Wednesday, January 30, 2013

So, about my life...

Today I'm going up north. I have to go to Hackensack University medical center for a whole day of pre-transplant tests. All my blood test came back with the right numbers, so we're ready for the next step. The stem cell transplant isn't any more difficult than donating platelets. It's not like having to do a bone marrow transplant, and they're using my own stem cells.

I'm actually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel here. I've heard a lot of good things from my doctors. While the chemo was rough, It was hardly unbearable. I had a few days of being sick here or there, but the care has been outstanding. I'm actually getting a little bit excited about this. I've encountered some side effects; the coolest-sounding one is peripheral neuropathy, which is just some odd pain in my legs and feet. It's like what I'd describe as bee stings. Your legs get twitchy and it's not awesome, but it's not anything too terrible. And I've had to struggle a little to keep my weight up, but of course you fix that by eating. A lot. Being that I love food, a lot, I could think of a lot worse.

I'm determined to kick this cancer, and I've had a lot of help in the fight. Things are looking so good.

Let the fun begin.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

One Giant Leap...

...ok not that giant a leap, but good news came today.

My blood numbers weren't perfect, but they are within the right parameters. Soooo, that means I can continue to the next phase of the chemotherapy treatments, which will begin prepping my body for the first of two transplants. This one is my own stem cells ( autologous ).

I'll go through about a month of treatments. I'll be receiving Cytoxan, Dexamsthasone, Etoposide, Neupogen and Levaquin. I have no idea what the drugs will do, except make me better, so it's all good

Once that's all done, I'll go into the hospital to begin the stem cell harvest. That can be a 2 to 5 day process. Once that is done I will enter the final phase of chemotherapy treatments. That's when they'll use Melphalan on me. In addition to making me better, it'll make me baldy, too.

The final step of this phase will be the transplant of the stem cells that were harvested from me. The harvest and transplant are done through a catheter, so the process isn't much different than someone who is donating platelets.

I'm so excited to be advancing to the next step. There is a definite finish line in sight. I have to keep in mind that I'm still up against a cancer without a cure, but at the same time, I have to remember that every cure starts with one patient.

The fight goes on, and I'm thrilled for the chance to slug it out.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Odd occurrence

Tonight I can't sleep. I'm actually scared for the first time since I was diagnosed. My life span is shortening significantly because of a number of factors. But what's scaring me is the fact that I might not have enough time to get some things done.

The pain is quite bearable and manageable for me. I see so many people who are so worse off than I am. My bones in the legs are giving me trouble, swelling, some pain but mostly just unsteady. I've been Informed that I have chromosome 17 delete and this going to complicate things a little. I'll need two transplants now instead of one. My doctors, at my request, are being very forthcoming and honest with me. 62 months is looking more and more appropriate as my story's title, haha.

I just have so much to do. I want to have some sort of vacation with my kids, just us. I want to see my friend Cassie and her baby. I want to hang out in my friend Emily for a few days In Indiana. I also want to spend time with my Janice out in Indiana as well. I owe Emily and Cassie some meals and some foot massages lol. I always pay my bets off!

But honestly, tonight I'm just wimpy and scared.