Sunday, December 28, 2008
Link to Xmas Slideshow
http://s369.photobucket.com/albums/oo137/bdhuber28/Linbay%20Christmas/?albumview=slideshow
Friday, December 26, 2008
The eve, the day the day after. . .
Hi,
Christmas eve continued to boil & bubble with last minute shopping, wrapping, mailing, repairing "Frosty" - our black, top-hatted snowman built into, around, atop and under our red mailbox. Tim is a wonderful elf - he helped w/ everything, especially food prep. There was lively chatter throughout the day & all of a sudden, it seemed , it was time for the 40 min trek to the Newport News Airport to get the "boys".
Leenie wisely opted for a nap. We finally returned at almost midnight. The young, frightened, confused, angry, excited Huber men either kept their own counsel or practiced "being strong" on the long ride home. Once there, discomfiture ruled for a bit. "I'll show you where you're sleeping>"; "Great. We'll put our stuff in our rms."; Finally, "Where's Mom"; "iI'll get her up."; "Are they HERE??"; "They're waiting to see Mom". And, one by one, each went alone for a private greeting which Leenie tailored such that each of her lads could feel comfortable being sad, scared, happy, excited & SO glad to be with Mom.
Amazingly, appetites surfaced, bloomed and culminated in our favorite, messy, relaxed, easy, take forever to eat & chat over meal: tomato/garlic/spices bruscetta on fresly baked flat bread exquisitely carved by Brennan and bowls of jumbo shrimp in a white wine/olive oil/bay leaf & spices sauce. We ate in the living room, around the tree, dripping, dipping and finally mopping every drop of extra sauce with an olio of torn ,fresh-baked focacias & crusty Italian breads. It was lovely, chatty, at times seriously tutorial w/ Uncle Phil fielding questions but mostly warm, filling and fulfilling in expectation of the Christ Child's coming.
Christmas day began after 4-5 hrs of sleep, in the form of Jennie, Ross & Emma - all rosy cheeked, laughing, re-uniting and getting to know short cousins. Very soon after, Philip, Robyn, Declan, Molly & Patrick arrived - all bearing brightly lit faces and colorful packages. The joy was loud, palpable and on-going, with everyone filling up @ the groaning board and merrily opening presents while PG3 trid to capture the magic on camera.
Very short people and Leenie then napped while the games - football, baseball, car-racing (Declan & Molly in the red Mustang which their big cousins had chaqrged all night) the inevitable testing of the "things Santa brings" while the evening repast was being prepared.
And the big surprise - just as dinner was about to be claimed & taken to a favorite chair, there was a loud knock,equally loud barking by Bridie & Murphy as they greeted Jetty and we all squealed as Matt, Julie & 3 mo. + Mia made a very big SURPRISE arrival! It was glorious disarray again - with Leenie enormously energized, eating heartily while visiting & holding the peeps & greeting/enjoying catching up with the FAMILY.
Once again, we didn't see dessert & major packing/farewelling-till-the-morrow until after midnight.
The Christ Child - not surprizingly - had given all of us 2 glorious, joyful days which personified His coming - Joy to 828 Linbay Drive, all who dwell within this holy, happy night and all who are there in spirit & love because this Family is blessed!
Give thanks & praise - and if you're not out looking for bargains tomorrow, tune in to Leenie's 12/26/08!
Lorane
e
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy, bustling Christmas Eve. . .
The day has dawned but I think the events of yesterday have yet to - fully and in a way that we can understand. Uncle Phil has been "saving lives" in Suffolk since 7; I've been trying to plan today & tomorrow re: feeding the entire fam (hot dogs roasting on an open fire is sounding good); and Tim & Leenie are still abed after an exhausting yesterday.
Bless each and every one of us and our families with the light of the Christ Child as it surrounds Eileen and all of her health care providers;
Enjoy and give thanks for our many blessings and the excitement of living each day of the future;
Follow the lead of the little children in our midst - the glow of anticipation in those smiling eyes, that inability to contain the breathless thoughts of the bounty to befall the world tomorrow;
Will write again later - after the last minute (hours) tasks have been stumbled through. . .
