Last night Adele's right lung collapsed due to the enormous amount of pressure from the tumor. She is on 100% oxygen from the ventilator and the doctors have her under sedation for comfort.
Today is a day for her family to be with her.
Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death. - Author Unknown
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
bluntness
Forgive the bluntness of this e-mail.
Something's in life just suck, there is no other polite way to say it. This is one of those things.
Life, everyone's life has a beginning and an end. That's just a fact. But if we are lucky there is also a really great middle filled with countless smiles, laughs, tears and anything else you decide to squeeze in. Adele's beginning was sweet, the middle was lived to the fullest and the end will be because of stage four lung cancer.
No matter how "normal" her blood counts get, or how low her dependency becomes on the breathing tube she still has a very large tumor that is not going away. There may come a time when the doctors advice will be to do no more....no more chemo, no more blood pressure medicine, no more breathing tube. This is just the reality of the situation and it wouldn't be right not to share the good as well as the bad.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
Something's in life just suck, there is no other polite way to say it. This is one of those things.
Life, everyone's life has a beginning and an end. That's just a fact. But if we are lucky there is also a really great middle filled with countless smiles, laughs, tears and anything else you decide to squeeze in. Adele's beginning was sweet, the middle was lived to the fullest and the end will be because of stage four lung cancer.
No matter how "normal" her blood counts get, or how low her dependency becomes on the breathing tube she still has a very large tumor that is not going away. There may come a time when the doctors advice will be to do no more....no more chemo, no more blood pressure medicine, no more breathing tube. This is just the reality of the situation and it wouldn't be right not to share the good as well as the bad.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Spa Day
If you happen to visit Adele and find yourself wondering why she looks so pretty it's because we had a "spa day" today! A little hair wash, manicure ( a little too short for her taste but they look great) and some wonderful hand and foot massages. Also, if you happen to notice a few more stray hairs on her pillow than usual that's okay. Hair loss was a symptom the doctor told us about when she started chemo.
With all things considered today was another good day. Adele's oxygen is at 50 with her oxygen saturation at 96%. She will be having some testing done tomorrow so if you are planning a visit she might be out of the room during the morning/ afternoon hours.
We wanted to share a portion of an e-mail received by Lisa Kurtz (One of Adele's loving nieces). It brought a smile to our faces, hopefully it will do the same for you...
"Okay last night when I was with aunt deedee, her night nurse came in and introduced herself to me and she was so nice. She talked to aunt adele not in a 3rd party, she told her it was nice to see her more alert and what day it was and how she sort of slept thru the last few days, and asked her if she was in pain. Then she said I love to look at pictures, and then she stopped in her tracks and said oh is this adele doing a "oh boy" yup shot. I said yes. She said this is a fun aunt, I said you have no idea!"
" When I got there Sheri Bistrovich was there visiting her and patsy had just left.. Jimmy Daly and Ruthann came in also. The nurse said holy cow do you have a big family or is she a politician. I said she could be the mayor of Nedrow and she does have a huge family that loves her so much."
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
With all things considered today was another good day. Adele's oxygen is at 50 with her oxygen saturation at 96%. She will be having some testing done tomorrow so if you are planning a visit she might be out of the room during the morning/ afternoon hours.
We wanted to share a portion of an e-mail received by Lisa Kurtz (One of Adele's loving nieces). It brought a smile to our faces, hopefully it will do the same for you...
"Okay last night when I was with aunt deedee, her night nurse came in and introduced herself to me and she was so nice. She talked to aunt adele not in a 3rd party, she told her it was nice to see her more alert and what day it was and how she sort of slept thru the last few days, and asked her if she was in pain. Then she said I love to look at pictures, and then she stopped in her tracks and said oh is this adele doing a "oh boy" yup shot. I said yes. She said this is a fun aunt, I said you have no idea!"
" When I got there Sheri Bistrovich was there visiting her and patsy had just left.. Jimmy Daly and Ruthann came in also. The nurse said holy cow do you have a big family or is she a politician. I said she could be the mayor of Nedrow and she does have a huge family that loves her so much."
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sun...Fun...OXYGEN
The sun brought with it a breath of fresh air, literally! Although Adele was very tired and not as alert as she has been, her oxygen levels were much better today and the doctors were once again pleased with what they saw.
"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no delay, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."-- EARL OF CHESTERFIELD
"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no delay, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."-- EARL OF CHESTERFIELD
Friday, April 8, 2011
Wishing
Today was another day full of visitors and we are pretty sure Adele is loving all the attention! She was more alert and responsive which gives us many reasons to be hopeful for the days ahead.
Once again the doctors were pleased with her blood counts. And we love having nothing more to say on this post...no news is good news!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend filled with good friends, warm weather and beautiful pictures to capture each moment. You can never take too many pictures, you just never know how meaningful they are until you can't take anymore.
Once again the doctors were pleased with her blood counts. And we love having nothing more to say on this post...no news is good news!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend filled with good friends, warm weather and beautiful pictures to capture each moment. You can never take too many pictures, you just never know how meaningful they are until you can't take anymore.
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| Grandma and Tyson |
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| Adele becomes a Grandma! November 15, 2003 |
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| Adele becomes a Grandma again! October 24, 2005 |
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| Sexy Mama ;) |
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| Thanksgiving 2005 |
The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.
Nikolai Lenin
Nikolai Lenin
Thursday, April 7, 2011
50+
Yesterday the nurses told us Adele must have had over 50 visitors throughout the day. Although happy to hear that we were not at all surprised. She has touched so many hearts along the pathway of her life; of course they would come to see her!
