February 24, 2009

Here are my Lab Updates from Friday & today:
Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700--------10.6---------131------------N/A
4 Feb---155-----3.9-----????---------9.9----------160------------N/A
6 Feb---157-----3.2-----1500---------10.0---------190------------N/A
9 Feb---160-----6.0-----4000---------11.8---------262------------N/A
12 Feb---163-----3.1----1810---------10.3---------257------------N/A
17 Feb---168-----2.3----1400----------9.4---------246------------N/A
20 Feb---171-----3.1----2200----------9.4---------177------------N/A
24 Feb---175-----2.4----1800---------10.5----------97------------N/A

As I told you in my post on Friday Brandon has been sick, I was finally able to get him into the Dr. this morning. They gave him a breathing treatment & a few prescriptions. His Dr. believes he has bronchitis.

Unfortunately these last few days I have not gotten any better I have gotten a little worse especially with the congestion & runny nose alternating. I was getting pretty paranoid especially with my counts dropping last Tuesday. However I was able to pick up my labs today 7 they have come up some, yes my platelets are still dropping & my ANC has went down a little from Friday but it is still above 1,000 so that is a good thing. I called the James cancer Hospital this morning just to be safe. After reviewing my labs they were comfortable with calling me in a prescription of Zithromax & as long as I don't get worse or any fevers I should be alright, WHEW! I was getting scared they would try to admit me again. I am glad I currently have a little bit of an immune system to fight this bug or I would be back in the hospital for sure.

Over the weekend I felt really good, I even wore a little make up on Saturday night & Mark took me to a meeting. I haven't really wore any make up at all since I got sick. I noticed I still do not have any eye lashes & my eyebrows what little is left are getting thinner by the day.

I am supposed to be going back down to the base tomorrow & Thursday to make up my February drill weekend. My waiver is supposed to be expiring at the end of March but I got a phone call over the weekend that said it is expiring the end of February so I e-mailed my Dr. to get an updated letter with my progress ASAP. If I do not get this sent in soon I may have to go a couple of more months on a medical profile 4 which will not let me participate. I e-mailed my Dr Saturday so I hope we can get it in time for the waiver to stay in place. I thought I had until the end of March & I see my Dr on the 4th so I was going to get the letter then, I must of been having chemo brain, that was happening quite frequently awhile back so it would not surprise me.

I am looking forward to my appointment on the 4th. I hope my Dr is ready to release me back to my civilian job at least part time. She was not ready to do this last month so we will have to wait & see.

So that is what is happening for now. We did pick up some paint for Zack's new" bedroom up stairs, it used to be the girls old bed room. He was all excited about picking out the colors last night. He finally settled on London Red Raider's Red & White. This should be interesting...

February 20, 3009

Hi everyone, I have really neglected my blogging this week. As my life begins to return to a semi-normal state between treatments the rest of this year, my updates may become less frequent but as a minimum I will try to update weekly. On the plus side I made it back in my military uniform which was was the most concerned about!

Here are my Lab Updates from Tuesday, today's as you can see are still pending:
Date------Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700--------10.6---------131------------N/A
4 Feb---155-----3.9-----????---------9.9----------160------------N/A
6 Feb---157-----3.2-----1500---------10.0---------190------------N/A
9 Feb---160-----6.0-----4000---------11.8---------262------------N/A
12 Feb---163-----3.1----1810---------10.3---------257------------N/A
17 Feb---168-----2.3----1400----------9.4---------246------------N/A
20 Feb---171-----Pending

My (ANC) or neutraphil count is dropping along with my white blood cells. Aahh the timing of the drop sucks! Brandon has a little cough & runny/stuffy nose & the sneezes going on. I started feeling a little tickle in the back of my throat last night & I have been sneezing a little bit but not to bad. I did stop & get some cough drops on the way into the base today because Marc was really getting on me to do it. My head is a little achy & my throat is slightly sore but I still don't feel too bad. I went ahead & made Brandon wear a mask when we got home & I put on one as well. I am scared to death to get sick again. I asked Brandon if he was sick the other day & he said no, today when I picked them up from school he said he felt terrible & he is sick, but he still made me take him to practice & he has every intention to wrestle this weekend at the district tournament. I think it is a bad idea & I told him he was going to be to weak & get stomped he said he does not care, he is still going. Teenagers, you cannot tell them anything! (I would have never admitted this when I was a teenager)

