Celebrating Christmas

On Tuesday this past week, Jim went to his doctor's office where a blood draw was done. They found that his counts were low as expected, but no transfusions were needed. We all went to the Christmas Eve service at our church and enjoyed a quiet and relaxing Christmas Day with just our family.

On Friday, Jim had another appointment at 8:00 a.m. He was expecting a blood draw and arrangements to be made for a transfusion since he suspected his counts might be a little lower. They found his counts were very, very low - lower than they expected. They arranged for transfusions, but would not let Jim leave the hospital since his counts were dangerously low. He was admitted on an outpatient basis to the Oncology Unit where he waited for hemoglobin and platelets to be delivered to the hospital and cross-typed for him. At about 3:15 in the afternoon, the first bag was hung for him to receive. By the time he received all the transfusions that were necessary, it was 11:00 p.m. - a very long day. Saturday was a day planned to spend with the Miller side of the family and thankfully, Jim's Mom and Dad arrived Friday evening and visited Jim to help him pass the time.

On Saturday, the entire Miller clan arrived at our house to celebrate Christ's birth. It was good medicine for Jim. He loves visitors, and it was great to see family members we don't see often. We were all careful to wear our masks so as not to take any chances with Jim's low immune system. Jim tires easily now because of his low counts and had to take time out to rest but thoroughly enjoyed his day.

We are thankful for a wonderful holiday season to spend with family and friends. We wish you all the joys this season brings, but especially to know Christ as Savior who is faithful as He leads us through this difficult journey with leukemia.

One More Under Our Belt

I was able to pick up Jim today and take him home! This week of chemotherapy has finally come to an end. Jim is worn out but feeling better than the last time he had chemotherapy. He did develop a rash on his leg that is bothersome to him. He laid low pretty much all day. He is due back to the doctor's office on Tuesday. We expect that barring any complications, he will go back in for his final week of chemotherapy in the Consolidation Phase on January 13. For now, we will watch him closely as his blood counts will probably drop some over the next week or so.

Thanks for your continued interest. Please pray that Jim's rash would resolve quickly and the itching would be relieved. Pray also that Jim would remain healthy during this time.

Looking forward to celebrating Christmas this week with family and friends.

Ice Storm!

This is what we woke up to this morning in Fort Wayne! School was cancelled and many in our area are without power. We thanked God more than once today that we did not lose our power. The part of the hospital that houses the medical offices was without power, but, of course, the oncology unit was fine. They did, however, lose cable TV in all the rooms which made for a long boring day for Jim when he doesn't feel well. Visitors and phone calls are always welcome!

Jim is doing as well as can be expected. He generally feels lousy - what he called "chemo achiness." He has developed an itchy rash which he also had the last time he received chemo. Nausea has been well controlled with medication. We are pleased to report that overall he seems to be tolerating the chemotherapy better this time around. Today was the first day he asked for morphine which seemed to help. We are looking forward to this week coming to an end and are eager to have Jim home again with us on Sunday. There always seems to be an underlying stress when Jim is in the hospital. It makes for a long, hard, exhausting week. I thought of this verse again today, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.

Better Than We Expected

During this week-long stay in the hospital, Jim receives chemo every other day. The last time Jim was in the hospital, we found that the day he received the chemo wasn't too bad, but the next day was a tough day of enduring the side effects. Today was Jim's day off after receiving chemo yesterday, and we were pleasantly surprised at how well Jim felt. He was a little achy and asked for medication for nausea at times, but generally speaking had no pain and was able to received visitors.

We count this as answered prayer and thank you for interceding on our behalf. Please continue to pray for Jim this week that the chemotherapy would kill any leukemia cells that might be present but that the side effects would continue to be minimal. Pray specifically that his muscle achiness would subside and that the medication for nausea would continue to be effective. We are humbled again as we have been reminded of how many people are lifting us up before the Lord and grateful for the love and care from those around us.

This Just Doesn't Get Any Easier

We knew this day was coming. The day when Jim's counts would be high enough, and he would be admitted for another week of chemo. We knew he would be receiving the same chemotherapy drug as he did last time, and we knew he would be on the same medication he was on before to help counteract the side effects. There were no surprises and nothing we didn't expect, but we still found this day very difficult. Jim and I both shed tears again today as we continue to face this fight with cancer. I've been experiencing back pain that I am sure is related to stress, and Jim has complained of a queasy stomach for the last couple of days. It all seems pretty straightforward in terms of the protocol, so it surprised me at how difficult this day was.

We arrived at the Cancer Center at Lutheran Hospital at 7:30 this morning for a blood draw. Jim's counts were satisfactory and he was admitted, had a PIC line put in again through which to receive the chemo, and began the first chemotherapy treatment of the week by 1:30 p.m. I was able to spend the entire morning with Jim and some time again this evening. We were brought to our knees as we heard things going on around us on the Oncology Unit - a very sick man in the next room, moaning in pain as the nurses hustle to help him; an overheard conversation while in a waiting room of two daughters discussing hospice care with a social worker for their mother whom the doctors have said there is nothing more they can do. We are again made aware of how serious cancer is and specifically the leukemia which Jim is fighting.

Somehow, Jim continues to maintain a positive attitude and keeps his spirits high. He is very strong and trusts in his Lord as he continues to fight this disease. Today we found ourselves asking God for the same things we prayed for in the beginning when Jim was diagnosed with leukemia - a peace from God that passes all understanding, for His mercies that are new every morning and for the comfort we receive when we are still and know that He is God and is in control. The doctors and nurses seem to enjoy Jim as their patient and are all pleased at how well he is doing. Please pray that Jim would be comfortable this week and that the medications he receives to counteract the side effects would be effective. Also, please continue to pray with us that Jim would be completely healed of this disease.

Thank you again for your love and care for us and for all your concern and prayers.

Enjoying the Weekend

I've neglected to update this blog, but it was all for good reasons. Jim has been feeling good and got the okay to be out in public, so we have been enjoying our weekend. We enjoyed a visit with Jim's parents on Friday and attended Brad's Christmas concert with the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. Saturday was date night for Jim and I when we enjoyed dinner out, and Sunday was the first time in a while that Jim was able to attend church. It was great for him to see everyone again and for everyone to see him. That's always an encouragment.

Jim had a doctor's appointment last Friday, and while his blood counts have gone up and no transfusions were needed, they are not high enough for him to undergo more chemotherapy. They asked him to return again on Tuesday and will check his numbers again then. If they are sufficient, he will be admitted for another round of chemo.

Please continue to pray for our family as even though we are anxious to get all these treatments over with, we still do not look forward to this tough week of chemo. Pray that the side effects would be minimal for Jim and that we would wait upon God for His timing in regard to the upcoming Christmas holiday.

