Update - Tricia

I spoke with Michelle yesterday, and she sounded in good spirits. There are so many random medical tests and scans and blood drawings that I'm not quite qualified to give a rundown of (too many details - too much for my brain to remember!), but she did mention that the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance seems to have it together - their offices are calm, well run, it's easy to get to, easy to park at, people are friendly, things are on time, and most of all, they communicate clearly. Definitely an answer to prayer after all the run-around they've been getting elsewhere. It's nice to know that some places understand the importance of providing a well-run environment for people who are already dealing with enough with their health issues.

I do know after her first day (Tuesday) of having tests and blood drawn, she started feeling nauseous at the clinic and when she and my mom got to the apartment at about 5:00 p.m., she was out for the evening. When I spoke with her yesterday, though, she seemed to be doing fine.

As of yesterday, they still only have limited access to email and the internet, which should be resolved soon. For now, despite the circumstances, I am personally grateful for the time it can give my mom to read, walk and relax a bit in the evenings!

Second Chemo - Michelle

My second session of chemo. went fine for the most part this week, except for all the waiting. Thursday I arrived at the hospital at 11:30 am for my 24 infusion of chemo. & ended up waiting 3 hours before they finally hooked me up. It was very frustrating. Friday morning they woke me up at 5:00 am to take a sample of my blood. I’m not sure what exactly happened, but they opened or bumped something & blood was pouring out all over my shirt. They got blood on my shirt last time I was there too. I guess I’ll wear their hospital gown next time. =) Friday I waited an hour to get started on the 1 hour chemo. I tried to nicely be persistent, but didn’t get out of there till 5:30 pm. I slept quite a bit this weekend.

I feel okay for the most part, just a little gaggy feeling off & on. I started the neupogen shots again (to produce the white blood cells). This time I’m taking 2 shots a day & 4 total between the Lovenox (blood thinner). I’m still getting conflicting stories on when the harvesting of the stem cell will take place. I’m told we’ll be in Seattle 1-2 weeks & I’m also told the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will be harvesting them this week. We’ll just have to take it day by day, as I’ve heard things can change often.

The Quilt - Tricia

Back in April, I got this email from our aunt Brenda (Melba's baby sister):

"I know Michelle is on everyones mind and in your prayers. The question is what can we do for her. A friend came up with an idea, she did for her daughter. A prayer quilt. Melba said she does get cold and this is something she can take with her and curl up in. Anyway, I hope you can all help with it. I have some Muslin material I will cut up into squares. Each of you will be getting one. Each of you will have to get a special pen that writes on fabric and then write her a message, prayer, inspiring quote or something funny. When I get them all back my friend will help me put them together and she will quilt it for me. Hope you all can help."

Last night, she went to see Michelle in the hospital, and presented her with the quilt. Here are some pictures!

If you've ever taken a picture of Michelle, you'll know this is her usual eyes closed pose :). But I couldn't resist the cute picture with my parents.

Second Round of Chemo - Melba

Michelle had Dr. appt. Tues. to check her blood count before her second round of chemo - an hr. today at 8:00. Her counts were back to normal, which is good. We did ask whether Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Group Health have all the pre-authorizations etc. settled and set up - Tami, the nurse called Medo (pronounced May do) at SCCA and she said all was ok. But when Michelle called Lynn at Group Health, Lynn was still confused by SCCA's scheduling - I sure hope those to fine institutions can get their act together before next week before us unknowlegable ones show up. It's a bit disconcerting to say the least.

The really great news is that Michelle is finally feeling ok again. She has had 3 back to normal days, which, I hope, means that the blood clot is dissolved. She asked Dr. Raish if she could work today after chemo, but there are 3 co-workers who are sick with colds (and are working) so he said at this point it wouldn't be a very good idea. Her health and staying healthy is of utmost importance right now. So, praise the Lord that she is feeling well, that her blood counts are
normal, and that we are getting mentally prepared for our stay in Seattle - our hope is that it will only be a week, but are prepared for longer if needs be.

Thanks again for all your prayers - we appreciate them and are so thankful to know the Lord is beside us every day no matter what we're going through.

Update - Michelle

I have started feeling better over these past few days. The blood thinner is finally working & I don’t have the pressure in my head, the head rushes, tightness in my chest or the massive head cold headache anymore. Just in time for my second session of chemo. this week. =) Oh well. I still feel nauseous off & on throughout the day though.

Wednesday I have 1 hour of chemo. and Thursday I have my 24 hour infusion of chemo. overnight at Skagit Valley Hospital. I think the earliest I’ll be moved over to the hospital from the cancer care center will be mid to late morning. Hopefully I’ll be finished by early to mid afternoon on Friday.

