I took Jo to the hospital this morning at 7:15am. Since she was going to be sedated for her bone marrow biopsy, she was not allowed to drive herself to the hospital or back home. Her procedure was set to begin at 9:00am. Even thought she had gotten extra platelets yesterday, she needed more and everything was delayed.
It takes a couple of hours to have blood prepared for a transfusion, so things didn’t really get rolling until about noon. Again, today’s goal was to use a CT Scan to get a needle into a very specific spot in Jo’s hip and take a sample of the bone marrow. According to the doctor, the spot is about the size of a golf ball.
Jo was very relieved to find out she was going to be sedated. This was her fourth bone marrow biopsy and fortunately only one was without the aid of sedation. Jo said the worst (and funniest) part about today was when the nurse asked the doctor, “Are you going to need a mallet?” His response was, “No, but I will take a stepstool.”
Thank heaven for sedation. Jo remembers seeing the doctor up on the stepstool, banging away with his fist on the needle trying to get it through her bone and she remembers carrying on a conversation with him, but as for pain – nothing significant. She’s pretty sore tonight, but how could she not be? Do you remember Billy Crystal on Saturday Night Live contemplating stuffing a meat thermometer in his ear and pounding it with a ball-peen hammer? "I hate it when that happens."
The procedure took about an hour. The doctor and the nurses would push the needle in a little and then run to the other room to look at the CT scan to see if the needle was headed in the right direction. The end result was 3 half-inch long little red worms that were apparently bone marrow. The doctor seemed very proud.
The results of this test will not be given to us until sometime next week. Jo is scheduled to see Dr. Alvarez next Wednesday and I am sure we will get a full report.
5 comments:
Hi Jo, Tim, and Anna,
This is Lisa from Colorado Springs,
I'm a line dancer and met two of you. Just wanted to thank you for keeping us all up to date and for the smiles you bring to me. I am keeping each of you in my prayers and heart along with sending my love. I hear Tim might teach a session or two at the Pikes Peak Line Dance Event come April. Jo, you might want to start preparing Anna so she can help out!
Love, Lisa Beaudette
Logged on after reading Linedancer magazine. I'm near Liverpool in the UK. So impressed with your positive outlook. Keep going strong! Love Kath B
Dear Tim and Jo:
I know that the results will be in your favour. Keep a postive attitude and let God do the rest. Big hug and kiss for Anna.
All my love and prayers
Donna White, Ottawa Canada
Thank you Tim for keeping us all informed. Poor Jo, she is being so brave. Fingers crossed for you all about the outcome of today's procedure.
Hugs Jo...I am praying for you...I hope to hear from you soon as I am trying very hard to contact you now that I have found you again. I hope you remember your first dance teacher. Judy Ann
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