Lab results were telling today. We didn't get a copy of them, because there was a problem with the machine at the clinic and they had to send the blood to the hospital to be tested.
I don't even remember all the numbers, but I do know that things were similar to what we've heard before until we came to the platelets. The reds were around 30 and the whites - I think I remember a 1.1, but the platelets are lower than ever before, at 33. They have been low, but never like this. We are blaming some of it on a different machine, but we know that only accounts for a couple numbers difference, which means they are still too low.
For now, we continue the wait and watch. We'll check again next week and go from there. That is a familiar thing to us, so we can do that.
He got a tiny scratch yesterday changing a blinker bulb and it bled like it was deep and terrible, so we know we've got to be careful that way too.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Happy Holidays!
We have had a wonderful Christmas holiday thus far and look forward to the remaining days of the season. We love family and friends and we love the Savior.
We had a nice phone visit with Michael on Christmas Eve, that we will hold on to for days and weeks. We think we will have one more for Mother's Day and then not long after we will get to see him and welcome him home. He is doing well. Old news is that he is a zone leader, and enjoying it. He loves the people there and he loves the Lord, so things are great. There is a couple from Connell that live there, on their second mission, and he loves them. I am grateful for good people that love our children. It truly helps make life beautiful.
We are keeping too busy to post much, but do want to report that all is well.
We had a nice phone visit with Michael on Christmas Eve, that we will hold on to for days and weeks. We think we will have one more for Mother's Day and then not long after we will get to see him and welcome him home. He is doing well. Old news is that he is a zone leader, and enjoying it. He loves the people there and he loves the Lord, so things are great. There is a couple from Connell that live there, on their second mission, and he loves them. I am grateful for good people that love our children. It truly helps make life beautiful.
We are keeping too busy to post much, but do want to report that all is well.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
2010 Family Newsletter
We have finally sent our Christmas greetings to friends and family. We do hope you got one. Please forgive my oversight if you did not. I'm finding that I've a short circuit somewhere, and I am unable to fix it at the moment. :)
Here is a sample of this years newsletter.
We have had several attempts at writing our Terry Hebdon Family 2010 Newsletter and the waste basket was getting quite full. Many of you have been following our blog reports all year and already know the news, so a newsletter just seemed like old news. If you haven't followed our blog, you'll find us at www.tandehebdon.blogspot.com. It helps make the miles seem not so distant, so join us this year.
What I really wanted to do was to send a family photo with everyone together, and a simple Christmas greeting, but that just wasn't going to happen.
After trying, and failing, many times, I have finally come up with a way to get our whole family together, at least on paper. Here we are, all together, everyone is smiling and ...
Life is Good!
Have a Merry Christmas and a bright new year.
Your future is as bright as your faith!
President Thomas S. Monson
With love from the Terry Hebdon Family
Here is a sample of this years newsletter.
We have had several attempts at writing our Terry Hebdon Family 2010 Newsletter and the waste basket was getting quite full. Many of you have been following our blog reports all year and already know the news, so a newsletter just seemed like old news. If you haven't followed our blog, you'll find us at www.tandehebdon.blogspot.com. It helps make the miles seem not so distant, so join us this year.
What I really wanted to do was to send a family photo with everyone together, and a simple Christmas greeting, but that just wasn't going to happen.
After trying, and failing, many times, I have finally come up with a way to get our whole family together, at least on paper. Here we are, all together, everyone is smiling and ...
Life is Good!
Have a Merry Christmas and a bright new year.
Your future is as bright as your faith!
President Thomas S. Monson
With love from the Terry Hebdon Family
The Four Candles
The four candles burned slowly.
Their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...
The first candle said, "I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.
The second candle said, "I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.
Sadly the third candle spoke, "I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer." "People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." And waiting no longer, Love went out completely.
Suddenly...
A child entered the room and saw the three candles no longer burning. The child began to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end."
Then the fourth candle spoke gently to the little boy,
"Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn,
we can re-light the other candles." With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.
Never let the Flame of Hope go out. With Hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be, Peace, Faith and Love may shine brightly once again.
Their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...
