Reflections From a Country Girl

Hello all,

 

Since my last update things had been relatively uneventful for a few days – things calmed down in and after she was in the ICU, and they moved her back to the leukemia floor.

 

On Monday they encouraged her to get out and about, walk, etc – we managed to stay out of the room for about 3 hours, which was great. We played cards, met a nice couple both of whom had cancer and had been surviving with it since the 80’s (the husband) and the last 10 years or so (the wife). Very encouraging, they still have cancer and seem in great health. We stepped outside for a bit, and enjoyed the fsh in the various aquariums, as well.

They moved her to the area to give her chemo on Tuesday, and started the chemo around 1:30am on Wednesday. This area is called Protective Environment, or “PE,” where anyone in the room (but her) has to have a mask, head cover, shoe cover, gown, and gloves (which I am presently wearing). Wednesday was the most like herself she seemed to have been since we got here. Up, about, energetic, using her computer and talking. This was good to see. 

 

However, today she got a fever and has had trouble breathing, and although she has not eaten much she has gained a lot of fluid, which they are working to reduce as I write this (there are four people in the room right now, other than her and myself). She’s having a hard time losing the fluid and they are literally currently trying to decide how best to approach what is going on. She may have to go back to ICU, but we’ll see.

 

Also, for those of you wanting to know, her mailing addresses are as follows for the time being. If you want me to get something, just put my name on the back or something, but send it to one of the addresses below:

 

Do keep in mind that as we get closer to the end of June, that this will change! 

 

For letters or cards:

 

Joellen Cook

Room G1049

MD Anderson Cancer Center

PO Box 300206

Houston, TX 77230

 

 

For Packages: Note that normally flowers would come to this address, but please DO NOT send flowers! She can’t have them in PE.

 

Joellen Cook

Room G1049

MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcombe Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

 

I’m doing all right, trying to stay positive and help her stay positive as well. I have some friends offering to visit soon, which will help. I know you all are concerned and my thanks for all of your well wishes, thoughts, and prayers.

 

Best,

 

Pierce

 

 

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2009 at 6:09: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.