Just a quick update.
Greg is in St. L and doing well. He feels good, although still a little tired. His duplex is very near "The Hill," which, for those of you unfamiliar with St.L, is an ethnic Italian neighborhood full of wonderful restaurants, complete with "grandma" back in the kitchen -- or at least her recipes. I've been getting the daily update on all the great places he's been to. Yesterday he went to a breakfast joint that was straight out of the "Sopranos." Needless to say, he was the only Polish boy in there, and the only guy who needed a menu. At one point "Rocco" came in (his name really was Rocco) and it was like Norm coming in to Cheers ("ROCCO!"). Greg's first thought was: "If a fight breaks out -- I'm on his side!" He looked like a Rocco, too -- big, hairy & dripping with gold jewelry.
Last night he got a pizza that he plans to eat off of for days. Thin, crispy, and loaded with everything. Since I wasn't there, he even got mushrooms -- the first ones he's had in over 20 years!. Sounds yummy (except for the fungus part!)
Today, his labs showed the chemo is definitely working. His platelets are down to 2.2, white count .7, reds at 3.5 and absolute neutrophil (whatever that is) at .2. No blood transfusion today, but he's penciled in for platelets tomorrow. (Andy, get yourself down there and donate some!)
He's diligently hand washing, and being careful not to cut or bruise himself. I told him to get lots of rest, too. So far, everything is as expected. The real trick now is to have his counts start going back up -- something he hasn't been very good at up until now. So, if you're looking for something specific to ask the Big Guy for, this is it.
Thanks to all for the prayers & support. I know I always sign off with that, but its really true!
Love,
Ann, Greg, Eric & Matthew.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Haircut Time!
Well, they're not exactly in order, but here's the haircut pics. You can enlarge each image by clicking on it. We actually had a good time. Greg is looking forward to all the money we'll save on shampoo! Matthew was scheduled for a cut, too, and up until he got into the chair, he vowed he was going to get his head shaved, too. When push came to shove, however, he thought better of it and just got a "regular" haircut. Greg is doing OK. A little tired, and the chest cath is giving him a lot of discomfort. But, all in all, not too bad. No real side effects yet from the cytoxan.
He and Eric left at 4 this morning for St. L. Eric just called & said they were eliminated from the tournament early, so he's on his way home with the Altoonians.
Greg is on his way to the duplex to get settled in. Tomorrow he will start his growth factor injections.
Keep the prayers flowing!
Love,
Ann, Greg, Eric & Matthew
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Its a Good Thing Gas is so Cheap!
Well, yesterday was an interesting day. We got up at 3 so we could leave for St. Louis at 4. Greg was scheduled for labs (7:45), chest catheter placement (9:00) and chemo (11:00). Because we had to leave so early, we took Matthew with us.
At 4:20, when we were at I-44 and US 65, I realized I had packed everything we could possibly need for the day (snacks, DVDs, books, crayons, toys, juice, extra underwear)...except Matthew's shoes. Great. Too late to turn around so we pressed on. Got Greg to the front door of the hospital at 7:40 & dropped him off. Then went in search of a Wal-Mart for shoes. Actually found one fairly quickly. Matthew is now the VERY proud owner of a pair of $5, "cammo" colored Crocs. I hurried back to the hospital because I was afraid they wouldn't start the chest catheter until I, his driver, was there. They're very strict about that.
Well, I needn't have worried. They called Greg back, & said they'd go ahead and prep, but were still waiting for labs. When the labs FINALLY arrived, turns out the scheduling nurse had ordered the wrong lab work. (Its only surgery, why on earth would we need a platelete count?) So, they had to start that over with a new blood draw. Its now about 9:30. When those finally got back, his plateletes were below 5. Choice? Either rerun the count with a different procedure, or transfuse him. Because this is vascular surgery, they can't go with a count below 5. They decide to rerun the labs, STAT (I always wanted to say that!) They come back 5.1. Its a go. Its about 10:45 now. No one (including me) thinks to call the Treatment Center to let them know he'll be late for chemo.
