Dearest friends...
I know many of you have become loyal bloggers and check it on a daily basis ... or multiple times a day for some of you ... i know who you are! ;) My point being, I am sorry to keep you waiting in anticipation for updates.
Ever since sharing the good news about not finding leukemia in mom's bone marrow things have been a bit interesting. Ever since she stopped receiving chemotherapy they have been monitoring her very closely. She was receiving platelet transfusions but her body was rejecting them (they were wanting to keep her levels to at least 50...they should ideally be 150 but hers were only at FIVE). Thankfully, they found a cross-match and now her platelet levels are looking good.
Her white blood cell counts are severely low (1.6 when it should be between 4.4 and 11). She had a CT Scan to see if she had internal bleeding. Results show that her bleeding has stopped, which is great, but they found that her liver is not functioning properly. She had an ultrasound done yesterday to look at her liver more closely. Her bilirubin count has skyrocketed. It is currently at 11.2 when it should only be between 0.2 and 1.5. Yikes! For those of you who, like me, thought bilirubins were lyrics from a Wee Sing ditty, let me give you a wee bit of medical info for the not-s0-medically-minded...
Bilirubin is a brownish yellow substance found in bile. It is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. When bilirubin levels are high, the skin and whites of the eyes may appear yellow (jaundice). Jaundice may be caused by liver disease (hepatitis), blood disorders (hemolytic anemia), or blockage of the tubes (bile ducts) that allow bile to pass from the liver to the small intestine.
In mom's case, her high bilirubin count is due to a blockage in her bile duct. The opening of her duct starts at 1.4 centimeters and then decreases to 0.7, causing a backup of bile in mom's liver that cannot get to her colon; therefore causing jaundice. I tried singing Willy Wonka's "Oompa Loompa" to her but she didn't find it very funny... ;)
They think that the chronic narrowing of her bile duct could be due to a gull bladder surgery that went awry 10-15 years ago (where they nicked her bile duct during surgery...). There is a procedure called ERCP which goes in and opens her ducts but the risk of infection is too great with her white counts being so low that they are going to wait.
She is losing handfuls of hair but still looking gorgeous! For the first time in her life she is thankful for having such thick hair. ;) She is still very nauseas and finding it hard to eat ... but she is still smiling nonetheless.
Thanks for all your fun & thoughtful comments on the blog! When she has the energy she reads them herself and other times she loves just closing her eyes and having us read your sweet words to her. She loves you all dearly and is overwhelmed by your support. She wants to write an update from herself as soon as she feels up to it.
The Beall family loves you and we are so very humbled by your care!
luv,
lindsay
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
30 comments:
Let's see if this works this time. My record is not good.
First of all Linds thanks again for the report. You will never know how much I appreciate your keeping is informed. As Mark and Amy so often say "so there you have it"
To Pamela Sue -- And you my dearest sister will never know how much I love you. You are so very precious to me. May it comfort you to know I am lifting you up to our Lord many times a day. I am convinced He is taking good care of you.
Can't wait to see you again.
All my love,
Dianne
Pam,
We picture you coming out of the beach house and heading down to the beach for a peaceful walk. We are thankful that you are one of God's children and you are in His hands. We pray many times a day for you and your family.
We will meet you down at the beach for a celebration.
Love you,
Mike & Suzanne
Lindsay - thank you so much for your updates.
Lindsey, Thanks for the detailed description about what is going on. I do check several times a day to see how your mom is doing. Have you thought about going into the medical field? You're really good! I am sure you are stretched in so many directions these days. Take good care of yourself as you keep lovin' on that sweet mom of yours.
Pam- The battle continues and you must be tired! I pray for you often during the day. I know that the Lord is your strength. I pray for physical strength, healing, and that your spirit continues to be uplifted by those around you and His closeness to you. I hope a sunny day tomorrow will cheer you, too! Love you dear friend! Caron
Whew, hang in there, Pammy! You are my hero for handling in the manner that you are. I am not surprised, but I am so proud to know you, my dear. We are thinking of you all the time.