This is a good picture of Katie & Paige. Katie's drwaing books she ordered finally arrived & the Sims game Sara ordered her arrived this week as well so she could not be happier. She pokes her head out of her room every now & then for food & when we call her, I expect she will be engrossed in these for a few weeks & it is going to be like pulling teeth to get her away from them to socialize LOL. Paige is still having some trouble; she got a detention this week for not participating in gym 3 times (dress cuts) & a few other things. Again I say teenagers when my hair does come back in I swear it is going to be all grey.

There was maybe one decent weather day last weekend & Zack could not stand being cooped up anymore so he made a beak for the trampoline. He thinks he is a tough guy to, just like his Bubby!

I survived a whole week working at the base. I completed all of My EMT re-certification paperwork & I have my new CPR card so I am good for a couple more years. It was a pretty small class so I had the time to sit & talk with my classmates & make new friendships. Although I will miss them I am glad I don't have to worry about my CPR & EMT anymore & that the week is over. The hardest part was getting up in the mornings. I really struggled with that. I am not normally a morning person anyway but it was even tougher than normal to get up out of bed however once I was up & had time to adjust I was fine. My evenings were not to bad either. I seemed to have a little more energy than normal at night but it was pretty short lived, as I would find myself in bed quite early for me.

I also noticed during the week that my brain capacity & function seems to be much improved. In the last 3 months I really was suffering from chemo brain quite frequently & could not process information in my normal way. This week there was a noticeable improvement; I even got a 100% on my EMT Exam. I could not even recall some of the basic EMT info a couple of months ago so I surprised myself.

Thank you Aunt Sue & Uncle David I got you card in the mail today. I continue to be so grateful for your very generous Chemo fund donations. You have donated so much already & we are very grateful. As everyone knows my treatment is not cheap & in January I unexpectedly became ill & was hospitalized for an additional 8 days that we had not anticipated, every donation helps so much.

I want to send a shout out to Debra Beck, look me up in face book & send me your e-mail. For that matter if anyone is trying to get a hold of you & me don’t have my e-mail face book is another good way to contact me. Debra used to be in the 445 AES with me, she found me again through the Buckeye Flyer, the WPAFB 445 Airlift Wings monthly newspaper. They did a wonderful article on me for the Blood drive my unit was sponsoring back at the beginning of the month & it also listed my Blog address.

I will try to update my Blog again on Monday, if my lab results come back before then I will post them sooner. I hope everyone enjoys the weekend & Thank you all for your continued support.

February 13, 2009

Hi everyone here is my Lab Updates:
Date------Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
26 Jan---146-----4.5----3100---------9.1----------37------------N/A
28 Jan---148-----2.7----1100---------10.6----------64------------N/A
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700--------10.6---------131------------N/A
4 Feb---155-----3.9-----????---------9.9----------160------------N/A
6 Feb---157-----3.2-----1500---------10.0---------190------------N/A
9 Feb---160-----6.0-----4000---------11.8---------262------------N/A
12 Feb---163-----3.1----1810------10.3-------257------------N/A

I have not updated since the 9th & I apologize for that. The Chemo has been taking a lot longer at the hospital then what I understood it would. They originally told me an hour a day for 5 days. What they left out is I have to get labs drawn on the first & third day & they have to wait on the results which can take an hour or longer. Once the results are back the Dr has to write the chemo order then they have to fax the order to the pharmacy so they can fill it.This can take another hour or 2. The actual Chemo administration takes an hour. So on average I have been spending 3 to 4 hours a day at the hospital to receive my chemo. I do not know how I am going to schedule these chemo treatments in when I go back to work. It is going to get real interesting. After today I will have 5 weeks to recover from the 36mg of Decitabine (Chemo) & then we will start the next cycle, I have 7 cycles left to complete. God willing the Leukemia will stay in remission & towards the end of 2009 I will be completely done with Chemotherapy & just have follow up appointments to ensure I am in remission.