Meanwhile, Matthew and I have been watching classic Tom & Jerry on DVD. Actually made us pretty popular in the waiting room. We decide to head out for a snack, as we really haven't eaten anything. I look like a pack-mule, carrying purse, DVD case, duffle bag, & Matthew's backpack ("I'm soooo tired, Mommy!") We go to the Children's Hospital cafeteria. Had a fruit plate (3 slices pineapple, 5 stawberries, 20 grapes & a quarter cup cottage cheese), yogurt, milk and a Diet Pepsi. All for only $12! What a deal!
We go back up and at about 11:45, the nurse (who was great about keeping me informed -- she was (almost) as frustrated as we were) tells me they're about to start. Yea! So, we watch MORE Tom & Jerry, break out the coloring books, & eat Goldfish crackers, trying (unsuccessfully) to keep the crumbs to a minimum.
At about 1:15, he's finally sprung from radiology & we show up for chemo. The receptionist tells us its a 2 hour process, & tells Greg to go get something to eat, as he hasn't been able to eat all day due to the cath placement. So, back to Children's Hosp. After applying for a second mortgage, we have lunch & go back to treatment. Greg signs in. We wait. And wait.
Finally, at 2:45 or so, the treatment nurse comes out. Houston, we have a problem. The treatment takes SIX hours. And, they won't start it after 11 a.m. Great. (Why didn't the receptionist know this?)
Meanwhile, Matthew, who had been running fever the day before, and only slept about 30 minutes in the car on the way up, is getting really tired. And stuffy. And is sneezing all over the place. Just what you want in a cancer treatment center. (No fever, though -- and his pediatrician told me he's only contagious when he's running fever.)
Dr. Vij is consulted, and says Greg has to come back tomorrow. Sigh. We get home about 7 p.m. Wine is definitely in order.
So, Greg left at 6 this morning to go back (hey, its only an extra tank & a half of gas!). I get up soon after, and then Matthew wakes up crying. Very uncharacteristic. He sounds like a 4-pack a day smoker, can't breathe through his nose, and is running a fever, again. So, I'm at home, again. The good news is, my coloring skills are really improving! But, my house isn't any cleaner.
Now, the growth factor & pheresis, which was supposed to begin Sunday, is pushed back a day. Hopefully, this won't effect our June 9 admission date. We'll see.
But Greg & Eric are off to St. L on Sunday anyway, as Eric has a JV LaCrosse tournament there. Greg will take him, and the Altoonians will bring him home. Greg will stay for about 2 weeks for stem cell collection.
We definitely have the duplex beginning that day. I'll send out a separate e-mail with the address & phone number, since the blog isn't secure.
So, we're off, but not exactly running. Hopefully we're getting all the hitches out of the way early, and it'll be smooth sailing from here on out.
Oh, and Saturday is haircut day, so stay tuned.
I'd write more, but I have to go watch Sesame Street & play cars now.
Thanks again for all the love & support. We sure need all we can get!
Love,
Ann, Greg, Eric & Matthew
At 4:20, when we were at I-44 and US 65, I realized I had packed everything we could possibly need for the day (snacks, DVDs, books, crayons, toys, juice, extra underwear)...except Matthew's shoes. Great. Too late to turn around so we pressed on. Got Greg to the front door of the hospital at 7:40 & dropped him off. Then went in search of a Wal-Mart for shoes. Actually found one fairly quickly. Matthew is now the VERY proud owner of a pair of $5, "cammo" colored Crocs. I hurried back to the hospital because I was afraid they wouldn't start the chest catheter until I, his driver, was there. They're very strict about that.
