Our Mom the Hero

Emily, Brooke and Shellie have had something planned to give/show Becki for a little while now, but wanted to wait for the perfect time. Well, since this last week has been so horrid for Becki they figured now was just as good of a time as any.

WE LOVE YOU, MOM!

**Also, a few updates. We found out this afternoon that Becki has engrafted!! Wahoo! That means she is starting to create white blood cells. The doctor also said that whatever is infected or growing in her intestines is getting better, and now with a few white blood cells we should be able to wipe this infection out in no time. They are also hoping to have Becki return back home by the end of the week.

To fill in some details...

The doctors discovered that the night Becki was sent to the ICU she went into septic shock. They could tell because she wasn't able to get any air, her blood pressure wouldn't rise despite how much liquid they had given her, and she has an infection in her lower intestines and colon.
They ended up giving her 17 liters of liquids and antibiotics to get her through that first night. Wow that is a lot of fluid! Her IV stand looked like a Christmas tree.
Becki is also stuggling with her mucositis which is painful inflammation and sores all through the esophagus and digestive tract. This made it almost impossible for her to swallow ANYTHING. She has been receiving all her nutrition through her IV. They are hoping to give her some chicken broth by about Tuesday. Now doesn't that sound exciting??
All in all, it was a very scary night, but things are looking much better. She is definintely on the mend. Emily stays with her from about 7 am to 7 pm and then Kim takes the 7 pm to 7 am shift. Now all 3 of them (Kim, Becki, and Emily) are a little loopy since none of them are getting too much sleep. The rest of the family feels helpless, but we are all unable to go around Becki at this time. The risks of getting her sick are too high. We are so grateful that Emily and Kim are healthy and able to help so much. Within the next couple of days, Becki's new stem cells should begin to engraft and create some white blood cells to help fight off this infection. Everytime I talk to her she says she is feeling a little better than the day before. We are hoping that it keeps continuing that way!

Christmas in the hospital

Early Christmas morning Kim took Becki up to the hospital because she was running a fever and feeling really awful, even more so than normal. They pumped her full of liquids to try to hydrate her and put her on antibiotics. Her blood pressure was really low, but generally when she receives the hydration her levels come back up. Around 8 o'clock in the evening she was admitted to the ICU because her blood pressure was still too low (it dropped to 71), she was having excruciating abdominal pain, heart palpitations, and troubles breathing. The doctors thought maybe her body was rejecting the bone marrow transplant or that she might have an infection in her intestines.  Kim immediately called Brett and Ryan to come give her a priesthood blessing. Afterwards the doctors did a CT scan and some other tests, but we are still waiting to hear an official result.  As of this morning her blood pressure is back up to 125. She is feeling much better and was even able to get a few hours of sleep. The doctors have told us that this is all somewhat normal. Her body is at the lowest point it will be at with absolutely no immune system to help out. They are keeping close tabs on her and should be moving her back to the BMT (bone marrow transplant) wing later today or tomorrow.  Boy are we grateful for the priesthood!! Please continue to keep Becki in your prayers. We appreciate all your love and support and hope you had a Merry Christmas.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This year for Christmas Becki asked Brooke to put together a little note or something to give to all our extended family since Christmas shopping was going to be a little hard to do. The message really applies to much more than family though, so we wanted to share this with everyone. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas is a joyful time of year
For friends and family oh so dear

Parties, gifts and food galore
It always leaves us wanting more

We shop and cook and stress and run
Oh isn’t Christmas just so much fun?

But this year has been a different one
It feels as though things have come undone.

As you all know, Becki has been ill
We have a hard time even believing it’s real.

The first rounds of chemo and transplant are in the past.
There are rough days ahead, but we know they won’t last.

It’s hard to get Christmas shopping done while laying in bed
So I hope you will accept this poem as your gift instead.

Becki is not even allowed to roam
Anywhere but the bedroom end of her home.

She is fighting hard and being strong
And wanted to pass this message along.

