Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Recovering

As indicated by the long lapse of posts here, it has been a pretty quiet week. Glenn is slowly recovering from his surgery. He's tired of being tired and feeling sick. That should change soon when he can get out and about more. The oncologist called Saturday with some positive news. He is pleased with the numbers that the bone marrow biopsy showed. He's says there shouldn't be a need for a second stem cell transplant. He will start Glenn on chemo by mouth every other day when we go back to see him next Wednesday. We have a week off from driving to G'ville, although we probably will go this week anyway to get some prescriptions filled/refilled. The trip there is worth the savings we get from the prescriptions. Friday Glenn has an appointment  for instructions on care of the peritoneal catheter. We don't know when he will start dialysis but we go to the nephrologist next week as well, so we should know more then. I, for one, am thankful for a quiet week after the past two weeks of activity.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The deed is done.

Glenn finally had his surgery for the fistula and peritoneal dialysis catheter placement today. He's home now and is  pretty sore. It was a little rougher than we expected, but he's on the healing side of it now. This really is becoming reality now, that he will be on dialysis from now on, once it is all healed. I'm so sorry that he has to go through this. I never imagined he'd have a serious illness and have to go through all that he has so far, and will in the future. That aspect, (the future), will be determined by the results of the bone marrow biopsy.We will know how that is by the end of the week, I'm pretty sure. The oncologist said he would call us in a couple days when he gets a preliminary report back.
My brain is pretty much fried again so I'll say ttfn.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A new week, a new phase in life

Glenn was able to get his bone marrow biopsy done today, after having to cancel twice. We should find out how the Light Chain Deposition Disease is doing from the biopsy. The Dr. said he would call in a couple days to let us know. He got his drug of choice: Ativan. Funny side effect happened today after we got home. While he was sleeping off the Ativan, his toe nails turned different colors, as if they had been painted!  Strange.                                                             Tomorrow he has surgery to have the fistula and peritoneal dialysis catheter placed. He's moving on to a new phase in his life: peritoneal dialysis. That should start soon after the catheter is healed. The fistula is a back up if there is any trouble with the catheter. I'll fill you in on how the dialysis works at a later date when we learn how to do it. He has come to fully accept having to have dialysis and has a good attitude about it. He has come a loooonnnnngggg way with all this medical stuff being done to him. He was terrified of needles in the beginning. And now he can accept something that he absolutely did not want to have to do when this all began. He's a changed man, in many ways: retired, has much less hair, definitely unstressed, not so many ideas for new businesses but much more contemplative about life, definitely has greatly grown in his dependence on, and trust in, God. Many other ways as well. You all may think this is a terrible thing that's happening to him, but he and I see it as a great blessing because it has made him a better man and has brought much glory to God, which is the goal in whatever we do.
   "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2Cor. 12:9-10

Saturday, May 19, 2012

P.S........

Glenn was discharged from the hospital this evening. There was no reason for him to stay since the fever appears to be resolved and the surgeon won't be able to do the surgery (for the fistula) until at least Wednesday. We will call on Monday to schedule it. He is feeling fine, all things considered,and is now catching up on lost sleep. I plan to do the same.

day 4

We're still here in the hospital on day 4. I hesitate to give any info on what will be done next, because as sure as I say something it will change. The vascular surgeon saw Glenn this morning, the one who will place the fistula, and he said he couldn't do the surgery Monday because the schedule is packed, and he is off Tuesday so we're hoping for Wednesday. Which means that if the other 3 Dr.s have no reason to keep him, he MIGHT go home today. But don't quote me on that. We'll know when we are home if he is going home. And we'll know when he actually has the fistula in his arm when it's going to happen. And even which hospital he has it done at, for that matter.
The Dr.s are assuming that the temp that Glenn had Thursday night was what we thought it was from: the blood transfusion. He's been ok since then. He feels ok, and we went for a short walk around the unit, today. He looks pretty scruffy, though, since he hasn't shaved for several days, and his hair has thinned out a lot since he's been on the chemo. He says he looks like a sick old man. That's a pretty accurate description. If it didn't take me 8 hours to figure out how to get pictures on this site, I'd show you.
We're going to try to take a nap while it's quiet, so shhhhh. Thanks.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Day 2

