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trying to get two pics in one blog - won't work
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Photos from HEK
Larry took these with his camera. I look all comfortable and relaxed, right? yeh right
Monday, July 27, 2009
Bone Marrow Fun
People asked me what it was like so I'll try and explain how it happened to me.
About the three weeks before DD (Donation Day), they called me into the hospital for the final round of blood tests, (again) and ECG etc etc. They also gave us 10 injections of of filastin (I think but there could have been a 'g' in it like filgastrine or whatever). They told us that each shot costs $1000 and could we please not lose them? They were supposed to be taken evey night and morning for 5 days before DD. So we took them home where they took up space in the fridge.
Thursday morning (23.07) was supposed to be first injection day. The night before we went to visit Cheryll Levitt, who is a nurse and her husband is not only Larry's Chavruta but also an oncologist. Cheryll taught Larry the technique of injecting. He was pretty cool about, being diabetic and used to it.
Thursday morning we come down and decide we are doing this in the arms and legs and all methodical. Larry was great, calm and it sort of didn't hurt after a few seconds.
There are supposed to be a lot of side affects, what I did feel was churning in my bones, can't thnk of a better description. Not overly painful but very uncomfortable, especially around the hips and tush. But lo nora. The doctors were very surprised that I hadn't taken ne painkiller all along, but as I claim "the only chemicals that go into my mouth are junk food". Also very tired and kept on falling asleep in the evening. But did manage to go to school staff meeting on Sunday and to keep awake most of the time.
DD came and we got up early and were really calm. They sent a driver for us and met us at the door of Hadassa Ein Karem (HEK). We were taken up to the top floor and as soon as we got off the lift Debbie (not hours, the social worker who had our case)said "here is the bathroom" and we said OK, and she stopped and sort of hinted till I realised that this is the last bathrom I would see for many hours. So she and Larry waited outside while I dutifully did my thing, not enough it turned out.
They greet you there like royalty and I was put on a very comfortable TV chair. A pillow was put under each arm, then a needle like an infusion, then lots of tubes leading out of one arm and into the other. The tubes led through a machine which is suposed to extract whatever it is they are extracting. I was told that it was only for a few hours and not to move (no nose itching etc). She also told me that when my lips trembled, it was a sign of calcim deficiency, for which I got a really yummy tablet, and I also got a tranquillizer (did I need it? I'll never know).
My neighbour had provided me with a selection of (medicinal only)DVD's so I finally got to see "Pride and Prejudice" and "The Princess Bride". I knew that these were chick films that could never ever get into house. Well, I did give my marrow to see them,.
At first time passed fast, I watched the DVD, called for water (Larry fed me with a straw) and calcium, it was fine. Till I needed the bathroom and then it went soooo slowly. We finished by about 2.00 and that was it. Done!
Doctors and oters kept wandering in to say "Kol Hakavod" etc. I thought the whole thing a bit deflating, I had expected some traumatic change in my body or something. but it was over then it was finished!
I got a certificate and a little brooch claiming I had donated marrow. When it was all done and they had taken off the tubes, I wanted to run to the loo but was obviously dizzy and Larry had to gently guide me. Then we went home (their driver) and discovered we were starving, ate yesterday's lokshen and stored another one of life's experiences.
About the three weeks before DD (Donation Day), they called me into the hospital for the final round of blood tests, (again) and ECG etc etc. They also gave us 10 injections of of filastin (I think but there could have been a 'g' in it like filgastrine or whatever). They told us that each shot costs $1000 and could we please not lose them? They were supposed to be taken evey night and morning for 5 days before DD. So we took them home where they took up space in the fridge.
Thursday morning (23.07) was supposed to be first injection day. The night before we went to visit Cheryll Levitt, who is a nurse and her husband is not only Larry's Chavruta but also an oncologist. Cheryll taught Larry the technique of injecting. He was pretty cool about, being diabetic and used to it.
