan has been shaking some as he slept today, the nurse said it could still be from the steroids in his body for from the temperature. He seems to be getting a restful sleep, but it bothers me to watch him shake.
His hair began to fall out a little yesterday, so he has decided he is getting it buzzed later on this afternoon.
His blood pressure was a little high today and when the doctor came in they decided to put him on blood pressure medicine. The last time they took his vitals, his blood pressure was down from what it was this morning.
The nurses told him was allowed to go out walking in other areas of the hospital today, but he has been sleepy and we haven't ventured out of the unit yet. Maybe he'll feel like it after supper, or maybe we'll wait until tomorrow.
The cough is still bothering him, although when he sleeps, he does not wake up coughing.
We praise God that his counts continue to rise. I pray that his fever will go down to normal and that he will feel better tomorrow after resting all day today.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
They're Multiplying
Well, good news regarding Ryan's counts today. The white count number is 600 and the ANC number is up from 74 yesterday to 558 today! What a huge jump from one day to the next. All of Ryan's blood count numbers are still below where they're supposed to be, but they are improving and so we're continuing to pray that the numbers go in the right direction.
After his chemo from earlier this week, he had four days of steroids. They cause him to have trouble sleeping at night, so he was a little tired today, but he got up and walked around his unit several times today and also played with Aubrey for a little while.
The doctor was in early this morning to check on him, he said he's looking fine and we're just waiting on those counts.
They gave Ryan some cough medicine to help the cough, but it really hasn't helped a lot. It is still bothering him. They did not do the bone marrow test today, Ryan thinks they're not doing it until Monday, so I'll keep you updated on that.
Continue to pray for continued good news about his counts and for his cough.
-A
After his chemo from earlier this week, he had four days of steroids. They cause him to have trouble sleeping at night, so he was a little tired today, but he got up and walked around his unit several times today and also played with Aubrey for a little while.
The doctor was in early this morning to check on him, he said he's looking fine and we're just waiting on those counts.
They gave Ryan some cough medicine to help the cough, but it really hasn't helped a lot. It is still bothering him. They did not do the bone marrow test today, Ryan thinks they're not doing it until Monday, so I'll keep you updated on that.
Continue to pray for continued good news about his counts and for his cough.
-A
Friday, March 20, 2009
He's Making Progress
Not a lot going on today. When the doctor was in earlier this morning, he told Ryan that he would come up with a schedule for the rest of his treatments so we would have an idea of what to expect.
He said that Ryan is a strong guy and he's going to get him home as soon as his counts come up and it is safe for him to head home. He also told Ryan that he'd try a cough medicine for him so that maybe it would help his cough a little. I'm sure Ryan will be happy about that because it is still bothering him quite a bit.
His white count is still at 100, but his bands (new cells) are 65 and his ANC number is at 74, up from 24 yesterday. His platelets and hemoglobin both went down a little, and he might have to get some blood, but that is normal.
He was excited about the air card that CTC is letting him borrow because now he can get on his school email. He was also browsing the Farm World and calling about tractors when I got here tonight, so I think he's pretty much back to his normal self.
I continue to pray that his counts will come up quickly and that his cough will go away soon.
I believe that things are going well. I also understand that the plan is still to test his bone marrow again on day 14, which will be tomorrow.
-A
He said that Ryan is a strong guy and he's going to get him home as soon as his counts come up and it is safe for him to head home. He also told Ryan that he'd try a cough medicine for him so that maybe it would help his cough a little. I'm sure Ryan will be happy about that because it is still bothering him quite a bit.
His white count is still at 100, but his bands (new cells) are 65 and his ANC number is at 74, up from 24 yesterday. His platelets and hemoglobin both went down a little, and he might have to get some blood, but that is normal.
He was excited about the air card that CTC is letting him borrow because now he can get on his school email. He was also browsing the Farm World and calling about tractors when I got here tonight, so I think he's pretty much back to his normal self.
