A Message from Sylvia

Dear Friends and Family,

Just a note to let you how I am coming along. All the tests are proving that my Leukemia is in remission and so far no more mouth sores. I came home from UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital last Friday evening. I'm still here at Vickie's house. I'm now able to walk around the house with my walker but I'm still very weak after four weeks in the hospital. My doctor told me that going into remission after only one round of chemotherapy, I was, in his words, "one lucky lady", but I know how many of you have been praying for me. Thank you for the many cards and expressions of concern. I have started two weeks of maintenance chemotherapy. Then I should be through. It has been a blessing hearing from you.

Love,
Sylvia

Treatment.

After continuing to experience some setbacks during the week, Sylvia went back into the hospital over the weekend. Her energy was draining and some of her sores had gotten worse. The good news is that her vitals and blood look great. There was, however, some concern that she would not be able to start the cancer treatments on Monday but, thankfully, she did. She had her first dose of chemotherapy on Monday night. She will have two weeks of, twice a day, shots and then have her bone marrow tested to see how she is responding to it. Please pray the test comes back showing that her white blood cells counts are holding and that the bone marrow has not gotten worse. That is the minimum required for her to be able to stay in this clinical trial she currently participating in. This is the time that she needs your prayers and support the most.

Reading all of her cards and letters are her favorite time of the day. Keep 'em coming. Also, she gets much pleasure from looking at photographs of family and friends. If you have any that you think she would enjoy please pass them along. She is trying to respond as much as she can. Her mail can still be sent to Vickie house.
Thank you for the love and care you all have shown to our beloved matriarch.

Home Again.

Sylvia was released from UCLA Hospital on Tuesday so that she could keep her appointment with the oncologist that morning. It was determined that traditional Chemotherapy may not be the best option for her. Instead, she may participate in a clinical trial. She is having some tests done on Friday morning to determine the final treatment plan. She is still having some issues with her digestion and the sores on her mouth, but her overall health is improving. She is proud to say, in her words, that she no longer walks like a bow-legged cow. She is regaining her strength daily.

Again, she is awed by the amount of love she is receiving. She now knows, without a shadow of a doubt, how important she is to so many. Thank you for the overwhelming show of love. We truly believe in the power of prayer and that God will give her the strength that she needs through the love and support of her friends and family.

A Snafu, a Thank You and a Move.

Sorry for the delayed update. It felt as though we were in a perpetual state of limbo so I wanted to wait to report until our dilemma was solved. Although Sylvia's Oncologist had asked for a transfer to UCLA, she simply wasn't sick enough to be given a bed there anytime soon as they are so 'impacted' with beds in high demand from all over the area. So, it seemed, she was just going to be released from Downey Community even though her infections are not fully healed. Sylvia was very concerned about that, knowing that it is critical that she continue to receive full-time medical care so that her symptoms do not reoccur as they did previously. After some very fancy footwork and help from friends, Debi found a new GP through UCLA. In the first phone call to Dr. Susan Charette's office they offered to transfer Sylvia to the brand new UCLA geriatric facility in Santa Monica where they had beds open! In Debi's words, it seemed "to good to be true". But, she made the move last night by ambulance. Vickie and Bruce accompanied her and said that her room is beautiful, quiet, and state of the art. She is very tired this morning because of the transfer and a multitude of tests that were done upon intake last night. However, when she has more energy, we are sure she will be walking up and down the halls with assistance as she had been doing at Downey Hospital. At UCLA she will be under excellent daily care for her health issues, and will also be provided close access to the world-class medical specialists that will heal her.

After two weeks of constant dedication and care, Cathy had to make her way home last Sunday. She was truly extraordinary , spending day and night taking care of her mother. We all appreciate the sacrifice her and her family made so that she could spend this time with Sylvia. Thank you Cathy. We miss your presence here.

Go Big Red!!

Today was good. Sylvia's fever and stomach ulcers are gone and she has been getting out of the bed and sitting in her chair. She was not transferred to UCLA today, maybe tomorrow. She did, however, watch college football and ask about the Nebraska game. They won. Go Cornhuskers!!! She mentioned her desire to attend the next local Nebraska game. As most of you know, nothing can come between Sylvia & her Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Sylvia truly enjoys reading each and every card that she gets. They are all so beautiful and uplifting. They keep her connected with all of her family and friends. If you would like her to get your cards sooner you can send them to her daughter Vickie's house. If you need her address, please email me at gabrielle.beauvais@gmail.com. I will gladly forward it to you.
Also, if you did not receive the blog announcement email from me directly, it is because I do not have your email address. Please, take a moment and send it to me at the above address. Thanks!

Good Things are Happening.

As of last night, Sylvia had a blood transfusions and was feeling much perkier. She had a nice visit with Charles and Esther. She ate most of the piece of custard pie they brought her and even felt good enough to make fun of Debi. She promptly kicked us out at 8:45pm so she could go to bed. It was a good night.
Today, she had an appointment with the top geriatric oncologist in the LA area, Dr. Gary Schiller at UCLA. She wasn't able to make it, as she was enjoying a visit from her sister Alta, so Debi and Bruce went in her place. He agreed to take her on as a patient and made a personal call asking for a bed for her at UCLA. This is great news. We are expecting that she will make the move either sometime tonight or tomorrow. We are very hopeful.

August

As I'm sure you know, shortly after a wonderful trip to Nebraska for a family reunion, Sylvia was admitted to the hospital with severe mouth sores. After some initial blood tests showed abnormal white blood cell counts, a bone marrow test was done. The result was not good news. She has Myelodysplastic. As her health started to improve, she was released with orders to return in three weeks to start treatment. Though her spirits were high, her health did not continue to progress as we had hoped. Last Friday, she was admitted to Downey Hospital where she has stayed. They have been wonderful to her there and we are happy that she is getting the constant care that she needs. Cathy, Vickie, and Debi have been with her day and night. She has pictures of her family all over the wall along with the cards all of you have sent. She feels blessed to have so many people that love and care about her and privileged to have so many prayers being said on her behalf.