Monday, February 13, 2006

John is doing a lot better!

Hi!  Here to say that John is doing oh so much better.  One of the reasons is a little pill called Cellcept that John has been taking .  It fights off Graft Verses Host Disease.  What is GVHD?  It is when the donor cells see your body as an intruder, and they attack it.  I just asked John, and that is the definition he gave me.

So John has been going to "day hospital" each day.  There he has been getting an antibiotic called Vancomycin.  That helps tremendously too.  It will prevent him from getting any infections, or from getting his other infection back.  At first the hospital was going to have me administer the IV myself to John at Hope Lodge (each day until the fourteenth), but they changed their mind, thank God.  They were going to send somebody from "Critical Care" to come to Hope Lodge to show me how to do it.  In the end they decided to do it at day hospital instead.  Boy am I glad for that!  I am NOT a nurse.  At day hospital they also do a lot of other things, and we get out some time in the afternoon.  It is not too bad.  We are out of there usually at the latest by 3 PM, and we have the rest of the day free.

John has been getting stronger everyday.  There has been an occassional day where he was so tired I have had to push him in a wheelchair at the hospital, but there have been others where he is able to walk around the hospital, and all around that day!  Today was one of those good days.  He did very well!  He didn't even sleep all day, he was out of bed part of the day.  He is so strong.

John started losing his hair yesterday.  Or was it the day before.  We had shaved him bald in anticipation of it falling out before he came to Hershey, but it had already grown back, as it grows fast.  We thought he was going to keep it.  Then 21 days after chemo started, it just started to fall out allover his pillow.  So, because it was making such a mess, and was only there in patches , we got out the electric razor, and once again made him a baldie.  I will have some pics to add later on.  I can't add them yet, because I can't put them on this computer, but I will do it on mine when I get home.  

Home.  Someday we will get home.  My real home.  Where I can sleep in my own bed.  And see my kitty.  And my Dad and Mom and Valerie.

So what's been going on with me?  I have been alright.  Some days are easier than others.  A few days ago I felt a little overwhelmed.  A psychiatrist that was checking in on John at day hospital told me I needed to take a "caregiver's break" and asked me who I had reserved to fill in for me.  I just about burst into laughter.  I told him "no one".  Who would I get to relieve me?  Val has had a chest infection or something and there was no one else to take my place in taking care of John.  So Dr. Neuri told me not to worry, that I would make it, to just hang in there. 

The next day I was able to pull myself together and am now doing just fine.  As a matter of fact, John and I are having some fun when we get back from day hospital.  Days are not as long as when we were at the regular hospital.  We can come back to Hope Lodge and rest.  Yes, I am responsible totally for his care at Hope Lodge, with no nurses to help, but he is doing so much better.  So at night we just rest a lot.  And we have been watching the Olympics.  And just laying around, lol.  Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of chores to do, but I am making sure I am pacing myself.

Well, I gotta run now.  John says "Hi" to everyone, and thanks for the cards.  Love ya,  Krissy :) 

25 comments:

  1. Krissy; thanks for the update;all seems to be going as well as can be expected. Sorry, I haven't kept up with the cards....but will tryto do

    betty

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  2. John and Krissy i am so proud of you both:) praying always

    Deb

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  3. Oh, I am so glad he's doing fine! I've been worried! I am glad the nurses are giving John his IV. I have been doing CTs and when I am at work I have to get Rain to help. I can get a nurse to come in if I need her, but right now she only comes on Mondays for blood draws and dressing chages. I understand what you mean about the "relief" ! I really thought my husbands family would pitch in, but they have other important things to do(sarcasm). But that is ok Krissy! We are strong woman! Too bad CT & John aren't in the same hospital we could lean on each other! lol But I am here if you need an ear, just an email away! Just stay positive, and you seem to be doing a great job there! We are making plans for after CT gets better to join the wellness center and get in shape and start enjoying life to the fullest. This makes you really appreciate every moment! Prayers and Hugs, ~ Valarie~

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  4. :):):):):):):):):):):):)
    Linda :)

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  5. You're a rock Krissy and John is strong, he's proved that more than once.  He will have up and down days, hopefully they're more of the up ones.  I think you did right in getting the razor out. ((((( hugs as always )))))) keep looking forward and try to rest when you're able. Rache xx

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  6. so gald to hear all this positve news. I have been so behind on reading my blogs so I am glad to see you and John are holding up well... Praise the Lord : )

    (((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

    Much Love,
    Mary

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  7. This is such good news! I'm praying John will make a full recovery now, he certainly sounds like he's doing well. Just take care of yourself too, I know it's hard to be there twenty four hours of the day. John is so lucky to have a strong wife like you around for him. God bless, Jeannette xx

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  8. Very good news !! Im glad  he's doing well.

    Ellen

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  9. So glad it is all going so well Krissy.  You have been in my thoughts such a lot.  God bless you both.

    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

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  10. I am so happy that John is doing better.
    I am so sorry that I haven't been sending you any mail.  Things are a little crazy here.  But I have been keeping you and John in my prayers.

    Kathy

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  11. I am so happy to hear the good news about John...take care and you get some rest too.
    Hugs and lots of love,
    Joyce

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  12. So happy to hear he's doing so well!  And you're doing such an awesome job too.  It seems like you'll be home in no time.

    Annie =)

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  13. Hey Krissy...I actually awoke this morning thinking about you and John...wondering how you were and when we'd get an update.  I was a little worried.   Now I'm happy to see your entry and that you are both doing well.  I'm so glad.  You two will have a very, very special Valentines Day.   You sure know how to love and appreciate in the deepest sense.  Enjoy tomorrow...
    Love,
    Nancy

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  14. Praise God! You made my day! Yay! You go John!!!!! ;-)))))) Sassy

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  15. So good to see an entry from you and one that is so good.   I will continue to keep you and John in my prayers.  lelly

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  16. I am glad that the cellcept is kicking in and that John is doing better.  Just relax and enjoy the Olympics... at night.  Chores can wait!  Many prayers coming for you all...

    Btw, ER is starting a story with Armand Assante and he will have MDS!

    Be well,
    Dawn

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  17. Hey Krissey thanx for keeping us updated on Johns Progress.Wow he seems to be coming on in leaps and bounds.Bet you'll soon have him well again.Hang on in there.

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  18. Hi Krissy, I`m so pleased that John is doing so well now.  You sound very upbeat and that`s really great to hear.  Thanks for the update and just you TRY to take things easy.  Love to you both. :o))

    Hugs

    Sandra xxxxx

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  19. This all sounds like good news!! Be sure and take care of you too, John needs you, but he needs you well!! Give him a big hug and hang in there... Each day is one day closer to going home.
    http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
    http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com

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  20. Just what I needed to hear - John is slowly recovering. I'm so pleased for you both. Sending you Krissy a very special "carer's hug" - thats the one I reserve for fellow carers - {{{{{{{[[[[[[[]]]]]]}}}}}}}. You are special. Love to John.
    Sylvia xxx

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  21. Oh that sounds like such great news.  Will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers.  Sure wish I was able to give you a break that you needed. You take care of you too.
    Barb  

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  22. Glad to hear your hubby is doing better. Praying for you both.

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  23. Such good news and I am so happy for you guys.   Stay strong, prayers are being sent your way.       Dawn

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  24. Happy to hear the good news! Stay strong, Krissy.

    (((hugs))))
    Tom

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