Sunday's update

Today was a busy day. I'm posting a bunch of info in this one post. Happy reading.

I expected Stefan to have visitors this weekend, and he did. Most folks only drop in for a short while, which is what the staff there likes - short visits. Myself, I'm guilty of not staying for just "a short while" - but I keep trying to stick around to talk to his oncologist... haven't succeeded yet. Stefan's list of visitors includes: Andy & Halina Bury, Wladzia Kwiatkowska; Bruno & Diane Maca; Hela Maca; Heniek & Teresa Juszczyk; Basia & Pete & Pierre Radlowski; Steve & Karen, Maddie & Stefciu Maca; Jon & Suzia, Ela, Julia & Stefciu Koivun. And of course, Daniella - though technically, she's less of a visitor and more of an overnight guest of Stefan's!

Travel time to NMH is about an hour from our house but the whole round trip takes about 4 hours, since I usually try to take Daniella out of the room to eat something. She has been strong, and she knows she has to eat to stay strong. But she needs to get out of the room and get her mind off Stefan and his journey fighting this. My Stevie is a good distraction for her, since he comes with me when I visit. Maddie, Stevie M., Ela and Julia are also good distractions. Stefan got to see all 5 kids briefly today (he also saw Maddie and both Stevies on Friday). It was good for Dziadzia to see his grandkids, and it was good for B-Baba to get to talk with her 5 favorite little people. I've got some pictures of Stefan smiling when his grandkids were in the room. I will get them posted here in a bit... I have to download them from the camera, which I'm too lazy to get up and get right this minute.

Stefan looked a bit tired today. He said he's starting to feel that side effect of the chemo. Doctors said he'll really be feeling wiped out at the end of this first week of chemo, and the toll on his energy levels is starting to show. I love sharing positive news, and have some to share today. When I saw Stefan on Friday, he still had the ever-present tubing in his nose for his oxygen. Today - no tubes! The doctor said his oxygenation and respiration are very good and strong, and that he doesn't need to be on oxygen full-time anymore! Yay! Which is good, because that means even with all the chemo bombardment, the antibiotics have helped him fight the pneumonia that had him breathing hard last week. So though he's feeling weaker, there are parts of him that are stubborn enough to be getting stronger. Another positive... the window blinds were fully open today. Good, because last week he was saying that his eyes were sensitive to brightness [windows and lights too]. Daniella said over the weekend, he's asked to have the blinds open. He was also a bit more feisty this morning, according to Daniella, and was nagging at her for being overly fussy (about pillows, blankets, getting him washed up, etc). He was conversational (but grumpy too). He was also observant, showing particular interest in the spiders that have webs on the outside of the windows on the building, and marveling that they survive up on the 15th floor. He also spoke with surprise of seeing butterflies outside his window when I spoke to him Saturday morning. I drew a butterfly for him and took it to his room today, so he can look at it and think happy thoughts. I don't know what color butterflies he saw, but the one I drew is - what else? - orange!

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Thank you to all who have sent along information about the various websites relating to leukemia. The general idea behind the wristbands is to bring about awareness, to show your support, and to donate to charities.

Whether you wear a "Relentless" red wristband to bring about awareness of all blood cancers, and with it the message to be relentless in the fight against them... Or if you choose to wear an orange wristband, with whatever message you choose on it... Or wear BOTH wristbands together... However you choose, by wearing the wristbands you are showing your support and bringing about awareness for leukemia. I'm sure wearing both will have even more folks what cause you're supporting! Thank you, whatever path you follow.

Janette - Thank you for taking it upon yourself and getting the "Relentless" red wristbands! And you're wrong if you think we won't be wearing them here! Even with the orange ones - it will remind us all to be relentless! Steve and Karen said they also would wear both red and orange, so I'll be getting in touch with you to see about getting a dozen of those "Relentless" red wristbands sent up our way!

I can't say Thanks enough... my time online has been sparse and limited this past week (compared with how much time I usually putz around a week on the internet). I've found bits and pieces - clipart that I've posted, the link to the orange wristbands. Most of my net surfing time has been spent finding info on AML - M2 leukemia, reading it, printing it for Mama. Any other time on the computer, I'm posting updates on the blog, printing posts/comments from the blog as well as emails for Daniella and Stefan so I could take to them. And that's about all there's been time for on the computer... I saw him every day except Wednesday (when he waited all day long to be transferred), and the travel times took up a good part of the day. Not that I'll ever complain about having to go downtown to see him - he's at a great hospital, getting top-notch care. It'll be an adventure of sorts, having to drive into downtown Chicago to see him for the next few weeks. I never drove far when I was working, and though traffic is a nightmare, I did always sort of envy folks who work downtown. It's just a different way of life, working - or even living! - downtown Chicago. So, for the time being, I'll enjoy my drive down there, and take a peek at the sites as I drive. I like going up Michigan Avenue, seeing the people, the stores, and Millenium Park. Stefciu has come to recognize landmarks down there too. Though I will never understand why this happened to my dad, and because it isn't worth the energy to ask "why?" - I will always be thankful that it happened in a season of the year that is easy on those of us traveling to see him. The hot heat of summer has passed us (hopefully?), and we're not fighting snow, slush, ice and stinging cold winds of winter. It's a nice day for a drive these days, and the weather isn't horrible (especially since Chicago has many days of horrible weather!). So when I wake up and am not feeling particularly positive about this whole situation, that little fact sheds some sunlight on my mood. Which I'm also thankful for, because I can't go to see my dad with a negative attitude - it won't do any good to have my negative vibes rubbing off on him. He's got a positive attitude, and he knows he IS going to beat this. And I don't want to do anything to take that away from him. There is great power in positive thinking.

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All right... thanks for letting me ramble. It's been a long day. I need to go rest up, because this week will still be hard, though a bit easier than last week. Thank you again for your support, and for all your happy, positive thoughts! In closing, I will just pass along that both Stefan and Daniella were very moved and brought to tears upon reading your words and prayers. I don't care if it makes them cry, keep those wonderful thoughts coming and I'll keep printing them and passing them along! There is strength in numbers, and we all are keeping them very strong! Good night all. I'll pass along updates again tomorrow. -SMK