My hair started coming out fast over the last couple days. Last night I didn’t sleep very well because I could feel it on my pillow & was afraid of what I was going to see in the morning. I just laid there & tried not to move till it was time to get up. Today was pretty upsetting for me. When I went to brush my hair huge chunks were coming out & leaving bald spots. I went over to my mom & dad’s & had it shaved off. I know I’ll get used to it eventually. It was just really hard to have to do that.

Next Monday, Memorial Day, my mom & I leave for Seattle to have my stem cell harvested at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. As of right now we’ll be down there anywhere from 1-2 weeks. We’re staying at an apartment someone is kindly letting us use for free in Northgate right off the freeway. I’m still hoping to find something closer to Virginia Mason Hospital for after I have the transplant. I have an appointment with my oncologist this Tuesday afternoon. I’ll let you know if we learn anything new or different.

Update - Michelle

I have been absolutely miserable this past week. A couple of weeks ago I started a cold that has just gotten worse. At least I think it’s the cold that has given me a massive headache. I can’t even function. I just move slow for everything because I don’t feel very steady on my feet. And I lose my breath easily. The tightness in my chest & pressure in my face & head was way more tolerable than what I’m going through now.

Tomorrow will be a week of taking the Lovenox (blood thinner) & I can’t tell that anything is any better. I did use some Afrin nasal spray & took DayQuil before the spaghetti dinner fundraiser & it seemed to take the edge off for the first couple hours I was there. By the end of the evening my headache was back with full force & I ended up throwing up about 10:30 pm that night. We think it was from the constant pain from the headache & nothing to do with the chemo.

I met with my oncologist yesterday & he told me to try taking Vicodin. I took it right after dinner when I had a full stomach. I’m always scared to take it cuz it’s made me dizzy before. It seemed to take the edge off a little bit. I just took it this morning after I ate breakfast & it seems to have done the same thing. I don’t want to be taking that all the time though cuz I can’t drive then. So we’ll see if it works throughout the day.

Dr. Raish also mentioned taking the catheter out if this discomfort is unbearable. I’d have to have it put back in in about 2 weeks for the harvesting though, so I don’t want to do that. I don’t think we’re going to use that option. Monday I was told I could stop giving myself the neupogen shot (to produce white blood cells) until after my next session of chemo. Then it will be 2 shots a day. The shot giving has gotten much more bearable for me. I think I’m used to it now.

Yesterday I noticed my hair is starting to fall out-now that I’ve just gotten used to not covering it with the bandana. =( Oh well.

Fundraiser - Melba

Michelle has continued to experience extreme head pressure - most likely from the blood clot blocking off the free flow of blood. As a result, her head and face are still quite swollen each morning and she continues to have headaches constantly. Some Afrin nasal spray yesterday, May 14 seemed to help some. She had blood tests again and was informed later in the day that her blood counts are up so she didn't have to do the neupogen shot. One less injection is always good news!

The Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at Mount Vernon Christian School went super well - served over 450 people. Michelle stayed the whole 3 hours to visit and we were overwhelmed with the support from so many family members, friends, co-workers from Birch Equipment and her former place of employment-Concrete Nor'west as well as Denny's co-workers and school families and Melba's employer. It was awesome!

As Denny, Nathan, and Melba were counting the donations Michelle called - the headache caused so much nausea she was vomiting. So we rushed over to check on her and get 7-up and ice packs and get her to bed - not fun. It was quite late so the donation amount will have to wait. But we're grateful for the huge support and in a general glance can tell that God has used such wonderful friends and family to alleviate the financial concerns and we know He will take care of the rest in due time.

Prayer - Tricia

Tonight is the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Michelle. Please keep her in your prayers today - especially since she's been feeling quite miserable in the past days. She's been fighting a cold and a headache as a result. She's also still feeling head rushes from the blood clot. Anyone who has ever had a headache knows how debilitating it can be!

As for tonight, people who are sick need to take special care not to hug or shake hands with Michelle, as her immune system is weaker than the average persons.

Pray specifically that she will feel well tonight so she can enjoy the company and encouragement of so many people who care for her.

