Adventure Day One

April 13, 2010 – Each day we wake up we live with the reality that it could be our last.  This journey has given us insight into a new way of looking at the world, through the eyes of dealing with leukemia.  Once you have gone through the fire, you really experience each day as a blessing.  Each of us has a choice to make everyday; be optimistic or pessimistic.  Be careful what you choose; we truly believe it will determine your fate. 

April 3, 2003 10:00 AM

Rickey writes a reply to his brother, Jan Re: How Things Are Going Right Now:  My next consolidation begins April 14^th: five days chemotherapy, home for a week or so to get sick and a week or so back in hospital for recovery.  We are shooting on moving in June.  Spring is the time that everything feels so new and refreshing.  Weather is beautiful today, spring is calling.  Take care; come fishing in the valley when ever you’re ready.  The setting will be different, almost like staying at a lodge.  Love, Rick

April 4, 2003 9:33 AM

Brother Jan writes:  Brother…this seems like about the tenth time for you. You amaze me on your ability to face this each time and be so strong, then to make your plans for your house move through it all.  You are a much stronger man than I could ever be.  Hope all of your scheduling works out okay. Keeping you in my thoughts…Love, Jan

Rickey replies: Thanks for the pep talk. It’s the eight time; the first being 42 days long. The truth is I put the hospital out of my mine until the day before.  Without an actual count it will be six months day for day on the 14th of April when I go back in.  Of those 180 days I’ve been in the hospital about 100.  It becomes routine but you never get used to it.  Each person’s pain is relative to each person.  I’ve been blessed with a good tolerance (I just wrap it in Blue and send it to you).  EXCEPT FOR NEEDLES! I’d rather they put a tube in my chest than stick me with a needle in the arm.  Love, Rick

April 20, 2003 5:02 AM

Rickey writes: Chemo Consolidation Four and Out the Door - I take advantage of this turning point in my therapy to thank all of you for your support during this adventure.  I returned home yesterday from my fourth and (hopefully) final chemo consolidation.  Five days passed the sixth month mark all the chemo began.   I am feeling great and am told “I’m lookin’ good”.  This next week is “Neutropenia Week”, where I could get an infection/fever due to low white blood cell resistance, and have to return to the hospital for another week, but like Charlie Brown, I always believe Lucy will hold the ball long enough for me to kick it.

April 30, 2003 8:00AM

PJ writes:  This journey never fails to surprise us, Rickey’s back in the hospital with a fever and gall baldder problems, the worst week to get sick is when you are neutropenic, your immune systems has the least resistance.  The doctors are debating the situation, and have determined that due to Rickey’s leukemic condition, the gall bladder can wait a few months for him to regain his strength.  Rickey, being the trooper that he is, asked to have the surgery as soon as possible.  I will be traveling to New Orleans for a meeting that should not be changed, so with that on the schedule and Rickey in a wait and see mode, I will be heading to mix business with pleasure and visit the family in Houma while in Louisiana.  I am looking forward to the view from outside these hospital walls and the Cajun food!

May 2, 2003 12:07 PM

PJ writes:  Just getting back to find that surgery could not wait.  The day I took off the doctors took Rickey into surgery.  I drove straight to the hospital last night, got there just around midnight and stayed with him until 5AM.  Came home to unpack, check email and get a few hours of sleep before I return back for the weekend.  Due to the hospital adjusting to reduced staff, many of the regulars that had been living our adventure with us were on deployment, the lack of details on Rickey’s situation made for a bumpy road while I was gone.  The Oncology folks turned him over to the surgery folks, who did not think he needed any more blood products.  They felt he would just rebuild them on his own!!!  SO needless to say I jumped in and demanded he be turned back over to the Ward specialist and that happened around 8AM this morning, so he is now back under the right people and even though he is a trooper, he is still in a lot of pain.  Still had fevers last night, but I know he was glad to see me, if only for a few hours.  I will have my laptop at the hospital all weekend and my cell phone on most of the time. Thanks for all your support!!! 

May 6, 2003 11:15 AM

Rickey writes:  Here it is Tuesday 6 May and I’m sitting in the hospital.  Not only did I go neutrapenic last week, I also had gall bladder problems which quickly led to the removal of my gall bladder.  Seven days later, I’ve got a touch of pneumonia in the bottom of my right lung, and possibly a leak it the bile duct where they removed the bladder.  Nothing major and the various parts of the medical staff are all over it.  I have to approach this one differently.  The neutrapenia is over, now its post operative related.  So I watch intently and try to keep track of who’s doing what.  I consider it lucky to have been here for the gall bladder because it was more than ready to go.  For those of you that were blessed with PJ’s presence at lunch in Houma last week, I know you had a good time and are grateful for the rest you’ll get before her next visit.  All that energy in one spot!   Until the next time I get to use a computer around here… Love and Take Care, Rickey

May 12, 2003 7:45 AM

Rickey writes: Done with Chemo, Onward to New Adventures - Since I last wrote I have been humbled.  Thinking I would slip through neutropenia and be on with my life, I took on a fever 2 weeks ago today.  By Wednesday that week I was on the operating table having my gall bladder removed - the old fashioned way. (The probable cause of my last three infections).  Although never showing signs of going bad, it did.  Once removed, my infectious state rapidly improved.  I was released from the hospital in time for Mother’s Day.  I will return to the hospital on Wednesday, as an outpatient, to have the staples removed and check my status.  What was thought to be pneumonia last week turned out to be an after effect of surgery where the bottom portion of my lungs blocked up, that’s all clear now. The cause of my mystery fever was one of the antibiotics I was taking.  So what was a difficult situation soon became manageable. 

