02.19.2007

Wow. What a week. *sigh*

My mom has been diagnosed with leukemia.

She's been in ICU since Thursday morning because she also developed pneumonia (I know that's not spelled right...but you know what I mean). They started chemotherapy Thursday night. Everything is going so well right now. Her hemoglobin is climbing slowly (she's already had 8 units of blood) from 4.8 when she was admitted. Her white blood count is dropping, just as it should be. (It was over 130,000 last Tuesday night in the ER). She has had NO, none, zip, nada side effects from the chemo, which is completely amazing!! She's actually eating...everything in sight...which is incredible given the fact that she'd been barely able to keep down baby food fruits and a protein drinks for the past 2-3 weeks. Things could not be going better. Our prayers are being answered!! Her chemo will end this coming Thursday night. Then a week after that, they'll do another bone marrow biopsy to check if it's in remission. Her doctor (who is wonderful, by the way) is confident that it'll happen! She'll still have to stay at the hospital for 4-6 weeks until her immune system has recovered, etc.

My entire family has been so supportive and positive through all of this! I love them all so very much!! It's been tough for Erin and I, mostly, since we live so far from the hospital...but we've been there as much as possible. We've also taken care of stuff around mom and dad's house (like cleaning out the fridge)...and I'm trying to help dad out with the bill paying (since he's never done it before). J.R.'s been the stongest...there at the hospital for mom and dad (since he's only 5-10 minutes away)...there for Erin and I...there for making phone calls to family and friends back in Indiana...there for the visitors coming up to see mom! He's the best!!

This week...I'm planning to be around home a bit more. It's been tough on me, the kids, and Troy...with me being up at the hospital every single day. I think mom and dad need some time alone to digest and absorb it all as well. So as hard as it is not to go every day...I think it'll be for the best....for right now, anyway.

Today...I'm catching up...on laundry, cleaning, paperwork, filing, blogging, and photo taking, editing, and now...posting.

Tuesday, Feb. 13th:

Austin came home sick this day from school running a temperature. He was home the rest of the week...so Troy's and my bed became his 'hang out'...since I couldn't have him contaminating the rest of the kids.

Wednesday, Feb. 14th:

Cookies and Valentine's to school. check.
Valentine's for daycare kids. check.
Yummy treats for Troy. check.
Card for Troy...oops.

At least my sweet hubby didn't forget about me. lol. And there's a really really funny story behind this card...the reason he bought it for me...but I'm not going to type it all right now because I have a gabillion other things to get done today...but just so you know...the inside of the card simply said "HOT!!" hee hee.

Thursday, Feb. 15th:

The day they moved my mom to ICU. Enough said.

Friday, Feb. 16th:

As crazy of a week as it had been...regular life has to continue...which includes planning meals and making a grocery list. Thanks to Troy who does a great job shopping and saves me the craziness of the grocery store!

Saturday, Feb. 17th:

I no longer feel like a visitor here...it's become my home away from home this week.

Sunday, Feb. 18th:

Austin's birthday is actually tomorrow (the 20th)...but we had his party today. Just family and close friends. He wanted hot fudge brownie sundaes with lots of sweets treats to put on top instead of cake. We had a good time...even though my mom and dad were missed.

Monday, Feb. 19th:

It's supposed to be 70 degrees today!! It's gorgeous outside! And Kaitlin insisted on wearing her raggedy hand-me-down flip flops this morning to take the kids to school. lol.

And that, my friends, is the simplified version of my past week. see ya. I'm gotta go get some more crossed off my to-do list. :D Happy Monday.

Comments

[Dina]

1.

Wow, leukemia. Sending you hugs, prayers, and lots of lots of strength for the fight! Let's kick cancer's butt!

[Jenn]

2.

Sending good vibes to your mother and your family in hopes that all will be well soon enough. Keep yourselves positive and take care of each other. Sending our thoughts and love, jc and family

[Jenn]

3.

For austin --
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
YOU LIVE IN A ZOOOOOOOOO!
YOU LOOK LIKE A MON-KEEEEEEEY!
AND YOU SMELL LIKE ONE TOOOOOOO!

Love, Jenny

[Shandy]

4.

oh Amy! so sorry to hear about your mom! what an emotional week you and your family have had.

on an upside note... your photography is amazing! I LOVED seeing all of the photos from the week! I want to take pics like you, will you come over and show me? LOL

[Debby]

5.

Prayers going up for your Mom and your family!!

[Christi]

6.

Amy, I'm so happy to hear that your mom has a diagnosis. I'm not happy that she has leukemia but at least there's now a name and a plan of attack so to speak to take. Sounds like she's doing really well, all things considered. I'll keep her and your whole family in my thoughts. Cancer just sucks but I will be rooting for her to beat it into remission.
Big hugs!
Christi