Update time

I was scheduled to begin the stem cell harvest today, up in Hackensack University Medical Center. Right now, I'm starting my seventh day in Jersey Shore Medical Center instead. My immune system crashed, they call it "neutropenic" and to make matters more fun, I tested positive for staph infection.

So I sit here and try to get better. I'm getting a lot of IV antibiotics, Heparin, and Neupogen shots. It's kind of incredible how there are medicines for just about anything. In lay terms, Neupogen is a blood-building medication. That, to me, is very cool.

I'm not scared. So that means I'm very confident in my doctors, or completely insane. I'm going with "confident". They're on top of things, and this hospital is terrific. I know food isn't usually anybody's favorite hospital topic, but Jersey Shore Hospital has brought in real chefs, and the food is outstanding.

Ok so it's going to take a while longer, that's all.

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.

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.

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.

Radiation Oncology

Nice waiting area!

Shining Star

Today I'm going to Centra State Hospital in Freehold, NJ. I'm going to consult with a Radiological Oncologist. The cancer has been kicking the hell out of my legs and my doctor thinks that radiation can help alleviate some of the problems and let me stop walking like the Mummy.

It should be all good. We'll get the Christmas tree set up and use me as the tree-topper. I figure I'll glow brightly for a while and I'll look good up there.

I'm determined to make it a good holiday. Medical expenses will keep me from having a banner year for my kids as far as gifts, but we'll have a great Christmas anyway, just by being together.

And eating. I love to eat.

I really hope the radiation will help. Let's keep our fingers crossed, ok?

Boring!

I sat and looked at my blog tonight and I realized what a boring writer I am. I guess I am trying too hard to write really profound things.

I guess the biggest problem I have is that there really isn't anything profound going on in my life. I'm getting through the treatments, and I am honestly not feeling too badly these days.

I have an appointment with a radiologist on Friday. My leg bones are really mashed up and giving me a lot of trouble. I don't know if you call them lesions  or tumors, but whatever they are they are very active. The doctor seems to think that radiation will help alleviate some of the discomfort, so I'm all for that.

Life has been pretty good for me these days and when I see patients with other kinds of cancer, I realize that I am not too bad off.

My appetite has been out of control, which is a good thing. I've been struggling to maintain weight.  I guess I'll just have to keep eating!

I am going to try and liven things up in here from now on. Stay tuned!