My good friends- This is just an update on the ongoing health situation with my beloved wife, Kathy. She's doing well, and has already completed her first week of chemo without any major bad side effects. Which isn't to say that it was fun, but she still has a full head of hair and a nearly intact sense of humor. She also has virtually no white blood cells, which is both exactly what we want and, oh yeah, terrifying.
This is a "rest week" to let her body recover from the inital chemo beating, then early next week she'll get another bone marrow test to see where we go from here. Also today, I was given a big notebook with information about bone marrow transplants, but I'll be damned if I'm reading it tonight. I'm exhausted and am targeting 9 pm as my bedtime. Way early for me usually, but a tough goal to reach tonight.
So as not to exaggerate things, I actually only get to spend about 6 hours with Mrs. J in the hospital, and another two (or hopefully less) cursing at other drivers here in Texas. The time I'm physically with her is pretty much the only time of day that I'm not sick to my stomach from worry. Her comforting presence also brings my blood pressure and heart rate down to levels which my cardiologist considers survivable, after a brief dalliance with an EKG and a new prescription .
And it turns out that I really, really don't like hospitals even though I'm insanely grateful that they exist and are doing everything they can for Kathy. It's all so surreal: odd machines, tubes, wires, dripping things, people invading the room at all hours, bags of fluids to swell a body up, and other meds to make you pee like crazy to try to get rid of those same fluids.
"Doctor's rounds" consist of a daily 3-minute visit from the doctor, and if he seems reasonably happy then we're happy. Well, happy-ish. We've adopted a day-by-day attitude which means we're focused only on what's happening right now, and not asking detailed questions about what's next. Although a few pleasant surprises would certainly be welcome about now.
Bottom line: "So far, so good" - so whatever you've been doing on our behalf, please keep doing it.
Meanwhile, I only hear jots and tittles of news here and there, and it sure sounds like the whole shooting match has gone completely to hell. Racist horses? No one caring about Hunter & Joe Biden's corruption? Generals calling Biden a liar for claiming that they unanimously told him to surrender to the Taliban and run like a scalded dog? Continuing confusion and misinformation about Covid ("The Best World-Altering Plague Your Tax Money Could Buy!"). An attempt to defund support for Israel's "Iron Dome" defense while spending trillions on every frigging wet dream the Progressive Marxist Lunatics can come up with? Entitlements for the upper middle class? A possible re-design of the American flag? And so much more.
Only a real asshole would steal powerful and addictive opioids from his wife during a health crisis, right? Right...? Well then, Clan MacGregor and I will just have to continue to fight the world on our own. But seriously, is it just my admittedly slapped-silly perspective or has everything hit the fan at once?
And that's all the steam I have at the moment. I'm going to stumble 6 feet to my trusty recliner and knock off for the night. Thank you so much for your friendship, your support, and your prayers. They all count and are all more appreciated than you can possibly know!
-Stilton
74 comments:
God bless your wife and you.
(((HUGS))) for you and your lovely and fierce wife!
Hang in there.
Ditto to what Rob said. Plus Margo & HankJ---!!!
Hang in there! Use those two hours to improve your vocabulary!
God be with you.
jack
Stilt
God has a plan for all of us. Don't worry and trust in God's love. I am praying for you and your wife, Kathy. Hang in there Brother.
Meanwhile, Biden, Pelosi, Kamala, Obama, etc. are still major assholes and should be visited by John Wick.
Peace be with you,
Jim G
Stilt
God has a plan for all of us. Don't worry and trust in God's love. I am praying for you and your wife, Kathy. Hang in there Brother.
Meanwhile, Biden, Pelosi, Kamala, Obama, etc. are still major assholes and should be visited by John Wick.
Peace be with you,
Jim G
::hugs:: for Mrs. J. Hoping my thoughts and prayers do both of you some good.
Speaking of everything hitting the fan at once, be glad you don't live in California.
https://reason.com/2021/09/27/california-will-let-violence-prevention-researchers-know-that-you-have-a-gun/
Theoretically, not all the personal information is supposed to be used in the research, but California is giving them everything anyway.
We had a local hospital, for some insane reason, hired a chef to run the cafeteria. The food was so good, people would go there for lunch. It was something to behold, until the hospital decided it was too expensive, and went back to serving carboard goulash and fried toenails.
The good thing was that my ex-wife was in the hospital, I was on hospital duty, and there was at least three opportunities to find something rewarding about what was really not that wonderful of an experience.
I'd like to write: "Hang in there.", but you already are, even though it's not what you had planned for this Autumn.
Prayers.
Continued daily prayers for Kathy, you, and your family, coming to you from Tacoma, Washington, Seattle’s little sister to the south, with our very own homeless camps that unfortunately rival Seattle’s.
Stilt & Kathy,
Hoping and praying for a positive successful outcome for Kathy.
Faith is the key to healing, comfort and inner peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.
Sincerely,
JRMD
I remember getting lost on the hospital campus, finally finding the tall building marked "Cancer Center," and marveling that I could so calmly walk into it. I know what you're feeling, and after I stumble out my prayers for my husband, I'll pray for your wife and all of you. The Lord still works miracles, and in the ten years since my husband's pancreatic cancer diagnosis we've seen several. Put your full trust in Him for this life and beyond. And keep us posted! We're a cheesy lot, but we're family! --Patricia
So many good thoughts, my friend, so I'll add mine too the choristers song. Bless you and keep you both. Hold tight to your faith and good humor. Love and prayers.
May God continue to watch over the Jarlsberg family and may you find some solace in your collective suffering.
Stilt: A thousand prayers and hugs to you, Kathy and all the Jarlsberg gang! More than a few of us have "walked through the "valley" and had the Good Shepherd with us!
As for Washington, District of Corruption, vengeance is His and He shall repay!
Woe unto the wicked!
Good to hear that Katy's health is going in the right direction.
More thoughts and prayers for the both of you.
Long term health issues are difficult to deal with. Make sure YOU take the time to watch over your mental stress too. Our prayers for a swift recovery for your wife.
God be with you both.
We're all keeping you and your wife in our prayers and sending you strength to cope with our all, and hope to hear more encouraging news.
As for the blizzard of styooypid and the corruptnado simultaneously engulfing vast swaths of America's leadership - organize and vote them into oblivion; and as to the malicious Squaddies trying to ensure our destruction over here - well, those Iron Dome batteries parked between my house and Hezbollah that I posted to FB about - if we run low on mere ordinance, we have an infinitely bigger "Iron Dome" to rely on...
Ditto to all the prayers, wishes, and hugs above. Refuah shleimah umeherah to Kathy bat Jane! And as has been mentioned as well, Stilt and Daughter J make sure you take good care of yourselves too. (Maybe you could draft Busty to give a hand with some of those chores?)
Many Prayers for your Bride and for you.
I was going to leave a comment, but I see everybody else has already said what I was going to say so I shall have to think of something new. Did you know the largest elephant ever recorded, shot in Angola in 1955 and now on display at the Smithsonian, stood 13 feet 2 inches at the withers? There you go, a new comment. But still, hopes and prayers, a little heartening news that your wife is responding to the treatment, a gentle nudge to remind you to take care of yourself, and a little admission that it's for totally selfish reasons that I want to see you continue your blog for many years.
Hang in there, Brother. Women are made of “stern stuff”. Stay strong for her.
Am glad to read as others are treatment is progressing. Let's hope things stay that way.
Yes, hospitals are surreal places, but on a sense, it may be a blessing in disguise to be cocooned in one.
Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is a report the democratic candidate, and creature of the vile, venal, most unworthy, unqualified and unfit POTUS candidate since Henry Wallace, created a faux pac to spread untrue rumors the Republican candidate will not if elected, protect 2nd amendment rights. A big thing here outside the 4 progressive duchies of Northern Virginia.