Love,
Beth
P.S. Beall, you take of yourself too. Love you.
Thanks Lindsay for all of your update and in such great detail! I do check several times a day and am so grateful that you are maintaining contact.
To Pam,
You are a fighter and you will get through this. I wish that I could be there with you every step of the way. Please know that you are in my heart always. I miss you and can't wait until we can sit together and laugh and talk about the kids and grandkids :)
love you, marci
Lindsay,
Thank you so much for the update. We were wondering what was going on, and check the blog often. I imagine you are all so exhausted by the ups and downs of these new challenges. Pam - you are so wonderful! Hang in there...I can just see you trying to smile through all of this. You are so loved by everyone. All our prayers are with you and your family.
Susan & Mike
Hey Pam. And the beat goes on, huh? It's hard to understand why each new struggle pops up, but comforting to know from where your strength comes. I wish so much I could take some of this onto myself and give you a little break! I'm with you, Pam, in thought and in oh so many prayers. This too shall pass... Love you, my forever friend.
and
Thanks, Lyndsay. The clarity of your info is so appreciated. By your writing flair you have obviously inherited some of your mother's gift!
Blessings - Marianne
Dear Pam-
I keep your wise words of "one day at a time" in mind as I am so looking forward to you feeling 100%! Knowing that you truly live the philosophy of dealing with "what is" - is a tremendous encouragement to all of us who love you and are walking right beside you as you move through this very tough illness and treatment.
My love and prayers - Jean
I am feeling out of place not being there with you at our favorite place...the old horsepistol. Love you Pammie Sue and gang. Please know you are in my prayers.
Love Featherina
Hello Dear Sweet Forever Friend.... You are ever so present in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to wrap His loving arms around you and the family. May you bathe in His promises.
Much Love to you all,
Patti
Dear Pam,
Just wanted to let you know that you are in all the Nobles' thoughts and prayers. Your strength is amazing and an inspiration to all. I was lucky enough to spend some time on Thursday evening with Lindsay, Hillary, Sean and Courtney at Sip n Krantz. So enjoyed meeting Sean. He's the only Beall I hadn't met before. How blessed you are to have such wonderful children and how blessed they are to have you for a mom! Lindsay, keep up the incredible work on this blog. You are quite the writer.
Love,
Linda
Pam, we continue to send our positive thoughts your way everyday. We're sure you can lick this thing. You are blessed with a great family and tons of support from friends. Thanks Lindsey for keeping us updated. Penny C.
Pam,
Hello! Greetings from Ohio. I am so very, very happy to hear that they did not find leukemia - what a blessing. Tears came to my eyes when I read Lindsay's postings - amazing, absolutely amazing updates. What a journey it has been in such a short amount of time. Lara and I talked this morning and we both think of you daily. On a curious note...if you are up to this - a new topic to discuss with the nurses...I wonder if your hospital uses Cardinal Health product? Cardinal Health distributes/manufactures medical surgical products and distributes pharmaceuticals. If so, that is the company that I work for. Just sharing something that may help you focus a new topic for a little while...smile.
I will check back again soon. Sending my strength and love.
Kate Conn Spirko
Thanks for the awesome updates....that are very well written and quite accurate from a nursing student stand point! Just wanted to let you guys know that Dan and I are thinking of you, and we, along with our community here in Seattle, are praying for all of you! Love you guys!
Still praying for you from Mississippi. I purposely made sure that we have some Wee Sing in our CD line up in the minivan, to remember to pray for you. God is so good and is ahead of you with each step!
The Fields family
Sorry... accidentally posted the last one twice!
Thank you Lindsay for your latest update. Your detailed report, seasoned with a touch of humor, is so welcome.
Ron and Family,
Life isn't easy for you and Pam right now, but you have strength in numbers. With sweet Pam as our leader, we'll continue to support her as she wins this battle and regains her strength.
I have no doubt that you are just as beautiful without hair, Pam. After all, I've seen you without eyeliner.
