Rooster's Blog: October 11, 2008

Welcome to my Blog!

This was originally intended for those who have AML & stumbled across my blog in their search for information or survivors. I also used this to keep in touch with the real world, my support system was vital in my recovery and I also used it to sustain some form of sanity. I am a realist, and I have learned this has been and always will be a fight for my life. The initial leukemia battle is still here in the archives for all my fellow AML Warriors. There is so much information and no one wants to tell you. If you are just starting your treatment you may not even think to ask questions just because you are so sick. Please checkout my archives but start back in September 2008 and work your way towards today. There is a lot to read and a ton of type-o's, but it is all there the good the bad and the ugly. I challenged the Doc's, I always asked questions and pushed them for answers even if I did not like them. The Docs are not used to that so if you can, I encourage you to challenge them. They need to remember that although you are very sick you are not dead! My Blog content has morphed over the years. It's all about my life experiences, definitely my opinions and the lifelong impacts of the disease that pop up from time to time. I am a Gen Xer & I have a lot to say about everything. Rarely do I hold back or turn on a sensitivity sensor. I post regularly on Facebook nowadays just because it is faster. I welcome your comments, questions or feedback.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

October 11, 2008

My Hemoglobin went from 9.6 to 9.8, my Hct went from 27.6 to 28.1, my White Blood Cell count went from 1.2 to 2 & my Platelets went from 150 to 283. Even though yesterday was agony I tried to be positive when I got the preliminary labs today. Again the neutraphils were a little later coming back in but earlier than the last 2 days around lunch time my Nurse Practitioner told me they went from 75 to 30. She told me they could bounce up & down that is probably what is happening however this does not make me feel any better.

I got up, made my bed, took a shower & went for a walk since it the OSU game was a home game against Purdue. Marcus told me it would be a mad house & if I was up for it maybe some decent entertainment. He went on the Carnival run & I was bored so why not.

On my way to the Horseshoe

at the shoe

leaving the shoe

The OSU Cheerleaders were warming up, the one doing the flip almost landed on his head. I was surprised because some of their male cheerleaders were pretty thick.

The Highway Patrol & Columbus SWAT Team for riot control were everywhere

It was so loud on the streets

Everywhere you looked it was a huge block/tailgate party, all the way down Lane Avenue.

I was getting hot in my OSU pajama pants pants & mid sleeve OSU shirt so I stopped at the UDF & got another Vitamin Water & headed to the shade of Mirror Lake for some quiet time. It was loud there to with all the college kids passing through the Oval to get to the game so I headed back towards the James.

The statue in front of the James

Alan showed up later with a box full of deserts from the Carnival run & we were chatting away when Marcus showed up with Zack & Paige. I was surprised because he did not call & tell me he was coming. Alan took off & I got to visit with them for awhile for some reason I was having trouble posting more pictures but I figured it out. Zack of course did not want to stay long, so I walked them out. We got to watch one of the med flights take off & Zack saw a guy in a Cowboy hat so he kept saying hi Cowboy & yeehaw. It was funny.

Zack, Marcus & Alan

Paige

Zack playing with my hat & Marcus

My 5th Child

Look at those cheeks

Paige Marcus & Zack

Me & Zack

By the time I got back to my room I was pretty tired. A nursing student changed my PICC dressing & I crashed for the night.

3 comments:

Aunt Lynn said...: Hi Sandi,
Looks like Ohio had a beautiful day to go for a walk. I was glad to hear Marcus & the kids surprised you with a visit. I'm sure that lifted your spirits even though you're stuck in that damn "Hotel" Keep that positive spirit & you'll get through this! Hope you have a good day & that your numbers get to where you need them to be. I love you!!!; October 12, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Unknown said...: hi sweetie, your walk was sure interesting.i'm well and that walk would have tired me out,. i don't know how you do it ,but keep it up perseverance will win out.the pictures are precious.boy,that zack sure looks like his mommy!i hope the nice weather makes your days brighter.i wish these numbers would get where they need to be so you could go home.i hope to see you soon.love, aunt bonnie; October 12, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Pixie said...: Hey Yoyo,
Happy to hear ya got out for a walk, it was beautiful. I've been stuck here at the house, still not feeling that great until today. I don't like this weather, warm or cold make it's mind up already! We will be up to see ya when I feel better. But hope we see ya at home not James. The numbers seem to be bouncing, that is what Robbies did after his first treatment. He wouldn't stay down either all the time walking, etc. He didn't get a good reading until right before his second treatment. You'll get where ya need to be. Just remember everyone is different! And you have to be one of the stubborn ones! Why do this any different. :) LOL!! You & your family are in my prayers! Robbie said to find out if ya need another "Against Dr. Orders" remedy! (He's a trouble maker!)
We Luv Ya Sis!
Pixie & Oatmeal; October 13, 2008 at 1:43 AM

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Quotes

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Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body but, rather, to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WOoHOo! What a ride!!"
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Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
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Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wiser.
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If you are never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.
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Ask yourself: "What have I missed out on simply because I was too afraid of what others would think?"
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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
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I'd rather have 30 seconds of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.
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And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years.
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How my Blog works...it's all in the archives below

The archives detail my journey through the leukemia treatments and clinical trials and a whole lot of tribulations that have lead me here which is also where I want to stay remission! My blog served as the central repository where everyone could stay informed. I did not have a Facebook back then. At first it felt weird having so much transparency but it was great therapy!