My girlfriend Chanie took me to the hospital on Monday for treatment & then Marc took me on Tuesday. Wednesday & Thursday I drove myself & I didn't do to bad. Today Marc drove me since my counts dropped yesterday & I was really tired. I did manage to cook dinner 3 out of 4 nights this week. So the kids & Marc had to suffer with left overs one night, I don't think that's to bad. The Dr said I would feel the best this week but I hope she was wrong & I will feel the best next week, especially since I have to re-certify my EMT next week before it expires.

We did survive the big wind storms on Wednesday night but our gazebo that was screwed onto our pool deck did not. We were lucky this was the only damage, I heard that some of the wind gusts were as strong as 75mph. I know it sounded like a freight train going past the house most of the night.

Marc & Zack were starting to get a little shaggy so I went with them to get their hair cut. Zack was flirting with the girl cutting his hair.

I noticed this morning in the shower what little bit of hair I have is coming out again. Hopefully it won't all fall out. I have been putting the Olive Oil Root Stimulator that Angie got me back when I was first diagnosed, to see if it will help it grow faster.

Zack has been amazing with school. He has had all white days since returning from Christmas break. He is reading very well & he sounds out words that he does not know for the most part on his own with minimal help. Katie has been being more social around the house so I think she is finally getting back to normal. She was working with her ink splatter technique the other day. We got online & ordered some of her drawing books that she wanted. So everyday she has been watching the mail waiting on them. Brandon's ringworm looks like it has been getting bigger, but he has been putting his medicine on it so he should be allowed to wrestle on Saturday at the SCOL tournament. Paige has been having a real rough week, girl drama.

Marc is taking me out to eat for Valentines day when we leave the hospital today. We have a club meeting later on tonight. I do not know what is going on this weekend or how I am going to be feeling so we will have to play it by ear. Next week is going to be a very long week for me & I suspect I will be very tired at the end of each day, so I may not get this updated for awhile. Please be patient with me.

Although we are leukemia free at the moment my Dr. said that this could change at any time without warning. I choose to believe that the worst is over & we are almost out of the woods. Thank you everyone, who still continues to follow my blog & those of you who send your prayers & encouragement. I still get on her daily to look at your comments even if I don't always post, Marc reads them to me!

February 9, 2009

I want to send a special thank you out to the 445th AES for sponsoring the Blood & Bone Marrow Drive in my honor at the American Legion in Fairborn, Ohio. Master Sergeant Drake told me they had about 34 people donate blood, some of which doubled up units & they also had about 20 people register to become Bone Marrow Donor's. I thought this was fantastic & everyone that donated & worked the event should be commended. Thank you all so much!

Today's labs
Date------Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
26 Jan---146-----4.5----3100---------9.1----------37------------N/A
28 Jan---148-----2.7----1100---------10.6----------64------------N/A
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700--------10.6---------131------------N/A
4 Feb---155-----3.9-----????---------9.9----------160------------N/A
6 Feb---157-----3.2-----1500---------10.0---------190------------N/A
9 Feb---160-----6.0----4000------11.8-------262------------N/A
Today started out rough. I did not want to get out of bed. My sweats have escalated to not only at night but intermittently during the day. This morning after my shower they were real bad, I thought I was going to have to take another shower. Our weekend was pretty mellow. We did go out to the clubhouse to socialize for a few hours on Saturday night but we were home in bed shortly after 10. Marc did make it out for a short ride on Sunday it was in the Mid forty's. I on the other hand said no it will have to warm up a bit more before I try to get out on the bike.

