Hi Everyone,
I saw my Doctor, today, and my Blood Counts have come up high enough for me to be readmitted into Christiana Hospital for further chemotherapy.
I will be admitted into the hospital tomorrow in the AM and if there are no difficulties with the chemotherapy treatments I should be released Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
God Bless,
Mark
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
11/16/11
Hi Everyone,
I had a difficult night sleeping so I'm starting the day a bit late.
The weather here in NJ is rainy...not the most pleasant thing to see when looking out the window but I Enjoy seeing it none the less. Tomorrow, I go to see my Doctor to check on my blood counts. If they are rising at a rate he feels is appropriate I will most likely be going back into the hospital this weekend or early next week for my next round of chemotherapy. He will most likely also perform a bone marrow biopsy to check my blood cell "factory" for leukemic cells. The bone marrow creates the hemoglobin, platelets and white cells the are running through our arteries and veins. This is a layman's explanation but from I understand, the goal with the chemo treatments is to destroy most if not all of the blood cells in the bone marrow with the hope that when the "factory" starts creating new cells there will be ZERO leukemic cells.
I hope you have a Wonderful Day!
Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
I had a difficult night sleeping so I'm starting the day a bit late.
The weather here in NJ is rainy...not the most pleasant thing to see when looking out the window but I Enjoy seeing it none the less. Tomorrow, I go to see my Doctor to check on my blood counts. If they are rising at a rate he feels is appropriate I will most likely be going back into the hospital this weekend or early next week for my next round of chemotherapy. He will most likely also perform a bone marrow biopsy to check my blood cell "factory" for leukemic cells. The bone marrow creates the hemoglobin, platelets and white cells the are running through our arteries and veins. This is a layman's explanation but from I understand, the goal with the chemo treatments is to destroy most if not all of the blood cells in the bone marrow with the hope that when the "factory" starts creating new cells there will be ZERO leukemic cells.
I hope you have a Wonderful Day!
Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
11/15/11
My Friend Jeff's Father passed away, today. He had Cancer.
If you can find it in your hearts, can you please send your Thoughts and Prayers to their Family.
God Bless,
Mark
If you can find it in your hearts, can you please send your Thoughts and Prayers to their Family.
God Bless,
Mark
11/15/11
Hi Everyone,
Yesterday was pretty busy between travel time, showing my Brother-in-law where Unit 6B is located in the Christiana Hospital, lunch, blood work, Doctor's Visit, then actually receiving the chemotherapy
We were gone most of the day. My Brother-in-law is now familiar with how to get to the Hospital, what area in the Hospital I would normally be during In Patient chemotherapy (6B) and where my Doctor's Office/Out Patient chemotherapy are (Helen F Graham Center)
Today, a Visiting Nurse will change the dressing on my PICC Line...it has to be done every week. I flush the lines twice a day but because of the risk of infection the changing of the dressing is for Professionals only.
Starting today I hope to go on my personal e-mail and try to read at least some of the e-mails. I guess you could say I'm not really communication savvy, certainly not even remotely close to my Nieces.
Take care! Enjoy Your Tuesday! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
Yesterday was pretty busy between travel time, showing my Brother-in-law where Unit 6B is located in the Christiana Hospital, lunch, blood work, Doctor's Visit, then actually receiving the chemotherapy
We were gone most of the day. My Brother-in-law is now familiar with how to get to the Hospital, what area in the Hospital I would normally be during In Patient chemotherapy (6B) and where my Doctor's Office/Out Patient chemotherapy are (Helen F Graham Center)
Today, a Visiting Nurse will change the dressing on my PICC Line...it has to be done every week. I flush the lines twice a day but because of the risk of infection the changing of the dressing is for Professionals only.
Starting today I hope to go on my personal e-mail and try to read at least some of the e-mails. I guess you could say I'm not really communication savvy, certainly not even remotely close to my Nieces.
Take care! Enjoy Your Tuesday! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
11/13/11
Hi Everyone,
Monday afternoon (tomorrow) my Brother-in-Law is taking me for my first OUTPATIENT Chemotherapy Treatments at my Doctor's. I will receive chemotherapy through the port in my head and I will also receive chemotherapy through the PICC Line in my left arm.