Holding on Tight

This was a sweet moment at our home when Kyle crawled into his Dad's lap and just hugged Jim for a long time. I love how he held on tight to his Dad. So much love and security there.

Just as Kyle holds on tight to his Dad, we are holding on tight to our heavenly Father as we continue this journey of battling leukemia. We give Him the praise for how he has held us through this ordeal so far and we trust Him for the days to come.

Jim went in for a blood draw this morning. His platelets and white blood cell count are low which was expected, but they are on the upswing and are higher than they were last Friday. He is no longer neutropenic and he has the okay to be out in public among healthy people and his diet restrictions have been lifted. His hemoglobin, however, is low and a transfusion is required for that. Hemoglobin carries the oxygen in the blood. Jim expected that he might need a transfusion because he has been a little short of breath at times. He will receive the transfusion tomorrow morning. Jim's next appointment will be on Friday when he will see his doctor. We will find out for sure on Friday when he will be admitted again for the next round of chemotherapy, but we are expecting it to be on Monday, December 15.

We appreciate your prayers. Pray that Jim could enjoy some days of feeling good and have some energy again before his next round of chemo.

Housekeeping Item

When I started this blog, I received a couple emails from people saying they weren't able to leave comments. Since I was new to the blogging world, I had no idea why. Jim was tinkering around with the settings on the blog this week and was able to open up the option to comment to everyone, not just registered users. So, if you haven't been able to leave a comment before, but would like to, give it a try now. Hopefully, it will work!

Jim goes in for a blood draw tomorrow. I'll give an update then. Again, thanks for your continued interest and concern.

A Note From Jim

I spent today in Indianapolis with Kyle at a doctor’s appointment, leaving Jim home alone. When I returned, he had composed the following about our dinner last night:

Ok. It was one of those days. Nothing had gone bad. The day had gone fairly well. Do we need anything? No. Its dinnertime, and what’s for dinner? Five o’clock and we haven’t planned anything yet. The kids had a good day at school. Marilyn had a good day at work. I got a unit of platelets and even ran a couple of small errands (maybe I shouldn’t have because of my low WBC count). And no one was exhausted yet – tired from the day – but not exhausted. So what’s for dinner? At this point we start thinking - what’s easy? What’s quick? Here are our options: grab and growl – not much in the way of leftovers but we can make it; run down to Scott’s and get a precooked chicken and deli salad; order pizza; go out (again, not a good idea because of my low WBC). Just as we were going to select the least worst option, the phone rang. A fellow church member called and asked if he could come over and deliver dinner. At that late hour, he thought we could save it and have it another night. He was thinking that he was providing extra – not giving immediate provisions. We were getting meals during the most difficult times while I was in the hospital, but we had stopped them. After all, we had our needs covered, and we were doing well. So last night we had lasagna for dinner. It came in cooked and hot. We didn’t have to wait for a 30 minute delivery. We didn’t have to prepare or wait for preparation. The meal was delicious. I haven’t eaten so much since I got sick.

To wrap up, do I choose a verse, or song lyrics?

Matthew 7:9-11 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!(NIV) We didn’t ask but God still provided.

Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving. It was December 3rd, not Thanksgiving Day, but it still works for me.

How about song lyrics:

“Thy compassions they fail not” or “Strength for today bright hope for tomorrow” (Great is Thy Faithfulness). “Count your many blessings see what God has done.” (Count Your Blessings), “Mercy drops ‘round us are falling, but for those showers we plead.” (Showers of Blessings). Boy we got drenched with that mercy drop.
“If we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching?” (If we are the Body) Well, I have to tell you, His arms are reaching and holding our family.

There are tears of sorrow, tears of pain, and tears of joy. Right now I have tears of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Thank you, Joe. Thank you, God.

Jim

Here's the Update

Jim saw his doctor on Monday. His platelets were at an all time low of 4,000. He received more platelets in the afternoon in addition to what he received last Friday and Saturday. He also complained that his throat was sore. The doctor considered admitting him because his throat did look red on examination. He chose instead to see him today for a recheck.

Jim went in first thing this morning. His platelets were at 9,000. They have to be at least 10,000 or more or else he must receive a transfusion. So even though they went from 4 to 9, he still needed more platelets today. His white blood count is slowly beginning to rise, however, so that's good news. He still needs to wear a mask or stay clear of other people, but we're encouraged that this may come to an end soon if his counts continue to rise. Nothing became of the sore throat. He felt fine today. We count that as answered prayer.

Jim did have a little more energy today. He called me at work to report that he actually did something today. He has been tired of everything being an effort. It was nice to see him a little more active and energetic today.

Here's how you can pray:

• Pray that Jim's counts would continue to rise and that he would have a few days of feeling good before he goes in for more chemotherapy on December 15.
  
• Pray for rest for me and organization as I prepare for Christmas with our family.

Thanks again for your interest and concern for us. We treasure each comment and email and phone call.

Good Times with Family

Jim got up this morning and headed straight to the Emergency Room. Four hours later, he finished receiving his unit of platelets. About the same time he returned home, my brother Jim and his wife Sally and their kids, Julie and Brian arrived from Columbus, OH. We enjoyed a wonderful meal that they brought and had a great visit with them. Good times with family this weekend.

Jim seemed to have a little more energy this afternoon even though his counts remain low. He returns for more lab work and a doctor visit on Monday. Please continue to pray for complete healing of this disease.

Time for More Platelets

Blood draws are commonplace now for Jim. Today he had an appointment for yet another blood draw. The results showed all of his counts were low, however his platelets (the stuff that helps your blood to clot) had crossed the line to where a transfusion was necessary. We suspected this would be the case, because Jim was having some bruising and developed dots on his skin for no apparent reason. He spent the afternoon in the doctor's office receiving platelets. As he was preparing to come home, he had a troublesome side effect regarding bleeding. Instead of coming home, he went straight back to the doctor's office and reported the side effect. The doctor considered readmitting Jim, but chose instead to order more platelets for him to receive in the Emergency Room tomorrow. Because Jim's counts are low, we are back to wearing masks. Either he wears one or visitors wear one. He will need to stay out of public places to guard against any infection or virus. Please pray that Jim's doctors would have wisdom as they treat Jim during this time that his blood counts are low. Pray also that Jim would stay clear of any illness or infection. We appreciate all your prayers for us.

