Resting Comfortably at Home

Jeff had a rough night with nausea last night and Drs. Drennan & Hughes thought it best to keep him around the hospital a little while today. They gave him some anti-nausea medicine which knocked him out for the better part of the day but by 4:00 p.m. he came around and felt better. It wasn't long after that he was showered, shaved, and discharged to home. We were lucky not to hit any of the D.C. rush hour traffic on the way home and we managed to make it home in time for pizza (much better than hospital food) with Wife #2 and the kids.

Our plan is to have lab work done twice a week, more tests (CT, MRI and another Otreotide Scan) on April 20th and a clinic visit on April 21st. If all goes well, we'll schedule the surgery for the removal of the tumors from the pancrease. Right now though, we have to concentrate on Jeff getting his strength and appetite back. I'm happy to report that he has barely eaten for the last three days, he has not taken any of his hypoglycemia medicine and has not had a blood sugar below 80 (yea!!). We'll be making an appointment with the Bethesda Endocoinologists next week to see if we can stop the hypoglycemia medicine since things seem to be much better than when it was prescribed.

Well everyone, it's been a long day....we're off to sleep (in our own bed again...whew). I'll see if Jeff will do tomorrow's post.

Resting Comfortably at 3NW

Jeff moved back to 3NW around lunch time today. They've removed all of the catheters and IV's except for the central line in his chest. He's been really tired today and has had bouts of a headache, fever and chills. Dr. Drennan and Dr. Hughes said the fever is from his body killing off the tumor cell on the liver. He hasn't had much of an appetite but managed to get in part of a chicken pot pie for dinner tonight. Jeff watched a Red Sox Spring training game against Cincinnati this afternoon and listened to (or should I say slept to) an Eagles CD. Not much excitement here today...just healing, sleeping, and chatting. We took a stroll (Jeff in a wheel chair with me pushing) around the 1st, 3rd and 7th floor of NIH earlier this evening just to pass some time. We found the Chapel and the patient library and stopped into both for a few minutes. If all continues to go well, Dr. Drennan said Jeff can go home tomorrow...something we are both looking forward to. It's not that we don't like NIH ... we just want the big screen back!

2nd PHP Today

Jeff is awake, alert and doing well this evening after his second PHP at NIH. This round of treatment went similiar to the first but this time the doctors were able to give Jeff the whole dose of chemo instead of just 2/3. The filters still had a problem but they were able to run the "circuit" at a higher flow rate and for 10 minutes this time instead of 7 as they did previously. Jeff didn't retain as much fluid this time around and his nausia from the anesthesia was much milder. He spent his afternoon sleeping comfortable...and snoring loudly. I stood guard over his bed and refused to let anyone wake him since it's the first time I've seen him sleep so soundly in what seems like months. Dr. Drennan just removed the catheters from Jeff's leg and neck about 30 minutes ago and he's had his first few sips of water before I left his ICU room to let everyone know what's going on. Although he wasn't sitting up as early as the last time, I think the rest did him some good. We are planning on watching American Idol together this evening and by morning he should be sitting up and eating normally.

In case I haven't mentioned it yet, Dr. Pingpank wants to do the surgery to remove the pancreatic tumors before the next PHP/Chemo treatment. Dr. Pinkpank (the surgeon who heads up the protocol that Jeff is on) and I discussed the surgery at length today and he does not believe that it will have to be too invasive. He said Jeff could expect to spend about 7 days in the hospital and that he would be up walking and eating normally before going home. Within a couple of weeks after the surgery he should be able to return to work with limited hours.

Wife #2 arrived on the scene last Saturday with Charlie (her favorite pooch) in tow to help manage the Minghella household while we're here. Mike (Sharon's real husband) and Mr. Bill (Sharon's father-in-law) came to visit for a few days also and we were able to have a nice visit before they headed back to PA yesterday. For those of you who haven't seen the Jeff's new hair doo (or lack of it), please be sure to scroll down and check out the handsome man I'm married to :)

The New Doo

Sorry it's taken so long for a photo! I've been waiting to get Jeff on his way to work (with a dress shirt & tie) but haven't had any luck. Unfortunately I leave the house way before he does lately. He also has not been very cooperative because he doesn't like the new look as much as I do. I think it's absolutely handsome! Here's a photo of him doing what he likes to do best lately ...... watching sports on the big screen!

As I mentioned in my earlier blog, Jeff will have his second PHP this Wednesday. I'll post each day while he's in the hospital to keep all of our wonderful friends and family updated with what's going on.

Today's Clinic Visit

Jeff had a CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis along with lab work this morning at NIH and we just finished our first clinic visit with Dr. Drennan and Dr. Hughes. They reported that the procedure has had a positive effect on the liver tumors (they are starting to die) and that the pancreatic tumors are stable (not growing). His blood work is good and everything is set for our second procedure in a couple of weeks. Jeff will come back to NIH on March 21st for the pre-procedure testing which will include an MRI. If everything still looks good, the second PHP will be done on March 29th followed by 24 hours in the ICU and a day or two in the Adult Oncology Unit (3NW) here at NIH. Since Jeff's blood sugars have been normal since the first procedure, we are hoping not to have the extended stay this time. Dr. Hughes explained that there is no way to tell if Jeff's platelets will cause problems with the filters again but they will adjust the procedure accordingly again if needed. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to tell if his blood counts/platelets will react the same again or not. We'll just have to continue taking things one day at a time

I apologize for not updating the post this week. We are trying to get life back to a somewhat normal status and as everyone knows, that means long hours at work, time with the family and maintaining the household. Jeff's spirits have been better than normal this past week. We completely shaved Jeff's hair/head on Tuesday and it looks MUCH better...it's soooo handsome!!! He's still trying to get used to it but it gets more comfortable for him as each day goes by.

We also celebrated Brittany & Bradley's 16th Birthday this past Wednesday. It's hard to believe that they are growing up so fast. Brittany is counting the days until she can get her provisional drivers license. She is so looking forward to getting past the stage of asking for rides to dinner and movies with her friends. Brad is planning for the upcomming paintball tournament and has decided to use the money he received for his birthday to buy a much needed "hopper" for his paintball gun. He's pretty much decided that playing paintball is much more important than driving.

Home and Hairless

Jeff came home from NIH yesterday and today he started to loose his hair (a lot)...something that we didn't expect. The kids and I quickly gave him his favorite "cruize" haircut...you know, the "haze gray and under way" buzz cut (a number 2 blade all over). I think we both underestimated how emotional it would be.

Jeff is resting comfortably in front of the big screen this evening. His lab work has been good and the blood sugars have continued to be in the normal range (yea!!). He has regained some of his appetite and color (he was pretty pale the last two weeks) but he has lost a few pound....10 to be exact

Wife #2 went home this afternoon to check in with her family and Charlie (her favorite dog). I think she's a little home sick (understandably) and that she's forgotten how much fun raising teenagers can be (times 2). We are hoping that she'll come back for round two. Thank you Mike, Sarah, Andy, Bill, Charlie & Snickers for sharing this wonderful caregiver with us.

Well folks, it's been a long week for me at work and my extra curricular duties as nurse and beauticean have made me tired tonight. I'll post again this Sunday so please check in for more updates. FYI - Jeff is scheduled for a CT and MRI next Thursday and we see Dr. Drennen next Friday. Dr. Drennen will go over Jeff's results to see if the procedure made any progress on the liver tumors and she should start planning/preparation for the next round of chemo at the end of March.

In case I didn't mention it earlier, we have hung all of your cards and get well wishes on our front door...just like we do every year at Christmas. They have been really helpful in keeping our spirits up.

Thank you Tim Duffy and Deb Arellano for getting Jeff home from NIH yesterday...as I've said in my previous posts...I don't know what we would do without friends like all you!

Still here at NIH...but getting better

Dr. Drennan reported that Jeff's white blood cell count is improving and based on the platelets he received on Saturday, they too should be good. He's still a little anemic but they are monitoring that closely and are giving him IV Antibiotics. Dr. Drennan said that Jeff could expect to be in the hospital in a couple more days. I think he's just enjoying the luxury of laying in bed all day and watching the soaps..now that the olympics are over... there's not much else on TV. His appetite is starting to return (it must be because he said even the hospital chicken pot pie was good...of course it could be the drugs) but his fatigue is still lingering. I'm sure he can't wait to do this all over again in a few weeks. Jeff's blood sugars continue to be in the normal range (whew) and we should know how successful the procedure was when he see's Dr. Pingpank next week.