Chanie came to take me to Chemotherapy this morning & I am so grateful. After taking the kids to school I realized I am really not up to driving in Columbus today. I have just been really tired all day. When we got to the Chemo Clinic they did not even call me back for labs until 12:30pm. I figured we would of been out of there by then since the Chemo is only supposed to take an hour. Needless to say they did not even start my Chemo until after 2:oopm. I texted Brandon to let him & Katie know I would not be there to pick them up, so Misty picked them up for me. We got out of the James around 3:30pm & we made it back to London a little after 4pm. Chanie had not seen Katie in years & Zack was his usual charming self. Paige has a make up game at McClain & Brandon was at wrestling practice even through he still can't wrestle.

Chanie offered to help me fix dinner, spaghetti & meatballs. Marc was home & able to help me & I knew we got back later than we expected. Her girls have Karate class tonight so I sent hr home. On a side note, I know my brain is still off. I left my cell phone at the hospital & did not realize it until I was almost home. They have it & I will pick it up tomorrow at my next treatment. I still feel tired but all n all I can't complain. I don't feel sick from it. In all honestly I think the tiredness is still part of my recovery from being sick. This should be a long week with treatments everyday & driving back & forth to Columbus. At least my labs are up & we should be able to monitor them pretty closely all week. They hospital does not think my counts will drop until the third week. Or at least that is when they said I should feel the worst, we'll see.

Sharon White made a donation to my Leukemia fund right before I went back in the hospital with the bacterial infection so I have yet to tell her thank you. I some how missed it because I do not check my credit union account but every other week, so I missed it. Sharon, thank you so much you have already done so much & I don't want you to think we forgot about you because we haven't. The family also got a Valentine's card from my niece Sierra & I got another Valentines card from a great friend Katie Miller. You ladies are all awesome & you know just how to lift my spirits, thank you all.

I will try to update tomorrow we will have to see how the energy level goes!

February 7, 2009

The 445 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is hosting a Blood Drive in honor of me, MSgt. Sandi Golden-Vest today Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 from 8:00am-1:00pm. Walk-in’s are welcome!

Site: American Legion Post 526
526 Legion Lane
Fairborn, OH 45324
Site phone: 878-3831

Contact on Arrival: Major Kimm Sandusky (1-513-678-2715 ) MSgt Joseph
Drake (George Copfer, Post Commander )

While you are waiting you can become a Bone Marrow Donor as well, no appointment is necessary for this & there is no cost associated becoming a registered Bone Marrow Donor on this date at this location.

Beginning registration for the blood drive is 8:00am. Please come out & donate if you can.
***Community Blood Center will provide juice and cookies and a t-shirt to all
blood donors.

Yesterday's labs
Date------Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
24 Jan---144-----3.3----2700---------8.4----------34----------------N/A
25 Jan---145-----5.9----4320---------9.0----------28----------------N/A
26 Jan---146-----4.5----3100---------9.1----------37------------N/A
28 Jan---148-----2.7----1100---------10.6----------64------------N/A
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700--------10.6---------131------------N/A
4 Feb---155-----3.9----????----------9.9---------160------------N/A
6 Feb---157-----3.2----1500------10.0-------190------------N/A

I am sorry I was unable to post yesterday, I had a really bad headache & my body was aching badly all over but especially in my hip. The resting MUGA tests seemed to go well but took forever. I thought I had one of those tests before but after going through it I was wrong. They put an IV in my arm, drew blood, then they mixed it with radiation & injected it back in my arm. They performed an EKG & then waited about 30 minutes, then they remove all but 3 of the leads. There is a big metal container with a camera inside in the shape of a plate. They put you in 3 different positions to take 3 pictures of the heart. From what I could see on the monitor it was just a bunch of tiny dots that went into a white blur so I do not know how they read it. We got out of the Ross Heart Hospital about noon.

