Recovering at Home

I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Yeah! I am tired and slow (in both body and brain), but it feels good to be at home. I am trying to avoid Micah since he has a bad cough and congestion. My counts are more normal, so I should be able to get out a little this week and see people.

My new adventure is giving myself IV antibiotics. I still have a staph infection in my blood, so I need to have certain antibiotics by IV. Instead of keeping me in the hospital or sending me everyday to the infusion center in Carmel, they are going to teach me how to give them to myself. I am learning new skills all of the time!

Laura

Even Better News

Today Laura and I met with the doctor who will be doing the bone marrow transplant (BMT). Ever since we heard about the BMT, we have not felt at peace about it. We both have had various fears surrounding it, most of it related to how difficult it seems to be from what we’ve read. One of my prayers was that Laura and I would feel at peace about whatever decision we make and that we’d have no regrets. Today after our meeting, I can say that we both felt at peace about going through with the BMT.

The doctor gave us the best news we’ve had yet. He shared how the donor not only matches on 12 markers but actually on 14 markers. He said that ‘we hit the Powerball.’ He even joked how the donor (a 38-year-old male) could be Laura’s long lost brother because it’s such a perfect match. He stated how this is not very common. So we were very happy to hear this news and believe it is a huge answer to prayer.

He answered all of our questions we had and mentioned how Laura will not have to have radiation. The donor being an opposite sex gender does not matter, in fact it’s better that it’s a male rather than a female. He said they will always pick a male over a female whenever they have the option so that’s another perk. There’s also a possibility that Laura may not have to be in the hospital for the 5 weeks we originally read about so that was encouraging news as well. All in all, we were very pleased with the interaction and were very blessed when the doctor prayed for us after the appointment.

Thanks to all of you faithfully praying for us. We saw huge answers to prayer today. Laura may be released from the hospital tomorrow. Her fever is gone and her counts were up and the doctor said her lungs sound good. We started out the day with chaos because Noah woke up at 5am crying his head off because his ear was in so much pain. So I had to figure out how to get Noah to the doctor (and Micah too as well because he has a bad cold and I wasn’t sure if he was getting an ear infection) at the same time I needed to get Laura to the bone marrow appointment traveling from the hospital north in Carmel to south Indy. Thankfully a good friend took the boys to the doctor for me while I went with Laura to the consultation. Laura and I talked about how you know who your true friends are when they take your sick kids to the doctor for you (thank you Jenny, we love you)!

Okay, I’m exhausted from the day so I’m going to bed. Again, thank you for your prayers and celebrating with us. Why not go and celebrate tomorrow by having dinner out for us! We’ll keep you updated on any more info we hear. We love you all!

Brad (and Laura)

Update on the Bone Marrow Donor

Today the infectious disease doctor popped in and shared that Laura has a staff infection.  He stated that she will most likely be on antibiotics for a month.  Laura’s counts are slowly starting to go up so we are hoping that she can be released this weekend and be able to receive antibiotics at home.  We’ll wait and see what happens.  Laura slept only a couple of hours last night because of discomfort she is experiencing from other symptoms so it would be nice if you could pray for sleep for her.

While I was confirming an appointment with the bone marrow specialists today, they informed us that the possible donor we mentioned before for Laura has been confirmed to be a 12 for 12 match which is the most ideal you can get for an unrelated donor.  They said that Laura could begin the transplant as soon as April 21 but because of the infection, the date will most likely be pushed back.  Continue to pray for just the right timing for Laura and the transplant.

I think the boys are doing okay in the midst of everything.  They both have colds right now so it’s not best to visit Laura much, which is disappointing for all.  I’m starting to feel like I may be getting a cold as well so you can pray for strength for all of us as we face each new situation and circumstance.  I am feeling quite tired today emotionally and physically and I know Laura feels the same.  I imagine a couple of my friends coming beside me and just lifting me up by my arms and carrying me and that feels like a very pleasant thought to me.  When you pray for me, I actually feel like this thought I carry around in my mind.  Thanks for lifting us up even when we can’t physically be together.  Thank you for being in the journey with us together.

Love,

Brad

Keep on Praying

Laura did better yesterday.  She hasn’t felt as horrible as when she had a reaction to the platelettes.  Her fever remains and probably will until her counts go up.  She received two more pints of blood yesterday and the doctor is hoping that this will start affecting her counts.  Her lungs were clear yesterday so the wheezing is gone.  We are grateful for this improvement.  Continue to pray that Laura’s counts would go up and her fever go away.  Pray also for our spirits.  We are both tired and ready for Laura to be home.

On Friday we will have a second consultation with the bone marrow transplant specialists.  They are really encouraged that the possible donor is most likely a great match for Laura.  They want to proceed by having another consultation and begin doing preparatory work on April 7.  This is all very overwhelming and encouraging at the same time.  Our emotions are all over the place.  We will keep up updated as to how the consultation goes.

Brad

Update on Laura

Thank you all for praying for Laura as she had a bit of a rough night last night.  She still has a fever although not like last night at 104.  I spoke with her about 10 minutes ago and she still has a 100.6 fever on Tylenol and they are contacting the doctor.  The nurse thinks she hears some raspiness in Laura’s breathing so we are concerned about her getting pneumonia.  Please pray for her fever to go down, for her blood counts to go up and to be protected from pneumonia developing.  We have been so encouraged by the faithful prayers of so many and continue to covet them.  Thank you.

Love,

Brad

Needing Your Prayers Again

Laura was readmitted to the hospital today.  She is battling another infection and is not feeling well at all.  I spoke with her about a half hour ago and she had a reaction to the platelettes and her fever shot up to 104.  She feels miserable and they are trying to stabilize her so please pray for her.  She has also had a discouraging week emotionally and could use your prayers to uplift her spirits.

I’ve been doing fairly well but noticed this past week that I’m starting to feel burned out. I go for a few weeks and seem to be doing fine but I think the build-up of stress takes a while before it really weighs heavy on my heart.  The boys have had some challenges the last couple of weeks as well which always turns up the heat a little.  So your prayers for the entire Grammer family would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for faithfully loving us in so many ways.  We love you!

Brad (for all)

Christ is Risen!

Brad played the piano this morning while we all sang our favorite Easter hymns.

Our favorite: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

1.  Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia      All creation join to say, Alleluia

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia     Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia

2.   Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia        Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia      Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia

3.   Lives again our glorious king, Alleluia      Where, O death is now thy sting? Alleluia

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia    Where thy victory, O grave, Alleluia

4.   Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia   Following our exalted Head, Alleluia

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia     Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia

What great words!

Laura

Finishing My Sixth Round

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am home from getting my sixth round of chemo. I feel tired and sick but glad to be home. Next, my counts drop, and I try to avoid infection while making daily trips to the hospital in Carmel for shots.

I still haven’t heard anything about the bone marrow match, so I am not sure what the next steps are. I think that I might be “recovered” from this round in time to actually enjoy spring break with the boys. Break is right after Easter, my favorite holiday. I am truly looking forward to celebrating the resurrection.

Love you all,

Laura

Going Back to Methodist

I thought I would give Brad a break and write an update before I get my next chemotherapy treatment. Brad and I went to visit my oncologist today to see where my counts are and to plan for my next treatment. The blood test indicated that I am anemic, so I am going to Methodist Hospital tomorrow morning to have an infusion of two pints of blood. This past week I have had headaches when I bend over or lie down, and the doctor said that it is probably due to the anemia. These will be the 11th and 12th pints of blood that I have received since starting my treatments. My school did a blood drive in my honor in December and collected 38 pints of blood. I am glad that people gave, since I seem to be taking so many pints from the supply in the city!

On Friday I will be admitted to the hospital for my 6th round of chemotherapy. I will probably be there through Monday morning if all things go well. I receive two different groups of drugs that alternate each time that I am admitted. This will be the third time that I have this particular treatment. The other two times that I had these drugs I ended up back in the hospital with an infection. For some reason this round seems hit me a little harder. I am trying not to worry about getting an infection this time.

We continue to think and pray about having a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant. Today we found out that they have identified a young man on the registry who is a possible match. From what I understand, he has some of the markers to be a match for me. The next step is for him to continue to be tested to see if the other six markers on his chromosomes match. I think this is called HLA typing. After that he undergoes other health testing to see if he is a good match. This won’t be completed for another three weeks. This is all we have been told so far. My doctor feels strongly that I should go ahead and have the transplant. I didn’t know that I could burst into tears out of joy and fear at the same time, but apparently I can!

A fun thing happened to me as I was leaving the hospital after my last treatment a few weeks ago. Indianapolis was hosting the NFL combine - one of those exciting events along with free agency and draft day that keep us football fans going through the off season! The hospital was doing all of the health screening for the guys attending the combine and many of them were milling about the lobby of the hospital as I was waiting for Brad to bring the car around. My son, Noah, was so impressed that I was able to see a quarterback from one of his favorite college teams, LSU. I proabaly won’t see any football players this time, just some of my favorite nurses who make my stays bearable and interesting.

On Friday Noah and his classmates will be delivering patriotic speeches that they have spent the last month memorizing. Noah will be reciting Chief Seattle’s “The White Man Will Never Be Alone.” Brad will see it while I am at the hospital. I am fine with that, because I have probably already listened to it 20 times at home! (I know there are some other moms out there who understand what I mean.) It would be fun to see and hear all of the other speeches, and my nephew Alex is delivering Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” Way to go, fifth grade!  Friday is also the school play, and Micah is playing Sebastian in the performance of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” His cousin, Katie, is playing Viola, Sebastian’s sister. I am pretty sure that someone will be taping this so I can see it. After Friday we can get back to just the regular amount of homework.

Thanks for your emails, cards and calls. They are very encouraging. I am able to check my email when I am in the hospital, because they have wireless access in the rooms. It was also fun to visit with some of you when you came by this week.

Laura

A Great Week

Wow, I didn’t realize it’s been a week since either Laura or I wrote something.  I guess we’ve been enjoying our week and forgot to write an update.  Laura didn’t have to go back to the hospital for most of last week because her counts started going up and she recovered well from her last chemo treatment, not contracting any kind of infection.  What a gift!

Many have asked and I forgot to let everyone know that we actually DID get a our heat restored on Tuesday night of last week.  We were thinking how some people get all excited about going on a great vacation trip or something new happening in their lives and we were so giddy to have heat.  So thanks for praying for us as we waited upon God’s provision of heat.

Laura will go back to the doctor tomorrow and we’ll set a time as to when we will go back in the hospital for the 6th round of chemo.  On March 13 it will have been exactly 4 months since Laura was diagnosed with leukemia.  It’s amazing how time has gone by and how well Laura has done.  We still have the bone marrow transplant possibility on our minds but we are not letting it discourage us at this time.  We are continuing to take one day at a time and enjoy what God has given.

We actually went out to dinner this past Friday night as a family.  Then on Saturday Laura was able to go to Noah’s soccer game.  On Sunday she was able to go to church once again.  She’s only been able to go 2 times in the past 4 months so this was a treat as well.  So we are grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to be together as a family and enjoy everyone feeling good.

We’ll let you know when we go back in the hospital for the next round of chemo (possibly the end of this week).  We continue to express our gratitude to all of you for all the many ways you have encouraged us through meals, notes, phone calls, e-mails and gifts.  Thank you!

Love,

Brad, Laura, Micah and Noah