Hello . . . from Sally. Just wanted to let you know that Carol isn't home yet. It's been a week of ups and downs . . . but here's the bottomline. The internal bleeding, which took Carol to the hospital in the first place, has been stopped. Seems Carol's stents were the culprit. Once the bleeding was stopped, she remained in ICU where they gave her blood and monitored some suspicious liver functions. Today, her vitals are strong and the liver tests are looking more normal. But pain persists. An endoscopy revealed that the stent which was inserted in July - inside the original stent - has slipped and is somewhat precariously resting in the duodenum now. Something that must be corrected.
So . . . ramp up the prayers, warriors. Carol will undergo a procedure tomorrow to move or remove part of the trouble-causing stent. Not just a routine procedure . . . so I ask your prayers that all goes well. A CT scan this evening will provide more information to guide the physicians at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California.
Frank, Christine and Erik remain in California with Carol. Please keep them in your prayers as well.
I will report back tomorrow as soon as I know something.
Sally
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
From Frank in California
Well, as usual with my lovely spouse, California has been an adventure! We have
had a great time with my family in non-humid Newport Beach. My Dad's 89th
birthday was a blast! Christine and Erik came out and Chip was up from San
Diego for the weekend. Carol was in her element. Unfortunately she continued to
have lower back pain throughout the 10 days, but with medication and sleep she
was able to control it. This last Wednesday we saw some wonderful friends from the
CBS board for lunch and then went out to dinner with my family where Carol
looked as our British friends would say "smashing". We were looking forward to
seeing all our dear friends in Oak Park and strategizing how best to
insure Carol would be in top shape to see everyone. (By the way we delayed the
trip by a day so that I could go with my brother Bob to a men's prayer breakfast
at Saddleback Church yesterday morning. It started at 6:30 so we left at 6:00am - hey,
I'm retired and not used to early hours but it was worth it! That church is
really on fire. As you will see following it was most definitely a "God thing")
When I returned just before 9, Carol complained of being nauseous and then in a
span of five minutes twice vomited only blood and couldn't get up. One of my
wonderful sisters-in-law (Michele) came running from her home, took one look and
called an ambulance. At the same time the fiancees of my two nephews showed up to stay
with my folks. Long story short, the ER folks at Hoag Hospital, a great regional hospital,
stabilized her and gave her blood. She was "scoped" early in the afternoon to stop the
bleeding but had bled so much that they could not see the source. She was then taken to
Interventional Radiology where they were able to stop the bleeds thru a catheterization
process. Praise the Lord! Carol spent the night in the ICU where they will monitor her
to make sure they stopped all the bleeding and then at least another two days
for healing and observation.
Needless to say we did not make Oak Park and will be in California a bit longer.
This all has been very scary but the Lord is watching over us and as always
blessing us here with family and a great nearby hospital. Though we wish we were
at Johns Hopkins! We will keep you posted on this at times bumpy journey. I
cannot begin to tell you how much your continued prayers mean to us-please pray
for a speedy recovery and ultimately a complete healing. We are in good hands . . .
our Lord's.
Carol asked to add this verse: "Great is Thy faithfulness. Morning by
morning new mercies we see."
Frank
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
California Here I am!
Trip was great! Any pain twinges were sporadic with no biggies. Hey I was so
excited to be taking this trip even the airplane food tasted good! (Maybe THAT
was the miracle of the day!)
I was all prepped to show off my "Certificate Of Implant" to someone at TSA, but
when they took me aside for the hand-screening they said "oh yes, we have people
come through all the time with stents!" So much for any drama! Ha ha. And such
service when we got here, Frank's youngest brother Paul picked us up at LAX and
brought us right to the parents! 75 degrees, no humidity, just relaxing, reading
and hanging out enjoying Southern California.
Thanks so much for covering that plane trip in your prayers--again, again,
again!
Love,
Carol
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Monday, July 27, 2009
Back in the Fight & Steppin’ Out!
