Rest in Peace, Doll Bunny

We miss you so much

A peaceful and serene ending

Denise passed away about 5 minutes ago. She loved each and every one of you, and I know how much you loved her.

A celebration of Denise will occcur sometime in the next month or two. I will get to your emails and texts shortly, and will let you know how we are doing here.

Love to all,

Sam

We are nearing the end of this journey

There isn't much to say except Denise isn't going to recover from her breathing issues.

She has touched so many people here, the most amazing thing happened once we found out this would not turn out as we had hoped. Many of the nurses wanted to come into the room and speak to her, to touch her, to hug her, to kiss her. I have never seen anything like it in my life. It is another reason this hospital is so great.

Denise is sedated, but her lungs or heart are expected to give out soon. She is not in any pain. I know she would want me to convey her thanks for all the cards, letters, gifts, thought, prayers and hope all of you have bestowed upon us. We are so thankful to have so many friends and family.

I will update later as best I can.

Slept all day Thursday

• WBC is 2590 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 22.1 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 29.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 42 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (72); blood (34).

Denise slept the entire day yesterday. Overnight she received a bag of platelets, and they started feeding her via IV to get some nutrition. In addition, her blood pressure dropped and they had to give her some meds to boost it back up. She has been difficult to wake up, so they gave her a drug to counteract the narcotics she had been receiving for pain, which promptly put her in pain, so they gave her more narcotics to ease the pain. At least they were able to wake her briefly.

The procedure yesterday was uneventful; uncomfortable for her, but not terribly painful. I have not received any word about those lab results, but might later today. In addition, the Infectious Disease team was called in to see if there might be anything Denise's team might be missing, and they drew 7 vials of blood for more lab work.

Tonight, (Friday night) she will start the 2nd round 7 doses of Cytogam to combat the CMV in her lungs. Her oxygen saturation level is still good, currently at 100%, and she has actually coughed a couple of times while I have been writing this, which did not happen at all yesterday.

To be very candid, she is not in the best of shape at this time; she is weak and there is concern she may not have the strength to continue breathing on her own. Hopefully the sleep yesterday and the nutrition last night will help. I will keep you posted, and thanks so very much for all your thoughts and prayers.

Another procedure

In a few minutes, Denise will have a procedure done where fluid is withdrawn from the space between her chest and her lungs. The medical team wants to check to see if there is any other kind of infection that may require a different antibiotic, other than the broad antibiotics she is already on.

Sounds like they will put her on IV nourishment at some point today, but may have to take some stronger measures later, depending upon what happens with the lab analysis of the chest/lung fluid.

Day 100

• WBC is 2230 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 2040 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 32.2 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 42 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (71); blood (34).

A lot to update, as yesterday was NOT a good day, by any means.

Denise complained early afternoon she was not getting enough air. 90 minutes later, after some blood gas tests, a CT scan and an increase in oxygen, she was being treated for pneumonia. This most likely happened due to some ginger ale going down the wrong pipe this past weekend; she is very weak and can barely sip water through a straw at the moment. The weakness is most likely caused by lack of nutrition (and the pneumonia), and I suspect the doctors will get more aggressive on fixing that issue today.

The other development yesterday was regarding the CMV infection in her lungs. If you will remember from previous posts, it never once showed up in any blood tests, and was only found from the biopsy of her lung. Apparently the blood tests now are being run on different, more sensitive equipment in the newest part of the hospital that just opened, and the blood test yesterday did show signs the CMV still exists. So guess what? We are back on another round of the $12K bottle of Cytogam--7 doses; each dose administered every other day over the next 2 weeks. I guess we are not leaving "in the next week or so."

She had a rough night last night, at least from the nurse's perspective, as they had a hard time waking her up, and an even harder time getting her medicines in her since she had so much trouble sipping water through a straw. Of course, the other concern here is she struggles with sipping through a straw and the water gets into her lungs.

So, as Day 100 at Johns Hopkins begins, we have 4 issues: Nutrition, CMV, pneumonia and lack of mobility.. I have no doubt Denise will take these on just as she has for the past 99 days, and her will and strength will allow her to get through this. I will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available.

Factoid: The average child in America watches over 40,000 television commercials in a year, or over 100 a day.