I encourage you to add your comments or feedback. You can do that by clicking on the "Comment" link at the bottom of each post. You can also read any comments left by others. When you opt to write a comment, you will be asked to choose an identity -- your Google account name (if you have one), or "Other" (giving you the opportunity to sign your name to your comment), or "Anonymous" if you choose this option please put your name at the end of your comment so I know who it is from.

My Chemo Brain has interfered with my psychic ability. I look forward to hearing from you, thanks for dropping by.

What can YOU do for Cancer Warriors all over the world?

One answer is "Roll up your Sleeve!" You might not know that as a result of my treatment, my ability to produce enough of the various blood cells that we all take for granted were severely diminished. I received many units of red blood cells for my anemia and even more units of platelets to boost my immune system. You can help replace or bolster these products by making a donation at any Blood drive location. Each time someone gets an infusion it costs just under $3,000. When someone can get the blood & blood products for free from the Red Cross versus a Plasma Center it saves quite a bit.

Did you know you can give platelet's, you can donate unidonor platelets which is where the platelets of your blood are separated and the blood is cycled back into you. This takes about 2 hours. It normally takes about 10 units of blood or 10 people to do what one person can do if just platelets are donated. Additionally, this causes less chance of a reaction to the platelets and more chance they can be used. Most people are able to give platelet donations every two weeks or so. If you donate blood, you can't donate platelets for about 4-6 weeks.

Consider Becoming a Bone Marrow Donor. I still do not have a match and if this ugly beast rears it's head and I relapse I am going to need one my only option will be to get a bone marrow or stem cell transplant or die. In that process, the bone marrow is literally killed using chemotherapy/ radiation and replaced with that of a donor.The first place we looked was my immediate family members. My sister Sharon underwent testing to see if she was a match; unfortunately, she isn't. A second source is an unrelated donor normally through the National Marrow Donor Program ("NMDP"). My Wingman Joe Drake and Kim Sandusky for the 445 AES coordinated a Bone Marrow Drive while I was in the hospital. Many people join the NMDP registry as a result of knowing someone like me and wanting to help. In order to register, you must be willing to donate for ANYONE in need along with me.

How much is a life really worth in dollars?

Who ever thinks they will really have a price tag on your head? You would not believe how unrealistic the financial burden is that is placed upon someone going through cancer treatment. I am a planner and I was so unprepared for it; but, then is anyone every really prepared for that? I have had so many friends and family ask me what they could do to help. I address this in some of my archived posts. It was really tough for me to ask for financial assistance. Marcus and I were very fortunate that we both had stable jobs with the state at the time so we had decent insurance. What I did not factor after all the co-pays and the deductibles was all of the non-covered services, not to mention every department bills separately. It all added up very quickly. How quick? I will never forget the first bill I received from the James Cancer Hospital. It was for OVER 2 MILLION buckaroos and it only included my first 6 weeks of induction chemotherapy at the hospital. That did not include the X-Rays, Dr. fees, lab tests, ect. Its crazy but I laughed when I looked at but after awhile when the kids were not around I cried really hard because I just could not believe it & I knew I still was going to have almost another 14 months of treatments still. My credit score was around 750 when I was diagnosed with AML. Needless to say that is not where it stayed. If you are reading this know that anything and everything you sent helped. We almost lost our house because I was off work so long and the prescription costs depleted anything we had saved. It was hard economic times for everyone then and it is not much better now. I worried a lot about how all of this would impact my children's future. I can tell you I will be doing everything I can to mitigate a potential relapse. It took me awhile to realize we will never pay for it all. I had a real hard time accepting that; payment plans made it possible to salvage my credit. Bone marrow biopsys and aspirations went from quarterly, to annually to we'll se with follow-up. So for my fellow Cancer Warriors don't get too hung up on the medical bills. You are never going to be able to pay for them all. Once you are through the treatment set yourself up with payment plans that you can afford to pay on for the rest of your life. just make sure they are realistic ie. keep the payments small, you will have multiple billers. For everyone else, it is my intent to continue to share my story with others and what it has taught me. There is so little information out there that is positive. My mission now is to take all this experience and all your support and pay it forward. If you would like to contribute to this cause:

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Sunday, October 12, 2008

October 11, 2008

3 comments:

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