And so it begins...Days 1 and 2

Background

Well what turned out as a relatively normal Friday for the Maynard (and Snell) families turned into something quite abnormal. July 11th, 2008 was the day that at 8 AM Mom (Cathi) was eating IHOP with Grandma and Grandpa Snell (Jane and Virgil), Walt Snell (brother), and Stan White. Stan just happened to be at the restaurant when everyone got there, but joined them for breakfast. By 10 AM, the call had come and the day would forever be changed.

Then Dr. Davidner called with the news. 'Cathi it's leukemia...I'm referring you to a colleague of mine at KU...he'll be calling you.' Mom actually had a bone marrow biopsy the day before after some random bruises began to appear and her feet were swelling a bit when she sat down. Now on this call there was no mention of the type or next steps...

First it was calling the family quickly before getting in touch with Peggy Morgan, who was the designated 'babysitter' for Mom that day. Peggy actually did her best hithchiking and got a ride home from a long run to be with Mom. Some of you got emails in this timeframe as she began digesting the news. Then the other shoe dropped...

The colleague (whom Mom thought she would be making an appointment to see the following day, week, etc) called. Dr. Abhyankar said, 'come to the hospital right now, to room 4102. Don't stop and register...come straight up to the room.' Needless to say at this point things were moving quickly.

Purpose

So I think that's enough background on the chaos of the last 36+ hours as I start this blog. It's been quite a ride - one that none of us will ever forget. The reason we wanted to start this blog though was for mom and / or other caretakers to write how she was doing, post pictures, etc. for all the wonderful family and friends who have been emailing kind (and funny - she really digs funny) notes and anyone else that may wonder about her status.

She LOVES getting the notes so please post your comments on here as often as possible. She'll need them for the continued encouragement as we move forward. It's simply become too overwhelming to reply to them all as much as she wants to. I honestly know it's because she has THAT MANY people who truly care about her. We all owe her something I suppose, and it seems so easy to give thoughts, prayers, encouragement, and funny notes as she really begins this battle with the biggest, baddest blood disorder of them all. Oh she's trained with some of the other things like anemia, etc. But Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the big leagues.

So onto the updates:

Day 1

I hit on most of it, but she got to the hospital, learned it was AML, got a review of current status, an overview on the treatment approach, and started chemotherapy about 11 PM - chemotherapy that's to extend for 28 days. For those wondering, we're expecting bandanas to arrive in the 3rd week. Then it's onto 'house arrest' as Mom calls it where she'll need a daily babysitter again while awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

They allowed a virtual 'party' as Mom said in her room until the chemo started. Now it's 2 @ a time. The room's in a section of KU Med that houses sanitary rooms. For those that do not know nor have seen one firsthand, there are vapor lock doors to enter with a sanitizing station in between. One set does not open until the other's closed. And it requires a phone call to get the 2nd set open. My only gripe with it is there are zero bathrooms for visitors on this side of the doors!

Oh - this is probably the best time to let everyone know she CANNOT HAVE FLOWERS. Thanks for those that have already sent them...they're decorating the lobby very nicely right now. We did capture pictures of them to show her and brought the cards inside. Balloons are most common gift people receive in this unit although things that are pre-packaged are acceptable too. Or feel free to send a simple card to:

The University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd
Room 4102 c/o Cathi Maynard
Kansas City, KS 66160

She was awake until about 1 AM...quite a day that flew by much faster than anyone could imagine. Janice Schlicting (sister) stayed with her that night, but almost all of her siblings, several close friends, and Mark, Annie, and me all were in at some point. The challenge with sleeping on Day 1 was they needed to check vital signs every 30 minutes b/c she was receiving red blood cells due to an extremely low count.

Day 2 (today)

The other doctor, Dr. Ganguly, started on Day 2 and will be with us through the balance of the first to weeks. We found out today that there's a chance she'll be here for 35 days now instead of 28. This adding 7 days at a time thing feels very similar to a Chiefs game!

Chemo continues, and Mom's definitely tired. She saw a lot of additional family and friends today before really tuckering out. She requested an ambien tonight to ensure she sleeps through as there will be no 30-minute check routine again.

Today we also dressed up the room a bit. The Elvis clock is on the wall, there's an Elvis 'bobble body' doll that moves at the waist, digital picture frame, yoga mat, and a motivational poem she has entitled 'That Woman is a Success'. Mark also brought her a mini, stuffed Hayward. These have all really gone a long way to making her comfortable. Grandma and Mari (sister) also went to purchase some additional 'knickers' (pajama pants to most of us )

And with that...I'm going to bed. More later!