Thursday morning we come down and decide we are doing this in the arms and legs and all methodical. Larry was great, calm and it sort of didn't hurt after a few seconds.
There are supposed to be a lot of side affects, what I did feel was churning in my bones, can't thnk of a better description. Not overly painful but very uncomfortable, especially around the hips and tush. But lo nora. The doctors were very surprised that I hadn't taken ne painkiller all along, but as I claim "the only chemicals that go into my mouth are junk food". Also very tired and kept on falling asleep in the evening. But did manage to go to school staff meeting on Sunday and to keep awake most of the time.
DD came and we got up early and were really calm. They sent a driver for us and met us at the door of Hadassa Ein Karem (HEK). We were taken up to the top floor and as soon as we got off the lift Debbie (not hours, the social worker who had our case)said "here is the bathroom" and we said OK, and she stopped and sort of hinted till I realised that this is the last bathrom I would see for many hours. So she and Larry waited outside while I dutifully did my thing, not enough it turned out.
They greet you there like royalty and I was put on a very comfortable TV chair. A pillow was put under each arm, then a needle like an infusion, then lots of tubes leading out of one arm and into the other. The tubes led through a machine which is suposed to extract whatever it is they are extracting. I was told that it was only for a few hours and not to move (no nose itching etc). She also told me that when my lips trembled, it was a sign of calcim deficiency, for which I got a really yummy tablet, and I also got a tranquillizer (did I need it? I'll never know).
My neighbour had provided me with a selection of (medicinal only)DVD's so I finally got to see "Pride and Prejudice" and "The Princess Bride". I knew that these were chick films that could never ever get into house. Well, I did give my marrow to see them,.
At first time passed fast, I watched the DVD, called for water (Larry fed me with a straw) and calcium, it was fine. Till I needed the bathroom and then it went soooo slowly. We finished by about 2.00 and that was it. Done!
Doctors and oters kept wandering in to say "Kol Hakavod" etc. I thought the whole thing a bit deflating, I had expected some traumatic change in my body or something. but it was over then it was finished!
I got a certificate and a little brooch claiming I had donated marrow. When it was all done and they had taken off the tubes, I wanted to run to the loo but was obviously dizzy and Larry had to gently guide me. Then we went home (their driver) and discovered we were starving, ate yesterday's lokshen and stored another one of life's experiences.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
and then...
as if that wasn't enough, Adina slipped last night and tore a ligament.
OUCH
There is no great time to break a ligament but this really but really is not a good period.
OUCH
There is no great time to break a ligament but this really but really is not a good period.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Too-much Toosday
Seems like a lot is happening these few days, not all good. Yesterday, Tuesday, was full. First the good news, Matti did his last Bagrut exam, last ever in his life. He is free to conquer the world, and I am sure he will. Ahron also had a Bagrut exam, but he has two years to go before relaxing.
Ok that was the easy part.
Racheli phoned me yesterday to ask me to call Chana who needed to speak. I got hold of her easily, she was crying. Apparently Naftali had been allowed a one minute phone call, and he managed to tell her that he had not passed the physical (specifically the running speed) part of boot camp, and so could not proceed with the studies, bursaries and everything else they had dreamt of. So all their expectations have crashed and Chana can't even get hold of Naftali to discuss the situation and deal with it. At least he will be coming home, small comfort. But then what?
I phoned Saba 'stum', and he was going through a major crisis with Elsie (his Philipine caregiver). She was trying to get him ready for Shul - Mincha - and he insisted that it was Yom Kipur and he had to wear sports shoes. Of course if Elsie did let him wear them, Adina would be furious. There was a lot of screaming and frustration.
The day before (Monday), Tamar and Menachem and Debbi and I met to formulate some sort of ideas about Aba. The good part is that we are all on the same wavelength. Keep Aba out of a hospital, keep him at home as long as possible, retain Adina's sanity. The hard part is the how, when Adina has different ideas to us and communication is not exactly flowing. She wants us to take Aba to our homes every few weeks, we think she won't last those few weeks and that Saba should stay in his home while Adina gets a break. She doesn't get why the grandchildren don't come regularly, but all the kids have families and commitments of their own. She is tired, we understand.
Then I called Dvora and discovered that she was really upset, her in-laws are very seriously considering (or have decided) to go to Singapore for 5 years. They were the real Zionists... you don't live anywhere but Israel, so this is stunning news. Actually, as a mother in-law I would think it very flattering that my daughter in law is distressed at my leaving!
Ok that was the easy part.
Racheli phoned me yesterday to ask me to call Chana who needed to speak. I got hold of her easily, she was crying. Apparently Naftali had been allowed a one minute phone call, and he managed to tell her that he had not passed the physical (specifically the running speed) part of boot camp, and so could not proceed with the studies, bursaries and everything else they had dreamt of. So all their expectations have crashed and Chana can't even get hold of Naftali to discuss the situation and deal with it. At least he will be coming home, small comfort. But then what?
I phoned Saba 'stum', and he was going through a major crisis with Elsie (his Philipine caregiver). She was trying to get him ready for Shul - Mincha - and he insisted that it was Yom Kipur and he had to wear sports shoes. Of course if Elsie did let him wear them, Adina would be furious. There was a lot of screaming and frustration.
The day before (Monday), Tamar and Menachem and Debbi and I met to formulate some sort of ideas about Aba. The good part is that we are all on the same wavelength. Keep Aba out of a hospital, keep him at home as long as possible, retain Adina's sanity. The hard part is the how, when Adina has different ideas to us and communication is not exactly flowing. She wants us to take Aba to our homes every few weeks, we think she won't last those few weeks and that Saba should stay in his home while Adina gets a break. She doesn't get why the grandchildren don't come regularly, but all the kids have families and commitments of their own. She is tired, we understand.
Then I called Dvora and discovered that she was really upset, her in-laws are very seriously considering (or have decided) to go to Singapore for 5 years. They were the real Zionists... you don't live anywhere but Israel, so this is stunning news. Actually, as a mother in-law I would think it very flattering that my daughter in law is distressed at my leaving!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Saba is out of hospital
He's home now... I spent the night with him on Sunday in the hospital. He spent 3 hours solid trying to get out of 'prison' and organising various events around the blog. He has a lot of energy and strength for a 84 year old who has been ill and hardly ate for 2 weeks.
Uzi and Racheli's baby is called Leah, I bet they were keeping that name for 7 years. Every woman need a daughter!
Uzi and Racheli's baby is called Leah, I bet they were keeping that name for 7 years. Every woman need a daughter!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saba thoughts
Spent the night in the hospital with Saba. He slept most of the time. In the morning he woke up in a great mood and asked me who I am.
"Judy, your daughter"
"You have grown up, you are all developed, a real woman"
"Aba, I have children. Some are married and have their own children. You know Rafi and Uzi, Debi, Naftali, Shaul, Matti and Ahron."
"And who did you marry?"
"Larry"
"Are you happy? That's all I care about, that is all I ever cared about. Are you happy? Do you have enough money?"
"Yes, I am happy and we have enough. You are wonderful".
a few minutes gap
"Do you see Ima? When did you last see her?"
"It's been some time."
"How is she?"
"She's fine. We are all well."
"Judy, your daughter"
"You have grown up, you are all developed, a real woman"
"Aba, I have children. Some are married and have their own children. You know Rafi and Uzi, Debi, Naftali, Shaul, Matti and Ahron."
"And who did you marry?"
"Larry"
"Are you happy? That's all I care about, that is all I ever cared about. Are you happy? Do you have enough money?"
"Yes, I am happy and we have enough. You are wonderful".
a few minutes gap
"Do you see Ima? When did you last see her?"
"It's been some time."
"How is she?"
"She's fine. We are all well."
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