Start of Week 15

• WBC is 2070 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1840 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 33.1 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 12 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (69); blood (34).

Received 2 units of blood yesterday, and that helped make her feel better, in that there are more red cells in her system to deliver oxygen. Also managed to drink a couple of Ensures to increase calorie and protein intake. Finally, we put her on the stretcher that turns into a wheel chair and toured 3 out of the 4 Pavillions on the 5th floor here. We ran into Cynthia, who is the primary Physical Therapist, and she was doing cartwheels after seeing Denise out and about. We will see her sometime this morning for additional PT.

Factoid: Abe Lincoln is the only president to hold a patent. He designed a buoying device to help ships in shallow waters, though it was never built.

Did not eat well yesterday

• WBC is 1800 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1270 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 21.2 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 53 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (69); blood (32).

Did not eat much yesterday, other than a milk shake and a popsicle. My job today is to ensure she gets much more calories and protein into her system. From a PT standpoint, she did get to sit in the chair for a couple of hours. Not entirely sure what is on the docket for today.

Factoid: Twenty years ago yesterday, The Real World made its debut. Twenty years ago today, Johnny Carson ended his Tonight Show run of 4,531 shows.

Physical Therapy Week?

• WBC is 1950 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1650 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.6 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 33 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (67); blood (32).

Yesterday, The Queen of Everything really enjoyed her outing. It was great for her to get out of the room, off the floor and go somewhere she could get a really good view of outside and the beautiful weather we had here yesterday.

I am guessing PT will really start to push her a bit harder than they have in the past given the doctors comment the other day about "get you out of here in a week or so", but I have some reservations as to how much she can endure. Yesterday, she choked on some ginger ale which may have gotten into her lungs, and at times she has had some difficulty breathing since that event.

Factoid: The Latin version of Winnie the Pooh (Winnie Ille Pu) made the New York Times bestseller list in 1960.

Bonus Factoid from Cindy in Winston-Salem:

LOS ANGELES TIMES, October 8:

People of northwestern Montana have been advised to be on the lookout for drunken bears. Black bears and grizzlies have been congregating along the tracks of the Burlington Northern railroad tracks, where a train carrying hundreds of tons of corn derailed some time ago. The corn has fermented, and the aroma is attracting the bears. "The bears are actually intoxicated up there," said wildlife biologist Loren Hicks. And a grizzly with a hangover can be cross as a bear.

Just got back; Movie and photo

Here we go again?

• WBC is 1440 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1260 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 28.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 93 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (67); blood (32).

Nice bump up on the platelets after 2 more transfusions.

Steroids have been cut back to 50mg/day. As a point of reference, she was getting 500mg/day, so they are really trying to get her weaned off. We will probably stay at 50mg/day for 4 more days, and then drop down to 25mg. So far so good as far as the breathing. Getting off the steroids as much as possible is important, as they suppress the immune system somewhat, as well as weaken the skin.

Now, regarding the subject line above, back on April 11 the doctors told us they were making plans for Denise's discharge from the hospital, and we know how that turned out. Well, yesterday the head doctor said "we want to get you out of here in a week or so". What that really means is we will need to move to a rehab facility as soon as they feel she is medically able to do so. Where is a big question mark, as it will all depend on her transfusion needs and her ability to do 3 or more hours of rehab per day. If she can do the 3 hours and still require transfusions, they would probably move us to another building here at Johns Hopkins. If she can't do the 3 hours daily, we probably would have to go to a different hospital or rehab center. We will have to see how this week progresses with her physical therapy. I don't see the transfusions abating anytime soon.

Finally, she did sit in the chair for about an hour yesterday, and will do the same today.

Factoid: Hard to believe, but in 1980 Disco Queen Donna Summer was the first woman to win a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance (Female) for "Hot Stuff".

Preakness is today in Baltimore!

• WBC is 1180 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1180 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 31.1 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 16 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (65); blood (32).

Well, we did get out of the bed and sat in a chair for about an hour. We also have a new bed to ease the pressure on her backside. Doctors want her caloric intake to increase, and have recommended she drink a product called Ensure, which comes in a 8 oz bottle, contains 350 calories and 13 grams of protein. If she can drink 3 of those per day they will be pleased!

