Colloquy -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, August 5, 2010

Colloquy

Definition:  conversation, dialogue;  a high-level serious discussion : conference

First out of the gate -- Is it hot enough for you?   Don't answer that.

Labs have been tremendous the last month.  Platelets were down to 70 and he had a colloquy with Infusion he get a bag.  Can you believe it?  When this started he didn't have a clue what platelets were.  He didn't get any.  He certainly isn't low enough.  Maybe if he gets down below 50.

I have see a big increase in his bruising and thin skin.  The top of his left hand continuously stays black.  The bruises are so thin that they will bleed easily.  They are like a big blister with fluid in them.  If one is pierced the blood gushes.  He carries an inventory of band aids in his wallet.  These bruises are larger that half dollars.  The Infusion nurses tell him it is because his platelets are low.  Hence the last paragraph.  I have read up on the internet that could be a cause, but Velcade is a cause, also.

Our new addition to the family has been with us for two weeks.  She is adorable.  We have finally come up with the name -- Sugar.  She is pure white and as sweet as sugar.  She is very well mannered.  She is starved for attention and is very hyper right now.  She is a year old and I believe she is coming into season.  We are calling the vet.

At my last writing I had not mowed in two weeks.  Well, that ended up being three.  With the workers at the house and with the heat, I had just not gotten out.  BUT, last weekend, in the heat of the day, ChemoSabe and I wandered out into the straw like grass and began our task.  He mowed the front with the self propelled and I got in the big dog yard on the rider.  It was the first time he had mowed in about three to four years.  He worked up a good sweat.  Well, so did I.  It was like old times.  We really enjoyed it.

Tomorrow is our big day.  It will be our 23rd anniversary.  Just doesn't seem possible.  We had a rocky first year, but as you can tell, we worked it out.  Doesn't everyone have a bad first year?

My little friend in one of the guest houses that has Multiple Myeloma got to go home last weekend.  She had a rough time this last visit.  She came in for her second stem cell transplant and her counts just wouldn't come up very good.  Her WBC was down to .11.  I didn't get to see her or visit this time, but I did get to spend some time with her mom.  Do you remember what the major low zone is for the WBC?  Raise your hand.

Stan, another patient from same house, continues to experience problems with low platelets.  The doctors have instructed him to get plenty of rest.  He started on the Revlidmid and was back off onto the Thalidomide.  Coincidentally, Maggie and Stan live in the same city in Florida.

Our house is complete except for five small details.  I haven't moved everything back into place, yet, but I can see it coming together.  We still have a lot of items in our small living room, but not as bad as before.  We are loving the new tile and so are the kids.  It is a lot cooler on them.

ChemoSabe continues to travel each week.  Our gas charge cards are massive.  He spends on an average when he travels, $100.00/day on gas.  It is at $2.59 now in Benton.  Last Thursday I was lazy and didn't get gas at $2.38.  When I got out on Friday afternoon, it had risen to the $2.59.  That's what I get. 

Well, Kids... I just wanted to update you some.  It ain't much...but, better than nuthin..

Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper