THIS JUST IN TODAY...EMMET UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday morning,

"Made the turn" is the phrase we heard yesterday on Emmet's situation. It is what we have been hoping for. He continues in good spirits and is wanting to do a little work out in the physical therapy department this morning. We anticipate him coming home Friday afternoon. Elizabeth arrives that evening and we are both so excited to see her.

Here is what I think I currently know.
Emmet has been diagnosed with Acute Graft vs. Host Disease. As scary as that sounds, it is better than Chronic GvHD. This is being considered a "one and only episode" and a mild case at that. After 9 days in the hospital it is amazing what some others go through. Emmet did have to go to a second tear of drugs because he was not responding to the steroids. As good as they can make him feel, they were not fixing the problem, and he can only be on them for so long.

Emmet has also agreed to a double blind study, (double meaning neither he nor the doctor will know if he is getting a placebo or not). The study adds an enhancement to the second tear medication. Two thirds of those in the study will have it, one third will have the placebo. This study was highly recommended by our doctor. The downside to it is the time commitment. Emmet will be at Anderson for about 4 hours twice a week. We feel so fortunate to be handy to such a great cancer center, and advancement in all things cancer need to be explored, so he agreed.

They inserted a vein catheter in his arm to ease some of the ordeal of infusions. It will remain in about 6 weeks. He is used to having one at his collar bone area and thinks this will be better. At least this way he doesn't have to be poked each time they want blood or to give medication. He did spend about 4 days on clear liquids and can now start adding new but soft foods. There is just so much bullion and jello he can handle. It will be so good to be home. For me to, although I do not spend the night at the hospital. Neither one of us seems to sleep very well and this way we can flip around as we like with out disturbing the other.

Once again you have all carried us through a tough time. We are so grateful.
Love, Jennie


More pictures from the Saturday lunch in the mountains

As always click to make them bigger and check out the post after this
for more.

This is about all I can load on this post...SO I will do another post with more pictures after this is posted.

THANK YOU Deb and Richard for having all of us over.
It was a great afternoon!
As always double click the pictures to see them in a larger format
and if you want a disk of ALL the pictures just send me your address at wjonair1@aol.com and I will make you one and send it.
There is a TON of them and as always
the girls of the class of 66 looked outstanding while the guys looked a tad weathered!

TOMORROW IS THE DAY TOMORROW IS THE DAY TOMORROW IS THE DAY TOMORROW IS THE DAY






Last minute reminders...
IF you wanta drink something other than TEA AND WATER bring it with you.
I am bringing cokes and will see if I can smuggle some stamped spirits
out of the house. Glad to share.

Remember the car thing...meet at Smith's at 12 30 or
call if you come later so the gate can be opened for you.

SEE YOU THERE!


Earlier post:



Here is the deal

1. Although we sure do need to meet at Smiths at 12 30 to car pool up
(due to limited parking) IF you are going to be running
late and can't make the 12 30 time feel free to
call Debbie at 865-981-9378 and she can give you directions
to her home.


2. IF you need to drive STILL meet us at Smiths if you can
at 12 30. She lives in a gated community and if we all convoy up
together it will be easier!

3. Jan has dipped into some of our funds to provide Buddys
Bar B Q for all of us...BUT it will be limited to meat, sauce
and buns only.

4. PLEASE if you can bring a dish to share...or drinks...or
ice...or desert...or salad...or chips or anything else to round
out the meal.

Again, if you have yet to e mail or call her please do so..it is
NOT TOOOO LATE!!!

IT IS THIS SATURDAY.......IT IS THIS SATURDAY..........IT IS THIS SATURDAY....




We have 35 on the dance card for the summer party this Saturday!

YOU are MORE than invited to STILL join us!


Here is the deal

1. Although we sure do need to meet at Smiths at 12 30 to car pool up
(due to limited parking) IF you are going to be running
late and can't make the 12 30 time feel free to
call Debbie at 865-981-9378 and she can give you directions
to her home.


2. IF you need to drive STILL meet us at Smiths if you can
at 12 30. She lives in a gated community and if we all convoy up
together it will be easier!

3. Jan has dipped into some of our funds to provide Buddys
Bar B Q for all of us...BUT it will be limited to meat, sauce
and buns only.

4. PLEASE if you can bring a dish to share...or drinks...or
ice...or desert...or salad...or chips or anything else to round
out the meal.

Again, if you have yet to e mail or call her please do so..it is
NOT TOOOO LATE!!!


See you Saturday, 12 30...at Smiths!

HERE IS A NEW REPORT FROM EMMET, WE NEED TO REMEMBER HIM AND ALL OF OUR
CLASSMATES IN OUR PRAYERS.




Good news ! The dreaded INR # is down to 1.3 this morning. (it was up as high as 10.5 yesterday)
This means that Emmet can be "scoped". This is the definitive test for 'graft vs. host disease'.

Yesterday afternoon Dr. Giralt, who is Emmet's primary doctor at Anderson surprised us with a visit. We had thought he had left town but he was still in the area and just came in for a little while. Once he was involved stuff started happening. Emmet was immediately put on Vitamin K, which reverses the coumadin.

He will have the procedure some time this afternoon. Since it will take place on a Friday afternoon we are not sure when the results will be published.

Also, Dr. Giralt immediately started treating Emmet as if he did have GVHD and put him on steroids. There is a reason athletes like this stuff. Emmet is on an energy high right now and shocked all the nurses this morning when he asked if he could go down to physical therapy and walk on the tread mill. We like that Dr. G is interested in being aggressive and not wasting precious time.

Another thing we learned yesterday is that GVHD has nothing to do with rejection. That was good news. We also believe if GVHD is what this is, it is still a mild case.

Anyway, I wanted to keep you all posted. If nothing else, today is a good day, and we love them all.
Your prayers are working!!!
Jennie


Also if you need more info on the party in the mountains scroll down to the other post.

The June 23 potluck at Debbie's in Saddleridge in Walland is DAYS AWAY!

Jan just called and said we have a good list of folks planning on
going but there is still room for YOU!
Although we sure do need to meet at Smiths at 12 30 to car pool up
(due to limited parking) IF you are going to be running
late and can't make the 12 30 time feel free to
call Debbie at 865-981-9378 and she can give you directions
to her home. As we said earlier parking is at a
premium so the car pooling is really a good idea, but
do NOT let it keep you from coming!

I am old so I forgot what I posted earlier...normal for me,
but here is the cliff note version.
Bring...something to share this be pot luck..(Ettie and Morton
NO tired pot jokes)and if you want to drink
something other than tea bring that also. Debbie has her
e mail listed but if you have problems with it send your note to me
on how many and I sure will forward it.

A few are out of town..on vacation..or in jail so they
get a pass but if you are LOCAL you really should come on up
and if you are out of town try to make it!

Jan is up for more things in the future as are all of us.
Come on to this one and lets talk about the next deal!

As always send notes and thoughts about whatever and I will
post it.

THANKS!

Walker

Debbie's number 865-981-9378 and email dbway@bellsouth.net.

We lost a Basketball GREAT today.