To all of U... from the ICU

Jerry has been doing so well for the past few days--he's quite the fighter! The doctor informed us this morning that his white counts are extremely low---BUT THAT IS GOOD NEWS! It means the chemo is working wonders. He has even gotten out of bed today all on his own so everyone watch out! Jerry misses talking to you all, but knows you are all thinking good thoughts and sending prayers! Thanks to everyone----Love Kathy

Fix one thing....break another!!

Hello to everyone and top of the Monday morning to you all. Jerry had a good Sunday and we are extremely pleased with his kidney and lung function. Seems as though we get all those things fixed and another one breaks! He will be receiving blood products today and that will help a good deal.

We are so pleased the chemo is working and giving us a fighting chance. We both so appreciate all your many thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming!

Thanks so much to all of you for your caring and love--it means so much!

Jerry & Kathy

A calm day...

Today for the most part has been quiet. Jerry spent the morning with mom, and ate a big breakfast. His mind is clearing, and he is focused on getting stronger. His doctors met with mom and Jerry this afternoon and are pleased with his progress. They are all working together to keep him on the right track. I will be teaching mom how to post to the blog, as I am leaving for home tomorrow. She said she will do her best to keep up with it, I am sure she will do fine.
Tonight, will be calm as Jerry is more used to his surroundings and nurses now, and is finding it easier to sleep for longer periods of time. We will see him first thing in the morning.

Laura

Mom must have ordered dinner...

It is 5:10...dinner time. Jerry didn't eat lunch today so he is pretty hungry. Mom must have ordered this one, there is a whole lot of lemon juice on the tray for some reason. He is eating it all up and watching the news. Getting some platelets and antibiotic.

My shift is almost done here, and mom will return very shortly. He is in good spirits, and pretty curious about everything that is going on.

Laura

A breathing treatment

It is 3:40...Jerry slept for a bit, and is now receiving his second breathing treatment of Albuterol today. He really enjoys it, and it makes him very talkative... kind of like laughing gas..he won't stop babbling to the nurse and breathing specialist right now.

He is finished with Chemo, and now that his sinuses are clear he will probably rest a bit more, and eat some dinner.

Laura

Watching some golf...

It is about 1:00...Jerry is relaxed but has his eyes very fixed on the television watching the British Open from last week on channel 18.  He has had a peaceful morning with mom, she read to him all the wonderful messages that friends and family have left for him on the blog...he was most happy to hear them and both my mom and dad thank each and everyone of you for your unending love and support.  

Out with the Bi-Pap!

It is 4:45...Jerry's Lung specialist Dr. Warzniak just came in to tell us that even though we will never know if it was the Leukemia that filled his lungs with fluid, or the pneumonia, that it doesn't matter because they are getting better.  Whether it was the chemo that helped, or the antibiotic we will always wonder.  Dr. Warzniak said he would get the Bi-Pap out of the room by tonight and told Jerry that whichever is working is wonderful news and God Bless.

Jerry just asked me to call Mom at once to tell her.

Laura

Relief and Rest.

It is now 2:40pm. Jerry and I talked for a few minutes...but I could tell that he was pretty worn out from being so active this morning. He is doing so well staying alert, and breathing steady.  It is still very tiring for him but he is doing it.  I asked him what he was telling himself inside his head to keep so strong and defiant.  He said, "There are all kinds of things going on in here, Laura....you would be amazed!"

Mom is home taking a little break. In the afternoons his pain starts to get to him...he called the nurse and asked for a pain shot. He joked with the nurse about how fast it took effect....that he hadn't felt that good since the 60's...and how nice it felt to get some relief so that he could sleep.  I told him I would be right here...quiet as a mouse working on the blog. He is asleep now...well, at least for 9 more minutes.

Laura

A phone call from Jerry.

The phone rang this morning at around 8am. Mom usually doesn't answer the main land line, always her cell phone...but she was sooo glad she did today because it was Jerry calling. He wanted her to come to the hospital asap! She called us at home at about 9:30am and said that Jerry was out of bed a bit today, and that he had eaten breakfast, and is still off the Bi-pap machine,and pretty aware of things. Also, his kidney test results came back normal. He is one hell of a fighter everyone.Your prayers and thoughts are working !!!

