Saturday Morning/Afternoon

I had a few pictures on Bobby's cell phone from his most recent round of chemo. He was very helpful this morning and dug out his micro SD card so that I could pop it into the laptop and pull off the pictures.

Bobby is feeling much better today. Almost back to normal. He (and I) have been in bed most of the morning. He seems to be feeling less sick, less nauseated, and his mood is better. He was hungry for a huge piece of cake that Steph brought for dessert last night. I asked him to define "large piece" and his response was 8" x 8"! I told him that 8x8 is not a PIECE of cake--it IS a cake! I cut a piece that was about 4x6 and he ate 1/2 of that. He isn't needing the anti-nausea or other medicine so far today either. Each day is a better day than the previous one.

Here are some pictures from the last few days in the hospital...Maybe I'll just stick them in a slide show like I did the other ones. That seemed to work pretty well.

And, we're back home

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already. We went to the hospital on Sunday afternoon and left on Thursday morning. Bobby says he doesn't remember any of it. By tomorrow, he won't remember today. His memory will improve soon. I reminded the kids that he is a little mixed-up. Not really confused-that sounds like he doesn't know where he is(and he does). He just doesn't quite have his facts straight. When the nurse brought his shot this morning, he told her he had already gotten it. I'm sure this surprised HER because she surely didn't remember having already given it to him! He didn't argue when I suggested that perhaps it was yesterday's shot that he remembered getting. This is all part of the IL2. He is still restless but is able to find things to do at home that he couldn't do in the hospital. He has mail to read, a stack of newspapers, his tools, the X-Box, and he can go outside for a change if he needs to. He was quite stir crazy being stuck in that hospital room. His skin is very dry and itchy. He had some areas on his hands and feet that were peeling from the first course of IL2. Those have just started to improve-just in time to start peeling again. He is soaking in some Aveeno right now. The IL2 is horrible while you are getting it but the side effects do go away over time.

I'm exhausted. I had taken a book and some magazines to help pass the time in the hospital. I didn't have time to even open my book and I read one magazine article to Bobby...Consumer Reports' Guide to wiper blades. If I had a few minutes when he was asleep, I took advantage of it and grabbed a nap myself. He was a handful this time because of the restlessness. As soon as I thought he was happy and settled, he'd be up and want a change. I sent Jim a picture of Bobby laying backwards in the bed...before I could send the picture, he had turned back around! During the first course of IL2, Bobby slept for about 3 days. He even slept on the way home-I remember. This time, he couldn't sleep (or thought he couldn't sleep) and didn't sleep on the way home--I remember because he complained enough about my driving (getting back to normal quickly).

Catherine Ann brought dinner over tonight. It was wonderful. The last thing I could have done tonight was cook. Bobby hasn't eaten much of anything for several days. He did eat chicken & rice tonight. He liked the chicken. Our thanks to the George family! We haven't had dessert yet--

Actually, I did have some chocolate chip cookies that Sandy Miner brought over last night. Although Bobby and I weren't here, the kids appreciated having dinner. Sandy brought baked ziti. It must have been good because it appears most of it has been eaten! Thanks Scott & Sandy! So, the cookies I had were last night's dessert--that means I can still have some of tonight's dessert!

Well, it is 8:30. It has taken me a few hours to write this between interruptions, laundry, unpacking and relaxing. I'm ready for bed. I don't know if I had written in the blog last time about the vivid dreams that the IL2 causes. It causes very vivid, bizzare dreams. Bobby calls them HI-DEFINITION dreams. He says they seem so real-but they are crazy & don't make much sense. He was talking about the cat tonight-he remembers something about Copper (the cat) and wind-energy. Maybe Copper knows what he is talking about?

So, the plan is: wait until the 2nd week of June and repeat the CAT scan. It will show if the IL-2 treatment has stopped or reversed the growth of the tumors in his lungs. If the IL-2 has worked, these cycles are repeated: 3&4, 5&6...I can't remember how many: 6? or 8? If we don't see any improvement from the IL-2, we will be given the option of more clinical trials.

