Marleigh has mentioned the difficulties of the week. But I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The tipping point that brought us to the ER was a nose bleed (from here on I will refer to it as NBFH-nose bleed from heck) that started 8pm Wednesday and is just now subsiding. The cause is a vein on the back side of a cytoma pressing in my nasal cavity. This cytoma has been a double whammy; it has blocked airflow in my right nostril and caused this NBFH in the other. Nasty bugger, and kind of gross. The treatment has been Radiation, Chemo, and inserting a Nasal Foley (sp) which is a tube placed in through my nose into this cavity. The Foley is then inflated to put pressure on the bleeding vein. They've packed my nostrils with everything from Afrin nasal spray, gauze, and tampons (weird but very effective). Again, the good news is that it seems to be working. The NBFH is nothing but a trickle this morning, whereas on Wednesday is felt like a rather large stream. The eye also has begun to resolve, with reduced swelling, and no more gross discharge. The vision is still not good.
It is 7am as I look out over the beautiful Salt Lake Valley. From Huntsman Cancer Hospital we have a great view of downtown including Temple Square. We will be here until the NBFH is no more, so if you've never prayed for a nosebleed-now's your chance. I'm hoping to go home tomorrow... we'll see what the Doctors say.
On a side note... I know we've confused everyone with our email address. Our nhsavages@myfairpoint.net address has blown up, never to be used again. This means our distribution list also went away. So I'm switching to comcast.net. We will still be using hotmail.com, but Comcast offers better distribution list options. As I send out this blog if you receive it more than once, let me know. If there are people who are on the list but don't want to be, let me know. If you notice someone from previous lists that have disappeared, let me know. The best way to get a comment to us is on the comment area of this blog. If you are not sure how to do that, remember to use the 'anonymous' tab when publishing the comment, but please let us know your name in the comment. We like to know who is thinking of us.
Thanks to all who have helped us this week, thanks for your comments and support, thanks for your love.
Blaine
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Okay, here's a first try at this form of communicaton. Hey, Blaine! Wonderful to see you back on the net. Tells us you are feeling just a tad better. We like that. Seriously. We have a very clear sense that things have been a lot more than rough for you all lately. Well, David and I got EXTRA sleep last night so we have even more energy and vitamins and good stuff to send out to you today. And its all yours. Blaine, we cannot love you more, cheer for you more, respect you more for teaching us how to fight. Please keep on showing us how its done. We take moments each day to pray for you. There is NEVER a time you are not all in our hearts. (Now its time to tell a joke but unfortunately I don't remember any ever)!!!!! be well! rusty and david
ReplyDeleteWe read this aloud this morning and Kira asked "What's nose blood" trying to figure out how to pray for one. Once we explained it all she, in 5yo style, said "I just want to give him a hug!" So please take our hugs and prayers and love.
ReplyDeleteJohn, Mary, and the other little Savages
We are all thinking of you my friend. :-) Your strength is amazing and I am sure you that you are in our hearts and prayers. Hang in there guys. Love from Brian and Amy
ReplyDeleteHi Blaine, Kevin here. Through all the ups and downs you seem to be as a rock to me. That is very inspiring. Hope to be inspired for a long time to come. Big Love and Hugs from me.
ReplyDeleteNosebleeds from HE(double toothpicks) are horrible! Chelsea had one once that I had to take her to the ER for and that was bad enough. She never saw a foley or Afrin or a tampon or ANY of that yucky stuff, so hers was nothing compared to this! We need to be calling in the Grand Imperial Army of the Jedi to blow these cytomas into the next galaxy. That would show 'em! Your problems certainly make mine look small and I thank you for sharing your experiences. Much love to you all.
ReplyDeleteAlanna
I think and pray about you all the time. Harold told me he saw you when you were back in Ascutney and I regretted I could not be there.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord, as you know, has an interesting way of imposing His timetable and perhaps you will be as Isaac.
Corie
We in North Walpole, the Forrest household, are praying for you and think of you often. Keep your chin up and positive thoughts and we will do the same for you. Love and miss you
ReplyDeleteOh, Blaine. I am so sad about all you are having to endure. I know God always has a plan and we only see the back side of the beautiful tapestry He is weaving of our lives. You are touching many, many people. Thank you for your witness.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, in my humanness, I still wish it wasn't happening.
Love and prayers always!
Hi Blaine
ReplyDeleteGlad to get 2 updates. Keep them coming. We love to hear from you. It means you feel well enough to write. NBFH sounds painul. Treatment sounds worse. Thoughts and prayers
Vic and Nancy
I'm at a loss of how to express myself... which as you well know, is uncharted ground. I truly am grateful that you share your journey with us - how generous of all of you! My heart and prayers go out to you all. Blaine with the NBFH, Marleigh with your immeasurable strength, young Savages pushing forward with your daily lives... you all demonstrate how to live each moment. Love to all of you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear your (printed) voice! It does indicate you are feeling even a little better.
ReplyDeleteI still have a couple of your former notifications and will send it to your hotmail address, in case there are some emails that you don't have.
Continuous thoughts, love and prayers...
Scott
Hello Blaine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences as you have so much to deal with. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I miss our close association in the Ascutney Ward. Great to know that the Lord understands and is aware of your challenges.
Ruth and I send our love and best wishes.
Dave M
Hi Brother Savage,
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're feeling well enough to update us. I'm always looking forward to hearing from you. I say prayers for you all the time. Most times I have to correct myself because I say Bishop Savage but I'm sure He knows who I'm talking about. You'll always be Bishop Savage to me!
I was thinking the other day about some important events in our lives. You married us and you blessed Adelynne. I'm so thankful you were there for those special times! I have pictures of you at our wedding and the certificate of Adelynne's blessing with your signature hangs on her bedroom wall. Even when you weren't there in person, such as when I went to the temple, you helped me to get there. Thank you!
I love you and your family! Miss you all.
Anne-Marie
We are so happy to have our wonderful neighbors home from the hospital! We appreciate your positive attitudes and all that you are teaching us. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteKeith and Shanna
Blaine & Marleigh,
ReplyDeletedid you get the email i sent to you? Message line : Important!
I sent it to nhsavages@hotmail.com and to nhsavages@comcast.net
jglennp@hotmail.com (glenn Paladino)