Medical Report

Tuesday Terry got 2 units of reds and 1 platelets.

Friday he just had 1 bag of platelets.

He is fine! 

And - no pigeon shooters in sight either day.  ;)

So, here is a quote Bonnie Oscarson pinned (I'm an avid follower of hers). 

I may have pinned this quote before, but it's a great one, and it's a cute visual too.

Baling Week!

This was the week for baling and it went quite well.

The kids loved sleeping in the tent - the first night was in the family room and the next nights we had the tent in Anthony's room.  It was so fun!



 We had a nice few days together.

School Started for Anthony!

We (or I) like to take pictures of the kids on their first day of school.  I don't always get it done when they leave, but I try harder then to remember when they get home.  I have taken the picture on day two at times, but this year I got a photo of Anthony just coming home from his first day of school.

It will be a bit tricky since he will be baling several nights of the first week of school.  Not a real good mix, but it won't last long.

This week's medical ...

Terry had a doctor visit Tuesday -

CBC Collected:
08/19/2014 9:42 AM

Component	Standard Range	Your Value	Flag
WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	3.25	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	9.5	L
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	28.9	L
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	4	LL
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

The reds were good enough to let him go on his own till we checked again Friday, but the platelets really needed some help so he got one bag of platelets.   It was a simple and short day at the clinic.

We had a longer day in Wenatchee than that because we waited for Chase as he was doing some testing at the Wenatchee Valley College and then taking him to his car that was getting some work done. 


We went back to the clinic on (our regularly scheduled visit) Friday -

CBC Collected:

08/22/2014 8:55 AM

Component	Standard Range	Your Value	Flag
WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	2.80	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	8.4	L
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	24.8	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	3	LL
Results confirmed by redraw
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

 

This day Terry needed 2 bags of reds and 1 bag of platelets.  We got started in pretty good time and got done around 4:30pm.  I was so happy to get home kind of early ..., or so I thought ... 

We had heard over the intercom something like "Attention all employees, Code silver, first floor, Allergy".   We hadn't heard code silver before so I was intrigued and thought I'd ask the nurse about it when she came in the next time.   We've heard code blue several times and even code green a couple times, but code silver must be special.   A few minutes later we heard something like this, "Attention all employees, Code silver, contain your area".

A few minutes later our pump started beeping so a nurse came in.  She didn't seem to know what was going on, but did know that code silver included guns.  So, there must have been someone with a gun in the clinic.  

We began noticing policemen pulling into the parking lot and the nurses came back to close our door because that is protocol with such codes.  The first policeman we saw got out of his car with his rifle in his hand ready to go.  Other police vehicles pulled in and policemen were coming and going and we were in lock down for an hour and a half.   We saw the police, state patrol, sheriff, and most surprisingly we saw what looked like forest rangers.  Everyone wanted in on the action, but the action was taking place somewhere around corners we couldn't see.  So we sat and waited and watched and wondered and visited and saw a little TV.  We were finally released at about 6:00pm. 


Here are a couple photos Anthony got.

The view from our suite -



On our way out of the parking lot.

 

 

Curiosity got the best of me today so I searched for info about what took place yesterday.  After learning the real reason for the lock down I found that all of our time was wasted, and we sure understand why no one really knew anything or at least no one admitted to it.  It also explains why the forest rangers or Dpt of fish and wildlife were there.

If you are curious you can check it out too.  I got my info from The Wenatchee World.

This is the photo they had on their page - and we saw this photo taken.  This was the sheriff I saw get out of his car with the gun coming out first. He was ready for action before his door even opened.  We saw the news reporter taking these photos, so it was fun to see and recognize this picture.  Our room would have been to the very left of this photo, (except they don't show that side of the building). 



The news article is titled BB gun triggers lockdown at medical center.  That sounds silly enough, but wait until you read the news.

I think the clinic needs to talk about how and when this employee enters the building.  

Another Driver in the Family

This should have happened a long time ago, but with all that is going on around here Terry and I have a way of not giving this kind of thing the proper and immediate attention it deserves. 

However, with school starting Monday for Anthony, and the fact that he had some more time to practice drive with us so he was finally close enough to his 50 hours driving (enough that I could feel comfortable with) it was finally crunch time and we needed him to have his license more than anything else (or almost anything) on our calendar and crazy schedule.  

ANTHONY PASSED HIS WRITTEN AND DRIVING TEST first try for each and is now a legal driver and does not need a parent with him or someone else to chauffer him.  CELEBRATE!    He is our last new driver!

BrittanyJo feels like she lost her job and will miss the opportunity to take him where he needs to go.  REALLY!   She has been our designated driver for the last couple years, but will be heading out to Rexburg in September for a new adventure of her own. 

Chase is planning to attend school in Wenatchee this fall and will not be available and Terry and I just didn't want to add that to our list when there was a better option.   So we forced that activity into our schedule and got it done.

We learned a couple things as we made our attempts at getting this license -  the DOL no longer does the written or driving tests.  The Central Washington Driving School does those now,  then the DOL takes your photo and gives you your license.


Watch out Royal ..., Here he comes!

A Place

His Heart ... My Heart!

I love it when I receive tender mercies in the middle of what seems like an ordinary day.
There was nothing special about this day and I was just sitting in the congregation singing the hymn, God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son (#187), when the words in the last verse stood out to me and touched my heart.

vs 3
"Oh, Love effulgent, love divine!  What debt of gratitude is mine, That in his off'ring I have part And hold a place within his heart."

