Setback

Kathy is back in the hospital. She was released last week, following her second dose of chemo. She was doing great. We visited her at her RV on Saturday and she seemed energetic and healthy. She went in for routine bloodwork on Sunday and they discovered that her platelets were dangerously low again, and dropping. They will have the platelets she needs for transfusion on Wednesday.

I assume she is back in the Kohler building, on the 14th floor again. But if her levels keep dropping or if she is bleeding she will likely end up in ICU again. I will update if I hear anything different. Please send lots of positive thoughts.

From Kathy

I want to thank you all for your many thoughts and prayers. They have meant so much to me.

And my daughter in law, Melissa, for creating the Blog and keeping it up for me. She has done a beautiful thing for me.

To the oncology nurses who are truly angels. And I don't believe angels can adequately describe them. So kind and so good at what they do. At first I thought they were so dedicated to their jobs. Then realized it wasn't their jobs they were dedicated to, but their patients. When we felt like we just couldn't go on, they pick us up and carry us forward. I will never forget a one of them

I will be going back into the hospital Thursday, May 17th for another week of chemo. They think I am strong enough to go again. I have three more rounds of chemo if my body can withstand it. We are all in hopes of a complete remission. But it is very dangerous for me because my platelets run the risk of dropping to zero again, with a risk again of a brain bleed. I am praying for healing, strength and yes a whole lot of courage. With prayer from all of you yet again, I think we might just kick some more leukemia butt.

Here we go LORD, let's get it done!

Freedom!

Kathy is out of the hospital! She was discharged today, and Brian and I were lucky enough to be her transport to her temporary home. She must stay in Portland - her doctor wants her to be within quick driving distance to OHSU. On Wednesday, Rodger will be bringing their 5th wheel up and parking it in East Portland in a park that her friend lives in. Until then, she is staying with her friend.

She is so, so happy to be out. And, she got to see her grandbabies today. That always makes for a good day. She had a bone marrow biopsy Friday and the results came back great. Her levels were normal. She has lost a lot of weight and tires easily. Just packing up her room up today wore her out. 

I will work on getting an updated mailing address for her. She still cannot have flowers or plants inside her living space so please keep this in mind if bringing gifts. She will go back into the hospital for a second round of chemotherapy in 2-3 weeks; keep the positive thoughts coming. They are working!

Going For The Cure

What a beautifully sunny and warm Monday for Kathy to get some fabulous news:

"Very good news today. The docs are telling me they are Going For The CURE. No bone morrow transplant needed. Probably more chemo."

She has been in the hospital for two weeks now. It really doesn't seem like it can be two weeks already. Her bone marrow biopsy was today and that should help verify that she is kicking cancer's butt!

Post-chemotherapy recovery

Kathy is on day 1 of post-chemotherapy recovery. She had her last dose of chemotherapy Monday (4/16) night. She will have 7 days of recovery before another bone marrow biopsy to see how her bone marrow is doing and to determine whether or not she will need a bone marrow transplant.

She is tired but doing better than she was the other day. They got her nosebleed stopped; but then, she bit her tongue! :) Rodger has stayed up there with her for the past week, but will be heading back down to Grants Pass soon. He will be moving their 5th wheel up to OHSU so he has a place to stay during her treatment.

Please continue to send her good wishes and thoughts. If you would like to post a comment for her you can use the "Wishes and Words" page to post a comment (this will put all comments in one place allowing her to quickly read them).

One Week

It has been one week since Kathy got her leukemia diagnosis and arrived at OHSU.

She is having a really rough day today. Her body seems to be responding to the chemo well; but, the side effects are making phone calls and visits very difficult. She has very little energy and isn't getting much food in; she also has a nosebleed that they are trying to get stopped (her low platelet count affects clotting). She has two days left in this round of chemo, then some recovery time.

I believe Rodger has turned off her cell phone. Please keep phone calls and visits to a minimum and be sure to check with Rodger before stopping by. If you need Rodger's number you can contact Brian or Melissa; if you don't know how to contact us, leave a comment and we will get the info to you.