WBC - 3.7 (up 500 from previous day)
Platelets - 208 (up 66 from previous day)
ANC - waiting on segs/bands to calculate, but they'll be considerably higher than yesterday's high of 163,200 (will update here when known)
Hemoglobin - 10.9 (down 200 from previous day)
Hematocrit - 31.1 (down 700 from previous day)
Well, I made it through the night without a fever, I am indescribably happy to report. I should be able to get out of here TODAY!!! Lorraine's already left for work, and in the back of the car she'll have a jacket for me and suitcases into which we'll pack up my stuff! No matter how much you go in with, you always leave with more. (Thanks to the kindness of friends and strangers.) She did one little haul last night, taking all the books, games and DVDs, so that's out of the way.
This morning I'm just waiting for the pre-rounds meeting with the Registered Nurse, Ken, whom I love dearly, followed by the rounds at which will be attending the attending onc who manages the rounds, Dr. Flowers, Ken, 2-3 representatives of the pharmacy department, my nurse of the day, and sometimes an interning oncologist who has a sour face and a name I find utterly forgettable.
I can't believe I'm going to be able to see my beautiful Simone (gorgeous black male cat from heaven who's been inseparable from me for I think 11 years) and Louie (the most perfect puppy in the world.) I'm thrilled to death to be seeing Boo (the little, black, terrified, secret cat who literally only comes out of hiding for me) and Gracie (also terrified but still fully committed to fulfilling her role as House Diplomat.) And then of course I can't wait to see Bughead (out-of-her-freaking-mind but indescribably fun and loveable cat) and little Piccina (Italian for "little one" is the name of this scarily fearless, pain-in-the-butt pretty calico.)
Right now I'm having a lot of diarrhea-related pain, so I'm going to close here...but I'm looking forward to updating from home!!
About Me
- Sarah
- I'm a 43 year old, happily partnered lesbo. I was raised in downtown NYC in a commune, and the woman who raised me was the real Auntie Mame. I've lived also in Italy, India, and Ireland. By the time I was 10, I'd already lived with over 4,000 people. When I was 2 1/2, I drank oven cleaner. I didn't know I was gay until I was 26. My partner of over 9 years is one of the finest people I've ever known. She's from Brooklyn. I was treated for Stage IIIB Hodgkins Lymphoma, subtype Mixed Cellularity. First I did 6 months of ABVD chemo, and that secured a 14-month remission. My relapse was caught early and I went right into a stem cell transplant. The cancer had already returned when I had my 3-month post-transplant scans. There's no cure available to me at present, so I'm now entering a period of palliative care. We're hoping a Gemzar/Navelbine chemo combination will keep my cancer at bay for as long as 4 years -- that's the prayer. In the meantime, I am focused on savoring every moment....and maybe even losing a coupla pounds!
24 comments:
Home again, home again, jiggity-jig!
Are you eating now? How's your throat and mouth?
Hey, Maureen!
Jiggity-jig, indeed!! I'm so excited!!
As for the eating: yes, sort of, barely. Not so much. I'm actually still on liquids, because my mouth hurts a lot still. The throat hurts also, but not as much as the mouth. I've gotten two opposing bits of advice: (1) Try to eat, because the food will help to dislodge the mucositis and help to slough it off and out of your system. And (2) Don't push yourself to eat anything sooner than is comfortable, and just let it run its course until you can eat without pain. I'm going to stick with the latter, I think, because they tell me that with my counts so high, I'm going to heal very quickly and this may all be resolved as soon as tomorrow. If we're only talking about a day or two, I'm not going to sweat it.
With my throat, there's a very hard, scratchy lump that I feel poke me when I swallow, and that is definitely the same mucositis that was so large and painful as to complete nix any eating or drinking at all for over a week. I think that scratchy bit is just a crusty remnant.
Interestingly, when they analyzed my urine a couple of days ago, they found lots of mucositis in it -- and you can actually see it in there with the eye -- so literally every canal got sloughed in this process.
Fascinating stuff!
Wow, didn't know all of that went on. Does something like Mucinex help loosen that kind of mucous? Or is that a whole different thing?
That said...
You get to go home! Yippee!!
Hey Sarah,
I guess by now you are home with your lovable family....congratulations on a job well done! Your counts are amazing & your spirit continues to soar!!! You must be on such a high, now that this part of the process is over & now all you have to do is heal.....
Keep taking care of yourself....
Love Angie
I'm very happy that you are HOME! I'm sorry it has been so hard on you. After reading all that you have went through, I not looking forward to going through it, but everyone is different and responds differently as well.
I'm heading back up to Cleveland on 11/21 for a follow up but I think they are going to be moving me towards SCT.
Blessings to you!
Alan
Sarah,
Glad you are with all your children, their presence does make you feel better and that is great!! Still concerned about your recovery especially today, you are a true veteran returning from a successful campaign. Best to you and Lorraine and the household brood.
Tony and the Staff
Sarah, honey - how you doing? You're in my thoughts these wee hours. We love you!
How are you?? Hope everything is going ok. Thinking about you!
Gretchen
worrying, a little...
Sarah? You okay?
Sarah,
I went searching on the Lymphoma board & found some postings from you on the Hodgkins side. I am not member of the board yet...will do that sometime in the future....Coleen(Nicole) has always been the one to post on that site for me.
Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you are doing well & enjoying your life at home.....
Glad to hear you are going for drives, walks, grocery stores, enjoying your family etc.....the simple things in life can be such a joy after transplant.
Sorry to hear you are still having trouble eating as that must be affecting your strength....but on the other hand your blood counts are terrific....so lots of good fighting cells.
I am supposed to have my blood checked every week to make sure it doesn't drop too low, however, I needed a break from being poked......will probably go in this week.
I was pleased with my last two blood reports, because my LDH was in the normal range for the first time in many many months.....so that is a good thing. My main issues are my white cells & ANC....but my doc isn't too concerned, as long as I don't drop to a dangerous level.
Well girl, I wish you only the best in your recovery....and hope that you can start enjoying food again soon.
Love Angie
For others who are wondering, I read a post from Sarah on the Hodgkins Board where she talked about cooking Thanksgiving Dinner herself.
Sounds like she's doing pretty good!
In that case, I'm a little pissed off. Thanks for dragging us along for the ride and frightening us to death - and then leaving us hanging!
Thanks Maureen for the update! I got a little e-mail from her a week or so back. She does seem to be doing well..
I'm glad-- whether she posts or not, that she is doing ok!
Thanks for lettingus know that she's OK. That's all that matters to me.
Just wanted you to know I think about you... Hope you're doing brilliantly!
Thank YOU for posting an update. I've been worried sick. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Add another "thinking of you, Sarah" to the list!
Love, Dana
Hope you have a great Holiday. We are thinking of you. Take care and give us an update when you can!
No updates in awhile, but I wanted to say HI anyway! Hope you, Lorraine and the fur babies are doing well!
Gosh, I just found you, and now no new posts...You're a magnificent person, and I hope all is well. I love you.
Catch up with me, whenever you feel like it...think I canceled my Blogger...achenry67atverizon.net.
Sweet girl, be good to yourself.
verytres = annie in balto.
Sometimes google sucks; not often, but sometimes.
Happy New Year Sarah and Lorraine!! All the best to you both in 2007 and beyond!
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