The first candle said, "I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.
The second candle said, "I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.
Sadly the third candle spoke, "I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer." "People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." And waiting no longer, Love went out completely.
Suddenly...
A child entered the room and saw the three candles no longer burning. The child began to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end."
Then the fourth candle spoke gently to the little boy,
"Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn,
we can re-light the other candles." With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.
Never let the Flame of Hope go out. With Hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be, Peace, Faith and Love may shine brightly once again.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Reporting on our doctor visit:
The visit today was informative...
Some of the results of the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were in and things are looking a little better again.
- Chimerisms tell us it is 71% donor, so that is up from the last results of 63% or 65% (we don't remember exactly).
- Flow cytometry tells us there is 13.7% CLL or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- The core sample was 10% and that is low, so they tried to decide what is hindering that. One medication that he is taking may be the culprit so he will stop taking it. This med is to help prevent pneumonia and they think he should be fine without it, but will of course, watch him closely to make sure.
WBC = 1.8
Neutrophils = 0.8
- He got a neulasta shot today, which means those numbers will be improving, but he will be feeling some aches and pains because of it.
RBC = 2.77
Hematocrit = 30.3
Platelets = 64
We don't understand why the blood counts are changing back and forth so much and we wish Terry had more energy and stamina, but were reminded today that it takes time, sometimes more than a year, and Terry has had some issues to deal with that have set him back a bit, so it's going to take him longer.
I've felt a bit discouraged lately with the lack of visible improvement that seems to be taking place, or not taking place and was worried that things were probably getting worse rather than better. We have found some peace in the fact that things are improving even if it isn't very visible.
It is a wonderful time of year, as we celebrate the birth and life of our Savior. He is our strength and we are so grateful for His love and sacrifice on our behalf. Merry Christmas to all!
Some of the results of the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were in and things are looking a little better again.
- Chimerisms tell us it is 71% donor, so that is up from the last results of 63% or 65% (we don't remember exactly).
- Flow cytometry tells us there is 13.7% CLL or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- The core sample was 10% and that is low, so they tried to decide what is hindering that. One medication that he is taking may be the culprit so he will stop taking it. This med is to help prevent pneumonia and they think he should be fine without it, but will of course, watch him closely to make sure.
WBC = 1.8
Neutrophils = 0.8
- He got a neulasta shot today, which means those numbers will be improving, but he will be feeling some aches and pains because of it.
RBC = 2.77
Hematocrit = 30.3
Platelets = 64
We don't understand why the blood counts are changing back and forth so much and we wish Terry had more energy and stamina, but were reminded today that it takes time, sometimes more than a year, and Terry has had some issues to deal with that have set him back a bit, so it's going to take him longer.
I've felt a bit discouraged lately with the lack of visible improvement that seems to be taking place, or not taking place and was worried that things were probably getting worse rather than better. We have found some peace in the fact that things are improving even if it isn't very visible.
It is a wonderful time of year, as we celebrate the birth and life of our Savior. He is our strength and we are so grateful for His love and sacrifice on our behalf. Merry Christmas to all!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Reporting:
Have you ever wondered how late you could be to a doctor appointment and still have the doctor see you? Well, we were 3 hours late to Terry's appointment today, due to an accident ahead of us. We called in to tell them of our delay, but only left a message on their recording. We thought they'd call us back, but they never did. We wondered if we should call to make sure they could still see us, but decided we weren't going to give them a choice.
We wanted to at least get Terry's blood work checked for the day to see about a transfusion, so we waited for the accident to be cleaned up and continued on to the clinic.
It turned out much better than we thought. We had the blood draw, the aspiration/biopsy, the doctor visit, and the transfusion. We didn't get home until after 9:30pm, but we are glad to have it done in this one trip.
We learned that the CAT scan he had Thursday showed no sign of the EBV, but they did see slightly enlarged lymph nodes, which didn't seem to cause much concern.
We felt that the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy was well done - for what it is. Luckily he only had to have one side done today.
The Hematocrit was low, so they went forward with the transfusion, and it went well too, even though it seemed to take forever. That should help him feel a little bit better.
