Day 15 Combatting the Chills

Once again, this will be a copy and paste from what I posted on facebook today, so if you follow me there, no need to read any further except that you may have missed a few excerpts over there!  :D


What time I am afraid, I will trust in YOU! Psalm 56:3

Didn't like coming home to an empty house last night.
Went to bed at 9:30. Woke up at 10:30.
Slept til 3:30. Slept til 4:30. Woke up at 5:30 with a horrendous headache.
Took meds and laid back down. Back up at 6.
Kitchen cleaned up.
Fruit washed to take to hospital.
Pot of chili made to take to hospital.
Church sign ready to switch out.
Heard from my sweetie who said it was the longest night of his life.
His BP dropped to 99/47. BP is the determining factor of how many doses of IL-2 he gets. PRAY his BP holds so he can get as many doses as possible!!! The max of 14 would be great, but only 2 people have made it that far.
Time for a shower so I can get the rest of my TODO List done before going to the hospital.



I got to the hospital a little after 11 this morning. Tim looked and sounded really tired.....which he is! You know what it is like being away from your own bed at night. You know what it is like being in the hospital where they don't leave you alone. Combine both of those and you have one terrible night of sleeplessness. Plus the mattress needs more air in it but the nurses could not figure out how to do that, so they are going to switch out his bed while he is taking his shower later on. But, before he can take his shower, they need to unhook all of his tubes! Waiting patiently!

2 hours after his first dose of IL-2 yesterday at 5 p.m. Tim got the chills. About 1 1/2 hours after the 2nd dose at midnight he got a heavier dose of the chills. This morning when I got here the white blankets showing folded in the chair (8 of them) had all been on him at one point trying to get rid of the chills after the 4 a.m. dose (that was on top of the sheet, thermal blanket - the brown blanket had fallen to the floor during the night). These blankets had all been heated toasty warm, too, and it still took about 1/2 hour for the chills to subside. The nurse told him he was on the verge of the rigors (convulsive-type chills/shaking). When that happens, they will give him a small dose of morphine to help them subside. FYI - "rigors" is pronounced with a long i.

He had a good breakfast of sausage and eggs, hash browns and coffee. However, it all feels like it is "just sitting there" in his stomach, so he hasn't had a desire for lunch. I brought some fruit, so maybe he will feel like eating some of that later on. But, we were told his appetite would diminish, just didn't expect it to happen quite so quickly.

For those of you interested in the vitals, his BP right now is 98/57, which is what was registered right after I took the picture of his vitals. The bags of fluid include: potassium chloride, sodium chloride and dextrose.

More later. Thanks so much for your prayers! XOXO

My sweetie was wiped out this morning when I got there!

8 warmed blankets had been thrown on him to combat the chills from the 8 a.m. dose.

Vitals at 1:01 p.m.

Sitting in the chair for a change of pace.

3 bags of fluids he is hooked up to at all times trying to keep his BP levels up.

Tim was able to get unplugged from all of his "juices" and take 8 laps around the nurses station (25 laps = 1 mile) before getting a shower today. While he was taking a shower, they changed out his bed. He called it a cadillac compared to the other bed. He is sleeping at the moment, for which I am very thankful for!

He has gained 5 lbs in the last 24 hours and so we know, even though he doesn't look like it yet, that he is beginning to hold fluids. Already he is dreading the doses because of the chills it causes. So, he is trying to prepare himself by being under cover and getting warm BEFORE the shakes begin. However, it is 4:30 and the pharmacy still has not sent his 4th dose of IL-2 yet. But, I'm glad he is sleeping some, anyway.

After his shower and getting reattached to all of his fluids, they changed the dressing around his port. While they are doing that EVERYONE has to wear a facial mask, including him.

They are finally getting ready to administer another dose of IL-2 at 4:34. So, probably around 6, the shakes will begin. Pray they are not too bad!

Changing the dressing around the port involves lots of protection.  EVERYONE in the room, including Tim, wore face masks and the nurses didn't touch any part of it without gloves.

The round discs were added for protection.

Then the whole area was covered with a clear tape.

BP at 4:45.........102/61. 4th dose is going............