And speaking of the vile venal Swamp creature. You may have read she was roundly booed at 2 universities while on her way to have conferred upon her (no, not damnation) honorary degrees. At this point, what difference do these degreed make? (Heh). The Big Prize twice escaped her clutches, so she might as well be awarded an honorary whatever, from Macdonald's Hamburger University, for all the difference it makes (heh).
You mentioned Texas drivers. That resonates a bit here. The North American headquarters for son unit's employer is located on Texas and I occasionally nag about seeking a transfer there for wider professional opportunities. But he was sent once to San Antonio on business, and his experience with the traffic there makes a move to Texas, unappealing for him.
Last, above all do get rest.
Prayers for your wife and your family
Blessings of patience and peace. May you and Kathy rest and renew your faith in what God will give us. Prayers going up for both of you.
Things will get better, prayers and hope, many of us have been through similar challenges. Hang in there.
God speed and prayers.
So sorry to hear about your wife. My hubby was also diagnosed with leukemia and had to have a bone marrow transplant. That was 20 years ago, and he's still alive and kicking. Just wanted you to know that there is hope and the possibility of long life afterwards. :)
Friendship, support, and prayers. You got 'em!
Strength and peace to you and yours in your time of need. Thank you for sharing what you have.
Congrats on the good news of a positive response. Having been there (though perhaps not as intensely,) I can verify that a medicinal snort can indeed provide some relief. Prayers for you both and that the progress will continue.
Yes, the corruptocrats in the Potomac Swamp are still floundering about, attempting to destroy what's left of our country that is still functioning. But you have bigger (and more important) things to worry about. There will be plenty to comment on later when your life has returned to normalcy.
For now, for both of you, Be Well.
all good things GODs love and TITO's
ML
So glad to hear your wife is doing OK considering the situation. Praying you both continue in a positive direction.
TRUE STORY admitted by leading HR guy at a major corporation many years ago in Texas (which I think made it even more funny): He was taking his young kids to school one morning and one of the innocent ones seriously asked him: "Dad, Why do we never see any Son-of-a-Bitches when Mom is driving? I'm quite used to Texas driving but it still sometimes make me nervous when we visit. But must admit most them do OK when driving in close formation at 80 MPH.
Like I said earlier but with more information about your schedule. Allowing 8 for your Lady & 8 for an ATTEMPT at good sleep; you still have 8 a day to take care of yourself. Please use it wisely. Remember the First Rule of Rescue is Do not become another victim.
We're all with you both.
I don't have anything to add to the comments posted above.
Daily prayers for you and Kathy, and for our poor beleaguered republic.
Keep the faith, baby!
@Fish Out of Water, I came home to Texas after many years of commuting up and down I-95 and Loop 395 around DC. The traffic in and around San Antonio is nothing compared to that mess. Only Houston compares.
What always freaks folks when they first get here is that the interstates through the middle of town still have 65-70 mph speed limits, as opposed to 55 or less on the East Coast. Once they get used to warp speed, most adjust okay, or else they stay off the interstates during rush hours.
Stilt, I had a bone marrow transplant many years ago for a bone tumor. Worked beautifully. Will keep Mrs. S. in my thoughts and prayers.
Please remember to keep on whatever treatment they recommend post-chemo. My wife had chemo and radiation and made it through 2013 without going bald. Then they put her on Ibrance. She was on that until late 2019 when they said she was clear on the Xrays and CAT Scan. She stopped taking it in January 2020, and by July the breast cancer came back in her liver. She was gone by the end of Sep 2020. If she had stayed on Ibrance she might still be here. Take good care of your wife and good wishes to you and the family.
Nothing political, just a joke from Grouchy Old Cripple’s blog:
A farmer went out one day and bought a brand new stud rooster for his chicken coop. The new rooster struts over to the old rooster and says, “OK old timer, time for you to retire.”