I continue to pray that his counts will come up quickly and that his cough will go away soon.
I believe that things are going well. I also understand that the plan is still to test his bone marrow again on day 14, which will be tomorrow.
-A
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Waiting Game
Well, we've entered into the waiting game. Ryan said the doctor told him that we're just waiting for those numbers to come up and it could take a week or two and then they'll get him out of here. I'm praying for a week, I so want him back home!
He is in very good spirits again today, he's been up all day the nurses tell me. He's been so busy that he didn't even have time to return my phone call after his shower today. I'm looking for a baby-sitter because once I get to bring him home, I'm not going to be able to leave him alone or he might head out to do things he isn't supposed to do :)
God is quite a miracle worker. Ryan told me that the doctor said it might be up to two weeks before he got to come home and I got a little upset, I'm ready for him to be home now . . . when I got to the hospital, Ryan had a devotion for me to read that came over his email (which the nurses let him access in the break room, Julie, I might need you to check on him more than once a day :). Anyway, the devotion was about the idea that you can't be positive and negative at the same time, you must choose. Ryan is always about choosing the positive, today it was a little harder for me, but I will choose the positive as well.
Ryan seems to be back to his old self, we had a good visit tonight.
Pray that his counts rise as quickly as possible. Ryan still has a cough, but respitory says that his lungs look pretty good. He's really hoping that the cough goes away soon.
He is in very good spirits again today, he's been up all day the nurses tell me. He's been so busy that he didn't even have time to return my phone call after his shower today. I'm looking for a baby-sitter because once I get to bring him home, I'm not going to be able to leave him alone or he might head out to do things he isn't supposed to do :)
God is quite a miracle worker. Ryan told me that the doctor said it might be up to two weeks before he got to come home and I got a little upset, I'm ready for him to be home now . . . when I got to the hospital, Ryan had a devotion for me to read that came over his email (which the nurses let him access in the break room, Julie, I might need you to check on him more than once a day :). Anyway, the devotion was about the idea that you can't be positive and negative at the same time, you must choose. Ryan is always about choosing the positive, today it was a little harder for me, but I will choose the positive as well.
Ryan seems to be back to his old self, we had a good visit tonight.
Pray that his counts rise as quickly as possible. Ryan still has a cough, but respitory says that his lungs look pretty good. He's really hoping that the cough goes away soon.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A lucky wife
I consider myself very lucky to be married to such a strong man. I thank God each and every day that he has such a positive attitude about life and this cancer. It took me a couple of days to come to terms with this, but I never saw him falter. He has been tough and positive through this whole ordeal, I think that is partly why he is doing so well in such short time.
I gave Aubrey a bath tonight with no tears, she even played a little! I finally got the hang of it, I guess. I will, however, give the job back to Ryan when he is home and feeling up to it. I think she enjoys the bath time more with Daddy, I guess he just has the knack for it.
I got to visit Ryan this morning, instead of this evening. We watched the movie Fireproof before he was to head to surgery. Around 11 the doctor came in and shared that they decided to postpone the surgery until Ryan's counts were up a little more. The had done some blood work to see if his fever was being caused by infection and that came back negative, so there wasn't concern that the temporary port he has now was causing infection. There was some concern that because his platelets were so low that his body might not be able to clot when they took the temporary port out, so they decided it was best to wait. So after our movie, one of few that he watched without falling asleep, I headed back to work. I think we'll have to figure out a way to watch movies during the daytime more often, it is much more fun to watch a movie with someone who is awake!
Counts were still hovering around 100 today, the doctor said they can't get any lower, so now we just wait until they begin to rise back up. This is the difficult part for me, I have to be patient for everything to do its work before he can get back home. I'm not always so good at patience . . .
Ryan's fever was 100.9 when I left this morning, but was down to 98.1 this afternoon and was still down when I talked to him tonight. That had been a big concern that it might be signaling infection, but with the blood tests being negative and the fever dropping, we saw another answer to prayer.