Brittany & Bradley (Phil & Lil as Cousin Kathy lovingly calls them) are holding up well...that is of course until Jeff finds out that Brittany brought home a "D" in chemistry on her interim report card today....so much for her driving lessons. I've been able to get back to work for the time being so that I can take time off when Jeff really needs me. Since he's sleeping his day's away at NIH just recouperating and he has a full nursing staff to take care of his every,....almost every whim....he doesn't need me hovering over his bedside asking how he feels every 30 minutes.
Wife #2 (Sister Sharon) is still holding down the "fort" and keeping the household running smoothly through all of this. She has been a blessing to have watching over things for us. Justin hasn't written or called in a couple of weeks but I'm sure he is busy defending freedom somewhere across the ocean. Please keep Justin and Jeff's brother Jim in your prayers as they both fullfill their call to service.

So much for being home

Jeff was admitted to NIH again last night because his platelet count was too low. His blood work from Thursday was a little concerning for the physicians at NIH so they ordered a repeat test on Saturday. When those results came back, they asked Jeff to come in for a platelate transfusion.

Jeff finished up the transfusion around 9:30 p.m. last night but then had a fever and chills. Since his white blood cell and red blood cell count was low and he had a fever with chills, they didn't want him to come home last night. The doctors and nurses are worried that he may be exposed to something and get sick because his body's natural defensive mechanisms aren't working right now.

They did both blood and urine cultures again last night and will have the infectious doctor see Jeff today (Sunday). We don't expect him home before Monday and while he's there, they will probably remove his pic line. As I understand it, the pic line is something they don't want to leave in too long if it's not necessary and it can be the cause of an infection. Since Jeff doesn't need the IV at night any longer, it's probably comming out.

I will post to the blog daily while Jeff is in the hospital. For those of you who check the blog regularly, I'm sorry that I didn't post more frequently last week. Getting back to work, keeping up with Jeff, the twins and the house kept me (and Sharon) a little busy last week.

Our first week back at home

Thought I would add a photo of Jeff from one of our camping trips last summer.

What an interesting week's it been .... Our home health nurse arrived on Monday evening and showed us how to hook up the IV on Jeff. As I mentioned earlier, they want this to help keep his blood sugars normal overnight. Everything went well considering none of us are nurses :).

Jeff's started to feel a little better by Tuesday and was able to work from home. I returned to work and Sharon (Wife #2) was able to stay here and help keep an eye on Jeff. What would we ever do with our friends and family! Jeff still hasn't had much of an appetite and is very fatigued. Working from home has allowed him to take a couple of naps throughout the day and that seems to help.

Jeff has to have blood tests two times per week until he goes to the doctor on March 17th and he got his first tests done this past Thursday. Unfortunately, his white blood cell count was extremely low. The staff at NIH said this is normal from the chemo/procedure, and had sent us home with Neupogen...an injection that he needs to have for seven days until his white blood cell count returns to normal. The home health nurse came back on Thursday to change the dressing in Jeff's pic line and she gave the first injection. I gave the second one on Friday and to my amazement, Jeff said it was better than the home health nurse (he is so sweet to lie like that :))

Dr. Pingpank stopped the IV after Monday night and Jeff's blood sugars have been AWESOME! The only dip was on Monday morning and it was 70...a far cry from the mid-20's we have seen earlier. Since then, he has had blood glucose levels 80 and higher even with the reduced appitite. By Friday night, we didn't have to get up and test his blood sugar or eat a snack in the middle of the night. Perhaps he'll start to get a good night's sleep soon.

Everyone who has posted comments on this blog, shared it with friends or family we haven't had time to reach, sent e-mail, gifts and cards, called and prayed has been the reason we are able to make it through this difficult time. What an amazing show of support and strength for us! I don't think Jeff or I really understood just how many friends we had made in our lifetime....and we can't forget all of our family members who have been by our side despite their distance (Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, Massachutes, Utah, Nevada). THANK YOU for all you have done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!