Wednesday's Events

Bobby had another rough evening & night last night. The nausea continues although (until a few hours ago) he hasn't been vomiting as much. Around 10:00 this morning, the doctor's made rounds and he told them that he was seeing something orange in his vision. Just like the course before, this is a reason to stop the IL-2. It was wonderful that he started feeling better very quickly. Bobby was soon sitting up, chatting, holding a nice conversation with the nurse. The nurse found that his Hickman catheter (IV in his upper chest) had been tugged on and had gotten pulled out of place. The amount it moved is about 1/8" but that was enough for the cuff to come out. The line can't stay that way although they are able to continue to use it until it gets removed just before we go home. I expect that we will go home tomorrow morning. I will promise Bobby that if he stays tonight, I will have him out bright and early. He'd like to go home tonight, but he doesn't realize how much he is still pretty sick. There is still some confusion, and he needs reminded that even though he thinks and feels good--that changes in a second and he is back in bed with chills, vomiting, and is ready to sleep. We need to get those kidneys functioning a little better too. Bobby got up to dose 8. They held dose 5 due to his vital signs, but to get 7 doses this time around is terrific. I think he would tell you that each dose he got was horrible and he was begging to go home after dose 2. His nurse last night told him that the IL-2 is the hardest therapy they have up here. The side effects are nasty. I'm really proud of him, he suffered through this-despite the misery he was experiencing. He is still miserable but that will improve slowly over the next few days. The Hickman will be removed before we go home. It will need to be placed again, but they agreed that he could wait until he NEEDS it again in 7-8 weeks and get the new one then. This makes him happy (a little happy) because he won't have the Hickman for the summer. He will be able to swim, get wet...it really was a pain with the dressing and wires. So, we'll be heading home soon...if not tonight then it will be in the morning. We will let everyone know if he feels up to calls or visitors as the week goes on. I will have to work some this weekend so I doubt that he'll be up to having visitors if he is home trying to rest. It is easier when I'm there to help him shower, fix meals, get things for him...We'll keep you posted as to how he is feeling. P.S. I am so thankful for everyone that has volunteered to bring meals by every day for the next 2 weeks! You guys are amazing--and a special thank you to Pam Shank for coordinating all of this! Take care...and don't forget your sunblock!

Tuesday ~ 1PM

Bobby had a rough evening and night.(Monday night) He had a few episodes of rigors after the IL-2 doses. The cure for rigors is morphine. The morphine causes him nausea. The nausea causes anxiety so they gave him meds for that. That gave him nausea & vomiting...the cycle went on through the night. Once we got that under control, he started feeling much better. His output was decreased so they did start the Dopamine through the night. This course has been harder than the first, but that was expected. His spirits are down and I'm working harder at convincing him that he is doing OK. The nurses have been doing a great job. They are trying to minimize the interruptions although that is still in issue. Even with a big sign on the door that says "DO NOT ENTER"-a lady just knocked, came in, said she was here to CHECK THE NEEDLE BOX. She rattles the keys, opens the bin, sees that the needle box DOESN'T EVEN NEED CHANGED, says thank-you and goes back out. Just that 30 second interruption wakes him up, he has to shift around and get comfortable again and try to go back to sleep. It is frustrating.

I'm going to try to catch the 1:10 shuttle over to the family pavilion...be back soon!

I suppose we've been busy...

We got a call around 3 yesterday that they had a bed and we should leave then. I had to find Bobby. When I went out to the camper, he wasn't there. It took me a few minutes but he had walked around the front of the house as I was walking around the back of the house. We showered quickly and drove to Baltimore. We grabbed a quick bite at BK and Bobby ate 2 Whoppers on the way down. He said that they tasted good and it made him happy!

Everything has been pretty uneventful so far. Bobby has been very irritable and grumpy. He had too long to anticipate what was to come and by the time we finally got here, he seemed to get upset about each little thing. He was worried about things that MIGHT happen...and didn't. I have tried to stay on top of things and although HE wouldn't agree, everything has gone well. He has had ... 3 doses so far.