5:45 - The heated blankets have been applied! Hopefully that will nip those chills in the bud! 

6:45 - Praise the Lord!!! No chills!!! The blankets seem to have worked!  

7:45 - Tim had about half a bowl of chili about an hour ago. His BP is 104/62. Still NO CHILLS!!! Next dose will come at midnight.

New symptoms today.....cold/flu type sneezing, runny nose. But he is feeling fine. 5 lbs. heavier and 4 doses down!

Talk to you tomorrow. Love you all! 

Day 14 First Day of Immunotherapy

It has been a very long day!  I left Tim to himself at around 7:20 and was still waiting on security to walk me to my car at 7:45!  I had NO CLUE how to get back to my car from where I was in the HUGE complexity of buildings knows as Wake Forest Baptist Hospital!  WHEW!  I am concerned about finding Tim again tomorrow!  :D  Pray that he gets some much needed rest and sleep tonight!  He was told that at midnight he would receive his second dose of  IL-2.  That is only 7 hours from the time he received the first one, so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get it until 1 a.m. or so.

So, for those of you who are not following me on facebook, here is a run down of the activity for the day in getting Tim settled into the hospital.  I am copying from facebook, word for word, picture for picture, so if you saw it all there, you need not read any further, unless you want to get the whole picture here in one spot!  :D

A Room with a View.....or not!

We arrived at the hospital at 7:00 this morning for our 7:15 appointment with Nurse Robin. She was delayed, so we went ahead and went through Admissions and went to the outpatient radiology waiting room for Tim to get the port inserted under his skin. At 8:15, he was finally taken back for that procedure.

In the mean time, Nurse Robin took me to Tim's room to get him set up. I wish I had had someone take a picture of all the STUFF ..... suitcase, brief case, laptop bag, purse, 2 grocery bags. Oh, my aching back!

Nurse Robin had made the call from the radiology waiting room to find out which room to go to. She wanted a room with a view! Well, the only "view" from Tim's vantage point when he is in bed is the side of one of the many buildings here on the Baptist Hospital "campus." BUT, at least it is a window instead of a solid, bland wall!

So, here is home for Tim for the week. A good-sized private room.

We are feeling very much at peace, praise only to the Lord for that!

I will be sending out text messages to family and church members with room number and phone number.

DO NOT send flowers!!! NOT allowed on this floor, which is the Bone Marrow Transplant floor.

If you would like to send him a card, and need the home address, send me a private message.

9:30 a.m. - Tim was rolled back to the "operating room" for the port at 8:15. I am sure that there was a wait while the anesthetic took affect before the procedure started. The nurse just called and said everything is going fine and they are getting ready to "close up."

BTW, Nurse Robin told me the first high dose of Interleukin-2 will begin at 4:00 p.m.

I was standing at the window sending a text message to some of you with hospital room and phone # when I heard a noise and looked up and Tim came WALKING into the room! He said he really was awake through the whole procedure of the port insertion. He got to the room at around 10:15.

It is hard to see in the picture, but he has all kinds of green sterilization from his hair line down and around on his arm.

The nursing staff has been in and out since then getting beginning vitals, etc. And when they finally called in Tim's diet to the cafeteria, he hopped right on the phone to order lunch! Chicken Salad sandwich, Vegetable Beef soup and a tossed salad! It was all good!

Waiting on lunch in the photo. Does he look sick to you? Praise the Lord that he is healthy other than this dreaded disease that God is gonna knock out! BUT, if not, we will still trust Him and love Him because He loved us first!

The fluids have begun in preparation for administering the IL-2. The small bag at the top, which you really can't see too well, is Zofran for nausea and the big bag is Potassium Chloride to keep his potassium up. He is reading some information on a study concerning the use of the high dose Interleukin-2. It is a study conducted by the manufacturer of the IL-2. Nothing really involved except collecting data.

First dose of IL-2 scheduled for 4 p.m. Pray that the "could be" side affects are quite minimal for him! We want to get as many doses "down" as possible with each stay! To put it in Tim's words, "We want to get our money's worth!"  

