November 17

So a day off turned into a trip to the hospital.  Pop Pop felt terrible, as in so bad it was scary!  It turned out his Potassium and Magnesium levels were low.

Nurse Lucha is a trooper, she put the pieces to her broken back back together and is right by Pop Pop's side.  I don't know how they do it sometimes. Like I said, they just do what needs to be done.

Though Nana's and Pop Pop's health is not well, today was still a day to be grateful.  Today was a day that reminds us of the great support system we have; messages of support, Nani's who visited and left lunch, Margarita who drove my parents to and from the hospital as well as stayed there, Andy who helped get the cars inspected, Allison who had dinner made and delivered by the time my parents returned, and Eduardo who picked-up and sorted medicine, steam-cleaned the floor, and visited the lovely couple.  Thank you God for our many blessings!

November 16

Both Patient and Nurse Lucha are in bad shape!  Pop Pop spent the entire day at UNC, he left the house at 9 am and returned home at 6 pm.  Fortunately, they harvested 6,000,500 stem cell and they only needed 5,000,000...so no hospital tomorrow!  They harvested his stem cells using a system similar to dialysis.  While it is difficult to convey exactly what he felt today, he says he felt vibrations throughout his entire body and his fingers, toes, lips, and more were numb.  My understanding is that those sensations were due to the loss of calcium during the harvesting.  At the moment he still feels numbness, but not vibrations, as well as nausea, and something that he can't put into words.

Nurse Lucha went for a stress test today; however, she was unable to complete it (bc her back) so she was injected with a dye and scanned instead.  Apparently lying on a metal table for a period of time when you have serious back injuries is not good. She can hardly move and is in intense pain. 

 

So here I am, Nurse (I prefer Dr.) A.  Put Lucha to bed with a third Advil and I have to tell you it hurts just looking at her she is in so much pain.  Then off to hang out with Pop Pop.  He is not happy that Bristol Palin gets to stay on Dancing with the Stars (neither am I, even though I don't normally watch).  Fast forward 2 hours and I made him get in bed (only after he checked on Lucha and gave her a kiss) and then I snuggled him like I did when I was just a little girl.  As soon as we heard the storm roll in, I was given the option to stay or go, so I left.

November 15, 2010

Back to UNC today...for a very long day!  Tomorrow will be just as long if not longer as the plan is to begin harvesting stem cells.  We received word from the BMT, Bone Marrow Transplant Team, that Pop Pop may be admitted as early as the end of next week for the Bone Marrow Transplant.  Although we knew this was coming, now that it is actually upon us I can't begin to explain the mix of emotions that we are feeling.  The anxiety and anticipation are palpable.  If he does go in by the end of next week, there is a possibility that he will be out of the hospital for Christmas; however, he may not actually be home.  The BMT team made it very clear that he needs to be within 15 min of the hospital and that he must have someone with him 24 hours a day.  The operative words being with him not nearby.

On a side note ... Nurse Lucha is scheduled for a stress test tomorrow. I am going to say that the chances that she is stressed...100%, but lets prey that her heart is not!  Thank you Companion Zandra for driving Nurse Lucha (perhaps they can give you a stress test as well after that long drive to Cary).

UNC takes great care of everyone! 

( Bella's visit with Pop Pop today.)

November 14, 2010

I am sitting at the kitchen table with Pop Pop enjoying conversation and orange juice.  I thought that I might take this opportunity to allow him to dictate today's update. (find my thoughts enclosed in parenthasis)

"First Iwould like to thank you (me) for giving me my injections. (I am not sure that he should be thanking me as I know that the second one hurt). Second, I know the effects of these injections are tremendous body aches, especially when I wake-up in the morning.  I have been using my miracle drug which is helping me relate with people.  I have my daughter next to me right now, you have to write what I am telling you (Oh, No), I am looking at her face and like always I can say she is a beautiful person inside and out (blush, mind you I have a big mask covering my face). I am going to read that when you finish!  Since my white cells are so low, it makes me a recluce from seeing my grandchildren and their family's...this is really bad for me...but I understand.  So my plans for today, Sunday, is just let four walls make a meal out of me and I hope there is something left to go to the hospital tomorrow. I love everybody...Your Pop Pop"

I asked him if this is how he really feels and he said, "Yes, I feel like the house just wants to eat me up and not let me out.  Like I can't even move or do what ever I want."

