 | 5/1 - Jeri failed her blood and liver function test
today and could not be admitted for the next round of Methotrexate.
The blood counts were lower, in some respects, than last week. They
said that the Cisplatin sometimes has a delayed reaction and that we
shouldn't worry too much. Yeah right:-( The next trip to the
clinic will be early Wednesday morning and they'll retest Jeri and try to
admit her that morning. That means that Jeri will definitely miss her
Eighth grade dance on Friday. She had her dress and was hoping to put
in an appearance. Unfortunately, the dress was returned today.
Jeri took it in stride though. She knows that this is more important
in the overall scheme of things. She was glad to avoid the hospital
and come back home but she knows that it is only a temporary respite.
Her friends were disappointed. Deep down, I'm sure that Jeri is
too. Stay tuned for the continuing saga. This is week 9 for
those of you following along on the first phase road
map. Surgery is still tentatively scheduled for May 15.
We'll see. As I've continued to say, "Reality Prevails." |
| 5/2 - Jeri felt pretty good today...did some schooling,
got a manicure and continued her tour of Houston restaurants. Today
was her Grandpa Sam's birthday and we celebrated with a dinner at County
Line Barbecue followed by birthday cake at home. Jeri is definitely
ready to get this last chemo over with.(Me too!) Here's hoping that
she passes her liver function tests tomorrow! |
| 5/3 - Jeri did pass all of her liver function tests
today and everything was a go for the next chemo except for the fact that
there were no beds empty at the hospital. There were supposed to be
three empty rooms by this afternoon, but four children running fevers really
needed them. (One is still in the ER awaiting a room). So
instead of being impatient (which is definitely one of my character flaws) I
choose to be grateful that Jeri is not one of those children - that she is
healthy - except for that nasty tumor in her leg. So we are just kind
of hanging out at the house waiting for a call from the hospital. The
good news is that Brit will be returning from Bartlesville tonight and we
will get to see him since we are still home. |
| 5/4 - The hospital called about 7:15pm with an open
room. Jeri didn't want to go but went anyway. This is the last
chemo treatment before the surgery. She was wanting more time to feel
good. We wanted it for her too but it doesn't look like the surgery
will be delayed unless some of her body functions aren't up to certain
levels. It's tough to see her go when she feels this good because we
know that, once the poison hits her, she will feel terrible for the next few
days. At least we know that this is supposed to be killing the cancer
and, knock on wood, Jeri will bounce back. At least she has up until
now. |
| 5/5 - The treatment started about 7am this
morning. More hospital time. Hurry up and wait. Jeri
pretty much took it in stride even though she hates to be there. She's
had a bit of nausea this afternoon. She doesn't eat while in the
hospital but everyone else does. The food cart was odiferous enough to
give her some trouble (that's why she doesn't eat). She was sleeping a
lot this afternoon. Her grandmother Mary Day was giving Virginia a break
before the night shift. P.S. thanks to the Cinco de Mayo fairy
who brought some nice things by the house for the rest of us to eat for
supper. |
| 5/6 - Jer's doing well today. She sent out for
food last night and again today at lunch. This is the first time she has
been able to eat during the chemo. They must have gotten the nausea
medicine right this time. |
| 5/8 - Saturday was indeed a good day. Jeri had several friends come
by to visit. She enjoyed it a lot and it meant so much that they had
not forgotten her. She was tired afterward. Sunday was a day of
trying to catch back up on rest and hope the Methotrexate
cleared by Monday morning. Jeri was still eating (take out, no
hospital food), which was a good sign. She was progressively weaker
through the weekend and more so today. Today started the release
merry-go-round which is becoming a to familiar refrain with this particular
drug. She needed a reading of <.1 of something on the early morning
blood test. She had .11, which was too high. She talked them
into a later test and, because it was later, she needed a reading of
<.08. She had .08 which was not less than .08 so they would not
release her. If this is beginning to sound familiar, check 3/18.