Giving Thanks

I received an email today with an excerpt I’d like to share. This is something we’ve learned long ago – to thank God for ALL things, both the good and the bad. We definitely have had to do this out of blind obedience to God at times and not because we felt particularly thankful, especially for difficult circumstances. I love how this is worded as if Jesus were talking directly to us and how being thankful for all things “removes the sting from adversity”. I thought it was appropriate for this Thanksgiving Day.

This is an excerpt from Jesus Calling, a devotional by Sarah Young. "Each day is written as if Jesus Himself were speaking to you. Because He is. Do you hear him calling?"

"Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience- at times, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heart-rending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to my thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity."

Ephesians 5:20; Psalm 118:1; Psalm 89:15

Jim has done okay this week. He had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and had some lab work done. His blood counts remain low as they expected. He is to return on Friday and if his counts drop more, he will need a transfusion. He is still dealing with a few side effects: an itchy rash on his leg, minor problems with his eyes, and occasional nausea. These should all continue to resolve. He is often cold and tired and has little endurance or stamina which is due to his low counts. We enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving today with just our family. It was good to have a day to pause and give thanks to God for all the blessings He gives us. Here’s a picture of the Miller guys today at dinner.

Glad To Be Home

Jim was discharged from the hospital with some heavy duty medication around 12:30 p.m. today. He was experiencing the side effects of nausea, muscle aches (especially his back) and an itchy rash that developed on his legs. On Thanksgiving Day when we go around the table and say what we're thankful for, I wouldn't be surprised if he says, "Morphine!" He stayed in bed most of the day and took the full dose of all the medication that was ordered for him. Seriously, we are very grateful for medication that is available to help counteract the nasty side effects of chemotherapy. It was a tough week and we're glad its done. Jim's blood counts are a little low, and we were told that they might continue to drop even more between 7 and 10 days from now. That will mean that Jim will be staying close to home and not venture out in public since we are in the cold and flu season. It is very important that he does not get sick now, because he won't be able to fight it off as easily. We're expecting Jim to have 3 weeks off from chemotherapy and then be readmitted for the next round on December 15.

Thanks again for your continued interest and prayers.

More Chemo Today

We continued the roller coaster ride we've been on this week. However, today was a better day. Jim received chemo today. He asked for medication as soon as he began to feel the side effects and so was able to stay more comfortable. Tomorrow he is slated for discharge. Please pray that the side effects would be minimal so he can come home earlier in the day. We appreciate you interceding on our behalf. We are glad this week is coming to an end.

Today Was a Tough Day

Jim's doctor ordered some heavy duty drugs including morphine to help make Jim more comfortable today. It knocked him out for most of the afternoon. I sat by his bedside and watched him sleep. It was a relief to see him resting and more comfortable. Jim called me this evening and said he was feeling somewhat better. He said he would upgrade his condition now to "just feeling lousy!" He is still requesting morphine but only 1/2 the dose that he is allowed. He was able to keep a bowl of chicken soup down this evening, so I guess that's progress.

I misjudged how difficult this week would be when Jim was admitted last Monday. This was a hard day for Jim and exhausting for me. We are both glad this day is coming to an end and hope tomorrow will be better. Jim has his last day of chemotherapy tomorrow. We have to do this one more time and then he's done for this hospital stay. We're seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

Would Appreciate Your Prayers Today

What a difference a few hours makes! Jim is feeling pretty low this morning. He is experiencing severe muscle pain, especially in his back and calves. This is much different and worse than the side effects he felt after his first day of chemo. His aches and pains were controlled successfully with Tylenol last Tuesday. Overnight last night, he was given three doses of a much stronger pain reliever with still no relief. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor to know how to manage this pain, and that Jim might find some relief today. I'll keep you posted.

He's A Great Guy!

Jim always calls me when he wakes up to give me the update of how he did overnight. This morning he greeted me with a cheery, “Good Morning!” He was feeling better and well rested and had no pain or nausea. He sounded like his usual self with a smile in his voice. I visited him at the hospital first thing this morning before I went to work, and I was there when the doctor made his rounds. The doctor came in and said, “How’s our star patient doing this morning?” He is very pleased with how well Jim has responded to the treatments. I love that he is their “star patient!”

During this phase of treatment, Jim receives chemo twice a day every other day. So his first day was Monday; Tuesday he had a break from chemo (but definitely felt the side effects) and today was another day of chemo. Thankfully, other than a little achiness, he had a great day and enjoyed chatting with a few visitors both in person and over the phone.

Today he decided to surprise me. My doorbell rang this afternoon and there at my door was our friend, Kent, who is one of the pastors at our church. Kent handed me this beautiful bouquet of flowers and said they were from Jim. Kent visited Jim today and Jim asked him to pick up some flowers and deliver them to me as a surprise from him. He melts my heart with gestures like this and amazes me with his selflessness – He’s always thinking of others. He really is a great guy!

Thanks for your continued interest and prayers. Remember Jim tomorrow as he may feel more side effects of the chemo again. We appreciate your love and support.

So, This Is NOT The Fun Part!

As thankful as I am for drugs that treat cancer, these chemotherapy drugs are a little scary. Some of the scarier side effects of the chemo that Jim is currently on include confusion, difficulty breathing, eye discomfort, blurred vision, double vision, vomiting and stomach pain. The more common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin rash, itching, bone pain, and muscle aches and pains. Jim is experiencing most of the latter side effects, especially nausea, bone pain, muscle aches and pains. Thankfully, they are giving some other medications that help counteract these side effects. But when you ask Jim how he is feeling today, his answer is, “It’s kicking my butt!”

It’s interesting though . . . I remember hearing Jim pray at the beginning of his last hospitalization for complete healing of this disease and that the Lord would help him to keep his spirits up. I have witnessed this prayer continually being answered as Jim has a positive outlook and has never asked, “Why me?” Even now, when he is feeling totally lousy, he still jokes with the nurses and has his sense of humor.

Pray for Jim, as you think of him this week, that these side effects would be minimal and that they could be managed with medication.

We’re Back for the Consolidation Phase

Today at 8:00 a.m. I drove Jim to his oncology doctor’s office so they could draw labs and admit him to the hospital to begin the Consolidation Phase of his treatment. I found I had kind of a sick feeling of dread as we headed toward the hospital. As I sat in the waiting room with Jim, I had a sense of, “How did we ever end up in the office of a doctor who specializes in cancer?” Sometimes it still doesn’t seem real to me. At the same time, I am grateful that there are doctors who have expertise in this area and medicines that can be given to treat cancer that have helped Jim feel as good as he does. When I remember how sick he was at the beginning of his last hospital stay only 7 weeks ago, I am thankful for how good he has felt over the last 3 to 4 weeks.

When we finally got him registered and taken up to the Oncology Unit, we were greeted by nurses and staff who remembered Jim and welcomed us back. Our friend, Jill, who works on that floor was there and greeted me with a hug. The feeling of dread I had began to fade as we got Jim settled into his room. Chemotherapy began around 2:00 in the afternoon. During this first week of the Consolidation Phase, he will receive only 1/3 the amount of chemo as he did during the Induction Phase. Every 12 hours, he will be hooked up to an IV for about 3-4 hours at a time to receive the chemotherapy. After each treatment, Jim will be unhooked from the IV and have more freedom to walk around and leave the floor if he chooses. We were told that his blood counts will most likely not drop as low as they did before, and if they do, it would be 7 to 10 days after his chemotherapy for the week is over.

This evening, Jim is feeling a little nauseated, but he has been given a medicine that should help to counteract that. He was feeling better by the end of our phone conversation. Thank you for your words of support. Yours cards, emails and comments have been an encouragement to us. We appreciate all your prayers.

The Results Are In!

Jim received the results of the bone marrow biopsy from his doctor’s office. We were told that if he had 5% or less leukemic cells, Phase I would be considered a success and he would be able to move on to the Consolidation Phase. The Lord has once again been good to us. Jim was told that there were 0 leukemic cells in his bone marrow. It is the best news we could have received. We breathed a sigh of relief and thanks to God. Jim is now ready more than ever to get on with his treatment. It was explained to us that there still could be hidden leukemia cells which is why Jim will undergo the Consolidation Phase of treatment. This phase is “to seal the deal.” Jim will be admitted to Lutheran Hospital on Monday, November 17 for about a week. The Consolidation Phase of chemotherapy is not as intensive as the Induction Phase was. As we find out more details, I will share them here.

Thank you once again for all your prayers and concern for our family. We cannot express how much we appreciate all the love and support we’ve received. Our thanks go to God for how He continues to provide for us. We are humbled by his grace.

His Timing is Perfect

We received a call from the nurse practitioner at Jim’s doctor’s office. They have not yet received the results of his bone marrow biopsy. They also told him that they would like to delay his next hospitalization for one week. Since he was discharged early with low blood counts, they would like to give him a little more time to become stronger before they knock him back down with the next round of chemotherapy.

We really have mixed feelings about this. Jim was somewhat disappointed. He was ready to take the next step in this process to get it over with and hopefully feel better again by Thanksgiving assuming he was going on to the Consolidation Phase. I am quietly happy to have him home for one more week – another week of normalcy for Kyle and the rest of the family – however, I, too, was hoping that Jim would be back on track for the holidays.

We have been very settled this week as we wait for the results of the bone marrow biopsy. Whichever way it goes, we know that the Lord has it all in His hands. As I think about the timing of Jim’s blood counts returning to normal so we could attend the marching band state finals as a family, I am content to trust God with the timing of Jim’s next treatments and the upcoming holidays. He loves us more than we can even understand, and we know – from past experiences - that His timing is perfect.

Thank you for your continued interest and prayers for us. Please continue to pray that Jim’s bone marrow biopsy would show little or no leukemic cells so that he can continue on to the Consolidation Phase of treatment. And pray that he would be completely healed of this disease.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

It is hard to explain how much we are enjoying having Jim home and being back to a normal family life – at least for now. Jim had a good weekend. We went to Indianapolis on Saturday and watched Homestead take fourth place, securing their spot in the top five bands in the state. Sunday, Jim attended church with us. It was very encouraging for him to see our friends and thank those who have been praying for us.

Yesterday, the bone marrow biopsy was done. Jim was understandably nervous about the procedure and has been feeling uneasy about what the outcome of the test might be. We will find out the results later this week. If there are little or no leukemic cells found, he will be declared in "Eary Remission" and will begin Phase II, or the Consolidation Phase, as an in-patient at Lutheran on Monday November 10. This phase is to "seal the deal" and kill any remaining or hidden leukemia cells he might have. His hospitalization should only be about a week. He will have to repeat the schedule of one week of chemotherapy and two weeks off two more times for this phase for a total of nine weeks. If the results of the bone marrow biopsy show too many leukemic cells, Jim will still go in on Monday but repeat Phase I which is called Reinduction. This would require a much longer hospital stay.

Please pray for Jim that he would feel a peace this week that passes all understanding as we wait for this test result. Pray that the results of the bone marrow biopsy would be good, and that he would be able to take the next step in this process. Please pray that he would be completely healed of this disease. Your love, support and prayers continue to help carry us through.

More Than We Can Ask or Imagine

About a week before Jim was discharged from the hospital, Steven and I were guessing when Jim might be released. Steven wondered if his Dad might be able to come home in time to go to ISSMA State Finals in Indianapolis for Marching Band with us on November 1st. I told him that even if he was released by that time, I was sure his Dad wouldn’t be able to go to State because, with low blood counts, he wouldn’t be allowed to be in a crowd of people. I didn’t want to disappoint Steven, but I didn’t want him to have any false hopes either.

Today, Jim saw the nurse practitioner at his doctor’s office. He blood was drawn and all his counts were at a normal level. All diet restrictions are lifted, and there is no longer a need for him to wear a mask. He is also allowed out in public. He asked if that meant he could go to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy for State Finals, and the answer was yes! We were so happy we cried. Those of you who are not familiar with the band program may not quite understand this, but THIS IS BIG. Our kids work so hard in band and going to State Finals is the ultimate reward. The entire time Jim was in hospital, we were certain that he would not be able to attend State Finals. Ephesians 3:20 immediately came to mind. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” This is truly a gift and we are careful to give the praise and glory to God.

Jim will return to the doctor’s office on Monday for his bone marrow biopsy. His next round of chemotherapy is scheduled for Monday, November 10 when he will be admitted again to the hospital. If the results of the bone marrow biopsy on Monday are good, Jim will start the Consolidation Phase on November 10. If leukemia cells are found in his bone marrow, Jim will then repeat the first phase again, called Reinduction.

Please thank God with us for the good results so far and for the gift of being together as a family at State Finals. Also, continue to pray that the bone marrow biopsy would show no leukemic cells and that Jim would be declared in early remission.

We would also like to thank you for your prayers for Kyle. We have seen a wonderful positive change in his behavior as he has become more settled with his Dad being home. Please continue to pray for him as we will have many weeks ahead with Jim being in and out of the hospital. Thank you for lifting us up before the Lord.

