Thank you - thank you - thank you for the prayers! They saw us through the stress and worry of yesterday. We serve an awesome and caring God.
We saw the dentist yesterday morning and prayers were answered! Dr. Espinoza attempted to get x-rays on Brooke but her bleeding was so severe she couldn't get it done. I think seeing is more convincing that hearing about something over and over. She suggested total dental restoration surgery, which means putting Brooke to sleep at UNM and fixing everything all at once. PRAISE THE LORD! Her teeth tear up quicker than Mike and I can get them fixed, and now that neutropenia is involved...we would never see the end. She even said they will pull the wisdom tooth. HOORAY! Such relief. She wrote us a script for a numbing creme to use on Brooke's gums to help with the gingivitis. She was really sweet. Once we have an idea of what the next step is with Brooke and the neutropenia, I will have a better idea on when to set up dental surgery.
The bone marrow biopsy is over, which is a huge relief. Brooke handled it like a pro and is doing great. In true Brooke form, she has yet to complain; in fact, she hasn't even noticed the hole in her hip or the bandage. She's amazing!! The procedure went well and Brooke handled the sedation as good as could be expected. I was allowed to go in with her in order to comfort her, but NO - I didn't watch! I can't say enough kind words about Dr. Libby. He's a very compassionate man and was so kind and gentle with Brooke. That is so comforting, especially when your nerves are on edge. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better group of people caring for Brooke. The two sedation nurses were great and listened to everything I told them about past sedation experiences. We should have the test results Monday afternoon.
Mike and I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you. The prayers, the calls, the emails, the texts, the hugs and the smiles are what keep us going. I thank God for having all of you in our lives. We thank you and Brooke thanks you!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Neutropenia and Teeth Problems
Severely neutropenic people can develop teeth problems, and that's just what we didn't need! Prior to this blood issue, Brooke still had two cavities that needed fixed and a wisdom tooth with a hole in it that needs to be extracated. Dentists won't touch her until the blood issues are resolved. And neutropenia causes additional dental problems. We can't win! Over the last three months, Brooke has had 3 more teeth pop up with cavities or fillings that are falling out and she has inflamed gums that bleed any time you brush her teeth. I was showing my mom the awful state of her gums yesterday when she noticed an abcess. I have never seen one. The tooth below the abcess is now loose because of the abcess. So I immediatly went about trying to find someone to help us. Dr. Luu was out town, so I called two other doctors who were also out of the office. I knew I couldn't take her to urgent care or to the ER, so I did what comes pretty natural to me these days...I started crying. Out of desperation, I called our dentist in Albuquerque who (to my knowledge) is not even open on Fridays. She was there! She was very sweet, and helpful and even called the Hematologist to visit with him about Brooke's teeth. She called me back and told me she had called in an antibiotic and a special mouth rinse to use while brushing. Thank goodness!!! She asked to see Brooke for an evaluation on Wednesday. Brooke's going to love us for that. And to have to do it cold turkey (without sedation)...ugh.
Then, as if Dr. Libby sensed he better return a call to me or else I'd keep calling every day until he did...he finally called. He answered the three questions I had regarding the bone marrow test on Wednesday. "Yes, she will be completely asleep. No, she won't feel anything, and no, she will not have any memory of it." THANK GOODNESS. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. That was really weighing on me heavy.
I believe I'm on to something...think I've figured out how to communicate with doctors. CRY! Just let her rip!!! I bawled to the dentist and then bawled again to the hematologist and managed to have everything work just the way it needed to (for a change). Dr. Libby was very kind and even complimented me on being a good mother. I appreciate that, but I told him that it's very frustrating not to be able to do anything to help your child. Is healthcare this complicated for everyone? Why is that??
On a positive note, Brooke looks better today than she has the past several days. She's had a slight cough that I haven't noticed as much today. The antibiotic should help that. She's more rested and her eyes are bright again. She's still looking forward to seeing Mickey Mouse in June. We keep this as our focal point to keep our minds on something positive and fun. Thank you Ken, Sharon, and Debbie and Buddy for the Mickey treats! We appreciate the continued prayers, the kind words, and the thoughts. Please keep them coming!!! Wednesday is going to be tough! Hard on Brooke and mentally and physically exhausting on the rest of us. We will drive to Edgewood Tuesday night and spend the night at the Hankins Hotel (Rick and Vera's house), eat a huge breakfast around 6:00 AM since Brooke can't eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the test, and then drive in to the dentist at 8:30. We have to be at UNM at 1:30 and the test is scheduled for 2:30. We will spend the night with Rick and Vera again Wednesday night and come home Thursday. Dr. Libby said test results usually take 3 days, so I'm counting on a week. (lessons learned from the past 3 months)
Please pray for a good outcome on Wednesday. Pray that Brooke is comforted and that Mike and I are able to help control any discomfort she has following the test. Ask God to wrap his loving arms around Brooke to keep her safe and protected.
