Skip to content
Menu
Planet Stahl
  • Home
  • Candidate Stahl
Planet Stahl

St Jude – A week with Julie and Carla

Posted on December 17, 2022
Send in the cavalry

I have been getting a lot of texts and messages wanting to know how Summer’s tests have gone and a general idea of “what’s up”?  Summer was left in the capable arms of my Mom and her sister Carla as of last Sunday.  This was the first time visit for Carla, but the second go-round (at least) for my Mom.  I was never worried.

As I mentioned in the last post, Summer did have some extensive tests this week after a small Chemotherapy treatment midweek.  She had her MRI Wednesday, and on Friday had a very delayed Lumbar Puncture procedure.  The MRI results came back clean.  That’s always a relief, but the fluid from her spine is the test I want to hear about.  If everything had been on schedule…  I think she might have seen some results from the lumbar before the weekend.  As it was, the 11:30 appointment on Friday drug out till later in the afternoon…  The procedure was done late in the day and I think she will be waiting for an interpretation of the results next week.

Summer’s weight is holding steady and she texted me earlier in the week to rub my nose in it.  I told her last week that I knew what she was getting for Christmas…  She asked what it was.  “A feeding tube,” I said.  When we visited with dietary on my last week, Summer confided that she was taking 1 appetite stimulant a day instead of 3 like she is supposed to.  You can’t do that and then act shocked if you lose weight.  I know she was at least doubling up, but I want to see her take them all.  It’s a matter of how they make her feel, otherwise this would be a non-issue.

Summer did see Dr. Gajjar twice this week.  He looked at her numbers later in the week and said she was clear to go to Carbondale for the weekend if she wanted.  Surprisingly…  Summer just wanted a few hours in her college home base to spare the risk of getting any the number of viruses or diseases that are going around.  Mom and Carla will drop her off Saturday morning and then Aiden and Alex will pick her up a few hours later to take her back to Target House.

Everyone and I mean everyone, has been nervous about how Aiden, Alex, and Summer will get on over the next few days.   I talked to both the boys this morning about Summer’s reservations about their “caregiving”.  They both acted like they have heard this from 1000 people over the last week.  I am confident that they will do whatever is needed while in Memphis.  Just in case… Nate is taking the train down on Tuesday to spend the rest of the week with Summer before she gets the word that she can come home.

If everything goes to plan…  Summer’s numbers will be good enough to travel back to Tremont on Christmas weekend.  I don’t think we have had her home in months.  Which, honestly is not unexpected.  We do live 6 hours away and most St. Jude patients do not have the ambitious travel schedules we keep.  It’s also a big plus that Peoria and the St. Jude affiliate is in our backyard if it was needed.

Thanks for all the prayers, shares, and thoughts.  I have been back to work for a week and have been overrun with folks concerned about Summer’s condition and treatment.  I know for a fact that she has no idea how many people are praying and thinking about her.  It’s not even fathomable to me sometimes.  Thank you!

Post from Mom to wrap up this week:

Oh, and if you feel like sending a note after reading Mom’s post…  Here is the address again.

Tweet

Related

1 thought on “St Jude – A week with Julie and Carla”

  1. Linda L Robinson says:
    December 17, 2022 at 2:53 pm

    Summer, your little brother (and Alex) are on the way to Memphis for their “caregiving” assignment with you this next week. No, not the other way around! But I am sure you will love giving him instructions on getting around the St. Jude campus. Have fun, and I baked brownies for you all to munch on. Love you!!!

Comments are closed.

Archives

click here to help
Eric Stahl

Twitter

Tweets by Planetstahl

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • June 2015
  • January 2015
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • February 2013
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • November 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • January 2006
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • September 2001
  • May 2001
  • April 2001
  • March 2001
  • February 2001
  • January 2001
  • December 2000
  • November 2000
  • October 2000
  • September 2000
  • August 2000
  • February 2000
  • November 1999

Planet Stahl on Twitter

Tweets by planetstahl
  • Cancer
  • Candidate Stahl
  • Digital Divide
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Health
  • History
  • Home Improvement
  • Libertarian
  • Local News
  • Music
  • Pets
  • Social Commentary
  • St. Jude
  • Throwin' Wrenches
  • Trail Team
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Work
Eric Stahl

©2023 Planet Stahl | WordPress Theme by Superb WordPress Themes