We need to take the time to think
About the true meaning of Christmas and the joy it brings

Jesus is the reason we create such a fuss
Can you believe how much he has done for us?

We can’t wait till that blessed date
When we all jump for joy and celebrate.

That Becki is better and all is well
And then this will be just a story to tell.

So while we are waiting, remember oh please
Just how much you mean to our family.

The Stevens’ family would like to say
Thanks for your prayers, we feel their power everyday!

Our hearts are filled with so much love
We give many thanks to our Lord above.

So let the Savior and his love reign.
Merry Christmas till we see you again.

The Transplant

As Becki mentioned below, she had her first transplant last Friday. The transplant itself consists of about three hours of an IV alternating between the stem cells and some saline for hydration. As far as we could tell, things went well. They say that between about Wednesday through Sunday of this week will be the worst days. Frankly, she is already feeling lousy so this is going to be a really tough week. (especially with it being Christmas and all) Kim and Emily have the house on lock down so nobody is coming in and they aren't going out much during this next week. Becki's immune system will be at its lowest point and we can't risk her catching any bugs or getting an infection. They say that 80% of patients end up back in the hospital, so we are trying REALLY hard to make sure that doesn't happen!!

At last, I got to see my Grandbabies!

Yesterday, in response to a letter I sent to my grandson Nathan about my snow angel needing a snowman to be friends with, Jess brought the 2 grandbabies down to build me a snowman and visit me at my window. (See, I do accept window visitors). Although it was so hard to not be able to swoop them up and kiss them uncontrollably, it was absolutely wonderful to see them after so long.

aren't they just so cute!!

Update: I'm in the middle of my second course of chemo and I get my first of two transplants tomorrow. The next few weeks are going to be very difficult and isolated, but successful, you just wait and see. I am grateful for your prayers and concern.

Yes, a posting from Becki, imagine that. That means that at the moment I am lucid, a rare event.

The other night I looked out my window and look what I saw!!


My sweet neighbors put this up outside my bedroom window to help me focus on the wonderful things around me. (I can see it without even getting out of bed).

My neighbors Timmy, Taylor, Jayden and Chris Feroah.

This is me, attempting escape from my isolated bedroom. I accept window guests from 12-2 Monday thru Thursday and all day Saturdays (kidding, kidding--germ guardian, Gestapo Emily stands watch at all hours)!

A big thank you for all of your love and caring.

Becki

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the time of year to spend time with family and remember how much you have been blessed with in your life. This year was definitely a Thanksgiving that will not be forgotten. Becki was actually feeling quite well, so those that were completely healthy spent the day with her. We began with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner that actually tasted excellent to Becki. (Wahoo!) Emily set the table with some cute decorations and fine china so we even felt all fancy pantsy. Generally Becki always eats (and does everything else) in her bedroom but we obviously couldn't have her eating all by herself on Thanksgiving, so we did things a little different. Becki would take her mask off and take a few bites while the rest of us were masked. Then she would mask up and we would all take a couple bites. I think we should make it a tradition. Because you would only take a few bites, then take a break, nobody got too full and sick feeling like you always do after scarfing Thanksgiving dinner. It was so nice to be able to spend this time together!




After dinner we all piled on Becki's bed and played Phase 10. It has been a while since we have played card games together. It was quite comical. Lets just say I have never seen someone lose quite as bad as Kim. We just didn't think that was even possible. Poor Dad, we stopped counting his score about 3 rounds into the game.

Well it was a wonderful day and we were very grateful that Becki was feeling as well as she was. The next round of chemo should start by the end of this week and then the transplant will be given in the first part of next week. Especially during this time of year, our family is overwhelmed with gratitude for so many things. Now more than ever, we remember how important family is and how boring life would be without eachother in our lives. We also are so grateful for all the wonderful people who have done so much for Becki and our family. Thank you for your love, support, and faith. We feel your prayers and feel so grateful for the gospel in our lives. Happy Holidays!