Well, I spoke too soon. We just had a 7 minute episode of rigors. He is resting comfortably now. OK...I give up. We just got him settled now after about 5 minutes of vomiting. He is asleep now. I'm doing everything I can do. He was mad that he was throwing up-blaming it on not having been given his anti-nausea medication. I assured him that, yes, he did get the medication. Maybe I'll start a chart for him so that he can see that we ARE doing things to help him and to prevent his misery. I know all of this is very hard. I am certainly open to ideas of ways that I can help him feel better. He has been talking about getting it over with so he can go home. They are taking good care of him here, but there's no place like home.

Not a Happy Camper...

Well, the first call from Hopkins came in. She said it doesn't look good but there is still a chance. She will call back around noon. I need to get Bobby OUTSIDE & BUSY. He is getting stir crazy.

Oh My

We didn't get a call from JHU yet so at 1:00 I called them. The coordinator called back and told Bobby that they still did not have any beds available. She said it was POSSIBLE that ONE patient might go home later. If that patient gets discharged, they might be able to admit Bobby. She will call us tonight around 6 or 7 to let us know. We aren't very happy. Bobby had wanted to take Julie to a horse show this weekend. We cancelled those plans (sorry Julie) and I took off several days of work because they changed his dates from Tuesday the 26th to Friday the 22nd. I keep packing up the pillows and then having to unpack them! This is a pain for all of us, but certainly a huge roller coaster ride for Bobby. He is the one that has to deal with the delay. It is hard! To be continued....

Bummer

We got a call from Hopkins around noon telling us that they were full and didn't have any beds for today. She said it was a possibility that they might have one later this evening, but she called at 6 to say they wouldn't. We knew that this was a possibility. In the beginning, they said that the coordinator will call you the day of your admission to let you know if you should come. We were/are all packed and ready to go. Bobby was getting pretty nervous about the whole thing and this didn't help. It just gives him more time to worry. They told us they would call us back in the morning around 10 but that it looked good for tomorrow. So, we will relax at home tonight and plan to go to Baltimore tomorrow. We had been told that they always start the first dose at 10PM. The nurse that called tonight said that sometimes if they get the patient admitted early enough, they will start with the 2PM dose. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow after we get settled. If they want us there for 2PM, we will have to leave shortly after they call in the morning. I wonder how they do these things with people that don't live close enough to drive? I guess I can ask that question tomorrow. We hope everyone has a great weekend!

Tired & Nervous...

We are getting ready to go back in to Hopkins for round 2 of the IL-2. We haven't heard from the coordinator that he has a bed yet but they said they might call around noon tomorrow to tell us. There is a chance that if they are busy, they will bump him to Saturday. We are still packed and ready to go tomorrow-as planned.

Bobby is nervous. He wants to go to bed but I'm still packing stuff up. I'm sure he is NOT looking forward to the misery and stress that is to come. I will be there with him which he says is what gets him through it. It would be miserable (or more so) if he (or anyone) had to be there alone. Some patients don't have family there which is sad. If I wasn't there with him there are 20 other people that would be!

We love you all...and will keep you posted. Thanks for all the support, prayers, and food. It is wonderful! Bobby just walked by and said, "I am so happy that you will be there with me. You don't know how comforting it is to know you will be there." And, I wouldn't have it any other way - forever & always...

Hopefully this displays a SLIDESHOW...

I think if you click on the pictures it will bring it up larger...

Winding Down...

We are winding down the week. Bobby is scheduled to go back in on Friday for the second round of IL-2. He is starting to get nervous. I don't blame him for not wanting to go through all that again. He is tough...and hopefully I can give him enough TLC to ease the discomforts. I suppose I can provide all the TLC needed but the nurses are the ones with the medications that make things better. The nausea, itching, rigors, and pain-hugs help but just don't cut it!

Bobby is feeling pretty good right now. His skin started peeling off of his hands and the soles of his feet this week. He is starting to get some irritation/soreness in his mouth. He is still very itchy and has very dry skin. That is all part of the IL-2. We expect things will get worse before they get better - considering he gets more IL-2 this week.

We went to the school last night for Julie's induction into the French Honor Society. We are very proud of her. I'd post a picture but she would not let me take any. She looked so pretty and smart. I guess we need to start saving for a class trip to France-or some other French-speaking country! We were careful-and concerned about being in that crowd of people. There were lots of people coughing...we're trying hard to not let anyone get sick at home!