Waiting patiently for the treatment to begin. We played a game of Phase 10 Dice (one game as I beat him royally, but don't tell him I told you so.) Then we decided to take a little stroll before he has to be in bed for the treatment. Since this is the Bone Marrow Transplant unit, Tim had to wear a face mask while out of his room. We basically walked around the nurses station about 4 trips and since it was so boring, that was that! Back to the room for snacks that the kids gave him in the care package they made up for him!

Dose 1 began at 5:00 and is done. Now he waits for 8 hours before the next one begins. Dinner is ordered!  

Supper was very good! Herb crusted baked chicken, g.beans, baked sweet potato with brown sugar & cinnamon, and apple crisp for desert! The sweet tea left a LOT to be desired, however!

We skyped with Elisabeth and the kids tonight at 7 and then I got ready to leave.  I've got dishes to do, but I think I'm going to bed!

Thanks to all of you for your love and support and most of all for your prayers!  XOXO

Day 13 Peace in the Valley

Well, tomorrow is the first day of Tim's high dose of Interleukin-2 treatment.  We are at peace, knowing that the Lord is in complete control and holds our lives in the palm of His hand!  The journey through the valley is not over, but because of the prayers of so many friends and family, we know we are not walking alone through it as the Lord holds our hand and as you all lift us up in prayer!  I found the following information on the hymn that was going through my head tonight.......

"Peace in the Valley" is a 1937 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson.^[1] The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, reaching No. 7 on the Country & Western Best Seller chart.^[2] It was among the first gospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.^[3]
After the success of Red Foley's interpretation, Jo Stafford recorded the song for her 1954 gospel album Garden of Prayer. Because of the rendition by Elvis Presley (with backing by The Jordanaires) in 1957 the song forever became a country-pop favorite. Since then it was covered by: Connie Francis on her 1961 album Sing Along with Connie Francis; Johnny Cash on his At San Quentin live album; Loretta Lynn; Screaming Trees, as a B-side to their "Dollar Bill" single; Ronnie Milsap; Art Greenhaw with The Jordanaires, Tom Brumley and The Light Crust Doughboys for the Grammy-Nominated album starring Ann-Margret titled God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions^[4] and Faith Hill, for a concert special.
"Peace in the Valley" was sung by Eddie Clendening, portraying Elvis Presley, in the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet, which opened in New York in April 2010.^[5] Eddie Clendening also covered the song on the Million Dollar Quartet original Broadway cast album, copyright 2010 by MDQ Merchandising, LLC.^[6]

References

1. Mahalia Jackson at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 124.
3. The National Recording Registry 2006
4. archives, 2001-period Grammy Nominees, Nationa Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences records and www.grammy.com
5. Zielinski, Peter James. "Photo Coverage: Million Dollar Quartet Opens on Broadway". Posted: 12:04 PM; Monday, April 12, 2010. [1]
6. MDQ Merchandising LLC (2010). “Song List” and “Performing Credits”. In Million Dollar Quartet (p. 5) [CD booklet]. New York City: Avatar Studios; and Chicago: Chicago Recording Company.

Lyrics:

Oh well, I'm tired and so weary but I must go alone
Till the Lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright and the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes

There will be peace in the valley for me some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, no trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me

Well the bear will be gentle and the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes

There will be peace in the valley for me some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow and no trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me

Read more: Elvis Presley - Peace In The Valley Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Since I'm not really a fan of Elvis Presley's, I really didn't know that he sang this song, but I thought some of the history Wikipedia gave was pretty interesting.  I don't know if these are the exact lyrics or not because I found it with various words at various sites.  Anyway, I was thinking about the peace that God gives to His children, "not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27  It is only when we trust Him completely that He gives us complete peace.  We don't want to miss whatever "opportunity" He affords us to share His love, mercy, grace and glory to others who cross our paths during this time.  I will keep you posted.

To God be the Glory, GREAT Things He has Done!

Day 12 Blessed

DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR!!!!

As the weekend draws to a close, I am feeling very blessed!  No matter what the outcome of this current trial in our lives, the Lord has shown His faithfulness and love for us in the little joys He allowed us to have this weekend.