It’s All About the Numbers

We are learning more about blood counts as we wait for Jim’s to rise. We were taught about “anc” or absolute neutrophil count. There is a formula having to do with “segs” and “bands” and the white blood cell count that determines the “anc”. Jim was told his anc level needed to be at 500 in order to be discharged. On Saturday it was 36. On Sunday, it was 66. On Monday, it rose to 238. I thought maybe by Wednesday, he would be able to come home. To our surprise, Jim’s doctor decided to discharge him on Monday with an anc level of only 238. His IV’s had already been removed, and the doctor said he could either sit around at the hospital and wait for his numbers to go up or sit at home and wait for his numbers to go up. So discharge it was!

I can’t even explain how wonderful it is to have Jim home. Our whole family felt a sense of being settled and a feeling of having things right again. Each of the boys told me on different occasions how nice it was to have their Dad home and how much they missed him when he was in the hospital. It was 4 weeks to the day. That’s a long hospital stay.

Jim will be seen by a home health care nurse. On Thursday, he will have his blood drawn to check his levels again. Once his levels are back to normal (not sure how long that will take), another bone marrow biopsy will be performed. They will check to see if there are any leukemic cells found while he has a normal cell count. If none are found, he will be declared in early remission.

Thank you for your concern for Jim and our family. Please continue to pray that Jim would go into early remission and be completely healed of this disease. We would also appreciate your prayers for our son, Kyle. This has been a difficult situation for him and we have having to deal with some unwanted behaviors. Pray for Jim and I and those around Kyle who work with him to have wisdom to know how to best help him and give him the proper support he needs during this time.

Oh, one more thing. Just gotta say it again. We are so happy to have Jim home!

We've Got News!

He's home!

The Blessing of Visitors

Last weekend, Jim’s brother, Dan, and his family came down from Grand Rapids to see Brad and Steven play in the marching band and to visit Jim. The visit became better and better when they delivered a letter to Jim from our 7-year-old nephew, Jeffrey. Jeffrey still uses “best guess” spelling, and we wanted to share his touching note with you. It is an illustration of the strength that even a child can draw from our Lord and use it to encourage others. Click on the picture to see it larger.

Lately, since Jim has been feeling well, chatting with visitors has become a special blessing to him. Today he was surprised to have a dear friend and former youth pastor, Bill Bennett, make a special trip down to Fort Wayne from Grand Rapids to visit. Bill and his wife, Sandy, were the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies at our wedding. This is a friendship that has lasted through the years, and these are people who have shared both our ups and downs with us. Even though years go by without us seeing them, we still share that special bond. It reminds me of the lyrics from a song – “We’ll keep you close as always. . . Friends are friends forever when the Lord’s the Lord of them. A lifetime’s not to long to live as friends.” It’s the tie that binds. Thank you to all who are able to visit. It is truly an encouragement to Jim, and a special blessing he is receiving as relationships are deepening.

We are still waiting for Jim’s blood counts to go up. His platelets continue to be in the normal range. Hemoglobin is on the low end but acceptable for discharge. His white blood count is slowly rising – from 600 on Friday to 900 on Saturday to 1100 today. Normal WBC is anywhere between 4500 and 11,000. Please continue to pray that Jim’s counts would rise.

Want To See Him Bald?

Platelets are in the normal range. Still waiting for the other counts to go up. Doesn’t he look good?

More Than Just A Band

Last Sunday afternoon, the Homestead Spartan Alliance Band Manager, Becca Blevins, gathered 5 other families from our subdivision and came over to blow our leaves and clean out our gutters. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the number of people who are surrounding us with love and care. We have always been impressed with the band program and the commitment of the directors, staff, students and parents. Our kids have learned so much more than music in this program - life lessons like leadership, dedication, commitment, hard work and team work. But this band has become more than a band – they have become like family. And they definitely hold each other up through tough times. From young kids up through the adults, here are a few pictures of the crew that came to help us.

Jim had a good day today. He is dedicated to getting his walks in to build up his strength and stamina and continues to have a positive attitude. The doctor reported that his blood work shows that he is producing something called monocytes which are a precursor to producing white blood cells – so that is good.

Kyle, Steven and I were able to visit Jim this evening. I showed Kyle the book I made for him first about Jim losing his hair which I think did help to prepare him a little. He didn’t like to touch Jim’s head but he was full of hugs for his Dad. When we left, Kyle gave Jim a kiss right on Jim’s mask – so sweet to see. It was good medicine for both father and son.

Further Clarification

While we are very happy that so far the blood tests and bone marrow biopsy have shown no leukemic cells, we’ve been reminded again that Jim is not out of the woods yet. They are still not able to say the Induction Phase of chemotherapy was successful. Jim’s doctor explained that he is “hypocellular” meaning Jim’s body is not producing enough bone marrow cells. When his body is only producing a few cells and no bad cells are found, that is good. However, they need to see Jim producing more cells. Then if no leukemic cells are found, they would consider the Induction Phase successful.

Jim is doing very well and the doctors are pleased. He continues to receive visitors and enjoys each and every one that stops by to see him. His white blood count continues to be low – yesterday at 300 and today at 600. He is eating well and goes for 2 or 3 walks a day. A big blessing is that his spirits are high. He has a positive outlook, and many have commented to me that Jim is a testimony, and that it is obvious that his faith in God, which is interwoven into his very being, is where he draws his strength and peace.

We thank you again for your interest and for your prayers. Please pray:

1. That Jim would stay clear of any infection.
2. That Jim’s blood counts would go up without any leukemic cells.
3. For complete healing of this disease.

We have one other concern for which we would appreciate your prayers. Please pray for our youngest son, Kyle. Kyle was born with Down syndrome and although he knows that his Dad is in the hospital and is “sick,” we’re not sure how much he grasps the seriousness of Jim’s illness. I have been taking Kyle up to see his Dad periodically, but he hasn’t seen Jim since much of his hair has fallen out. I was not sure how to prepare Kyle for this. It was suggested to me to make a social story for him to explain that his Dad doesn’t have much hair. I am working on a book for Kyle that will show people with different hair styles and people without hair (i.e. athletes, those who have shaved their heads, etc. I will probably include Larry the Cucumber who is featured in a Silly Song about not having hair). A friend, who is a graphic artist, took a picture of Jim and photoshopped it to take away his hair. I will then include a page about Jim losing his hair. Please pray that this would help to prepare Kyle and that he would have a sense of understanding and peace and not of fear.

Thank you for interceding on our behalf.

Proud Parents

While we are proud of all of our children, Friday night we had the opportunity to honor our son, Brad. It was Senior Night at Homestead High School where all the seniors were recognized and honored. We were sad and disappointed when Jim got sick, and we realized he would not be able to attend this function with Brad. I escorted Brad across the football field while our names, including Jim’s, were announced. Steven was in the band while Kyle sat with Jim’s parents in the stands along with Jim’s brother, Dan, his wife, Anna, and their children. They were our cheering section. There was also a banquet after the football game that Brad, Steven and I attended, where each senior in the marching band was honored. Brad’s band director had some very nice things to say about Brad and how he always gives his best at everything his does. I wanted to take this space on the blog to give a shout out to Brad.