Let’s see…update first. It doesn’t seem that the block was a “slam dunk” no pain whatsoever, but it certainly is much, much better than before I went in. I still am having the weird break through pain now and then that I just can’t figure out the cause or the explanation. I had lots of tests and the very best news is that the CT scan they did while I was at Johns Hopkins and during my time off chemo showed No Growth or Spreading of the tumor. I can only give God all the credit for that. He DID take care of me during that time just as we prayed.
So, I was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, then immediately went downstairs to outpatient and started up on Chemo again. It is the same combination of Oxyplatin/Xeloda that was working. –AND the good news continues that I have no nausea after the first few days. That is the best! In fact, I am feeling so spunky that we decided to FLY to CALIFORNIA, leaving tomorrow! for 10 days to see friends and family before we have to be back here again for the next chemo infusion. (I get the chemo- the Oxyplatin- by IV every 21 days and then take it (the Xeloda) orally every morning and every evening in a pill for 14 of the 21 days).
Friday (the party is on Saturday), Frank’s dad has his 89th birthday! That’s a family party we don’t want to miss! And of course…we get to see Chip, who is driving up from San Diego for the weekend in Orange County!
At some point during the following week Frank and I are going to drive up to Thousand Oaks to visit all of our friends there. In fact, Paul and Mary Anne Alexander have offered to have everyone close by to the old neighborhood come by for dessert one evening that week. (I know I am being so selfish asking you to come to me…but it would be so great to see friends! I think it might be on Wednesday evening but I guess I should check it out with Mary Anne and Paul! Hee hee. -- SOoooooo, watch this space and I’ll just put it on the blog and spread the word so we can see you!) Friday morning we are back to DC in time for chemo IV the following Tuesday.
So, either this is going to be so freeing, or I am an idiot for taking on a big trip 3,000 miles from Dr. Dan and the team! I admit feeling a little nervous. I was looking at some wedding snapshots the other day and thought, WOW what an answer to so so so many prayers that God gave me such energy on that day. Now I am asking for TEN days! Hey…your prayers were so effective for the wedding..can I ask for your prayers again as we step out on this adventure? I am praying that I will listen to my body and rest when I need rest, and don’t overdo it so that I hit the wall and later chastise myself saying “well, you did that to yourself Carol!” Although I think I am most nervous about the long flight itself.
But when we told Dr. Dan that we were thinking of doing this, he was so supportive. And I get it…at some point, I need to Live Life during the 21 days between Hopkins appointments. So here we go.
That’s the news! I will keep you posted from my blackberry!
Love,
Carol
So, I was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, then immediately went downstairs to outpatient and started up on Chemo again. It is the same combination of Oxyplatin/Xeloda that was working. –AND the good news continues that I have no nausea after the first few days. That is the best! In fact, I am feeling so spunky that we decided to FLY to CALIFORNIA, leaving tomorrow! for 10 days to see friends and family before we have to be back here again for the next chemo infusion. (I get the chemo- the Oxyplatin- by IV every 21 days and then take it (the Xeloda) orally every morning and every evening in a pill for 14 of the 21 days).
Friday (the party is on Saturday), Frank’s dad has his 89th birthday! That’s a family party we don’t want to miss! And of course…we get to see Chip, who is driving up from San Diego for the weekend in Orange County!
At some point during the following week Frank and I are going to drive up to Thousand Oaks to visit all of our friends there. In fact, Paul and Mary Anne Alexander have offered to have everyone close by to the old neighborhood come by for dessert one evening that week. (I know I am being so selfish asking you to come to me…but it would be so great to see friends! I think it might be on Wednesday evening but I guess I should check it out with Mary Anne and Paul! Hee hee. -- SOoooooo, watch this space and I’ll just put it on the blog and spread the word so we can see you!) Friday morning we are back to DC in time for chemo IV the following Tuesday.
So, either this is going to be so freeing, or I am an idiot for taking on a big trip 3,000 miles from Dr. Dan and the team! I admit feeling a little nervous. I was looking at some wedding snapshots the other day and thought, WOW what an answer to so so so many prayers that God gave me such energy on that day. Now I am asking for TEN days! Hey…your prayers were so effective for the wedding..can I ask for your prayers again as we step out on this adventure? I am praying that I will listen to my body and rest when I need rest, and don’t overdo it so that I hit the wall and later chastise myself saying “well, you did that to yourself Carol!” Although I think I am most nervous about the long flight itself.
