Home again!!

     Well Gennie made it through the FLAG treatment with flying colors. She was able to come home this past Saturday. That was about five to seven days ahead of schedule. Of the 25 days she was in the hospital she really only had three bad ones. Of course these would be the three our son, daughter-in-law and grandson were here and could see her. This visit did not happen, sadly. Gennie did recover quickly from those bad days and five days later was told she could return home. The last couple of days here have been quiet by design. She has been resting and trying to eat some to regain some weight. She went in the hospital at 98lbs and came out at 92lbs. The lowest she got to was 90lbs. We both hope she can get back to at least 98 before her next stay. There have been some unwanted changes in her outlook in life. She has gotten use to having folks do things for her. This has to stop. In the hospital if she did not like what was offered for a meal she would just ask for something else. When she wanted a milkshake all she had to do was ask. I am naming this the "queen bee complex". I am hoping it will disappear with time.
     This Friday we are headed back to MCV for her next biopsy. I am hoping they will lay out the schedule for us then. They have asked for Spud's (Gennie's brother) contact information. They will be contacting him shortly to inform him of the schedule for him. If everything goes as we were told by Dr. McCarty sometime in the next three to four weeks we will be back at MCV for the transplant.
     I know many of you are more interested in how I am doing with my diet. Well I am down fifteen pounds and going further. Started to wear my skinny pants and moved two notches on my belts. Long way to go but it has been very easy while Gennie was in the hospital. Cooking for two is so much more difficult.
     Well that's it for now. I will update again after Fridays meeting.
Bye for now, Bob   

1/9 update Good News.

This morning Gennie saw the doctor with the results of the FLAG treatment. It has worked just as planned. Her bone marrow is completely empty. Her white counts are still near 0 but her red is around 8. This is good. She had a transfussion two days ago and that is why her red is up there. Now it is just a case of waiting for her white to recover enough for her to came home. This will probably take a couple more weeks.

We are very greatful she has had only minor side effects. These were delt with quickly by the doctors and nurses. By the way the care she is getting at MCV is amazing. These people really know their stuff. Kudos to all who are aiding in Gennies care!!!

Yesterday the nurses gave Gennie an award. They brought it to her room. It was for fastest walker on the floor. Many times they have had to chase her down to give her a treatment. This stuff has not slowed her down that much. Her spirits are very high. The other day I noticed a liitle something in her voice when I called her. This was the day her red count was very low. She needed that transfussion. Now that they are back up the strain in her voice is gone.

As always, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
Bye for now and GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!
Bob

update 1/5

Today is day nine. i just arrived here at MCV and found Gennie on her side having a bone marrow biopsy. It is a little sooner than I had thought it would be but her blood counts have bottomed out and that is what they look for. I suppose we will have the results in a day or two. The doctor just told us that what they are looking for is her bone marrow to be without any stem cells at all. I guess what that means is that she is without bone marrow at all right now. That is sort of scary.


To date this treatment has been going pretty well. Gennie has held up really well. There have been some minor issues but so far she has done great. The balance of time here will be waiting for the marrow to regenerate. That will be determined by another biopsy in about two weeks. The actual timing will be determined by her blood counts. She has a CBC check everyday.


As far as the dog and I are concerned we are doing fine. Jazzy misses Gennie but seems content with me as primary care giver. While Gennie is here in Richmond I decided to go on nutrisystem and drop a few pounds. It is working great. I am down eight pounds in six days. My goal is thirty pounds in three months. I am off to a good start. I have used the system before and know it works. It is really easier for me while traveling to and from Richmond.

Gennie wants to let everyone know she appreciates the thought and prayers coming her way. She misses all of you.

Well that is all for now. I will update again when we have the results of the biopsy.

Bye for now, Bob