Here we go again..........

Alicia had her clinic appointment today, the good news is she is starting to gain weight, her stools are loose again so I hope she doesn't start to lose is again. The part I am worried about though was her CBC. The Nurse, Paula, just called and said Alicia's white cell count is elevated to 22.3 and her Anc is elevated again to 19,000. This is always a trend for Alicia before she gets sick. They also said her Liver numbers are elevated again which also has me very concerned. They also did a CRP test which shows the inflammation in her body and it was elevated as well. I don't have good feelings about this, Please pray that this does not mean Alicia is getting sick again.


Last night was a horrible night for me, I was in so much pain that I barely slept. ( I haven't slept well in weeks) If Alicia gets sick this means more nights on those very uncomfortable beds at the Hospital. The last stay on those beds is when I ripped open my wounds. I am not concerned about myself as we all know. This is about Alicia and I just pray she is not getting sick. She acts fine right now but that is also the trend before the storm.


I am so counting the days before Denise gets here so I can concentrate on getting myself through this surgery which I am scared to death of.

Please keep Alicia in your prayers today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One week to go

I have not been feeling well at all the last couple of days. I am glad that the surgery is right around the corner so I can finally get it behind us, but I am also very very scared. My wound has been hurting a lot lately but Kim and Amy, my close friends here at the RMH both say it is looking very good. I have been sleeping a lot lately.

Denise will be here a week from today so that will help me out a lot. Erika will be here on the 12th and I can not wait. I miss Erika a whole lot. My Mom has been taking care of things back at my apartment and I am so greatful to her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


My FAmily has given so many words of encouragement and I do not know what I would do without them. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't forget my friends outside of my FAmily because they have been a huge support also!!!!!!!!!!!!


Alicia is doing fine. She has a check up with Dr Davies tomorrow. She seems to be gaining weight since she has been on TPN, and her stools seem to be improving a small amount. Alicia is not liking the idea of having to go to the hospital when I do. She doesn't understand why she has to go if she is not sick. She keeps saying she don't want to go and she is scared, but once I tell her Ne Ne will be with her she says ok. I just hope it isn't for long.


Once again thank you for so much support and prayers. I will update more when I am feeling a little better.

Date set for Surgery

Well once again I am sorry for the lack of updates, I spend most of my time on my back in bed if Alicia is not demanding my attention. I went and met with Dr Richards yesterday and the st date for the Surgery is on July 8th at 9am. I am still in a lot of pain since I ripped open but one of my very close friends Kim is changing the dressing twice a day and she is doing an awesome job. Every doc that has looked at my wound has commented on how well she id doing and how well the wound looks. It is not draining and has no infection which I owe all to Kim. Thank you so much girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is a Nurse by practice so that helps a lot also.


When I left the appointment yesterday once again I was worrying because there were days in between the surgery and when Erika would be here. Another one of my close friends, Amy, said she would stay with Alicia along with Tricia another friend of ours but once again Denise has came to my rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess she had already had it planned to be here for the Surgery and to stay with Alicia til Erika got here. My Sister is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Denise, I promise to be a better patient this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


My mom is still holding it all together back home so I can not forget to thank her. Mom you are awesome a have taken so much off my mind. I can't wait to be "Roomies" I also want to that Tina for everything once again and Dianne for being so much support and all of my FAmily for so many messages and words of encouragement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Alicia is doing great. She is loosing a lot of weight so they put her back on TPN which is an IV nutrition. She has all of her energy back and is being "Alicia"


Thank you so much for the prayers and support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out of the Hospital

Well we are back at the RMH. They let Alicia out straight from ICU to our room at the RMH. The word was they were short of rooms on the BMT floor. Alicia seems to be doing well again. She is still having problems with her runny stools but all of her cultures are coming back negative so we still have no reason as to what happened earlier this week. She has an appointment tomorrow with Dr Davies so we might learn more then.


I am still in a lot of pain but it is getting a little better. My friend Kim is changing and packing my wound twice a day. It is very uncomfortable to get done but I feel so much better with her doing it. I have an appointment with the cancer doc on Thursday so I should know when the surgery will be after that. I am soooooo scared. They said that I will probably have to use a wound vac in order for the wound to heal after surgery.


I want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and a special thanks to Dianne and her family for the gift you sent me!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will update soon

GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I FINALLY GOT THE INTERNET TO WORK HERE IN ICU. THANKS TINA FOR COMING TO MY RESCUE ONCE AGAIN.


I CAN NOT BELIEVE ALL OF THE BAD LUCK WE ARE HAVING LATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM ALMOST SCARED TO WAKE UP JUST FOR THE FEAR OF NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!


ALICIA IS DOING A LOT BETTER. WE ARE STILL BATTLING HER BLOOD PRESSURE BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE MOVED TO THE BMT FLOOR TOMORROW.


