Tuesday, December 27, 2011

12/27

Hi Everyone,
Today, I go back into the hospital for more chemotherapy.
I was blessed to be out of the hospital during Christmas...spending time with Jan, Mike, Carol, Al, Caitlin, Carly and Ellen was my BIGGEST GIFT!
God Bless and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

12/25

Merry Christmas!!!
God Bless

12/24

Hi Everyone,
Enjoy Your Time with Family and Friends!
May you create memories that will last a lifetime.....
God Bless

Friday, December 23, 2011

12/23

Hi Everyone,
What a Wonderful Time of Year!
Enjoy Your Day!!!  and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

12/22

Hi Everyone,
I had trouble sleeping last night so I'm a bit late in starting the day.
The sun is shining...so I am going to go outside for a walk shortly after writing this note.  
My hope is that You're having a Nice Day!
Take care and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

12/21

Hi Everyone,
I forgot to mention that Two of my Nieces, my Brother-in-law, one of my Sisters and my Sister's Boyfriend were able to come over for an Ice Cream Social on Monday night thinking that I would be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday.    I only get to see everyone when my white cells count is high and I only find that out when I have blood work at the Dr s just prior to being readmitted into the hospital for additional chemotherapy...so the timing of me telling everyone I can see them and arranging for us to see each other is mormally rushed.  My white cells count is good right now and I'll be able to see them on Christmas!   
I am feeling pretty good, today, and hope to take a walk after writing this blog and hopefully an additional walk later this evening.    My legs are at times jello-like (especially on steps) from lack of any kind of distance walking or stair use, but I can get around pretty well otherwise.  
Enjoy Your Day! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

12/20

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday's Dr's appointment for a  Bone Marrow Biopsy ran into timing difficulties so blood work was taken and I was asked to return today with the thought that I would have the Bone Marrow Biopsy then be admitted into the hospital for my 6th round of chemotherapy.    My last two Bone Marrow Biopsies were not zero (for leukemia cells) but the % was around 1% so my Dr was pleased it was going down.    When the first Bone Marrow Biopsy was done in September the % was between 20 and 21% leukemia cells.

The goal of the chemotherapy is to have Bone Marrow Biopsies that are zero (Remission).
The hope was that I would get to zero during the early rounds of chemo but I am 51 and my body is not the same as a young child or teenager whose cells are being regenerated at a much faster rate than mine.  Remission %s (and quickness to remission) are much higher with younger people than with people my age.
The Bone Marrow Biopsy has to go out to a special lab for analysis and my Dr is thinking of altering my chemotherapy based on the results.....so to make a long story longer but happier....I am not going into the hospital today (as the plan was yesterday when I left the Dr s office)....I will be going into the hospital AFTER CHRISTMAS!!!  (Tuesday December 27th is the planned day now).
God smiled on me today....and I'm THANKFUL!  It's a Wonderful Christmas Present.
Enjoy Your Day! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

12/18

Hi Everyone,
I woke up around 9a today and have been up ever since....YEAH!
I just returned from a 1/2 walk outside.   It's cold but I am really happy and Thankful I can move around.
I am very behind on postal mail so I will dig into that, today.   Tomorrow, I see the Dr and will most likely receive a Bone Marrow Biopsy....and will also be told when he wants me to report back into the hospital for my next round of chemotherapy.   I don't know his plans but there is a strong possibility that I will be in the hospital during Christmas. 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to ALL of you and your Families!!!
and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

12/17

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday's Dr appt took up most of the day and after we had lunch I ended up napping most of the evening.
Today, I didn't wake up until 2pm (other than bathroom breaks).  The only reason I didn't continue to sleep was that I had to pick up pescriptions for medicine I need to take while not in the hospital.    I ended up napping when I returned from the drive thru pharmacy.   My guess is yesterday's chemotherapy to my head and IV must have done a number on me.   I'm not sure how many hours I'll be up today but it's not very many compared to other days earlier this week.   Although Saturday is almost over I hope you have a Wonderful Weekend!...and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

