Saturday, September 30, 2006

John is not doing too bad

Hi.  Sorry it has taken awhile to get back.  Let me tell you what is going on.  And let me also say that I am sorry this journal has turned into a medical logue, and not much of anything else.  It used to be a lot more fun!  But it seems I don't have time to write much anymore except about what is going on with John's health.  Not that I don't want to write about my beloved.  But maybe in the next few days I will get a chance to do a few fun entries.  We shall see.    

So John and I arrived up here at Hershey Medical Center Thursday in the middle of the night.  I guess you could say it was really very early Friday morning.  We called the oncologist at Hershey Medical Center (the hospital) on Thursday night because John had a fever.  He said to come up to the hospital right away.  The reason John had to come in right away is because John's WBC is below 1 and his ANC is 0.  So he has virtually no immune system.  If you catch something when you have no immune system, it can kill you.  Because you have no capacity to fight it off.  So John had to get to the hospital right away, so they could find out what he had, and treat him.

Well, they started John on antibiotics immediately.  Good thing they did, because the cultures they took showed that John had two blood infections, both requiring antibiotics.  It appears that the antibiotics are taking effect, because John's fever is very minimal.  The antibiotic is keeping it down.  The doctors are doing further tests to pinpoint the exact kind of infections he has, to even better find out a more specific kind of antibiotic to fit John's needs.

The doctors are also trying to discover why John has a compromised immune system in the first place.  Why he doesn't have much white blood cells to fight off infection.  They are planning on doing a bone marrow biopsy (major ouchie for John!).  I think they will do that next week.  I am also wondering if the transplant is still working fully, or if something is wrong because of the low white blood count.  I imagine that if the transplant is not taking, then it will show up in the bone marrow biopsy.  Please, Jesus, don't let John go out of remission and get bone marrow cancer back.

John is still requiring blood.  But only two units (bags) once a week, twice a week at the most.  I asked the oncologist today if John was going to have to get two bags of blood every week for the rest of his life.  Because John lives at a very anemic level, and is always very close to needing blood.  His problem that he left the hospital for two weeks ago has not been resolved yet.  It is better, but not fixed.  The oncologist said, no, that John would continue to improve, and would not require blood like that for the rest of his life.  He said he would stop back and talk to us about it.  But he never did.  I did go back to Hope Lodge for a few hours though, so I might have missed him.  I am staying at Hope Lodge again, on Friday morning I got a place there.  But some nights I just stay over in the hospital room.  I think I will do that tonight.

So all in all, John could be doing a lot worse.  Yes, better, but yes, worse.  He doesn't seem to be completely weak.  Maybe that is because he had two bags of blood yesterday.  And his fever is down.  He stays in his room with the door closed so he doesn't catch anything.  he is allowed to leave the room, if he has a mask on.  So we went for a few walks in the hall today, and sat out near the nurse's station just to get a change of pace.  I believe he is doing well because he wasn't able to make it to the nurse's station for a whole month during his last hospital stay.  He is not nearly as weak this stay.  Of course, there is always the possibility of dying if your ANC is 0, but I am not going to think of that right now.  

Ok, so that's about it.  Hope to do that light hearted entry soon!

Love you all, Krissy :)

44 comments:

  1. Glad that John is doing better. Will keep you both in our prayers.
    Barbara

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  2. Krissy don't worry about what you write about... we all are concerned and love both you and John... we want to know... keeping both in good thoughts and prayers.
    hugs
    d

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  3. I didnt check my alerts much yesterday and just started,, I was an emotional wreck when I heard about johns immune system,,,,just read it about 20 mintues ago....glad in part to hear he is better but will pray steadfastly until he is eating home made soup and sleeping in his own bed....love you both  -Raven

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  4. Krissy,
    Sounding more and more promising.   Thanks for the update.
    Love to you both,
    Nancy

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  5. My prayers are with you dear. Give John a hug! :)
    Blessings, Sugar

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  6. it's ok with me if your journal is medical. cause we know your only writing about your dear hubby. i will say a prayer for him tonight before i close my eyes. ((((hugs to you both)))))
    Cindy

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  7.    So glad he is doing better then the last time he was in.  We all care about the 2 of you so write whatever you want.  We will all laugh and rejoice when he is out of the woods.

                              Julie

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  8. p.s.  Tell John I said hi.  I plan to get mail off to him.  But in the meantime if you could tell him hi for me, that'd be great!

    Kate

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  9. Krissy,

    Thanks for the update!  I'm glad John is doing ok, and I hope he continues to improve.

    Major prayers going up that he doesn't have the bone marrow cancer.
    And that the tranplant did take!

    I love you guys.. lots and lots!  and then some.

    Hang in there.  

    Kate

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  10. So sorry to hear you had to get back to the hospital again.  Thank God that the anitibiotics are working.  Prayers and good thoughts coming your way.  Please keep us posted as you can.
    Hugs, Barb  

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  11. I'm happy to hear that John is responding to the antibiotics. We don't mind you writing about more serious things in your journal, life isn't happy and funny all the time and we want to hear how John and you are doing. I'm praying that John will keep on getting better and his immune system will not be down for too long. I hope the biopsy will show what's going on. Lofve, Jeannette xx  

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  12. you poor thing. I'm so sorry John is back in the hospital. I will be praying. He has been through so much and so have you. Hugs and love.