They've now decided to keep her overnight, again, and she's not too
happy. She had to be at the clinic at 9:30 in the morning (Tuesday)
for a MRI so it will be a while before
she gets to come home. Jeri is very sad this evening and it's
understandable why. |
| 5/9 - The release came at 2am. Needless to say,
Jeri and Virg didn't want to come home from the hospital and be back at
9:30am for the MRI. They came home
afterward. Mixed in with that was a mix-up with discharge orders,
musical chairs with the hospital transportation staff trying to take Jeri
back to the hospital and trying to find Jeri while she was being stored off
in a corner waiting for the transport guys. Jeri wanted to go to Ci
Ci's for pizza and then she went to school for a speech class
function. She wanted to go out to dinner but that turned out to be too
much. Her supper has come home with us for her to try after a bit of
rest. Tomorrow is school at home and in for more tests on
Thursday. I spoke to Dr. Murali
today and he agreed that Jeri needed time to rest since the last treatment
has ended later than expected and Jeri needs to build some strength.
He's moving it from Monday to Thursday. |
| 5/10 - Today was a day for resting and school. It
was a typical post-chemo day with a couple of "throw-up" attacks
and actually eating well. Jeri's teacher came by the house to continue
the home school of which Jeri is doing well. |
| 5/11 - Today is a day to forget about the big C and
show a parent's pride for two daughters that continue to distinguish
themselves. I think I had mentioned that Randi had been elected to Mu
Alpha Theta, the Math Honor Society and the National
Honor Society at Cypress Creek High
School. Tonight was the night for the awards ceremony
at Bleyl Middle School. Jeri had
a pretty good night. I'm going to revel in the vain manner of a proud
parent and list the awards she received..
 | 1999-2000 School Year
 | Outstanding Student in Speech III |
| Distinguished Honor Roll (for each six week grading period) |
|
| Special awards for Grade Eight
| Dr. Karl Bleyl Academic Excellence Award (students have all A's
for semester averages in grades six, seven and eight) |
| President's Award for Academic Achievement (including a letter
from Slick Willie himself) |
| Best All Around (Two eighth grade students are selected by
their peers on the basis of leadership, service, citizenship,
friendliness, cooperation and academic achievement - There is a plaque
on the wall of the school, as long as they have walls, listing the
recipients of this award. Jeri also gets a plaque for herself
- Thanks to the eighth grade students, faculty and administration
for all of the support and understanding they've given to Jeri) |
|
|
| 5/12 - The pre-surgery tests continue. Yesterday
was a blood test and CT or CAT Scan.
Today was a Bone Scan. Jeri's
blood tests results are either high enough for surgery or close enough that
they are expected to be okay at next week's test. Virg and Daddy said
that they could see the tumor on the Bone
Scan now that it has begun it's necrosis (medical word for death or
dead). They didn't like what they saw. The area of the tumor
makes the bone appear about twice the normal diameter and it from the top of
the knee to almost halfway up the femur. Dr.
Johnson will have his work cut out for him on Thursday. |
| 5/13 - Today was a day of rest and continued gathering
of strength. Jeri felt good all day and appears to be getting
stronger. Hope so....she'll need it for the surgery. |
| 5/14 - Today was a Happy Mother's Day. Although
Jeri tires easily, she feels good and we love seeing that bright smile of
hers. After a big dinner in celebration of both Mother's Day and her
Grandpa Charlie's birthday, Randi and Jeri headed to the movies for a
"sister outing". Brit headed to Bartlesville for a quick
trip to tie up all the loose ends he can before Jeri's surgery. He will
return tomorrow. In the morning, Jeri and I head back to the medical
center for the last test before surgery...a kidney scan... which takes all
day. We will be glad to have these tests behind us and the mini-van
will enjoy a short vacation from the I-45 trek. |
| 5/15 - Today was Kidney testing day. It's
called a GFR test. That's one
where they take blood, give some kind of stuff and then take blood again
over a several hour period. It takes about 4 hours from the time they
start. That leaves lot's of time for walking around the hospital
grounds. Early in this process I asked Jeri to do something for her
mind and something for her body each day. I asked her what she had
done for today when I got home this evening. She did a chapter in the
science book today and continues to do her exercises. She said she did
her exercises and will do extra stretching exercises. I'm glad she can
do the exercises. Some days, immediately following chemo, her exercise
for the day is to just get up and move around a bit. |
| 5/16 - The day started with the clinic calling and
requesting that Jeri come down for the blood work that they didn't get
yesterday. None of us were too happy about that. It's at best, a
couple of hours round trip just to get there plus the hospital time
waiting. There was a happy ending. The home health care folks
will come by tomorrow morning. The doctors want these counts as a last
check before surgery. We would have taken Jeri if necessary but we
were a bit put out after Jeri spent all day down there yesterday.
