Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Dirt and Dirt
(Scott and Bill)
and a little Cindy in the corner
T minus 4....


The Docs said his own immune system should START to come back around the 24th. Only then will Scott start to feel better.


It was a bad nights sleep,started out around 9pm when it was found his platelets had gone from 34 in the morning to 10. Those are the ones that make your blood clot. Since they won't give you blood products if you have a temp, it was the cooling blanket for Scott.  He is such a good patient. Doing everything right. Well the platelets did not get here right away and then there were pills, IV's, blood draws, bathroom trips, vitals, I think the longest uninterrupted time was less than an hour. That on top of a ratchet day = tired.  Scott has been so strong, but this morning he said "I'm not going to make it".  So sad to hear him like that, this has been so hard on him mentally and physically. We talked about how things WILL turn around in 4 days  - we can do that. One day at a time. This is most certainly the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the most important, and will be the most rewarding. Scott is the best thing that ever happened to me, took a a LONG time to find him, so he's not going anywhere :)

I had ice cream with 2 wives of patients last night. Both have husbands with AML, both are 72.  One is getting a stem cell transplant, the other not. Both say we are in the best place for treatment in the region. It was nice to compare tales, but not surprisingly, the visit only lasted about 45 minutes, none of us wanted to leave our husbands for longer than that.

Scott is getting red blood right now, trying to sleep on that darn cooling mat to keep his temp down for the blood. His rash is about the same, I put the cream on him this morning. I'm honored to be the one that gets to help him with the personal stuff, so he does not have to endure any more humiliation than completely necessary.  

He is not in anyway able to say more than a word or two at a time, and reading or going on the computer does not work. When he watches TV he falls in and out of sleep so he is not really "watching". I think this is just going to be a blur when he gets better.

Night nurse changed his PICC bandage, I was right there hovering, and actually it worked out good, because I ask so many question that she realized she was missing a couple of caps and got them before she started. Nice gal. I don't know if it is my stress level, or what, but I am more anxious about anyone that even comes near him now. When we get home, he really wants to see everyone, in small groups, so get ready to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and have to deal with Nurse Betty!

Keep praying.  -


Betty

PS. Night nurse just came in and said Ratchet was on again today and would be in shortly. I said, no, that's not going to happen.

10 comments:

  1. It's like one step forward, two steps back with a few sideways jogs in between. You're four more days and five hour energy drinks away from this horrible, dark place. This journey HAS to be for a reason.
    K

    ReplyDelete
  2. Scott I know you and Betty have been digging deep, you CAN do it, BELIEVE it. We are all praying hard for you. Stay strong, we love you so much. Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Betty, If the nursing supervisor will not do anything about her nursing staff, take it to hosp. andministration. There is NO excuse for her poor nursing skills. Iam so sorry & angry that you have to deal with poor nursing care on top of everything else. You are a strong brave women. Gods prays are with you & scott always. Joanne. ps. dick & I will be more then happy to wear anything to come see scott.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could not agree more with this advice. There is one thing to be socially inept and not relate to patient psychosocial needs but "Ratchet" may need some additional training in basic standard practices.

      Delete
  4. Please pass a message to Scott. tell him, "DO NOT GIVE UP"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Im so glad that you & Scott met! you are soo good to him. Tell him to stay strong & believe, he can do anything! luv ya, Pammy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy first day of Spring! Spring is the time for new growth to spring forward so I am sure Scott's immune system will be growing back soon. Love & hugs, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dad,
    You can do this and you are going to make it. You are the strongest person I know and I am so proud to be your daughter. Makenna has started talking so much more. She's putting sentences together. Her favorite right now is " I coloring" and "I Kenna" she still says she is 2 even though she can count up to 5 now! Lol. She won't give up 2 and move on to 3. She says "no, I two" you have to get better so you can see Grandpie's girl again. We look at a picture of you almost every night and I tell her graNpa loves her and will be home soon.... Stay strong dad. None of us are going to let you go that easily....especially Betty!!! We love you with all of our hearts. Big prayers tonight.
    Love,
    Erica and makenna xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Stupid cancer.....I want my dad back now. Thanks;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sure thinking about you today -- hoping last night was better than the night before.
    Prayers continue. Love ya both !

    ReplyDelete