The oxygen levels through Adele's breathing tube have been fluctuating anywhere from 90 to 60. This evening they are holding steady at 70.
Adele has routine blood tests to stay ahead of any infections and also to check her blood counts. As mentioned before, chemo destroys the cancer in ones body but also a lot of the good stuff too. Such as the body's production of blood cells. So it's a good sign when the body begins to produce those healthy cells again. Today the doctors were very pleased with her numbers. And any good news is always welcomed!
Below there is some additional information on blood counts just in case you have any questions.
Also, certain medications can stimulate RBC production, such as erythropoietin. These growth factors (e.g., Aranesp®, Procrit®, Epogen®) are generally given by subcutaneous injection (a shot under the skin). If poor diet is the cause of anemia, eating a balanced diet and taking iron and folic acid supplements may help.
Someone remembers, someone cares;
Your name is whispered in someone’s prayers.
~Author Unknown
The oxygen levels through Adele's breathing tube have been fluctuating anywhere from 90 to 60. This evening they are holding steady at 70.
Adele has routine blood tests to stay ahead of any infections and also to check her blood counts. As mentioned before, chemo destroys the cancer in ones body but also a lot of the good stuff too. Such as the body's production of blood cells. So it's a good sign when the body begins to produce those healthy cells again. Today the doctors were very pleased with her numbers. And any good news is always welcomed!
Below there is some additional information on blood counts just in case you have any questions.
Blood Counts
The goal of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy is to destroy cancerous cells in the body. However, some of the body’s normal cells are sensitive to these treatments and may also be damaged in the process. In addition, some cancer treatments can interfere with the body’s production of blood cells. For instance, chemotherapy can cause white blood cells to be destroyed faster than the bone marrow can make new ones.
Types of Blood Cells
There are three basic types of blood cells, each with different functions in the body. White blood cells (WBCs), also called leukocytes, fight infections in the body. Red blood cells (RBCs), also called erythrocytes, carry oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are involved in blood clotting.
Nadir: A Drop in Blood Cell Counts
Nadir is a term used to describe the point after cancer treatment when blood counts are at their lowest. The nadir for each blood cell type will occur at different times. For instance, WBCs will usually reach their nadir within seven to 14 days following the last day of chemotherapy treatment. A person is most vulnerable to infection at this point. Within three or four weeks, the blood counts will slowly rise again to a normal level.
During cancer treatment, your doctor will do routine blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), to check the levels of WBCs, RBCs, and platelets in your blood. Sometimes, a sample of bone marrow may be taken as well.
Low White Blood Cell Counts (Neutropenia)
White blood cells help protect the body by fighting bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders that cause infections. One type of WBC, neutrophils, make up the majority of WBCs and are the body’s main defense against infections. Neutropenia results from an abnormally low level of neutrophils in the blood.
When your neutrophil count is low, your doctor may delay further treatment or recommend a lower dose until your WBC count returns to a normal level. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics as a preventive measure and recommend a variety of precautions, such as hand washing. There are also certain drugs or other therapies that may be used to treat neutropenia. For example, growth factors (also known as granulocyte-colony stimulating factors, or G-CSFs) may be used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce neutrophils. Some growth factors include Neupogen®, Neulasta®, and Leukine®.
| Test | Average | Abnormal |
| WBC | 4.5 - 11.0 | 1.5 or below |
Low Red Blood Cell Counts (Anemia)
Red blood cells contain a substance called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Hemoglobin and hematocrit are the tests used to evaluate RBCs. Anemia results from a low RBC count. Anemia is a common problem for people fighting cancer, particularly blood cancers like lymphoma or leukemia. Fewer red blood cells mean your body is getting less oxygen for energy and function.
When your RBC count is low, the body tissues are not getting enough oxygen to function properly and you may experience fatigue. If your RBC counts become dangerously low, you may require a transfusion (intravenous delivery of blood) to raise RBC levels and help restore energy. Also, certain medications can stimulate RBC production, such as erythropoietin. These growth factors (e.g., Aranesp®, Procrit®, Epogen®) are generally given by subcutaneous injection (a shot under the skin). If poor diet is the cause of anemia, eating a balanced diet and taking iron and folic acid supplements may help.
| Test | Average | Abnormal |
| Hemoglobin | 12.0 - 16 | 8.0 or below |
| Hematocrit | 38 - 47 | None |
Low Platelet Counts (Thrombocytopenia)
Platelets help your blood to clot and prevent excessive bleeding. Decreased levels of platelets during cancer treatment can cause bleeding or bruising. Thrombocytopenia is a low blood platelet count.
Fortunately, platelet levels usually return to normal following the completion of chemotherapy. If your platelet count is extremely low, you may be given a blood or platelet transfusion to restore the count to normal.| Test | Average | Abnormal |
| Platelet Count | 150 - 450 | 30 or below |
Someone remembers, someone cares;
Your name is whispered in someone’s prayers.
~Author Unknown
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Visit
There has been a pouring of friends and family visiting Adele in the ICU. Nothing makes us happier than knowing she is surrounded by people who love her as much as we do. I'll post the ICU hours again. We should all try to stay within their recommended time slots but ( you didn't hear this from us) anytime you are able to visit you should do so. The ICU is located on the third floor and Adele is in room 8, right across from the nurses station.
Visiting Guidelines and Hours
Intensive Care/ Coronary Care
Limited to immediate family, 3 visitors (over 14 years of age) maximum :
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Visiting Guidelines and Hours
Intensive Care/ Coronary Care
Limited to immediate family, 3 visitors (over 14 years of age) maximum :
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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