WELL THE DAY STARTED FOO CRAZY FOR US AGAIN. I WENT TO THE RMH TO TAKE A SHOWER AND JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO GET IN I BENT OVER AND ALL I FELT WAS MY WHOLE STOMACH RIP COMPLETELY OPEN. YES I AM FOR REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BLOOD WENT EVERY WHERE AND OFF THE EMERGENCY ROOM I WENT. MY WHOLE ENTIRE INCISION WAS RIPPED OPEN. THEY HAD TO CALL THE SURGEON WHO DID MY SURGERY TO COME LOOK AT IT AND SHE SAID THEY COULD NOT CLOSE IT DUE TO THE RISK OF INFECTION. THEY HAD TO PACK IT WITH GAUZE AND I HAVE TO GO TO THE CLINIC IN THE MORNING FOR THEM TO RE-PACK IT. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM COMPLETELY OPEN AND IN A LOT OF PAIN AGAIN.


TOMORROW IS ALICIA'S ONE YEAR MARK SO I AM PRAYING IT WILL BE A BETTER DAY. WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT THAT ONE YEAR LATER WE WOULD BE SITTING IN ICU. I AM THANKFUL THOUGH THAT WE ARE TOGETHER AND ALL WE CAN DO IS TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS, IT HAS TO GET BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


ALICIA MEE MA LOVES YOU AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY SPECIAL DAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alicia ICU

Hello It is Krisstina again for Michelle,
Michelle asked for me to update, since she does not have the Internet right now. Alicia is in ICU. She started vomiting and diarrhea last night and had blood in stools. The docs told Michelle to watch her. So this morning her temp went up and she took her to the ER. While there, her blood pressure started dropping and they took her into a trauma bay. Her blood pressure bottomed out at 59/30. Her temp got to 102. She has blood in stools and her tummy was all sucked in, Michelle said you could see every bone. She was taken to ICU. Her BP was low for awhile and then this evening was too high. She will be there for a couple days before going back to the BMT unit. She will have to be off the Dopamine first.
They are doing tests for all symptoms. One of us will update when we know more.

Please pray for her and Michelle.
Thanks
Krisstina

Michelle update

Hello everyone!
This is Krisstina updating for Michelle, per her request.
Today we went to her follow-up to have the remaining staples removed and there was one of the staples that should have stayed in a little longer, but it was healed enough to just place a butterfly stitch on it. She has about six or seven of them and should get them off, if they do not fall off first, and have a wound check by Monday.
They gave us a copy of the pathology report and it shows she has Stage 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma. They found it in 3 places. All were showing stage 1, which is very promising!!!!!!
We will have a consult with her Gyno-oncologist. It should be within the next week. Since it is on the lining of the uterus, she will be getting a full hysterectomy. The good news is that most of the time with stage 1 they get it all with the hysterectomy. They will be taking biopsies of many places to make sure the cancer had not spread to her stomach and other organs. We will know more next week.
Michelle is doing well. She is felling a little better knowing a little more information, not a lot but a little.
Please pray for her all goes well for both of them and some peace for Michelle!

Alicia is also doing well!

Thanks for the prayers.

I am sorry I have been able to update myself, the past week has been very hard on me and all a big blur. I want to stress how very Thankful I am to Tina for keeping everyone updated. I am truly blessed to have a friend like her. She has went over and beyond for me in more than many ways. I Love you Tina and thank you for EVERYTHING.

I also want to thank Denise for dropping everything to be here for us. I love and owe you so much Denise. You are the very very best friend in my life and I do not know what I would do with out you.


I also want to thank my mom for all of her support!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have nothing if it weren't for you mom. Thank you sooooo much. You have taken so much off of my mind and I love you very much!!!!!





Like I said this whole week has been a big blur and a lot of confusion. Today I am not in as much pain as I have been so I feel it is getting better. I don't know where to start so I will start at the beginning.





I woke up from my nap last Friday in an enormous amount of pain. I usually can tolerate pain so I tried to wait it out but it only got worse so I had Alicia go get a friend of mine her at the RMH and it was down hill from there. Another friend got me to the Emergency room and I could barely even sit up. When I finally got back they started an IV and gave me Morphine, which I must say was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They then did a CT scan and it showed a very large cyst on my right ovary so they wanted to do an ultra sound also. The cyst took over two screens on the ultra sound to see it all, it was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They admitted me and the next morning an OBGYN and Surgeon came in and told me it needed to be removed. By then I was on a pain pump so every six minutes i could push a button and was getting a dose of dilota (sp??) so I was in no pain at all and could not really remember much of what was going on. I did know that my sister was on the way and that Alicia had been admitted to childrens by the order of Dr Davies. I don't remember much from that point, I do remember my friends from the RMH being there (Kim and Amy and Shawn) which they have told me that I was saying some crazy things. Mostly about caring for Alicia. They said kept repeating how she likes her tator tots and I was worried that she wouldn't get them.



I also do not remember much after surgery, Denise said she had talked to me in the recovery room which I do not remember at all and I know my friends were there the whole time and in the room waiting when I got back. They took turns checking on Alicia which I thank them so much for. They helped me sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was told that the cyst was 27 inches long by 12 inches wide and they had to drain 4 liters of fluid off of it to even be able to remove it. I had 22 staples up and down my tummy. I was still in a lot of pain and on the pump til the following day. Denise arrived around ten that night and her and Tina, Keith, Jacy and Cameron stopped at the hospital where I was and I do remember that. I was so at ease then because I knew Alicia would not be alone any more. The next day they took me off the Pain pump and started me on oral pain meds, they got me out of bed and Denise helped me shower. At that point I knew I had to get to Alicia so I insisted on them releasing me the next day. Denise stayed and was a HUGE help the whole week!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alicia kept telling everyone my owie was not in my butt any more it was on my tummy.





Now the hard part........................... when they removed the cyst they said I also had a something else hanging from my cervix which they removed along with a biopsy they took from my cervix and it was sent to the pathology lab. Friday when I went to get the staples removed which they only removed half because some were oozing and I am very very bruised, any way the lab reports showed that what they removed and the biopsy both showed cancer. They said it was vital that I have a complete hysterectomy done asap. I was at a loss of words and told them I was not going to do anything or make any decisions until I talked to Dr Davies. My first and utmost concern is Alicia. I can not even bare of the thought of her going through anything without me. I know and have been told a million times in the past few days that if I do not take care of my self that I will not be here for her anyway but that does not matter to me. I know that I will be in the hospital for at least a week and Dr Davies told me Friday that she wants Alica to be admitted to Childrens and under her care while I go through this. Alicia has not ever been alone even for one night her hole entire life. I know they will take care of her but I can not even stand the thought of it. Erika will be here I know it so I decided to wait until she can get here to be with Alicia. She will also be here for a week after. My family all want me to come home but it is not an option.


I will have more answers after my appointment on Monday. I have written down a list of questins and I will let everyone know more than. I ask for many prayers please. This all is so very hard. I thought we were just coming here for a few weeks and we would go home. I was to start my job back this week. I came with nothing and I needed badly to return to work. My family has been a huge support and I thank my mom and Denise so much.

PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle results

*****UPDATE******
I just hung up with Michelle and she said her head is just spinning. She said she thought she'd be better tomorrow. She has been unable to update because she has been in pain and not getting around well. She said she may try tomorrow. The cancer is on the cervix. They have no idea what stage or where it has spread or even if it has. They did say they thought she has had it for awhile. She is so unsure of what she is going to do and how to go about care with Alicia, so please pray god leads her in the right path. She has a follow up appointment on Monday.

Her sister, Denise is leaving tomorrow because she has had some medical issues of her own and needs to get back home for treatment.

As for Alicia, she is doing well and tehy did a scope today to check for gvh in the GI tract and DID NOT FIND ANY!!!! YEAH!!

Thank you all so much for the encouraging words and prayers!

Krisstina

This is a very difficult update for me to make. Michelle had her followup this morning and was informed she has cancer. I have no idea where, what stage, or how much. Alicia is having a scope this afternoon for GI so I will update with all the information I have tonight! I hate to leave this hanging but Michelle asked me to ask for prayers! She really is distraught and I have only spoken with her by text. Please respect her privacy during this time and leave her messages on here or email. She is in a place right now where she is not ready to speak with anyone.


Thank You so MUCH!!!!
Krisstina

Michelle and Alica

We saw Michelle today She looks good.

We had to take a test back to the hospital for Jacy. So We picked up Denise (Michelle's twin) and took her to Walgreens to get Michelle's medication. She is doing well. She is still in a lot of pain, but moving around. Her staples are ready to come out tomorrow. She had an appointment Wed. and they did cultures to make sure the site is clear. She should know the results from pathology tomorrow.

Alicia has a GI biopsy tomorrow as well. I will update when I hear from their appointments.

Below is a link to a news story from when the Bengals visited the RMH the other day.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/presence-felt/9e366f62-58f9-40ee-9b9d-835bc35ccc23
The photo above is from today! Keith got rained out around three and text me he was on the way home. I told him I was at RMH with Michelle. Alica kept asking me to bring her a cell phone and pizza lunchables. I said this weekend and she said no now. So to get her off my back I called Keith and let her talk to him. Next thing I know Keith was coming to RMH. She kept telling him she wanted a cell and lunchable, now so he thought she was saying come here now. When she is on the phone you can not understand her very well. She sure has him trained. Here he came to play. He took her down to the playground while Michelle and I visited.