Day 2 of hospitalization has been busy  for Glenn. He's had several tests and is getting his second unit of blood right now.
His labs in the ER showed some possible heart involvement, but all the tests done since then haven't revealed any problems and the cardiologist doesn't see any reason to follow Glenn any more. There still has been no source found for the fever, everything has been clear. The infectious disease Dr. said that if his temp remained in the normal range she would stop the IV antibiotics and could release him from her care tomorrow. But this evening  his temp has started going up. We're hoping it is just a mild reaction to the blood transfusions.  The nephrologist says Glenn's kidney function is the same, so after discussion , we agreed for him to set up the surgery for the fistula here while Glenn is in the hospital, but it can only be done after the fever has been resolved. So I don't see him being released tomorrow.
The night nurse tonight said Glenn's color looks better from last night, since he has gotten the blood. I hadn't noticed his color being pale, I guess since I've been with him constantly and wouldn't notice a change. He is feeling ok, other than understandably being tired. Besides his health problems, he did lose two nights' sleep being in 2 ERs. As usual, if you talk to him on the phone you wouldn't notice any signs of him being sick from his voice. It's not that he's putting up a front, it's really how he feels and how he talks on the phone.
My brains are a little mushy and I don't know what else you all would like to know. So send me any questions you have on the comment section or e-mail me and I can fill you in.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

...continuing....

Yesterday after we got home from the G'ville ER and  I got everything unpacked, Glenn took his temp and it was higher than it had been the previous day. So I called G'ville to find out  what we should do and we were told to go to our local ER. So guess what we did! We did what we were told this time. It was still crazy busy in the ER, but I had asked the PA in G'ville to call ahead and tell them that he needed to be seen right away. So we did have to wait a while but they understood the situation and got us into a  room as soon as they could.  We spent a second night in the ER and we were told early on that he would definitely be admitted. They ran several tests and started the IV antibiotics while we were there before we got to a room upstairs. So they are continuing to do many different tests to try to determine where there is infection. So far, no source has been found. His temp has gone down and he is feeling better but they will continue the IV antibiotics, though we don't know for how long. Unfortunately, for the second time we had to cancel the surgery for the fistula that was to take place tomorrow, and he really needs to get that done because his kidney function is at dialysis level now. He may end up having to have a "central line" placed to do the dialysis before the fistula can be placed and healed. The concern there is that those can easily be introduced to infection which can quickly lead to sepsis. But it may have to be the route we use until a fistula can be placed and matured. This is where God shines: where we have our backs against the wall. So, with your prayers, we will be able to put off the dialysis. until the fistula is ready to be used.  Already Glenn has stayed off dialysis months longer than was expected And that is a result of all your prayers for him. So there is your new prayer request challenge.
Glenn's sister is doing much better and is off the ventilator, although still in ICU. His mother hasn't had any more problems arise from her fall. His sister says Martha has a pretty bad black eye and bruising on one side of her face. But she seems to be back to her normal self.
Thank you all so much for your concern and for faithfully keeping up with Glenn through this blog and your prayers. That has made this experience so much easier than it could have been. I'll be back again soon to keep you all up to date.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Whew, what a ride!

It's been an interesting past 24 hours. Started out that I called the P.A. (physician's assistant) in G'ville because Glenn has been having a low temp. She talked to the Dr. and he said to go to our local ER and be sure to tell them that he is at great risk for catching infections because his white blood cell count was so low when we were there last week. So after I got some stuff packed, and Glenn fiddle-farted around we went to one of our local ERs. But when we got there, it was PACKED. So we decided to just go to G'ville.  It was quite busy, as well. (Here's your tip for the day: try to never go to the ER on Mondays. Apparently Monday is notorious for being very busy in the ER). Oh, back up: before we left the house, our brother-in-law called to tell us that Glenn's sister, who has been on dialysis for several years, was on a ventilator and thought to be sceptic, (bad, bad infection in the body.) Not looking good there. While we were waiting for four hours to be seen in the ER in G'ville we got two calls from the nursing home where Glenn's mom lives (who is 94, with Alzheimer's). She had fallen and they needed to send her to the  ER for stitches on her head. We couldn't be there for her either. Neither of us can see either one of them because of Glenn's risk of easily catching an infection. Luckily his other sister was able to go to see their sister and then go with Martha to the ER. (Everyone at a different hospital). Martha is having some issues from the fall and we are keeping a close vigil  by the phone. 
We got into a room in the ER at midnight, and after having a bunch of lab tests, Glenn was sent on his way at 6AM, and not admitted as we expected to happen, because his white blood cell count was better. So we hung around until the clinic opened up to see his Dr. and we did get to see him, instead of having to go back  tomorrow for his scheduled appointment.  9We got a moderately stern rebuke from the PA for not following directions and going to a local ER, because if Glenn was to become sceptic, which is the risk with his counts being so low last week, it could happen in a very short time and if we were driving in a car to G'ville there's nothing that we could do. If we were in a local ER, even if we had to wait a long time, at least if he became sceptic it would happen in an ER where he could get immediate treatment.) The Dr. clarified what he thinks will be the plan, depending on the results of a bone marrow biopsy Glenn will have next week. He wants to do some heavy doses of chemo for a week and then the same the following month. And then the stem cell transplant possibly in the early fall. All this depends on the results of the bone marrow biopsy. If this is making your head spin, I'm there with ya! Glenn is just going along for the ride.
Back to his sister, I'm going to find out in a few minutes what's happening with her. His other sister, poor thing,  is pulled in several directions right now. She was up all night with Martha in the ER, and then had to go to work. Luckily she has tomorrow off. But please include her in your prayers. There are no other siblings to keep up with, praise the Lord! Just the three of them, and Martha. That's plenty to handle.
So hopefully I've filled you in on everything. I will continue to keep you up on the latest happenings in the Boyles family saga as they occur, or as soon as I can. Whether or not Glenn has the surgery for the fistula this Thursday remains to be seen, depending on his fever status........to be continued.........