Factoid: A cat called Dusty has the known record for the most kittens. She had more than 420 kittens in her lifetime..

Uneventful Day, plus some blood/platelets

• WBC is 1040 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 770 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 31.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 54 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (65); blood (32).

Not much to report here. Doctors seem to be happy. Goal today is to get out of bed and sit in the chair for a long time.

Factoid: If your dog's feet smell like corn chips, you're not alone. The term "Frito Feet" was coined to describe the scent.

Another day under our belt

• WBC is 860 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 783 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 21.5 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 38 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (64); blood (30).

Another bag of platelets yesterday, hence the big jump. Not sure why the WBC fell, but am not going to worry about it until the doctors tell us we need to.

Worked on trying to get into the wheelchair yesterday, but the oxygen tank Denise was hooked up to ran out about half way through that task, and so she immediately had to lie down and get back on oxygen connected to the wall. There was also a scheduling conflict over the bicycle and it was unavailable, but I don't think she would have been up for it anyway after running out of air!

Factoid: About 2/3 of shark attacks on humans occur in water 6 feet deep or less.

Starting our 14th week here

• WBC is 1880 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1654 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 5 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (63); blood (30).

No bike riding yesterday (bike wasn't available), but she was able to sit up on the side of the bed briefly 3 separate times. She also had a CT scan with contrast, which meant she had to drink a couple of glasses of water with iodine.

Other that that, it was a quiet and uneventful day.

Factoid: Andrew Jackson is the only US President to be elected to the Senate after leaving office.

A quiet day

• WBC is 1300 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 850 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.5 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 43 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (63); blood (30).

Duration on the bike increased to 35 minutes yesterday, and she is expected to get back on it today. Trying to sit up took a lot of air out of her and she was not able to sit on the edge of the bed at all. So, she did not get a chance to try to stand on her feet.

Overnight, she complained of breathing problems, so they bumped her oxygen up to 50%.It seems to me she is still having some difficulty breathing this morning, but it could just be a function of breathing through her mouth instead of her nose and the cannula.

Factoid: For 67 consecutive years, Mary was the most popular female baby name in the United States. Linda claimed the top spot in 1947

Day 90 in Baltimore, and still here

• WBC is 1700 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1598 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 31 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 11 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (62); blood (30).

Well, it looks like her immune system is coming back and will hopefully attack the CMV in her lungs. One thing we have learned through all of this is to try not to read too much into the counts as they do go up and down. Nevertheless, I am happy to see them trending up.

Yesterday was a quiet and uneventful Mothers Day, and Denise sat on the edge of the bed again. Sarah brought a Key Lime pie which we shared with the nurse's that had to work yesterday/

I suspect when Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy get here today they will try standing for very brief amount of time.

Factoid: The Constitution's fancy calligraphy was the work of Jacob Shallus. He was paid $30 for his troubles.

Here are the counts

• WBC is 1290 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1264 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 29.2 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 35 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (62); blood (30).

Doctors came around and they are still pleased

Happy Mothers Day

Sorry I am late this AM. Overslept watching the Capitals lose to the Rangers. Don't have the counts yet, but all is well as far as I can tell. The Queen is sleeping.

The doctors told me they are not worried about her counts that I had concern about yesterday. They seem to be quite happy where she is. She also was able to sit on the side of the bed for about 10 minutes yesterday.

Will update the blog later today.

Another great day

• WBC is 880 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 845 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 34.7 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 39 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (62); blood (30).

More sitting on the side of the bed, and more bike riding, though the bike riding was cut short after 10 minutes as "nature called." She had to receive another bag of platelets in order for them to take the chest tube out, and that occurred shortly thereafter without any problems. The doctors seemed to be truly surprised at how far she has come since last Sunday, and are very pleased with her progress. She is now on only 30% oxygen, so we may be off it altogether in the next few days barring any complications.

I am not sure why her counts have dropped as far as they have, but will question the docs when they make their morning rounds.

Not a bad day yesterday

• WBC is 1120 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1053 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 23.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 20 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (61); blood (30).

