A lesson in blogging!

Over the past few weeks so many of you have mentioned reading and keeping up with this blog.  I am so grateful for all of you keeping up with all of this!  I almost always end this conversation with you mentioning that you should "comment" on Jeff's blog!  So many of you look at me with blank eyes, or sometimes even fear!  I am realizing many of you don't know how to comment!

Believe me, I had no idea what a blog was or why anyone would waste their time on one when I first heard of them a couple of years ago!  Why wouldn't you just email???  I was very confused.  I have come to understand the value of The Blog and I am now so grateful for this forum.

Anyway, if you take the time to read this post, or any in the future from Jeff, please take an extra couple of seconds to say "hi" in the comments area.  It really, really, really entertains Jeff and he is going to need all the entertainment he can get over the next few weeks!

So, here are the instructions for leaving a little note for Jeff.  At the end of each post you will see a line that looks like this:

Posted at 01:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

To leave a comment, click on Comments, enter your name and email address (will not be sold to advertisers), leave a quick note, then click on Post.  You will then be asked to enter a code to finally post the comment.  All this does is tell The Blog you are not an automatic robot leaving nasty comments on The Blog.  (We can have another lesson on what that means in a future blog :))

So, update on Jeff:

This has been his best day ever!  Well, it seems like it to him.  He has been completely removed from his pain med drip and is in little or no mouth pain.  He was able to break his fever on his own....very big deal....and has kept his temperature normal for the last 24 hours. 

He has been a little on edge all day...probably due to being on morphine for almost a week and has been in a constant sweat (known as an engrafting fever..not sure if i spelled that right).  Means he is a bit feverish while his cells grow and take root. 

He had 4 neutraphils (again...spelling) this AM and had 440 a few hours later.  These big changes in his white cell counts are why he is feeling so much better.

This last week has been the hardest thing either one of us has ever experienced.  Absolutely unreal.  He is a real trooper though and is doing his best to stay positive through all of it.  He amazes me.  We are both probably still in shock and probably will be for awhile...but we are both so glad to be on the other side of this whole procedure.  While the next few weeks will be draining...we are so, so, so grateful to be healing as opposed to waiting for another chemo!  We are very content knowing he will never, ever, ever need another dose of chemo...EVER!

Thanks again to all of you! M

Today's pic: Jeff's favorite and pretty much only food for the past week!  From what we hear, many patients can't eat on their own when the mouthsores get really bad.  Jeff was able to suck down these shakes all week and now it is all that sounds good to him.  Still no real appetite or taste buds...kindof have to push him to eat....

Comments

[Tamara Baker]

This is such AWESOME news! I am so thrilled to hear how you're healing so well! God is so good! Way to hang in there--both of you, I can't even imagine how tough both your roles have been. We're thinking of you and praying for you all the time. God is helping you beat this! Love you both so much!

[Lisa Tibbetts]

Hey Jeff and Melissa, I appreciate the lesson in blogging and agree with how great they are. I check on you every day! Thought I would share another blog with you. Vicky Smith's 3 month old son just went through heart surgery. And is doing great. It is really special to be able to be with you every step of the way through this blog. Jeff I am so glad you are feeling better! Hang in there!
Vicky's Blog: SageJarasMills
http://www.carepages.com/ServeCarePage?cpn=SageJarasMills&ipc=pinviteemailtemplate

[Jules - Freedom]

Jeff, there's a new drug for you to try when you're back up to speed: Crystal Fran, so named by BTB, aka yesterday's WOD. I couldn't even do it RXed and it spanked me. To see some of the hardcore peeps rolling through it...you would have had a big old smile on your face.

Platelet party in the form of me, Amber and Carter coming your way on Saturday...no, we're not doing it just for the margaritas at FROGS...well, maybe Carter is...

Great to hear of this PROGRESS! Thinking about you both...

[Carolyn]

Tremendous news!!!!! Im new to this whole blogging world, so nice refresher course Melissa. Glad you are on the mend!!!!! This is the 1st website I check everymorning to see your progress! :)

[Scott G.]

Yo Jeff & Melissa,
glad to hear you're on the upswing! I too have been really impressed with both of you as you go through this tough process. I just tried to make a reservation to donate platelets on Sat. the 23rd (a week & half out) and they're already booked solid - which is good news for you and the other folks who need 'em. So I booked time on Friday. I'm sure I'll see more familiar faces while I'm there.
Now Jeff - it's time to start chomping on solid food. Make it a challenge - 4 Krystals for time - GO!

[Jess]

J & M - SOO glad to hear it! You 2 are a regular topic of conversation for Ken and I and we are looking to schedule my platelet party in the next week or so. Too bad about Ken having Mad Cow and all...foreigners...;)

Buckhead BC is going really well and we definitely have some contenders for the challenge this month. I think that Pam might explode if we take 1st place ;) we will definitely do our best for her.

Again, I'm so happy to hear that you already have so much of this behind you. Jeff, you are a force of nature and we can't wait to have you and Melissa back full time.

Sending good vibes to you today and everyday.

Thanks for the regular updates - they are great!!

[Paige-Decatur]

Jeff and Melissa, you have been on my mind and in my thoughts LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE DAY, and I'm so so SO glad that you are coming thru to the other side of this process... now, as you said, you can focus on the healing versus the waiting. Believe me, I know that's huge. I look forward to celebrating for and with you when you return.

[LaurenW]

Hey Jeff and Melissa, that was a good idea to let folks know that they should post to the blog! As an "early adopter" I sometimes get worried that you will get bored seeing my same old goofy messages, but when I think back to my mom's ordeal with breast cancer, I remember that one can never have too many well wishes.