So, we are packing and preparing to go back to Hopkins. Bobby will be more nervous as the week goes on. I will be able to make posts from the hospital to keep everyone up to date. Please feel free to email us or leave a message for Bobby on the guest book via the blog.

A little post for Grandy

This is a cute story and I would like to share it. Before I start, I want to say, THANK YOU to my mother. She has been here since before Bobby's treatment started. She left her home in Florida to come up and take care of our kids, the house, and our cats. We knew it was not going to be an easy job (and the kids were probably the least of her worries)! Grandy left Sunday to go back home. We appreciate all that she did while she was here--a job that normally takes two!
OK, so last night, Grandy was telling me all about this fish camp near her brother's house in New Smyrna Beach, FL. She stopped by Tom's house on her way home to Florida. Grandy went on and on about J.R's Fish Camp (Tom corrected her and said it is J.B.'s not J.R.'s) which was about 4 miles (Tom says 7 miles) from his house. Grandy raved about the food there with her favorite meal being the Stuffed Flounder (Tom says it is Grouper). Grandy couldn't wait to go to the restaurant she remembered so well. So, back in Maryland, Bobby needed a ride to go drop his truck off at the dealer for some work. We are headed up Halfway Blvd. and got stopped at the light. I look over at the post right beside us at the light and there are some bumper stickers stuck to the pole...I read one of the stickers...and couldn't believe what it was...I still can't believe it. Dan and I had to go turn around twice so that I could stop next to the pole again and get a picture. It is a small world! I can't wait to ask Grandy how her dinner was last night...

We Give Thanks...

Bobby and I want to express our gratitude to everyone who has been catering to us this week. Thank you Pam for coordinating the efforts and making arrangements to have meals delivered. Sheri & Donnie Lehman, we loved the beef stroganoff-it is always one of our favorites! The entire meal was perfect. Thank you.

Pam & Lance Shank: You have gone above and beyond! Pam has been here twice this week for us. Once with Slippery Beef Pot Pie & then Chicken Marsala. Both were excellent. Catherine Ann brought a huge meal at the beginning of the week. We had salad, lasagna, bread, wine, and orange salad. The kids loved having a variety of things they DO enjoy. We had enough leftovers to have another meal or two from each! Then, last night, Simon and Becky brought turkey loins, green beans, rice pilaf, & bee sting cake. I've never had some of these items but Bobby was familiar and couldn't wait. It was very good! Last of all, but not least...Steph Perkins brought baked Ziti, bread, & brownies over tonight. It was perfect--and also enough for another meal. We really have enjoyed our week.
We've enjoyed the beautifully prepared dishes, tasty desserts, wine, sparkling juice, fresh vegetables, and home made cakes and desserts.
Thank you all--it was all perfect! You are all wonderful friends...THANK YOU!

Bobby and I agreed that while we haven't known what we were getting FOR dinner each night, we were more excited to see WHO was coming with dinner. It was so nice to get to see everyone. I will admit that it was great for Bobby & I to get to see everyone--WE'VE MISSED YOU ALL! No one wants to stay but a few minutes...and that is OK. We don't want to take any chances with germs...but it has been nice visiting for a minute or two.

Time Flies

I can't believe it has been a week since we came home from the hospital. Bobby continued to improve daily throughout the week. By about Thursday, he was feeling much better. The dreams have subsided but he isn't sleeping the best. The vivid dreams are part of the IL-2. He isn't happy about the Hickman catheter. It is a real pain in the neck for him (literally). He is having trouble keeping his dressing on. Because it is on his chest/shoulder, it stretches and pulls the dressing. We change it every day or two (instead of weekly which is required). I am not noticing that he is as short of breath as he was earlier in the week. He isn't as grumpy either! His skin is improving too. The IL-2 causes dry and peeling skin. We tried several products and finally found one that works great. I believe that today, he won't even need to use it. Since he is feeling better, he may appreciate some phone calls this week. I would probably recommend calling the house instead of his cell phone (long story). The short version is that he is using a new cell phone that will eventually become our son Dan's phone number. Dan, is using Bobby's old phone until they swap numbers. Once they swap, Bobby will have his new phone with his old number.

