Sunday, Aug 22

Hi everyone,
It is a dreary rainy Sunday morning today. I had a fairly good day yesterday. Was surprised by visit from brother, Brent, after he refereed a soccer game in this area. This was followed by visit from Bobbi and a friend. I did walk to first floor and sit in cafeteria for hour or so. I also took a shower yesterday for the first.
Lots of confusion about removal of filter from neck – at this point, not sure it will happen at this visit – different medical departments are disagreeing over it. My platelet and wbc count were up slightly yesterday which is a good sign, but still no identification of bacteria – will take at least 5 days. Not sure what this means for discharge, but I won’t be allowed to leave until I am stabilized. Also not sure what this does to return to work. I’m still hoping for the best, but don’t want to be home until we have something more definite.
So if you get a chance, come on up – would love to see you and might even visit on first floor. Thanks to Beth for getting me a “free teacher gift” for me from Staples!
I don’t expect much more news today because not a whole lot happens here on the weekends unless an emergency. Keep prayers and support coming!
Carole

Fri, Aug. 20

Hi everyone,
Well, I seem to have begun to turn the corner in this next adventure. No chills or fever for 24 hrs. New antibiotics seem to be agreeing with me.
I will have a cat scan tonight to determine if everything is okay with the IVC filter in my neck. If all is well, the procedure won’t happen till Mon. morning. If there is a problem, it will come out tomorrow morning. PICC line will be put in again Sun. or Mon. So my best guess at this point is that I will be coming home Mon. night or Tues. They still think I can start ½ days of school.
I had a very pleasant surprise that really lifted my spirits this afternoon. My good friend, Nancy’s aunt Ro and Uncle Jack, walked into my hospital room. I was shocked and so surprised because I haven’t seen them for many years. They drove all the way from West Chester to visit and their son, Jimmy, visited again today. It really made me happy!!
So, another weekend in Hershey Hospital which will be long a boring – if anyone has time and would like to visit, I would be more than happy to see you. If you are coming from Gbg, please call me first because I need a couple more pieces of clothing.
Thanks everyone! Carole

Thurs., Aug 19

Hi everyone,
I am e-mailing from Hershey Hospital once again!!!! Was here Tues. for check-ups and both dr. said I looked good. Went to bed that night feeling fine and woke up at midnight with major chills followed by fever of up to 102. I called Hershey and spoke with the resident who told me to take Tylenol and come in if fever spiked again. ID (Infectious Disease) ordered blood work drawn yesterday afternoon – Hershey got preliminary reports this morning and one of the cultures had grown. ID called me and told me to come into ER right away. Cyndi drove me up and I had another major chill attack on the way up and later found out that Cyndi was afraid I was going to seizure. I told her in Dillsburg that if I passed out, she should just pull over and call the ambulance – so you know I wasn’t feeling well at all!! I have a blood infection that was caught early and is being treated aggressively through IV. At this point the thinking is that it came in through my picc line and is not related to my hip but if not treated, could affect hip. My PICC line has been pulled and I currently have IV in for new antibiotics and fluids.
I will be here for a couple of days until things stabilize and then home again with another PICC line. Still should be able to go back to school but probably not until the end of the wk.
So at the risk of sounding like a broken record, keep the prayers and support coming.
Thanks, Carole

Tues., Aug. 17

Eric and I went up for another visit with both drs. today and all in all it was a good day!
I am happy to report that I no longer have hip precautions (but will take a while to feel comfortable with this); will be going back to school for 1/2 days the first 3 wks; anemia is a little better; do not have to cover incision any more unless want to - will probably do it to go to gym to ride bike; can stop aspirin; am off of all pain med, but tylenol; am driving as of yesterday; and am allowed to fly - for those of you who would like to take me on a trip!!

I had some minor blood work issues that infectious disease dr. is working on - nothing alarming, but will take blood again this Thurs. and possibly change antibiotic is the issues continue. I have an appt. with her again on the 31st.

The PICC line will come out sometime after 9/4 and I also have to have a procedure to remove the IVC filter in my neck sometime soon. This is out patient and I may even be awake for it - not that I want to be.

In general, walking mostly with cane now; getting stomach issues somewhat under control; rode bike today for 20 min and am planning to go out every day to ride it for a while.

I am not out of the woods yet, but feel closer to the edge of the woods than I have for months! Keep praying for me and thanks to all for continued support!!

Carole

Sunday, Aug 15

Hi everyone,

Believe it or not, I spent yesterday at Hershey Park!!!! Brother Randy, niece Sonja and Ken, Kennedy, and Stratton had an extra ticket and asked me to go. I really was hesitant, but figured it had to be better than sitting at home. I didn't do too badly - actually got on the tram with cane - took both walker and cane into the park. I have never seen sooooooooo many people - Jonas Brothers concert, Chevy free ticket day, and a real estate convention made for oodles of people. When in crowds, i used walker - iat was the first that I have ever walked up and down some inclines. I did well, but coming down my good knee hurt - sort of like it used to when downhill skiing!! I walked around from 10:30-2:30 and then sat at Dunkin Donuts for 3 hrs while rest were doing rides, etc. I really enjoyed it and ended the day with dinner at Applebees. Those kids were something else!!

Today am going with Patti to lunch and possibly movie and then visit this evening from the Moores. Monday, PT and then sister-in-law is offering to take me in to finish classroom. Tues. Hershey again and friends rest of week.

I hope to start driving today or tomorrow - short trips around town - hair cut, etc.

All in all doing fairly well - next will be to start sleeping upstairs again.
Have a good week everyone and I will update after Tues. appt. in Hershey.

Thanks for thoughts and prayers!
Carole