Leukemia

Not in the plans - not even a thought about it up until about a week and a half ago.  Janna has leukemia -  Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  We're going to George Washington University tomorrow (Friday, March 1) and Janna will start her three week treatment to rid herself of the tumor.  She'll be back in April, May, June and July for short(er) 5-day stints for additional treatments.  More info to come -

An Update from Feb. 1

Below is what I typed to Janna on my Blackberry so she could read what the doctors were saying to her while she was in the ER.  This was a little over a week and a half after she had Clara and a couple of weeks before we learned that she had cancer.  

She went in to the ER because her original ear, nose and throat doctor (Dr. Khanna - very good doctor and very concerned for Janna) wanted her admitted after seeing her earlier in the afternoon on the 1st.  Her right eye was completely swollen shut and she could not hear anything (along with couldn't breathe from her nose nor taste anything).  More on how she got to this point later - 

The doctors/nurses had a hard time believing that she really couldn't hear anything.  After trying to talk with her, she'd look over at me (keep in mind she was absolutely miserable) and I'd yell loudly so she could hear what they said.  After a while I just decided to type it up:



Janna asked if I had lip balm:
Do we have any out in the car?  I can buy some later, once we get into a room.

You're well loved.  Everyone is praying for you.  Lucas is pretty concerned.

Janna asked what was taking so long:
The doctor has to see the CT scan before they know what's next.  It may be a while. Rest.

Doctor was asking about her pain:
It's pressure based pain, right?  Like squeezing your head pain?  Not pain in your eye, right?
In head and ears, not in eye.

Are you still nauseous?  Hungry?

Doctor came in and talked with me while Janna was sleeping:
You def have sinusitis - really bad.  You also have orbitalitis (I think that's what she said), which is sinusitis in your eye.  No puss yet, which is good, but sometime in the near future you're going to have to have sinus surgery to clean it out.  She is waiting on a return call from Dr. Khanna.  The prob is that they don't have an eye doctor here, so depending on what Dr. Khanna says, we may have to be transferred to Fairfax where they have an eye doctor there.  They seem to think that antibiotics will help the sinusitis. She'll know more when she hears from Khanna.  

After learning that she might have surgery the next morning:
You need to eat now, especially if you cannot eat after midnight.

Learned what time:
Surgery tomorrow at 11:30am or so.  Not entirely sure what it will entail - no word yet from Khanna.  It looks like I won't be able to sleep the night here.  I'll go home later this evening after you are settled then come back in the morning.  Is that ok?

Just following up, since I wasn't going to be able to stay much longer - also when Janna was still pumping for Clara:
If you need anything - and I mean anything - you need to call for a nurse.  They will give you some fluids so you don't get dehydrated.  If you need help pumping, ask for it.  On this - are you going to try to pump before I come back tonight, or is it even worth it?

Janna asked about the surgery - it was about 10pm at this time:
I don't know anything about the surgery.  I assume I'll know more tomorrow morning when I can talk to Khanna.  And I don't know how long you'll stay here because I don't know anything about the surgery.  It's ok to be nervous, but understand this is sorely needed.  There is no other way, and the pressure will be much less soon after your surgery.  And you'll get some sleep tonight. :)

A bit more on the surgery:
What I do know is just a little of what the ER doc told me.  It sounds like this is not to clean out the polyps, but to drain your sinuses.  Could be wrong. (and I was)

Before we went to her room:
Easy for me to say, but I'd rather it be me in the bed.  But this offer does not apply to having babies.

Just before I left while she was in her room (about 11:30pm):
Blessing coming up, but I'm not going to yell it, so you'll have to trust me. :)

Hey - you're going to have to ask everyone to speak louder.  Don't be shy.