Lorane
,
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Post- Op Note
Well, Leenie was finally released from the OR and is awake and progressing in stages to where all tubes and oxygen devices can be removed.
She complains of pain at the mediport insertion site - which is perfectly normal. She has received pain meds and has a prescription for oral medication at home. Her Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and oxygen saturation are good. She has no recollection of the OR so she must have responded very well to the general anesthesia.
Dr. McGraph came in to speak with Tim, Leenie and me. He was very kind but straightforward. The frozen section revealed what is called "Non small cell" carcinoma of the lung. He was able to retrieve large chunks of several of the affected lymph nodes and the cells from each were included in the frozen section. Now it will be placed in Dr. Cross' capable hands. First, the biopsies will go to the lab for a variety of staining procedures geared toward narrowing the diagnosis from non small cell to a specific type of non small cell carcinoma. Once that determination is made - probably by Friday b/c there is a temporal element to each testing procedure - Dr. Cross reviews the data.
When Dr. Cross is satisfied that he knows precisely what type of lung cancer Leenie has, he will select the chemotherapeutic agent that is specific to only that cell type and implement a regimen of treatment which includes, dosage, frequency, duration of treatment; additional follow-up testing to determine the efficacy of therapy; adjunctive medication predicated on the findings of the follow-up testing and, perhaps most importantly, in what way(s) has her clinical picture changed, ie, is she becoming weaker, showing signs of improvement and if so, in what areas; the status of her nutrition based on blood work and THE CLINICAL PICTURE. You can have great, textbook lab results but clinically demonstrate an obvious need for something to increase strength, comfort, mental clarity and the presence/absence of a developing secondary infection, ie, urinary tract, sinusitis, etc from a compromised immune system.
It will be a minute by minute, hour by hour (you get the picture) progression with signs and symptoms that require investigation/treatment or, just a slow, uneventful course of very gradual improvement. Needless to say she will be closely monitored. But she must also be evaluated mentally & spiritually by those who know and love her best such that we can provide appropriate support and advise the medical team of changes that, were they to know her as we do, they would address.
For now, the next few hours are going to be rough re: physical comfort/healing from an invasive surgical insult AND digesting the words spoken by Dr. McGrath. There was no element of surprise but the reality of hearing out loud from the man who has just experienced with all of his professional senses/experience the reality of Leenie's illness and announced it with great dignity, respect and care that one could possibly have hoped for, is sobering, frightening, yes, but, with time, will echo in her mind and give her the strength and fight that we all know she has to address this announcement head-on - and with the help of God and her God-given abilities, STRIKE BACK, NOT OUT.
Knowledge, the biggest hurdle, is behind us. We know the enemy - a disease to be cured, not a state of fear, confusion and impotence.
Let's move on with confidence and love - and, yes, a few toasts to the future.
Till tomorrow,
Lorane & Tim
-
She complains of pain at the mediport insertion site - which is perfectly normal. She has received pain meds and has a prescription for oral medication at home. Her Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and oxygen saturation are good. She has no recollection of the OR so she must have responded very well to the general anesthesia.
Dr. McGraph came in to speak with Tim, Leenie and me. He was very kind but straightforward. The frozen section revealed what is called "Non small cell" carcinoma of the lung. He was able to retrieve large chunks of several of the affected lymph nodes and the cells from each were included in the frozen section. Now it will be placed in Dr. Cross' capable hands. First, the biopsies will go to the lab for a variety of staining procedures geared toward narrowing the diagnosis from non small cell to a specific type of non small cell carcinoma. Once that determination is made - probably by Friday b/c there is a temporal element to each testing procedure - Dr. Cross reviews the data.