Well, I needn't have worried. They called Greg back, & said they'd go ahead and prep, but were still waiting for labs. When the labs FINALLY arrived, turns out the scheduling nurse had ordered the wrong lab work. (Its only surgery, why on earth would we need a platelete count?) So, they had to start that over with a new blood draw. Its now about 9:30. When those finally got back, his plateletes were below 5. Choice? Either rerun the count with a different procedure, or transfuse him. Because this is vascular surgery, they can't go with a count below 5. They decide to rerun the labs, STAT (I always wanted to say that!) They come back 5.1. Its a go. Its about 10:45 now. No one (including me) thinks to call the Treatment Center to let them know he'll be late for chemo.
Meanwhile, Matthew and I have been watching classic Tom & Jerry on DVD. Actually made us pretty popular in the waiting room. We decide to head out for a snack, as we really haven't eaten anything. I look like a pack-mule, carrying purse, DVD case, duffle bag, & Matthew's backpack ("I'm soooo tired, Mommy!") We go to the Children's Hospital cafeteria. Had a fruit plate (3 slices pineapple, 5 stawberries, 20 grapes & a quarter cup cottage cheese), yogurt, milk and a Diet Pepsi. All for only $12! What a deal!
We go back up and at about 11:45, the nurse (who was great about keeping me informed -- she was (almost) as frustrated as we were) tells me they're about to start. Yea! So, we watch MORE Tom & Jerry, break out the coloring books, & eat Goldfish crackers, trying (unsuccessfully) to keep the crumbs to a minimum.
At about 1:15, he's finally sprung from radiology & we show up for chemo. The receptionist tells us its a 2 hour process, & tells Greg to go get something to eat, as he hasn't been able to eat all day due to the cath placement. So, back to Children's Hosp. After applying for a second mortgage, we have lunch & go back to treatment. Greg signs in. We wait. And wait.
Finally, at 2:45 or so, the treatment nurse comes out. Houston, we have a problem. The treatment takes SIX hours. And, they won't start it after 11 a.m. Great. (Why didn't the receptionist know this?)
Meanwhile, Matthew, who had been running fever the day before, and only slept about 30 minutes in the car on the way up, is getting really tired. And stuffy. And is sneezing all over the place. Just what you want in a cancer treatment center. (No fever, though -- and his pediatrician told me he's only contagious when he's running fever.)
Dr. Vij is consulted, and says Greg has to come back tomorrow. Sigh. We get home about 7 p.m. Wine is definitely in order.
So, Greg left at 6 this morning to go back (hey, its only an extra tank & a half of gas!). I get up soon after, and then Matthew wakes up crying. Very uncharacteristic. He sounds like a 4-pack a day smoker, can't breathe through his nose, and is running a fever, again. So, I'm at home, again. The good news is, my coloring skills are really improving! But, my house isn't any cleaner.
Now, the growth factor & pheresis, which was supposed to begin Sunday, is pushed back a day. Hopefully, this won't effect our June 9 admission date. We'll see.
But Greg & Eric are off to St. L on Sunday anyway, as Eric has a JV LaCrosse tournament there. Greg will take him, and the Altoonians will bring him home. Greg will stay for about 2 weeks for stem cell collection.
We definitely have the duplex beginning that day. I'll send out a separate e-mail with the address & phone number, since the blog isn't secure.
So, we're off, but not exactly running. Hopefully we're getting all the hitches out of the way early, and it'll be smooth sailing from here on out.
Oh, and Saturday is haircut day, so stay tuned.
I'd write more, but I have to go watch Sesame Street & play cars now.
Thanks again for all the love & support. We sure need all we can get!
Love,
Ann, Greg, Eric & Matthew
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Prep Time
Well, we got the final schedule, and, if pheresis (collection of stem cells) goes as planned, we are on track for hospital admission June 9.
Next Wednesday, 5/14, we start in St. L at 7:45 a.m. (This will be interesting, as Greg has to teach in Joplin Tuesday night until about 8:30, and gets home around 10). He will get his catheter placed, and then his cytoxan chemotherapy. In my last post, I thought this was to release stem cells. Actually, its regular chemo to start cleaning things up. He goes back to St. L to stay 5/18, where he'll start injections of growth factor -- that's to stimulate stem cell release.