All's well that ends well. Besides, that's why the home health care
folks get paid lots of money. The day ended on a much happier
note. Jeri had her birthday dinner a bit early this year. Her
birthday is on May 26. She had planned her dinner choice, a family
tradition, for the time between the chemo and surgery when she had the
chance to feel the best. It was in doubt when last weeks chemo was
running long and they were still focusing on Monday. Thanks Dr.
Murali. We went to Americas
on Post Oak Blvd. in the Galleria area. That's where the pictures are
from. A good time was had by all. Now I just hope that oil
prices stay high so I can get a raise. |
| 5/17 - Today was a relatively quiet day of anticipation
of the surgery that follows tomorrow. Jeri had a pedicure. Those
of you that know Jeri know that she wants to look good. She's received
many notes, cards, calls from friends and a prayer blanket from the
Church. All are wishing her well tomorrow. She went to bed early
but isn't sleeping. She's listening to her CD player. Our
anxiety is only second to hers as she enters the next major stage on the way
to beating this thing. Many have made special efforts to make sure
that their prayer groups remember her. We are thankful to all.
It will help to give Jeri and us the strength to forge ahead. Randi is
missing school tomorrow to be there. Virginia's parents, Sam and Mary
Day and my dad, Charlie Parker, will also be there with Jeri. I know
that everyone else will be there in spirit and in prayer. |
| 5/18 - Today started around 4:30am. We had to be
at the hospital by 6am to be ready for pre-operation preparation by
7am. Jeri's friend Rene and her mom were there to see Jeri before she
went of to the preparation room. That was nice of them. Jeri was
ready to get the tumor out of her body. Surgery started before 9am and
was completed around 2pm (about 5 hours). Jeri didn't get out of the
recovery room and to a hospital room until 6pm. She's resting
comfortably thanks to the epidural.
Jeri is still very sleepy. Virginia is spending the night. |
| 5/19 - Whew! What a day yesterday was. It
was tough emotionally and physically for us all but especially for
Jeri. Fortunately, Jeri doesn't remember too much about it.
She's resting today and the epidural
is doing it's trick and keeping the pain down. She's had several
visits from the pain management team of physicians as well as many
others. She had a bit of a fever last night and again this afternoon
but Tylenol seems to do the trick. She's got some color back in her
cheeks and her eyes say that she's awake and in control. We heard that
there were some interesting rumors at Bleyl
yesterday. Jeri says to let everyone know that she is alive but not
yet kicking. |
| 5/20 - Well, Brit is spending the night with Jeri
tonight so Virg is doing the update today. Jeri is doing as well as
can be expected. The epidural is working well and that helps immensely
in keeping Jeri comfortable. Physical Therapists have already been by
and assigned some exercises for Jeri to do to help keep the blood from
pooling in one spot. Because the epidural is so effective, Jeri cannot
move her legs at all. She can wiggle her toes and flex her ankles but
that is about it. So, it is the helper's job to make sure that she
doesn't get any pressure sores from lying in one spot. We prop her
ankles up on pillows and roll her to one side or the other and prop her up
with pillows just so she can rest in a slightly different position.
She is good-natured about having these rookies help her, but she sure speaks
her mind if she doesn't think that we are doing it correctly. It was a
tough morning at the hospital this morning. The pump that distributes
the epidural medication went dry. We called the nurses in a panic and
they called pharmacy to get us some more medication but somehow the lines of
communication went down. Over two hours went by before the medication
was replaced in the pump and the nurses and pharmacy were busy blaming each
other. We don't care whose fault it was but it was incredibly
stressful for Jeri. Thanks to Dr. Dunbar, one of the pain service
doctors, Jeri did receive an injection of the medication to tide her over
before the rest of the crew got their act together. We now know that
we had better keep the bag checked ourselves and not leave it for the
professionals. Jeri was also running a 102 fever and it seems that the
PCA (Personal Care Assistant) who took her temperature forgot to tell the nurse that Jeri was running
a fever. So, when the nurse came in and Jeri asked why she hadn't
received her Tylenol yet, another hubbub ensued. Hopefully these
communication issues will be worked out. (Brit did mention that he was
sure there would be no such problem while HE was there. I believe
him!) The good news is that Dr. Johnson came in and took all of the
dressing off of her left leg. Jeri and I were not at all sure that we
were ready to see what it looked like after surgery but Dr. Johnson was very
proud of it and insistent that we see. He has good reason to be proud.