When Dr. Cross is satisfied that he knows precisely what type of lung cancer Leenie has, he will select the chemotherapeutic agent that is specific to only that cell type and implement a regimen of treatment which includes, dosage, frequency, duration of treatment; additional follow-up testing to determine the efficacy of therapy; adjunctive medication predicated on the findings of the follow-up testing and, perhaps most importantly, in what way(s) has her clinical picture changed, ie, is she becoming weaker, showing signs of improvement and if so, in what areas; the status of her nutrition based on blood work and THE CLINICAL PICTURE. You can have great, textbook lab results but clinically demonstrate an obvious need for something to increase strength, comfort, mental clarity and the presence/absence of a developing secondary infection, ie, urinary tract, sinusitis, etc from a compromised immune system.
It will be a minute by minute, hour by hour (you get the picture) progression with signs and symptoms that require investigation/treatment or, just a slow, uneventful course of very gradual improvement. Needless to say she will be closely monitored. But she must also be evaluated mentally & spiritually by those who know and love her best such that we can provide appropriate support and advise the medical team of changes that, were they to know her as we do, they would address.
For now, the next few hours are going to be rough re: physical comfort/healing from an invasive surgical insult AND digesting the words spoken by Dr. McGrath. There was no element of surprise but the reality of hearing out loud from the man who has just experienced with all of his professional senses/experience the reality of Leenie's illness and announced it with great dignity, respect and care that one could possibly have hoped for, is sobering, frightening, yes, but, with time, will echo in her mind and give her the strength and fight that we all know she has to address this announcement head-on - and with the help of God and her God-given abilities, STRIKE BACK, NOT OUT.
Knowledge, the biggest hurdle, is behind us. We know the enemy - a disease to be cured, not a state of fear, confusion and impotence.
Let's move on with confidence and love - and, yes, a few toasts to the future.
Till tomorrow,
Lorane & Tim
-
We're Off. . .
OK guys,
Mom just went up to the OR. The OR next to the valve case became available and they will be getting her ready for Dr. McGrath in there. So the timetable has changed:
When valve case over, Mom's mediastinoscopy will begin.
It will probably take from 12-2 hours.
Dr. McGrath said that if, in phase I, checking all reachable branches of her airways, he finds a node, he will take it for study.
Then he puts the scope with the "pac man" biter into the mediastinal space and retrieves 1 lg, entire node & several chunks from surrounding nodes.
Finally, he places the mediport under the skin around the R clavicle. It will be filled with heparin (blood thinner) as the body reacts to anything foreign/plastic by clotting.
Once that's stitched into place, she will go to recovery where he anticipates 1-3 hrs. to have her wake up, remove breathing tube and reach a point of alertness/stability such that he can tell her what he found & discharge her. Tim will be here with me to take her home.
She's still scared but wants to get it over. By now, they've given her some "feel good" meds IV in preparation for anesthesia so she's a happy camper.
It's OUR turn to work - PRAY!
Lorane
,
Mom just went up to the OR. The OR next to the valve case became available and they will be getting her ready for Dr. McGrath in there. So the timetable has changed:
When valve case over, Mom's mediastinoscopy will begin.
It will probably take from 12-2 hours.
Dr. McGrath said that if, in phase I, checking all reachable branches of her airways, he finds a node, he will take it for study.
Then he puts the scope with the "pac man" biter into the mediastinal space and retrieves 1 lg, entire node & several chunks from surrounding nodes.
Finally, he places the mediport under the skin around the R clavicle. It will be filled with heparin (blood thinner) as the body reacts to anything foreign/plastic by clotting.
Once that's stitched into place, she will go to recovery where he anticipates 1-3 hrs. to have her wake up, remove breathing tube and reach a point of alertness/stability such that he can tell her what he found & discharge her. Tim will be here with me to take her home.
She's still scared but wants to get it over. By now, they've given her some "feel good" meds IV in preparation for anesthesia so she's a happy camper.
It's OUR turn to work - PRAY!