Sending you much love,
Denie
Dear Pam and Beall family - just wanted to let you know we are still praying daily for you -thinking good thoughts for you too June Ann and Larry Cole (Amy's Mom and Dad)
I'm keeping up with your progress Pam! and I'm praying for your body to be restored and for encouragement.
much love,
Lisa
Pam & Lindsay-
Hello beautiful ladies..I am so sorry to hear about the speed bumps you have hit lately, but I know you will get through this. You are in our thoughts and prayers daily. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask.
Love you guys-
Caleen & David
Dear Bealls,
Lindsay you are amazing and I know such a comfort to your sweet Mom. Thank you for being so faithful with the blog. My prayers are with you all. I know our Lord is walking along side you as is so evident by the many friends and family lifting you in thoughts and prayers. Keep your chin up Pam.
In His Love,
Susan Vineyard-Bennett
Praise God for the great outcome on the tests. Take care of yourself...always praying for you up here in Washington.
with love and prayers,
shana j.
Hi Pam,
Thank you to Lindsay for keeping us updated...what a support you have from your wonderful family. Also, know that your extended "sisterhood" loves you very much and holding you tight with our prayers...we are praying for strength for you!!
I am looking forward to one of our lunches in LO or maybe Bridgeport.
Take care sweetie pie.
Love,
Kari Hatteberg
I sure hope your week is going better! I think of you every day and pray that you are seeing the good in each day! It must feel like spring to you - showers one day and then the sun pops out! I hope you have many sun spots this week!
I read the comment Nate wrote to you and I just cracked up! I can just picture you cruising down the hill in the VW van! Our kids do have lots of fun memories together. Nate was so glad to know about the blog. We will be visiting him in a couple of weeks. I always look forward to seeing Nate and Sarah.
Know that you are precious in God's eyes and that He is with you through all of this!
Love you lots,
Caron
We were holding on to the "Hallelujah" post with joy. Often no news is good news. I remember being cooped up in the hospital for a long stretch and nearly forgetting what it was like on the outside. Well, I'll tell you what Mauri and I have been up to. Um...we go to work and we come home for lunch and we go to work and we come home for supper and there's usually a rehearsal in the evening and then on Sunday we get up early because there's always something going on down the street at the church. So you can take from this little update that your life is a whole lot more interesting than the rest of us are living. Just don't make it TOO interesting. We don't take lightly the price you're paying right now to get back to your former healthy self, and we continue to pray that your hope level remains high until the docs say you're good to go.
Lots of love from your friend(s) Sherry (and Mauri)
Good day, Pam. Just checking in to say hi and hope that all is going in a positive direction. I spent all last week at my middle daughter, Ricki's, caring for her four. Once again a single working mother (this time grandmother) of four (and this time in my 60's instead of 30's). Wow, does make a difference! Ricki's and her husband, Bill, are in Southern Cal as Bill donated his kidney to my oldest daughter (Kelli's) husband, Chris. It's an amazing miracle that they were such a close match! All went well and so far continues to. Obviously it's a process. My list of prayers is long, but Pam, you're right at the top! I look forward to hearing the latest news on your progress. I think of you DAILY!! There are rumors of having a mini-impromtu reunion in September since that's when the Class of '63 will congregate. That might be fun. Blessings, Pam. Onward to a bright and beautiful tomorrow! -marianne
Hey you guys, just wanted to say hi and remind you that you are all constantly in my thoughts. I'm going to try to make it up your way soon, hopefully i'll be seeing you in a couple of weeks. Hang in there, I know its been tough but I know you are very spiritually strong. That is something I have always admired about the Beall family! Not much new down here except for 70 degree weather which means more outdoor recreation : )
With love,
Randy
Pammy Sue,
I felt stirred to remind you that you only have to do the next five minutes. There can be alot of joy in just the next five. Please take all that is said to you and let the Lord filter it and speak truth to you. Your case is unique and you don't have to borrow anyone else's trouble.
I love you and miss you little warrior.
Cin
God bless all of you for the updates and we will keep praying for you and your wonderful family. You are always on my mind and heart throughout the day.
ginger
Post a Comment