Ryan's cough is still bothering him. It is nowhere near as bad as it was when he went to the doctor, but it is still there and bothers him, continue to pray that the cough will subside soon.
Although I don't understand why we're going through this, I have already begun to realize that I'm not in control and that God will take care of things if I let him do it.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We have the hope and belief that God will see us all the way through this.
-A
I gave Aubrey a bath tonight with no tears, she even played a little! I finally got the hang of it, I guess. I will, however, give the job back to Ryan when he is home and feeling up to it. I think she enjoys the bath time more with Daddy, I guess he just has the knack for it.
I got to visit Ryan this morning, instead of this evening. We watched the movie Fireproof before he was to head to surgery. Around 11 the doctor came in and shared that they decided to postpone the surgery until Ryan's counts were up a little more. The had done some blood work to see if his fever was being caused by infection and that came back negative, so there wasn't concern that the temporary port he has now was causing infection. There was some concern that because his platelets were so low that his body might not be able to clot when they took the temporary port out, so they decided it was best to wait. So after our movie, one of few that he watched without falling asleep, I headed back to work. I think we'll have to figure out a way to watch movies during the daytime more often, it is much more fun to watch a movie with someone who is awake!
Counts were still hovering around 100 today, the doctor said they can't get any lower, so now we just wait until they begin to rise back up. This is the difficult part for me, I have to be patient for everything to do its work before he can get back home. I'm not always so good at patience . . .
Ryan's fever was 100.9 when I left this morning, but was down to 98.1 this afternoon and was still down when I talked to him tonight. That had been a big concern that it might be signaling infection, but with the blood tests being negative and the fever dropping, we saw another answer to prayer.
Ryan's cough is still bothering him. It is nowhere near as bad as it was when he went to the doctor, but it is still there and bothers him, continue to pray that the cough will subside soon.
Although I don't understand why we're going through this, I have already begun to realize that I'm not in control and that God will take care of things if I let him do it.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We have the hope and belief that God will see us all the way through this.
-A
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Day 9
We have almost made it through another day. Ryan's counts are actually up a little from yesterday. They are 200 today. He also has a few "bands" which are new white blood cells and they expect those to increase now each day.
Dr. Meyer, Ryan's surgeon was in today. Tomorrow around lunch time they will take him to surgery to put a more permanent port in his chest/neck, he will receive the rest of his chemo treatments through this port.
The doctor's are watching his counts and continuing to watch for infection and bleeding. He has a bit of a temperature still and a little pain in his back from the lumbar puncture, but otherwise, he feels well. He's ready to get back to things, but we have to continue to tell him that it isn't quite time yet!
The mass in his chest is very hard to see now, it has shrunk quite a bit since they found it last Friday, praise the Lord!
Our biggest area of concern right now is that Ryan's temperature stays down and they can put the port in tomorrow, which will make him one step closer to coming home!
-A
Dr. Meyer, Ryan's surgeon was in today. Tomorrow around lunch time they will take him to surgery to put a more permanent port in his chest/neck, he will receive the rest of his chemo treatments through this port.
The doctor's are watching his counts and continuing to watch for infection and bleeding. He has a bit of a temperature still and a little pain in his back from the lumbar puncture, but otherwise, he feels well. He's ready to get back to things, but we have to continue to tell him that it isn't quite time yet!
The mass in his chest is very hard to see now, it has shrunk quite a bit since they found it last Friday, praise the Lord!
Our biggest area of concern right now is that Ryan's temperature stays down and they can put the port in tomorrow, which will make him one step closer to coming home!
-A
Monday, March 16, 2009
Husband, Daddy, Teacher
Ryan continues to amaze me in his strength. He loves our daughter so much and her face brightens so when I carry her into his room. She is for sure ready for daddy to be home.