We had a change of plans as far as treatments go. We had planned on going back to Hopkins on Tuesday. They changed it to the following Tuesday, and now backed it up to Friday. I guess plans could still get moved around. We'll just be ready to go when they tell us to be there. Bobby is dreading those days in the hospital. It is hard to know ahead of time that misery is just around the corner. We know what to expect-which relieves the unknown but confirms the unpleasantness of it all.

I will try to get some more pictures posted. I still have some from the hospital, and others from last week. Time goes by quickly. We appreciate everything that is being done for us...from many friends & family. We couldn't do it without all of you! Be back soon...

Our stomachs are full!

Many thanks to Catherine-Ann & Joe George for the delicious lasagna dinner last night. We also want to thank Sheri & Donnie Lehman for the terrific beef stroganoff dinner tonight! Pam and the other wives have gotten together to bring meals to us. I can not say how helpful this is...but the kids would definitely tell you how grateful they are. I haven't felt much like cooking (or eating). So, if I don't cook, we don't generally get much for the rest of the family to eat. They are old enough to fix themselves food--but it is Easy Mac or a can of soup. They have been very grateful to have a homemade meal. THANK YOU!!!
Bobby had a check up today in Baltimore at Dr. Sharfman's office. Everything was great. His blood pressure was up a bit (but much better than it was yesterday). He is taking his BP medication now. His appetite is back and he is not so short of breath. His peeling skin is improving. I found a lotion that has worked very well on his peeling face. He likes it and it works well. He looks great! I took a picture last night...but it is on the computer which is in my car. I'll post it tomorrow morning (planned).We appreciate everyone respecting our request to not have visitors. We are working hard to keep the germs away. Poor Jim (Bobby's brother) hasn't come to see Bobby since he's been home...but then Jim came down with the flu yesterday and is quite sick. We are thankful that he hadn't come to visit because he was probably contagious before he knew he was sick. Bobby has been trying to email, phone, and text people but is staying clear of crowds. We were told by JHU to hang a sign on the door about visitors. The doctor recommends that his chemo patients keep a bottle of hand sanitizer and masks at the front door. Of course, we are compliant patients and have placed those items right on the front porch. We've all been diligent about hand washing and keeping kisses to a minimum. No handshakes and no sick people.
We had to pick up a prescription today at CVS. There was a boy in the store who was coughing...and coughing and sniffling...and coughing! We could not believe his mother allowed him to come in. Bobby just went back out to the car to get away from this snotty, coughing kid. I told Bobby that the Rx counter is probably not a good place to be. Everyone seemed sick! We will use the drive-thru next time. The doctor is pleased that Bobby got 9 doses of IL-2 during his first round. We will go back in 2 weeks to do it again. We feel better prepared. Although we won't look forward to the next session, we do have some experience now and know what to expect. I spoke to the nurse manager at JHU today. I told her how happy we were with the staff and nurses there. Everyone was attentive and took great care of Bobby. He liked the nurses and the attention he was getting! We were comforted by the atmosphere there and the care we were given was exceptional. Thank you! Again, thanks to everyone for your efforts...we appreciate everything you do! More to come on the plan for the next few weeks. Hello to all!

Improvements

Bobby is improving daily. He is still having very vivid (and scary) dreams. He wakes up with his heart pounding...and has grand descriptions of what was happening in the dream. I can see themes in the dreams that correlate to events happening in real life. I'm sure the diagnosis gives feelings of helplessness and desperation.

We've been taking it easy this morning, relaxing with the newspaper, coffee...and getting the kids off to school. Julie is quarantined in her room (away from Daddy) because she has a sore throat and feels crappy. She is being very attentive to hand washing and minimizing her time that she is close to anyone else (esp. Dad). The kids are all pitching in and helping out. Grandy (Donna's mom) has been here with the kids. Yesterday, she left to take a little road trip around perhaps, WV. A sight-seeing tour. We need her back next week when we go for round 2. Grandy normally lives in Florida so it is too far for her to drive home for 10 days and then come back. She needed a little break from being here.

We have had numerous offers for people to help. Pam Shank has made arrangements for meals for our family for the next two weeks. She has been working hard and everyone here appreciates her efforts. Thank you to everyone for helping out. The support is amazing.