But when we told Dr. Dan that we were thinking of doing this, he was so supportive. And I get it…at some point, I need to Live Life during the 21 days between Hopkins appointments. So here we go.
That’s the news! I will keep you posted from my blackberry!
Love,
Carol
Monday, July 20, 2009
Update on Today's Procedure
Well, just got back from the pain block procedure, so far so good. They said you
will feel as though you were kicked in the back by a mule. I do!! (But hungry!
As they were wheeling me back to my room on the gurney, Frank peeled off at the
food court and got me a nice veggie bagel which I just devoured! Yummy)
We are in a wait-and-see mode to see if the block was successful. If it worked-
no pain!!
Don't know if I am discharged today or tomorrow. Don't know when chemo
re-starts. So, moment by moment at this point.
Oh boy oh boy and thank you so much for your prayers!!! And do you know right
there on the "table", I smiled b/c the "guess" was right--they prepped me and
started up RIGHT at 11:00 am! Prayer time! I could feel it. Just surrounded by
love and a peacefulness as they were sticking those needles and fluids in me.
Wow, it is so great to be so loved. The more I think about it, isn't prayer the
most loving thing we can do for someone -- just lifting them up to the presence
of God and putting Him in control. Hmmm lots to think about.
Carol
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
BIG PRAYERS NEEDED!!!!!
Big day pray-for-nerve-block- procedure-day today, thanks for watching this space.
Here’s the scoop. As you saw from Sally’s update (thanks Sally!) I have been here at Johns Hopkins since Thursday night trying to figure out what was bringing on the excruciating, acute in-the-back pain. It wasn’t constant, but when it came – wow-eee! Bottom line is that we really don’t know what is causing it, but they given me pain meds to control it any time it comes AND (today) they are going to go back in an do another nerve block in the back. (so I think I was repeating what you know from Sallly)
Prayer Today: As soon as I find out the time the procedure is scheduled, Sally will pop it on the blog, as so if you could please pray for the doctors (the same team that was so successful the last time!!) to be guided to the Precise Spot of the nerves to deaden them. THANK YOU.
In Carol’s head: I have thought a lot about it and concluded that this is so important to me, because it means that (recognizing that pain is just part of the deal here…) my pain can be controlled by deadening the nerves and NOT by just taking a pain pill. It’s me, I know. And I understand that these pain drugs are very effective, they are not addicting b/c they are truly hitting the pain and not just “feel good” feelings – but still, it’s my silly head and I just don’t want to have to live on pain pills. SO am I being selfish, yep. But will you still pray with me that the nerve block will work 100% as it did the last time so pain pills are not necessary?
Last night update: I had one pain episode at about 4 am…they gave me pain meds, but assured me that would not “deaden” all the pain at the time of the procedure today. (Interesting the Pain Mgmt team said that actually during the procedure a little pain is “good” for them b/c they can say to me, in real time, Do you feel that? Do you feel that? As they poke around and confirm they got to the nerves. So here’s a funny prayer request: Pray for Pain during the procedure!) btw, they were very quick to say…but Carol, we don’t want you in pain at all, it’s just that it would be a little “helpful!” ha, ha. I totally get it b/c that’s what they did the last time when it worked so well.
Cool thing today: Talk about God affirming that He is here today too!....at 7:40 am my phone rang and it was ANDREW! I didn’t recognize the number and thought it might be the doctors. He was calling from the wilds of camp up in Jackman, Maine. He is busy being a counselor, no cell or internet service up there so can’t read the blog or get emails and he just said, “Mom, I was just praying for you..and God just wanted me to call you and tell you that, so I came to the Camp Office and they let me use the phone. Just wanted to let you know I was praying.” WOW. Is that cool or what? I was crying. He was crying. We decided our God does give us JUST what we need just when we need it. God is good.