Marc took me to get some lunch & then we headed to Madison County Hospital to get my labs drawn. After that we picked up Brandon & Katie from school. Here's a news flash I forgot to tell you about the other day. Brandon did not get to wrestle in his meet on Thursday. When the referee’s did his weigh in & body inspection they found a spot on the back of his neck that looks like it could be ringworm. So yesterday I took him to see his pediatrician & although it looks like it could be dry skin she said that the pattern of it & coloration could be ringworm so she put him on a prescription just in case. The SCOL District Tournament is on the 14th so he should be cleared up by then.

Here is what you have all been waiting for...I got my results back from the Bone Marrow Biopsy & I am very happy to report that there is 1% Blast Cells in my Bone Marrow & no signs of Leukemia! We could not have asked for better results. I questioned my Neutraphil count again as it appears it is still dropping but since it is above 1,000 we are still ok. They also told me that the pumping action of my heart is at 64% & it needed to be above 50% so everything is good to start my Maintenance Chemotherapy on Monday.


Thank you Aunt Sue & Uncle David for the Cheryl Cookies. The kids & I did not want to wait until Valentine's Day so we dug in not to mention they were a wonderful surprise & a nice treat to celebrate the good news that we received from the James!

This morning Katie let Spike out to potty & there is a skunk that lives under my neighbors shed... well the skunk was out I guess & Spike went for it & got sprayed in the face. Poor Katie let Spike back in the house not realizing it & Marc hurried up & got him back outside but the house has "ode de skunk" smell now. Zack thought the whole thing was cool & wants to see the skunk & Marc wants to shoot the skunk. I think it is the same skunk that got Coral, the Chocolate lab we used to have, a few times. Marc used some white vinegar & dishwashing liquid on Spike to try & tame the smell.

Here is a picture of Paige that I took at her Basketball game Thurseay night.

It is forty degrees outside already today, talk about a heat wave. It is about time it warmed up around here. I am feeling a lot better today then I did last night but I am still a little shaky, I did not get out of bed last night except to eat dinner.

Thank you everyone for being so supportive & your prayers. I know I say this all the time, but it is true we could not get through all of this without you. I will try to update again on Sunday.

February 5, 2009

Yesterday's labs
Date------Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
24 Jan---144-----3.3----2700---------8.4----------34----------------N/A
25 Jan---145-----5.9----4320---------9.0----------28----------------N/A
26 Jan---146-----4.5----3100---------9.1----------37------------N/A
28 Jan---148-----2.7----1100---------10.6----------64------------N/A
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700--------10.6---------131------------N/A
4 Feb---155-----3.9----????-------9.9-------160------------N/A

Talk about a bounce in my numbers. The Neupogen shots did their thing, but as you can see as soon as I came off of them my counts dropped just as drastically as they rose. Fortunately my ANC has not dropped below 1,000 so for now I can stay off of the shots. My labs will be drawn again on Friday. I was too drugged up to ask for my detailed lab report before I left the hospital yesterday to get my ANC. If I had to guess it was somewhere in the 3,000 range.

Yesterday was a very long day at the hospital, they drew my labs & then Marc & I went back to the Bone Marrow Biopsy room. They pre medicated me with Ativan & something else about a half hour prior to the procedure which really relaxed me. Marc was great throughout the whole thing. he gets squeamish with blood & needles unless it is horror show, so I was real proud of him he didn't want to take any pictures but I wanted him to so he did. He actually got a picture of them aspirating the bone marrow that is pretty cool. After that I had an EKG done then we saw my Dr. She ended up taking me off the VFEND (an antifungal medication that is generally used to treat serious, invasive fungal infections), the Avelox (an antibiotic agent) & the Fluconazol (an antifungal drug used in the treatment and prevention of superficial and systemic fungal infections) but told me to hang on to what I have left. She told me fungal infections can sometimes take moths to clear up so I am a little confused as to why she took my off the antifungals.

