Saturday, March 31, 2012

PISSED OFF

Tell me why the hell Dr.s can't just allow Jimmy to have a good day- a COMPLETE GOOD DAY. They always have to ruin it! WWWHHHYYYYY?!?!?!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Today has been, shall I say, unnerving. It started out pretty good... we got up and walked two rounds on 8-Lime early. Came back to room and got settled in again for a rest, because of the low hemoglobin he tires out very quickly. He's been pretty depressed. Feeling helpless- I can only begin to imagine. BUT, I'm not ready to let him give up yet- I told him that I gave him 2 days of feeling sorry for himself... we all need those days- but now we are done and we will be working at getting stronger and getting back in the game.
He took benedryl this afternoon to get some sleep mainly because he was feeling depressed and just needed an escape- I can understand... shit, how would the rest of us handle what this young man has to handle?! Anyhow... Dr. Degreen talked to us and let us know that Jimmy has to get his strength up to get his next round of chemo and would like it if Jimmy saved the benedryl for evening only, so that he can walk and get build up. I think that Jimmy felt guilty then about the feelings and not getting up and moving. Soooo while I was downstairs, thinking he was sleeping, I got a text from his Dad that said Jimmy fell.... oh shit! I ran up to the room as fast as I could - he was on his bed. He now knows never to try to walk off benedryl. He hurt his tailbone (bruised), his elbow (skinned) and his head (bump). They have been in to check him each hour since his fall. He went down for a CT scan because he is on Lovenox (blood thinner) and they don't want to take a chance at possible internal damage and just 'waiting' to see if a problem arises. Good call! We are now waiting on that result. He has also been put on a diuretic to get rid of some of the 'water' being held in feet and elbows. Keep praying for his strength to come up and chemo to be in the near future. Thank you ALL
Love and hugs to all.....

Another restful night at LGH

Well, folks... I haven't posted for awhile- so, I figured what better time?! than to tell you about another night. I sit and talk to Jimmy about it in the morning and we just shake our heads....
Benedryl at 9:30pm for Jimmy, I told the nurse that he was going to share tonight- but she didn't fall for it. dangit!! ha... Patrick and I watched some TV- well, he watched through cracks in his eyelids most of the time. Patrick left around 10:00. I watched this crazy man vs food for awhile... man, this guy is nuts. He ate an ENTIRE grilled cheese sandwich that was 5lbs- it had 14 different cheeses in it! GUT BUSTER! It came with fries, coleslaw and pickles... this dude downed it all. I felt bloated JUST WATCHING IT!! That's enough time spent watching a man gorge himself... blech.
Laid down around 11. Jimmy woke up to pee at 11:22- I got up and got him his urinal. Removed myself until he was done and then placed urinal in bathroom- I'm not allowed to empty it because they have to measure everything in and out. Benedryl again at 11:45- back down to sleep at 12:00. Aide came in for vitals at 12:30... REALLY?! We couldn't do this 1/2 hour ago when someone was already in here with him. We HAD to wait until he was sleeping to come in?! Back to sleep. 1:40 awakened by beeep...beeep. Was pain med- I had looked at that before bedtime- it LOOKED like enough, grrr. dang-it Marie, how could I miss that judgement?! Sat vigil by his bed pushing the silence button.... it took 20 minutes for it to go off the second time, and then EVERY MINUTE until they got here at 2:15. I let them know that it was warning that there was air in the line as to avoid the annoyance that happened last time. They were very quick and quiet. I love most of the IV team... a favorite of ours is Wayne. They were out the door by 2:18. Then at 2:28, the same nurse that came in at 12:30 to take vitals, came in to HANG A PAPER ON THE WALL.... REALLY?! Was that paper THAT important that it couldn't wait til 7am?! *&$#@#*&
Back to sleep- - - - - - -
5:48 in to draw labs to see if chemo will be a possibility today. Back to sleep...
7:40 beeep...beeeep. His TPN is finished. I silenced it and called nurse. Sat and silenced until they got here to unhook it... it's very hard for me to not take over sometimes when we have to wait- Addy & I do most of this stuff at home....
Well, Jimmy got up and brushed his teeth and said "I guess we will walk". We got 2 rounds in (in my PJs) and then back to room. We are still waiting to hear whether he can have chemo today or not. I really hope so...... I really hope so......

