Betty Made It!

Betty made it!

Today was the last day of radiation treatment. Chemo ended last Saturday and tomorrow we are sleeping in!

Devona went along today for our final early morning trip. She enjoyed the attention Betty received from anyone who had participated in Betty's traumatic experience.

There was laughter, hugs, and well wishes. Raymond received his last root beer sucker and met more families. He shared his sense of humor and that crazy joke.

Betty asked for the spaghetti today so we celebrated with a meal at the Spaghetti Factory and Raymond fell into his old habit of driving 30 miles an hour. It took a pretty stern request from this old first grade teacher to encourage him to put the "pedal to the metal."

Betty is sleepy, less nauseated, and hoping for enough energy to start stitching soon.
Thank you to the Brown Cancer Center for their good care and to all of you for your support. The daily mail remains a highlight for both Betty and Raymond. Thank you to all.

The Boley Family

Are You "That Lady?"

Wednesday was a day filled with sharing the story of “what happened” on Monday. As Betty waited for her appointments, numerous staff members stopped to tell Betty how glad they were that she was feeling better.

Each shared their contribution to the team of health care professionals that saved Betty’s life. One recognized a distinct change in Betty’s demeanor, one noticed a vacant look in her eye, one took her blood pressure, and one removed her sweater to access her port. Dr. Bhatt insisted they not try to transport her to the ER, but call the trauma team.

Having chosen Oncology as their area of medicine, most had not had a chance to practice emergency medicine recently. They were as happy to share their part of the story as we were to learn of their contribution.

They were able to see the fruits of their years of training in action and Betty was the fortunate recipient. When I mentioned Betty Boley, the immediate reply became, “Is she that lady?” She is now, “That Lady!”

A couple waiting in the same area shared they were waiting in an adjacent bed for transport to the hospital. They were able to tell more of the story and reported that four “men in black” comprised the trauma team.

Devona didn’t go today and didn’t get to enjoy the stories. I hope she gets to go tomorrow so that she can add to this narrative and enjoy the air of celebration for a life saved. The life of “That Lady.”

Tuesday

I'm too tired to make this post entertaining.

We couldn't sleep last night. Betty has been up for 2 days now.
She was able to have her radiation treatment this afternoon. She will have two more radiation treatments but the chemo has been discontinued at this time.

We arrived home about 3 and need to be back again tomorrow morning at 8:30. We will see both the chemo doctor and the radiation doctor tomorrow.

I promise to write a more informative post about our experiences soon.

Off to bed,
The Boley Family

Monday Madness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You've missed our exciting day!


Betty was not feeling well all weekend. She was having trouble keeping her meds down so eating was something she was not interested in. She woke this morning, took her meds, ate soup, and kissed me goodbye. It was Devona's day to accompany Raymond and Betty.


It took a little longer than usual in the radiation room because new settings were being established. Betty became very uncomfortable, nauseated and weak. The technicians were concerned and notified the doctors and then the drama commenced!


To make a long story short, Betty's potassium and magnesium levels were much much too low. She was taken to the ER and is spending the night at the University of Louisville Hospital. She is being given potassium and magnesium. Fortunately, Betty's port was able to be used for the potassium. She is not feeling the intense burning associated with potassium being given intravenously. The plan is to stay only tonight, return to radiation treatment in the morning and the doctors will decide tomorrow when to reattach the chemo.


Of course, now that we understand the problem we are comfortable. Our lunch time, however, was a little tense. We didn't know what label the doctors were going to use to describe Betty's condition.


We continue to be amazed with the organization of the Brown Cancer Center, the University of Louisville Hospital, and the medical professionals available to us. Nurturing chaplains acted as liaisons during Betty's time in the ER, updating us on her condition. The nurses caring for her tonight are wonderful.


Every time we have run into a problem there has been someone to help. This story could have had a very different ending had Betty not been in the right place at the right time. In a heartbeat, the medical professionals gathered to make sure Betty had what she needed. A trauma team raced to deliver her to the ER and when there, specialists took over to study her blood work and reverse the situation. I'm sorry to say George Clooney was not on duty, but we didn’t miss him too much.

During a quiet moment while we took Raymond for a bite to eat, Devona’s daughter, Karoline Gantt, called to say her 4 month old, Raleigh, was being hospitalized. He has pneumonia. So Devona sped home to support her family, Dennis and Jill took Raymond home for rest and Betty was given a lovely room with an air mattress and cable TV so she can watch The Bachelor. I can tell she is feeling much better because she is being very vocal concerning the bachelor’s choices in women.

When it rains, it pours.
The Boley Family

Friday February 4th

A word about date nut bread:

Shopping trips to down town New Albany during our childhood always included a trip to Williamson's bakery. Betty taught us the delight of eating from a round loaf of date nut bread freshly sliced before our eyes. With all the hungry mouths in the car, there was usually very little bread left when we arrived home, but we were full and dinner could wait a while. Williamson's has since moved to Clarksville, but Betty knows just where it is. Yesterday she asked Devona to stop for a loaf. Unfortunately there was only one loaf on the shelf so Betty got to bring that loaf home and Devona had to settle on a different kind.

A note of warning: Date nut bread must be eaten with cream cheese!

Betty's port leaked yesterday, probably from contact with the seat belt and the strap from her chemo bag. A nurse visited to change the bandage and assure us it was working properly.

Betty started stitching a Sun Bonnet Sue block and was able to finish it. Now only "umpteen" to go. Every granddaughter needs at least one baby quilt for the future! We plan a "sew in" when things are going better.

Raymond's GP requested Raymond visit for a check up on the incision. Apparently the surgeon had requested the GP check him before our Feb. 15th appointment. Everything was OK.

My daughter in Iowa has 4-5 feet of snow drifts in her back yard. The college canceled classes, but the staff had meetings. Thank heavens the city bus system is reliable. It will be a while before she can get her car uncovered.

Have a good weekend!

The Boley Family

Wednesday February 2nd

I should have remembered our past experiences with very good days. Today wasn't a good day. Betty had a bad night, couldn't keep her meds down, and returned home to nap. She woke at four to see Oprah. She's thinking about more of that good beef stew the Boley food elves provided. Raymond was the one who suggested it. He cooked a double serving tonight.

Our trip was a short one this morning. We saw numerous utility truck caravans headed north. At least 10 groups of about 10 trucks each. It was quite impressive.

We are so grateful that our weather has not been a problem. Raymond tried to go for a little walk last night, but lasted only long enough to get to the street and turned back because of the wind. He magically discovered a nail in the car tire today and since it has been a week he boldly stated, "I'm going to drive to the tire store." He had allowed me to drive to Louisville so far this week and we thought it was time he earned his wings.

Maybe we'll have a good weekend.

The Boley Family

Tuesday February 1

We thanked Raymond this morning for always making sure we get to the Brown Cancer Center at least 45 minutes before Betty's appointment. We have quality time to bond there and people watch. He could let us sleep another half hour if he could let himself.

Betty has had a great day. We enjoyed beef stew made by the Boley food elves. Betty enjoyed it so much that she drank the broth left in the bottom of her bowl. She made custard and served me a bowl. She got her quilt projects out and worked about an hour before she went down for a nap. Oprah is on and Betty and Raymond are learning about a Vegan diet.

I am smiling today.

The Boley Family