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!