Wendy is a fighter! This week she survived an ordeal with getting an infection in her Hickman line, which required her to be in the hospital again almost all day long everyday, and not getting much sleep. She was able to have her LAST ROUND OF CHEMO!! She is still going to be up there under observation for a little while, then she is going to be sent home.
There is a slim chance that she will not relapse, and that this will also give us time to find a donor match for Wendy. If Wendy does relapse, the doctor said that in some hospitals they are seeing good results from doing partial matches, and some of Wendy's siblings could possibly be half-matches, so there are still options out there in case Wendy relapses.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
March 17th, Still No Matches for Wendy, Host a Donor Drive!
The still have not been able to find a bone marrow donor for Wendy. They even checked blood cord banks, she would need 3 matches for it to work and as luck would have it they couldn't even find one match. Starting with the first round this Friday, they are going to Max Wendy out on the strongest Chemo treatments they have for her for 2 rounds. If they still haven't found a match after that, then they will have to just send her home and take blood tests every two weeks. If her white blood cell counts get too high again, then she will have to start the whole process over again, until they find a donor for her. They will continue to check the donor list indefinitely.
Anyone who feels up to it HOST A DONOR DRIVE! It can be big or small. You can hold it anywhere from at your home, to a church building, a mall, a popular spot in town, a park, etc. I contacted them to try and set up something in Albany, Oregon, and they make it really easy for you. They come set up the booth, provide training, materials, flyers, links for you to share online. Basically, what you have to do is reserve a location, then provide 3-5 volunteers for the entire time the event is running. You are also responsible for bringing the flyers around town, and, if you can, asking for any business sponsors or support, but whatever you can do. If you want to run one out of your home, like you would any sort of sales party, then just talk to them about getting enough supplies and informational flyers, etc.
It only takes a cheek swab to be listed on the donor registry.
Let's all rally together for Wendy and see how many drives we can host. If we all work together and pray, then I know we can find a donor for Wendy in time for her to go to Alex's wedding.
Anyone who feels up to it HOST A DONOR DRIVE! It can be big or small. You can hold it anywhere from at your home, to a church building, a mall, a popular spot in town, a park, etc. I contacted them to try and set up something in Albany, Oregon, and they make it really easy for you. They come set up the booth, provide training, materials, flyers, links for you to share online. Basically, what you have to do is reserve a location, then provide 3-5 volunteers for the entire time the event is running. You are also responsible for bringing the flyers around town, and, if you can, asking for any business sponsors or support, but whatever you can do. If you want to run one out of your home, like you would any sort of sales party, then just talk to them about getting enough supplies and informational flyers, etc.
It only takes a cheek swab to be listed on the donor registry.
Let's all rally together for Wendy and see how many drives we can host. If we all work together and pray, then I know we can find a donor for Wendy in time for her to go to Alex's wedding.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Back to the Hospital Everyday
Lots of news today! Alex got engaged! Congratulations! She's busy planning her wedding right now. Wendy's Mom is up there visiting!
The bad news is that Wendy suddenly got a stuffy nose and started coughing up stuff. They took her to the hospital and the doctor immediately put her into isolation. They did a swab and figured out that it is a true influenza. Her flu is bad enough that the nurses are surprised that she's not bruising, but we are all grateful for all of the prayers being said on her behalf that she's doing so well and still looks so good. They currently go to the hospital every morning while Wendy is sick, but they are able to go home at night.
The bad news is that Wendy suddenly got a stuffy nose and started coughing up stuff. They took her to the hospital and the doctor immediately put her into isolation. They did a swab and figured out that it is a true influenza. Her flu is bad enough that the nurses are surprised that she's not bruising, but we are all grateful for all of the prayers being said on her behalf that she's doing so well and still looks so good. They currently go to the hospital every morning while Wendy is sick, but they are able to go home at night.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Urgent Need For Donor Coming Up, Check What We Are Looking For
Feb 19th from Randy "Yesterday,
Suzanna donated blood. I'm sure they used a fire hose. I went to sit
with her and just like that, she was done. She did have a spell of light-headedness and that brought nurses running. It didn't take her long to recover and that was good!
Wendy had a doctor's appointment today. Her doctor is very nice and Wendy is doing well with the chemo. That's really
not news but it's good to start with a positive. The doctor reaffirmed
that Wendy would not get better without a transplant, which we also knew.