Saturday, March 24, 2012

A HUGE THANK YOU

Thank you to my very wonderful, fabulous, kind, sweet, caring beautiful friends for throwing down the BEST spaghetti dinner EVER!! No one left hungry. The menu was out of this world... everyone that left said how GREAT it was- THANK YOU Emily, Noel, Phil, George, Kim, Dave, Trang, Debbie and Gary!! You all ROCK!!!
AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS!! Y O U are the reason it was such a success!!! Thank you to everyone that baked the tasty treats for us. There was so much to choose from it was quite maddening...haha- I just wish that I could have tried one of everything, but they would have had to roll me out to the car!! :)
I believe that everyone had a great time- we were pretty busy and most tables were full most of the evening. Some of Jimmy's nurses from 8-Lime came to support us as well. I think that this is such an amazing gesture on their part. They ARE the best people at LGH, in our opinion... there are none better than our people on 8-Lime!!
Quite a few of my GSV residents came out in the rain to have a wonderful dinner as well. It is so heartwarming to feel the love and compassion from them. One of my employees, Liz, brought people from 3 different places... she is a GREAT person and all of the people associated with her are as well. The church that she goes to is filled with very loving people. I often get cards that are so sweet and meaningful from these people that have never even met me- but reach out to me and let me know that we are not alone. THANK YOU ALL for that! That means so much!!
Thanks, Lisa... I know I wasn't the best of dates for Suz... I let her sit all alone- that wasn't nice of me. I can understand her wanting to drop me. (LOL) And thanks for the kind words that I look good. I have told other people when they ask how I am ... I say "I'm a mess wrapped in pretty paper"... meaning that I hide it very well. BUT THANKS- :)
Thank you Clare- I'm glad that you came and I appreciate your words. I'm so glad that you all won some of the prizes!!! George's son won the brownie- HE WAS SO HAPPY!!
THANK YOU - - - THANK YOU - - - THANK YOU - - - THANK YOU - - - THANK YOU
Love and hugs to all.....
WELL... today is the dinner. My fellow GSV people are an awesome group. I can't wait to see the entire evening unfold. I was warned that I may NOT show up before 4pm. I wanted to help the through the entire set-up and serving to tear down and clean up. BUUUUT I was told NO!! ha... gotta love them!! Thank you Emily, Phillip, Noel, George, Kim, Dave & Debbie for EVERYTHING. I guess I will add other names when I get there and see others helping. I have a "date" with Suzanne tonight... :) Looking forward to that!!
See everyone there!!!
love and hugs to all.....

Friday, March 23, 2012

Jimmy is now on a liquid diet- we will graduate to full liquids as tolerated. It's exciting when I see him eat.... now grant it there's not much that he can throw down, but still nice. He had half of an Italian ice- raspberry of course!! He will get stronger again... we did 3 loops around 8-Lime today, looked out the window at the colors of spring... was nice. He wasn't in the best of spirits earlier, so I was glad that I was able to go to work and get off early to be with him. GSV is the best place EVER!!
Ok, now on to tomorrow.....
COME JOIN ME FOR A SPAGHETTI DINNER. LOTS OF CHOICES, LOTS OF FOOD AND LOTS OF DESSERTS. AMAZING DESSERTS. We will also be auctioning off a cake made into a hiking boot that one of our wonderful cooks made for Jimmy and 2 paintings that another one of our cooks made and donated to Jimmy. SUCH WONDERFUL EMPLOYEES!! The caring and compassion... I love them all as well.
SOooooo you DON'T want to miss the chance at this wonderful all you can eat spaghetti dinner and the Chance at the boot or paintings, I wish that I would've taken pics of the paintings- I will put the boot on for you all to oogle over!!!
Tomorrow from 4-7PM.... come see us!!! Thank you in advance for your wonderful generosity and compassion for Jimmy. He is such a GREAT man- "I did good"... lol... I have to try to keep the sense of humor, right?!
Love and hugs to all.....

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Good news

I emptied his ostomy bag before our walk around 8-Lime (we went around the circle TWO TIMES, by the way) and there was SOLID POOOOOO in there!!!! :)YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY... I did the poo dance. This means we are still in the game, this means that the folfiri IS working- THANK YOU GOD!!
Still need to keep our eye on this and be ready for next step- BUT it is working. He has been walking and is on antibiotics for anything that 'might' arise. He has to watch who comes in to see him. They have a sign on his door that says for visitors to see nurse before entering. This is to protect the boy!! :)
Keep praying.... it's helping.
Love and hugs to all.....

Night at LGH

Well, if you need to rest and recoup- don't come here! man!
Jimmy took benedryl around 9:15 to get some solid sleep. We got him all settled in and Patrick left around 9:45- I changed into sponge bob PJs (nurses were jealous) and settled in for some TV. Turned TV off around 10:45. First alarm on ONE of his 5 IVs went off at midnight. Happened to be the pain pump. I called for nurse and then silenced the bell, so that Jimmy wouldn't be disturbed. They called for the IV team to come change his pain med. I stood at the side of his bed to silence the alarm each time it went off. Well, they got here and got it changed- left the room at 12:55am. Well at 1:05 the alarm went of again. I quickly jumped up and opened the door- YAY, they were still out there. They came back in and bled the lines- got the air out and were all done again. Back to bed around 1:20. Drift off to sleep and 2am benedryl time came quickly. Of course I want to see what they are doing- so awake again. That didn't take real long, back to sleep. Around 2:20am another bell goes off- this time it was his decadron pump. I stand guard (somewhat wobbly) and silence this one as well, (ha- ironically while I was typing this one of the alarms went off again at 8:55- pushed nurse bell on way to silence it I pushed nurse call... and OMG- while I was typing that sentence, his TPN alarm went off at 9:02) I THINK they are all over it now. How frustrating- I can't even have time to type about the night because the alarms continue! OK, back to story... Nurse gets this taken care of and back to sleep I go... or not, at 2:40 alarm again- same routine, I jump up and stand vigil until they fix the problem at hand. Back to sleep by 3:15am... ah nice! Short lived- 4:20 awakened by alarm again- I'm sure these nurses were like... REALLY?!, but I couldn't just keep standing there silencing these terrors. Back to sleep once again. Woke to someone in the room, and yes, of course I want to know what's going on. I awake to see they are preparing his meds... it's 6:45... wow, that was a nice sleep. I didn't get out of bed- I saw what they were doing and I turned over and went back to sleep. At 7:45 they came to take him for his obstruction series. SOoooo I decided to get a shower and change while he was out of the room. He was back before I was done with shower and all. It's now 9:10, he's been sleeping and I think I may nap now too... well, until the NEXT alarm goes off. I always thought that one came to the hospital to rest and recoup- REALLY?! ha
Well, now we wait for the Dr to come and let us know about results.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

WE NEED PRAYERS

We NEED this obstruction to pass. Please pray for the obstruction to pass.... PLEASE

Monday, March 19, 2012

Update

Well, Addy took Jimmy into LGH ER late afternoon yesterday. Being at work and trying to concentrate after getting Addy's text was pretty rough. BUT, I know he was in good hands there at LGH. He had bad pain and threw up his afternoon meds. They found a small obstruction. Now, we medicate and no food or drink until it is passable. I hope he doesn't have to get that dang NG tube again. This boy has been through hell and back for sure... but he keeps on plugging. he has so much love and support - it has to help him on this journey.
I will keep you all posted on the progress.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Spaghetti Dinner (all U can eat)

Just a reminder... I have tickets for sale or for others to sell for the March 24th dinner that my boss, Emily, and my cohort, George, are sponsoring for Jimmy. It is held at Ranck's United Methodist Church from 4-7pm. Cost is $9.00- adult/$5.00 - Kids/3 & under are free. The menu is quite extensive for a spaghetti dinner--- I think that all will be pleasantly surprised!!
Thanks in advance for your support. We will NEVER be able to thank everyone in this journey with us enough, EVER!!
Love and hugs to all.....

Dr. Tracy DeGreen

I don't know if I have said this enough---- but this man is one of the best men on the face of this Earth. He is intelligent, caring (sometimes to a fault), kind, empathetic, sweet and a GREAT ONCOLOGIST. I credit him with Jimmy's path to good health. Tracy has always been very open and honest with us each step of the way of this journey thus far. God has a very special angel here
to help so many people. Thank you God.... for giving us Tracy!!






Chemo day

We are here at LCC for a new regimen. This one isn't supposed to take as long and they say that this is tolerated as well if not better than the folfox.
Today is a St. Patrick's day celebration here at LCC- these people are so awesome... they do what they can to make the visits here as pleasant as possible. I will post some pics of the treats and some of our wonderful ladies here at LCC. We also had a very special guest here - Dr. DeGreen's mom brought her beautiful dog in to see us. She is a cavalier from Lexington, so they named her Lexi. So soft and sweet she is!!
Patrick made pizza last night for supper before I got home. So, when I walked through the door I was able to get Jimmy some yummy pizza from a fundraiser that Lisa Butler had just recently. BTW, Lisa... pizza is pretty good. I also heard great reviews on the subs. THANKS!!
Jimmy ate 1 1/2 pieces of pizza.. YAY... he took his meds- orally and subcutaneous and then we got his TPN hooked up. Time to snuggle in for some sleep. I went upstairs and finished watching American Idol... after YET ANOTHER phone call to Directv... how frustrating- BUT this time it was fixed.... or, so I thought!!- - - we went to bed and turned on the tv in the bedroom, OH CRAP... no signal, GRRRROOOWWWLLL!! I will have to make YET ANOTHER call to them today sometime... I just don't want to deal with it anymore. I am almost to the point of saying "Just come and take all of your equipment back"!!! OMG - - off to sleep...
Jimmy texted me "I need a cold wet rag" at 11:31PM- I jumped out of bed and ran down the steps to get his cloth. I was really scared... I thought that we would be making a trip to the ER. I expected to see him sitting at the side of his bed with sweat dripping off like last time when his stoma was huge. He wasn't that bad- THANK GOD!! I got his head and neck wiped and he got himself laid back down and I tucked him in... back to sleep.
At 3:51am I get a call from him saying "I need help majorly right now"... out of bed I jump and head down the steps. I walk in to see that his bag let loose and he had a mess between his feet. He tried to get up to pee and the bag just had a huge blowout. I got his socks wiped off and got him over to the bathroom because he still hadn't gotten to pee yet. Patrick came down to lend a hand... I had him help Jimmy while I went over and cleaned up the floor, wall, shelf, shoes, trash can, back pack, bed and under bed and shelf. MAN, that crap splashed everywhere. I found his one remote- silver lining!! We got his clothing changed and thrown in washer. OK- back to snooze a little longer. I DO need to give Patrick his props... he has been and continues to be a VERY big and supportive piece to this puzzle of life. THANK YOU PATRICK!!
Love and hugs to all.....

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Root canal indeed!

