by Jena | Feb 6, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Dad will continue to receive regular blood support at the Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza (MIP) until it is time for him to be admitted for his stem cell transplant on February 21st. Dad’s latest blood counts indicated the need for a blood transfusion since his hemoglobin was 6.7, which is below the desired 7.0. His white blood cell count was 1.46, and his platelet count was 12. Yesterday, Dad went to MIP to receive two bags of blood to boost his hemoglobin level. By the afternoon, Dad was energized by the transfusion. A nice way to start the weekend.
by Jena | Jan 24, 2016 | Uncategorized |
God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.
Billy Graham
It is important that we, recipients of the good works of others, recognize and appreciate the organizations that are making a positive difference in the fight against cutaneous lymphoma. The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, whose mission is to support every person with cutaneous lymphoma by promoting awareness and education, advancing patient care, and facilitating research, is holding a question and answer event, locally in Tampa, on Friday, February 19th, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in downtown. Two of Dad’s doctors, Dr. Glass and Dr. Sokol, are the guest clinicians that evening.
The Moffitt Cancer Center’s Magnolia Ball is one of Moffit’s annual signature fundraising events. Since the first Magnolia Ball in 1994, over $33 million has been raised to help Moffitt develop new ways to prevent, treat, and cure cancer. This year’s 23rd Magnolia Ball, Saturday, April 9th, at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel, will celebrate Moffitt’s 30th Anniversary and will feature live music by the Goo Goo Dolls.
by Jena | Jan 15, 2016 | Uncategorized |
At 8:00 a.m., Dad started his Friday at the Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza (MIP) with the traditional blood draw, which indicated that he needed platelets and red blood cells.
At 10:00 a.m., Dad had an appointment at South Tampa Dentistry to obtain the required letter of dental clearance for transplant. While at the dentist, he was diagnosed as having thrush, an infection of the mouth caused by candida fungus (aka yeast). It occurs in babies, toddlers, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Antibiotics, which Dad is taking as a part of his cancer treatment, can upset the balance of microorganisms in the mouth and may cause thrush. The dentist prescribed a mouth wash to treat Dad’s thrush. Dad first noticed the thrush about two weeks ago, but he had not mentioned it to Mom nor me. I am glad the dentist noticed and is treating Dad since thrush can spread to other parts of the body. This is often seen in people with cancer, HIV, and other conditions with weakened immune systems.
Dad was back at MIP at 12:00 p.m. to receive a platelet (one bag) and a red blood cell (two bags) transfusion. The transfusions were not completed until 5:45 p.m. The good news is that he did not have any radiation scheduled.
It never ceases to amaze me how much time is required to treat cancer. Dad’s days are often filled with appointments like today. It is a full time job. I am sure Dad is looking forward to the three day weekend.
by Jena | Jan 3, 2016 | Uncategorized |
For Christmas, one of the presents I gave to my children (aka Dad’s Grandson (13 years old) and Granddaughter (12 years old) in this blog) is Google Cardboard. It is a simple, fun and affordable way to experience virtual reality (VR) using a cardboard viewer and your smartphone. There are apps that offer a wide range of VR experiences. You can ride a virtual rollercoaster, experience key moments in Katniss’ journey in the Hunger Games, feel the force as a secret agent for the Resistance in Disney’s new Star Wars VR app, visit the bottom of the sea or the surface of Mars in one afternoon with Google’s Expedition Pioneer Program, and engage in news programming from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Granddaughter had Dad give Google Cardboard a try this weekend. Google Cardboard can be quite the diversion!
Google’s patented “cancer fighting” wristband: Nanoparticle Phoresis
One of the Google Cardboard headlines this past week was “Doctors use Google Cardboard to explore a heart, save a life.” Wow! It made
me wonder, “What does the technology future hold for eliminating cancer?” Last spring, MDT reported that Google had been working on a cancer-detecting pill that may be used in conjunction with a wristband device that would detect cancerous cells and possibly target or destroy those cancerous cells in the blood. Who knows if and when these may come to fruition. Yet, it sure is nice to envision a day when Dad would not have to experience chemotherapy and radiation. Dad would just pop a Google pill and wear a Google wristband.
For now, Dad will have to stick with Google Cardboard and immerse himself in another world without cancer through virtual reality.
by Jena | Dec 25, 2015 | Uncategorized |
This is Dad’s third Christmas with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Cancer’s presence in our family reminds me how important it is to spend time together as a family enjoying the treasured family traditions of the holidays…especially Christmas.
Last night, we attended the Hyde Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) Candlelight Christmas Eve service. I appreciate how HPUMC broadcasts most of its services each Sunday via live webcast. What a wonderful way to continue to minister to those who are homebound due to illness! It is important that the homebound feel connected.
Luke 2: 1- 7 The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Happy Birthday to Christ! This morning our family, dressed in our festive pajamas, gathered around the Christmas tree to unwrap presents with much anticipation. Our tummies were filled with scrumptious, traditional Christmas dishes including several favorites from The Junior League of Tampa’s The Life of the Party cookbook, Nanny’s famous Lime Jello Salad, and shaved Virginia country ham sandwiches. (Dad-in-law always hand carries the Virginia country ham on the airplane.) We wore our colorful paper crowns and shared jokes and trivia that came inside our individual Christmas crackers. We played our instruments, which had been stuffed into our stockings, to create a joyful sound! Mom and Granddaughter shook their tambourines while the men played their triangles.
Tonight, Dad donned his grey flat cap, which covered his reddish skin and new tumors, and his mask, due to his neutropenia, to attend the new national touring production of The Sound of Music at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Both, Mom and Dad, enjoyed the glorious voices of the cast and the magnificent notes of the orchestra. My 12 year old daughter (aka Granddaughter to Dad) and I “whisper” sang all the words to the famous Rogers and Hammerstein songs from “Do Re Mi” to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”
As Husband and I were walking in the front door of our house after the musical, Husband mentioned how he enjoys The Sounds of Music more with each viewing of the movie and the Broadway show. The song “My Favorite Things” helps us focus on the simple things, our favorite things, when we are feeling down.
“When the dog bites, when the bee stings,
when I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don’t feel so bad.”
Merry Christmas!
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