Week Update - Michelle

I went to work Wednesday & it went fine. Thursday morning was another story. I had a really hard time getting ready. My face was more swollen & it looked like I’d been stung between my eyes. I was feeling warm & light headed & ended up having to sit down in the shower. My vision was blurry, but I drove to work anyway, just to have the guys at work drive me home. Oncology called after they opened & had me come in. I had an ultra sound done on my neck & chest & then a CAT scan. The CAT scan showed that I have a blood clot. It’s in my chest in the main vein called the superior vena cava. They put me on a blood thinner, which is in a shot form & has to be given every 12 hours. We were at the cancer care center & hospital till about 3:00 pm, so it was a long day. They said it’s going to take a few days for the blood thinner to take affect. I didn’t sleep very well last night with all the pressure on my head. I knew there was something else going on than just anxiety. Apparently my symptoms weren’t enough that they could figure it out right away though. I’ll try work again next week.

The Week So Far - Melba

Saturday afternoon (May 5) Michelle called me as her head felt awful - we spent 5 hours in the ER - most everyone thinking it was just an anxiety attack, which part of it probably was. Sunday and Monday her upper chest felt better and the redness decreased but her head still felt like it was bursting every time she leaned over even slightly.

She went to work on Wednesday, although she was late because nothing seemed to work to protect the dressing where the Hickman comes out of her skin just below the collar bone so she had to change it all. Thursday morning (May 10) she called around 8:00 a.m. to say that the guys at work had brought her home as she was so light headed and unsteady on her feet. So over to Oncology we went - nice that it is only 4 blocks away from her condo. An ultrasound showed a small clot in her upper neck but not enough to be worrisome. But her face had swelled so much and her eyesight was blurry added to the already head issue. Next was a CT Scan - and that did show a blood clot in the superior vena cava - a main artery.

We were still at the hospital at 2:00 p.m. The Dr. ordered a blood thinner called Lovenox, which is in a 'shot' form - to be given twice a day, which brings her shot count to three per day. I gave it to her last night because she just can't stand to do it. Hopefully, this will soon take effect so she can bend over in the shower to wash her hair and not feel like she's going to keel over. She hasn't had the normal side effects of all the chemo drugs for which we are grateful. A not so fun day, but we just pray that this gets to the bottom of it.

Keep praying for her - this gets depressing to say the least.

Melba's Version

Michelle still woke with tightness in her neck and shoulders Monday morning - hadn't slept well, but that may have been due to sleeping a lot of Sunday after taking the Benedryl and Lorazepam pills, which cause drowsiness and relaxation. It is discouraging to say the least. So I stopped in at Oncology Monday morning to try and get some questions answered - it was BUSY so went on to work to wait for phone calls from the pharmacist, nurse, and social worker. Some questions got answered but not regarding why she is not feeling better. SO, we will definitely find a nurse when we go in for blood draw on Tuesday morning to try for some answers.

On the positive side, she has not had the possible side affects of nausea, vomiting, etc. etc. - still, it's hard to be jumping for joy when she feels lousy. But she is still being more courageous than I would be - gave herself her neupogen shot, which builds up the white blood cells. And she cleans the 2 tubes of the Hickman catheter, which takes scrubbing one's hands for 3 minutes (like ya see the doctors and nurses do on TV before they go in to surgery), iodine cleaning of the opening then attaching the syringe to the Hickman and pushing the Heperin through, making sure that the tube is closed afterward so blood can't escape. It all must be kept almost sterile to keep out any germs or bacteria and most people leave the whole job to the professionals and she's determined to take care of that herself - doing an awesome job!

We will try to keep you up every few days or once a week as time goes on. Keep her in prayer for her body to feel better soon.

First Round of Chemo - Michelle's Version

The first half of this session of ICE chemo. went fine first thing Wednesday & Thursday morning. The second half didn’t go so well. The hospital didn’t seem to know I was going to be there even though oncology called them the day before & a week ahead of time. My 24 hour infusion of chemo. didn’t get started till 2:30 pm Thursday afternoon.

Starting Tuesday I was feeling tightness in the skin around my neck & chest. It was very constricting feeling & painful. I was given a steroid in the hospital to reduce the swelling & pressure-something about releasing water that was built up. I don’t really know. They think I was having an allergic reaction because my neck & chest were all red too. And they think anxiety had to do with it, so gave me anxiety medication. I sure didn’t get very much sleep overnight at the hospital. There are people waking you up all night long.

I didn’t finish with my last hour of chemo. till Friday afternoon about 4:00-4:30 pm & by the time we had discharge papers it was 7:00-7:30 pm. I didn’t like being in the hospital. It didn’t seem like anyone really knew what was going on with me there. I would much rather be over at the cancer care center where cancer is their expertise. The tightness in my neck only got worse by Saturday afternoon & I ended up in the emergency room for 5-6 hours Saturday night. They gave me the same stuff they did in the hospital. It only works a little bit for a little while & then it’s back again. They’ve had me drugged up for the last few days thinking that would help, but I can still feel everything. I quit taking everything today, so I’m not constantly sleeping. I don’t even feel like I can function with this thing with my neck & chest. I have an appointment tomorrow morning. Hopefully something will be figured out about it.

I don’t know if I’ll be working this week or not. It all depends on if this tightness goes away. If it weren’t for that I think I’d have felt fine this weekend. I started giving myself the neupogen shots Saturday night. Neopogen stimulates the growth of white blood cells. And these are the cells that will eventually be harvested (taken out) for the stem cell transplant. I do not like giving that shot to myself. I start breathing heavy & get hot & feel like I’m hyperventilating & it freaks me out. Last year when I would get these shots I would always be in pain. So far I haven’t had any pain from them. Woo hoo! There’s a plus to report on. =)

First Round of Chemo - Day 2

Written Saturday, May 5, 12:05 a.m.

Michelle came through the 1 hour chemo on Wed. just fine - and the 1 hour Thursday was ok too, and she was ok yet when I stopped in at the hospital this morning about 9:30. But as the day progressed her neck started swelling and got very red. They think it was an allergic reaction to the chemo so prescribed more pills. Denny stopped in after school and stayed until I got there from work - she did the last 1 hour chemo and was really feeling punk by then.

Just watching the process of getting her checked out from when I got there a little after 5:00 until the time we left sure hasn't left me with a lot of assurance in the medical system - the right hand doesn't seem to know what the left hand is doing. Communication from Oncology to the hospital and over to the pharmacy isn't the greatest so it was a bit discouraging getting all the loose ends tied up to get out of there finally by 7:00pm. There doesn't seem to be a lot of efficiency - is it this way in most hospitals and clinics? Now I know why my boss's wife stayed with him 24/7 through his chemo etc.

It was overwhelming to see and hear all the instructions for cleaning the Hickman tubes, how to give herself the nupigen shots to build up her white count, how to keep everything clean and dry, etc. and keeping track of all the medications she has to take - whew!

Anyway, we got her home and settled in - think she was ready for a good night's sleep.

PS. For anyone interested or anyone who asks where to send donations Michelle has a new 'Donations' account set up at Skagit State Bank for this. The account was just set up Tuesday for this purpose. Hope that helps with any who ask.

First Round of Chemo - Day 1

Written Friday, May 4 @ 10:40 p.m.

Michelle had her first chemo drug Wed morning at the MV Oncology. She was a little tired as had to get up about 5:00 for training, which Birch Equipment does each Wed. morning at 6:00. She went to work then from 7:00 to 8:30 - did the chemo and went back to work about 11:00 (amazing how a 1 hour treatment always takes so long - no rush to get things going and done). Anyway, she was a bit tired and had a headache, but made it for the day.

Yesterday, Thursday, she had to be at Oncology at 8:00 to start another kind of drug drip for an hour or 2 - then they walked her across the street to the hospital to do the 24 hour drug drip. Again, there seems to be no rush and they didn't get her started until 2:30 (they didn't seem to know she was coming even though Oncology had called them last week and called again on Wednesday - there seems to be some lack of communication here - which isn't too comforting to patients, but I've heard from someone who works there that they are terribly short handed - like 20 positions) - which means she won't be done with that one till about 2:30 today and has to do one more 1 hour drip. Hopefully, she'll be done by 5:00 but we aren't holding our breath. She had lots of visitors all day and evening so had no time to get bored (or get a nap). Denny had a track meet so didn't get home till 7:30 at which time he, Nathan, and I went back – Michelle and a friend were watching a movie so we didn't stay long - just brought her some earplugs, her comforter and some mail. She brought her own pillows - amazing how different hospitals are now days – another friend visited several hours and brought her 8 month old with.

I'll be stopping in this morning to see how her sleep went - she had an air mattress that kept decompressing - (for bed sores) and wasn't very comfortable. And we know hospitals in general aren't very restful so she'll probably hit her bed early - has to work tomorrow so will be exhausted by Sunday. But she's determined to work as much as she can.

The next treatment is supposed to be May 23- here in MV Oncology again.

The Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser is May 14 - Monday 5-8 pm. Sara Rothenbuler, Birch Equipment’s owner, was to send out newsletters to 2000 customers with that info as well as info for the bank account set up at Skagit State for donations. We are hearing of more and more people who are forwarding the fundraiser info to all their friends and co-workers - so we hope it goes well.

Will try to keep you all updated - we thank the Lord for all the encouragement and care being given to her and to us - the Lord certainly gives what we need as we need it - in so many forms from so many people. Not that I would recommend going through any of this kind of thing just to be able to be given all this care, but it is so amazing! Have a great day and God bless you all.