Sorry it has been so long but no news is good news, right? My mom is doing well, though she still has to go to the hospital a few times a week for shots, tests, and lots of fun :). I don't really understand the science of it, so I'm probably not a great person to update you all, but her blood counts are still very low and while the doctors aren't concerned, they also can't figure out why it is happening.
I wish I had a recent picture of her because she looks adorable. Her hair is growing back and is a pretty salt and pepper. She is very energetic and is almost back to normal. She's back doing her favorite activity (going out to lunch), and still has a somewhat restricted diet but she works around it. All in all, she looks and feels great. Now, if we could just get those blood counts up!
Thanks all for your continued love and support. Sorry this is SUCH a delayed update!

Latest Update

Not alot new on this end. Mom still has her place on the couch and has to stay in for at least the rest of the month. She goes to UCSD twice a week to get her blood checked and they say her body is recovering, although it is not fast enough for her. Still no getting to go out to lunch (her favorite). She realizes that this is a slow process and is willing to play by the rules--knowing a favorable outcome is just around the corner!

Check-up

We just got back from the nurse practitioner and she was really happy with how my mom is doing, so that was great to hear. Though her white blood cell count is still low, she said that it is the last thing to go up. She knows that her body is healing, though, because her platelet count was 50 last week and 178 this week! Yeah!
She still has a horrible taste in her mouth that is making eating and drinking really unappealing and the nurse reassured her that it would only be like that for 2 months (I think my mom was hoping it would be sooner than that!)
She has an appointment with her doctor next week because it will already be 1 month post transplant!

Mom is home now! My dad had a nose surgery last week, so the two of them are healing together at home feeling like a couple of old people. She's still not feeling great or eating much, but she's out of the hospital and that was the most important thing for her! She's hoping she's back at it by March 7.

P.S. I started a facebook account for her, which she doesn't really know how to use. If you write on her wall or friend request her, don't be surprised if you don't hear back.

A NEW DAY

Well, I guess Day 10 is the winning day. Mom said when she woke up at 3am she knew she felt better. No, not perfect, no not wonderful, just better. Her blood counts are starting to go up, so hopefully there will be nothing but improvement from here on out. Dad and I were here bright and early and at least she can talk now. Ashley is on her way so we will probably wait and see what the Drs. say about her going home.

The funny thing is that throughout this whole process they had her so concerned about the cleanliness of our home, bacteria, bacteria...after being here she feels that on our darkest dirtiest day home(I'm probably there), it is still 10 times cleaner than the hospital. Heck, just walk around wearing blue gloves and a mask.

For right now, still no visitors, but I will keep you posted.

Last night my mom got a blood transfusion. I wasn't able to get much information out of her this morning when we spoke, but she said it was because her platelets were low. My dad was hopefully going to talk to her doctors today to get some more information. She is on a lot of pain killers, so our conversations are all very limited.
Apparently everything that has been happening to her and the way she has been feeling is totally normal, so that's a relief. Her body is just completley resetting itself (from what I understand), so it takes its toll on her.
Hopefully we will find out more!

Quick Update...

(It's Lauren again).

It was a rough weekend. She wasn't welcoming visitors (which also included us) and was very sick. She handled chemo so well that I wasn't prepared to see her so completely miserable, but we are all hoping she starts to turn the corner soon.

She is on day 4 of the transplant and will HOPEFULLY get out on day 21. Keep sending good thoughts her way- she needs them!

It's My Birthday...!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!! Got my new and improved stem cells today and have just been laying here imagining them madly reproducing into very healthy cells!! Now, only 2 more weeks in this lovely "hotel room" before I get my release. Oh well, it is worth it.
Thank you for all the good thoughts you've been sending my way.
Love,
Debbie

Hi Everyone!
Well, I am settled in at the hospital and doing fine. This is Day 4 of chemo and although they said it would be four times stronger than my regular chemo, I feel fine. (Knock on wood) It is a bit confining here because they don't allow you to leave this area--if you walk around it 24 times it is a mile. Whooppee!! They have loaded me up with so many fluids that I have gained 10 pounds, which I am whining more about than having cancer--you think a person with no hair wouldn't be so vain, but it is bumming me out.
I have enjoyed reading everyone's notes--it definitely makes my day. I so appreciate all the good thoughts being sent my way. I will keep you all posted on my progress--I really think it is all going to be good.
Love to all,
Debbie

Well, it is a go for today! Mom calls the hospital this morning and they will tell her what time to check in--she is SO ready! Many people have asked about visiting, but she isn't sure how she is going to be feeling. Her recommendation is to call her cell first, 760-310-3497, and she will let you know if she is up for a visit. Also, she is not allowed flowers or plants, or for that matter, food--so if you are going to visit, just bring yourself!!
If you think you have been exposed to any illnesses, please stay away, and she can't be around any "live viruses", such as anyone who has recently had the H1N1 nasal vaccine. Yes, there are all kinds of rules...these are just a few.
I will keep you posted after she gets settled.

Today was a no-go. Here's hoping next Wednesday will be the big day!

My mom is supposed to check in to the hospital tomorrow for the stem cell transplant, but that has still yet to be confirmed. She went to the doctor today and her blood count was low, so he was trying to decide whether or not she would begin the process tomorrow.
Whether she starts tomorrow or next week, she is going into it extremely upbeat. Before her first chemo treatment my adorable dad went to the beach and found a rock. He painted it green and printed out the words "attitude is everything" and taped it to it. It was a sweet gesture and I think her attitude really has been incredible despite the many obstacles that have been thrown her way. I am continually amazed by her outlook and know that she will continue to be the perfect patient.
She went through her list of things she can't eat, can't have in the house, and can't do. Some of these include:

• Can't eat deli meats or cheeses
• Can't have flowers in the house
• Can't ever swim in a public pool

The list is very long, so if you want to ever cook my parents anything, email me and I will forward the list on to you (lahuddleston@gmail.com).

I will post whenever I have news!

Happy 2010!!

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year! With chemo #6 behind her and the wave of nausea starting to lift, Mom is optimistic about 2010. This is going to be her year. As things stand now, she is on schedule for her transplant. She will be admitted to Thornton Hospital on January 20. Just to give you an idea, the plan should hopefully go like this...1/20 hospital; 1/21-1/25 chemotherapy; 1/26 day of rest; 1/27 infusion of stem cells!!! They refer to this as Day "O"--they say you should consider this your new birthday, and Mom is seriously considering it, since the last two birthdays haven't exactly worked out for her! If all goes as planned, she should be out of the hospital around February 9. It will pretty much be "house arrest" for the next month, with lots of trips to UCSD for follow-ups with Dr. Castro.
Everyone has been offering to help, and we really appreciate it and will certainly take you up on it as the needs arise. I will keep you posted!