We also talked about the hormone shot that has thrown me into menopause I am due to get it again & I told her I wanted to try to go on without it, for various reasons. The weight gain I have put on since I got the shot 3 months ago has been driving me nuts. The hot flashes & sweats are ridiculous. If I am going to go back to work & be successful, it will make it that much harder to get through the day constantly dealing with that. My Dr. did double up my Neurontin, so I have to go to the Pharmacy later & get the prescription filled, I was to out of it yesterday to do anything.

We talked about me going back to work & in my mind I see at the end of the month. Well she does not think so... I am so irritated because I just want to be well & get back to the way my life used to be a large part of that is my work. She scheduled me to go back in on Friday to get a resting MUGA test done to assess the pumping efficiency & motion of my heart. All of the results should be good along with my Biopsy results, which should also be back by Friday. My researcher told me that she needs the results to be at less than 3% not 5% like I had thought before. She did mention that if the results are not less than 3% the next step is a Bone Marrow Transplant not more chemo. I am pretty confident I am going to be at 1% or less so I am not even going to think about that. After all that was done I had to go down to radiology for a Chest X-Ray & we finally got to go home.

If all these tests are good (they have already scheduled me) I will be starting my third phase of treatment, Maintenance Chemotherapy with Decitabine, starting on Monday. I was not expecting it so quickly but my Dr. was confident that I could do this. This phase of Chemotherapy is the Clinical Trial Portion of my Treatment. All next week Monday through Friday I will be going in & getting Chemo. the bonus is at least I get to come home each night it is all out patient.

So like I said earlier I had high hopes of being back to work by the end of the month. My Dr is saying no, April or May & I said bull are you going to pay my bills for me? So hopefully I tolerate this first round well & when I see her again at the beginning of March she will change her mind & at least consider letting me go back part time & work on building back up to full time.

Today my backside is a little sore but no pain no gain right! I have done real well tolerating my pain since I got out of the hospital so I do no intend on breaking my steak of no pain meds unless of absolutely need to/ I was worried I would get addicted because the whole time I was in the hospital 2 weeks ago they had me on a lot of pain meds for 8 days straight. So I am happy to report that I have not needed any since except what they gave me during the Biopsy yesterday.

That’s a lot of info for one day huh? Well I posted my new slide show from yesterdays adventure. Tonight is Paige's last game, Marc is going, it is against Madison Plains a huge London rival, I want to go but I don't know if I can handle the bleachers that long. We'll see.

Click this link to view a slide show of the Jan 2009 Sledding adventure withthe kids! http://s524.photobucket.com/albums/cc324/Sandittie1/Jan%2009%20Sledding/?albumview=slideshow



The 445 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is hosting a Blood Drive in honor of MSgt. Sandi Golden-Vest on Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 from 8:00am-1:00pm. Please go online & register for this is you are able, last I heard from the Unit there were only 2 people registered for this event.

Site: American Legion Post 526
526 Legion Lane
Fairborn, OH 45324
Site phone: 878-3831

Contact on Arrival: Major Kimm Sandusky (1-513-678-2715 ) MSgt Joseph
Drake (George Copfer, Post Commander )

While you are waiting you can become a Bone Marrow Donor as well, no appointment is necessary for this & there is no cost associated becoming a registered Bone Marrow Donor on this date at this location.

Beginning registration for the blood drive is 8:00am. Appointments are recommended; blood donors are asked to make an appointment by going to our website: www.donortime.com click on Find a Drive and use sponsor code: 986 Last Registration: 12:50pm
***Community Blood Center will provide juice and cookies and a t-shirt to all
blood donors.

Please go online & register if you are able to participate, Per my Unit members as of yesterday there were only 2 people registered for this Blood Drive.