Bobby feels better today. He is still a little nauseated and sounds short of breath. He has more energy and his mood is "less grumpy." His appetite is returning slowly. He is still saying a few little goofy things...but not like yesterday or the day before! He is taking care of business things (bills, maintenance...) like normal.

I'm gonna go draw some bath water for him...maybe I'll join him!

Finally...

I'm bringing him home!!! We have things to get completed here at JHU this morning...and will be coming home later today. They have asked Bobby to write a sentence every day since he was admitted. He has written, "I love my wife" each day, until today when he wrote, "I want to go home." And he will.

Bobby is feeling very tired, still nauseated, and just icky. It is a HUGE improvement since yesterday. He is more himself today, complaining about this and that. This morning, among other little things, he is uncomfortable in the bed. I don't blame him one bit...but he has tolerated it well when there were worse things to complain about.

I'll post tonight after he is snug in his bed. He will hopefully be much more comfortable there! Thank you all for your support this week! I havent turned down any offers...and still won't! Give him some time until he feels like talking and we see if he wants visitors.

Friday PM

Throughout the day today, I noticed Bobby becomming more and more sleepy and that he was saying things that just didn't make sense. He asked me questions about the kids...that weren't correct. He would ask me who it was that called--and no one had called. I mentioned this to the nurses and discussed whether it was confusion or just vivid dreaming. After the night shift nurse came on, she took his vitals. His BP is still up there (which is good because it tends to drop during treatment), but his heart rate was around 120--which is where they start putting patients on the monitor. He had a fever of 101.7. His nurse called the doctor and he said to stop the IL-2 treatments. Bobby has gotten 9 so far and that is great. Although they only give a total of 14, if you get less, it isn't considered a failure...they just will give UP TO 14. Of course, we all know that Mr. Bobby wanted all 14...but I don't believe the doctor said that 14 works better than 9!

Bobby apologized to me. I asked what he was apologizing for and he said for not getting 14 doses. HE is the one wanting 14 doses...I'm the one who wants to bring my husband HOME from the hospital...and well enough to come back in 2 weeks for Round 2. I told him that his body (not his will power) said to stop at 9. His body is too stressed to continue. If 9 is his magic number...let it be 9. Maybe we should have had 9 kids? Anyway, I've tried to tell him...9 is great.

He still feels very sick. I got him to take a 1/2 of a popsicle. He didn't eat dinner...in fact, he slept through it. The plan is that if his fever is down enough tomorrow, they will let him come home. If not...we'll try again Sunday.

I told Jim this story & I'd like to share it with you...it was cute. Jim told me to tell Bobby that he was proud of him. Bobby was sleeping but I did tell him. He didn't move a muscle. Out like a light! Then, a loud noise from the street came storming thru...vrroooom vroommmm.................His eyes open up and he says, "Those are dirt bikes! Dirt bikes are a huge problem in Baltimore City..." He was probably right about the noise that woke him being a dirtbike or two. I wouldn't know! It was cute because my voice didn't arouse him!

So, we wait for tomorrow to see what his vitals are. See what his temperature is. I'll keep you posted. He is ready this time :) .

Day 4 (and the night before)

Last night went well. Bobby got his scheduled 10PM dose (#7). He did have some rigors at about 2AM but the nurse was here quickly with the antidote. He said that the rigors are the worst part of all of this. We have learned to manage them and to catch them at the onset. He does better with them now than in the beginning. The doctor was in this morning and was pleased that he is doing so well. They have not had to hold any doses so far and he has gotten 8/14. His platelets have dropped, but his blood pressure, temperature & output have been stable enough to keep the doses coming.

Bobby has been sleeping well despite what seems like 5 minute interruptions. He lost the day yesterday, thinking it was still Thursday when they asked him this morning. I reminded him that he slept thru Thursday...and he remembered.

MSP just flew into Hopkins. We can see the approach but not the helipad. I saw them coming and called Bobby's name a few times (quietly) to try to let him watch them come in. He didn't budge...UNTIL the helicopter turned and he heard them. His eyes popped open...responsive only to the noise of that which is closeset to his heart!