Yesterday I had my root canal, it actually wasn't too bad, minus the stretching of my lips at points, I have a small mouth I think. But yeah not too bad at all now I must return later for a bunch of stinking fillings and a crown for my root canal tooth. Today will be a lazy day, lots of pain this am, a lot more than usual I kinda think it's how I slept though ribs still hurt from my fall long ago now!!! Maybe they are bruised I remember I had bruised ribs once before too, and that took like 7 weeks to go away. Now tomorrow is a way early one which I HATE big time, but I have to see dr degreen and sit through a long chemo so I kind of get it yet kind of not! Either way it's whack! I like the benedryl shot before we go at the chemo makes time fly by! It seems like in and out to me, but I also feel bad for mom then cause she's awake the whole time!! (I think...) maybe she does nap too?? Prolly not. Anyways I guess I copied moms post pretty well, but I just wanted to stop and say hello again and thanks to all for love and support be back on soon!!

Root Canal

The root canal went well, Addy said. I didn't get to see him at all yesterday- he was sleeping when I went to work and when I got home last night. I went down to just see what he thought of the day and he was really OUT.... Sleeping in the recliner. I didn't want to wake him.
I just wanted to post to give the true followers peace of mind about the dental portion of his world.
Well, off to get ready for work for me...
Love and hugs to all.....

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Shrimp Feed...

It was great... he got to see lots of people that he hasn't seen in a very long time... and of course, everybody in Columbia is related SOMEHOW!! I love it- it's one big happy happy family!! Well, with their own problems sometimes... haha
My boy ate so much... holy crap- I was so surprised... they gave us a HUGE plate of steamed & fried shrimp with french fries on top and a huge garlic cheddar biscuit. HOLY COW... he ate all of the fried shrimp, most of the fries and steamed shrimp AAAANNNnnnnd a piece of pineapple upside down cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He, himself was VERY shocked at the amount of food he ATE!! It was fantastic... but short lived. I watch him like a friggin hawk when he's out- he was tiring, so it was time to go. We stayed for about an hour. I am sure to him it seemed like many hours. It is hard for him to be comfortable outside home. The chairs were the metal fold up chairs, so we put my coat down for his 'bones' to sit on. All in all- it was worth the run to Columbia... had some laughs and lots of food.
Love and hugs to all.....

Exciting News!!!

Well, exciting for me!! Jimmy, Patrick and I are going to go out with 'the group', which is my late husband's friends and family, for a shrimp feed. I am soooo excited to get him out with us. It's so dang hard to control myself at this point. Patrick is excited as well. He was called into work, and he thought that he would miss the chance... so what does he do?!? He locks out the machine they were having problems with and headed home! LOL... does that tell you something?! WE ARE EXCITED!! They will ALL LOVE to see him as well!!!!!!! <3
Love and hugs to all.....

Long break

Man it feels like forever since I've had chemo, and it's great! A big huge thank you to Suzanne, my reiki masseuse for another amazing session!! Anybody needs any type of massage should definitely look her up first!!! Anyhow, this break feels so much like a necessity, although I also know we need to keep the fight up daily. Starting to force myself to do walks and a sort of stair exercise as well to make sure I don't just wither away. That kinda sucks but it must be done. And I've gotta shower as well today I believe, not that I'm that ripe yet, just feels kinda nice even though it feels like a huge job too at this point. It's either up 14 stairs and do it or use the stand up shower downstairs but can't get out of the water. Probably upstairs... Sooo for right now appointment wise I've got a root canal on the 13th to finish up and chemo on the 15th so yeah to that! Gonna be one hell of a week!! Thanks again to all following the journey and sending out positive thoughts and prayers I appreciate you all and will update again ASAP!!
J-Bird and that's the word, everybody knows that the bird is the word