An encouraging day yesterday. Physical Therapy came in and she sat on the side of the bed for about 10 minutes. Denise also rode her favorite cycling machine for 30 minutes, and said afterword she felt invigorated!

The surgical team came in and clamped off the chest drain around 10AM, and then X-rayed her chest 4 hours later. Her lung stayed inflated and they will look at it one more time this morning and in all likelihood take the chest drain today.

Today's numbers

• WBC is 1410 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1230 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 26.9 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 60 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (61); blood (29).

Received 2 bags of platelets overnight

Day 86 - The plan forward

Well, she appeared to have a good night as she is still sleeping as I write. We will probably get some updated information later this morning after the doctors make their rounds, but what I think is going to happen is they are going to start getting her off the steroids fairly quickly, at least as fast as they can do so safely. The reason is the steroids suppress her immune system to some degree, and the feeling is they want her immune system to come roaring back so that it can attack the CMV naturally.

This is another one of those delicate dances with drugs, as this will be the 4th time they have tried to drop her steroids, and each time they have done so, her breathing has deteriorated. However, this will be the first time they have done it while letting her immune system increase. I think one of the issues that could arise is Graft Versus Host could come back, so I am sure they will be watching all of it closely.

This all may change later in the morning, but it is where we are at the moment.

We are off the ventilator!

and doing fine. Hopefully she won't have to go back on, but this is a huge victory in getting her off it so soon.

Biopsy found CMV in the lung

Looks like they found the CMV virus in her lungs. The doctors are still discussing which medicines they want to use, and may probably start with the $12K/bottle treatment, as well as stop suppressing her immune system. Will know more later. The good news is it seems it is treatable, but will take time.

Breathing test went much better but not taking off Ventilator today. More likely tomorrow or Friday.

Nothing really new to report

• WBC is 2040 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1840 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 28.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 41 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (59); blood (29).

Glad to see the counts started going back up. She slept OK last night, and hopefully we will get some results back from the biopsy. She is one tough lady and enduring this well, though I am sure she would rather get the ventilator. They will try to get her off the ventilator later this morning.

Not coming off today

Did the breathing test and she is not ready to come off the ventilator. She is very weak and tired, and they will try again tomorrow.

Everyone is optimistic she can get off this machine; I just hope it is sooner than later.

Also, a very early biopsy result came back and showed no infections, so we are getting some good luck.

Updated Scorecard

• WBC is 1190 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 1030 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 25.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 62 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (59); blood (29).

Not sure why the WBC and Neutrophils are dropping as much as they have been. Will be a question for the doctors later

Small victory

Went back to the hospital late yesterday afternoon, and Denise actually woke up for a few minutes while we were there! While groggy, she was able to recognize all of us, and responded to simple things like "squeeze my hand if you are in pain," which of course she did.

I also spoke to the respiratory therapist and she told me Denise was breathing much better than she was earlier in the day.

When I walked in the room this morning, she was trying to wake up again, as they are in the process of winding down some of the drugs to see if she might be able to breathe on her own.

I'll keep you posted as more information becomes available. We should get a preliminary report on the biopsy later today. Ooops...One more thing: she received 3 units of platelets yesterday. I do not have her other blood counts yet.

Transfusion scorecard: platelets (59); blood (29).

Back in her room; all went well

Now it is a waiting game. Denise will be heavily sedated and sleeping until tomorrow morning, and at that point they will see if she can breathe well enough on her own to try to get off the ventilator. The surgeon told us "she tolerated the surgery very well."

That's about all I have for now. Should get the preliminary biopsy results back sometime tomorrow.

Change of plan, surgery in a few minutes

Will update after she gets out

Surgery scheduled for this afternoon

• WBC is 2390 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 2230 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 21 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 6 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (56); blood (29).

Denise received 2 units of blood overnight; she will be receiving platelets around 6:30, and as we closer to surgery will get them continuously. Surgery is expected to take an hour or so, but there is always the pre- and post-op process.

I will let everyone know as soon as I have any information.

A Change of Course

• WBC is 3440 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 3280 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 23.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 12 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (56); blood (27).

Tonight is the last scheduled dose of the $12K bottle of Cytagam. Denise spent most of the night playing solitaire, sleeping only between 2AM and 6AM. There is a reason for her restlessness.