Brad, you are growing into such as handsome young man with wonderful talents and qualities that God has given you. We are so very proud of you and how you handle yourself even in the midst of trials. This is a tough road we are traveling that not many kids your age have to deal with - and you are managing it all with such grace. We love you and will continue to pray for God’s leading in your life.

Here are some pictures of Brad and also his band directors, Brad Wadkins and Steve Barber, from Friday night.

Jim continues about the same today. He is able to eat and the mouth sores have become just a minor annoyance. His white blood count went from 400 to 500 today – still very low. Please pray specifically that Jim’s blood counts would come up and that he would be completely healed from this disease. Thanks for your prayers and support. It’s hard to explain how encouraging your prayers and cards and comments are. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such loving support.

We've Got News!

We are thrilled to share that the results of Jim’s bone marrow biopsy show no leukemic cells! We cannot say that he is in remission, however, until his blood counts come up. The doctor expects that by the end of next week, his counts should be better. Jim’s white blood count is very low. A normal white blood count is anywhere between 4.5 and 11 thousand. Jim has a white blood count of only 400. He still needs platelets and blood to boost those counts as well. We’re still unclear if Jim will be able to come home after his counts increase or if they will start Phase II – the Consolidation Phase – at that time. We will hopefully be able to speak with Jim’s doctor this week to clarify this. They did, however, tell us to expect and 3 – 5 week stay and possibly as long as 6 weeks.

Some other good news is that Jim’s mouth sores are healing nicely. He was able to have pot roast for dinner last night and a chicken sandwich tonight! We’re thankful that he is more comfortable and that it is easier for him to eat. Thank you for all your prayers. It is comforting to know that God cares even about the minor side effects Jim has.

Speaking of side effects, Jim’s hair is also getting thinner and thinner. There are no obvious clumps missing but his full thick head of hair is getting pretty T-H-I-N! Other than that, Jim is feeling well. He has a good amount of energy and takes some walks but also likes to nap occasionally too.

Thank you for thinking of us and supporting us and especially for your prayers. We continue to trust God for our strength and peace and are careful to give Him the praise.

Still Waiting

10:15 am: The doctor came in and the first thing out of his mouth was that he still doesn't have the results of the bone marrow biopsy. So we continue to wait. Blood tests, however, continue to show 0 blasts so that's a good sign. Will update when we know more . . .

Learning Patience

We are open to learn whatever we are suppose to learn from this experience of having a diagnosis of leukemia. Apparently, one of those things is patience. This morning, we were eager to hear what the results of the bone marrow biopsy were. The nurse told Jim that the doctor was on the floor and would be in to see him soon. After 1-1/2 hours of Jim waiting first patiently and then impatiently, the doctor came in and told him he didn't have the results of the biopsy yet but that he should have them tomorrow. So we wait another day!

Jim continues about the same. Thank you to those who are able to visit. It helps to fill his day and is an encouragement to him. Thanks also for your continued interest and prayers.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Jim's doctor decided to do the bone marrow biopsy today. We should find out the results tomorrow. Please pray that the results would show that the Induction Phase was successful. Jim was mildly sedated for the procedure but told me it was painful. He was very tired today and slept. He also complained that the back of his head felt sore. When I tugged on his hair gently, it came out easily. Understanding that this is a minor side effect in the big picture of our battle with leukemia, this side effect is more difficult for me because it is such a visual picture of cancer.

A diagnosis of leukemia in a parent affects the whole family. Please continue to pray for the boys and me. At times I feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of our family and home as Jim remains in the hospital. We are trying to maintain a routine schedule which includes college visits for Brad, medication regimens for Steven, and speech therapy for Kyle along with all the typical stuff that is required in raising children. This is not a complaint but sometimes the burden seems so heavy. This is the verse I claim as I find myself so tired this evening, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Thanks for keeping us in mind and praying.

Transfusions

One of the reasons the treatment protocol for AML is done as an inpatient is because the doctors and nurses keep a close eye on the patient. All of Jim’s good and bad cells have been destroyed by the chemo and he has little, if any, immune system right now. Other things they watch closely are his blood counts. He receives both blood transfusions and platelets often if his hemoglobin and platelet counts get too low.

Jim seemed more tired today. Later in the day, he received two units of blood which will help raise his hemoglobin and hopefully give him a little more energy. He said his mouth sores seemed about the same; however, he was able to eat a little solid food. The doctors may perform the bone marrow biopsy tomorrow, however, they are watching his white blood count since it is so low and may need to delay the procedure for a day or so until it is higher. Boredom has definitely set in for Jim. He loves to chat with those who come to visit. His emotions are still very close to the surface, and when we talk about all the people who are praying for him, he gets understandably choked up and his eyes fill with tears. Your prayers mean so much to him. Here are some specific things to pray for:

• Pray that Jim would stay clear of any illness or infection during this time when his immune system is compromised.
• Pray that his mouth sores would continue to heal.
• Pray that there wouldn’t be any or very little leukemic cells found in his bone marrow which would indicate success of the Induction Phase of treatment.

We're trusting God to sustain us. Thank you for interceding on our behalf.

A Beautiful Day in the Fort!

It has been two weeks since Jim was admitted to the hospital. Even though we know we are in for a long journey, it is amazing to see how much he has improved over a two week period of time. The day he was admitted and for a few days after, he was so very sick.

He called today and asked me when I would be coming up because he wanted to go outside again to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having. And he finally uttered the words I’d been suspecting, “I’m getting a little bored.”

Today was a good day. Jim felt well and had some energy. His mouth is still sore – about the same as yesterday – and he has gone entirely to a soft food diet. He did enjoy some soup I took up to him and also enjoyed his visitors. This evening, he kicked back with some friends and watched Monday Night Football. That is something he looks forward to all week.

We know there will be good days and bad days, but we are thankful for these good days when Jim feels well. We are also thankful for those friends who visit. It lifts our spirits as we take this one step at a time. Thank you again for your love and prayers.

Philippians 4:19

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

It has been overwhelming to us to see how many are surrounding us with love and care as Jim remains in the hospital. This picture shows just a sample of the different dishes that were filled with wonderful meals. We have been provided food, child care, house cleaning as well as lawn care and more. I have a friend who calls me daily to see how I am doing and to ask how she can help for each day. We've received wonderful cards, comments and emails. So many have become the hands and feet of Jesus to us. God has always shown Himself faithful in meeting our needs. Thank you doesn't seem adequate to express how grateful we are for all the love and care that has been shown to us.

