Inspiration 2

People can be inspired by words, actions, movies, songs...

Our conversation with Sandi was a calming moment which settled us for the tasks of that day. These tasks are not for the weak at heart; head MRI in a claustaphobic "iron mask". Before completing that test, a nurse was requiring Carla to drink a solution for the next test, the body CT, where your hold your breath and breathe on their command in a tunnel. Finally, they save the worst for last...bone marrow biopsy. All I could do was hold her hand and talk about things that made no sense. I never looked at the procedure in progress. When it was over and a little snooze, they said you can go and we'll see you on Wednesday for the results. At this time Carla was a little groggy from the meds and had a sensation that her foot was asleep. She slid off the table, and attempted to walk, she about fell because "butt to toe" she was numb on the left side. We told the nurses, and once again we hear.."that has never happened before." There she goes again, being unique. Well, they figured all the lidocaine to numb the area must have "drifted" to that part of the nerves. She eventually regained full control of her cheek and toes in a few hours. We pretty much lauged it off. After the tests were completed that Monday, December 20, we went home to wait.

As instructed, we showed up to have a round table discussion with the doctors and directed usinto a waiting room, with pictures of cells on the wall. The table was actually oval. Our case worker from the clinic and doctor came in to discuss the news and take notes for us. Dr. Konopa, or Kelly, if you can't remember her name, started giving the news...your Head MRI is clear, your Blood and Marrow are clear...however, we founds some tumors...our hearts sank as we prepared for additional information. She described the locations of the tumors in Carla's body, then a bit of silence as we processed the info and emotion slowly welled from us. From across the table, she leaned slightly toward us and said, "This is curable."

Words of hope inspired us, "This is curable."

Status: Carla has been home since Tuesday evening and is doing very well, although tired. Our Thursday checkup showed that she continued to be "Neutrapenic", having ZERO neutrafils, which are the white cells that fight infection and protect the body. So please understand that visits during this phase are discouraged, if at all, she has not protection. Please call before attempting to come over. We have another appointment Saturday in which we anticipate an infusion of platelets and possibly some blood. She is also preparing for the inevitable, a short term loss of her hair. Her stylist cut her hair, and each of our girls participated in the cut.






Thank you Patricia, Harry, Isabel (Austin's) for the dinner you brought over. You are terrific people.