7 May 2008
Here is Norm's latest update on Lynn and her progress fighting her leukemia:
The last two weeks have been a challenge for both of us. Last week Lynn had a bad case of Acid Reflux that looked like
a heart attack until the Oncologist's nurses treated her and then the doctor put her back on Aciphex which TRICARE does not
want her to use based on the co-pay. Then her blood was not responding well to the blood enhancers she was given. Then she
had to be put on a pain killer for the leg pains caused by the blood enhancers. Last Saturday saw us in the ER because of
urology and bowel complications. She was admitted then and discharged the next evening after dancing with "Go Lightly".
This Monday after receiving two units of blood we went to the Oncologist for a blood sample and a look at her face and
chest which were swollen and inflamed. She was admitted to the ICU since it appeared she had an infection somewhere. Just
this afternoon she was moved to a normal room. Her Hickman catheter, which had been the main entry point for chemo, transfusions,
and blood samples was removed after a PIC line was inserted in her left arm. Her white blood cell count is almost zero and
the doctors think it is because she is fighting the infection along with the mega- antibiotics and anti-fungal meds she is
getting.
Today Lynn feels better and was able to sit up for a couple of hours and is walking better than before. We just have
to see where this is going but it looks a lot better today than two days ago. She even threw me out this afternoon to come
home and do laundry, mail, and bills. I might forego that and take a nap as I am lacking adult supervision!
Norman the nurse
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18 April 2008
Received from Norm and Lyn this latest update:
Lynn's bone marrow biopsy results came back today and are encouraging. The blasts ( leukemia blood cells that don't work,
for us nucs) dropped from 64% to 16% after the last chemo round. Her blood production seems to be OK. So, here we go again!
Chemo starts again Monday. Her stamina is not what it used to be but whose is? She has lost most of her hair and bought a
wig today that looks very much like her own hair. It is the same color (gray) and shaped much like her original hairdo. Her
spirits are good but don't get between her and her bed about 9pm!
I had my periodic exam this week and was declared "Perfect" after the "spread your cheeks" maneuver. So, those of you
who have declared me one are now confirmed by my Arizona surfer dude doc, complete with beard and mountain bike!
We are playing this one by ear and responding to what the doc says. Every day is a gift for which we thank God! For those
of you who can donate blood or platelets, we encourage you to do so. Transfused blood products are critical to Lynn's and
other cancer patients survival. There is no need to make sure it is for her as this system is too complex. We just thank you
for paying back to the blood system that has supported her through this. She gets whole blood and platelets regularly!
Keep the prayers coming! They work!
Norman the nurse
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15 April 2008
Received from Norman and Lyn Mims on 14 Apr:
Lynn is back home and has a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow morning. She left most of her hairdo in the hospital but
please don't tease her! My snuggle buddy is now a fuzzy wuzzy!
Her blood counts were slowly improving but that does not tell the story on what is happening in her marrow where the
Leukemia does it's damage. That is why the biopsy. More later when those results are available.
Norman the Nurse
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9 April 2008
Here's the latest from Lyn and Norm Mims conerning Lyn's treatment.
As most of you know Lynn had chemo-therapy last week to combat the return of her Leukemia. She tolerated the chemo fairly
well and her white cell counts went down to almost zilch by yesterday. She received a transfusion of platelets yesterday.
Late last night she developed a fever so off we went to the local ER. They pumped her full of antibiotics and admitted her.
Since there were no private rooms on the Oncology Ward she was sent to ICU. This almost caused her Oncologist to have a stroke
this morning when he arrived to find her in ICU! Hopefully she will soon find room at the right Inn. She felt better this
morning but is still sleepy, as am I. I am too old to function on 3 hours sleep! So, it is nappy-poo time before I return
to the Nurse Norman mode.
In the middle of this the house has been stuccoed and the painters finished about an hour ago. Really made a big change
in the appearance of the house! Now fits in with the neighborhood. It is a light beige with darker brown trim. No more battleship
gray! The added insulation also quieted it down just a tad. Now the coyotes can't get my attention late at night. As if anything
could get my attention.
I expect Lynn will stay in the hospital for several days until her immune system catches up.
More later as it develops.
Norman the Nurse
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29 March 2008
Received from Norm and Lynn Mims:
Family and friends,
I'm making this one message so I don't have to send a lot of short ones. It has been an interesting week.
Some of you may have been aware my blood work has been abnormal for several months, so I had a bone marrow biopsy last Wednesday.
My doctor received the results on Saturday and called me right away to let us know the leukemia has returned and he wanted
to see both of us as soon as possible to discuss possibilities. We saw him this morning and discussed choices from purely
palliative to chemo so strong my bone marrow might not be able to recover. He has suggested a strong (but not THAT strong)
combination of drugs to try and get me into remission again and then we'll discuss different follow up treatments.
We are all aware my chances of going into remission the second time are slim, but my chances of surviving the first time were
pretty slim too. So here we go again. I had blood work done today; have a heart test scheduled in the morning
to see if all is well enough there to withstand this; will have a new port put in on Thursday by the same doc that put
in and took out the last one; and if all is well, he'll start next week. I'd get the chemo in the office until my blood
counts fall so low I have to be hospitalized. Oh yes, Medicare has to agree to this for a 69 y.o. woman with recurrent
AML.
Yes, we would love to have your prayers again! We find great solace in knowing you are praying for
us. But remember how good God has been to me and my family. I have had a wonderful life filled with the love
of God, family, and friends. We've been fortunate to travel all over this country (and a couple of foreign countries)
and see the beauties of many different areas - from the marshes of the Southeast to the inlets of the Maine coast to
Niagara Falls to the dunes of the Great Lakes to the gentler mountains of the East to the wilder mountains of the West to
the odd ecosystems of Washington state to the whales off the West Coast to the beauties of our Southwestern desserts and all
sorts of National Parks and Historic sites in between. And every Sunday I thank God after taking communion for the freedom
we have in this country to worship Him as we wish. I told the clerk in Subway today that yes, there were two of us having
lunch - my main squeeze was still ordering! He grinned at me and asked if we were an item, and I said yes and had been
for around 47 years! He really smiled at that!!
God bless - and please also pray for our troops. All of the above is only possible because some very patriotic
young men and women put their lives on the line all over the US and the world every day for the rest of us...................
Freedom isn't really free - we ALL have to work for it - and that begins with prayer...............
Lynn