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  13.     Stay safe. You are in my prayers. And I hope that you and John are back on your feet very soon. I know what it's like to be on call when your significant other is so ill. It ain't easy. Get whatever rest you can because you will need your strength.
    Jude
    http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

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  14. Krissy you be safe and take care of yourself.  John has all he can handle right now.  You have to take care of you and keep yourself going strong.  So don't forget to have a Calgon moment and let yourself recharge.

    Hugs my dear friend,

    Deb

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  15. Hey Krissey you dont have to appologise.You have quite rightly been busy with John.Good luck in all of John's treatment.

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  16. What a rollercoaster you two are on.  I'm glad for the time being that he is doing better.  Hopefully, that will be a continued direction.

    Greg
    http://journals.aol.com/radar446/PhotoTrek/

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  17. STILL PRAYING HERE  FOR JOHN AND FOR U TO BE AS STRONG AS YOU CAN BE ...SENDING A BIG HUG UR WAY

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  18. Don't worry about what you write here, please just keep writing.  No apology needed.  God bless you both and thank you for opening my eyes to your world.  Shana

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  19. Still praying for you both. Hope John soon gets better where you both can come back home. Hugs, Helen

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  20. Hey, you write based on what is going on in your life... This is what is going on for you guys. Don't worry, you are not boring us. We are worried about John too!

    Take care of John, but take care of you also. Hang in there kid! One day at a time. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and sending good vibes winging your way.
    http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
    http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

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  21. You are amazing !  I think of all the two of you have been through and yet your outlook is so beautifully positive !  One day at a time is all we are promised !  Take good care ! (((Hugs ))) May our dear Lord bless you both !  'On Ya'  -ma

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  22. For your sake I hope you get to do lots and lots of light hearted entries very soon.
    Thoughts and prayers as always, Martha

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  23. Krissy,
    Journals are about what goes on in life, and John's illness is a major part of it. Glad to hear that things appear to be basically under control for the moment. Update when you can

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  24. Your strength is amazing! Going through my own bout with chemo now, the fatigue is overwhelming at times. Just knowing that there so much medicine running through me wipes me out. I live for those "Normal" moments.....the ones that I actually forget my battle and have a pre-cancer moment....those moments give me hope.

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  25. You are an inspiration to many...love to you and John...hugs and love,
    Joyce

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  26. Krissy, I am glad that the oncologist said John doesn't need blood for the rest of his life.  I am not totally convinced until I hear why, but I will take that answer for now.  Good to hear that John is walking =).  Give John the biggest hug for me!!  John2 and I went to see Mr. Michael yesterday.  We gave him some IAMs.  Boy did he like that!  It was the reduced diet kind.  He was munching away!  LOL  I hope he still eats his Hills Prescription on Monday when we go get it.  LOL  I'm sure he will.  Awww, Krissy he was sooo loving, too, and no knots!  Take care, hon!  Love you! xox
    http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason

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  27. I continue to lift John up in prayer..for a complete healing.  And you too, dear Krissy for continued strength to be John's loving support.  Linda in Washington  

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  28. (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((KRISSY AND JOHN)))))))))))))))))))You both have my thoughts and prayers.we all love you both here in J-land.

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  29. Sending John and you prayers... and hope the docs figure it out and get him better soon.

    be well,
    Dawn

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  30. Still praying for you both.  Thanks for taking the time to update us on John`s progress Krissy.

    Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  31. Big hugs John and Krissy!!!
    You are always in my thoughts....
    Have a blessed Sunday!
    Linda :)

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  32. You are wonderful Krissy, finding the time and energy to let us know how you both are. We look forward to your updates about John. Say a big hello to him from me. Lots of {{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}} and lots of love, my special friend.
    Sylvia xxxx

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  33. glad to get the update.  i'll be praying for the two of you.
    gina

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  34. LORD PLEASE TAKE CARE OF JOHN AND MAKE HIM BETTER...
    I AM HAPPY HE IS DOING OK. KEEP STRONG
    NOELLE

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  35. I AM PRAYING THAT THE GOOD LORD WILL LIFT YOU BOTH UP AND SUPPLY FOR YOU A MIRACLE.
    LOVE YA,
    CARLENE

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  36. LORD...continually keep watch over Krissy and John.  Please give them strength, comfort and healing.  AMEN.
    Krissy....take care of YOURSELF, too.  The last thing you need is to get sick with all the running around.  {{{{{{KRISSY}}}}}}}
    Hugs,
    Gina

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  37. I am sending my prayers your way hun!! Hope John gets a lot better soon!


    Hugs,
    Chelle

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  38. I hope that things turn out ok.  Thanks for the update.
    Pam

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  39. it breaks my heart to read of John's ups & downs...It really causes a person to evaluate their life and think about what is really important. You both are on my mind and in my prayers often. Hope you get some good news soon.
    Hugs
    Melissa

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  40. Thinking of you and John. . .hope everything settles for you.What a time you have been having especially John.May God look after you both x x x

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  41. Hello my sister..GOD bless you and good to see you again!!! You all in my prayers. ~FLAVA~

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  42. Don't worry about your journal that used to be fun.  People are coming here now because they care about you both.  Prayers coming your way.     Hugs,     Dawn

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  43. You and John keep fighting and we'll keep praying friend! Tammy

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  44. Little signs of good things make all the difference.
    Kellen

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