Day 3

Today, Bobby has gotten doses 4 & 5. They are about to hang dose 6 as soon as it comes up from the pharmacy. He is doing well. They said many of the side effects don't come until the later doses--and so far, he has been tolerating it very well. His mood is holding up pretty well (as long as he is feeling OK). He doesn't like being nauseated--but who does. They gave him medication this morning to help with the nausea/vomiting and he has been sleeping it off all day. He did sit up for a few minutes and ate a turkey club sandwich. He was falling asleep while he was chewing. I'm happy that he is resting quietly now. There are interruptions about every 15 minutes from the staff...we all know it is impossible to rest in a hospital. First, vitals, then the nurse, then the doctors, the cleaning people, the kitchen, the snack cart, the social worker, nurse manager, a nurse or 2, and that is all before lunch. Oh, and his doctor popped in a few times. They are taking very good care of him...and he is pleased with that.

Thank you for the emails and notes of encouragement. He likes reading everything from everyone. I just saw the sign today that says "No flowers or potted plants" on the door of the unit. I got him some balloons to brighten up his room (although he has big windows with a view of the city and says he likes having them open so he can see the ??sunshine). I had to ask him about that because we haven't seen the sun for a few days in Maryland!! It did peek out for a few minutes last evening...but right now, it is raining again.

Dose 6 is hanging now...and he is back to sleep! Please email me if I'm missing anything you want to know...I'll try to catch it in the next post!

Day 2

Bobby just asked me how the blog was coming...and I said, "Its not...I've been sleeping!" I hadn't posted anything--and he was disappointed. Sorry...I've been kind of busy fluffing pillows and tucking in sheets! Let's see, yesterday, we came down to Hopkins. Bobby had his Hickman catheter placed. It didn't run the first time so they had to place a second one. That caused some extra tenderness in his neck/chest but that has improved. After the catheter was placed, we were taken up to his room on the 5th floor. The nurses were like flies on him (and he loved that). He is making friends with all of the nurses. They are young, cute, and are taking great care of him. He has mentioned several times that he is impressed with the care. Last night, they hung the Interleukin-2 at 10PM as planned. About 45 minutes later, the "rigors" started. This is a side effect of the medication and the nurses were quick to give him morphine to help control the rigors. Chills [Rigors] Chills are extreme, involuntary muscle contractions with characteristic paroxysms of violent shivering and teeth chattering. Commonly accompanied by a fever, chills tend to arise suddenly, usually heralding the onset of infection. This is expected from the body's reaction to the IL-2. The chills I saw last night were severe...not like I've seen before. It took about 15 minutes for the medication to work and for him to feel better. Nausea has also been a problem. Finally, some Zofran helped him this morning. Other than the chills & nausea, he is feeling pretty good. Bobby is eating like normal...well...normal isn't quite covering it. Today, for lunch: Sloppy Joe, macaroni & cheese, tossed salad, roll, fruit cup, cookie...and I think I'm missing one or two things. Oh, he saved his chips for later. I hope it stays where he put it!He gets nervous when it is time for the next dose (in 30 minutes). They said they would just give him the morphine to prevent the rigors (he thought this was a great idea). The plan is to keep going with the doses until we get to 14. They are watching him closely and so far--he's doing great. His spirits are hanging in there. His eyes just lit up when MSP just landed at the hospital. He likes being able to sleep. I hang a note on the door so they don't come in every 5 minutes and wake him. He slept for a few solid hours this morning. OK, we are getting ready for the 2PM dose. He has been playing on Skype and texting people. I'll post more this evening. Hugs to all...we feel the love!

Hopkins Eve

We are preparing for tomorrow. Bobby will get his central line started in the morning and then be admitted. The first dose of IL-2 won't be hung until tomorrow night. Other than not being able to eat and being nervous, tomorrow will be a good day. We are trying to pack and get the kids settled in with Grandy. Bobby appreciates everyone's thoughts, prayers, and numerous offers to do anything & everything...actually, we both appreciate all of them! We expect to be in the hospital until the end of the week. We should have internet access there so we will try to keep you updated (I know everyone is out there--waiting). I've promised to take good care of him.

Feel free to send him emails (I will be sure he gets them). harsh.bobbydonna@gmail(dot com) is fine.