Then, as if Dr. Libby sensed he better return a call to me or else I'd keep calling every day until he did...he finally called. He answered the three questions I had regarding the bone marrow test on Wednesday. "Yes, she will be completely asleep. No, she won't feel anything, and no, she will not have any memory of it." THANK GOODNESS. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. That was really weighing on me heavy.
I believe I'm on to something...think I've figured out how to communicate with doctors. CRY! Just let her rip!!! I bawled to the dentist and then bawled again to the hematologist and managed to have everything work just the way it needed to (for a change). Dr. Libby was very kind and even complimented me on being a good mother. I appreciate that, but I told him that it's very frustrating not to be able to do anything to help your child. Is healthcare this complicated for everyone? Why is that??
On a positive note, Brooke looks better today than she has the past several days. She's had a slight cough that I haven't noticed as much today. The antibiotic should help that. She's more rested and her eyes are bright again. She's still looking forward to seeing Mickey Mouse in June. We keep this as our focal point to keep our minds on something positive and fun. Thank you Ken, Sharon, and Debbie and Buddy for the Mickey treats! We appreciate the continued prayers, the kind words, and the thoughts. Please keep them coming!!! Wednesday is going to be tough! Hard on Brooke and mentally and physically exhausting on the rest of us. We will drive to Edgewood Tuesday night and spend the night at the Hankins Hotel (Rick and Vera's house), eat a huge breakfast around 6:00 AM since Brooke can't eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the test, and then drive in to the dentist at 8:30. We have to be at UNM at 1:30 and the test is scheduled for 2:30. We will spend the night with Rick and Vera again Wednesday night and come home Thursday. Dr. Libby said test results usually take 3 days, so I'm counting on a week. (lessons learned from the past 3 months)
Please pray for a good outcome on Wednesday. Pray that Brooke is comforted and that Mike and I are able to help control any discomfort she has following the test. Ask God to wrap his loving arms around Brooke to keep her safe and protected.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Bone Marrow Biopsy Scheduled
We finally have a date for the bone marrow biopsy: Wednesday, April 8th at 2:30 (UNM Hospital in Albuquerque). While we dread this nasty test, we're ready to get it done so we can move on. We're about a week shy of hitting the 3-month mark with this blood problem and still have no answer. The lack of an answer doesn't surprise us because --- it's Brooke. We do; however, want to at least move on with life the best we can. Brooke is more than ready to go back to school and start interacting with people again. We've slowly started taking her out some, which she has enjoyed. We'll get the test done, wait for her to heal and then hopefully she can go back to school on a part time basis. We'll have to play it by ear. I guess it pretty much depends on what the test results are.
Please pray for her comfort during this test! This one really makes me nervous. They won't be putting her to sleep like we were originally told, which concerns me. Conscious-sedation will be used instead. I called the doctor Thursday and left word for him to call me. I need to be assured that Brooke will not feel this nor will Mike and I be expected to hold her down. Brooke doesn't understand what's going on or even why she has to have all of these awful things done to her. The sedation needs to be enough to make her sleep while the test is being done. I realize Brooke isn't the typical patient, and that this isn't the usual way this test is done, but I hope and pray they realize it too! Pray for everyone involved. Ask that the team understand what is needed for Brooke and what will be in her best interest. Pray for comfort for her and for successful test results.
Thank you all so much for hanging in there with us the past 3 months (and the past 19 years). We couldn't keep our chins up without friends like you praying for us. Thank you from the botttom of our hearts.
Please pray for her comfort during this test! This one really makes me nervous. They won't be putting her to sleep like we were originally told, which concerns me. Conscious-sedation will be used instead. I called the doctor Thursday and left word for him to call me. I need to be assured that Brooke will not feel this nor will Mike and I be expected to hold her down. Brooke doesn't understand what's going on or even why she has to have all of these awful things done to her. The sedation needs to be enough to make her sleep while the test is being done. I realize Brooke isn't the typical patient, and that this isn't the usual way this test is done, but I hope and pray they realize it too! Pray for everyone involved. Ask that the team understand what is needed for Brooke and what will be in her best interest. Pray for comfort for her and for successful test results.
Thank you all so much for hanging in there with us the past 3 months (and the past 19 years). We couldn't keep our chins up without friends like you praying for us. Thank you from the botttom of our hearts.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
We're still here!
Sorry it's taken two weeks for me to post...I really haven't had anything new to report. I emailed Dr. Libby for status last Friday and heard back from him Saturday. He thanked me for reminding him to schedule the test. OOPS...guess he had forgotten? As of today I haven't heard a peep from UNM. Honestly, I'm ready to get this thing over with!
Brooke continues to do well - Praise the Lord! She turned 19 on the 9th and celebrated with a birthday party with our family. She had a great time! She loves being around family more than anything else. What a blessing she is to all of us.
We went to eat at IHop last night (5th time taking her out since January) and she saw a friend from school. She went nuts! She was sooooo excited. It brings home the realization of how much she misses people and socializing. Hopefully, once the test is over and as long as Dr. Libby gives the ok, we'll send her back to school part time. She needs that. She needs people!
Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement.
Love to you all -
Gena
Brooke continues to do well - Praise the Lord! She turned 19 on the 9th and celebrated with a birthday party with our family. She had a great time! She loves being around family more than anything else. What a blessing she is to all of us.
We went to eat at IHop last night (5th time taking her out since January) and she saw a friend from school. She went nuts! She was sooooo excited. It brings home the realization of how much she misses people and socializing. Hopefully, once the test is over and as long as Dr. Libby gives the ok, we'll send her back to school part time. She needs that. She needs people!
Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement.
Love to you all -
Gena
Friday, March 6, 2009
Bone Marrow Biopsy
I talked to Dr. Libby this morning. He wants Brooke to have a bone marrow biopsy to see if the marrow will give him any clues as to what's going on. The bone marrow is where neutrophil comes from and if the marrow is damaged in any way, neutrophil levels can be greatly reduced. I know when you think "bone marrow" the first word that typically comes to mind is leukemia. Dr. Libby has checked for this as well as lymphoma, which is a form of blood cancer common with people that have Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) like Brooke. He does not feel she has cancer. He told me he read that people with CVID are suspectible to Neutropenia. While the biopsy isn't what we wanted Brooke to have to endure, it's something we assumed would have to be done sooner or later. Dr. Libby said he will work at getting this set up and that it will most likley be week after next. She will be completely sedated for this - thank goodness! I've heard this is very painful! Please pray for endurance for her and for comfort before/during/after the procedure.
We talked in great length about what we can do in the future, what we should do, etc. He doesn't want to give the shots I've talked about in previous blogs since she is currently not experiencing any recurring infections. I told him she may not be due to being home-bound, but he doesn't think that's the case. He told me she's still around plenty of germs. He said as odd as it sounds, we need to get her back out in the public to see how she does. If she develops an infection - we treat it. Sounds awfully scary to me!! I'm going to keep things like they currently are until after the next procedure to ensure I keep her healthy for it. We'll play "the future" by ear!
I learned that the spleen can go down in size after it's been enlarged, which is something I've been wondering about. That was comforting! Her liver has gone back to normal so maybe the spleen will too! I still can't help but think this is all salmonella-related and maybe after time...things can get back to better, if not normal. They say salmonella can linger in the body for over a year. Give us strength!! I hate it and hate even more what it's done to my daughter!
I am completely honest when I say that "Brooke has never been text book on ANYTHING." Mike and I are used to that. We have never expect an answer right away, if at all. This is just how Brooke is. Bless her! I told Dr. Libby how much we appreciated him helping her and thanked him for being so kind to us. That's not always the case...and is even sadder when people like Brooke have so few choices in their health care. Many times, people are afraid of them. What a loss!! I know Brooke is a challenge, but she's also a person who deserves the very best that life has to offer.
Lastly and most importantly, I told Doctor Libby we are going to see Mickey Mouse on June 6th and asked if he had any problem with that. He laughed and said it should be ok. Brooke "TOLD" us we were going about a week before we knew anything was wrong with her. She communicated her wants very plainly! So preparations for the Disneyworld trip have helped keep me focused on something other than worry. I am planning the most incredible trip for her. She deserves it! We have the countdown chain in her bedroom color-coded by month with Mickey's ears at the tail end of it. It was 119 links long when I made it. Yep, I hand cut and taped all 119 links! Brooke's like her mom in that she does well with visual aids. She doesn't understand what 3 months from today means, but a chain with links helps her see amounts of time. She still asks to get her suitcase down at least once a week. Ha!
