Inspiration...1

There are moments when you are hanging by a thread, anticipating that one last straw, then an event changes it and you forever. We've had 3 instances since our journey began.

Diagnosis day sent our world crashing, fearing the worst, fearing the unknown. Going into the Bone Marrow Transplant clinic the next day with a packed bag anticipating a long stay away from home was a lonely feeling. No one was there but us, we were alone. After Carla's blood labs were done, the Physician's Assistant and the Oncologist were in a quandary. She has no symptoms, no recordable levels of leukemia flowing in her blood, yet we have myeloid sarcoma cell in her tissue. Doctor felt there was no reason to strap her to a gurney and roll her away. We went home instead with no answers yet a big worry. We showed up Monday, with Carla's name on a touch screen check-in system...famous already. Still feeling alone, we sat across from a couple, she wearing a mask looking a bit worn, he sitting up straight right beside his wife. They could easily tell we were new (we both had hair, although mine receding), and most likely if they had to pick who was sick would probably pick me. They looked at us and said, "You are new here." Unemotional yes we answered. I am sure out of courtesy they asked "who is sick?". Carla replied, "Me." Noticing our unsettling posture, immediately understanding our state of mind, this kind lady reached out with the words that will ever be part of my soul, "It's going to be okay." She and Carla began a dialog. Carla got up from her seat, unnerved by the appearance of the masked lady and sat right next to her and began sharing her story and how we ended up in the clinic that Monday morning. With the head scan, body CT, and bone marrow still ahead of us that day, we heard inspiration..."It's going to be okay." Her name is Sandi.

Status: Amazing the kind of sleep you can get at home. Carla slept like a rock...me too. Earliest I have been to bed in 3 weeks, 10:30pm lights out. She was quite tired most of the day, as expected. Looking forward to tomorrow for "exercise" and blood tests. Wow, there are a lot of pills to take. Carla also go a little trim, she looks great. She will be posting that soon.

Thank you Jensen family for bringing dinner to us. Your family is so kind ALL the time. We wish that you could stay and visit longer, but given Carla's immune system is basically zero, we'll have to postpone the up close and personal with the "air hugs" and waves for awhile.

I'M HOME!

(not a good photo-but you get the idea)

Walking is such an important part of fighting off cancer. Keep moving is their motto. We are asked to walk 3-4 times a day for 20-30 min. I’ve been very good about it but “wrapping up your body” is a chore in itself. I have to wear a mask, plastic gown and gloves….plus pulling all my meds can be a little strange. The kids walked with me a few times (as well as some friends, husband, parents and brother). Thanks to all that made the endless circle more fun.

I AM HOME!!! What a feeling to lie in your own bed and smell the familiar smells. I love that I can hug my kids and snuggle next to my husband. First thing I did was get in the tub. Awwwww…felt so nice! It is the little things that make life grand.

I broke the record at LDS Bone Clinic by being discharged the quickest. Only 7 days when the traditional leukemia patient can stay up to 4 weeks. I am currently in “nadar” which means I have no white blood cells to fight infection. I have to be very careful what I do, who visits and keeping up on my medicine. I am tired but feel strong. I am trying to up my calorie intake and drink more water.

Thanks to all that have jumped to help support our whole family during this experience.
We are overwhelmed and feel very fortunate to have you in our lives.

Calling Doctor Jeff...

Status: As mentioned the other day, Carla will be coming home to recover before the next round of Chemotherapy. And the better news is that she most likely will get discharged TOMORROW, that's right TUESDAY. This might be the fastest chemo induction discharge on record! She is planning to be resting in her own bed tomorrow night. Phenomenal!

Nurse: "BP 110 over 64, crit 28.5 and dropping, neutraphils .9 approaching neutrapenia, platelets 102 trending down."

Doctor Jeff: "Bag her with a Twilight special, hold the platelets, keep the GCSF on stand by should infection be detected as her neutrafils are falling thru 500."

Nurse: "Yes Doctor Jeff.

Doctor Jeff: "Regardless of how she is feeling, prep the patient for a bilateral frontal lobotomy, Epi push, and...bring me a couple 10mg Marinol 'shots', I don't have time for a MaryJane smoke break today. Then send her home.

Being initiated into the Leukemia club requires a rigorous hazing of numbers, drugs, abbreviations, counter treatment drugs, cancer types, sub types, patient stories, telling your story, and a partridge in a pear tree. The first 2 weeks were a blur of unknown, however, as you settle in for the long haul your psyche goes thru a change were information becomes your daily dose of Valium, the more your know, whether good or bad, you have the means to make a decision. We are still waiting for the final diagnosis of the subtype of AML. That information will be deciphered once we get it.

Just a funny note: Callie had a random dream Saturday night. She was sleeping with a loaf of banana bread and McCall came in and took it from her and she started to cry. Then she was magically transported to McDonald's where they both had giant fruit smoothies. Callie then returned the banana bread favor by drinking half of McCall's smoothie when she wasn't looking. McCall says, "Why'd you do that?" "Cuz you took my banana bread!" Then she woke up. Even when they're sleeping they're poking each other. Love them.

Thank you Stevens family for bringing a great dinner over. You made it possible for us to be at the hospital with Carla longer where it gets lonesome.

With love, the Hennessy family.

Thanksgiving, not just a November day anymore.