It looks much better than my imagination had pictured it. Jeri
wouldn't touch it so Dr. Johnson grabbed her hand and put it where the tumor
used to be so that she could feel her normal-sized leg again. She was
happy. When I left the hospital, Jeri was in good spirits and had
resigned herself to an evening of basketball since she knew that would be
her dad's choice on the TV. |
| 5/21 - It was a good night. Jeri said she got the
most sleep she's had since Wednesday night before the surgery.
Would you believe that the shift change came at 7am and the epidural
bag was dry. I had a talk with the Nurse Manager and with
Pharmacy. They had the drug up within an hour and back working before
it wore off. We had a nice talk about how events can go from "one
of those things" to "careless" to "downright
negligent." I think I got everyone's attention. I'll be
calling in tomorrow morning just to see if all the players remember our
visit or whether I need to go back by the hospital and let them know I'm
checking. Oh well, I guess that's part of our job. Jeri and I
were having a pretty good day til the Astros lost.....again. Virg and
Daddy came and shortly after that, Dr.
Johnson came by to check on Jeri. He was satisfied that the wound
was healing and said that Jeri wouldn't use the passive motion machine since
her incision was so large. He was more concerned about getting the
incision healed and preventing infection due to the size of the allograft
(transplanted bone). He also commented that it was doubly important
that there be no infection or other problem from the surgery since she'll be
back in chemo just as soon as possible. He lifted Jeri's left leg and
bent the knee to see if it would bend. It did and he also discovered
the extent to which the epidural
was effective....or should I say ineffective. I thought Jeri was going
to come up out of the bed and get after him. He said that that was
another reason to avoid the passive motion machine. Virginia has
tonight's shift and I'll have tomorrow's. |
| 5/22 - Well, between Brit's admonitions yesterday and
Dr. Dunbar's notes and personal discussion with various managers, we had a
very smooth morning this morning. The epidural bag was changed before
it went dry and the nursing care and attention to detail was
impeccable. Jeri started her physical therapy today. Her first
job was to sit up on the edge of the bed. She was shocked and
horrified when she discovered how difficult that was to do. She even
stood on her good leg for a few moments (with help). It will be at
least three months before she can do any weight bearing on her left
leg. By the time I left the hospital this evening (Brit is sleeping
over tonight), she could sit up with much greater ease and was working hard
on all of her exercise assignments. She is determined to excel at
physical therapy too. A couple of her friends came to visit tonight
and that brought a huge smile to her face. Friends can be the best
therapy! Thanks to everyone for their continued prayers, good wishes,
flowers, cards, balloons and thoughts. (I am not sure if there is a
single stuffed bunny left out there that hasn't been added to her
collection.) It makes her feel very special to be remembered though
and we are all so grateful. |
| 5/23 - Today was a day for rest and physical
therapy. Jeri is working to flex her left knee and has managed a bit
better than 45 degrees. She's also tried standing but that's a bit
tougher. She'll keep working on movement. Dr.
Johnson told her that the only thing standing between her and the door
was getting to where she could get around on her crutches. That should
give her plenty of incentive. Meanwhile, the pain doctors are starting
to wean her off the epidural.
They started about 4am this morning with the "numbing" medicine
and continued throughout the day with the pain medicine. Jeri was
feeling the difference by this afternoon and that made her uncomfortable and
a bit moody. They said that they'll have her completely off it by
tomorrow. The order of the next few days is to continue physical
therapy and continue healing. |
| 5/24 - Just a quick update today as I am headed back to
the hospital (after playing hooky to go pound tennis balls against some poor
unsuspecting ladies). They removed the epidural today so we are all
expecting Jeri to have to deal with additional pain. When I called,
mom said that she was napping. The physical therapy is exhausting as
well as painful. She will be able to leave the hospital as soon as she
can get in and out of bed easily and motor around on her crutches.
This is a difficult time for her but she knew it would be beforehand.
We all wish that we could do it for her! Brit will be back tomorrow
from Bartlesville to continue the updates. Thank you all again for
your prayers! (Virg) |
| 5/25 - The epidural
is gone and now Jeri is getting morphine twice a day. The physical
therapy is getting pretty tough as the pain is definitely showing
itself. Jeri's job last night was to sit in a chair for half an hour
and stand for a few minutes. She did it but not without
difficulty. Today has been more of the same. She rates the pain
as 7+ on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being high. I suspect she's being
tougher than the scale requires from the sound of her voice and look on her
face. |
| 5/26 - Today is Jeri's real birthday. It's been a good one.