The platelets are creeping downward and the WBC and Neutrophils are most always low, if not critical, so there just seems to be a general consensus that this aspiration is perfect timing. We really are looking forward to the results and will post them when we get them - hoping for Monday's appointment, but we're not sure.
Please forgive me if this has not made sense. I should be in bed, but had to wait up for kids who had basketball games tonight and decided to take advantage of this quite time.
We wanted to at least get Terry's blood work checked for the day to see about a transfusion, so we waited for the accident to be cleaned up and continued on to the clinic.
It turned out much better than we thought. We had the blood draw, the aspiration/biopsy, the doctor visit, and the transfusion. We didn't get home until after 9:30pm, but we are glad to have it done in this one trip.
We learned that the CAT scan he had Thursday showed no sign of the EBV, but they did see slightly enlarged lymph nodes, which didn't seem to cause much concern.
We felt that the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy was well done - for what it is. Luckily he only had to have one side done today.
The Hematocrit was low, so they went forward with the transfusion, and it went well too, even though it seemed to take forever. That should help him feel a little bit better.
The platelets are creeping downward and the WBC and Neutrophils are most always low, if not critical, so there just seems to be a general consensus that this aspiration is perfect timing. We really are looking forward to the results and will post them when we get them - hoping for Monday's appointment, but we're not sure.
Please forgive me if this has not made sense. I should be in bed, but had to wait up for kids who had basketball games tonight and decided to take advantage of this quite time.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Happy December!
I have neglected to post much more than doctor info lately. I'm feeling bad about it and need to do better. I can see that I should post more often so that each post is not so long. But, this post, as long as it is, is only a half a week worth of joy. Certainly the rest of the week will be great too.
- We were trying to get to my parents house to have my dad give Chase his patriarchal blessing. There were so many things conflicting with it making our opportunity quite difficult. Chase wanted it before heading out to college (in only a few short weeks) and he wanted his grandpa to do it. While talking with my dad about our choices he offered to come this direction to help us out. We gladly accepted. So they came Saturday, gave the blessing after church, and left Monday morning. We are so grateful for their sacrifice and love for us. THANK YOU Mom and Dad!
- The patriarchal blessing was beautiful. Chase is the first of our children to get his blessing from his grandpa, since all the older boys had received theirs before my dad became a patriarch. All of the younger kids are looking forward to receiving theirs from their grandfather too. We hope to not feel so crunched and out of options when those opportunities come. :) We are THANKFUL for these blessings from the Lord.
- We watched the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional Sunday evening. It was a beautiful devotional. It helps remind us of the reason for this season and we enjoyed the messages and the music. It helps set the tone/mood. THANK YOU to Pres. Monson, Pres. Uchtdorf, and Pres. Eyring.
- LeeAnn and Brian and their children came to visit Sunday evening after the blessing. We had dinner and watched the broadcast together and enjoyed visiting, just like old times. We love family, and missed those who could not be here. We are THANKFUL for family - all of our family.
- The missionaries came over Monday night, with a friend, for family home evening. They showed a movie about Joseph Smith. What a beautiful spirit we felt during that movie and what a delightful evening it became. THANK YOU Elders! THANK YOU to missionaries everywhere who help strengthen individuals and families and share the Good News.
- Today will give me time to finish setting up our Christmas decorations. I love the nativities, the lights, and the snowmen. :) And I love the Christmas music. I love celebrating Christ's birth. THANK YOU Christ and our Heavenly Father!
- We had a RS meeting meeting last night - centered around Christ and Christmas. It felt good to be gathered with so many good women and we did feel of the Spirit of Christmas. Some of us participated in a cookie exchange after the meeting and we brought home a large assortment of cookies. The assortment we brought home looked like a masterpiece. It was fun to see the different kinds of cookies and surely they will taste delicious. We got a recipe booklet for those cookies and I look forward to trying them sometime. THANK YOU sisters!
