Getting to the Edge of the Woods

I had an opportunity to speak with Dave yesterday, and he sounds pretty good. I happened to have caught him on a day when he was a little wiped out, because he did a little too much the day before. But, it's nice to report that he was 'able' to do something, (a small workout, changing screens on the porch), even if it means that he feels crummy the next day. He said that he just needs to figure out how much is too much.
It was nice to hear that he was feeling well enough to do something. Hopefully, he is through the worst of this thing. Obviously, time will tell. But it appears, for the moment anyway, that the stem cell transplant is going to work for him. His numbers still remain very good.
No slacking with the Happy Thoughts. He still needs us and as long as we all 'think' they work, they will.
Marilyn

A Small, But Funny, Diversion

Since the beginning of this blog, I have kept us all up to date on Dave's medical, physical and emotional condition. Except for maybe one or two posts, they have all been pretty much related to Multiple Myeloma, compression fractures, purple skin conditions, etc, etc.
Well, not today. Come with me if you will to Las Vegas, where we meet John Pyle, a very good friend of Dave's, who after reading one of the blog posts becomes concerned, as many of you did, about Dave's cold, little, bald head. Well, John decides that since he is taking a business trip to Pakistan, he might as well pick him up a nice little warm turban. But he couldn't find a turban ?? so he makes another choice. John phones Dave's mom from Pakistan to tell her that he can't find a turban and that he has purchased another kind of head covering, but he can't remember what they call it so he tells her that it's the little hat that the organ grinder monkey wears. - a fez. Dave and his mom had quite a giggle over that one and John, wanting to protect his purchase, carried this thing through 4 different airports to get him home safely.
So without further ado, I give you Dave, with his permission, in his new Fez!
He's a Cutie!
Marilyn

Posted by Marilyn Tremblay at 9:30 AM 0 comments

I WANT MY MONKEY

He Sounds Good!

I got a phone call from David today and he sounded pretty darn good. Kathy took him into Boston today for a follow-up visit and the Docs are very impressed with his numbers. They said as far as the Stem Cell Transplant goes, he is still doing quite well. His skin is healing, but slowly. He claims to look like he has a really fantastic tan. Thin, though. But he was optimistic that if he could bulk up like he did before the transplant, then he could do it again. So he is taking baby steps towards gaining weight, bulking up, getting the rest that he needs and just being him again. It was oh so lovely to talk with him, he sounded the same to me, except just a bit pooped.
He apologizes to everyone for not having the strength to get back to each of you who have emailed him or written in the Guest Book or sent snail mail to the house. Not to worry, hang in there, he will get back to you soon.
I wanted you all to rest your head on your pillow tonite with the image of David being 'Good'.
Thanks to your Happy Thoughts.
Marilyn

There's a Light

According to Kathy, there is a tiny light at the end of this tunnel for Dave. He is getting better each day, but it is slow. This morning he did call Moe and have a chat. He said he was feeling good enough to chit-chat with someone, good sign. Kathy sounded pretty up beat on the phone today, also a good sign.
The healing continues.
Keep a happy thought.
Marilyn

It Gets Better and Better.

Well, Dave's coming home tomorrow! The purple skin has turned a 'lighter shade of pale' and he appears to be free of infection. He is still a little bloated, but that is also getting better each day. He's a fast healer. The power of wanting to go home badly enough, I guess.
The Docs are pretty sure that they have isolated the medicine that caused the reaction and they have taken him off of that. He will still have to be pill popping, but not that one!
The folks at Brigham and Women's, although very concerned about this skin problem, are extremly pleased with the way Dave is progressing as a Stem Cell Transplant patient. His blood count numbers continue to improve and that is some really good news. Once he gets all of these annoying, uncomfortable issues out of the way, he should be good. Kathy told me tonite that the Docs are very pleased with his health otherwise.
So, he is on the road to recovery. I will try to keep you informed of his progress at home.
Keep a happy, healthy thought.
Marilyn

The Power of the People

I just got off the phone with Kathy and she is feeling very upbeat tonite because David is getting better!! Woo-Hoo!! She said that the Docs are pretty positive that they are battling an infection and a drug reaction at the same time. Narrowing it down to that has helped them to bring Dave some relief. Kathy said that his arms are not as swollen, and Dave feels that by tomorrow his legs will get back to normal. So, good news tonite!!
He will be in Brigham and Women's probably for the rest of the week, and hopefully they will not send him home until this skin condition has cleared up.
Way to go people, your happy, thoughtful energy went right to the healing process.
Marilyn

He's Got Them All Stumped

Dave has a herd of Specialists, coming in and out all day at Brigham and Women's, and not one of them has been able to get a handle on what is causing his symptoms. The way that Kathy describes him, he sounds like a 'Purple Shrek'. The rash is all over his body, and it's itchy and painful, and now he is swollen again because of the fluids. They would like to try to take him off the anti-biotics to see if he is allergic, but that might have devasting consequences, being that he has little or no immune system. It's a pickle, and still Dave does not complain. He is, incredulously, still the mild mannered, sweet guy that we all know and love-he actually apologizes to Kathy and the medical staff for making them work so hard to care for him. It's amazing that he can maintain his humility in such a chronically frustrating and uncomfortable situation.
We still need to keep it happy, for Dave and for Kathy.
Marilyn

Oh Yeah, They Found Him a Bed at Brigham & Women's

I just got off the phone with Phyllis and she said that they will be transporting David to Brigham and Women's before the night is over. His physician, Rick, and the oncologist, Dr. Ardman both agreed that he needs a more sterile environment. Of course, Dave is not happy about having to go back to Boston, but the rest of us are thankful that they have a bed for him. Hopefully, they will be able to get a handle on this skin and mouth condition. But, in the meantime, they can keep him hydrated.
I will continue to update the Blog as I get info from either Kathy or Phyllis.
Stay tuned.
Keep it coming. Happy Thoughts, that is.
Marilyn

The First 'After Transplant' Infection

Dave's Mom called me this morning to let me know that David has been taken to Lowell General Hospital with the first, of hopefully not too many, immune deficient infections. She said that he had thrush pretty badly in his mouth and throat which was causing him alot of pain and, therefore, causing a serious dehydration problem. (He had this same problem when he was first diagnosed and was in LGH back in March.) He sounds pretty miserable. I haven't spoken with Kathy yet, hopefully I will get that chance a little later. If I do, I will update you all as soon as possible. We need to stick together here at this junction for Dave. Lots of positive energy tossed in his direction is the best medicine.
It's hard, but keep it Happy.
Marilyn

News From Flying Rock Road

Dave is doing as well as can be expected for what he has endured these past 8 months and especially the past few weeks. He sort of thought that once he was past the stem cell transplant hurdle, the rest would be a walk in the park, but it hasn't been a nicely paved road. The rash has still got the better of him and they were supposed to go to Dana Farber today for a check-up and hopefully some relief from this itchy thing. He is very tired and weak and cold and thin. It is going to take him a while to get to a 'more happy than not' place. But being home will move that process along a little quicker than being in the hospital. He is very susceptible to germs and needs to wear a mask and gloves when he has to go out. His little bald head was chilly, so Kathy bought him a nylon stocking cap that football players wear under their helmets. It sounds like the very latest fashion in mens headwear!! giggle. But it keeps him warm.
I'm sure that I don't have to tell you why you keep a happy thought for Kathy and Dave-you know.
Later,
Marilyn