November 13

Pop Pop refers to Percocet as a "Miracle Drug" as it normally does the job for pain, but the Neupogen is really doing a number on him and the Percocet only serves to take the edge off now.  His body aches are really getting painful and when I asked him where he feels it (if it is in his bones or muscles) he just says everywhere.  He is being very cautious with himself and wearing a mask when anyone is around because his white blood cells are at 0.

Pop Pop enjoyed watching the kids (Bella, Caroline and Alexander) play outside through the window today.  I took them over so that he could enjoy them for a bit while I gave him 3 injections in his belly.  When I saw the huge bruise left behind from a previous injection (not administered by me), I was worried that I might hurt him.  As always he was a trooper!  I also took him for another joy ride (we both wore masks) which I enjoyed as much as  he did.

I went to the hospital and had my shot with Lucy this morning. Adriana stopped with the kids for a minute to check on me and say hello. My levels are going down again so the mask goes on.

November 9 & 10

While yesterday, November 9th, was an OK day... today the aches and pains have begun.  The Nuepogen injections that Pop Pop has to take for 14 consecutive days which will release his stem cells into his blood  have a known side effect of causing " bone or muscle pain or ache".  Just as painful seems to be the car ride to and from UNC each day as the 45 minute drive (each way) gives the loving couple some time to lovingly debate the pros and cons of Pop Pop's driving techniques.

November 6-8

Saturday, November 6
Oh, what a night!  Pop Pop did not feel well and the day started the same.  With body aches and a fuzzy head. We organized his medications (it is scarey how much he takes a day). The Jimenez crew left town, back to NJ. And last but not least, he saw Harrison walk!

Sunday, November 7
The night was a bit better and he was feeling an improvement over Saturday.  Zandra took Pop Pop for a joy ride, which he really enjoyed. The Neuprogen injections did not arrive and he needed to start them in the evening (stress all around).

Monday, November 8
Today has been a great day!  Pop Pop slept like a champion, he feels well (with energy) and is in a good mood.  We had a bit of a scare with the neuprogen injections (we thought it was going to cost $3,800 out of pocket) but it was just a hicup and all is good (he is going to have his shots administered at the hospital)!

November 2-5

I have been congested and taking care of a sick Alexander, so I haven't been able to visit Pop Pop in the hospital; hence, the lack of updates.  Juan recorded a conversation with the nurse last night so this update is based on that recording.

Tuesday, November 2

Chemo

At night his BP was very high, Juan and Eduardo stayed at the hospital late until it started to go down again

Wednesday, November 3

Chemo

At night he was having difficulty breathing due to the excess of fluid in his system.  Fluids were pooling in his lungs; however, his O2 saturation was fine.  He was given an Albuterol nebulizer and diuretics.

Thursday, November 4

Chemo

After a long night, Pop Pop was given a blood transfusion (2 bags).  The doctors ran a series of tests on him: Head CT Scan, EKG, Chest X-ray, Blood Gas Level, Cardiac Enzyme. Pop Pop also met with the Kidney doctor (I still need to find out if we have any results).  His breathing stabilized; however, his BP was a little high and his face was red. 

* Yolani, Mimi and the kids arrived to visit!  Only Mimi and Yolani could go to the hospital because children should not be present while the Chemo is administered.  

Friday, November 5

Pop Pop was awoken by the nurses and doctors who wanted to give him an assessment (who are you? where are you? Can you touch your nose? ...).  He was not very happy about the whole situation!  He is very happy though that he is on his way HOME where he will see Daniella and Cristian (I know he will love that)!

November 1, 2010 (Admitted to UNC ...phone number below)

So we all took a few days off, unfortunately it was not all that I had hoped it would be.  Aside from going to have lab work done on Friday, Pop Pop's orders were to relax and not worry about chemo until today, Monday.  As you can imagine that is easier said than done! He has not felt well (he does not have much energy or appetite).  He did however have some time to be with Carlos and for that he is greatful. Oh and did I mention...all those little trick or treaters took his candy!

Today we pick-up where we left off and he has returned to UNC.  He has been admitted and we are waiting for test results, if all goes as planned he will begin cycle 3.  The number at the hospital is 966-5030. Please remember, do not call their cell phones unless you have Verizon.