We've been told that the journey we are taking with battling this leukemia is like a roller coaster ride filled with both good and bad days. Today was a turn around from yesterday for both Jim and me. Jim received platelets and two units of blood which may have helped to give him some energy. He does not have any pain today, and we are counting it as answered prayer that the mouth sores he was experiencing seemed better today compared to yesterday. The doctor added another medication to help with these sores which will hopefully make it easier for Jim to eat.

It was a beautiful day in Fort Wayne today with the leaves just beginning to turn colors. Fall is a favorite time of the year for Jim. We were given permission to take a walk outside the hospital to enjoy the weather and see some of the leaves. We went out the side entrance of the hospital and walked all the way around to the front entrance, sat for a while on a bench, and back to his room. I loved going for a stroll with Jim as he had his sense of humor again and was cracking jokes to make us both smile. Thanks for reading this update. Please continue to pray specifically that Jim would find relief from the mouth sores and for complete healing of this disease. Our God is good and He is the faithful one.

Growing Weary

Today was a rough day for both Jim and me. Our lives have taken on a "new normal" with Jim in the hospital. Our routines have changed, and as we begin this journey we find we are growing tired with it and wish we could go back to the way it was before Jim got sick.

Jim is feeling some of the side effects of the chemotherapy. He complained of a little intestinal pain and has also developed some mouth sores which are very uncomfortable for him. Please pray that the medication will be effective and help the sores to heal. Pray for rest and renewal for us both and complete healing of this disease. This verse was a comfort to us tonight:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Hangin' at the Hospital

So, we’re spending a lot of time here. We’re thankful that this hospital is close to our home and we can easily make multiple trips here in one day if needed - another hidden blessing. I took Kyle up to visit his Dad this evening and it was sweet to see the two of them together. I think Kyle thought it was Halloween with all the masks. He showed us how many different ways there are to wear a mask on your head, hands, and feet! It was great to see Jim laugh. Kyle was a delight to him tonight.

Seems like we’re playing a waiting game now to see how Jim responds to the Induction Phase of chemotherapy. The bone marrow biopsy should be done in about a week. Jim feels good and doesn’t take as many naps during the day. I’m certain he may get a little bored, but he doesn’t complain. Thank you again for all your prayers and support. Please continue to pray that no more leukemia cells are found.

Neutropenia

Today was the last day of chemotherapy for the Induction Phase of treatment. We have been told that Jim is neutropenic which means his immune system is compromised, and it is difficult for him to fight off infection. Visitors must now wash their hands and wear a mask while visiting Jim.

Today was probably the best day Jim has had since he was admitted. He seemed well rested and felt good. He went for a couple walks to get some exercise and has begun both occupational and physical therapy to work his muscles. I spoke with the oncology nurse today, and she told us that the blood tests show 0 leukemic cells in Jim's blood. Yes, that right - zero! We still need the results of a bone marrow biopsy which, will be done in 1 week to confirm that the Induction Phase was successful, but we are certainly on the right track. The nurse said she was "just tickled" about how well Jim is doing. So are we. God is so good to supply all our needs. Please continue to pray for complete healing of this disease.

Day Ten

We're on the last day of chemo in the Induction Phase. Jim had a great day. He slept well and felt good except for being tired. I brought in more cards for him to read. He really loves getting cards and having visitors. Thanks for your prayers and all your support.

The Treatment Protocol

I have been given a large folder full of information about AML and the treatment protocol for it. I am nowhere near understanding it fully, but I thought I’d try to give you a little idea of how the doctors will be treating this disease.

Phase I is called the Induction Phase. Jim undergoes one week of chemotherapy. Three different chemotherapy drugs are used over this one week period. He then has a two week recuperation time. Jim began this phase last Thursday. They will do a blood test to check his levels after the first week of chemo. This is all done as an inpatient. If everything looks good, he will go on to Phase II which is called the Consolidation Phase. That requires three sets of a week of chemo and two weeks off for a total of nine weeks. During the Consolidation Phase after the first week of chemo, Jim will be allowed to come home, I think, to spend the two weeks of recuperation time at home. He will then be admitted to the hospital for each week of chemo. After the Consolidation Phase, a bone marrow biopsy will be done to see if he has gone into remission. This is all the best case scenario. If Jim doesn’t do well after the Induction Phase, he will need to repeat that treatment again which would be called Reinduction. Please pray that the drugs he is receiving would be effective and that Jim would go into remission quickly.

Jim continues to be about the same - tired. He enjoys visiting with those who stop by. He also enjoyed all he cards that had come for him. He gets a little stiff lying in bed all day so we strolled together through the halls of the hospital this evening so he could get a little exercise. Pray for rest for both Jim and for me. I found myself looking for the milk in the cupboard today :) That's never good!

The Everlasting Arms

In 1995, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. While waiting to go into surgery, she recalled a verse she learned as a child that was a comfort to her. "The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27. I decided to cross stitch a plaque with the words of that verse to give to her as a Christmas present that year. That fall, I was stitching these very words while I sat in the waiting room of my OB-GYN office when I was pregnant with our youngest son, Kyle. Moments later, I was called back to the doctor's office were I was given the news that the baby I was carrying would be born with Down syndrome. This verse has become very special to me. Once again, I claim it for our family as we face our present circumstances. We believe that God is all powerful and is in control of the situation and we look to him for the peace that only He can give and the comfort of his everlasting arms.

Jim continues on chemotherapy today. He had a sleepless night last night and was very tired this morning. He had many visitors and was disappointed to miss a few people because he needed to sleep. I arrived later in the afternoon after he napped and again was able to spend some sweet time with my husband. One of those hidden blessings during this time is being forced to slow our lives and schedules down and spend quality time with those we love. We are so blessed. Jim has been looking forward to tonight all week. He is spending time with some buddies watching Monday night football. He really seems very much himself - just worn out. Please continue to pray that Jim would be completely healed of this disease. We are moved each day by those who have gathered around us with their love and support. Thank you for your emails and comments. I am printing them all out and sharing them with Jim. They are very encouraging to him. We love you all and thank you for your prayers.

The Good News

It seems that when we have experienced difficult times and trials in the past, we are always able to find "the good news." With Kyle, we found out quickly that we experienced many blessings by having a child with Down syndrome. With Steven, the good news is that even though he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, he presents mildly and has been able to maintain his health. Each day since Jim has been in the hospital, I have been praying that God would give us that "good news" to hold onto. Here it is: DNA studies are done from the bone marrow biosy. A chromosomal study was done and showed that Jim has an inversion of #16 which indicates that he has a good prognosis given the chemotherapy treatment. Jim asked the doctor to write this information down so I've kept this note in full view in my kitchen where I can look at it often.