We went into remission in early December, and have been optimistic ever since.  Life holds no guarantees, but that’s true for everyone, not just us.  I will go into a period of weekly blood testing, among other tests, which will then stretch out to monthly, quarterly, etc.  The outpouring of good wishes and prayers throughout has been phenomenal.  Again, thank you.  You all hold a special place in our hearts, even more so than before, thank you, and all those people like you who don’t have E-mail, but have been so involved.

The movers come a week from today and we are scheduled to have both houses 1-16 June.  Keith and I will paint the inside of the new place before the furniture arrives on 9 June.  Then at the end of June, PJ and I head to California for our nephew’s wedding, a long awaited/overdue reunion, in some cases a union, with family members and a well deserved vacation.   After that, you can reach me on my cell phone.  There are no phone booths along the fishing streams of the Shenandoah. I’ll be in touch. Our love goes out to all.  Take care. We love you, Rickey and PJ

We all have intuition, that tugging emotion inside that helps guide us; I knew I needed to travel for work, but really was worried to be gone.  The reality is that life gets in the way.  For almost seven months Rickey and I were inseparable: I left thinking Rickey would not fail while I was gone, but the truth was revealed a few weeks later.  When walking down the hallway at the hospital, still hospitalized, Rickey was stopped by a nurse and asked if he had recently undergone gall bladder surgery.  He wasn’t sure how she would remember him, since during the surgery he was wearing a mask.  She said it was his eyes.  He was surprised to hear her recant the surgery by saying it was touch and go there for a while and we thought we might loose you.  The surprised look on Rickey’s face quickly made her change the subject, but it made us realize just how close to death’s door Rickey had ventured again, not from leukemia, but from life.  What would you set out to do in life if you knew you would not fail?  How do you live like everyday is your last and balance that with the responsibilities to which we are all bound.  In life we don’t always get what we want, but we should find the good in everything we get, even our challenges.  Never, never, never quit!  Remember life is an adventure, embrace the journey.  You can make a difference one day at a time.

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April 12, 2010 –None of us are ever assured that tomorrow will be anything we planned, so after a lot of soul searching and many long talks not only between ourselves and our family, but also with God, we decided to make a life decision.  I don’t know how other people pray and make life decisions, but for me it has always been like a conversation.  I believe if I open my mind with a positive attitude for endless possibilities God helps guide my way.  Not a complicated process, and for me one that is liberating in troubling times.  With our future outside the hospital close at hand and one last round of consolidation therapy left to endure, we decide to put into motion the process to sell our home in suburbia Maryland and relocate to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

March 12, 2003 5:40 AM

Rickey writes:  We Could Be Moving - On Sunday we drove west about 120 miles to a small town, population 900, in the Shenandoah Valley and made an offer on a “rancher” on 3 wooded acres.  The owner accepted the bid by Monday.  On Tuesday we called a Bowie Real Estate Agent who had our house on the market and showing it by Tuesday night.  The rancher is 2 levels, has cathedral ceilings, 2 sided fireplace, wood stove, double decks, a stream running through it and a very nice view of the mountain in the winter.  It’s smaller than our current house, but that’s what we were looking for.  There are 5 trout fishing rivers and lots of streams in the area.  I’m doing fine.  I go back to the hospital today for blood draws and hopefully all will be routine. Love, Rickey

In the midst of all that was going on with his health Rickey was still able to look forward and plan for the future, no matter how short or long that future would be, he was ready to get started.  In the same timeframe we received a special email from a friend that really connects to how we feel about prayer.

March 27, 2003 7:00PM

Incoming from a friend - A conversation with God 
I asked God to take away my habit.  God said, No.  It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.  I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.  God said, No.  His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.  I asked God to grant me patience.  God said, No.  Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.  I asked God to give me happiness.  God said, No.  I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.  I asked God to spare me pain.  God said, No.  Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.  I asked God to make my spirit grow.  God said, No.  You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.  I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.  God said, No.  I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.  I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.  God said…Ah, finally you have the idea.  This day is yours, don’t throw it away; to the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world. – Anonymous

No fees, no dropped calls, no one needs to wait in line, or wait for the connection to dial up, God, however you view God, is available through the original wireless connection – prayer…take a moment and talk, what’s on your mind?

Until our next blog – remember life is an adventure, embrace the journey.  You can make a difference one day at a time. 

Share your adventure with us!

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April 11, 2010 –Rules in life help us stay on our path; navigate us to our destinations without getting in trouble.  They give our life structure and in some ways comfort, that we are doing the right things.  While on this journey with leukemia, the rules get written anew almost everyday; new research is done, and new ways to battle the disease are discovered.  So really there are no rules, just guidelines.

Getting ready for Rickey’s third round of consolidation therapy; it is just another Monday morning; a now regular routine.  We have two black roller suitcases packed, one with Rickey’s hospital clothes and personal effects; slippers, hat, foot cream, toothbrush; and one packed with Rickey’s life; his leather prayer box, the family pictures, small nick-knacks that will fill the window ledge with love and of course, the CD player to fill the room with healing music.  All these things help make the hospital room feel familiar – hard to believe we had reached a point where packing for the hospital was a routine. 

March 2, 2003 1:23 PM 

Rickey writes: Back to the Hospital - Just a note to let you know that I go back in the hospital tomorrow for 5 days (probably) for routine chemotherapy.  Should be out next Saturday.  Thanks to all of you for hanging in there with me through this whole thing.  After this one, only one more to go.  Love, Rickey/Dad

March 3, 2003 5:27 AM

PJ writes: Monday’s Schedule - Good Morning, It always comes as a surprise when it is time to return to the hospital.  I have come to realize I block out the fact that Rickey is sick and convince myself life is just “normal”.  But there is nothing routine about going and having your husband get tubes put in his chest and poison pumped into his blood for five days.  I am more worried this time because last time the Nadar was not easy and with each round a Nadar must come and it is the luck of the draw what will be the infection this time.  I have packed up the office to take with me today, we will be leaving at 6AM and get checked into the room and my cell will be on.  We have chosen not to have my parents stay at the house with the dogs until the 14th, so I will be traveling back and forth more often.  Please remember us in your prayers this week and hug those you love and rejoice in their touch, nothing in life is a given.

March 6, 2003 12:01 PM

Rickey writes: Just an Update on My Hospital Visit - I’m on my fifth chemotherapy, 3rd of 4 consolidation therapies.  All is going well.  No side-effects, no problems after four of six doses.  The hospital staff has been greatly reduced as a majority of them have shipped out to the USS COMFORT hospital ship this week.  The service is still good; the remaining staff is working hard.  I plan to get out on Saturday for a week to 10 days.  Hope all is well with you.  Stay in touch.

March 15, 2003 1:31 PM

PJ writes: Adventure Update Middle of Round Three - Dear Friends and Family, Just an update on our family adventure; Rickey has returned to the hospital and is in his Nadar (lowest point) for round three of his consolidation treatment.  His white blood cell counts have dropped quickly this time; in fact, this is five days early for his fever to hit.  He was admitted late Thursday with a fever of 101 and has been on broad-based antibiotics since then.  Rickey is doing well and they did get his fever to break last night.  His morning counts show that he has started to gain his white blood cells back already and he is resting comfortably for a 7-10 days stay at Bethesda.  Each round is a little different, and this one came on quicker than expected, but we were ready!  One more round after this one and we are done with consolidation treatments and on to recovery.  This new state of normal isn’t always so normal, but we have our eyes set on the future which looks very bright!  A BIG thank you to all for your continued support and prayers…we could not do this without you.  Love and bear hugs to all, PJ

March 18, 203 10:36 AM

PJ writes: Rickey’s Condition - Just a note on our daily adventure this round. Rickey’s fever keeps coming back and now they say he has a third bug, the fecal one like last time that goes to his blood.  He is continually rolling on his fever, normal to 101 to normal every day.  They finally decided to take his triple lumen line out of his chest just this morning, and then continue to monitor his vital signs.  He is in good spirits, but tends to fade later in the day.  Please pray for his recovery this week; I really want him home before too long. 

March 28, 2003 5:42 PM

Rickey writes: How Things are Going Right Now - Howdy, well, after the Drs. convinced me that I should only have 3 consolidation therapies because of the risk of infection, they did a complete reversal and said I was young enough to handle the risk and that it was no greater risk than before.  Also, they believe 4 are better than 3 therapies now.  I wonder if they listened to me, boy that would be scary!

Living with leukemia makes you understand there really are no rules to what is right or wrong, it’s all about what works.  This is representative of a “normal” routine… we started off thinking one thing, but because the infections were so numerous and this round was so rough on Rickey’s health, the doctors decided this would be Rickey’s last round of consolidation therapy.  The doctors had to rethink the rules, and then change the rules again.  Rickey asked for one more round of consolation therapy not knowing what was really causing his fevers; the fourth round would prove to be the roughest round yet.  When you expect one thing based on the rules, but life serves you up something unexpected; how do you deal with change? 

Until our next blog – remember life is an adventure, embrace the journey.  You can make a difference one day at a time. 

Share your adventure with us!

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