Melissa, it was GREAT to see you at Freedom yesterday and we're so glad the neutraphils are on the increase! Have you had a massage lately? Can we watch Jeff from outside your living room window while you go get one? (Okay, that may not be a reasonable offer, I understand if you don't take us up on it.)

I have every Muppets Show that's available on DVD. Someone explodes in every episode so it might be a good way to prepare in case Buckhead wins the challenge. Want to borrow them? (you can send me a personal email instead if you don't want your tough guy friends to know you're watching the Muppets...)

BIG BIG HUGS AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR STAYING THE COURSE, FINISH THE DRILL BUDDY, WE ARE ROOTING FOR YOU!!!

[amber-freedom]

hi jeff and melissa! so glad you are on the up swing! platelet party comin to ya on saturday! enjoy that pump ;) maybe they'll send it home with ya!

[Bo Wilkins/Shannon]

Jeff, glad you had a good day yesterday. You remain in our thoughts and prayers. I look forward to seeing you soon!! Love, Shannon

[melissa]

Hey everyone! thanks for all the comments! Jeff was released from the hospital yesterday and is back to his regular clinic routine today. He is here pretty much every day for 6 hours getting fluids, blood, platelets and anything else he needs. He is feeling so much better now...thank goodness. Thanks as always for all your support!

[melissa]

And yes...I think most of us over 30 are still learning about The Blog thing! and we should not be ashamed! I thought Blogs were so silly I almost refused to put one on the BTB site. those of you familiar with BTB, can you imagine it without a Blog?! I know!

Thank goodness for the girls at Goods For You who gently forced me to add one! For those of you just learning about Blogs, welcome and be warned: Blogs are addictive.

[Steven - Piedmont PM]

I'm so glad to hear that Jeff was released from the hospital. I didn't know about this blog or else I would have commented sooner. I've filled my wife in on the story, and both of you are definitely in our thoughts. We look forward to hearing about your continued progress.

[Freedom Sara]

So glad to see this! I was wondering how you were doing. Not the same without you guys around. I think of you every time I do GHDs:) I really admire the strength of both of you.
I'm going to give platelets as soon as the antibiotic is out of my system and the cough/running nose is completely gone. Wouldn't you know that I got sick as a dog 2 days before my appt...

[Jilly G]

Jeff - great to have you "home" even if we can't see you just yet! It's so great to be able to read your progress nearly real-time and get the full update on how you're doing.

JWOD's are going strong over here and we're thrilled to be at Day "80"!! Keep getting stronger and we'll have you challenging us from your house, I imagine?

Dave & I are trying for our own Platlet party mid next week, but I think they're going to turn me down with a big solid "no"... I'll try anyway!! Regardless, you'll be able to get some of Dave's ridiculous CF Mo-Jo "Cindy's" and "30 MU's" in the form of platelets. We're thinking of you lots!

[Jules - Freedom]

I'm betting you've never been happier to hear the constant sound of cars driving over the metal plates on Briarcliff!

So glad you're home and feeling way better. Here's to more good days ahead!

[Joshua]

Jeff & Melissa,
I'm soooo happy to hear that you've been released from the hospital and are back to clinic. I would imagine you're a little relieved to have the relative freedom that comes with being out of the hospital. I can't imagine how bad it was last week, but am so thankful that you guys are through the horrible stuff. As always, both of you are in our prayers for a speedy and full recovery. I'll try to slip out of the office sometime soon for a visit at Northside. Take care guys!

[Paige]

Jeff and M, so glad to hear you two are home! I'm also glad to hear you like reading blog postings.

So, for a Wednesday funny, I borrow from Gladys an 87-year-old woman who called into the Ellen show.

Here's a link to the video, entitled,
"I'll be honest with ya, I love Jesus, but I drink a little" - http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php

[sully]

mr hayes, great to hear the procedure was successful, i know you and melissa are glad its behind you. Henry and I mention you in his prayers every nite and will continue to do so until you're back to normal (not that you were ever really normal, but close). Only 17 days 'til your Bulldogs take the field with the #1 ranking; lets see how long they can hold it. At least with the college football season around the corner, you'll have some substance to focus on while quarrantined. Let us know when you're up for visitors. WAR EAGLE!!

[Chris Papa-D - Piedmont PM]

Jeff~
Have I ever told you that I'm your #1 fan? My first bootcamp was with you @ piedmont pm 2 years ago- & what eventually brought me back was that you really pushed me to believe in my self and always dig deeper (well, that and cause I chunked up a little bit over the winter!)
I think of you and Melissa every single day when I step into crossfit b/c I'm reminded of how much you 2 have overcome / accomplished since I first met you 2 years ago. You guys are a killer team and to say that I respect your resiliency is definitely an understatement.
Keep on fighting and suckin down the Zone shakes!

Always pulling for you,
chris

[Matthew Hunt]

Jeff,

Now that I'm aware of the 100 day JWOD. I will get it up on the Sonz...soon to be CrossFit site by Friday.

Get better and we will be praying for you and Melissa.

[Bill McDaniel]

You look great buddy - keep up that positive attitude, I know it's helping you just as much as the meds.

[judi paradis]

OK, I am over 30...by a bit!! and more comfortable with the email...but I'll jump on board, I guess! Such good news about your progress! Hardly a day passes that I don't pray for you both. I am so grateful for God's concern for you. Love you so...Mom P

[Katie]

Hey guys. I follow this blog everyday, but I'm such a computer idiot, I didn't know what to do. Anyway, we're thinking of you both A LOT and am so happy to hear you're home and doing well. Keep it up!
Katie

[Ashley Tagta]

Santi and I are always thinking about you and M. We are going to taunt you with UGA videos and by stealing your "secret" parking spot in Athens to keep you motivated on your eating habits. We are glad to hear about your progress and want to see you guys.
Sully, do you like this video? Stop talking about War Eagles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEsINkogUbw