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| It’s funny because it’s true. Also not funny for the same reason. |
I wrote a perfectly good rant to go with the cartoon above, but discretion got the better of me.
Kathy has had a rough couple of days with a lot of stuff going on, but that’s not unusual at this stage of chemo. As her doctor once said, “if you feel bad, the leukemia feels worse.” Then again I may have hallucinated those exact words, but it’s a comforting thought so I’ll keep it anyway.
Diagnostically, there’s nothing new. Well, that’s not quite true - when I asked a physician’s assistant if Kathy’s recent spate of new symptoms was due to an infection, I was told “Yes, she has infectious diverticulitis and ulcerating diverticulosis of the colon.” Then a few minutes later I was told, “No wait, that’s another patient.” Which is why it’s so important to get a second opinion before having a heart attack. Instead, when the doctor rounded, he confirmed that Kathy has no infections right now (though is wildly susceptible) and her multitude of unpleasant symptoms are all due to chemo.
“This is expected,” he said, “the only thing that really matters is how her marrow is doing.” The marrow test is said to be happening on either February 7 or 8 with results a few days after that. Until then, we can’t know what the big picture is, but we can at least hope for Kathy to get feeling better as the chemo leaves her body.
As always, your support, good wishes, and prayers are all greatly appreciated!
38 comments:
I suspect you mean February 7th or 8th. With what is going on, it is understandable that you flubbed the month.
This is one serial that I wish I could peek ahead and find out how things turn out; hoping for a happy outcome.
You said bone marrow test on 7th or 8th of January and am guessing that you have forgotten the month's name is February. Can well understand that situation! Also, wondering if YOU ever got an MRI to find out what is going on upstairs with balance. May God bless you and your family!
Keeping the positive waves coming... :)
Job indeed. I don't know how you maintain your sense of humor and physic equilibrium. Hope your terrestrial equilibrium has improved. We continue to hold you and your family especially Kathy in our prayers,
Us Muensters are still prayin' and keeping you in our thoughts. Hope the bone marrow test has some encouraging results!
And... I'll second what Nancy Dickerson said. How are things going in the world of tremors?
Wow! Talk about getting thrown for a loop! My reaction was pretty bad just reading that. Best wishes, lots of virtual hugs to all your fam. Ditto on the building tremors update...
Don't lose track of the month...Which would be very easy to do under the circumstances. Hoping and praying for more good news. How are your "earthquakes" doing. Gone hopefully. Looking forward to good news!
“No wait, that’s another patient.”
Yeah, second-guessing what goes on in a hospital is always a good idea.
Yesterday, one of Mrs. Econ's best friends had her adult daughter in a hospital where she was administered an incorrect dose of a medication, (don't know if the medication was incorrect or the dosage, but in the end it really doesn't matter) which almost immediately induced a life-threatening reaction. Fortunately, she was in a hospital so that the consequences were not immediately fatal. But such mixups do happen and can be scary, or worse. Glad Kathy has you there to watch her back.
As always, you have our thoughts and prayers.
Well, one thing to be thankful for and that's at least biden's not in charge of Kathy's treatment. We're still sending prayers and shall continue to do so until the whole family is back home and in good health. Amen and Semper fi.
Yes, I too am wondering about your condition. Prayers for all your family members and for those praying for you and your family,
'Minor update'. That was an unexpected LOL moment.
Still praying as fervently as ever!
As German miners say, "Glück Auf!"
@John the Econ...I bet the hospital tries to slip the cost of whatever they
gave Mrs.E onto her bill, PLUS, the cost of the Emergency Response Team's time.
Sneaky Bast**ds they be.
Honestly, Stilt, I do not know what to say except still keeping you, Mrs J, and Daughter J in our prayers.
Hoping for the best of news from the marrow test. I will be awaiting the results of my own medical test at that time. I know how trying waiting for good/bad news can be. May God bless you and Kathy.
“Yes, she has infectious diverticulitis and ulcerating diverticulosis of the colon.” Then a few minutes later I was told, “No wait, that’s another patient.”
WTF?! That's the sort of unprofessional sloppiness you'd expect from a $15 and hour MacDonald's employee, not from a health care professional. Were it me, I'd be raising hell with the attending physician and head nurse over that.
Stilt: Great toon! Glad you were able to triangulate the humor in that!
Keep on hanging on!
Stilt, I could rant and rave about the medical staff, but I'll just say that I hope that you and your family make it through this river of Styx.
God bless you all!
You and Kathy remain in my prayers - as does your daughter.
Prayers continue 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
If Kathy needs a bone marrow transplant I would be first in line to see if I could be a match. If she has already had it I Pray that it is doing well. Just can't believe the staff of that hospital is so tired that they don't know where they are or what patient they are caring for. What a shame. Blessing to you for being with her all the time.
