Hibernating

The last few days have been good. Mostly we have been hibernating and enjoying being together, savoring these last August days. I am feeling remarkably well so far. My leg is better, appetite has returned, and soreness is greatly improved. On the blog front, Petrus has requested cute photos of the kids poolside. Will and I have worked tirelessly to fulfill her desire--with little, or no, success. Here are some vaguely water related photos and more proof of why we are so infrequent in posting photos...

Home Again!

We made it through week two and now are all home again, safe and sound. It is wonderful to be here: the kids grew bigger, learned new words, even walk better. Even the mustard yellow of our house's exterior looks better.
There are many details to follow, but for now I am headed off to sleep. I just wanted to let you know that we are home and well. Many thanks for all your love that continues to guide us along the way.

Day 6

Dearest Ones,
It is Sunday already and as Will said, that most likely means the end of my IL2 doses for now. I took in about 22 altogether, so that is not too bad (at least 18 is what the hospital shoots for). For the moment, I am still attached to two different IVs and the chest line, but most likely those will be removed this afternoon or tomorrow. And if my blood-work comes back fine we will get to go "home again, home again," on Monday, with twenty plus extra pounds to prove that I enjoyed the bon bon and truffles portions of this spa treatment the best.
Lots o love.
A

Day 5

Sorry about the silence, but it's been a rough couple of days. As they say, the second round is always worse than the first. I think she's probably done for doses now. She had a dose this morning after laying off of two yesterday, but her blood pressure dropped significantly this afternoon. All she needed, though, was 10 doses, and she got there.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

2.2--four doses down!

Round two, day two is going well so far. We were pleased
to see our lovely nurses and to get our own old corner room back. The kids happily went off to Beth's house, and Will's back seems a bit better. As for me, I am doing well, already tired and sick to my stomach, but nothing major to complain about. My stent is acting up in that it has oozed through five dressings--but I do think this last one should do the trick. Meanwhile, despite the best intentioned books we have piled around us, Will and I are watching the Discovery channel and learning such important things as how to make brooms and zippers; if you need help in any of those areas please let us know, we'd be happy to oblige! Please keep us in your prayers. You continue to be ours. Lots of love,
-Aimee

Round 2

Checked in, and first dose is underway. All is well.

Reprieve

The hospital called late this afternoon and said that due to some summer nursing shortage emergency, I get to stay home for an extra day. I didn't really question the logistics of it all (I guess I'm high maintenance!) but gladly accepted the extra catch-up day. So my next set of treatments won't start until Tuesday morning. Until then, if you need me, look by the kiddie pool on the back porch. The kids and I will be swaddled up in the shade enjoying these quiet August days while they last...

Resting at Home

I think your prayers have helped a ton. Aimee feels good right now. Most of her symptoms are gone-- swelling is down, nausea is gone. Itching is starting up, but for the most part, things are going well. Here's Aimee--

Will

Thank you everyone for your continued care and support--your love has been a source of great strength for me. As Will said, I am feeling so much better--very tired and itchy--but good. The Interleukin process, so far, has gone well. The first week, at least, was "doable" and I am almost geared up mentally for the next round. I should be ready by Monday I hope.

Meanwhile, we have been joking about how we missed a real marketing opportunity in not calling Slimfast; I gained 17 pounds in the hospital but now have lost 20 in the last few days. No worries, this is a normal side effect to the IL and I am eating lots of chocolate to make up the difference.

So for the moment, all is quiet on the homefront. Xavier and Tilly are well and tucked in their own beds, or will be shortly. I hope all is well with you. With lots of love and thanks,
Aimee

Home

Aimee came back home yesterday afternoon and the kids were especially happy to see her. She's still bothered by nausea, still swollen, and still tired, but she's gradually getting better. I think she's mostly disappointed that she didn't lose her hair-- she really wanted an excuse to try the bald look. :)

Day #6

Aimee ended up skipping 2 doses yesterday, but she got 12 out of 14-- which the doctor said is really good (Most people can only get to 10 or so).

She's feeling much better today. They took the stent out and let her take a shower :) If she's feeling up to it, she might add something to the blog later today.

Day #5

The effects of the treatment accumulate over the the course of the week, and so this is definitely the worst day so far. Low blood pressure, coughing, nausea, restlessness, itching, aching, swelling, etc. Aimee had to skip a dose today because it was just too much.

The good news, though, is that it's the last day of treatments! So we'll stay here another 36 hours after the last dose and head back home on Sunday.

Day 4

Dear Family and Friends,
Here we are on day four already. For the most part I have avoided the chills, fevers, and nausea.
My lungs are clear and, while my blood pressure is increasingly low, it is not yet dangerously so. Overall, I am even more puffy, red, and tired than yesterday, and am a little bleary eyed but feel that I am doing really well. No problem, very doable, I recommend this spa. (I had no idea when I checked in why they all thought I needed this kind of beauty regiment , but now I am really starting to see that a ten pound weight loss in my face wouldn't be such a bad idea :) )
Thank you for all your love and prayers; please keep them up as they are really helping!
Ten doses down, only four to go!!!!
lots of love
Aimee

Day 3

Half way through! I am puffy, red, and tired, but overall, happy to report, doing better than expected. Please do keep up your prayers as they seem to be working great. Lots of love. Aimee

Day #2

No problems thus far. Some flu-like symptoms, lots of drugs, and lots of sleeping.

Checked in

Aimee's allergic rash finally cleared up this last weekend, and so the doctors cleared her for treatment today. We checked in this morning, and they placed a stent in her chest to deliver the dosages.

Dosage #1 was administered at 3pm. So far so good. There will probably be 14 doses given to her over the course of the next 5-6 days.