February 3, 2009

Yes, Zack got a white day yesterday to those that were wondering. You just never know with him , he keeps us on our toes. Marc & I went to Parent's night last night it was a little delayed because the Basketball game went into overtime. I did not want Paige to be upset but I was not comfortable being around all those people coughing & sneezing so I asked Marc to take me home. This was probably a good thing because I got a call from the school today Paige threw up & was not feeling well so i had to go up to the school & get her. I wore my mask just in case. After I got her home & talked to her it sounds like she is going through a hairy situation with some other girls at school & not feeling good on top of it made it worse. It's tough being a teenager & kids are mean these days. I am hoping she feels better soon & it is nothing serious. My counts were up yesterday but I also quit the Neupogen shots so they could drop as quickly as they rose, well see tomorrow.

I did not wake up with a headache today so maybe it was the shots. I have felt weird all day though. My mind seems a little behind my actions, & I am more fatigued then I was yesterday & I haven't done anything. Even though I am tired I feel like I am doing better. I have been sitting going through paperwork & receipts trying to get ready to do our taxes, fun fun! Other than that there is nothing else to tell except this. When Marc got home yesterday he pulled up my blog & busted out laughing at my picture, he said it was because of the way I was smiling & not showing my teeth, he's got one coming for that. The picture really was kinda like "BLAM" when you pull up the Blog. Oh well if you can't laugh at yourself you got bigger problems than me! I am in for lounging the rest of the evening. I will be posting late tomorrow or on Thursday depending on how I feel since tomorrow we have #5 Bone Marrow Biopsy. We will be at the hospital pretty much all day because I have to wait a few hours to see my Dr. in the afternoon & she may order another CAT Scan. So that's it for now...


The 445 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is hosting a Blood Drive in honor of MSgt. Sandi Golden-Vest on Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 from 8:00am-1:00pm.

Site: American Legion Post 526
526 Legion Lane
Fairborn, OH 45324
Site phone: 878-3831

Contact on Arrival: Major Kimm Sandusky (1-513-678-2715 ) MSgt Joseph
Drake (George Copfer, Post Commander )

While you are waiting you can become a Bone Marrow Donor as well, no appointment is necessary for this & there is no cost associated becoming a registered Bone Marrow Donor on this date at this location.

Beginning registration for the blood drive is 8:00am. Appointments are recommended; blood donors are asked to make an appointment by going to our website: www.donortime.com click on Find a Drive and use sponsor code: 986 Last Registration: 12:50pm
***Community Blood Center will provide juice and cookies and a t-shirt to all
blood donors.

February 2, 2009

I have to say this before I forget it is t funny. Marcus has always called me Princess for years. Well here lately he has a new name he has been calling me, his Chia Pet & the picture below will show you why.....
Today's labs
Date------Day----WBC----ANC--------Hgb--------PLT---- Transfusions
24 Jan---144-----3.3----2700---------8.4----------34----------------N/A
25 Jan---145-----5.9----4320---------9.0----------28----------------N/A
26 Jan---146-----4.5----3100---------9.1----------37------------N/A
28 Jan---148-----2.7----1100---------10.6----------64------------N/A
30 Jan---150-----2.8----1000---------10.4----------85------------N/A
2 Feb---153-----36.4----31700-------10.6-------131------------N/A

This is the first day I have been at home "alone"...well I guess I am not really alone Spike is here with me. I woke up at 5am with a throbbing headache again. I popped 2 Tylenol & 5 hours later it is pretty much gone. I am staying pretty hydrated throughout the day so I am not sure that is what is causing the headaches, although I do sweat a lot at night & a little bit during the day.

Zack was in a a fussy mood before school, I asked him to have a white day & he said he would, but I don't know there was something rotten brewing in him so we will have to wait & see. Paige's bus comes at 7am so she is always the first one up & put the door. After Katie put Zack on the bus I took her & Brandon & dropped them off at school then it was off to the lab. Check out those numbers today! I think it's safe to say I can stop taking the Neupogen shots. Hopefully my numbers will hold out until Wednesday & I can get the Bone Marrow Biopsy out of the way. My Neutraphils are going to drop I just don't know how fast. They are extremely high at the moment along with my White Blood Cells. The last round I had my numbers seemed to yo yo a bit just not quite this high. I don't know the science behind it but given I may still have some infection running through my body I will take the high over the low numbers any day.