Watch this space; I’ll let you know when the procedure gets scheduled…and then will blog at the end of the day with an update on Answer to Prayer! Again. Thanks for walking with me.
Love you all,
Carol
OKAY…THEY JUST CAME IN AND TOLD ME…PAIN MANAGEMENT TEAM CALLED. THEY ARE READY FOR ME. BY THE TIME THEY GET ME OVER THERE AND ALL PREPPED LOOKS AS THOUGH THE PROCEDURE WILL BE IN ABOUT THE 11 – 1 TIME FRAME WOULD BE MY GUESS.
Here’s the scoop. As you saw from Sally’s update (thanks Sally!) I have been here at Johns Hopkins since Thursday night trying to figure out what was bringing on the excruciating, acute in-the-back pain. It wasn’t constant, but when it came – wow-eee! Bottom line is that we really don’t know what is causing it, but they given me pain meds to control it any time it comes AND (today) they are going to go back in an do another nerve block in the back. (so I think I was repeating what you know from Sallly)
Prayer Today: As soon as I find out the time the procedure is scheduled, Sally will pop it on the blog, as so if you could please pray for the doctors (the same team that was so successful the last time!!) to be guided to the Precise Spot of the nerves to deaden them. THANK YOU.
In Carol’s head: I have thought a lot about it and concluded that this is so important to me, because it means that (recognizing that pain is just part of the deal here…) my pain can be controlled by deadening the nerves and NOT by just taking a pain pill. It’s me, I know. And I understand that these pain drugs are very effective, they are not addicting b/c they are truly hitting the pain and not just “feel good” feelings – but still, it’s my silly head and I just don’t want to have to live on pain pills. SO am I being selfish, yep. But will you still pray with me that the nerve block will work 100% as it did the last time so pain pills are not necessary?
Last night update: I had one pain episode at about 4 am…they gave me pain meds, but assured me that would not “deaden” all the pain at the time of the procedure today. (Interesting the Pain Mgmt team said that actually during the procedure a little pain is “good” for them b/c they can say to me, in real time, Do you feel that? Do you feel that? As they poke around and confirm they got to the nerves. So here’s a funny prayer request: Pray for Pain during the procedure!) btw, they were very quick to say…but Carol, we don’t want you in pain at all, it’s just that it would be a little “helpful!” ha, ha. I totally get it b/c that’s what they did the last time when it worked so well.
Cool thing today: Talk about God affirming that He is here today too!....at 7:40 am my phone rang and it was ANDREW! I didn’t recognize the number and thought it might be the doctors. He was calling from the wilds of camp up in Jackman, Maine. He is busy being a counselor, no cell or internet service up there so can’t read the blog or get emails and he just said, “Mom, I was just praying for you..and God just wanted me to call you and tell you that, so I came to the Camp Office and they let me use the phone. Just wanted to let you know I was praying.” WOW. Is that cool or what? I was crying. He was crying. We decided our God does give us JUST what we need just when we need it. God is good.
Watch this space; I’ll let you know when the procedure gets scheduled…and then will blog at the end of the day with an update on Answer to Prayer! Again. Thanks for walking with me.
Love you all,
Carol
OKAY…THEY JUST CAME IN AND TOLD ME…PAIN MANAGEMENT TEAM CALLED. THEY ARE READY FOR ME. BY THE TIME THEY GET ME OVER THERE AND ALL PREPPED LOOKS AS THOUGH THE PROCEDURE WILL BE IN ABOUT THE 11 – 1 TIME FRAME WOULD BE MY GUESS.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Good morning Carol fans! Knew you’d be interested in “Carol’s capers” these last few days! She is resting comfortably at Hopkins, awaiting a re-do of the nerve block she had May 1st. That will happen tomorrow. I have cut and pasted her emails together to recap how she got there. So what you read below is from Carol’s Blackberry to my computer! Keep the blog notes coming. Carol loves to hear from all of you!!
