3/30/11

My favorite nurse just stopped to say goodbye. The word is out - home tomorrow.

Having a life threatening illness delivers some degree of certainty to the term of my life. The same illness burdens Elaine with a heightened level of uncertainty in her life. It takes a strong, loving, and spiritually sound person to deal with such a situation. Yet Elaine has held my hand and dried my tears to love us through the past month. How do I thank you for being you.

Love,
Lee

3/29/11

Still waiting for the numbers to stabilize. Doc says he will get me out of here this week. Meanwhile I decided to think of something positive that has come with this experience.

First day in the hospital, Lee Jr. set my computer up with Skype, Netflix, and go to my PC. This allows me to operate my home computer from the hospital, see and talk to my children and grandchildren every day, and watch a movie at any time. As Rocky said in the ring following a vicious punch, "that ain't so bad".
Lee

3/27/11

OK - so the numbers are not going to perform exactly as I hoped. The doc says the white count will vacillate and we need to wait for it to stabilize. Couple more days.

Elaine has three sisters and a brother. As soon as we knew I would be in the hospital for a month, Elaine's sisters arranged for one of them to be here and run our household so she could spend time with me. Kay came from Memphis; then Gwen came from Houston, and Gail from Florida. How neat is that - thanks ladies. Apparently Robert was not invited due to the lack of domestic skills.

Elaine's maiden name is Gardner. I wonder if after a months' exposure if Casey has been Gardnerized. I better get home fast to neutralize the situation. For example, Casey just got his driving permit and has been driving only with Elaine and Gail. Does this mean he will never get a speeding ticket? A little humor tonight, Lee

3/26/11

Count went down to 800 but Dr says we are still looking at Monday.
Too tired to write tonight.
Love to all,
Lee

3/25/11

White count came in at 900 - only 100 short of go home. The doc says it looks like Monday.

How can it be so important to hug Casey, Laugh with Elaine, take Snowy for a walk, and greet the neighbors from the porch of 1560 Championship. Just a simple dream for Monday.
Lee

3//24/11

Its tough at age 73 to discover that you are not superman. All is out of your control - each new day is a mystery. Today as I was talking to Elaine; she seemed so strong and confident, it occur ed to me that this is just another one of life's adventures. Each day there is time to feel and enjoy the love of friends and family.
Thanks,
Lee

Ps - I hope to report some good numbers tomorrow

3/22/11

My father wanted to be a doctor. He said the best way to accomplish this was to become a podiatrist - one only had to study from the ankle down. So here I am in need of an MD degree but only have time for blood study.

It seems the white blood count is critical to the immune system. In order to fight the bugs and disease floating around, one needs a count of about 3000 white. My count has gone from 100 to 600 in the last few days. When my count reaches 1000 I get to go home for a week or 10 days. One step at a time.
Lee

3/21/11

Thanks to the neighbors

Spring is the time to clean up the yard and prepare for the season of blossom - not something I look forward to. Behold, four neighbors by name Carin, Tom, Tom, and Sarah descended from heaven and did the job. Thanks guys.

Lee

3/20/11

Today was a big day. Casey came to visit. We were able to meet in a courtyard outside the hospital. He ia a fine young man and I am proud.
Lee

3/19/10

Some days simple pleasures are enouge. Leukemia messes with your blood. Today it served me up a nosebleed that would not stop. The nurses said if we could not get it stopped we would call the ENT people in to help. The ENT people stuff your nose with a tampax type product coated with a cocane derrivative. No ain't that sweet.

After two hours of ice, pinch the nose, and promise of Saint like behavior, the bleeding stopped.
Life's simple pleasure.
Lee

3/18/11

I retired 26 years ago. This freedom from work has left me with an unusual amount of time to think, study, and learn. Many important lessons have been learned but the most important came just this week.

The doctors said I will live another day and maybe many more -and that is enough. Elaine is holding my hand, our children all stand tall, our home is warm and cosy, and people all across the land are cheering for me.

The lesson, of course, is that each day is a blessing to enjoy all that you are and all that you have - don't screw it up by feeling sorry for yourself.

Love and thanks to all,
Lee

March 16, 2011

Before the barber (Lee, Jr) After

Just visited with the doctor about the results of Lee's bone marrow biopsy. Although the chemo did not get all of the leukemia, we are down to 8%. It can continue to go down. This being the case, they are not recommending another round of chemo at this time. He will stay in the hospital until his counts come up enough to go home. Most likely by the end of the month. They will repeat the bone marrow test some time after he goes home to determine where we stand. There is more chemo in his future, but it is not imminent. Thanks for all of your prayers!

Elaine

3/15/11

They gave some morphine to get through a bone marrow procedure. That stuff is a little bit of alrighty. the only problem is comming down, I an doing ok.hanks for all the calls
Lee

March 13, 2011

We have had an eventful day, but all is well. We started the day off with an exceptionally high heart rate. An arrhythmia is not uncommon with these doses of chemo and all that it entails. A good dose of beta blockers and everything settled back down to normal. He has maintained that for the duration of the day. Then, tonight he took a little tumble and is now sporting a beautiful shiner. Thankfully, it is all superficial. Needless to say, we are tired tonight. Tomorrow is another day!

Goodnight all,
Elaine

March 12, 2011

Lee is approaching the half-way mark of his time in the hospital. Monday he will have his bone marrow biopsy, with results to follow on Wednesday. We are looking for a report that shows all of the leukemia gone. Keep your prayers coming!

Elaine

March 11, 2011

Day 12 in the hospital. Chemo is finished and my body handled the beating well. Monday, 3/14 comes bone marrow biopsy to confim the slaying of the dragon. Wish me well on that.
Lee

March 10 2011

Greetings from paradise - well not exactly paradise but the nurses are cute. The doctors say I am responding to treatment like a teenager. Never saw a problem I coulden't solve or beat to death. This Leukemia is tough but i will prevail. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Lee

March 8, 2011

Hi All,

Casey was home from school sick yesterday, so I was not able to go to the hospital for fear of infecting Lee. However, I did speak to him several times yesterday and Casey and I had a nice Skype with him, too. He has now officially completed his 7 days of Chemotherapy. He is very, very tired as was expected. Generally, he is in good spirits and hanging in there. He did spike a fever last night, but they quickly had that under control and have started him on some antibiotics. He received platelets today.

Thanks for all of your positive thoughts coming our way.

Elaine

March 6, 2011

Hi All,

Just checking in on Lee's day today. He was very tired and feeling the effects of 6 straight days of chemo. His stomach was rebelling a bit today, but I find it amazing that this has just surfaced. He is so STRONG! He was not up to much Skyping or telephone talk, but don't give up. Tomorrow is another day.

Thanks for your support,

Elaine

3/5/2011

Hello All,
 
I am putting together an email list so I can update you on Lee’s progress/condition in an efficient manner.  If you, for whatever reason, do not want to be on this mass email, please do not hesitate to let me know and I will take your name off asap. 
 
That being said, Lee is on day 5 of 7 days of 24 hour chemotherapy.  He will be finished with the complete round at midnight on Monday.  The amount of fluid being infused has caused some rise in his blood pressure, but that has been handled nicely with a diuretic.  Today his blood pressure was in a much better range.  His blood counts are dropping according to plan and his doctor says that he is responding to the treatment as expected.  Nothing unusual happening.  
 
I will be in touch with updates as I can.
 
Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers,
 
Elaine