We have come to the end of the current treatment for her breathing, which has been a gradual reduction of steroids. Once again, we have returned to the point where her breathing issues become more problematic and she requires more oxygen.

Yesterday we spoke to a lot of doctors/specialists/surgeons, and we have to go at this lung issue some other way that poses great risks to Denise. She is tentatively scheduled to have surgery tomorrow (Monday) so that they can get some tissue samples from one of her lungs to better help determine the cause of her difficulties. Besides all the normal risks from any surgery, Denise's condition makes her more vulnerable to those risks, and one of her lungs will be collapsed. The biggest challenge here is she will have to go back on the ventilator, and there could be issues with getting her off of it. We have 3 possible outcomes to this:

• they find something in the biopsy they can fix, and they can get her off the ventilator successfully,
• they find something in the biopsy they can fix, but unable to get her off the ventilator, or
• they find something in the biopsy they cannot fix, whereby the ventilator issue becomes moot.

Now, the doctors say her chances are greater than 50% of getting through this. For a healthy person, for this type of surgery, most people would come off the ventilator right after surgery. No predictions how long it will take to get her off the ventilator.

We don't have much choice here. If she elected not to have the surgery, we would be headed to hospice. Her spirits are good, and we visited with Sarah yesterday and gave her the info I presented above.

So, I imagine my next update will be whenever she goes into surgery. As I mentioned earlier, it is TENTATIVELY set for tomorrow at no specific time, but could push out another day or two. Will take 24-48 hours to get the biopsy results back from pathology, and then we will know our new course on this journey.

Right before I was about to post this entry to the blog, Denise specifically wanted me to tell all of you how much she appreciates all of your support, cards, letters and prayers these past 82 days. I do too.

I will keep you posted.

Good Morning

• WBC is 3900 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 3780 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 24.8 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 35 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (56); blood (27).

Did not have Physical Therapy yesterday, as we were involved with several conferences with various doctors. I should have an update on those conversations later this afternoon.

Factoid: President Martin Van Buren was the first President born an American citizen. All previous Presidents were born English citizens, while the colonies still belonged to Great Britain. He was also the only President that spoke English as a second language, as his native language was Dutch.

Overnight Counts

• WBC is 5400 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 5170 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 28 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 8 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (56); blood (27).

Platelet count does not reflect the 2 units of platelets she finished receiving after I arrived this morning. Also, tonight she will receive the 6th dose of the special IVIG, and hopefully the final dose will be Sunday.

Factoid: Jack Webb, star of radio and television's 'Dragnet', was so closely associated with the part of Joe Friday that when Webb died in 1982 the Los Angeles Police Department officially retired Friday's badge number, 714

Day 80

I don't have the counts yet, so will post them later.

The Physical Therapy team did not come by yesterday, so there was no bike ride. We are sort of taking it slow, as it appears we may have hit a wall in finding the delicate balance of dropping her steroid levels, while having her breathing able to sustain a normal oxygenation rate. At the moment, she is back on a breathing mask instead of the cannula. I suspect the docs will have more to say about this later this morning during rounds, but they will probably continue to draw more fluid out as much as they can safely do so. However, I would say she still had a pretty good day anyway!

Factoid: The Kentucky Derby was the brainchild of Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. He was the grandson of William Clark, (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition).

5th good day in a row

• WBC is 3720 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 3580 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 25.2 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 17 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (54); blood (27).

5 good days in a row is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you consider what the 60 days before have been like.Once again she rode another mile on the bike.

Last night she also received the 5th dose of the expensive drug Cytogam. We also found out the plan is to stop taking it after the 7th dose, and I imagine they will reassess the bloodwork and make a final determination.

Factoid: Hockey's New York Rangers nickname goes back to a guy named Tex ("Tex's Rangers") -- In 1925, the New York Americans joined the National Hockey League and played their home games at the old Madison Square Garden. Tex Rickard, the boxing promoter and ex-gold prospector who built and owned the arena, decided he wanted his own NHL team, which he was awarded in 1926. Rickard’s team was immediately dubbed “Tex’s Rangers” as a pun referencing the paramilitary force founded in Texas during the 1830s. The Americans folded in 1943, while Tex’s Rangers remain.