We didn't know how difficult it would be to find a match. They've looked through world wide donors registry and after having gone through it once, the next step is to check it weekly.
We were told numerous times that there would be little or no point in testing family and friends. I imagine it's because the current list is millions upon millions. it may take that long to find one. Preferred donors are male and the age
range is 17 to 35. The next best donor would be a woman who has had no
children [or where the](this part got cut off in the message) baby is born. It will take more than one sample to get enough cells to do the job.
We're still hoping for an adult donor"
I know that they said friends and family may not be able to help, but still if you know anyone between the ages of 17-35, who would be willing to sign up to be a donor, then that would increase Wendy's chances and chances for more people like Wendy looking for help that they can only get from another who is willing to sacrifice of themselves.
The Donor Websites again are:
In Canada:
www.onematch.ca
In the US:
www.bethematch.org
I know that they said friends and family may not be able to help, but still if you know anyone between the ages of 17-35, who would be willing to sign up to be a donor, then that would increase Wendy's chances and chances for more people like Wendy looking for help that they can only get from another who is willing to sacrifice of themselves.
The Donor Websites again are:
In Canada:
www.onematch.ca
In the US:
www.bethematch.org
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Chemo Round 3!
Wendy made it through round 3 of the chemo! She's still feeling pretty good and they got all moved into their new apartment. If you need the new address, then feel free to send a message using the form at the bottom of the blog, and I'll email it to you.
Randy wanted to send out his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been helping and supporting them at this time. For a while there things could have gone either way and everyone's support has really helped tip the edge and made things go well for them. There really are no words for friends and family who are really there when the chips are down and when you are in desperate need of help. You have truly been the hands of Christ in doing for another what they could not do for themselves and doing it out of pure love and genuine caring. It's been amazing to see and feel a whole community pull around the Wallaces right now and especially the outpouring for Wendy in all of this. So, I hope you all know how much is really trying to be said with the two words of thank you.
Randy wanted to send out his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been helping and supporting them at this time. For a while there things could have gone either way and everyone's support has really helped tip the edge and made things go well for them. There really are no words for friends and family who are really there when the chips are down and when you are in desperate need of help. You have truly been the hands of Christ in doing for another what they could not do for themselves and doing it out of pure love and genuine caring. It's been amazing to see and feel a whole community pull around the Wallaces right now and especially the outpouring for Wendy in all of this. So, I hope you all know how much is really trying to be said with the two words of thank you.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Wendy's Getting Out of The Hospital!!!
Hello Everyone! Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the posting, I'd explain, but let's get to talking about Wendy!
She's been gearing up for the last dew weeks. She's overcome an additional illness, and she's been able to graduate from walking laps to doing stairs!!! Wendy and Randy even got to go on a date to the First floor and Wendy got to walk outside and breathe some free fresh air!
It's been kind of a mad dash the last few days. The occupational therapists and people came to check out the apartment that Randy and the girls have been living in and decided that it would be too difficult for Wendy to maneuver, so their social worker found them actually a nicer place, which they will be moving into tomorrow with Wendy and a large load of equipment that Randy has to become proficient in using very quickly. I bet he's wishing his degree was in nursing about now, but there have been a steady stream of awesome visitors up there to help, you guys are amazing!!
Wendy's not going to have any of her own things there, so I thought it would be nice if any of you who have pictures or little sayings, or anything that might remind Wendy of home that they could keep in their apartment, then it would be a good time to send those up. If you have pictures on your computer, then you can even upload them to a service like shutterfly.com and just have them mailed directly. I'm sure that their apartment isn't very large, so small items would be best. You could also talk to the family and see if anyone is going up to send something with them to help their apartment feel more like home.
Tiffany also told me that Now would be the time if any of you have been considering getting tested to see if you are a match to donate bone marrow to Wendy. The family has been tested, and they have found some initial matches, but we want to be sure that anyone eligible is available when the time comes.
If you are in the US, then click here to go to the site to learn how to be listed as a Bone Marrow Donor
If you are in Canada, then click this link to learn how to be a listed as a Bone Marrow Donor (note: it may not look like you're in the right place at first, just scroll down a little)
As always, thank you for all of your Well Wishes for Wendy!!
She's been gearing up for the last dew weeks. She's overcome an additional illness, and she's been able to graduate from walking laps to doing stairs!!! Wendy and Randy even got to go on a date to the First floor and Wendy got to walk outside and breathe some free fresh air!
