Reflections From a Country Girl

This is the first of who knows how many updates I’ll be sharing on the Reflections site about what’s going on with mom. I anticipate writing once a week or so, but it may be more or less frequent, I’m not sure yet. 

 

We had arranged to stay at a friends apartment, who has been very generous with his offering to let us use his place while he stays with his girlfriend. A few hours after we got there, mom decided to take a nap. I then also took a nap after a few phone calls, but when I woke up mom was awake and rocking back and forth, trying to control her breathing better. This scared me a little, and after calling the hospital we decided to go to the ER.

 

Dr. Shpall and her team seem like great people. Like everyone (including the ER doc) at MD Anderson, they listened intently and well, and without seeming to want to get out of the room or annoyed at our questions. This I very much appreciate. Dr. Shpall indicated that there looked to be leukemic cells in the blood, and thus because of what she has they can’t do any transplant until the leukemia is in remission. Conclusively, Dr. Shpall and her team will be watching from a distance as the leukemia doctors take over for chemo.

 

We originally anticipated being here for a week, possibly a little longer. Instead, the chemo will begin on either friday or monday, and is roughly a 30 day process. So, I’m in Houston for the next 30 days, for now, and then longer, later. I may come home for a day or two (or more? who knows) to do a few things and then drive back, but I’m not sure.

 

Around day 21 and then day 28, they will do additional bone marrow tests to see if it’s in remission. They will likely do a second round of chemo after the first, which I assume will indeed be the case, although there is a chance they’ll go straight to transplant then. The second round of chemo she could come home for, possibly, but I’ll leave it at that for now.

 

Once the transplant is actually happening (again, at least a month, if not two or more away), it is a 30 to 90 or more day process. She will have to be in Houston for that whole time, as will I. I may get family or a family friend, many have offered), to come be with her for an unknown duration during that time so that I might have a little time to myself (she has encouraged this). I have a friend or two that may visit (I encourage any of you to take a vacation to Houston). And for those around SC I’ll be letting you know when I’m going to be home any time.

 

Some have asked, pointedly, how I am doing. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. You all know me to be someone that doesn’t think the world/God/fate/karma hates him (no comments, Woody), but this is obviously stressful. Circumstances have put me in the position of feeling more alone at times than I would like. I have to be strong for mom, but when I’m alone here, I have to be strong for me,too         

 

At this moment mom is out getting a number of tests done, I’m in the hospital room freezing. It seems like every hospital puts the air vent over where they intend the visitor chair to go. They’re hopefully going to be doing the bone marrow biopsy this afternoon – and then we’ll go from there. I also must say, that I am nervous about some financial things, as a few tests they need to do (on me, others, and one or two things for mom) may not be covered by insurance and are expensive. Alas. We’ll see. On a positive note, we discovered yesterday a nice asian woman, Hannah, who plays the piano masterfully in the lobby on tuesdays. She told us if we can’t come see her there that if we request it, she can get permission to come play her violin in the room. Mom is looking ok but no energy. In her words, she said it really was fun for to strike to a conversation with Hannah. 

 

Finally, if you want to mail mom anything, the current address is as follows. DO note that she will likely change rooms when she starts chemo, but I will note that when we move there. If you send anything, the hospital mail will check if shes in a different, room, too, so it should get to her regardless.

 

Note: This address is accurate as of 5.23.09. It will most likely change when she starts chemo, and I will advice further at that time.

 

Joellen Cook

Room P603

MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcombe Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

 

Thanks, all of you, for caring enough to want to know. It means a lot to me and worlds to mom. I wish you were all here.

 

Best,

 

Pierce

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 at 6:13:pm and is filed under Health, illness, Medical. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.