12/15

Hi Everyone,
Another really good day for me...spent most of the day out of bed.
I walked for 1/2 hour this afternoon.   My legs are jello-like but they carry me fine and I can get around quite well...albeit much slower than I used to walk prior to starting chemotherapy.     Mike and I split a LARGE Chicken Cheesesteak for lunch.   It's the first one I've had since September and man did it taste GREAT!!!   Thank God my sense of taste has not been affected by the chemotherapy other than a few times.   I hope to go for another walk again this evening.
Tomorrow I'll receive outpatient chemotherapy via IV and the port in my head.  
Take care and Enjoy Your Weekend!  and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

12/14

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday, I spent most of the day in Pennsylvania making sure my car was legally registered.   Staying in NJ while I'm out of the hospital caused a problem since PENN DOT mail cannot be forwarded to NJ.  I had to go to AAA to file paperwork and make my vehicle legal to drive.
I slept most of the afternoon in my Condo and returned to NJ yesterday evening.
I am having a particularly energetic day, today.   I have been up since 9am and have not had a nap.
I plan on walking outside shortly after posting this post.
Walking as odd as it may sound is a big deal now that my energy level has been very low...so I'm grateful when I can walk for any length of time/distance.   I was also able to do a couple loads of laundry and I'm pretty happy about that as well.   I find being able to do normal things a big deal for me...I'm guessing some of you are probably chuckling at that but it's the reality of the effects of the chemotherapy.
Take care Enjoy Your Day and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Monday, December 12, 2011

12/12

Hi Everyone,
My Neulasta shot to promote white cell growth took place this morning.
When I returned to NJ I took a short walk outside.   I came back in from the walk and fell asleep for most of the afternoon (except for the usual bathroom breaks).  My energy level is pretty low so I rest/sleep a lot more than I'd like.
I'm trying to listen to my body and rest when I need to....don't want to push it too hard and end up back in the hospital prematurely.   My next round of chemotherapy will be this Friday...outpatient...
It's nice to be out of the hospital...
Take care Enjoy Your Evening and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

12/11

Hi Everyone,
I'm out of the hospital and staying with my Sister and her Boyfriend....and we had PIZZA last night!!!
Today I slept late...I still get up almost every hour throughout the night which doesn't allow me to get a good night's rest.
I've been out of bed since 10a and it's now 2p so that's a good thing...and I am tired but not exhausted.   I'll need to take a nap soon since the chemotherapy is hitting my energy level as it always does.  I have a Dr's appt tomorrow for blood work and a Neulasta Shot to promote white cell creation and Friday I will have outpatient chemotherapy.   Take care Enjoy Your Sunday and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Monday, December 5, 2011

12/5

Hi Everyone,
I had a nice weekend out of the hospital eating regular food and interacting with my Sisters, Sister's Boyfriend and Sister's Husband.   I've been sleeping....a LOT...I guess the cumulative factor of the chemotherapy has knocked the wind out of my sails more than a bit.  I wasn't able to see my Nieces this time out but I know I will see them...hopefully during the next "escape".
Today, I see the Dr to have a Bone Marrow Biopsy.
The results won't be available for a few days so I'll be in the hospital when he gets them.
Tomorrow, I'm back in the hospital for more chemotherapy.
I'm Praying the Bone Marrow Biopsy comes back with ZERO Leukemia cells.
The Bone Marrow is the factory so if it can be cleaned of leukemia cells only good hemoglobin, platelets and white cells will be created.
Take care...Enjoy the Sunshine and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

12/4

Hi Everyone,
I apologize for not putting something on my Care Page that I was released from the hospital on Friday around 1pm.
Yesterday we spent most of the day in PA while my car was having it's Annual Inspection and my Sister and I did some additional arranging/removing of items at my condo.
My friend Bill, who owns a Service Station, was kind enough to fit my car in last minute for the Annual Inspection.  I'm grateful he did.  
I should have went on the computer, yesterday, but I've been taking naps throughout the day and sometimes don't remember what I need to accomplish...even though the Care Page and the Blog should be a constant.
I've been tired but I'm SOOO THANKFUL to be out of the hospital.   I see the Dr, Monday, for a Bone Marrow Biopsy.   I'm praying there will be no leukemia cells in this one.
Tuesday I will most likely be back in the hospital for my next round of chemotherapy.
Enjoy Your Sunday!!! and Thank You for your continued Thoughts and Prayers.