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.