Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Round 2

Nonnie is finally all situated in her new room. The PICC line procedure yesterday went very well, and only took about 20 minutes to put in. The nurse that put it in has been working there for 30 years! Dr. Paquette took a bone marrow biopsy and they are still waiting for the results from yesterday.

She is currently halfway through the second dose of chemotherapy, which changes out at approximately 11:00 P.M. each night. Nonnie took a bath this morning and is feeling good. She tells me it is quite the process because she is connected to all types of tubing and machines. I bet it feels good to be in her fresh jammies!

Papa is on his way to pick up Blaine and Kylie to go back to Riverside. They are going to see a movie with a group of friends this afternoon. Nonnie plans on spending most of her time catching up on thank you cards and getting her rest.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Back At It

As you can imagine, this Christmas was a bitter-sweet time for our family. We all got together and went to Disneyland for the day on Christmas eve, and spent Christmas in Riverside. It was particularly difficult for Nonnie, knowing that she had to return to the hospital for another treatment.

This morning, Nonnie and Papa brought Blaine and Kylie to our house so they could get checked in at UCLA. There were several patients being discharged this afternoon, which delayed Nonnie from getting into her room until late this afternoon. She is becoming an old pro at this routine!

Within minutes, she was in a hospital gown and giving blood to check her admission levels. The team that inserts the PICC line will return tomorrow to give one to Nonnie. Until then, she has an IV that will be used for the first dose of Cytarabine starting tonight.

Nonnie told me that there have been so many hospital personnel stopping by and offering their condolences and words of encouragement. I think of them as additional "support crew members" that we all know she needs! Her direct telephone number is (310) 267-6148.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
757 Westwood Plaza
C/O Linda Asam, Room 6137
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Saturday, December 19, 2009

December Update

There are no words to describe the loss and depth of sadness that our family has endured over the past 4 weeks. We give thanks to all of our friends that have overwhelmingly given their support and prayers. You will never know how much we appreciate knowing that you are with us, and appreciate all that you have done.

We are anticipating a difficult holiday season, but we know that God will give us the strength to move on. Blaine and Kylie are living with Nonnie and Papa and have returned to school. They are blessed by a huge support group in Riverside from their school and church.

Nonnie is going back to UCLA on December 28, 2009 to continue her treatment, with one more remaining afterwards. We wish you all a Merry Christmas.