Once a teacher... two of Ryan's students came to visit him on Sunday. He was very interested in what they've been working on in class and had to give them a little lesson before they left the room so they'd know what to do when they went back to school today.
Ryan's counts have fallen to 100. So, they should drop off tomorrow and then begin to build back up. He was active today, and although I didn't get to go see him, everytime I talked with him he sounded great!
He is off his oxygen and he had another lumbar puncture today. This was scheduled and is a preventative measure.
The doctor mentioned the word home today, so I am excited that he may well be home early next week.
Your prayers and wonderful comments on this blog are so appreciated.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Count is Down
Ryan's white blood count has fallen below 1,000, it is actually 600 today. That is good because it tells us that the chemo is doing its job, but in the opposite way it means that we're going to have to limit the visitors to Ryan's room. He is very susceptible to infection and we don't want to risk him getting anything that might keep in the hospital longer than he needs to be, I want him back home as soon as possible!
Dr. Sabiers was in again today and shared with us that they would be watching for bleeding and infection this week and waiting for his bone marrow to begin producing good white blood cells again. The nurse shared with me last night that once the numbers drop completely down, different people respond differently in how quickly they begin building their counts up again. So over the next week or so, we'll be watching and waiting for Ryan's counts to drop completely off and then begin to building back up.
Ryan is getting two units of blood today to help his body fight any infection that might be present. Since his own counts are falling, he needs a little help with the good stuff for his body.
Ryan is very tired today, he has been in bed most of the afternoon, but he has had a bit of an appetite, eating a few of the snacks that are in the room. He even had a Dr. Pepper with me! He also asked about his supper a few minutes ago, so I believe that is a good sign.
We continually pray that his temperature will drop and stay down and that his blood pressure will come down to a normal range. His cough is still bothering him some, he is coughing more often, but not nearly has hard as he originally was. Pray also that once his counts fall all the way down that he will begin to build them back up quickly.
One week down, and hopefully just two more to go before we're out of this hospital for a little while.
-A
Dr. Sabiers was in again today and shared with us that they would be watching for bleeding and infection this week and waiting for his bone marrow to begin producing good white blood cells again. The nurse shared with me last night that once the numbers drop completely down, different people respond differently in how quickly they begin building their counts up again. So over the next week or so, we'll be watching and waiting for Ryan's counts to drop completely off and then begin to building back up.
Ryan is getting two units of blood today to help his body fight any infection that might be present. Since his own counts are falling, he needs a little help with the good stuff for his body.
Ryan is very tired today, he has been in bed most of the afternoon, but he has had a bit of an appetite, eating a few of the snacks that are in the room. He even had a Dr. Pepper with me! He also asked about his supper a few minutes ago, so I believe that is a good sign.
We continually pray that his temperature will drop and stay down and that his blood pressure will come down to a normal range. His cough is still bothering him some, he is coughing more often, but not nearly has hard as he originally was. Pray also that once his counts fall all the way down that he will begin to build them back up quickly.
One week down, and hopefully just two more to go before we're out of this hospital for a little while.
-A
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Moving in the Right Direction
Well, it has been 1 whole week since we arrived at Miami Valley Hospital. Ryan looks so much better than he did when we got here last Friday night. He seems to be taking to the chemo pretty well, he is not nauseated and other than being tired doesn't seem to have many side effects right now. The doctors and nurses say that he will probably get a little sicker when his white count drops completely down, but right now he seems to be fairing well.
Aubrey and I are tired, but we enjoy our visits to see Daddy and we pray for him when we're not there. Dr. Sabiers, Dr. Marinella's associate is on call this weekend, so he was in to see Ryan this morning. He shared with me that Ryan's counts were down again this morning, 1,300. We also found out his x-ray results this morning. After only 7 days of being here, the mass in his chest has shrunk significantly. Praise God!
Ryan has been up sitting in his chair most of the day. He even did a few laps around the hallway and I stood in the hall just to make sure there weren't any nurses trying to smack his butt! I fended them off :)
We are still watching a low grade temperature and his blood pressure. It had been down the other day, but was up again today.
We ask that you pray for those two issues and I ask that you also keep me in your prayers. I am tired at the end of each day and do sleep well, but I always want to stay longer at the hospital than my physical body wants me to.
Until tomorrow
-A
Aubrey and I are tired, but we enjoy our visits to see Daddy and we pray for him when we're not there. Dr. Sabiers, Dr. Marinella's associate is on call this weekend, so he was in to see Ryan this morning. He shared with me that Ryan's counts were down again this morning, 1,300. We also found out his x-ray results this morning. After only 7 days of being here, the mass in his chest has shrunk significantly. Praise God!
Ryan has been up sitting in his chair most of the day. He even did a few laps around the hallway and I stood in the hall just to make sure there weren't any nurses trying to smack his butt! I fended them off :)
We are still watching a low grade temperature and his blood pressure. It had been down the other day, but was up again today.
We ask that you pray for those two issues and I ask that you also keep me in your prayers. I am tired at the end of each day and do sleep well, but I always want to stay longer at the hospital than my physical body wants me to.
Until tomorrow
-A
Friday, March 13, 2009
Another Day, Another Miracle
We certainly serve a great and wonderful God. Ryan had so many visitors this evening that we had to limit the amount of time they spent in his room. What a wonderful blessing to know that there are so many friends and family members that want to wish him a speedy recovery. If you want to visit, please call April first. The next few days are critical for his white blood counts, which have dropped to 1500 today and we can't risk any infection and we don't want him to get too tired.
Ryan had a chest x-ray to check and see if the mass in his chest has shrunk any. The results are back, but the nurse isn't allowed to share them with us, so we patiently await the doctor's visit tomorrow. Ryan's blood pressure was down today, so praise God for answered prayer.
Ryan has such good spirits. He is one of the strongest people I know and each and every time I come to see him he looks better. I pray each and everyday that he will be home soon so he can help with Aubrey's bath. Ryan has given her a bath since she was allowed to have baths and she has decided that mommy doesn't do them as well as daddy. So both Aubrey and I are hoping that he gets home so he can help out again. Aubrey was so mad last night that she tried climbing out of her little tub. She wanted nothing to do with my bath skills, I guess.
Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. We are standing on our family and friends for strength in the Lord and we believe that Ryan will be healed soon.
-A
Ryan had a chest x-ray to check and see if the mass in his chest has shrunk any. The results are back, but the nurse isn't allowed to share them with us, so we patiently await the doctor's visit tomorrow. Ryan's blood pressure was down today, so praise God for answered prayer.
Ryan has such good spirits. He is one of the strongest people I know and each and every time I come to see him he looks better. I pray each and everyday that he will be home soon so he can help with Aubrey's bath. Ryan has given her a bath since she was allowed to have baths and she has decided that mommy doesn't do them as well as daddy. So both Aubrey and I are hoping that he gets home so he can help out again. Aubrey was so mad last night that she tried climbing out of her little tub. She wanted nothing to do with my bath skills, I guess.
Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. We are standing on our family and friends for strength in the Lord and we believe that Ryan will be healed soon.
-A
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The day of sleeping
Not a whole lot is going on today. Ryan didn't sleep the greatest last night and so he slept much of today.
He has finished his chemo for now and they've taken out his IV. His kidney doctor was in yesterday and they've decided that his kidneys are doing well so he doesn't have to get fluids anymore.
His white count is down again today.
A few areas for prayer today - that he sleeps well tonight, that his cough begins to go away, that his blood pressure continues to drop. It was high yesterday, but when the nurse took it the last time this evening, it had dropped significantly.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has visited and sent cards. We also appreciate everyone all the offers for help and the numerous nice things that have been done for us. There are no words to say how thankful we are for all the love and support we have been shown.
He has finished his chemo for now and they've taken out his IV. His kidney doctor was in yesterday and they've decided that his kidneys are doing well so he doesn't have to get fluids anymore.
His white count is down again today.
A few areas for prayer today - that he sleeps well tonight, that his cough begins to go away, that his blood pressure continues to drop. It was high yesterday, but when the nurse took it the last time this evening, it had dropped significantly.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has visited and sent cards. We also appreciate everyone all the offers for help and the numerous nice things that have been done for us. There are no words to say how thankful we are for all the love and support we have been shown.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
How GREAT is our GOD!
First, a story from yesterday that I forget (I know, how could I forget this!). Anyway, many of you know Ryan changed jobs two years ago and decided to join the education field. In order to teach, you've got to have a license and Ryan was one whole quarter and one final class shy of finishing his course work. I called his professor at Wright State to see how I might be able to help him get through his work so that when we fight this that he will have a teaching license and job. She called me back yesterday at lunchtime with the plan.
Ryan had an A going into last night's class. Surprise for those of you who knew him in school? And the professor said he would finish that class with an A. As for the class he is supposed to take spring quarter, she and her staff are creating a web-based course so that he can do the work where he is. She also volunteered to come to us if she needed anything from Ryan. That in itself was a blessing, but that's not all - a few days ago she had a new scholarship opportunity come across her desk, for someone in need. She decided that Ryan was that someone and they are taking care of his tuition for his final quarter. What a relief! She also found someone willing to get him registered so I didn't have to worry about it. What a wonderful woman!
On to today . . . it was my day to not visit the hospital. Ryan's parents visited for a good part of the day and he had a few others visit this afternoon. He didn't sleep well last night, so every time I called this morning, he was still sleeping. By 11:30, it was really getting to me, I needed to hear him speak to me. After lunch, I called him and finally got through. He had already eaten his lunch as well and sounded really great on the phone. The doctor was in early today with 2 pieces of good news.
On Monday, they did a lumbar puncture to check his spinal fluid for cancer cells. The results are in today, negative, no cancer cells there! When we took him to the hospital Friday, his white blood count was 147,000. It was 3,000 today. Praise the LORD.
He was up walking around the halls today. I heard that one of the nurses gave him a slap on the butt to pick up his pace, not sure which one, but you bet I'll be checking on that when I arrive down there tomorrow :) He was asking for speed cones in the hallway, I'm not sure if they got any for him to navigate around, but I'll check on that too.
He was tired at 8:30 when I was talking to him. We pray that he sleeps well tonight and that his cough subsides even more tomorrow.
-A
Ryan had an A going into last night's class. Surprise for those of you who knew him in school? And the professor said he would finish that class with an A. As for the class he is supposed to take spring quarter, she and her staff are creating a web-based course so that he can do the work where he is. She also volunteered to come to us if she needed anything from Ryan. That in itself was a blessing, but that's not all - a few days ago she had a new scholarship opportunity come across her desk, for someone in need. She decided that Ryan was that someone and they are taking care of his tuition for his final quarter. What a relief! She also found someone willing to get him registered so I didn't have to worry about it. What a wonderful woman!
On to today . . . it was my day to not visit the hospital. Ryan's parents visited for a good part of the day and he had a few others visit this afternoon. He didn't sleep well last night, so every time I called this morning, he was still sleeping. By 11:30, it was really getting to me, I needed to hear him speak to me. After lunch, I called him and finally got through. He had already eaten his lunch as well and sounded really great on the phone. The doctor was in early today with 2 pieces of good news.
On Monday, they did a lumbar puncture to check his spinal fluid for cancer cells. The results are in today, negative, no cancer cells there! When we took him to the hospital Friday, his white blood count was 147,000. It was 3,000 today. Praise the LORD.
