My Update Week of May 26th......

Thought I would update everyone tonight. I had several appointments this week so far with Dr.'s, nurses and ultrasound. Yesterday I had an appointment with the Ear/Nose/Throat doctor who told me there was nothing more they would be doing for me. Although, I still can't open my mouth very wide and eating can be quite a chore at times! He said that my mouth problem is caused by my lymphoma and would get better with the chemo. I guess we will see........

Today started bright and early with me drinking 3 huge glasses of water in preparation for my pelvic ultrasound @ 8:00 am. Then that wasn't enough and I had to drink 2 more glasses and wait for 40 more minutes. I guess the cyst on my ovary is still there and may need to be followed up again later. Then they whipped me down to the Day Care Unit and up to the Canadian Blood Services room for blood work. After that it was off to the Lab for an ECG and yet another tube of blood to take. I think they took about 10 tubes of blood today. Then it was back to see the transplant nurse for a few minutes. Now as long as they have a bed tomorrow I will be going into the Cross for 3 days to receive my mobility chemo to kick start my Bone Marrow into making stem cells. This chemo will probably cause me to lose my hair in the next couple of weeks. I'm not too worried about it though, just one of those things. Hopefully, everything will go good and theywill be able to start collecting the stem cells in a couple of weeks and then do the transplant sometime the first part of July.

I have enjoyed seeing Joanne the last few days and am sad to see her go home so soon. I
know that this whole thing with me is hard for her being so far away, but Jen and Jill keep her well informed.

That's about it for this week. I will keep everyone informed as soon as I know what's going on.

Happenings of Week of May 12th

I guess it's time to do another update on what's happening in my life. I had a rather busy week with appointments (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). Monday I had a meeting with the transplant nurse. It was a bit overwhelming but we got a lot of information on the process. The hardest part for me was knowing how long I could possibly be in isolation. Made me cry. Luckily, Sadie will be able to come see Grandma there anytime as long as Grandma doesn't get an infection. The whole process is well underway now. Also on Monday I had my bloodwork done.....hemoglobin count was 100. Very exciting when 2 weeks before it was only 58 and I needed 3 units of blood. I have been trying hard to eat properly and taking my vitamins. I really don't want to have to get potassium again.

Tuesday I got my day 8 chemo. Last of the 2 cycles I was scheduled for. The next chemo I'm scheduled for is the 28th to 30th of May. I am supposed to be admitted for those 3 days to get 'mobilizing chemo'. Then I start taking a hormone to get my blood to produce stem cells. I will have to learn how to inject myself as this hormone needs to be given twice a day for 2 weeks.

Wednesday, I had to see the nurse practitioner for a medical history and check to see if I am going to be ready for this whole thing. There is an issue with my mouth right now. There is some tissue in the back of my mouth holding it closed to a certain extent. I also have to go for an ultrasound on my pelvic area to see my left ovary. I didn't know but when I was first admitted to the Alex, they did an ultrasound and found a cyst on my ovary. It needed to be followed up on in a couple of months and that time frame is up soon.

I've now reached 8 and 1/2 weeks of not smoking. There has only been once where I almost took one of Bruce's cigarettes. I opened the package and was very tempted, but thought better of it!!!! I've done it 'cold turkey' and I guess being in the hospital for 16 days really helped with any of the withdrawal things.

I am getting excited as it's just over a week until Joanne comes for a very short visit. It will be so good to see her. Unfortunately, I have several appointments when she is here. At least I have some time off of appointments for the rest of this week and next week. I need the break.

What's Been Happening in My Life

May 3/08

I thought it was time for another update on what is happening with me. I went on Monday for my bloodwork and Dr. appointment before starting my second cycle of chemo. Well much to my surprise, my hemoglobin was quite low again and instead of Dr. appointment and chemo on Tuesday, I spent 23 hours in emergency at the U of A hospital getting blood and potassium. I was also supposed to get my central line in on Tuesday after a failed attempt to get it on Friday. That was put on hold until this past Thursday when I finally got it. Hopefully things will go better this week and I will get my chemo on Monday.

Other than that, things have been going pretty good. I don't do too much as I can't stand for a long period of time. I have done a few things around the house like cleaning up in the bathroom or putting dishes in dishwasher but that's about all I can manage as I don't have alot of strength yet. I can't get up and down the stairs so laundry is out of the question. I do the folding when Bruce does the laundry though.

This past week was rather strange as Bruce had to work late most days. Gateway is hosting the Nationals for 10 pin in the YBC 4 Steps to Stardom. The 5 Pin Nationals are also here but I'm not too sure where they are bowling. Of course, I had to add some more stress to Bruce's life by winding up in Emergency on Monday. And of course it was hours and hours before they even did anything for me. What fun:(

I suppose that's about all for tonight. I will try to keep everyone informed as to what is going on with me as I know more.