Coyne Operated

Anyone who knows me certainly knows that I usually keep my health issues as understated as possible. I just don't like to be a sympathy magnet. Having Lauren and my family fuss over me is fine enough.
Well, I have to share some of what went on these last few weeks since I know there are still some friends out there with no -- or incomplete -- information. I'm still too tired to go into detail, but I will share what are probably the highlights.
I say that since there are still some things I don't remember happening.

A few days after New Year's weekend, my blood counts hit rock bottom from my most recent chemo treatments and I also started to show signs that I had a cold. My doctors did the tests needed and they came back as positive for influenza A. They explained that is usually consistent with H1N1, but the Centers for Disease Control did not do further testing this time of year. I was given Tamiflu and an antibiotic and went home for rest.
I developed a dry cough a day later that thought I would enjoy staying up all night with. It kept getting worse, and I headed back to the doctor. The cough was bad but I did not look bad enough to them for them to admit me to the hospital. I again went home for more rest.
I woke up the morning of Saturday, January 16, with a fever of 103.4. Naturally, I was asked to come straight into the hospital. Lauren and I were preparing to go in when I started showing the signs of severe dehydration. I could barely stay up, both standing or sitting, and began talking "funny."
Lauren made the quick decision to call 911. We created quite the stir a few minutes later with a fire truck, two police cars and the ambulance all jamming up the street. I knew a couple of the guys in the First Response team from growing up with them or other members of their families. It's great to know they are some of the best I have dealt with over the years. I really will credit them with keeping me from getting worse than I was when they arrived. They started me on oxygen, IV fluids, stabilized me and got me right into the ambulance for a ride to MGH, 26 miles away. The only problem I have is that Lauren got to ride shot-gun and almost press the siren button. I'll have to find a way to one-up that (ha ha).
I was admitted to the ER and eventually to a room that night. My memory is sketchy after this point, but Lauren and my mom have filled me in a lot. I guess I was going downhill, and quickly, at this point.
I was put on high oxygen and was basically bed-ridden due to just not wanting to move around and fighting this flu. The more they tried to get me up and at it again, the worse I became.
The following Sunday, January 24, I was moved to ICU and underwent a few treatments I care not to remember right now. Pneumonia had set in to complicate everything. We had also just found out that my H1N1 was found to be a mutated strain (the first adult Tamiflu-resistant strain seen at MGH, from what we were told) and only a brand new experimental drug could help.
It was frighting for Lauren to hear all this information at once. She had to make quick decisions and sign all kinds of consent forms. I have always said she amazes me with her strength and love, but I have to admit after all this, I still don't understand fully how deep it runs in her. I am the world's luckiest man.
I was in ICU for nearly a week and finally things came around where they were able to move me back to a "regular" room. I did not think I would ever feel like myself again, but within 13 days, I came home.
I have been home since February 11 and am trying to rest up. It's so nice being back here, but it is still a great adjustment. The H1N1 cleared up thanks to that drug. Maybe they will name it after me?
The damage from the pneumonia was pretty bad on the lungs. I have made great progress in the last two weeks, but I have a long road to go for a full recovery. The good news is that I am not on any oxygen support, and am breathing well.
Every morning I am thankful to see the sun up, thinking that it was not my time to go Home. I heard from nurses and doctors that I came pretty dang close along the way. Scary to hear, but I'll take the added time as His grace and enjoy it.
Like I said previously, I cannot ever express how grateful I am to have Lauren in my life and her strength to stand under me and hold me up. She has truly shown me what it means to stick with wedding vows. Amazing love for sure.
My family has shown how amazing they are as well. They have their own busy lives to live, yet they never hesitate to come and help out any way they can. I may be 38 years old, but to my mom, I am still her "little boy." She, like Lauren, had no problem sitting in my rooms all day long, wearing those horrible hospital masks and marking time while I slept.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Lauren's family has well. They were fully involved with updates and support, but they were limited due to the geographical distance between us. I know if they were local, they would have been right there with us as well.
I give thanks to all friends and family who have been praying for my health. It was a tough one, but God used all facets to heal me up and get me going again. My prayer is that this opportunity to keep going is not wasted or cut short.
I still have to consider continuing treatments for the leukemia that is still hanging around. It's not fun to think that in the middle of healing up from this, I still have to go back to those treatments. However, at this time, the options are limited.
Lauren and I are praying hard that perhaps a miracle can occur with this and just have it go away without any explanation. If you need to pray for a specific thing, why not throw that on the top of your list for us?
We're happy to be getting back to the usual day-to-day living now and we will rejoice with every milestone that comes along the way. We'll keep this site updated as much as possible with the good stuff. Please feel free to offer any comments or send one of us a personal e-mail.

P.S. from Lauren: Happy Valentine's Day, my love. It's great to have you back home.

Here are a couple night-time shots of Boston. They looked better on the camera than on the computer, but you get the idea....

View of the Prudential Building on the right


The famous Citgo sign in the distance -- a sight any Red Sox fan will recognize