The day started out with physical therapy assisted with a bit of morphine
for the pain. Jeri did well and the physical therapist gave her some
things to work on. Jeri and I went out exploring outside and went to
the Deli at the Rotary House across from M. D. Anderson. When we got
back from lunch, a group of Jeri's friends were decorating her room for her
birthday. They had a good visit and then another friend and mom showed
up with birthday cheer and stayed for a visit. They left and then the
nurses on the 7th floor came to sing happy birthday. They had sent a
birthday cake a bit earlier. The afternoon physical therapy was to be
done without morphine. Jeri went about 25 yards or so on the crutches,
showed she could get out of her bed on her own and lifted her left leg off
the bed without assistance. Megan, the physical therapist, said that
the chart said that she could go she was ambulatory enough. She said that
Jeri's progress in the last couple of days had been amazing and that she was
going to recommend that Jeri be allowed to go home. Meanwhile, two
cookie bouquets arrived for the birthday. Another friend and mom came
to see Jeri. I called Virginia & grandparents to let them know
that Jeri might be going home today. Sure enough, the release order
signed by the doctor arrived about an hour after they arrived. That
was the best birthday gift of all. Thanks to all of Jeri's friends
that remembered her on this special day and thanks to the staff at TCH
for taking care of Jeri so that she could come home. She'll start physical
therapy 3 days a week but a lot of work on her own in between times.
She has to work to continue strengthening the leg and work on
flexibility. The sutures (staples) still look good and she should be
safe from infection. |
| 5/27 - Today was a day for rest and rehab. We've
continued with the physical therapy by continuing work on flexibility of the
new knee and leg lifts. Jeri managed to get the knee bent to almost 80
degrees. Amazing. She still has a lot of pain during the
exercises but is being a trooper. She's easing back on the pain pills
as well which is a good thing. Tomorrow will be more of the same. |
| 5/28 - It was more of the same, i.e. rest and
rehab. Jeri has some unusual pain in her left foot. We're not
sure if it is an artifact of the epidural
or nerve problems from surgery. Dr.
Johnson mentioned that there could be some temporary problems with a
nerve in Jeri's foot but this was not what he described. Guess we'll find
out after the holiday. In the meantime, Jeri is doing her best to
fight through the pain when she does her exercises but it's tough.
She's improving each day. That's a good thing. Her left knee
area is pretty bruised on the front and in back. I'm sure that causes some
pain as well. Jeri is wondering if it will every go away and I try to
tell her that it's still soon after surgery and she's doing great under the
circumstances. She needs to hear it but I'm not sure she believes it. |
| 5/29 - Jeri is working hard and getting results.
She is controlling the muscles better and that reduces the pain. Leg
lifts showed great improvement this afternoon and she's increased the
number. Glad to see that her hard work and pain is being rewarded by
results. Today was the last day for Virginia's Mom and Dad. They
resume their journey wherever the motor home takes them. My Dad is
still here. I'm headed to Bartlesville for a few days. I told
Jeri that I would call at least once a day and sometimes twice, just to make
sure that she's doing her physical therapy. |
| 5/30 - Jeri is continuing to exercise here at the
house. Today we made an appointment with the physical therapists up
here. They will evaluate her on Friday and then we will find out the
therapy schedule. She will be seeing them three times a week until the
chemo begins again. We have also made her follow up appt. with Dr.
Johnson...he's a busy man...we had a choice of tomorrow or not again until
June 14. I guess we'll go in tomorrow. Jeri accompanied me on my
errands today and did great getting in and out of the car as well as her
wheelchair. We made an excursion into Barnes and Noble for a little
light summer reading material as well as a Frappacino for Jeri.
(Pretty minor as far as retail therapy goes.) Everyday brings new
improvement! |
| 5/31 - Another day of healing! Jeri's visit with
Dr. Johnson was uneventful (our favorite kind). He started to take the
staples out of the incision and had progressed from the calf to past the
knee when Jeri cried Uncle! The incision is very very tender (as we
can only imagine) and it was torture to her. He gave her the staple
puller to pull out the remaining staples at home a few at a time. As
he reminded her, the length of incision that he had already pulled the
staples out was the usual length. Jeri's is at least twice that
long. Everything seems to be healing well and Jeri is coping with the
pain. |
