Radiation and "the Room"!

On Thursday when Carla and I returned to the 8th floor after her 4th radiation dose, her friend Jenny, who has "the Room" she wants, was walking by WITHOUT her IV pole looking for the dietician. She was planning her escape! Jenny has been there about 6 weeks and had progressed enough with her diet intake that she could leave the next day. Carla was more than happy to hear that news, both for Jenny and to eventually get "the Room".

Today comes along, and Carla is checking on Jenny (and "the Room"). Jenny is packed and ready to GO! She looked like someone packing to go on a long vacation, suitcases, bags filled with everything. But she cannot leave until 4 or 5pm because of a study that she is involved in...but she did go home. YAY!! Because it was late in the day, Carla's move to "the Room" would have to wait.

Carla completed her 5th dose of radiation. The normal radiology staff would not be working Saturday for her last dose, so they said their goodbyes to her. They said Carla is the second toughest person to go thru the TBI that they know. I think she is the toughest, she was holding back. Thank you Tarali and Mark, you were awesome.

Thank you Lisa P and family, and the Huntzinger's for dinner. Not only delicious, but helpful in so many ways.

Roasted like a hot dog?

Today is the 5th day I've been up in the BMT clinic. I've tried to find a routine to make the days go by faster. I do a lot of walking, talking to other patience's or staff, watching movies, needle point and the occasional nap. I am waiting for my friend Jenny to leave her room so I can steal it. She has much better views of the city, large windows with natural light and a walk in shower.

I am on my 4th day of the TBI radiation treatments. I feel like I am being roasted like a hot dog. The first treatment felt like I had a small sunburn and it was hard to sleep. The machine you stand in makes me feel little tired, light headed and sleepy (which is real common). Only 2 more to go then we start chemo on Sunday. (I did pretty well with chemo last time but this is more powerful than before). Wish me luck that I can handle it.

Thanks to all that have stepped up to help Jeff where he needs it.

Cheery Girl

The nursing staff is so amazed at how Carla is so cheerful and generous with her smiles given the past few months, and most recent stone incident. She has a pretty smile and beautiful blue eyes. No matter what department she goes to, I see the staff light up when they recognize her because they know she is going to make them laugh or do something to take the edge off of their jobs. She completed her second TBI, and the radiology staff just love her.

Her aunt and uncle, Stan and Patsy, stopped in Salt Lake, and visited Carla today. Thank you Patsy for your kind words and inspiration.

McCall had track practice after school, then a soccer game in North Ogden. Thank you Lisa P for driving her up and back. Callie had show choir meeting after school. After she finished her homework we took Carla some soup and breadsticks and watched Kicking and Screaming. I was pretty tired from being up from a long work night, and was camping out on the recliner and then laying on part of Carla's bed.

Tomorrow is a track meet for McCall at Skyline High, then off to another soccer game.

Carla will be at the hospital for 4-6 weeks! Your cards, texts, phone calls, meals, love, have meant so much to Carla and our family. You can send things to the house and we take them up to her. Remember no live flowers or latex balloons. These really mean so much. She loves you all.

It's a "Boy"!

Well, that's what they are saying at the hospital. Carla passed that kidney stone this morning, and suddenly it seemed the "stone" had its own reality tv show. It was touring the 8th floor, signing autographs, guest appearance lined up on SNL. The entire staff was just amazed with Carla.

Carla was back to feeling well, albeit very tired from her high flow IV water bag, which helped move it out, but kept her up ALL night. Just to be sure, she did another CT to confirm it was truly gone, and it was.

No time was wasted on keeping the bone marrow transplant on schedule. Within 2 hours she headed down to radiology and completed her first of six TBI treatments. She did great, I'm so proud of her strength. Her parents kept her company while I went home to the kids.

After dinner, the kids and I went up to see mom. She was pretty tired, but very happy to see McCall and Callie. They shared how school went, and I told them how well mom did today.

Yesterday, Carla and I spent some time talking with a patient who received a BMT a few weeks ago. She has given both us invaluable insight to the process and has become a friend, with much in common. She and Carla were originally admitted within four days of each other, but Jenny had to spend Christmas at the hospital.

Thank you Meg and Craig for dinner tonight, very appreciated, and enjoyed visiting with you. Jenny G, you are a life saver for coordinating the dinner schedule, thank you.

Bone Marrow Transplant takes a slight detour

Today was the day Carla had been gearing up for. Her bone marrow transplant process to start. Preparation, packing, physical conditioning, emotional strengthing. Her body had a different plan...

She woke up this morning at about 3:30am with some pain on her right side, then it quickly escalated to excruciating pain.

What could be happening? Just yesterday we spent the entire day together as a family. McCall's soccer game was cancelled, Callie had morning gymnastics, had a Subway lunch, went to see the movie Soul Surfer, ate dinner at Chili's, visited her parents, once we got home Carla took a bath to unwind, we all settled down on the couch to watch a movie (me and Callie stayed awake) until 11ish, and we all went to bed sleeping under the same roof knowing that mom would be going away for some time.

I called the nurse's station at the hospital, coordinated a few calls with the Physician's Assistant and the on-call doctor, and they instructed us to come in...we were supposed to be there at 8am anyways for the big day. We left the house about 6am after our dear neighbor Patti came over to be with the kids when they woke.

Once we got there, they checked her over, drew blood, checked for infections, drew cultures, order a CT, but most important...worked on getting the pain under control. Although not completely gone, they succeeded. Next, she went down for a CT with a handful of possibilities. About 2pm the doctor got the radiology report...Kidney Stone! We were quite relieved that it was not something worse.

Good News, Bad News. Good news, it happened now before the transplant process started, where a possible infection could be very life threatening with no immune system. Bad news, transplant is on hold until the stone passes. She was just 6 hours from starting the process. Carla is in good hands at the hospital right now. We may know more tomorrow about the impact to the transplant schedule.

We thank you all for the hope, love, support.
The Hennessy's

Getting ready!

With the biggest stay in the hospital coming up I’ve been very busy trying to do as much as I can before. A lot of dinners, visitors, phone calls, all the “chores” I can still do and more. Thanks to all of you that have called, stopped by, taken us out or sent a card. It all helps me so much!! Here are just a few photos that I’ve taken.

Carla and Leslie Leslie-Carla-Beatrice

Me and my brother Jason

Aunt Sandy-me-cousin Casie

Sandy and Carla

Yesterday was the last of the official tests (full body PET scan and another chest CT). I’ve done them before and they are no big deal. All the medicine they pump through my veins to get the scans makes me feel a little gross. Today is a lot of meetings with nurses, pharmacy techs, dietitian and a “family conference” (everyone that might be taking care of me needs is coming) so we all know what to expect in the next coming months. Check in time is still Sunday. I will get my room (hopefully the one I wanted) , start some fluids, antibiotics, anti-nausea medicine and do my first TBI treatment.

Thanks for the extra support!

Jeff's cousin and husband did a "bowl-a-thon" in my name for cancer awareness (and for their grandma who fought breast cancer). Thanks Alexis and Rich. You guys are awesome!! :) love you!! ♥ Just got a package from Jeff's other cousin and aunt that did a WALK-A-THON in my name. They sent me a shirt, bracelet, photos and a gift bag which I'll use in the hospital. They raised over $4000.00 towards cancer awareness. WOW! I feel so grateful!! My cute friend Anna donated money at her high school to the "crushing cancer tree" in my name. Thanks Anna. :} I am so fortunate to have so many people thinking of me and honoring my name. Thanks everyone for your support!!!!! ♥