Keep Up the Good Work!

Last week marked the end of the longest stretch “ever” between oncology appointments – four months!  Jeff and I were both fairly relaxed about it considering there is comfort in more frequent labs and visits with Dr. Porter.

We’d received an email from Penn describing the new signage at the Perelman Center.  I reminded Jeff to take notice of it even though he knew where he was going.  However, when Jeff arrived on the 2nd floor he discovered that the hematology-oncology department had moved!  Maybe he wasn’t paying enough attention to the new signage.  He needed directions to find the new offices on the 4th floor.

This was big news which called for a few texts flying my direction.  I’d been off work for a couple of days for the Independence Day holiday and was having a very busy day.  I answered all of Jeff’s texts, though, because Jeff knows I wonder how he is faring, whether he’ll remember to ask Dr. Porter all our questions, if there are any changes.  Unfortunately, on this particular day, Youngest Son Keith drove himself from work to the doctor’s and then to the hospital with an acute case of colitis requiring IV and oral antibiotics.  He, too, was texting me to let me know what was transpiring.  Alas, the text I most anticipated and hoped for (“Baby coming!”) did not come that day but it kept me jumping every time my phone dinged.  I explained the unusual phone activity to my co-workers and tried to focus on my work.

Jeff told Nurse Heather that on his last visit with the kidney specialist, she hugged him because his kidney function had improved.  Nurse Heather praised Jeff for doing what he needs to do.  She says some patients will die because they are unwilling to adjust their routines in any way, including getting treatment. 

Sometime during the day I checked the results of Jeff’s labs online.  His hemoglobin was 12.7.  In the first year or so after bone marrow transplant, we would have considered 12.7 an excellent number.  It seemed low to me now so, of course, I graphed past results.  In fact, it hasn’t been that low in more than four years. I texted Jeff, “Is Dr. Porter concerned about your hemoglobin?”  He is not.  I was relieved to hear that Jeff’s next visit is not four months out, not three months out, but two months.  That might be due to the change in his meds.

Dr. Porter is persistent in his attempts to wean Jeff off of the immunosuppressant.  He changed the dosage to one every other day despite Jeff’s assurances that he is happy to keep taking it if it will keep the GVHD at bay.  Weaning has not worked in the past.  Fingers crossed!

In addition to discussing Jeff’s health, Dr. Porter always asks Jeff about his work.  Jeff told him he is building a large garage/shop, hiring subcontractors for most of the heavy work.  As Jeff left the office, Dr. Porter said, “Good luck with the garage!”  Jeff turned and told Dr. Porter that he should, “Keep up the good work!”  Dr. Porter laughed. 

The baby-coming text arrived Saturday night while Jeff and I were on a date at Grounds for Sculpture.  We’d gone there to experience the musical, light-up, “Impulse” see-saw installation at night.  It was fun to get the text while being childish ourselves.  By lunchtime on Sunday our third granddaughter, Phoebe, was born!  By dinnertime, we had the sweet girl in our arms!  Blessings and joy!