I HOLD A PLACE WITHIN HIS HEART!

This isn't new revelation to me - it's something I've known before - but today it just touched me in a tender way, and I am grateful for it.  

Indeed, He holds a place within my heart!  

This was first published at  http://waitingpatientlyonthelord.blogspot.com/2014/08/his-heart-my-heart.html

Hope

A second tender mercy in the same day.  This came as I was reading PMG in preparation to writing to my missionary son.  It was the first thing I read and then the last, because my heart received the message it needed.

"Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you.  It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.  It is believing and expecting that something will occur.  When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good.  Hope helps you conquer discouragement." (Preach My Gospel p117)


I love Hope! I believe that paragraph ... I know it is true!  I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I feel blessed! 

There are many things in life that can discourage us and indeed there have been in my life lately, and they have hit me hard lately, but I must remember to HOPE for better days ahead and remember that it will most likely "turn out better than I think".  (see also here)

This was first published at  http://waitingpatientlyonthelord.blogspot.com/2014/08/hope.html

Terry's Health Report

Terry's health report for the week is not much to talk about because it was the same as the past couple chemo weeks.  I will share this information for inquiring minds who really want to know.

We went daily, Monday thru Friday, for Dacogen chemo infusions.  On Tuesday we saw the doctor and received blood transfusions, and had more blood transfusions Friday.

Tuesday's (partial) Report Card:

Collected:  08/12/2014 10:00 AM

Component	Standard Range	Your Value	Flag
WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	2.67	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	8.0	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	23.4	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	5	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

Tuesday - Terry received his chemo on the fourth floor and then went to the third floor for 2 bags of red blood cells and 1 bag of platelets.  The doctor visit was short and nothing new was learned.

 

Friday's (partial) Report Card:

Collected: 08/15/2014 9:10 AM

Component	Standard Range	Your Value	Flag
WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	2.96	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	8.9	L
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	26.4	L
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	7	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

Friday - Terry received his chemo on the fourth floor and then went to the third floor for 2 bags of red blood cells, no platelets. 


Terry is feeling somewhat crummy today, blaming it on the effects of chemo.  His sinuses have been worsening this week too, so we can surely blame that as well.   My experience with this week can also testify to the fact that five days in row driving to Wenatchee and sitting in those clinic chairs or on those hospital beds for so many hours each day can also make a person feel crummy.   We are happy to have this week of visits complete, yet we are grateful for all that is done for us while we are at the clinic.

Terry has said many times that he is "living on borrowed blood" - surely there is truth to that, and we thank those who donate to the cause of making others healthy and alive! 

image from here
A simple explanation:  I chose this image from a Google search because I immediately noticed that the full drop was still full even after partially filling the other drop.  To me, that visual is two-fold -
1. It signifies that the donor can produce more of his own blood to remain "full" while sharing with another that cannot produce his own blood so becomes depleted and is constantly relying on the donations from others. 
2. It reminds me that as we serve we are blessed as much as the receiver, because we cannot out give the Lord and when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of our God, and He blesses us for that service to His sons and daughters.  (see here)

So today we say...THANK YOU!...to all you awesome blood donors!!!!!!  and platelet donors!!!!! and bone marrow donors!!!!!  ... We need you and we appreciate your good works!  We are grateful to you!  We hope you feel blessed as you give and serve and share in this way ... and every way!

11 Grandchildren!

image from here

Skyler and Lisa had their baby -

Todd Ritter Hebdon
born 13 August 1014  (Thomas gets to share his birthday with his nephew.)
7 lbs. 7 oz.
19 inches

He is definitely our most unique birth story yet.  All of our other grandchildren have been born in the western states, this side of the Rocky Mts., and most within our time zone, but Todd was born in Oklahoma. That alone should make his story unique, but there is more.

For the complete story (and photos) you'll have to read their blog post, but for now I can tell you the short version - that this experience for them was very unlike their first experience.  I'll give you a hint - Terry suggested his name be Chevy or Malibu ...,  yip! ..., because he was born in their car just before they reached the hospital. 

All is well!  Both baby and mother are fine ..., and so is dad and big sister (who was on her way to the babysitter, but didn't make it in time).   The car is a different story.   

Unique birth story indeed!



Dacogen Begins Again

This is the week for daily Dacogen Chemo Infusions, and the first day went well, but then we expected it to because this chemo doesn't seem to affect him as terribly as some of the others.  The infusion only takes about an hour (with of course 20 to 30 minutes each side of it to prep and disconnect) so that is always more pleasant than those 5 hour (or 10 hour) infusions.

Maybe you noticed in the last few emails about Terry's appointments that I don't really know what to say about these visits because we don't seem to have any new info.  I feel like when I post about them I'm not really sharing anything because you have all heard the same thing over and over again, and it's old news.  But when I don't report I feel this guilt that won't stop until I sit down to post about it. 

Maybe if I tell you in advance that we are going for chemo every day this week and things will be fine just as they usually are, then I'll not post daily about them anymore until after Friday's visit.  I promise that if there is something worthy of a quick post I will quickly post it, otherwise I will wait until Friday evening. 

So, until Friday ...
here is a little something I found on pinterest ...

"God didn't promise days without pain

laughter without sorrow

nor sun without rain

but he did promise strength for the day

comfort for the tears and

Light for the way."