Sally
From Carol:
Long story, but big unexplained lower back pain caused me to call in
to the Stent Doctor Thursday (b/c it was the last procedure I had had so asked them about
the pain). They said, most probably not the stent insertion--it had been 6 days.
On-call doc suggested -"go to ER, get a blood panel so they can get a good look.
So, upon good advice, we didn't go to the local ER (where they don't know my
history) Frank brought me back to JH Emergency Room on Thursday evening.
It was VERY good b/c they are cross-referencing records, etc.
So trip here was not an emergency, that was good -- just a "let's get to the
why this acute pain" is coming more and more frequently – mid-day and middle of
the night. And the "walk it off, it is just gas" theory didn't seem to be
working.
All tests so far showing all labs are very good:
Tests so far:
Blood panels (all good, liver, billirubin in normal range, etc)
Flat panel X ray
Sonogram of kidney (just showed lots of Gas)
Dry CT Scan of liver
Regular CT (which is great resource for Dr Laheru, oncologist b/c he can compare
cell growth with history CT results.)
Dr Sam Giday (GI) said last night he wants to watch colon for any swelling. But
doesn't see any signs of concern.
Lots of theories at this point:
Kidney stones (probably not)
Pancreatitus (I am on IV liquid only, resting pancreas. May go back on fluids
today)
Nerve block has worn off (I go in Monday for a re-do on that. That's good!) I
would say they are zeroing on this one.
Okay, so here’s another amazing God Is In the Details moment:
This is a great story: (skip to ending: Nerve Block will be done on Monday) The
Pain Management Post-Doc Resident just came by. (He looks JUST like Chip! 30 yrs
old. Blonde, blue eyes, same build. Is an Army Doctor working at JH in a Pain
Mgmnt residency-just graduated last week and is re-locating to San Antonio next
Tuesday - the day after my procedure. His name is Brandon.
He was all excited b/c he was telling me that JH just set up a new system and
MONDAY is the very first day! :). Apparently in the past the Pain Mgmt unit
would schedule procedures all on Outpatient (yes, like my last one) but if a JH
In-patient needed a procedure they would try to squeeze them in to an already over
full schedule and it caused stress, frustration and irked Med Staff who had to
be reacting with no advanced planning.
Starting Monday (coincidence?) They have their first "okay, we have a scheduled
opening, Go out and find us an In-Patient to take this Spot!!) ME! --- I can't
tell you how excited he was to have affirmation for the "new system"!
ALSO: I mentioned to him that Dr Ehrdik was the attending the last time and Dr
Harrison did the block and it was a PERFECT 100% home run. And Brandon said-- "oh!
Dr Ehrik is the doctor scheduled for Monday! (Coincidence?) And since we had our
Post Doc graduation last week ALL of the other Residents have left-- ONLY Dr
Harrison and I are still here." (Coincidence?)
Then we chatted about how he had just moved his wife and 2 little 4 year old
girls to San Antonio. And he looked at my table and said, "oh, I see what you
are reading here. Are you a Christian?". He too is a believer!!!! Oh our God is
just so amazing - affirming, showing His presence, and hugs to me again and
again.
Well, there is my God Story
So, here is my status: all tests, vitals, etc are stable. They all seem to think
the pain I was experiencing was break through pain from the old Nerve Block
(done on May 1st) and apparently this is typical to need a tune up of the block
after this duration. (About 3 months) I am staying here just for pain management
through the pain episodes/flare ups, waiting for the Monday Procedure. Then
Monday I go home or spend the night. They will decide. (I may just come back to
this room to spend the night for Tuesday chemo - IF Dr Dan still wants to go
ahead with that schedule. We'll just make a game time decision on that I guess)
.
In the meantime, I'm resting and hanging out. Had to take a pain hit a couple
hours ago. It doesn't work completely, but just taking it to a dull ache helps
b/c I at least know what it is.
Food: they are switching me from IV fliuds to oral liquids now that confirmed
pancreas is quiet. Maybe then solid food tonight. Basically I am just me,
waiting around 'til Monday's block.
