I had an appointment scheduled to give blood last night but had to cancel. I started to feel a scratchy throat and the start of a cold. As soon as I get rid of this bug, I will call and go in to donate. It's a promise I'm making to myself.
Here is Eva's final post on blood donation:
Blood Donation: The Why
Friday, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Gift of Blood
My friend, Eva, has been a guest blogger on our Pastor's blog this week. She is encouraging us to consider donating blood.
I have had every intention of donating since completing the marathon. Thanks to Eva's prompting, I now have an appointment scheduled to donate blood.
I am overwhelmed with the realization that Dad is alive today partly because others have donated in the past. If you donate blood, here's a big thank you from me. You may very possibly have been directly responsible for my dad receiving the gift of blood and consequently, life.
If you have not given blood in the past, I am encouraging you to read Eva's posts and take the time to consider giving blood now. You can click on the following links to see her posts:
Blood Donation: Another Idea for Service
Blood Donation: Where to Give
Blood Donation: What to Expect
Blood Donation: Obstacles
I have had every intention of donating since completing the marathon. Thanks to Eva's prompting, I now have an appointment scheduled to donate blood.
I am overwhelmed with the realization that Dad is alive today partly because others have donated in the past. If you donate blood, here's a big thank you from me. You may very possibly have been directly responsible for my dad receiving the gift of blood and consequently, life.
If you have not given blood in the past, I am encouraging you to read Eva's posts and take the time to consider giving blood now. You can click on the following links to see her posts:
Blood Donation: Another Idea for Service
Blood Donation: Where to Give
Blood Donation: What to Expect
Blood Donation: Obstacles
Dad Update 12-6-07
When the doctors did the upper GI tract scope yesterday, they found no signs of internal bleeding. They still may consider doing a lower GI tract scope in the future. Currently, he is holding his blood. The numbers are not rising but they are no longer dropping which is good. It is possible that all the blood and platelet donations he has received are helping to fix whatever problem he was experiencing that caused the bleeding.
This morning the doctors performed the test for infection on the bronchial tubes. We do not know the results of this test yet. Dad was hoping to talk the doctors out of doing the test. They must feel it is important because he consented after discussing it with them further this morning.
Dad is feeling better. This is good news. My brother, Uncle, and Grandma were all able to talk directly to him on the phone. Any bit of positive news is something we hold on to.
This morning the doctors performed the test for infection on the bronchial tubes. We do not know the results of this test yet. Dad was hoping to talk the doctors out of doing the test. They must feel it is important because he consented after discussing it with them further this morning.
Dad is feeling better. This is good news. My brother, Uncle, and Grandma were all able to talk directly to him on the phone. Any bit of positive news is something we hold on to.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Dad Update 12-5-07
The test for infection through the bronchial tubes is on hold. Doctors need to do a scope to check the digestive system for internal bleeding as Dad is not keeping the blood like he should. They should be going through the throat into the upper GI to check the digestive system this morning.
Please pray for infection to stay away and for wisdom for the doctors to determine what is going on so the problem can be fixed.
Dad ate a doughnut Sunday morning and didn't eat again until yesterday morning when he had a sausage and egg mcmuffin. He has not eaten since then as it made him feel terrible. Please pray that he will be able to start eating again, too. He cannot afford to be losing anymore weight. Understandably so, Dad is quite discouraged and feeling pretty lousy. My parents could really use all the prayer they can get right now.
Please pray for infection to stay away and for wisdom for the doctors to determine what is going on so the problem can be fixed.
Dad ate a doughnut Sunday morning and didn't eat again until yesterday morning when he had a sausage and egg mcmuffin. He has not eaten since then as it made him feel terrible. Please pray that he will be able to start eating again, too. He cannot afford to be losing anymore weight. Understandably so, Dad is quite discouraged and feeling pretty lousy. My parents could really use all the prayer they can get right now.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Dad Update 12-4-07
Dad received three bags of blood during the day yesterday and two more last night along with a bag of platelets and a bag of something to help the platelets stick together. After the fourth bag of blood, he had enough energy to get up and walk to the bathroom.
His breathing is better. The cardio ecogram that was done came back leaving no concerns about his heart. That was good news.
The CT scan revealed spots on his lungs that bring concern about an infection. It could be nothing but doctors plan to go in to the bronchial tubes without scraping to test for an infection later today or tomorrow. (Not really certain how they are going to do this but they need to be prepared to fight an infection should one be attacking.)
It is believed that there is bleeding in his gastrointestinal tract. Rather than do anything invasive that could introduce infection, doctors have come up with a less intrusive plan of action. Dad will receive platelets around the clock until his platelet count is up to 75. (The highest my mom has heard of it with dad is something like 29.) The hope is that this will allow the bleeding to stop. (Platelets assist in the clotting of blood.)
Dad missed the scheduled IV push of chemotherapy yesterday. The team of doctors decided that he will go ahead and receive that today. Their #1 concern is fighting off the lymphoma/leukemia. They do not believe that this chemo will have a negative effect on anything currently going on with dad. The doctor said that they will go ahead with the chemotherpy schedule and just continue to "sweep aside the side effects as the come".
It seems inevitable that dad will be in the hospital for a while. Although this is not his desire, it is important he be under the watch of the doctors right now.
Thank God for the wisdom He gives to doctors. It's encouraging to hear that they are still fighting this cancer.
His breathing is better. The cardio ecogram that was done came back leaving no concerns about his heart. That was good news.
The CT scan revealed spots on his lungs that bring concern about an infection. It could be nothing but doctors plan to go in to the bronchial tubes without scraping to test for an infection later today or tomorrow. (Not really certain how they are going to do this but they need to be prepared to fight an infection should one be attacking.)
It is believed that there is bleeding in his gastrointestinal tract. Rather than do anything invasive that could introduce infection, doctors have come up with a less intrusive plan of action. Dad will receive platelets around the clock until his platelet count is up to 75. (The highest my mom has heard of it with dad is something like 29.) The hope is that this will allow the bleeding to stop. (Platelets assist in the clotting of blood.)
Dad missed the scheduled IV push of chemotherapy yesterday. The team of doctors decided that he will go ahead and receive that today. Their #1 concern is fighting off the lymphoma/leukemia. They do not believe that this chemo will have a negative effect on anything currently going on with dad. The doctor said that they will go ahead with the chemotherpy schedule and just continue to "sweep aside the side effects as the come".
It seems inevitable that dad will be in the hospital for a while. Although this is not his desire, it is important he be under the watch of the doctors right now.
Thank God for the wisdom He gives to doctors. It's encouraging to hear that they are still fighting this cancer.
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