Rooster's Blog: January 19, 2009

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.

Monday, January 19, 2009

January 19, 2009

Things got really bad last night. What started out as a low grad fever with chills turned into fever spikes up to 104.2 This morning I have a temp of 102.4 & I am sweating like a freight train. I feel terrible my head hurts so much, Marc was able to get my temp down to 100.7 last night with some Tylenol before I passed out & I just took some more a little bit ago. I am going to the Madison County Hospital at 10am. I have a feeling Sue is going to send me to the James. My tongue has huge black spots all over it & I have been having severe nose bleeds all day yesterday & last night, My platelets must be drastically low I am covered in the petichi rash again. I never really recovered from the third treatment before they started the 4th. I am scheduled to see my Dr on Wed but I don't think I am going to make it that long. I have to get this fever under control I have been so luckily to this point I don't want to start having problems now, but there is definitely something going on I need to get my ANC count today, if I have an infection there could be huge problems because I do not have an immune system at the moment my ANC was 0 last Thursday.

I will try to have Marc update this later I just don't have the energy,

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Dear Sandi,
I ran across your blog about while searching for articles about Cancer. I am not sure where things stand with you financially, but I wanted to offer a possible way to help if you are interested.

I am an Administrative Assistant for a new non-profit group called The Lighthouse Community. We offer a free service for those who are experiencing the financial impact of cancer on their family. The Lighthouse Community is a new non-profit organization dedicated to helping ease that financial burden. We have created a tax-deductible donation program where friends, family, co-workers and even strangers can give to a specific client to meet pressing financial needs. Anyone who gives to you through our site can take a tax deduction and you can also use the site to keep friends and family updated on your situation.

If there is a way we can help with the financial burden that comes with cancer we want to help. You can visit our website at www.TLCcares.org or email me at Erin@thelighthousecommunity.org. We would love to help!

Erin O'Hagan
Administrative Assistant
The Lighthouse Community
www.TLCcares.org; January 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Aunt Lynn said...: Hi Sandi,
Sorry to hear you're not doing well. I'm sure the fever is why your head is hurting so bad but I'm glad to know you're going to the hospital & if Sue sends you to the James then so be it. We want you better no matter what. I know you don't like being away from the kids & Marc but if it's the best thing for you it needs to be that way until you get your immune system back. I'm calling THE prayer warrior, Grandma, and having you put on the prayer chain. Done!! we will be lifting you up through all this Sandi, stay strong girl. I love you & will check on you later.
Aunt Lynn; January 19, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Unknown said...: sandi or marcus ,please call elaine or me we are very worried about you call as soon as you can love, aunt bonnie; January 19, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Sandi,

I'm sorry you are feeling bad right now. I will put you on the prayer chain at my church today. I will keep you in my prayers.
As well as Marcus and the kids:)

Talk to you soon
Paula; January 19, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Sandi,
I am a cousin to your mother Elaine. I'm sure we have met but probably when you were younger so I don't expect you to remember me.

Eight years ago I had cancer and went through a series of chemo so I know what you are experiencing. I also know the danger of the fever, so I'm praying you'll get better VERY soon. Although chemo is rough, a healthy body afterwards is what you must look forward to. Keep up the spirit!
Millie; January 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Keep fighting Sandi, as hard as it is, what I have read about you and what you have done for others I know you are a very strong person. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.; January 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM

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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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Monday, January 19, 2009

January 19, 2009

6 comments:

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