Love,
Carol
Sally
From Carol:
Long story, but big unexplained lower back pain caused me to call in
to the Stent Doctor Thursday (b/c it was the last procedure I had had so asked them about
the pain). They said, most probably not the stent insertion--it had been 6 days.
On-call doc suggested -"go to ER, get a blood panel so they can get a good look.
So, upon good advice, we didn't go to the local ER (where they don't know my
history) Frank brought me back to JH Emergency Room on Thursday evening.
It was VERY good b/c they are cross-referencing records, etc.
So trip here was not an emergency, that was good -- just a "let's get to the
why this acute pain" is coming more and more frequently – mid-day and middle of
the night. And the "walk it off, it is just gas" theory didn't seem to be
working.
All tests so far showing all labs are very good:
Tests so far:
Blood panels (all good, liver, billirubin in normal range, etc)
Flat panel X ray
Sonogram of kidney (just showed lots of Gas)
Dry CT Scan of liver
Regular CT (which is great resource for Dr Laheru, oncologist b/c he can compare
cell growth with history CT results.)
Dr Sam Giday (GI) said last night he wants to watch colon for any swelling. But
doesn't see any signs of concern.
Lots of theories at this point:
Kidney stones (probably not)
Pancreatitus (I am on IV liquid only, resting pancreas. May go back on fluids
today)
Nerve block has worn off (I go in Monday for a re-do on that. That's good!) I
would say they are zeroing on this one.
Okay, so here’s another amazing God Is In the Details moment:
This is a great story: (skip to ending: Nerve Block will be done on Monday) The
Pain Management Post-Doc Resident just came by. (He looks JUST like Chip! 30 yrs
old. Blonde, blue eyes, same build. Is an Army Doctor working at JH in a Pain
Mgmnt residency-just graduated last week and is re-locating to San Antonio next
Tuesday - the day after my procedure. His name is Brandon.
He was all excited b/c he was telling me that JH just set up a new system and
MONDAY is the very first day! :). Apparently in the past the Pain Mgmt unit
would schedule procedures all on Outpatient (yes, like my last one) but if a JH
In-patient needed a procedure they would try to squeeze them in to an already over
full schedule and it caused stress, frustration and irked Med Staff who had to
be reacting with no advanced planning.
Starting Monday (coincidence?) They have their first "okay, we have a scheduled
opening, Go out and find us an In-Patient to take this Spot!!) ME! --- I can't
tell you how excited he was to have affirmation for the "new system"!
ALSO: I mentioned to him that Dr Ehrdik was the attending the last time and Dr
Harrison did the block and it was a PERFECT 100% home run. And Brandon said-- "oh!
Dr Ehrik is the doctor scheduled for Monday! (Coincidence?) And since we had our
Post Doc graduation last week ALL of the other Residents have left-- ONLY Dr
Harrison and I are still here." (Coincidence?)
Then we chatted about how he had just moved his wife and 2 little 4 year old
girls to San Antonio. And he looked at my table and said, "oh, I see what you
are reading here. Are you a Christian?". He too is a believer!!!! Oh our God is
just so amazing - affirming, showing His presence, and hugs to me again and
again.
Well, there is my God Story
So, here is my status: all tests, vitals, etc are stable. They all seem to think
the pain I was experiencing was break through pain from the old Nerve Block
(done on May 1st) and apparently this is typical to need a tune up of the block
after this duration. (About 3 months) I am staying here just for pain management
through the pain episodes/flare ups, waiting for the Monday Procedure. Then
Monday I go home or spend the night. They will decide. (I may just come back to
this room to spend the night for Tuesday chemo - IF Dr Dan still wants to go
ahead with that schedule. We'll just make a game time decision on that I guess)
.
In the meantime, I'm resting and hanging out. Had to take a pain hit a couple
hours ago. It doesn't work completely, but just taking it to a dull ache helps
b/c I at least know what it is.
Food: they are switching me from IV fliuds to oral liquids now that confirmed
pancreas is quiet. Maybe then solid food tonight. Basically I am just me,
waiting around 'til Monday's block.
Love,
Carol
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