His hair will start falling out soon after the 5/14 injection, and he's scheduled for a "haircut" on 5/17. I'll take pics & see if I can figure out how to post them. Matthew and Eric said they're going to get "sympathy cuts," but we'll see. Eric has to work that day, and Matthew may decide he likes his pretty red locks. Mom does. Last time, Greg didn't want to get the "pre-transplant" haircut (head shave). Things got pretty ugly. After about half of it fell out on its own (ew!), we cut the rest off while at the hospital. For legal reasons, they won't give you shears to do it, so we did it with the craft scissors I had brought along (damn lawyers!). Not pretty.
Anyway, he could be in St. L as long as 5/30 before he gets to come home. We hope the duplex will be available on time.
So, in the meantime, we're busy getting ready on our end. The "care and feeding manual" is up to 32 pages, but most of that is things related to the house (garbage pickup, mail, grass cutting, etc.), and driving directions. We've had tons of offers of help, most of which we're trying to take advantage of.
For now, just keep those prayers and good mojo coming our way. We can't tell you how much we appreciate them!
Love,
Ann, Greg, Eric & Matthew
Next Wednesday, 5/14, we start in St. L at 7:45 a.m. (This will be interesting, as Greg has to teach in Joplin Tuesday night until about 8:30, and gets home around 10). He will get his catheter placed, and then his cytoxan chemotherapy. In my last post, I thought this was to release stem cells. Actually, its regular chemo to start cleaning things up. He goes back to St. L to stay 5/18, where he'll start injections of growth factor -- that's to stimulate stem cell release.
His hair will start falling out soon after the 5/14 injection, and he's scheduled for a "haircut" on 5/17. I'll take pics & see if I can figure out how to post them. Matthew and Eric said they're going to get "sympathy cuts," but we'll see. Eric has to work that day, and Matthew may decide he likes his pretty red locks. Mom does. Last time, Greg didn't want to get the "pre-transplant" haircut (head shave). Things got pretty ugly. After about half of it fell out on its own (ew!), we cut the rest off while at the hospital. For legal reasons, they won't give you shears to do it, so we did it with the craft scissors I had brought along (damn lawyers!). Not pretty.
Anyway, he could be in St. L as long as 5/30 before he gets to come home. We hope the duplex will be available on time.
So, in the meantime, we're busy getting ready on our end. The "care and feeding manual" is up to 32 pages, but most of that is things related to the house (garbage pickup, mail, grass cutting, etc.), and driving directions. We've had tons of offers of help, most of which we're trying to take advantage of.
For now, just keep those prayers and good mojo coming our way. We can't tell you how much we appreciate them!
Love,
Ann, Greg, Eric & Matthew
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Leaving Comments on the Blog
Hi everyone!
A number of people have reported experiencing problems leaving a comment on the Blog. I've checked around, and I think there are two possible ways.
The easiest is to just click on the comments section. Off to the right is a box you can type your comment in. You will be listed as "anonymous" if you do this, but you can leave your name at the bottom. If you use this method, you have to type in the word verification that appears after the comment box.
The other way is to create an account, which I think you can do on either the blog page or on the comments page. Just look for a link. I think you may have to create an e-mail account, too. Its a Goggle account, and its free.
If anyone else has any further input on comments, let me know (or, leave a comment!)
Either way, I hope to hear from everyone once things are going strong.
Love,
Ann
A number of people have reported experiencing problems leaving a comment on the Blog. I've checked around, and I think there are two possible ways.
The easiest is to just click on the comments section. Off to the right is a box you can type your comment in. You will be listed as "anonymous" if you do this, but you can leave your name at the bottom. If you use this method, you have to type in the word verification that appears after the comment box.
The other way is to create an account, which I think you can do on either the blog page or on the comments page. Just look for a link. I think you may have to create an e-mail account, too. Its a Goggle account, and its free.
If anyone else has any further input on comments, let me know (or, leave a comment!)