“Come on, surely you cannot handle ALL of these hens. Look what it has done to me. Can’t you just let me have the two old hens over in the corner?”
The young rooster says,
“Beat it! You are washed up and I am taking over.” The old rooster says, “I tell you what, young stud. I will race you around the farmhouse. Whoever wins gets exclusive domain over the entire chicken coop.”
The young rooster laughs. “You know you don’t stand a chance, old man. So, just to be fair, I will give you a head start.”
The old rooster takes off running. About 15 seconds later the young rooster takes off running after him. They round the front porch of the farmhouse and the young rooster has closed the gap. He is only about 5 feet behind the old rooster and gaining fast. The farmer, meanwhile, is sitting in his usual spot on the front porch when he sees the roosters go running by. He grabs his shotgun and – BOOM – he blows the young rooster to bits.
The farmer sadly shakes his head and says, “Damn…..third gay rooster I bought this month.“
Stay strong, Stilton. Hoping for the best.
Prayers and best wishes to you all
Know what you are going through Stilton. Daughter-in-law went through it all the way and came out doing well. Pray Mrs. Stilton will have the same outcome!
No visitors named "Tickles" and no helper monkeys! Be there for her, we can and will wait for you.
Still praying for you and yours. No such thing as too much prayer.
Still praying for Cathy's total healing, and for your strength and courage as you go through this terrible ordeal.
Stilt, I'm pushing 50 years on the water wagon. One of the most useful things I learned in the original 12-step program was how to pray, as explained in the 11th step:
“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”
This actually works. Praying for outcomes never works, as it means telling the god of one's understanding what to do, i.e., we know more than god.
I know you're not a religious man. Neither am I. Yet I know this works, explain it how you will.
Best wishes for you and yours.
Thanks for reporting in--and may you both get some respite.
@Jerryskids: "Last night, I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know." - Geoffrey T. Spaulding
Stilt, glad to hear "no news is good news", and that Kathy is responding well to treatment. Don't sweat the Swamp; the more they push, the closer the sane population gets to its Popeye Moment...and it's going to be SPECTACULAR when it happens! :)
Hello,
I'm 81 years old, and know many people who are around my age.
Like you said in your article, one day at a time.
Thank you for your article, I feel better reading about another who is having medical issues.
Bill Moore
Very glad Mrs. Jarlsberg is doing well. You are a devoted husband! Good man.
Continued prayers for you and Kathy. Glad to get a somewhat positive update!
Do take care of yourself first sir. You'll be no good to anyone else if you melt down.
When my wife went through chemo (fully recovered, cancer free, only some residual neuropathy) she was looking forward to losing her hair because she'd heard that when it grew back, "chemo hair" was going to be curly. She lost only minimal amounts of hair, and the "chemo brain" that she experienced has faded to within normal amounts of our elderly brain fade.
Get her, and yourself, home as soon as it's feasible. Hospitals, even the best of them, are no place to recover from anything. And we worked in them for our 38 years. Best wishes and prayers.
Fight, fight, fight. Sounds like you are doing the very best you can. Best to you and your Kathy. All love and prayers. HH
Stilt, keep on! We are praying for you and your wife! Be strong!
Prayers going up daily. Love, Glen and Sioux.
You and your wife are in our prayers.
Good to hear things are progressing in the right direction. Us Muensters will continue our prayers on your behalf, both for Kathy's rapid healing, and your stress levels to rapidly decrease.
The handbasket in which we are currently travelling will surely make its way to hell with or without our constant monitoring. I still think SloJoe is being set up by his fellow Dimocrats. I used to think they'd dump him two years and one minute into his term, but now I don't see how he can possibly last until summer. It's gonna be one hell of a ride!
@3M,
For some reason I thought Groucho said that. Good one either way!
Busty, please let @Stilton know we've been pulling for him & Kathy when he wakes up.
