Here's the latest:

Last Thursday Laura started on IV fluids at home. Before that time, she wasn't able to eat very well and there was some concern about dehydration and energy levels. So, they gave her an IV for home use and she was told to remain on that for a week.

Today she went to the doctor and they said that she was doing well --  in spite of a drop in WBC. They said that sometimes drops happen and they weren't concerned. They decided to keep her on the IV for at least a week or maybe longer because they think it's helping her energy. From what I saw when I was there, that seems to be so.

She's also been eating better. And, I guess that could be due to many factors, but one of the big reasons, I think is 'cause she doesn't have to take those GIGANTIC Amoxicillin pills anymore. The size of those alone would make anybody feel queasy.

Emotionally she's doing pretty well. It helps to have all of her children with her. There are days, however, that are a little more challenging than others when it comes to being cheerful and upbeat. She amazes me, though, in her strength and determination.

Sorry the updates have been spread out. I think it's safe to say, when you don't see an update, that "No news is good news." 

Have a good rest of your week.

Thanks for loving Laura.

(For you, Clif ♥)

Quick post:

Laura had lots of IV fluids yesterday. The home healthcare nurse came today to show Laura and Lisa how to administer the IV fluids at home. She had one bag of fluids (4 hours of drip) today and I can't believe how much better she seems.

She's eaten more. She's taken a walk. She's fussed more (in a  good way). She's had a sense of humor. Her color is better. And, to my knowledge, she's kept all of her food, fluids and meds down today.

What a difference a day makes!

Please pray that things will continue to improve and that she will feel better and BETTER everyday.

Please pray, too, for my cousin, Olivia and her husband. My Aunt Alberta died yesterday. She was the last of my mother's generation and she was very special to all of us. We will all miss her. She was full of life and spunk for a long time and I know that my Uncle Tom and my mother will be happy to see her again.

Love y'all.

Laura had a doctor's appointment today.

Her white blood counts are at 5.8! Which is great! (And, for those of you who might not know, 5.8 is really 5,800)... Her magnesium and potassium were low and she's been having trouble retaining food and liquids and her meds. So, they gave her an infusion to boost her magnesium and potasium and to boost fluids.

And, while she was still exhausted from the day, she climbed six flights of stairs after her appointment to get to the car. Though I don't think she would tell you she felt GOOD today, she definitely felt better today than yesterday.

They sent her home with IV fluids which she will have for the next seven days. I think it's a good thing.

I thought it was enough exercise that she climbed those stairs, but she decided to take a walk with Lisa after supper tonight! Isn't she something?!

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Here are some photos of the IV fluids arrriving and just a glimpse at what all is involved in making Laura feel good again.

Love y'all!

 

Laura had a tough day today... Hard to get out of bed... Headache... Hard to eat and keep things down... Hungry anyway... Walked a little bit, though!

Lisa and Clif are so great. Lisa keeps up with all of Laura's medicines and takes her temp. Helps change her dressing and cleans her port (or whatever the official name of it is). Keeps up with all of Laura's appointments, too. Clif gives her good back rubs and helps take care of household-y things.Both of them check on Laura all day. And Emily calls often (and will be here soon!).  Laura sure does have some sweet children.

She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Praying there will be wisdom shared on how to take the meds and eat enough of the right kinds of foods (and keep them down) so that she can start to feel better. Eating and sleeping and lack of energy are the current hurdles.

Your continued prayers are appreciated.

♥

Laura is very tired. Way more often than she wants to be. Well, I guess Laura never likes to be tired. But, in case anyone is unaware, she recently underwent some intensive chemo which killed all her white blood cells. (White blood cells keep us healthy and give us energy.) And, THEN, her body received some NEW cells which are adjusting to her body. And, THAT is why she's tired. She doesn't like it.

Now, if it were a regular day and Laura got to do what she wanted all day long, I think she'd get up, have a cup of tea, maybe go hang out with her students and inspire them to be the best that they could be. The day might also include talking to her own children and inspiring THEM to be the best that THEY can be. She might go for a long walk. She might go to spinning class. She might work in the yard or do some kind of house project that she's been wanting to do. She might sew some special things either for the house or her children or her nieces or nephews. She'd cook a good dinner and enjoy eating it. Maybe she'd put up some peaches or something like that. She MIGHT even come out to Bellingham to see me or fly to San Francisco to see Emily and then she'd walk all over and soak in every single moment of every single day.

And, that's what I think is buggin' the heck out of her. She truly wants to do all those things...and then some.

What she's able to do now is take baby steps.  I believe that she's had very good days. The doctors think she's right on track. She's walked a mile for the past couple of days. The other day she went with Clif to the bookstore. She paid bills today and we went to the grocery store and to run errands.

For now, we're setting goals for the week and trying to cross those things off. And, they may be seemingly simple things like walk down the street or paying bills. But they are really big accomplishments. I mean it!!

She's got at least 80 more days of this kind of healing... it kind of overwhelms her, but I say she's doing JUST FINE. She's a very good girl who's gone through a huge thing and wants to jump right up and get back to "normal."  This is the new normal, but the old normal will be back before you know it.

Please pray that she will allow herself to heal slowly and surely. Pray that she'll notice what she's ABLE to do and not what she's NOT able to do. And, please pray that all of us will know how to encourage her.

Got here Saturday night and then Sunday just hung out. Robert, Mary Celeste and I went to visit our Aunt Alberta (who we love very much!!) and Laura rested. We all spent Sunday evening together and Laura did really well.

This morning Laura, Lisa and I went to the doctor. Her WBC is 3.8. They say she's doing really well. And, the best news of her day was that she can now have fresh fruits and vegetables! But, her magnesium was low and they thought she needed more fluids so she had a two hour infusion...She was there from 9:00 - 3:00. Long day.

But! She came home and we all went for a walk.

For dinner tonight, we had poached egg with spinach and parmesan cheese on English muffin. ☺

And, now, we're just sittin' around before it's time to lie down and go to sleep.

We love y'all!

The doctors thought that yesterday was a bit too soon to leave the hospital. They wanted to make sure that all was well with her oral meds. (They probably just like havin' Laura around 'cause she's such a great patient!)

So, they kept her overnight again, but the official word is that she gets to leave today by about 1:00.

One of the tasks now is to try to manage her medicine so that she doesn't feel sick when she eats.

Robert gets to Atlanta on Friday and I get there Saturday. I get to stay a week!  It will be so nice to be at Mama's...and I hope the weather allows for sittin' on the porch. Ahhhhhh. The comforts of home. That oughta help the healing!!

Love you all.
GFW!