Tuesday, Home Solutions will arrive to change the dressing that holds the PICC Line in place in my left arm. I flush the PICC Line with a solution that includes Heparin twice a day to prevent my blood from coagulating/sealing the PICC Line which would make it unuseable for chemotherapy or to draw blood from.
I've tried to walk twice a day (most days) since I've been out of the hospital.
I normally walk anywhere from 20 minutes to up to one hour each time (depending on my energy level and if I need to get back quickly to get to the bathroom). I'm trying to walk at least one hour each day (OUTSIDE). My legs are not what they used to be so the pace is slow but I am very careful to make sure I do not trip or fall....so slow and methodical is probably the safest bet anyway.
The scenery is the same since I walk back and forth on side roads but it is WONDERFUL to be outside and Enjoy the Blue Skies/White Clouds/SUNSHINE/and at times phenomenal temperatures.
Please Enjoy Your Sunday and Thank You for your continued thoughts and prayers.
Monday afternoon (tomorrow) my Brother-in-Law is taking me for my first OUTPATIENT Chemotherapy Treatments at my Doctor's. I will receive chemotherapy through the port in my head and I will also receive chemotherapy through the PICC Line in my left arm.
Tuesday, Home Solutions will arrive to change the dressing that holds the PICC Line in place in my left arm. I flush the PICC Line with a solution that includes Heparin twice a day to prevent my blood from coagulating/sealing the PICC Line which would make it unuseable for chemotherapy or to draw blood from.
I've tried to walk twice a day (most days) since I've been out of the hospital.
I normally walk anywhere from 20 minutes to up to one hour each time (depending on my energy level and if I need to get back quickly to get to the bathroom). I'm trying to walk at least one hour each day (OUTSIDE). My legs are not what they used to be so the pace is slow but I am very careful to make sure I do not trip or fall....so slow and methodical is probably the safest bet anyway.
The scenery is the same since I walk back and forth on side roads but it is WONDERFUL to be outside and Enjoy the Blue Skies/White Clouds/SUNSHINE/and at times phenomenal temperatures.
Please Enjoy Your Sunday and Thank You for your continued thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
11/12/11
Hi Everyone,
I had an early Doctor's appt yesterday which my Sisters accompanied me to then we went to my Condo in Pennsylvania to continue to put things in order so one day I can move back in when I get better. I'm living in NJ with my Sister and her Boyfriend and that seems to be the plan for the forseeable future except for when I'm in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. My blood counts are still way low and interaction with others is not something my Doctor recommends. Public places are forbidden for me...malls, movies, restaurants, libraries and churches. I don't forsee that changing for many many months to come.
Even if my blood counts are good on any given week, he won't allow public exposure. There are too many risks of exposure.
Every day I'm not in the hospital is a Blessing for me. I can't explain how it feels to be in a hospital for 44 days (mostly in one room)...I pray no one has to live that last sentence.
There are times when I am outside and I feel like I did before I had Leukemia....but then my weakened body reminds me I am NOT that same person. I pray, with time, that the body I once had will return. This will be a LONGGG Journey. I've had a few people a wish to see me. Since I've had two staph infections, C-Diff and other issues after chemotherapy my Sisters and I have chosen to take the safest road possible for me....and that would be interaction with Family Members only. Even at that I have only seen my Nieces ONCE during the two releases I've had from the hospital. I'm looking forward to seeing them again before I have to go back in the hospital for further chemotherapy.
Enjoy Your Weekend!!! and Thank You for your continued thoughts and prayers.
I had an early Doctor's appt yesterday which my Sisters accompanied me to then we went to my Condo in Pennsylvania to continue to put things in order so one day I can move back in when I get better. I'm living in NJ with my Sister and her Boyfriend and that seems to be the plan for the forseeable future except for when I'm in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. My blood counts are still way low and interaction with others is not something my Doctor recommends. Public places are forbidden for me...malls, movies, restaurants, libraries and churches. I don't forsee that changing for many many months to come.
Even if my blood counts are good on any given week, he won't allow public exposure. There are too many risks of exposure.
Every day I'm not in the hospital is a Blessing for me. I can't explain how it feels to be in a hospital for 44 days (mostly in one room)...I pray no one has to live that last sentence.
