Last Day Off

Today is mine to do whatever I want. So I started with a big milk+bananna+chocolate instant breakfast+peanut butter smoothie, a walk in the yard, then a workout and shower.

We brought lunch to Don and Linda mostly for an excuse to visit. Don fell from a tree in July and broke his dominant arm in two places. His wrist had a compound fracture which ground into the dirt. This caused a series of infections, 9 surgeries, and a 30+ day hospital stay. I know he is glad to be home! Although the surgeries are not over, he is at least home and healing. There's no place like home.

Ok... Not the best photo of Dexter and Annie, but what do you expect on a hot day and no treats?

Speaking of treats, tomorrow will be my baking day. (After a clinic appt in the morning.) I want to bring the hospital staff treats. Gooey. Butter. Cookies. Yum.

But today was mine. And I didn't get a thing done!

Leukemia Awareness Month

September is National Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month

Darlene and I were treated to a gorgeous sunrise on the way to clinic.

Without an appointment, Darlene stopped by the Blood Group.  The 7:45 patient didn't show, so she slipped in for her 4th donation and gave 2 bags of platelets. (Notice who is wearing orange in support!). Thanks, Lil' Buddy!

See the guy in the background of Darlene's photo? It was his 200th donation. He doesn't even donate on behalf of a patient. Wow. You know me, I had to go over and disturb him to thank him.

According to the mid-level, I have clinic 8am Wednesday, and expect to check into the hospital on Thursday for round 4 of chemo (cycle 2B). I still don't have a transplant schedule. Urgh. But it was a holiday and my regular mid level was not working.

In preparation for Thursday's chemo, I will bring home a sodium bicarbonate fluid bag with a pump and be hooked up for 24 hours before they infuse the chemo. Yay... My BFF will be back.  The fluids are to protect my organs during the chemo. (And give me fat feet.)

Happy Labor Day!  This is me "shopping" at Tanger! I think I need bigger sunglasses. <<sarcasm!

When I got home, Mary and Ross stopped by and brought me home made steak fajitas. So yummy! It was also such good timing since Kent had just left for a first flight celebration lunch. One of these days I will be able to go out to eat again.

Until then, I will be happy at home.

Loads Of Energy

I have loads of energy today. It's a good thing because there is no room on the couch.

I bought a couple of director's chairs at a junk store.  I am finally recovering them with some of the fabric I have had for years.  It would have been nice if they had a pattern to follow, but I am figuring it out. It's fun to get something crossed off my list.

Speaking of, Kent is crossing many things off his list. It's nice to have him home and more relaxed. He is happiest when he is building and creating.

No other news. Still waiting on a schedule for the next chemo and then transplant.

We love slow news days!!

Song In My Heart

It's all about attitude.  It has been two months since I was checked into the hospital. I am thinking in two more months, we will have the good news that the hard part is over. We will have had the transplant done, and I will be feeling loads better and I will be cured.

I still don't have a schedule for the next chemo or transplant or my thing, but I am not worried about it either.  It would be nice for planning purposes....

Today was nearly pain free, which was nice. I still took it easy which probably helps a lot.

And now it's a little tv and bed time.

Resting on the Up

Happy weekend. Sort of.  My counts have bottomed out and beginning to increase. I am keenly aware they are not normal, and I am not normal.

I am still required to be quiet and still.  As soon as I think I am highly functioning and can do my normal activities, I feel fatigued. So I rest.  Dex and Annie are great helpers. They encourage me to SIT.

I am Sick and tired of being sick and tired.  But there is nothing to do but listen and react. And quit bitching and moaning. I allow myself the small indulgence of a vent, then onward.

Speaking of onward, I got an amazing hand made quilt in the mail!  Sheila took up quilting in retirement, and made me a special mood booster I can take with me to clinic. (It's always cold there!) It's so lovely, I will try to show you.

The colors are amazing and the back is fluffy soft.

There are two embroidered panels her friend helped with.

So as much as I try to be self centered and whiney, my network of support is reaching me and pulling me through.  It helps to know you are reading and I am not alone.

Thank you all for sending me good vibes and staying positive.  

Next step is chemo #4 within the next week or so, then waiting for the transplant date mid to late September.

Then more healing!

Released

Years of living on reserve has made us aware that plans can change quickly. Last night when I told Kent last night we have to go the hospital because I spiked a fever, he dropped everything. I wasn't even in the system when I arrived.

Of course, when they took my vitals, the fever was down. Exercise in futility? Probably not. My Doctor had no doubt I has a neutropenic fever and I got antibiotics to be sure there wasn't an infection allowed to run rampant.

Breakfast was nice, but interrupted. Everyone has a job to do here, and it is a constant revolving door of things to do: weight, vitals, visit from physical therapist, seen by nurse, seen by mid level, seen by doctor, visit from Stefan, catering, etc.  No one ever said hospital stays are restful. We have a neighbor who has been in the hospital at Atlanta Medical Center for over a month now.  I can't imagine how badly he wants to get home.  He is very close to being released. Paws crossed.

Plateletes are the determining factor in my schedule.  If they are 40 or higher, I will have the weekend off. If not, I go to clinic on Sunday.  As always, since I m still at my low, if I show signs of a fever or chills, heart problems, etc., we get admitted again.  Upon release, my paperwork said 55, so next clinic Monday!

Room 462: new view, funky airconditioning with a mind if it's own. 

The nice people on TV say it's Labor Day Weekend, and the start of Fall. It's a stretch, but I decided to celebrate with a big pot of pulled pork chili.

Hey, it's only 90 outside. I am thankful for good airconditioning!

100.6

Another uncomfortable day. With each hour it gets better, but there still is some pain.  I would rate it a 4-5, so there really is no need to take tramadol or any other pain medication this late in the game. The Neupogen has boosted my white blood cells to 13, which is too high now. It will stabilize in a few days.

I also have been given the gift of neuropathy or "tingling" in my feet. It makes it strange to walk around, but at least I am stable. I think it is probably left over from the tramadol.

I got a ride in with Buffy to clinic today (thanks!) and just needed a bag of fluids.  Kinda felt out of it all day.  Beverly came and donated plateletes, so I hitched a ride home.  (Double thanks!) Then I ate and took a nap.

To be released to home care comes with certain commitments. One is that you call immediately if you have a fever of 100.5 or higher.

I felt strange all day, but no fever until I woke up from my nap.  I took several readings at different intervals before I called.  Just to be sure it wasn't just because I woke up.  Dr. Holland said I had to be admitted based on my being neutropenic. Better to be safe than sorry.

So we are at Northside Hospital again.  I spoke to my nurse and she sees this quite a bit. It isn't uncommon to be admitted, checked over, given antibiotics, and released the next day.

Let's hope for that.