Hadn't heard about redesigning the American flag. Perhaps something including the Chinese Communist flag would be appropriate since we're becoming more like them every day.
Don't forget the "green" energy crisis in Europe. Coming here soon!
Oh, and my favorite of Biden declaring that his $3.5-trillion spending binge will be "free". If it's going to be "free", then why not spend $7-trillion? Heck, If it's going to free, why doesn't he do only $1.75-trillion and we could make a 100% profit!
Or perhaps make it 3,200,000,000,000,000 and give everyone a million-dollar check so everyone can be a millionaire and forget about it?
We are praying for you and your wife stay strong !
One step, one minute, one hour, one day, then repeat.
Thanks for taking precious time to update us. For our part, we will keep praying for comfort, peace, healing and strength for all of you.
Tons of virtual hugs from me to you and Kathy. Keep the faith! On the political side, I saw a clip from Nancy Pelosi urging the passage of the multi-trillion Democrat goodies bill so that we can fulfill OBAMA's "Build Back Better" agenda. Freudian slip or just a drunken old hag? Or both.
Good to hear things are positive and that you're coping
Thanks for the update
Fingers crossed
Hang in there Mr Cheese. My wife is 9 years into metastatic breast cancer. When diagnosed they said 5% of the patients would survive 5 years. The advances in biotechnology are mind blowing. There is more than an even bet that very shortly all forms of cancer will be treated as a chronic condition, not a life threatening one.
All my best, the Inukshuk from the Great White North
More prayers and positive thoughts headed your way!
Keep beating on the Fire device, you should be able to get YouTubeTV working on it which should have her favorite shows (you will need to pay the $65/mnth subscription, but if money ever becomes an object all you have to do is ask)
Also since you probably don't have the energy to do a lot of research, run this by your doctor to see if they don't mind you trying some or all of the holistic immune system support supplements they suggest: https://www.med-health.net/how-to-beat-leukemia-naturally.html Beet juice is quite the thing now, who knew! I do the Turmeric supplement to help with skin cancers and several others to help with Lyme. Most if not all of these should do no harm and might actually help a lot. The main thing is boosting the immune system to offset the damage the chemo does. If you want, I'll research holistic experts in your area...
PS- you can even watch certain channels on your tablet by registering your device with whatever source you have at home (cable, dish, etc)
Stilton!
Clearly your doctors are making good progress controlling your Wife's white blood cell count, though by driving it down there is serious risk of contracting one or more infections.
Years ago, I lost my dear Step-Mother in similar circumstances to your Wife's. It seems that here "doctors" never considered the risks of low white count and permitted anyone from anywhere to visit--straight off of planes in their traveling clothes fresh from exposure to every cough/sneeze/contact with all passengers from the opposite end of the country.
I'm sure you're sanitizing yourself whenever you visit, but please be sure the nurses do, too. That hand sanitizer dispenser by the door should be practically used up daily for the duration in order to minimize the risks to Kathy. Please don't allow visitors, unless in fresh scrubs or other PPE. This is the most dangerous time in her treatment, so please protect her accordingly.
Not trying to be a downer, but I suffered an unnecessary loss and absolutely do not want you to risk the same.
Prayers continue.
TVAG
I've been lurking here for several years. My best to you sir, as well as your wonderful lady. Prayers up for you both!
@John the Econ,
Golgafrinchian economics!
For your wife to tell your grand kids.
"Why did the toilet paper roll down the hill?"
"To get to the bottom"
Hang in there.Stilt. We are all praying for you and your missus.
Colby Muenster
"famed African explorer Captain Spaulding" was Groucho's character in Animal Crackers...I always did wonder how that elephant got there...
Rev Jarlsberg, I read every post every day...I am on Team Kathy Get Through This 100% like all your posse...
Been about where you are now. Stay prayerful. Stay mostly sober.
Prayers for you and Kathy from Mississippi.
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