Dear family & friends,
This morning I marked off another day on the calendar hanging on the wall at the foot of Ginny’s bed. We do this every morning rejoicing one more day is behind us and having the hope of another day. It is day 13 since she entered the hospital. The days have been long and tedious. She has pretty much hit all the markers they anticipated for her. For example, yesterday, as predicted, her white blood count dropped to .02. Basically that is as low as it can get. That meant she would likely get a fever. She did. They gave her antibiotics. Her fever this morning is down. They said her blood count will start bouncing back tomorrow or Monday as her stem-cells start doing what they do by making white, red and platelet blood cells. Amazing how God made stem-cells to produce exactly what is needed to protect her body from infection. She will not be able to go home until her counts are much higher. We hope that will be by Thanksgiving.
We would appreciate your prayers for us to be able to go home by then. I am not sure we are going to make it but it would be one of our greatest celebrations. Our daughter Christy and her husband Craig are planning on having all the family over to their house this year. This has been our privilege for over 30 years. How nice to have our kids assume the tradition. It is another reason to be thankful.
I hope to update this report when we know more about her being discharged from the hospital. We feel blessed and cared for by you and especially the Lord. How awesome to rest in His safe and strong arms.
With gratitude
Don & Ginny
Dear family & friends,
I am now updating this report from Cedar’s Sinai in a stem-cell isolation room with Ginny. We entered the hospital on Monday as planned. Since then everything seems to be going as anticipated. She had stout chemo on Monday & Tuesday. On Wednesday the nausea began and continues to about 30 minutes ago. She hasn’t really eaten for about three days but still struggles with nausea.
Ginny shows great stamina and determination. The days are long. We look at the calendar on the wall and can’t wait to mark off another day. Right now we are looking at least ten more days. That is pretty daunting. The old worn out saying, “take one day at a time” is absolutely true and necessary. I have been able to use my laptop to study, plan, write and surf the net. It is a window to the family, church and world. I’ve also enjoyed using it for playing music to break up the routine. I have been able to leave her at night to sleep at a near by condo offered to me during our stay. What a blessing this has been to get a good night of sleep!
We have had to limit visiting because Ginny’s white cell count has dropped (as anticipated) to about zero. To this point she hasn’t had a fever yet. That is expected in the next two or three days. Infection is common. They are prepared to assault the infection with various antibiotics. With all the medication she goes in and out of sleep during the day yet still sleeps hard at night.
Your prayers are much appreciated. Pray for Ginny’s physical, emotional and spiritual stamina. This is an ordeal that tests faith and resolve. We believe prayer is carrying us along every day. We look forward to getting out of isolation and returning to our wonderful home to see all our family and friends on Thanksgiving…. even if it means looking through a glass window.
Thanks for all your care and concern. I’ll try to keep you informed as we progress.
Don & Ginny