Mom is coming home in a bit, and then we will head back to see him this afternoon.
I will write more very soon.

Laura

Every ten minutes...

It is about 4:00pm.  Jerry, was given a pain shot, and is slightly out of it right now. It was a stressful hour...the nurses were changing his linens and he had to move around a lot, it wore him out. Also, they just completed an ultrasound on his kidneys, but there is no word of the results as of yet.  It is difficult for him to sleep for any long periods of time, because every ten minutes they are doing something to him. But he seems settled now, and just said hello to Julye.

Laura

A morning shave.

This morning mom, my husband Jim and I arrived and again Jerry was sitting up, finishing his morning cereal. Today he got his Special K. The television was on, and when he saw Regis and Kelly he decided he wanted to shave...and he did. He has been off the Bi-pap machine since before we got here and it is now close to 10am. He doesn't talk much because it is easier for him not to...but when he does he is mostly clear and understands what is happening. He is resting quite comfortably right now...dozing off here and there, trying to read the ticker on the CNN channel. Dr. Kaplan came in moments ago, and told us his white blood count has gone down from 39,000 yesterday to below 12,000 today. Very good news. His lungs are still very full of fluid, and his kidneys are being watched closely for failure due to all the medications he is on. This will be the third day of chemo. He is asleep right now, with his glasses on.

Laura

Tuesday. Hour by Hour

Thank you to Bob and Pat, Jim and Loree for your thoughts. As I am writing this for my dad (Jerry), we sit in the room with him. When mom and I arrived this morning, he was sitting up, and to our surprise... quite alert. He was ready for some breakfast. He insisted on eating a bowl of cheerios by himself which he managed to do quite well. He mentioned that it wasn't Special K..but he ate it anyway. He was off the Bi-pap machine for well over an hour... which is a remarkable improvement from yesterday. His breathing stayed calm and steady, but was still difficult and tiring for him. He said he felt as though he was in a test tube all night, and asked us to tell him about it...we did. The three of us had a few good talks in those moments of clarity and he even managed to rattle off a few eye rolls and quick witted words to mom. After leaving last night, mom and I thought we wouldn't get to talk to the Jerry we know again. It was wonderful to have him back even for that brief of a time.
I will try to keep updating often throughout the day...having the computer here at the hospital does help...things change hour to hour. I know everyone is very concerned, and wants to know what is going on...the support that Jerry has is unbelievable and strong. I will do my best to share the information.

Laura

In the hospital...

Jerry has been moved to intensive care at the hospital today.
His oxygen levels are very low and it is causing great distress.

Mom is there with him, and I will fly out immediately.

Laura

Blood comes first....

Sorry, Roger, and other friends and family... the lack of posting is really due to my inability to get on the computer as often as I used to. When I do, I try to catch up on e Mail and other office work that I have neglected. However, tonight I find myself receiving blood components for the 5th day following my 3rd round of Mylotarg. This stuff has greatly reduced my blood count but, I am on the path to a long awaited and much needed stem cell transplant late this summer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.

My wife and business partner Kathy, all of our good working buddies, Jacquie, and John and Robert are going to hold down the fort at LVGI while I head to Salt Lake City. JW

After Mylotarg

I've completed two rounds of the clinical trial drug, Mylotarg... the last one on Monday followed by 2-units of platelets and 2-units of red pack cells.  I certainly feel better after I top off my tank. Final round is on Thursday this week.  

I'm starting the ground work on a stem cell transplant at Huntsman Cancer Institute in SLC.  The time might be right to start for a late summer transplant.   

On a happier note, our daughter, Laura, arrived last Thursday night and spent the w/e with us. She went with me to the Roth's 4th of July party and then we ate and slept most of the weekend. Laura's always great healing for Kathy and me. JW

Clinical Trial Twist

The doctor visit today said that I have too much leukemia to take the Clofarabine clinical trial. So we're meeting tomorrow to get me started on Mylotog?? My blast cells are now 20%... that's not good. It looks like I'll be doing the clinical trial for 7-days over the 4th of July as an outpatient. Our San Diego daughter, Laura, will be visiting over the 4th! Kathy and I never miss the fireworks from Robbie's house in Spanish Trails... that's an annual tradition and one we always look forward too! Happy 4th everyone! JW