Please pray for a positive outcome on the biopsy. Ask God to be there with Brooke holding her and making her feel safe. Pray for minimal pain and for skilled hands to work on her. And if you don't think me too selfish to ask this...pray for the salmonella and all of its awful effects to vanish once and for all. For white blood levels to be restored to normal counts. And most importantly, for health and strength for this precious child.
In His name I pray -
AMEN!
We talked in great length about what we can do in the future, what we should do, etc. He doesn't want to give the shots I've talked about in previous blogs since she is currently not experiencing any recurring infections. I told him she may not be due to being home-bound, but he doesn't think that's the case. He told me she's still around plenty of germs. He said as odd as it sounds, we need to get her back out in the public to see how she does. If she develops an infection - we treat it. Sounds awfully scary to me!! I'm going to keep things like they currently are until after the next procedure to ensure I keep her healthy for it. We'll play "the future" by ear!
I learned that the spleen can go down in size after it's been enlarged, which is something I've been wondering about. That was comforting! Her liver has gone back to normal so maybe the spleen will too! I still can't help but think this is all salmonella-related and maybe after time...things can get back to better, if not normal. They say salmonella can linger in the body for over a year. Give us strength!! I hate it and hate even more what it's done to my daughter!
I am completely honest when I say that "Brooke has never been text book on ANYTHING." Mike and I are used to that. We have never expect an answer right away, if at all. This is just how Brooke is. Bless her! I told Dr. Libby how much we appreciated him helping her and thanked him for being so kind to us. That's not always the case...and is even sadder when people like Brooke have so few choices in their health care. Many times, people are afraid of them. What a loss!! I know Brooke is a challenge, but she's also a person who deserves the very best that life has to offer.
Lastly and most importantly, I told Doctor Libby we are going to see Mickey Mouse on June 6th and asked if he had any problem with that. He laughed and said it should be ok. Brooke "TOLD" us we were going about a week before we knew anything was wrong with her. She communicated her wants very plainly! So preparations for the Disneyworld trip have helped keep me focused on something other than worry. I am planning the most incredible trip for her. She deserves it! We have the countdown chain in her bedroom color-coded by month with Mickey's ears at the tail end of it. It was 119 links long when I made it. Yep, I hand cut and taped all 119 links! Brooke's like her mom in that she does well with visual aids. She doesn't understand what 3 months from today means, but a chain with links helps her see amounts of time. She still asks to get her suitcase down at least once a week. Ha!
Please pray for a positive outcome on the biopsy. Ask God to be there with Brooke holding her and making her feel safe. Pray for minimal pain and for skilled hands to work on her. And if you don't think me too selfish to ask this...pray for the salmonella and all of its awful effects to vanish once and for all. For white blood levels to be restored to normal counts. And most importantly, for health and strength for this precious child.
In His name I pray -
AMEN!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Message from Dr. Libby
We had a message from Dr. Libby when we got home tonight. He said the blood tests were the same and the mono test was negative. He asked me to call him. I'll give him a call tomorrow and will let you all know as I know more.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
No word yet
I received an email from the doctor today stating he would call me tomorrow afternoon with Brooke's latest blood test results. Guess he's been busy! I'll post as soon as I know something.
Brooke is still struggling with allergies...mom too. And talk about having cabin fever! We pretty much have to go for a car ride every night now. And then she doesn't want to come back home. She wants to go see her "friends" as she signs it to us. Poor baby. Can you blame her? She's used to going and doing and seeing. She turns 19 on Monday...where has the time gone? What an incredible 19 years its been!
Good news: You can now post comments but you have to do it anonymously. Thanks for the tip Amberly.
Brooke is still struggling with allergies...mom too. And talk about having cabin fever! We pretty much have to go for a car ride every night now. And then she doesn't want to come back home. She wants to go see her "friends" as she signs it to us. Poor baby. Can you blame her? She's used to going and doing and seeing. She turns 19 on Monday...where has the time gone? What an incredible 19 years its been!
Good news: You can now post comments but you have to do it anonymously. Thanks for the tip Amberly.
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