Spike & I played a little bit this afternoon. He is getting a little antsy when you take him out he does not always want to come back in right away. We used to be able to entice him with "scooby snacks" but the luster of the treat is not as strong as the call of the wild here lately. He has yet to roam further than the neighbors yard but we have a very busy state route in front of our house & that worries me. He is still a pup so I hope we can find something to get him back on track.

The main event in the Vest house tonight is... parents night for Paige's Cheerleading so we have to go up to the Middle school for a little while & then walk her across the court. Brandon & Paige both have about 3 weeks left in their sports. I think everyone is ready for a break. It has been a long season this year with me being sick. Marc & I usually go to all Brandon's Wrestling meets, I only made it to one this year. Hopefully by the next sports season, football I think, I will be better & we can get back to the normal.


The 445 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is hosting a Blood Drive in honor of MSgt. Sandi Golden-Vest on Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 from 8:00am-1:00pm.

Site: American Legion Post 526
526 Legion Lane
Fairborn, OH 45324
Site phone: 878-3831

Contact on Arrival: Major Kimm Sandusky (1-513-678-2715 ) MSgt Joseph
Drake (George Copfer, Post Commander )

While you are waiting you can become a Bone Marrow Donor as well, no appointment is necessary for this & there is no cost associated becoming a registered Bone Marrow Donor on this date at this location.

Beginning registration for the blood drive is 8:00am. Appointments are recommended; blood donors are asked to make an appointment by going to our website: www.donortime.com click on Find a Drive and use sponsor code: 986 Last Registration: 12:50pm
***Community Blood Center will provide juice and cookies and a t-shirt to all
blood donors.

February 1, 2009

I woke up with a headache again today. I have been back on the Neupogen shots since Friday night, Marc seems to think that is what is causing the headaches. I don't remember the shots doing that in the past but I don't remember a lot of things here lately. It seemed to subside a little after lunch so that is an improvement from yesterday. I go get labs again tomorrow & hopefully the Neupogen shots worked & my Neutraphil count is up.

Zack came in this morning & laid in bed with me & watched TV for a little bit.

I went & had a manicure & a pedicure done back in September right after I found out I had Leukemia. I had to get my gel tip finger nails removed since I was going to be in the hospital & have y oxygen saturation's monitored for so long & the pedicure was just because I wanted one. I only bring this up because I have not painted my toenails since. Marc was so sweet today & painted my toenails for me. It was great because I have felt so unfeminine for so long with no hair, it was just what I needed today, happy feet.

I guess it got pretty warm today, I didn't go outside. A good part of the snow started to melt only to reveal not quiet an inch of ice coating the driveway. Marc said he was worried that I would fall on the ice trying to get to the car in the driveway so I could go to the hospital. Brandon & Marc spent a large part of the afternoon trying to get the ice off.

Paige spent the night at Olivia's & will not be home until halftime. Brandon is going with Marc to the Columbus Clubhouse to watch the Super Bowl until halftime. Katie & Zack are home with me & we have the house to ourselves for a few hours tonight.

The 445 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is hosting a Blood Drive in honor of MSgt. Sandi Golden-Vest on Saturday, Feb 7, 2009 from 8:00am-1:00pm.

Site: American Legion Post 526
526 Legion Lane
Fairborn, OH 45324
Site phone: 878-3831

Contact on Arrival: Major Kimm Sandusky (1-513-678-2715 ) MSgt Joseph
Drake (George Copfer, Post Commander )

While you are waiting you can become a Bone Marrow Donor as well, no appointment is necessary for this & there is no cost associated becoming a registered Bone Marrow Donor on this date at this location.

Beginning registration for the blood drive is 8:00am. Appointments are recommended; blood donors are asked to make an appointment by going to our website: www.donortime.com click on Find a Drive and use sponsor code: 986 Last Registration: 12:50pm
***Community Blood Center will provide juice and cookies and a t-shirt to all
blood donors.