Either way, I hope to hear from everyone once things are going strong.
Love,
Ann
Monday, April 28, 2008
The (Tentative) Schedule
Well, I hope you all got the e-mail I sent, and can now access this blog. The only e-mail I got back as undeliverable was Sarah. Andy or Lynn, could you please let her know about this? Also, I don't think I have Shelly's correct e-mail address. Also, Tammy should've gotten this, but I don't have Tom's address. As always, pass along to anyone who you think will be interested. Sadie and Diane will have to rely on the old telephone.....
As many of you know, Greg's blood counts have been down for quite a while -- red, white & platelets. I haven't been able to figure out what's in his veins, as its certainly not blood! Not booze, either. Anyway, we finally got aggressive with the doc, and demanded she do something. She scheduled him for 4 shots of Neupagin (no, its not served on the rocks!). He had his first last Thursday. Its designed to bring your white count up. Anyway, when he went in for his Friday shot, they checked his whites and, lo and behold! They were well within the normal range for the first time in about 2 months. Duh! I should've gone to medical school ("Um...I was told there would be no math"). The real test will come next Friday, when we see if they held. Stay tuned. The reds and plateletes have to come back by themselves. She said if she transfuses him, the counts will just go down. I don't really get it. Anyway, aside from being a little cold and a little tired, he feels pretty good. Just busy winding down the semester, moving his office (that's another story), and getting ready for the transplant. Its amazing how much needs to be done.
I don't have definite dates yet, as those won't come from the nurse in St. Louis until the first or second week of May. However, they gave us a tentative schedule, so I thought I'd include it for those who are helping out with childcare, etc. This is all subject to change, but hopefully, not much. Here goes:
May 14
Greg goes to St. Louis to get a shot of Cytoxin. This is to prod his body into releasing healthy stem cells into his bloodstream. He gets to come home that day. He also gets a catheter (not THAT kind!) so they can draw blood, administer drugs, etc. more easily. He'll have three wires sticking out of his chest for the duration, and can't get it wet. Sigh.
May 18 or 19
Greg goes back to St. Louis to hang around. Hopefully, we will have our duplex by then. He will not be admitted, but must be in town, as he will be susceptible to infection and if he has to be hospitalized, they want him there so they don't miss collecting the stem cells.
May 26
Begin collecting stem cells. Keep your fingers crossed! Once they get enough (2-4 days?), he can go home (to Springfield) if he's stable.
June 9
Admitted to hospital, start chemo. Generally, two days of chemo to kill his existing bone marrow, and then a day or so of rest.
June 12
Gets his new stem cells.
If all goes well, he's out of the hospital in 17 days or so, then another week of hanging around St. Louis, going to clinic every day, then home.
The Altoonian family is taking care of the boys for the first week. Matthew is really looking forward to staying at "Uncle Greg's" house.
Judy and Dana come the second week, on or around June 15, til around June 21 or 22. Judy, could you post a comment with your exact dates? After that I'm hoping the Skibinski clan can take over. I really hope the boys can stay together during transplant time, especially for Matthew's sake. He needs his brother, since I won't be around much. And, for those of you who don't know, Eric got a job, so he has to stick around here. He's going to lifeguard at the Nixa community pool. Yikes! Seems just yesterday he wouldn't go in the water. (Oh, wait! That WAS yesterday!)
I guess that's plenty for now. I'll post more details as they develop. Until then, thanks again for all your prayers, help & support.
Love,
Ann & Greg
As many of you know, Greg's blood counts have been down for quite a while -- red, white & platelets. I haven't been able to figure out what's in his veins, as its certainly not blood! Not booze, either. Anyway, we finally got aggressive with the doc, and demanded she do something. She scheduled him for 4 shots of Neupagin (no, its not served on the rocks!). He had his first last Thursday. Its designed to bring your white count up. Anyway, when he went in for his Friday shot, they checked his whites and, lo and behold! They were well within the normal range for the first time in about 2 months. Duh! I should've gone to medical school ("Um...I was told there would be no math"). The real test will come next Friday, when we see if they held. Stay tuned. The reds and plateletes have to come back by themselves. She said if she transfuses him, the counts will just go down. I don't really get it. Anyway, aside from being a little cold and a little tired, he feels pretty good. Just busy winding down the semester, moving his office (that's another story), and getting ready for the transplant. Its amazing how much needs to be done.
