Journal entry by Steve Richard —
It has been a while since my last journal entry so I wanted to update everyone on what has happened since then.
On Friday, February 8 we received word that Millie's sister Jan had suffered a sudden and severe stroke. Jan passed away on Sunday, (2/10). On Monday (2/11) during our scheduled follow up visit with Millie's primary care physician we told her what had happened. The doctor said there was no medical reason that Millie needed to stay in Rochester at that point, and cleared her to come home. Even though Millie's blood counts were slowly coming back up, her energy level was no where near normal. She also had persistent back pain which we later found out was the result of two cracked vertebrate caused by the cancer.
The doctor immediately scheduled Millie's port line to be taken out later that afternoon and we were on our way home the next morning (2/12) and arrived home in Peosta later that afternoon. On Thursday (2/14) we were back in the car and on our way to Rochelle, IL to attend the visitation and Funeral for Jan.
On Tuesday, February 26 were back on the road again to Rochester for a consultation with the doctor
regarding Millie's back pain. The doctor verified from X-ray results that she had two cracked vertebrate (L1 & L5). After a brief discussion we decided to schedule an outpatient procedure called vertebroplasty on Monday (2/25) to alleviate her back pain. We then finally returned home, again on Tuesday (2/26).
We are scheduled to return again to Rochester, our "home away from home" on March 25 for her 60 day checkup and more testing to determine the effectiveness of the stem cell transplant and set the next course of action from that point forward.
I wanted to also take time to thank everyone for your thoughtfulness and support during this time for us. The outpouring of kind words and deeds have been overwhelming and given us pause to realize how truly blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends and family members in our lives. Having your support and knowing that you were thinking of us in some way during this time has kept us going and meant more to us than words can express. It's great to be home!
On Friday, February 8 we received word that Millie's sister Jan had suffered a sudden and severe stroke. Jan passed away on Sunday, (2/10). On Monday (2/11) during our scheduled follow up visit with Millie's primary care physician we told her what had happened. The doctor said there was no medical reason that Millie needed to stay in Rochester at that point, and cleared her to come home. Even though Millie's blood counts were slowly coming back up, her energy level was no where near normal. She also had persistent back pain which we later found out was the result of two cracked vertebrate caused by the cancer.
The doctor immediately scheduled Millie's port line to be taken out later that afternoon and we were on our way home the next morning (2/12) and arrived home in Peosta later that afternoon. On Thursday (2/14) we were back in the car and on our way to Rochelle, IL to attend the visitation and Funeral for Jan.
On Tuesday, February 26 were back on the road again to Rochester for a consultation with the doctor
regarding Millie's back pain. The doctor verified from X-ray results that she had two cracked vertebrate (L1 & L5). After a brief discussion we decided to schedule an outpatient procedure called vertebroplasty on Monday (2/25) to alleviate her back pain. We then finally returned home, again on Tuesday (2/26).
We are scheduled to return again to Rochester, our "home away from home" on March 25 for her 60 day checkup and more testing to determine the effectiveness of the stem cell transplant and set the next course of action from that point forward.
I wanted to also take time to thank everyone for your thoughtfulness and support during this time for us. The outpouring of kind words and deeds have been overwhelming and given us pause to realize how truly blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends and family members in our lives. Having your support and knowing that you were thinking of us in some way during this time has kept us going and meant more to us than words can express. It's great to be home!
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