Friday, March 9, 2012

Yesterday

I GOT TO SPEND THE WHOLE DAY WITH JIMMMMMMYYYYYY!!!!!!!! This has been one of the best days for me in a LOOOOoooooong time!!!! I let him sleep awhile in the morning- one reason is because I was on the phone with Directv- anyone else having trouble with these jokers?! i just had the DVR box replaced a few days ago and now again no signal?! WHAT am I paying 82.00 a month for?!!!??!!! AAANNNYYHOW... I got an finished with these jokers and got Jimmy's shots ready along with oral meds. After administering all meds, he said that he feels weaker every day. I told him that lying there in that bed and doing nothing is the main reason- the chemo will kick your ass, but if he doesn't get up a little every day - the muscles will go away, he will get weaker. SOoooo we walked outside and got some fresh air. Jimmy had a misstep and started going down... what does a momma do?- she grabs for him around the waist (I was behind him) and I think I saved his knees, but bruised his ribs...man :( He IS very weak... we will stay on him to get him on his feet more to begin the build up, we don't want him losing everything!! We were up and about for about 10-15 minutes. We sat out on the patio for a little when we finished walking around the house. He then came in and we put him in the recliner for a nap. He slept for a couple of hours and then it was time to rise and shoot (I know- usually rise and shine)... I gave him his afternoon subcutaneous sandastatin and we were getting ready for a trip to pier one imports... what a great store. We got 2 shelves for his room, trying to organize a bit. I love the shelves he picked out. That boy has good taste! Well, we got home and put the shelves together. Then he and Addy went back out for some other items and another shelf for her side of the room. After all, she needs organization too- she lives here basically. We have to make it feel like home all around.
Love and hugs to all.....

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Spaghetti Dinner Flyer

Hey everybody, Paul here. Wanted to jump in quick and give everyone the opportunity to download the flyer for the upcoming Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser.

Word: spaghetti_dinner.doc
PDF: spaghetti_dinner.pdf

Hope to see everyone there!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Thanks mom

Sorry to everybody that have been following along with my journey and I never post myself. I'm really thankful to mom for keeping everybody up with very detailed messages and stories on this site, thanks mom!!! And also I have been feeling pretty beat up these past couple of weeks. My wonderful fiancée has been such a gigantic support and makes things quite a bit easier for me!! So posting on my phone kinda bothers my eyes and head. But I feel like its getting to be better which is great. But I get a good break between now and next thing... Root canal!!! Whack attack but must be done, then two days later, chemo, then more side affects and fun!! But that's just me bitching and moaning, I'm hoping for this to get outta my system soon. The erbitux could still affect me up to a month from now. And thanks again folks that have followed along and prayed and sent great thoughts and donated to this cause. Tom moose thank you for your help recently as well! Hopefully I can post a little more often for everybody!!

Friday, March 2, 2012

today he gets unhooked

Well, today he gets unhooked from his 5FU. He will not have any added poison running through veins now until March 15th. YAY!! I sure pray to God that these 2 weeks prove to be pleasant for him. He needs this break.
Wednesday when we were leaving the cancer center it was raining and damp. yucky. I asked Jimmy if he was able to open the door, because the nueropathy was bad already, he said yes... WRONG! That 'bit' him!! I rushed over to finish opening it and got his butt seated safely inside.
When we got home from, the nurse to hook him up to 5FU was here waiting when we pulled into home. I grabbed all of the stuff to carry into house... 2 drinks, Jimmy's backpack, computer bag, lunch from McD's, my purse & thermos that housed Jimmy's meds for the day. (A LOT, HUH!?) I was in garage and noticed that Jimmy wasn't right behind me- I turned to see him still in the car. He was gasping for breath... OMG- I dropped everything and ran into house for a benedryl. By the time I got the pill and drink he met me at the door- we got him into his room and sat him on the bed- he was still gasping for breath. It sounds awful... and is so scary!! We turned his heat up a bit and it started to release- OH MAN... phew. I want to talk to Dr. DeGreen about just keeping that extra benedryl push after each treatment. Holy Cow!!
Anyhow, the nurse came in and got things going-
after she left Jimmy settled in for a reiki. He was OUT like a light!! I checked on him several times throughout the night and he was so sound asleep- a nice relaxing peaceful sleep. It wasn't until after 10pm that he awoke- He said that he felt really good- surprisingly good... thank you reiki!! :) I love that I can do that for him!! It made MY HEART SMILE!!
Ok- so, like I started out saying... let's pray that these 2 weeks are a welcome break for this boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Love and hugs to all.....