- We have much to be grateful for. In November we started writing down one thing each day that we are grateful for. We are continuing that thru to the end of December. We write it on a little piece of paper and roll the paper up and put it in a glass vase/jar in our family room so that we can see it often and remind ourselves of our blessings. I think it is helping me to have a more grateful heart and recognize the good that is all around us and the blessings in my life. It helps us see just how much our Heavenly Father loves us and has blessed us. We have some days that we forget, but overall it's been a great thing. We are THANKFUL!
- As I think about the things I have posted here, I realize that they say much about family and faith. My two most favorite things in life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and our lives are blessed as we follow His teachings and participate in the ordinances and covenants that are available to us. Family is our most important possession. The two need each other to allow eternal life and happiness, just like the priesthood and womanhood need each other. One without the other would just would not do. What a wonderful Plan of Happiness! I do feel blessed, and pray that we may live worthy of the blessings that await us. THANKS again, to our Loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ!
PS - All of our water problems are fixed and under control! THANK YOU Terry!
- We were trying to get to my parents house to have my dad give Chase his patriarchal blessing. There were so many things conflicting with it making our opportunity quite difficult. Chase wanted it before heading out to college (in only a few short weeks) and he wanted his grandpa to do it. While talking with my dad about our choices he offered to come this direction to help us out. We gladly accepted. So they came Saturday, gave the blessing after church, and left Monday morning. We are so grateful for their sacrifice and love for us. THANK YOU Mom and Dad!
- The patriarchal blessing was beautiful. Chase is the first of our children to get his blessing from his grandpa, since all the older boys had received theirs before my dad became a patriarch. All of the younger kids are looking forward to receiving theirs from their grandfather too. We hope to not feel so crunched and out of options when those opportunities come. :) We are THANKFUL for these blessings from the Lord.
- We watched the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional Sunday evening. It was a beautiful devotional. It helps remind us of the reason for this season and we enjoyed the messages and the music. It helps set the tone/mood. THANK YOU to Pres. Monson, Pres. Uchtdorf, and Pres. Eyring.
- LeeAnn and Brian and their children came to visit Sunday evening after the blessing. We had dinner and watched the broadcast together and enjoyed visiting, just like old times. We love family, and missed those who could not be here. We are THANKFUL for family - all of our family.
- The missionaries came over Monday night, with a friend, for family home evening. They showed a movie about Joseph Smith. What a beautiful spirit we felt during that movie and what a delightful evening it became. THANK YOU Elders! THANK YOU to missionaries everywhere who help strengthen individuals and families and share the Good News.
- Today will give me time to finish setting up our Christmas decorations. I love the nativities, the lights, and the snowmen. :) And I love the Christmas music. I love celebrating Christ's birth. THANK YOU Christ and our Heavenly Father!
- We had a RS meeting meeting last night - centered around Christ and Christmas. It felt good to be gathered with so many good women and we did feel of the Spirit of Christmas. Some of us participated in a cookie exchange after the meeting and we brought home a large assortment of cookies. The assortment we brought home looked like a masterpiece. It was fun to see the different kinds of cookies and surely they will taste delicious. We got a recipe booklet for those cookies and I look forward to trying them sometime. THANK YOU sisters!
- We have much to be grateful for. In November we started writing down one thing each day that we are grateful for. We are continuing that thru to the end of December. We write it on a little piece of paper and roll the paper up and put it in a glass vase/jar in our family room so that we can see it often and remind ourselves of our blessings. I think it is helping me to have a more grateful heart and recognize the good that is all around us and the blessings in my life. It helps us see just how much our Heavenly Father loves us and has blessed us. We have some days that we forget, but overall it's been a great thing. We are THANKFUL!
- As I think about the things I have posted here, I realize that they say much about family and faith. My two most favorite things in life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and our lives are blessed as we follow His teachings and participate in the ordinances and covenants that are available to us. Family is our most important possession. The two need each other to allow eternal life and happiness, just like the priesthood and womanhood need each other. One without the other would just would not do. What a wonderful Plan of Happiness! I do feel blessed, and pray that we may live worthy of the blessings that await us. THANKS again, to our Loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ!
