Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Life throws another CURVEBALLL.

2014.05.06 and 07

Well, life has a funny way of changing my plans for life:

Tuesday:
Eric is home from school for a second day.


Lab work at 9 am, doctors appointment at 11 am.

That is where the day started to unravel. The doctor asked me how I felt and I was honest. I felt tired, dry mouth and my big toe was infected. Once he took a look at my toe - everything changed and became more stressful.

Plan of action: delay chemo with one week, antibiotics for 10 days, emergency visit to orthopedics to remove said toe nail.

Shit, shit, shit, shit. NOT any of the things I had planned for. 


The removal of the toe nail was painful as all hell even though I had my eyes closed and was given some sort of sedative to calm my crazy nerves. I survived it and was hoping when I got home to have time to rest and reflect.

Got home at 4 p.m. and went in to see Eric. He had been puking all day and could not get up from the bed without my help, he was pale as a ghost, dehydrated and had huge black circles under his eyes. Now I knew all was not right with him.

I had been given strong painkillers so my sister had to drive us right back to the hospital with Eric in the back seat - puking but asking for more water.

We got to emergency room at Astrid Lindgrens Childrens Hospital and Eric could only lay there on the chairs. My foot was killing me so I laid on the other chairs. Once they took us to ask questions and I said the answers, the nurse scooped him up in her arms and ran into the emergency section calling after several doctors.

In less than 5 minutes, the doctor had taken a sample of his blood and tells us he has diabetes. I am in shock. The next half hour is 8 or 9 doctors or nurses pumping stuff into him through both arms, as he was not responding as he should. It was diabetic ketoacidosis. It was a close call. After an hour and a half, we were moved up to the children's intensive care unit so they could start the diabetes protocol to get him back on track. I had called Peter and he was on his way home from London and he arrived at the hospital at 1 a.m. I got home at 2 a.m. and slept for 4 hours.

Today- Wednesday

LIFE is turned upside down! But we are not giving up!


I relieved Peter right after lunch today and spent the next 9 hours with Eric. He is getting better but not exactly how the doctors had hoped. It is a watch and wait and test of the sugars and insulin to get it right.

He will be in the hospital for a week and we as a family will learn how the new reality will be for all of us.

So, I still have cancer, my foot is killing me and I hobble along slowly, chemo is delayed which messes up the moving plans and I am still bald.

The nurses in the ICU loved the chocolate chip cookies that I brought for them today. It was the least I could do for them helping to save my son's life.

LOVED. GRATEFUL. KICKING CANCER'S ASS. KICKING DIABETES ASS. FAMILY.

27 comments:

  1. Anonymous7/5/14

    I have no words to express what I feel for you and the family after reading your latest blog. Stay strong Teresa. Now you just have lots more KICKING to do. Love you. TerryB

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  2. Dearest Teresa, Peter, Eric! That God was with you is evident. That you are all Fighters and there for each other is most incredible. Knowing that each of you went through these harrowing experiences and still you all keep up your spirit shows remarkable courage. We are grateful that your sister, Kris, was there with you, that both of you managed to get Eric back to the ER in time, that Peter was able to be with you, and we are touched and admire the amazing nurse who grabbed Eric and alerted everyone - also the Doctors and Nurses who worked on Eric. how can we ever thank all of you for making the day end better than anyone hoped. Teresa, our writings each day helps to remind me to keep life in perspective, Hugs to You, Eric, Peter and Kris - M&D

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  3. Anonymous8/5/14

    Whar a terrible experience! Thank God you got to hospital in time for care and treatment. You know faith isn't about being strong but letting yourselve be dependent on Him who is the Rock. Life isn't fair but God is Good. Prayers and love! Petra J

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Petra!!!!!!

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  4. Anonymous8/5/14

    Mycket tråkigt och jobbigt. Behöver du någon hjälp, så säg till.
    Kram Kicki

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  5. Erika Arenborn8/5/14

    I'm speachless. My thoughts are with you guys and you'll overcome these challenges too!
    I hope Eric is feeling much better now and I'm sure he's getting well taken care of. They're fantastic at Astrid Lindgren Hospital.
    I also hope that your toe is healing and that the antibiotics are working for you! Get well soon both of you and lots of hugs!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words. My toe is getting better now. YEA!!!!!!! HUGS HUGS

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  6. Anonymous8/5/14

    Det är tur ändå att det finns så fantastisk hjälp att få i en så här kritisk situation. Det är ju inte självklart i resten av världen. Du klarar även detta! Önskar dig styrka!!/ irre

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    Replies
    1. Tack! Vi är tacksam för den vård han får!!!!!

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  7. Anonymous8/5/14

    Always with you - in bad times and in good! Have talked to Lovisa, she's happy to come and talk with Eric re how Diabetes works for her. She started of with insulin pens but is now using a pump most of the times.
    Hope that your toe is getting better - don't want to think about pulling it of...
    Absolutly love the The Arrow story - I am sure this is the big turn into something new and fantastic for you and the family! You are worth it. I was told earlier in my life during rough times that in the end everything will be faire - so you are in for some really good stuff!! /Clara

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    Replies
    1. Your words warm my heart! HUGS HUGS HUGS

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  8. Så bra att ni åkte in med Eric så fort ni kunde. Symbolen med pilbågen är klockren och det kommer leda till goda saker allt detta och styrka har ni för en hel armé. Tänker på dig och din familj med värme!!!!
    Kramar

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  9. Anonymous8/5/14

    Oh my goodness. How unfair can life be? Thinking of you & your family. Can't imagine how unbelievably strong you must be.

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  10. Anonymous8/5/14

    Jag säger som flera andra - det finns inte ord för det ni nu upplever. Tack och lov för att ni kom in och att någon reagerade omedelbart.
    Nu får ni hjälpas åt att bli "friska" du och Erik. Sänder dig all styrka och kärlek för en god effekt på PC och att Erik stabiliseras snart.
    Bamsekram/Ulla

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    Replies
    1. Hej Ulla, tack för dina ord. Det värmer. KRAM

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  11. Teresa, some things cannot be explained, they just are and we don't have to know the how. I know you are in touch with it and that's what makes your life that arrow. Things happen when we least expect and it's how we tackle them that makes the difference. You are simply amazing! Good grief that toenail-pulling-experience, eew! but you DID it and you DID act on your gut feeling thus saving your son because you listened and acted. The love you have for each other in your family is fantastic, a true gift. xoxoxo

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    1. We are lucky! Thankful for your kind words. HUGS

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  12. Anonymous9/5/14

    Gräsligt att behöva dra ut en tånagel och tråkigt att chemon nu behöver vänta en vecka till. Vad skönt att ni kom in när ni gjorde med Erik. Vad skönt att din syster är på besök. Tänker på er och sänder mer kraft och styrka till er. En sak vore nog men ni är en fantastisk familj som klarar detta också! Kram CR

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  13. Anonymous9/5/14

    Tänker på dig och skickar stora lass styrka och kärlek!

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  14. Sending lots of thoughts to you and your beautiful family! HUGS

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  15. Anonymous26/5/14

    Hej. Tack för de supergoda kakorna. Jag hoppas att både du och Eric mår bättre. Önskar hela er familj lycka och välgång samt en trevlig sommar. Hälsa Eric! The "scooping nurse" Sanna:)

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    1. Hej Sanna, Så roligt att du tyckte om kakorna!!!!! Eric hälsar "Thanks for scooping me up so quickly". Vi är väldigt tacksamma för dig och alla andra personalen på Astrid Lindgrens barnsjukhus akutavdelningen. KRAM till dig!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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