Happy news! We received a phone call at 10 am this morning from Jay who told us that he gets to come home tomorrow!! Thank the maker that our fabulous cleaning crew had been in over the weekend! In preparation for his grand return, Sean and Colleen tackled the final frontier of cleaning - the dreaded refrigerator. We very nearly took pictures to post to the blog but decided we didn't want to be judged poorly on our refrigerator habits.
Thanks to all for their support throughout Jay's hospital stay. He will be continuing chemotherapy treatment throughout the fall so continue to send your prayers and good thoughts his way. Also, in a few days, look for Jay's inaugural post to his blog. It will be more fun than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!
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Information about Jay's treatment
Really want to send flowers? Read me first!!
Because of the risk of infection, Jay cannot receive flowers or plants and asks that you consider donating blood in his name instead. It's easy, painless and you get free cookies!! If you're in the South Bend area contact the South Bend medical center. If you're anywhere else, contact your local Red Cross for dontation times and places.
Got Questions?
Send an email to:
sean.fitzpatrick@mail.wvu.edu
sean.fitzpatrick@mail.wvu.edu
The 411
Over the past few weeks Jay was noticing that he was short of breath, and he was having trouble working-out at his usual pace. After a trip to West Virginia to visit Sean, Jay read an article in “Parade Magazine” that listed 10 symptoms that require immediate doctor’s attention, one of which was shortness of breath. He went to his family physician that week, who ordered a chest x-ray and blood work since he thought it was pneumonia. A few days later the doctor called back with the blood work, and said that Jay needed to see a hematologist since he was anemic. Before picking up Dianne from her routine Thursday chemotherapy appointment, Jay made a meeting with the hematologist. The hematologist, Dr. Ansari, took more blood, ran blood marrow test, and ordered 2 units of blood. Dr. Ansari thought that Jay had a blood disease called MSD. He was also told to get a CAT-scan on Monday. The results of the marrow test came back Wednesday morning, at which time Jay was told to immediately go into the hospital because he had leukemia. Jay was in the hospital for three weeks. He spent the first 7 days receiving continuous chemotherapy and stayed for an additional two weeks since his risk of infection is so great. Over the next three months Jay will be going back to the hospital once a month for a five day stay for more chemotherapy. The oncology team will repeatedly raise his blood cells counts then knock them back down with chemotherapy in the hopes of strengthening his blood production.
2 comments:
Congratulations Jay! What wonderful news for you and the family! Bob and I will try to come up with some hair solutions for you. Although, Bob may keep them all to himself!
We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Hello Fitzpatricks! Mother told me about this blog so I was excited to stop by and offer my warm wishes for continued healing. Welcome home Jay!
You are in the Jackson family prayers! As far as hair solutions, I wouldn't do a thing. I hear that bald is the new pony tail for aging baby boomers! ;-)
Blessings! Moira Conley-Jackson
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