Michael, Jessica and Kara were not with us physically this weekend, but they were with us in spirit and skype!  :D  LOVE technology!  :D

Here's some photos from today.

Our son, Michael and his lovely family.

Papaw and Abigail getting in some snuggle time.

Liz fed us well this weekend!  Thanks for the pizza for dinner on Friday and the biscuits and sausage gravy and cinnamon rolls for breakfast today and the sandwich loaves, buffalo chicken dip and taco dip, along with left over pizza for lunch today!  And, let's not forget the key lime pie and the chocolate pie!  YUM!  I feel like all I have done is eat my way through the last 3 days!  :D

I mentioned the care package that the kids worked on yesterday.  Well, today they gave it to Papaw.  He was so happy to receive it!  As he enjoys each item at the hospital next week, I will post photos.  Such a great idea, Jessica and Elisabeth!

Brad and Ryan watching some football.  Brad went to the eye doctor today and came home wearing an eye patch and sun glasses.  He was ordered to rest all day today, with permission to watch foot ball!  :D

Elisabeth took some photos of the kids on the tracks behind their house.  I will share some of them today.  They all turned out really well!  The little ones had to be bribed with candy, but it worked!  :D  GREAT job, Elisabeth!

Here's our little Thaddeus Cooper who will turn 2 tomorrow, November 3rd!  Happy Birthday, sweet Thad!

Sweet Abigail Joy who was 2 this past April.

Love this one of Jessica's boys!  Sawyer Chancellor (not sure I spelled that correctly) is sitting on Michael Steven's back while Thaddeus Cooper picks up rocks.

Great photos of Sawyer Chancellor, who is called, Chance.

Chance and Thad.

More photos were taken of Michael, so I'll have to wait til those are posted before I can steal them!  :D  It is so hard to believe our first grandchild is in the 7th grade this year and will turn 13 in less than 6 months!  :(

Until tomorrow!  Enjoy your Lords day by spending time with Him in His house!

Day 11 Love of Family

We have had such a great time visiting with family this weekend!  I wish we would have had more time before the treatments started to go and see Tim's sister and our oldest son and his family.  We just couldn't get it all done, however.  We will be able to see Michael and his family via skype tomorrow.  Actually, Michael may be fishing, but we will get to see Jessica and Kara!

We left the hotel at 9 and got to Tim's mom's house in about 20 minutes.  Tim's brother and his wife arrived around 10:30.  We visited for awhile and then went out to lunch at Bob Evans.  We got back to the house around 1:30 and said good byes so we could head to WV.  We got there around 5.

Jessica and the boys arrived around 8.  Nathanael and Adalina were at Liz's house when we got there.  Poor Brad had gotten something in his eyes at work and went to bed early.  Pray for him, please!  He may need to go to the Dr. to have it checked out.  He wears eye protection, but I know from working at the plant that it is very hard to keep 100% of the dust and dirt particles from getting in behind them!  I hope he doesn't have metal shavings in his eyes!

OK, here's some pictures from the day.  I will try to upload a couple of movies at the end, but it may not worked.  I've tried before and never had any success.

From left to right:  Tim's mom, Tim's brother, Jeff and his wife, Linda.  And I think you know us!  :D

Beautiful cloud formations on the way to WV.  Those streaks are what happens when you take pictures toward the sun through a dirty window!

Saw this Amish buggy as we drove across Rt. 32 to WV.

Little Adalina sure likes to be talked to.  She watches your mouth intently and tries to form words.

Looking a little sleepy-eyed.  Love her head band!

She started getting fussy, so daddy took her and walked with her trying to get her to sleep.

 At one point she started SCREAMING!!!  She was also hungry!  Papaw is calling for help!

That's much better!  :D

Tim brought our blind friend, Anthony down to Elisabeth's house for him to eat pizza and spend the evening with us.

Hannah took this photo of us.

Abby and Ryan's ritual for getting ready for bed.....watching an episode of something from Netflix.

Working on something special for Papaw's hospital stay.  I'll post more pictures after they give it to him.  He was taking Anthony home when they were working on it.

Once again, no success with the video.  Check out my facebook page.  I'll try to do it there.