Robin Update - Life in the Hospital--April 21, 2010

Robin must REALLY love the hospital, because she has been spending SO much time here.

Of course, I am kidding (I think).

On Monday, Robin came to the hospital (Clear Lake Regional) for an MRI. Because of her extreme claustrophobia, she had to be totally unconscious for the procedure, and the anesthesia turns a short visit to the hospital into an all day affair.

On Tuesday afternoon, Robin went to the Deke Slayton Cancer Center to get a blood check and a shot. Everything was taking MUCH longer than usual. We were starting to worry, and it turned out we were right to be worried! The good news was that Robin’s Red blood cell count was good. The bad news was that her platelets (which should be about 130) were at 7. They were so surprised in the lab that they checked the count again. Yep. Seven! Robin’s doctor was concerned that it was so low that if she fell, she might cause internal bleeding. So she sent Robin to the hospital for platelets. Since it was late, she couldn’t get them by outpatient clinic, but had to be checked-in to Clear Lake Regional. The doctor said she would be released in the morning after new blood tests. By 1:30 AM, Robin had finished receiving the platelets, and we finally got some sleep.

In the early morning, I went home to shower and go to work for a while. Connie, Robin’s attendant, came to stay with her while I was at work. They did Robin’s blood test and found her platelets were good, BUT her red blood cell count had dropped too low. In the past few days, we had noticed that Robin had lots of bruises. (No. I wasn’t beating her; at least, no more than usual). Dr. Larry, with his VAST medical experience, is guessing that the bruises may be where the red blood cells were going. Anyway, Robin’s doctor decided that Robin needed blood transfusions (two) again. This was before 10:00 AM, but the transfusions didn’t get started until after 3:00 PM. Blood transfusions (I have learned) are _s__l__o__w_. As I am writing, it is 8:00 PM, and she is halfway through the second (and last) unit. We are hoping to get home before 11:00 PM to sleep in our own beds.

WE SHALL SEE!!!

Thank you all for your love and support, and especially for the prayers. Two of God’s angels, Linda and Ruth, have been coming to pray with us on Tuesday nights. Last night, when they learned we were at the hospital, they tracked us down and (patiently) waited as Robin went through the admission process. When we got to the room, it was getting late, so they prayed briefly and anointed us with water from Lourdes before leaving. We have received amazing blessings from so many of you “angels“; each of you is a gift from God that helps to distract Robin from her trials and helps us both remember how much for which we should be thankful. We pray for each of you (even a few “heathens” out there) every day and hope you will continue to do the same for us.

Before I close, I’d like to ask a favor, please. If you haven’t talked to Robin in a while, consider touching base with her some time; in some way. These days, Robin seldom leaves the house except for Doctor’s appointments. Phone calls, cards or letters (I will read them to her), a visit, lunch, anything you can think of. Email me if you need the address, a phone number, her favorite color, anything…. If you don’t really know Robin personally, you probably DO know someone ELSE who is sick; call THEM. With long term illnesses, it is easy to become somewhat isolated, losing some contact with the “outside world.” As the old Bell Telephone ad went, “Reach Out and Touch Someone.”

I’ll close for now and try to send more soon. As I said earlier, Robin had an MRI on Monday. She has an appointment with an infectious disease specialist tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, 4/22) and she will be getting CAT Scans and Bone Scans on Friday. Robin will discuss the results with her doctor on Tuesday, 4/27, so I’ll try to let folks know something after Tuesday.

For now---

      Love from us both,

            And God Bless You,

                  --- Larry and Robin