There are times when I am outside and I feel like I did before I had Leukemia....but then my weakened body reminds me I am NOT that same person. I pray, with time, that the body I once had will return. This will be a LONGGG Journey. I've had a few people a wish to see me. Since I've had two staph infections, C-Diff and other issues after chemotherapy my Sisters and I have chosen to take the safest road possible for me....and that would be interaction with Family Members only. Even at that I have only seen my Nieces ONCE during the two releases I've had from the hospital. I'm looking forward to seeing them again before I have to go back in the hospital for further chemotherapy.
Enjoy Your Weekend!!! and Thank You for your continued thoughts and prayers.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
11/10/11
Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to work through a bit of paperwork today while I am out of the hospital.
It's foggy in NJ but I'm hoping the temp will be nice enough for me to take at least one walk, today (I have not been outside to check the temp).
My Sister and her Boyfriend have been taking WONDERFUL CARE of me while I am here.
They've cooked dinner (or on occasion we've had take out) EVERY NIGHT since I have moved in.
The days go faster than I think they should. I go to bed early since I am up every hour to go to the bathroom so the nights are longgggggg and sometimes extremely tiresome. I'm not sure if this is how my system has reacted to the chemo (this started when I was in the hospital during my first round of chemo) or if this is normal. The key is to get the toxins out so the Doctors and Nurses just want me to go to the bathroom. I apologize to those that think the above is too detailed and personal but it gives you an indication as to why I am tired a lot of the time and end up taking a nap or two during the day.
Enjoy Your Thursday and God Bless...
I'm trying to work through a bit of paperwork today while I am out of the hospital.
It's foggy in NJ but I'm hoping the temp will be nice enough for me to take at least one walk, today (I have not been outside to check the temp).
My Sister and her Boyfriend have been taking WONDERFUL CARE of me while I am here.
They've cooked dinner (or on occasion we've had take out) EVERY NIGHT since I have moved in.
The days go faster than I think they should. I go to bed early since I am up every hour to go to the bathroom so the nights are longgggggg and sometimes extremely tiresome. I'm not sure if this is how my system has reacted to the chemo (this started when I was in the hospital during my first round of chemo) or if this is normal. The key is to get the toxins out so the Doctors and Nurses just want me to go to the bathroom. I apologize to those that think the above is too detailed and personal but it gives you an indication as to why I am tired a lot of the time and end up taking a nap or two during the day.
Enjoy Your Thursday and God Bless...
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
11/9/11 Wednesday
Hi Everyone,
I apologize for not signing on yesterday but I had a visit from Home Solutions to learn how to flush my PICC Line in my left arm and had a Doctor's appointment in Delaware.
I get tired some parts of each day and I end up laying down...sometimes I lose track of time.
Yesterday was such a Wonderful Day! I wish I had made time to take a walk before things got busy.
I am about to walk out the door in a few minutes just to take a walk. I am SO Thankful that I am not in the hospital. Enjoy Your Day! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
I apologize for not signing on yesterday but I had a visit from Home Solutions to learn how to flush my PICC Line in my left arm and had a Doctor's appointment in Delaware.
I get tired some parts of each day and I end up laying down...sometimes I lose track of time.
Yesterday was such a Wonderful Day! I wish I had made time to take a walk before things got busy.
I am about to walk out the door in a few minutes just to take a walk. I am SO Thankful that I am not in the hospital. Enjoy Your Day! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
11/1/2011
I'm trying to get a feel for how this works. Not sure if this posting will show up under the original I wrote earlier today but if so I think I should be able to add new posts each day that I am out of the hospital.
Take care and Thanks for your Thoughts and Prayers.
Take care and Thanks for your Thoughts and Prayers.
November 1st 2011
Hi Everyone,
I am presently in NJ and will be going back into the hospital for further chemo treatment tomorrow 11/2.
The chemo regimen this go around is scheduled to be 5 days. If all goes well I will be released from the hospital shortly after the 5 days of chemo. Enjoy Your Week and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
I am presently in NJ and will be going back into the hospital for further chemo treatment tomorrow 11/2.
The chemo regimen this go around is scheduled to be 5 days. If all goes well I will be released from the hospital shortly after the 5 days of chemo. Enjoy Your Week and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.
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