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Bombs dropping

I debated whether to make an entry tonight, or to wait until tomorrow or the next day when I'm a little more settled about our visit to the oncologist today. But here I am. I'm probably making all this out to be much more than it is.
Long story short: Glenn's kidney function/lab values were not what the Dr. had hoped they would be with the steroids and chemo regiment he's had Glenn on. So the Dr. wanted to admit him next week to do another stem cell transplant and use different chemo than was used with the first transplant. He wants to get the light chain production, the disease that is causing all the problems, under control. But since Glenn is scheduled for his fistula to be placed next Thursday, the Dr. will wait until that incision is healed. The stem cell transplant entails dropping a bomb of chemo in his body to kill the darn things, (the excess light chains), which totally wipes out his immune system and makes him totally open to infection and inability to heal. Then two days later give him back his stem cells that have been frozen from the harvest with the first transplant. Those will eventually grow and cause his immune system to increase. The Dr. also mentioned giving Glenn a large dose of chemo for six days and again in another month. I don't know which is going to happen. I just know he has taken a long look at Glenn's body's response to what he's been doing so far  and it is't getting him into remission/ getting the light chains to a normal level. We know the kidneys are pretty much toast at this point, but the disease, if not gotten under control, can affect other organs, ie heart, lungs, liver, colon, brain, if it hasn't already.
At this point I'm pretty much speechless. Glenn, on the other hand, is pretty nonchalant about it. I think he's more focused on the surgery for the fistula next week, understandably. He's happy that with today's work up for the fistula they found a good vein in his left arm this time. He had hoped for that rather than having it in his right arm. That's not the final decision. That will happen by the surgeon during the surgery next Thursday. But at least there's hope for the left arm to be used for the fistula.
So that's where we are as of today, folks. Prayers, good thoughts, etc, please.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Just another week in paradise

Last week, was the first time since Glenn had his stem cell transplant, that the chemo has had any adverse  affect on him. By the third day after treatment he was totally wiped out and not too interested in most foods. He started feeling better by the 6th day, (Sunday) but is still recovering. We don't really know why it was different this time.
This week at his Dr. visit in G'ville, we got to discuss why continuing the chemo is necessary. He believes it is helping to curb the LCDD and the unknown disease that he thinks exists that is affecting the kidneys. Since he mentioned his suspicions about an auto immune disease, I asked if there was a blood test for that. But he said not for a kidney disease. There is a blood test for other auto immune diseases, but not for what he suspects is happening to the kidneys. Probably could find out with another kidney biopsy but neither the oncologist nor the nephrologist want to take the increased chance of bleeding with a third kidney biopsy. We go to the nephrologist next Tuesday and will be able to relay that info to him. Maybe this time he will remember to call the oncologist and discuss all this. It would make me feel better if they would have regular communication about Glenn's treatment.
Glenn never did get a call back about the fistula. He (the Dr.) was on vacation. So we should get a date for pre-surgery, and then the placement, soon.
 As you can imagine, Glenn is NOT looking forward to another foreign object dwelling in his body. (He has a "port" in his right front, or anterior for you medical people, shoulder which is used for accessing blood without having to search for a vein.) But he knows that it is a pretty sure bet that he will be on dialysis this year so the fistula has to have time to "mature" for a few months before it can be used. (Please forgive me for repeating things. I don't remember what I've told you and what I haven't.)
Wednesday we went to G'ville for his usual appointment. His white blood cell count went down very low, an effect of the chemo, so he is restricted from a lot of things because he is extremely susceptible to any kind of infection. Other than that, his labs weren't remarkable, not normal, but not varied from the last week. His kidney function went to 13% from 11% the week before. It has been hovering around there for a while. (This  value is the percentage of kidney function compared to 100% which is a normal value.) At this level the Dr.s are judging by any symptoms he may have in deciding when to start dialysis. So far he hasn't had any that are noteworthy.
I don't know how to wind this up, so  that's it for now.