Thanks for stopping in to check on us!
Krisstina

Michelle released

Michelle is out of the hospital and back with Alicia!!! She is very happy about that! She said she is in a lot of pain and trying to rest.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.
Krisstina for Michelle

Michelle update

Hello,
Just wanted to give you all an update. Michelle is doing much better today. She switched pain medicine after we left last night and it knocked her out. Her sister Denise sat with Alicia and will continue to do so until Michelle is better. Alicia is however required to be inpatient to make sure she gets the care she needs until Michelle is back at the RMH.
I talked with Michelle a little bit ago and we discussed her weight gain during transplant being from the tumor. Her oxygen level is around 93 and they keep weening he off saying they just want it to stay above 92. She is on a weaker pain medicine today. She is feeling better today, Her catheter was removed, she showered (with the help of her sister), and she changed clothes. She says she is still having alot of trouble moving.
She asks for prayers so that she can hurry back to Alicia, she is really missing her and wanting to get back to her. Her sister, Denise just updated me and said Alicia is a little confused but doing well!! She just wants her Meemaw. She also asks for prayers for Michelle, she needs them both in the same place to give more efficient care. She has some health issues of her own and will need extra prayers to stay strong.
Thank you so much for checking in.
Krisstina

Oh yes! I forgot Michelle wanted me to tell that she is doing well, she delivered a baby that weighed 9 lbs. and was 27" long. The baby does not have FA! She never seizes to amaze me with her upbeat attitude!

Michelle Surgery

*****UPDATE*****
Just dropped Denise off to Alicia.
We picked her up at the airport, went to see Michelle, and then took her to rmh to drop off her things, and finally she reached Alicia!
Michelle is doing ok. She is in a lot of pain, itchy and a little low on oxygen. So she had them change the pain meds while we were there and they gave her benedryl. She is being her normal Meemaw self and dying to get back to Alicia. They say if she walks and uses the restroom she can get out Monday. They removed a cyst that was on her ovary. It was fluid filled about 4 liters to be exact. They also removed a fibroid from her cervix. No cancer!!! They did say it had been growing for years! She has not been to the doctor for 23 years!!! Since she had Erika! For those of you that know me, you know what I said to her. She laughed and said I bet you are updating the site and telling them you have been all over me, I told her not yet! lol! I will update tomorrow or as I hear anything new.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Krisstina for Michelle


Just spoke with Michelle and she is doing ok, very sore and tired. She said her phone was going off the wall, She asked me to update the site. Please remember that she needs to rest and as soon as we know something new she or I will update as soon as possible. She really just needs to rest today.
Thank you so much for your concern and prayers she really appreciated all of it. I am sure in a couple days with prayer and rest she will be up to talking more.
Thanks again.
Krisstina


Michelle is out of surgery and doing well. I will update more as I hear. I will be picking her sister up at the airport about 9 pm and we will be going up there at that time. Last night Michelle was telling her family to just wait but her sister called and she decided to come. I got the flight booked and she will be taking care of Alicia while Michelle is down. The incision they made is said to be very big, so she will be down for a little while. Keep praying this family is going through so much right now!
Thanks for checking in.
Krisstina

URGENT NEED FOR PRAYERS!!!!
As we speak Michelle is in surgery. Please pray all goes well.
yesterday late afternoon Michelle was in an enormous amount of pain and eventually went to the hospital ER. They did some tests and found a 27" cyst on her ovary, they are removing it now. I will update when I know more.
Krisstina

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK OK OK MOM AND KELLI............................. SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Mom and my sister have been on my butt to update and I have been slacking again SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alicia is still doing fine except her poop is still very very bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doc Davies said we will be here until she can get her tummy fixed. They are doing more tests so hopefully we will know something soon. The last x-ray showed her colon is healing good though so that is good news. I still do not see us going home anytime soon though. We did get some AWESOME news today... Our insurance is going to pay 100% of Alicia's hearing aid. It should be here Wednesday. I am so excited for her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Today she has her Biopsy so now is the hard part and the waiting game.


Now on to Normal news for Alicia...... As everyone knows nothing shocks e when it comes to her so I was not shocked when Alicia cut her hair the other day. YES she cut her hair. She got the scissors from my purse and cut herself some bangs. Leave it to her. She also embarrassed me the other day so so so bad. I had woke up and my monthly visitor had came ( LOL sorry men) anyway Alicia had came in and she thought I was hurt and she was so worried. Well we were in the elevator on our way down to go to the Hospital to get her labs drawn and there was an older lady in the elevator with us and Alicia went to telling her that we were going to the hospital to get a band aid cause mee-ma' butt was bleeding. I was soooooo embarrassed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


LEAVE IT TO ALICIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!