I don't have definite dates yet, as those won't come from the nurse in St. Louis until the first or second week of May. However, they gave us a tentative schedule, so I thought I'd include it for those who are helping out with childcare, etc. This is all subject to change, but hopefully, not much. Here goes:
May 14
Greg goes to St. Louis to get a shot of Cytoxin. This is to prod his body into releasing healthy stem cells into his bloodstream. He gets to come home that day. He also gets a catheter (not THAT kind!) so they can draw blood, administer drugs, etc. more easily. He'll have three wires sticking out of his chest for the duration, and can't get it wet. Sigh.
May 18 or 19
Greg goes back to St. Louis to hang around. Hopefully, we will have our duplex by then. He will not be admitted, but must be in town, as he will be susceptible to infection and if he has to be hospitalized, they want him there so they don't miss collecting the stem cells.
May 26
Begin collecting stem cells. Keep your fingers crossed! Once they get enough (2-4 days?), he can go home (to Springfield) if he's stable.
June 9
Admitted to hospital, start chemo. Generally, two days of chemo to kill his existing bone marrow, and then a day or so of rest.
June 12
Gets his new stem cells.
If all goes well, he's out of the hospital in 17 days or so, then another week of hanging around St. Louis, going to clinic every day, then home.
The Altoonian family is taking care of the boys for the first week. Matthew is really looking forward to staying at "Uncle Greg's" house.
Judy and Dana come the second week, on or around June 15, til around June 21 or 22. Judy, could you post a comment with your exact dates? After that I'm hoping the Skibinski clan can take over. I really hope the boys can stay together during transplant time, especially for Matthew's sake. He needs his brother, since I won't be around much. And, for those of you who don't know, Eric got a job, so he has to stick around here. He's going to lifeguard at the Nixa community pool. Yikes! Seems just yesterday he wouldn't go in the water. (Oh, wait! That WAS yesterday!)
I guess that's plenty for now. I'll post more details as they develop. Until then, thanks again for all your prayers, help & support.
Love,
Ann & Greg
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Blog is Up & Running!
Hi everyone!
I'm starting this blog to help keep everyone up to date during Greg's transplant. I figure its the best way for all of us to communicate, and to send Greg good wishes during his treatment and hospital stay. Anyone can read this anytime they want. Its not restricted, so feel free to pass the web address on to anyone you think will be interested. The best part is, that anyone can send comments, and we all can read them (so, I guess that means no potato salad jokes). I'm not going to post daily until the transplant stuff gets into full swing (probably end of May -- beginning of June, but more on that later). I just wanted to get this up & running, although its been remarkably easy, so far. For now, I'll post when things happen, so keep checking back from time to time. I can also post pictures, so you'll get to see things like the pre-transplant haircut, the hovel -- I mean duplex -- I've rented in St. Louis, etc. I'm not sure if you guys can post pics in your comments. If anyone can figure that out, let the rest of us know (Lauren!). That would really be cool. I'll have my laptop in St. Louis, & Greg will be able to see everyone's comments daily.
In the next few days, I'll post the schedule as we understand it now. This is from our last Dr. appt. in St.L., although the nurse said we wouldn't get a "firm" schedule until the first week or two in May. The big date to remember is June 9 -- that's the target date for admission, although Greg has to be in St. L for about 2 weeks prior to that, as he will be susceptible to infection.
As I said, I just wanted to get started. We really appreciate everyone's love, prayers and support during this time. We can't thank you enough!
Love,
Greg, Ann, Eric & Matthew
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)