PS - All of our water problems are fixed and under control! THANK YOU Terry!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
This week's medical report
I'm finally getting around to posting about the doctor visit. Things are fine, but the RBC is getting pretty low. I don't have the print out to show the numbers today. Terry is feeling the results of the low red cells. He had been feeling worse over the weekend, but we didn't know what to blame it on. They are planning for a transfusion Tuesday when he gets his bone marrow aspiration, but told him that he should call to get it sooner if he started feeling any worse. He also has some nausea and is to watch that and if it gets worse he should start taking another medication. He is doing fine, other than that :) We look forward to the results of the aspiration and will share that info when we get it.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to Skyler!
We love you!
Did you know?
The D in Skyler D. Hebdon stands for Dorward, his great grandpa. Skyler's due date was the 5th, which was Dorward's birthday.
We love you!
Did you know?
The D in Skyler D. Hebdon stands for Dorward, his great grandpa. Skyler's due date was the 5th, which was Dorward's birthday.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Snow and Water
Yesterday we saw snow fall and water fall.
The snow was beautiful big flakes that we would love more if we didn't still have corn standing in the fields needing harvested. That seems to be the case in many other fields we see along our travels to and fro. The weather has been strange this year. But then, there have been many strange or different things happening this year, so maybe it fits right in.
The water fall came in the way of a toilet that kept running and over flowed to make a pool in our bathroom and bedroom. It wouldn't shut off and couldn't keep draining. So, we spent the day scooping up water with a dust pan and soaking it up with towels and more towels. We aren't sure what remodeling will need done with the vinyl, but I made a safety call with the carpet and took it and the padding out. We also have a heating duct that we will need to replace. I'm not ready to go carpet hunting, so it will have to wait until after Christmas, family reunion, and taking Chase to college. We cut out the wet section and left the other, so we'll throw a rug down after it is completely dry so we don't have to walk on the bare floor. If I wait until those other things are done I will probably make a better choice - or at least feel better about it. For now, there are heaters and fans going and it's looking pretty good this morning. Luckily the sub floor looks undamaged under the carpet area.
With our large gathering for Thanksgiving we had something go into the toilets that should not be there, and it was clogged up a bit causing some hardship with showering and I couldn't do laundry, etc., and we finally had some back up in a couple showers. The guys got to go out in the snowfall to get that figured out and cleared out. We think that is under control now. Maybe next time we have a large gathering we will rent some BIFFY's. :)
Today is a full day for sure, definitely laundry day, though I won't get it all done. We are just glad that yesterday is over. We are all pretty tired and muscle sore from the bending and wringing out and heavy lifting .... Other than that, things are going great! :)
The snow was beautiful big flakes that we would love more if we didn't still have corn standing in the fields needing harvested. That seems to be the case in many other fields we see along our travels to and fro. The weather has been strange this year. But then, there have been many strange or different things happening this year, so maybe it fits right in.
The water fall came in the way of a toilet that kept running and over flowed to make a pool in our bathroom and bedroom. It wouldn't shut off and couldn't keep draining. So, we spent the day scooping up water with a dust pan and soaking it up with towels and more towels. We aren't sure what remodeling will need done with the vinyl, but I made a safety call with the carpet and took it and the padding out. We also have a heating duct that we will need to replace. I'm not ready to go carpet hunting, so it will have to wait until after Christmas, family reunion, and taking Chase to college. We cut out the wet section and left the other, so we'll throw a rug down after it is completely dry so we don't have to walk on the bare floor. If I wait until those other things are done I will probably make a better choice - or at least feel better about it. For now, there are heaters and fans going and it's looking pretty good this morning. Luckily the sub floor looks undamaged under the carpet area.
With our large gathering for Thanksgiving we had something go into the toilets that should not be there, and it was clogged up a bit causing some hardship with showering and I couldn't do laundry, etc., and we finally had some back up in a couple showers. The guys got to go out in the snowfall to get that figured out and cleared out. We think that is under control now. Maybe next time we have a large gathering we will rent some BIFFY's. :)
Today is a full day for sure, definitely laundry day, though I won't get it all done. We are just glad that yesterday is over. We are all pretty tired and muscle sore from the bending and wringing out and heavy lifting .... Other than that, things are going great! :)
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