Further studies have been done which confirm this finding so the word "possible" can be removed. Today, Jim reported that after 3 days of chemotherapy, the doctor told him the "blasts" in his blood went from 50 to 6. Very good news that the bad cells are being killed off. They have also confirmed that there is no more bacteria in his lungs. His pneumonia is resolving and he is breathing much easier.

We have also been so blessed by the network of people around us that are praying for us and loving and supporting us. From family who have dropped everything to be with us to friends who are providing meals and goodies and child care. We love and appreciate you all but especially appreciate your prayers on our behalf. The diagnosis Jim received has been overwhelming to us but the love and the prayers of so many have been equally overwhelming. God is using so many to supply our needs.

The First Week

On Tuesday morning, Jim underwent a bone marrow biopsy. Even as sick and sedated as he was, the nurses told me later that he gave the doctor doing the procedure a hard time about the type of instrument they used to tap into his bone. He suggested it might work better to use a double helix screw. The doctor guessed, at that point, that Jim was an engineer. It was great to see that Jim still had a sense of humor, but it was also very difficult to see him so sick. Later in the day, he underwent a "bronch" where a tube was put down into his lung to "wash" the lung and gather a sample to determine what type of bacteria he was fighting. That procedure was very successful in terms of helping Jim to breathe easier and easing his cough.

We didn't realize that the results of the biopsy would take a while and even though we didn't have all the results, we felt it was necessary to tell our boys the full story of what was going on with their Dad. I returned home from the hospital to be there when they came home from school. Telling them this news was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. After lots of tears and working through the initial shock, they boys wanted to go to the hospital to see their Dad. It was a tender sweet family moment full of tears. but we also reassured each other that the Lord has aways been faithful to us, and we will depend on Him again for our strength and peace and for healing of this disease.

Wednesday was a better day for Jim. The medications he had been receiving seemed to be doing their jobs. He looked better and felt better and even walked a lap around the ICU. The procedure for that day was to do an ultrasound to make sure Jim's heart was strong enough to start the chemotherapy treatment and the results showed it was. They scheduled the chemotherapy to begin on Thursday.

Both Thursday and Friday were good days for Jim. The chemo was started but he really didn't feel any effects from it. He was determined to work his lungs and got up two to three times a day to "power walk" laps around the ICU. He did 4 to 5 laps each time. The nursing staff teased him that he should start a walking club so they all could get their exercise. He was reminded that not many patients in ICU do powerwalks and it was fun for them to see him doing so well.

Saturday, he was moved from the ICU to the Oncology Unit. He had a good day but was much more fatigued. Today, I cherished the time I was able to spend with him just hanging out with him in his room watching a little football. He is tired but feels well. We went for a walk together and ate dinner together. Jim's mood is very positive. Though the news has been very difficult and he has been understandably emotional at times, he finds comfort in his faith in Christ which encourages me as well.

The Diagnosis

On Monday, September 29, 2008 my husband, Jim, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I’ve decided to create this blog to keep everyone updated on how he is doing.
Here’s the story of how we arrived at this diagnosis . . .

Last July, Jim began having symptoms of swelling in his ankles and discoloration of his shins along with pain the area and a low grade fever. He saw the doctor and was treated for cellulitis, an infection of the deep tissues in the legs. The cellulitis didn’t respond as quickly as the doctor anticipated, and Jim was told to stay on the antibiotic for a longer period of time. To make a long story short, the symptoms improved but the swelling never totally went away.

Over Labor Day weekend, we hosted a family reunion to celebrate my Dad’s 90th birthday. After that big event, a few of us in the family came down with a bit of a sore throat for a couple days. Jim caught a cold but couldn’t shake it. His coughing has continued to persist. A few days later, he began to have symptoms of cellulitis again along with an intermittent fever and returned to the doctor for another round of antibiotics with a diuretic added this time. There was no improvement after a week or so, and Jim returned to the doctor on Thursday, September 25th. His medications were continued and an anti-inflammatory medication was started, and he was asked to return in a week for a blood test. On Saturday, the 27th, Jim coached PAL football in the morning. Not only were his ankles swollen, but his legs were swollen up to his knees. We ran a few errands that afternoon and then Jim decided to take it easy, put his feet up to hopefully relieve the swelling and watch a little football for the rest of the day. Sunday morning, he said he didn’t feel up to going to church. When I returned after dinner, I found him lying on the couch, coughing a lot and so violently he was coughing up blood. He was also running a fever and his legs had developed bruising that wasn’t there the day before. I called his doctor to see if we should take him into the Emergency Room. The doctor suspected a possible phlebitis and changed his medication and asked me to bring him in first thing Monday morning.

When we arrived on Monday, the doctor examined Jim and decided to admit him to the hospital to run some tests, concerned about possible blot clots and pneumonia. As we got settled into his room, Jim was given oxygen to help with his shortness of breath and the technician came up to draw some blood. He was then taken down for a chest x-ray. We were told his x-ray showed that he did indeed have pneumonia. The doctor also ordered a CAT scan of Jim’s legs and chest to check for blood clots.

We called Jim’s mom and told her Jim had been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. She wondered if she and Dad should come down to help, but we told her we thought we could manage for the short time we thought Jim would be in the hospital. The time came when I needed to leave Jim to be home when Kyle came home from school. On the way to the parking lot, Jim phoned me on my cell and told me he was being moved to the ICU. A bit confused, I asked why and he said he wasn’t able to talk because they were moving him but he would phone me later. I had an uneasy feeling but continued home. I waited a bit, but Jim never called. I was so uneasy at that point that I called him. That’s when he told me that the news wasn’t good. The doctor came in shortly after I left and told him that his blood tests confirmed that he had acute myeloid leukemia. My knees buckled as he told me over the phone and emotionally, I fell apart.

Later, as Jim and I talked, he was very stoic and said that we could get through this. He reminded me that just like when we received the news that Kyle had Down syndrome and Steven had cystic fibrosis, we need to take this one step at a time. That has become my mantra.

He asked me not to share this news with our sons, but to wait instead for the results of the bone marrow biopsy which was scheduled for Tuesday morning. We thought we would know more specifics about this type of leukemia and have a better idea of the prognosis. Steven came home from band, while Brad went to work, and I returned to the hospital to be with Jim. We were emotionally spent and I was functioning in a daze, still not believing this was our reality.