I hope for the best when they do the marrow testing. It is time for her to get some relief, and you too.
Take care,
jack
Hang in there, you are doing a Great job!
We're still here. Loving and praying. Your Okie cousins. Love, Glen and Sioux.
Praying for you and your wife every day.
Actually even when one has fine reason over some screw-up or worrisome situation... We know you can't "GO OFF" on these people. That does no good and could be problematic. We need them and they're under a lot of stress as well. Calm demeanor, patience, but still good soft follow-up works the best and it seems you know that. Sense of humor helps a lot too and you have that in Aces. Sometimes a good but organized and brief, to the point, conversation with Dr does help but it may require a short of appointment right there on the floor but not upon demand nor in the middle of rounds. Charge Nurses on that ward also good GO OFF with us.
You and Kathy deserve some medals for hanging in there, Kathy the bigger and mostest shiny one of course. Blessings to you both and you keep on keeping one and good health coming to you all in large amounts.
PHil D up there likened your situation to crossing the River Styx.
Might I amend his metaphor to crossing a River of S---?
The Styx is a one-way crossing. Rivers of S--- can be crossed and re-crossed, if that's any consolation.
Still in your corner, still offering The All Mighty my wishes for you and yours, and still likely a little off key, but we're ALL here for some of our favorite and most beloved people.
Just keep hangin'....
TVAG
Stilton ....more and more prayers for you and your family ....
Wayne in Indiana
I had an ER visit on Saturday, and I suspect it was at the same hospital where you and Kathy are. I hope I didn't send any bad vibes. I too will be anxious to hear the results of the bone marrow scan. Thoughts and prayers dear heart.
We'll keep y'all in our prayers.
@Everyone- Kathy is doing okay-ish at this very moment (getting a spa-quality sponge bath) so it seems like a good time for me to respond to some comments. To speed things along, I’ll start out with an admission that I DID goof up the date of the next marrow test which is, of course, February. Regarding my odd condition (which I now think of as “in-flight moving”), it hasn’t changed at all. Sometimes it’s barely there, other times fairly strong. No MRIs or other tests or doctor visits for that matter. It simply has to be a non-issue until things resolve here at the hospital or Covid goes away. The latter of which will never happen, of course. Anyway, I’ve told myself that if I fall or get dropped to my knees, it’s time to seek help. Otherwise these are just more bumps on an already bumpy flight.
@John the Econ- Humans are fallible, mistakes get made, and a hospital is a bad place for them (humans and mistakes). I’m glad I’m here to keep an eye on things though wish I was feeling smarter and sharper.
@Bobo the Hobo- That says plenty!
@Anonymous- Here’s hoping your test results come back with good results. I feel a real kinship with everyone dealing with medical issues.
@Fish Out of Water- As emotionally satisfying as “raising hell” might be for a moment or two, I’ve decided it’s unwise to get sideways with people who could literally screw you to death without trying. Same reason I decided against posting my rant today.
@Patrick- I was too pooped to mention Daughter J, but thanks for bringing her up. She’s hanging in there, though this is a really hard time to be without actual contact from her parents. Medically she’s doing fine, but we ache being apart.
@Anonymous- The bone marrow test will help determine if Kathy can get the stem cell transplant or not. Theoretically a good donor match has already been found. Regarding the diverticulitis mixup, it didn’t have medical consequences so I’m not worried about it. The people here are very good albeit busy. A little confusion is entirely understandable, but it reinforces whyd I feel the need to be here 24/7.
@Rod- We’re trying to make friends with staff as much as possible. We want them to think of us as people - and nice people at that - rather than just patients.
@TVAG- The River of S___ played a significant role in last night’s activities. I will say no more (wry grin).
@Wayne in Indiana- Didn’t they name a Fort after you? (A little hoosier humor there...)
@Bobo, on the contrary, I'm willing to bet that that whole hospital stay will end up being free, just to forestall any future litigation in the matter.
@John the Econ...As it should be!
If Kathy had diverticulitis, she would have known. It can double you over with pain so thank God she was spared at least that. Keep up the battle, Stilt.
Stilton:
I believe the fort in Indiana you reference was named after Wayne Newton.
Danke Sheon.
@Murphy. I didn't know there was a Ft. Fig in Indiana.
Dear Stilton,
Saying a prayer for you and your wife. I lost my wife 2 years ago to ovarian cancer, the doctor said 'Not a good kind of Cancer to have.'... as if there are some good ones. After a 5 year estimate, my wife worked hard at staying with us for 14 years, until the Cancer had grown and grown in many other organs.
So VERY SORRY to learn of your beloved's battle and the pain you're enduring. I am praying for our Lord's Relief and Loving hands to reach down to you, and me, aiding in our earthly plight.
I'm a long-time reader and first time commenter... wishing you the VERY best!
Peter
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