I just noticed this evening that this is my 41st day in the hospital. No wonder I'm sick of cafeteria food! :-)
Since I last wrote I've had another CT scan and chest x-rays, all of which came back clear. I've ben running a high fever off and on and the doctors are thinking it may be caused by one of the antibiotics I'm on. They haven't removed any of them, though, because they want my white count to be a little higher before they start pulling the safety net. Yesterday was probably the worst day. My fever spiked to 41.7 C by ear, and 40.8 C by mouth. (Read close to 107/104) I think I was delirious part of the day, because I don't remember much. I don't even remember going down for the CT scan. When I woke up after a nap around 7 p.m., Brandon and my parents were here with Gary. (The doctor approved a 20 minute -- no drool or kisses -- visit.) I kept asking Brandon and my dad why they weren't going to work, and they kept telling me it was evening, but then I would forget and ask again. I was just so confused. My cognitive abilities are really poor right now, and I'm having a hard time remembering things. Some days I think it is due to the fever, and some days I wonder if it's a side effect of the chemo or one of the meds I'm on. They have given me Ativan some days, and that can cause some confusion and short term memory loss. I'm also on a new preventitive anti-fungal med that is causing a lot of vision problems. Lights and things like TV or computer screens just seem really bright to me and I catch myself squinting a lot. Reading is difficult as well. Everything blurs. I'm even more grateful now for sites like oneplace.com and enjoyed listening to a sermon by C.H. Spurgeon. I think I fell asleep about halfway through, but what I heard was really good.
I received platelets again yesterday and had a reaction. It may have been responsible for the high fever. I've been running fevers for about a week now, but yesterday was by far the worst. I think I am going to ask them to pre-med with a small dose of Benadryl next time, or some other kind of antihistamine. My iron count is starting to climb on its own and my white count was 1300, up from 600 yesterday. My neutrophils are up to 300, which is great. They need to be at least 1000 before I can go home. I'm still getting a daily shot of Neupogen and apparently it's working. So I am praising God for causing my blood to rebuild, and no fevers today. My main complaints at present are side effects of meds I'm on, so I look forward to the day when we can start removing those and I can go home.
As always, thank you for your prayers on my behalf!
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About Me
- Brandon Wilhoite
- Amy was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia subtype M4 on July 2, 2006. For your convenience, Brandon & Gary can be contacted via email through amysblog@mac.com.
Timeline
- August 2007 - Clofarabine & Cytarabine with possible second transplant
- August 2007 - Intrathecal Methotrexate
- June - July 2007 - FLAG w/ mylotarg
- April 2007 - AML M4 MLL-ELL Diagnosis
- March - June 2007: Experimental DLIs
- March - June 2007: Decitabine 5/28
- November 2006 - Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (brother)
- September 2006 - Salvage Regimen - MEC
- July 2006 - Reinduction - Cytarabine & Daunarubicin 5/2
- July 2006 - Induction - Cytarabine & Daunarubicin 7/3
- July 2, 2006 - AML M4 Diagnosis
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:5-18
11 comments:
Sounds very encouraging. I came by to pray for you as I do every night at 11:00 before I retire for the night. I saw you posted and that was a nice surprise!
It looks like God is in control.My best friend went through all this and it takes me back to sitting with her as she went through this same routine. The hardest was when her counts were so low that we had to be so careful. It was worth being careful to be able to be with her in those hard days.
Iam with you in prayer Amy because I certainly can help in that way.
Goodnight and rest in the arms of Jesus.
We continue to pray for you. Entrust yourself to the Lord who considers our groanings (Ps 5:1).
Amy, we continue to pray for you! We rejoice with you in your progress. We look forward to the day when you're at home, and then when you can worship with us.
Sounds like you are improving a little every day, Amy. It's so encouraging to hear that your counts are going up! Thank God for answered prayer. Still praying and watching with you. :-)
So glad you got to see your baby. The clear scan and x-rays are encouraging. My prayers for you continue.
Fevers that high are mind-boggling. A few times in my life I'd had a high fever, not many, but I remember that it makes you feel like you're just floating and disconnected. I hope this part passes for you soon, Amy. I'm so glad you got to see your baby even for just a little while. That had to be good medicine. And my prayers continue - you're making progress and I know it's hard to be patient but you'll be back home with him and your husband before you know it.
Dear Amy,
You don't know me, but I was introduced to your story through another website, and I am now thinking of you often and praying for your recovery. As a mother of two young children I admire your strength to fight through this to get back home to your little boy. You haved amazed me with your faith and acceptance, and I hope you know how many people you will never know are supporting you.
Amy,
I find myself praying for you throughout the day. As I'm washing dishes, your picture pops in my head and I pray that one day soon you will be able to perform such mundane household chores for your family. (Not that I wish for your family to put you to work when you are home)
I pray that your numbers continue to go up and you are soon past the fevers. I pray that your body recovers quickly and that the cancer remains outside your body. I pray that your arms are strengthened by the weight of your precious son.
Most of all, I pray that your faith remains strong and you continue to lean into your Father and Savior.
God Bless you, Amy.
I'm so sorry to hear about the high fevers, Amy, and will continue to pray that you get some relief from them.
So glad you got to see Gary!
Blessings,
Rachel E
Thank you, Amy, for another update. The up numbers are encouraging, but will be so good for you to be able to be off some of the strong meds and your body be able to work some on it's own again. Thankful you got to see Gary, even it was only a short time. I know that must help you. We are praying often and trust God to bring you through the hard times soon. God loves you and so do we. Love, Grandpa and Grandma Linda
Amy, I just found your site today and am heartbroken and full of awe. Your faith is amazing during this most difficult time. Know that I am praying for you and am already praising God for your complete healing here on earth.
I have Beth Moore's book Praying God's Word and also the Scripture prayer cards that go along w/the book. Here's one just for you: "LORD, in my heart I plan my course, but You determine my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
Life is not going as I planned. I am so grateful that You are not caught off guard. You know everything that would befall me. Please direct my steps as You determine. I need You, Lord. Carry me when I cannont walk."
Praying for you in KS.
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