He was up walking around the halls today. I heard that one of the nurses gave him a slap on the butt to pick up his pace, not sure which one, but you bet I'll be checking on that when I arrive down there tomorrow :) He was asking for speed cones in the hallway, I'm not sure if they got any for him to navigate around, but I'll check on that too.
He was tired at 8:30 when I was talking to him. We pray that he sleeps well tonight and that his cough subsides even more tomorrow.
-A
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The past few days
Many of you know what's been going on, but a few don't, so I will start with a chronicle of what has happened since Friday morning. Ryan had a bad cough last week and I urged him to get to the doctor. Aubrey had been sick and was finally getting over things and I didn't want her getting it again. He went to the doctor and they called me to come pick him up. He was acting faint, but was otherwise wasn't showing any signs of anything, except maybe dehydration. The ambulance came because he went a little unconscious when I came to pick him up. We went to the ER at Wayne Hospital and when they got his bloodwork and chest X-ray back, the doctor told us that the news wasn't good. They did a few more tests and then decided that we would be heading to Miami Valley.
We arrived at Miami Valley on Friday night about 7:00. The doctor was in within the hour ordering more tests and talking to us about what might be going on. They also did a bone marrow biopsy and we got those results back Saturday late morning. He was diagnosed with Precursor T-cell Acute Lymphblastic Lymphoma/Leukemia. What a shock! It was a bit unbelievable to say the least. We were (and still are) thankful to God that the doctor who was seeing him practices in Greenville and we've been told is one of the best cancer doctors here.
Ryan's white blood cell count was 10 times higher than the normal. He had (it is still there) a mass in his chest which is a swollen. His kidneys were also not functioning at their normal level. Because the white count was so high, they wanted to filter out his blood before starting chemo. They performed a process called neurophreneisis (spelling?). They took out his blood and filtered as many white cells out as they could and put his good blood back.
They started chemo on Sunday afternoon around 4:30. He gets a treatment every 12 hours for 3 days, the final one will be tomorrow morning at 4:30 AM. All his numbers are improving. His kidneys have begun to function better. He was using at catheter, but they have removed that. His counts are going down, the direction they want them to go.
He seems very tired this evening while I'm here, but he has talked a little. He is keeping his spirits up, thinking about his students at school a lot. He is actually getting ready for bed now so I'm going to head home and let him rest.
We appreciate all the gifts, visits, and especially all the prayers. We serve a wonderful GOD and we pray each and every day that the drugs will do their job and we'll get Ryan back home very soon.
We arrived at Miami Valley on Friday night about 7:00. The doctor was in within the hour ordering more tests and talking to us about what might be going on. They also did a bone marrow biopsy and we got those results back Saturday late morning. He was diagnosed with Precursor T-cell Acute Lymphblastic Lymphoma/Leukemia. What a shock! It was a bit unbelievable to say the least. We were (and still are) thankful to God that the doctor who was seeing him practices in Greenville and we've been told is one of the best cancer doctors here.
Ryan's white blood cell count was 10 times higher than the normal. He had (it is still there) a mass in his chest which is a swollen. His kidneys were also not functioning at their normal level. Because the white count was so high, they wanted to filter out his blood before starting chemo. They performed a process called neurophreneisis (spelling?). They took out his blood and filtered as many white cells out as they could and put his good blood back.
They started chemo on Sunday afternoon around 4:30. He gets a treatment every 12 hours for 3 days, the final one will be tomorrow morning at 4:30 AM. All his numbers are improving. His kidneys have begun to function better. He was using at catheter, but they have removed that. His counts are going down, the direction they want them to go.
He seems very tired this evening while I'm here, but he has talked a little. He is keeping his spirits up, thinking about his students at school a lot. He is actually getting ready for bed now so I'm going to head home and let him rest.
We appreciate all the gifts, visits, and especially all the prayers. We serve a wonderful GOD and we pray each and every day that the drugs will do their job and we'll get Ryan back home very soon.
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