A much needed lift

Last night (Tues 23rd) was a tough one for Anne. I woke out of a sound sleep at 3:00 A.M. to see her shaking with the covers pulled up to her chattering teeth. I called the nurse and placed my body next to hers to help warm her. It took a while but she finally stopped shaking. All the while the nurse (David a very nice guy) was taking her vital signs and contacted the doctor. Her fever reached a peak of 104.2 She was given tylenol but repeatedly asked for it, having no memory of taking it. The doctor showed up around 4:30 and ordered a chest x-ray and added a new antibiotic. It was sometime after five when things settled down and we were able to get back to sleep. At 7:00 the day shift nurse (Britta, with a lovely Irish accent) came to check in. Anne was still running a pretty high temp around 103.0 Britta was right on top of things and began to set things in motion to help Anne with the fever, nausea and head pain she was having. We both fell back to sleep before the nurse practitioner ( Kathleen ) stopped in to evaluate Anne's condition and progress. Yesterday she told Anne to be prepared to spend the next nine months devoting her energies getting rid of this cancer. I think this was hard for Anne to hear at that moment. But ultimately this can only be approached on a one day at a time basis no matter how long it takes. When she was done Angela arrived for the day shift and with a breakfast buritto to share. Thanks Angela. She and I met with the social worker who was a great resource for financial aide, including a transportation/parking fund from the Leukemia foundation for $500.00 per month. Save your toll and parking receipts as it is done by reimbursement. Anne was a bit better but not by much before I took off for work around 10:00. When I called from work at 4:00 I heard her real voice and spirit back again. I couldn't hold back my tears of joy. She said that Britta had really worked hard to tackle her head pain and nausea and she finally felt a good deal better. it was wonderful to hear the vitality in her voice. It wasn't her full normal voice but it was as close to it as it has been in the past week and a half. I really needed that lift at that moment and Anne knew it and was there. You are amazing Annie.
Leslie had been with Anne in the afternoon and was staying the night. I arrived back at the hospital at 9:00. Anne had been started on an additional chemo drug called Donarubisen (don't copy the spelling I'm sure its wrong) She was too wiped out to keep her eyes open but it was good to see her resting peacefully. It was no doubt drug induced but good to see just the same.
Leslie and I had some time to connect that was quite wonderful. It truly is amazing how the love that is pouring out to help Anne is spilling over onto all of us. What a gift she is giving by taking this treacherous journey that will create opportunity for a healing process and for forging deeper stronger bonds with friends and family. Thank you my darling Annie

Dennis