It's been kind of a mad dash the last few days. The occupational therapists and people came to check out the apartment that Randy and the girls have been living in and decided that it would be too difficult for Wendy to maneuver, so their social worker found them actually a nicer place, which they will be moving into tomorrow with Wendy and a large load of equipment that Randy has to become proficient in using very quickly. I bet he's wishing his degree was in nursing about now, but there have been a steady stream of awesome visitors up there to help, you guys are amazing!!
Wendy's not going to have any of her own things there, so I thought it would be nice if any of you who have pictures or little sayings, or anything that might remind Wendy of home that they could keep in their apartment, then it would be a good time to send those up. If you have pictures on your computer, then you can even upload them to a service like shutterfly.com and just have them mailed directly. I'm sure that their apartment isn't very large, so small items would be best. You could also talk to the family and see if anyone is going up to send something with them to help their apartment feel more like home.
Tiffany also told me that Now would be the time if any of you have been considering getting tested to see if you are a match to donate bone marrow to Wendy. The family has been tested, and they have found some initial matches, but we want to be sure that anyone eligible is available when the time comes.
If you are in the US, then click here to go to the site to learn how to be listed as a Bone Marrow Donor
If you are in Canada, then click this link to learn how to be a listed as a Bone Marrow Donor (note: it may not look like you're in the right place at first, just scroll down a little)
As always, thank you for all of your Well Wishes for Wendy!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Jan 18, 20, & 21st - Second Round Down, and Fighting Like A Champion
Jan 18th from Randy "I should take an opportunity to recognize a few special people who have
spent a lot of their time making sure Wendy has been pampered and taken
care of in general. Alex, Suzanna and Jackie have been working tirelessly cooking
meal after meal to replace the unpalatable sludge that arrives 3 times a
day. Combined with visits from her good friends, it really has been a nice few
days. Alex, Todd, Jackie, Trish and Ashley all made it safely back to
Oregon."
January 19th I don't have an update for, but it seems things where pretty quiet for a couple of days, which is great. I think the old adage 'No News Is Good News' applies to the 19th.
Jan 20th from Randy "Timing. Sometimes I wonder about the concept of timing. It's so important in almost everything we do, and so often out of our control. Being sick right now is the worst of bad timing. I haven't seen Wendy in 3 days while her white blood cell count drops. Unfortunately I've been sick again and have less to report than normal. Although Wendy's second round of chemo treatment is over and she is at her most vulnerable, she is still getting stronger. Today she did her laps on her own the only one with her was Suzanna. Wendy had a shower and enjoyed the practical jokes of her nurse. I'm hoping to get back up there tomorrow"
Jan 21st from Randy "Wendy started the day with a hearty breakfast and steadfast determination. Of course yesterday's blood transfusion made a big difference for her energy level. She isn't able to stand on her own without a walker yet, but once she gets going, she's going. The highlight of the day was her exercise. She started at 11 this morning with her 3 laps. Then after lunch, at 2, the physiotherapist came in to show Wendy some exercises. She did all kinds of leg lifts and when that was over and her legs were like jelly, she did another 3 laps. The rest of the afternoon has been quiet and relaxing."
January 19th I don't have an update for, but it seems things where pretty quiet for a couple of days, which is great. I think the old adage 'No News Is Good News' applies to the 19th.
Jan 20th from Randy "Timing. Sometimes I wonder about the concept of timing. It's so important in almost everything we do, and so often out of our control. Being sick right now is the worst of bad timing. I haven't seen Wendy in 3 days while her white blood cell count drops. Unfortunately I've been sick again and have less to report than normal. Although Wendy's second round of chemo treatment is over and she is at her most vulnerable, she is still getting stronger. Today she did her laps on her own the only one with her was Suzanna. Wendy had a shower and enjoyed the practical jokes of her nurse. I'm hoping to get back up there tomorrow"
Jan 21st from Randy "Wendy started the day with a hearty breakfast and steadfast determination. Of course yesterday's blood transfusion made a big difference for her energy level. She isn't able to stand on her own without a walker yet, but once she gets going, she's going. The highlight of the day was her exercise. She started at 11 this morning with her 3 laps. Then after lunch, at 2, the physiotherapist came in to show Wendy some exercises. She did all kinds of leg lifts and when that was over and her legs were like jelly, she did another 3 laps. The rest of the afternoon has been quiet and relaxing."
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