Why do we wait to observe or celebrate holidays until the actual day in the year? Some holidays we do observe daily. Freedom, 4th of July: Our ability to speak our minds, choose our faiths, pursue our happiness. As Americans we observe and have the right each day we wake from our sleep and make our personal decision. Love, Valentines: Most people show some sort of love for someone or something daily, to their parents, children, companions, animals.

When it comes to being "thankful", Thanksgiving pops into our minds which quickly turns to steaming turkey, stuffing, football, Black Friday lists, and the triptophan naps on the couch with our pants unbuttoned. Many give thanks for things like the day off, the Friday after off, no Detroit Lions games on Turkey Day. Why not, they're all good things. Now, as I reflect since Diagnosis Day, December 17, 2010, images of peoples faces appear before me. Family members rushing to our house to provide support for each member of the family. Friends offering assistance with food, transportation, child supervision, communication. Doctors using all of their resources to determine the best course of action. Nurses providing an outstanding level of care that I have never seen before. My manager for her support and flexibility knowing that my priorities need to change for awhile. Carla's strength, which makes me stronger. Simple things like bringing me a bag of ice for Carla after a painful biopsy when I was exhausted, meals to our family, understanding, compassion, comfort when I cry, concern for our children, making sure I am well, listening. This list goes on and on.

I surely know we are not going to wait until November to have a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings and our hearts pointed out to all, and the small and big things for which we are thankful. Everyday I am thankful for something.

Status: Besides some fatigue, Carla is doing well. We learned a bunch more about the blood count numbers from our Physician's Assistant (PA) today.

Kids did their chores, finished schoolwork, made banana bread with grandparents, visited mom, and then chilled while watching Vampires Suck, the Twilight movie parody.

Jenny G, thank you for the wonderful meal tonight. As I told you, it was restaurant worthy. I'm thankful for you.

Love,
The Hennessy's

A little Christmas on New Year's Day

Let me cut right to the point with the status: Carla has been responding so well to the first half of the chemotherapy that the doctors may allow her to come home as early as THIS WEDNESDAY during the recovery phase of the first treatment! If that is not a late Christmas gift, I don't know what is! Although we still have the same prescribed treatment of 5 cycles of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, we may be able to have shorter stints in the hospital with daily drives for blood count checks.

Additional info that we may not have shared with everyone...During this first round of treatment, she gets 7 full days of chemotherapy, and somewhere around Day 14-18 she will "nadir", pronounced like Ralph Nader. This is where her red, white, and platelet counts are at there lowest for a few days and Carla is most vulnerable to any type of infection and bleeding, even possibly Bindi's or my silent "butt" deadlies. Not really, but I don't know many people who would be impervious to the olfactory irritation it could cause. Anyways, the doctors will have her on antibiotics and monitor her counts daily. We expect to have her home during this most critical phase of recovery, however there is no better place for comfort than your own home and your own bed. I look forward to providing any comfort she needs or desires and the kids will have solace knowing there mother is home and well enough to be here. Day 5 ends tomorrow afternoon.

This great development would not have been possible without her strong will, all your prayers, and your positive mojo. Please continue to push it our way and to others who need a slice hope in challenging time.

Even though we are still early in our diagnosis and treatment, we wanted to share that bit a good news with you all and celebrate a small personal victory on our way to winning the war.

By the way, the word "visitors" should be replaced with "Awesome People", "People who kick ass", "Caring souls", "I love you". So, maybe next time you call a hospital to ask when you can see a loved one, just ask "When are Awesome People hours?" Thank you all, you kick ass!

With all our love,
The Hennessy Family

Silent Night on New Year's Eve

All is quiet in the house. Each of the kids are sleeping over at friends for New Years. The illuminated Leg Lamp in our home front window beckons Carla to come home. In due time that will happen. But for now, she is resting in her soft pink jammies that her mom gave her, so soft against her skin giving her some comfort. As much as I want to stay and ring in the new year with her, she was getting tired and told me to go home. This will be the first time in 17 years that we have not been together when the clock struck midnight, banging pots or fast asleep.

Although the beginning of this new year has challenges for us, it will also have new courage and strength, appreciation, and most of all triumph. Be sure to tell your loved ones that you love them. We wish everyone the best in this new year. We thank you all for everything.

Jeff, Carla, McCall, Callie, and Bindi

Visitors...such a misnomer.

When I hear the word "visitor" I think of a family driving thru our state of Utah, stopping specifically for a couple things. What could those things be? "Dad, stop I have to pee." "I'm hungry, stop." "Oh crap, I'm lost. Let's get a map." These are things that she or I don't expect from any of you when you come up.

Hospitals need a new word to describe people that drop by to see our loved ones. If you are planning to stop by simply to use the bathroom and run, then you are a "visitor". Lisa is non-visitor, she is an angel. Not only did she not ask to use the bathroom, she took Carla for a stroll around the track. Apollo Ono would consider this a short track, possibly a dwarf track that its so small. Carla's lovely ensemble of protective wear you see here will be feartured at the next New York fashion show catwalk, coming to a Macy's or Kohls this spring.

Family and friends caring and supporting our loved ones deserve such a better word. So if you have one, suggest it here with Reply to this Post as well as any other comments you want to give.

Status: Carla is doing well. She's starting to show some signs of the blood counts starting to fall which is the desired result. Brought her a Crown Burger and shake today, which could cause the cholesteral count to spike. :) But no ones counting that. :)

Kids are planning to spend New Year's with some friends with sleepovers, and I will stay with Carla as long as she can stand me. "Take your Pills!"