Start of week 12

• WBC is 4080 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 3940 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 25.6 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 41 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (54); blood (27).

I am pretty sure the WBC and neutrophil counts were an anomaly, as you can see they dropped back down to where they have normally been.

Denise had her 4th good day in a row yesterday. She rode the bike another mile. had a bath and bedlinens changed, all before noon. In addition, she sat in a chair for almost 3 hours.

Factoid: Why is "mayday!" an international distress signal? It comes from the French "venez m’aider," meaning "come help me!"

Explanation of the windows and color scheme

COLOR AND LIGHT

The vibrant colors and patterned glass that envelope the building are the work of contemporary artist Spencer Finch. Closely observing the shimmering lily ponds and landscapes of Claude Monet (1840–1926), Finch distilled 26 shades of blue, green, purple, yellow and gray from the palette of the French Impressionist painter. Finch’s interest in optics, light and color had previously drawn him to the work of Monet, and inspired multiple visits to his studio and gardens near Paris, in Giverny.

Finch’s alphabet of colors, predominately blues for the Children’s Center and greens for the Zayed Tower, are painted on aluminum panels and encased in a shadowbox construction.

Recalling Monet’s brushstrokes and the rippling of water, Finch devised a ‘frit’ pattern for the building’s glass windows and walls. A two-layer composition, his hand-drawn strokes are fused onto the building’s glass-and-steel curtain wall, reflecting and refracting color and light. Finch’s collaboration with the building’s architect, Perkins + Will, brings a sense of life and light to the building’s formidable mass, making the entire complex less intimidating and more welcoming.

A link to the entire design of the new hospital can be found here.

View of the Weinberg Building from the new hospital addition

Thought I would post this picture looking through the funky glass they used in the new hospital. There is a story behind it, and will post it later when I can find a softcopy of it.

Also, I forgot to mention Denise received another bottle of the pricey stuff last night.

Numbers skyrocket

• WBC is 7740 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 7370 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 34.2 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 12 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (52); blood (27).

Another good day yesterday. Rode a mile on the bike in 20 minutes, and stood up for about 60 seconds. Occupational Therapy was also here and they think Denise is making good progress. Hopefully more bike riding and standing up this morning. Nurses and Therapists amazed at the strength she still has in her considering how long she has essentially been bedridden.

Factoid: Universal says the word "dude" is used 161 times in The Big Lebowski, including once in the credits for Gutterballs in a dream sequence.

Wide Awake

• WBC is 4540 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 4320 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 32.5 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 20 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (52); blood (27).

Patient was wide awake and wanting her coffee as soon as I walked in. Yesterday she received 2 units of blood; tonight another bottle of the pricey stuff. She also had another good day yesterday; Physical Therapy here today and more bike riding. Maybe they will help her try to stand up today.

Factoid: Although the Sara Lee company is most well known for its food products, they introduced the Wonderbra in 1994.

Tremendous Time Waster!

Typing "zerg rush" in Google.com seemingly returns the regular Google search results for this unusual term, but soon, little O's (from the Google logo) start dropping from the top of the page.

Use your mouse to click and destroy the O's - or zerglings - before they eat your search results and gather into two, large G's on the page. At the end of the game, you can share your scores via Google+, telling followers how many zerglings you took down.

Platelets and Fire Hydrants

• WBC is 4250 (4500-11000)
• Neutrophil count is 4040 (1500-7800)
• Hematocrit is 22.4 (36-46)
• Platelets count is 47 (150-350)
• Transfusion scorecard: platelets (52); blood (25).

Overnight she received 2 more bags of platelets, in addition to another bottle of the pricey stuff. She had a REALLY good day yesterday; was happy, talkative and stayed awake all day. She was long due for a good day.

Factoid: Fire hydrants are painted certain colors to alert firefighters to the amount of water pressure available from that hydrant. You can read all about it here.

Phone call from Australia reminded me to do this

Andrew and Sarah called, and they reminded me I had not posted the picture of the special gift Jon and Cindy sent from North Carolina that I mentioned here. So here you go, and thanks again!

Factoid: Michelangelo died in 1564, the same year Shakespeare was born.