Lorane
,
Tuesday at the Heart Hospital
Arrived & met with Dr. McGrath. Leenie extremely frightened and nervous. Unfortunately, a young man who needs a new valve stat will be first. Leenie has had blood work and an EKG and will now rest until she is called for surgery at 2PM. Dr. McGrath says if an adjacent OR opens up while he is closing the young man, they will bring Leenie in and get her medicated & ready.
ISSUES:
'To answer some questions/clear up misunderstandings, Leenie has around 10 ENLARGED lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are the body's sewer system and should not be enlarged. As the doctor said, when you hear the sound of running hooves, think horses, not zebras. So the enlargement tells us that the lymph nodes have been invaded by a disease. When he gets his large samples today, they will do a frozen section and be able to tell us that she has a particular kind of cancer - based on the shape of the cells.
' Then the path lab people will begin their studies involving the reaction of these cells to various stains and media, the end result, hopefully, identifying the source of the cells or the primary site of the cancer.
' Finally, Dr. Cross will take this information and select a chemo drug and protocol that will kill these particular cells beginning Monday.
As for today, Dr. McGrath expects that his surgery will take approximately 2 hrs. and that she will be able to go home this evening. I think the hardest part for her is from now until 2 PM. We can only hope that she will fall asleep in a "quiet room" with a warm blanket & no cares.
Philip will get Tim from the airport and bring him here so he can see Mom when she wakes up.
Till later. . .
Lorane
,
ISSUES:
'To answer some questions/clear up misunderstandings, Leenie has around 10 ENLARGED lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are the body's sewer system and should not be enlarged. As the doctor said, when you hear the sound of running hooves, think horses, not zebras. So the enlargement tells us that the lymph nodes have been invaded by a disease. When he gets his large samples today, they will do a frozen section and be able to tell us that she has a particular kind of cancer - based on the shape of the cells.
' Then the path lab people will begin their studies involving the reaction of these cells to various stains and media, the end result, hopefully, identifying the source of the cells or the primary site of the cancer.
' Finally, Dr. Cross will take this information and select a chemo drug and protocol that will kill these particular cells beginning Monday.
As for today, Dr. McGrath expects that his surgery will take approximately 2 hrs. and that she will be able to go home this evening. I think the hardest part for her is from now until 2 PM. We can only hope that she will fall asleep in a "quiet room" with a warm blanket & no cares.
Philip will get Tim from the airport and bring him here so he can see Mom when she wakes up.
Till later. . .
Lorane
,
Monday, December 22, 2008
Leenie's Pay-Off Monday
Seems one of the boys spoke to one of his "boys" (short, curly hair, halo) and. . .
Dr. McGraph's office called us back after we called for an office appt. tomorrow. Rachel, his nurse told me to have Leenie at Dr. McGraph's office at 8:00 AM - SHE WILL HAVE HER SURGERY TOMORROW! Dr. Cross is just as excited. He says from start to finish the operation will take about an hour but post-op recovery will probably be 5-6 hrs. b/c she's never had general anesthesia before. She should be home by dinnertime.
So today, we thank God and fatten this little chicken. She'll not eat tomorrow & we want her strong and in fighting mode by Monday morning. Let's get those words of culinary encouragement going, guys.
They will remove one entire node (about the sz of 3 grapes) and samples from the others so that the lab can be certain 1) all mets are from the same primary and 2) the primary cell sample is in its correct anatomical shape, can be replicated by comparison with other samples and anwers the question "WHERE'S THE DAMNED PRIMARY?" after which Dr. Cross & the lab guys will do their magic with staining, etc. to yield the precise chemotherapeutic agent that will kill this devil - starting Monday, through her already-placed mediport at the Virginia Oncology Center Hospital in Norfolk. The staff is a specialized team using a precise protocol.
Tomorrow, I'll be at the hospital & try to get my computer to connect w/ a network. If I can't, I'll call Philip, Julie or Jennie and they can post progress. It's all good. . .
Lorane
,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
