A wonderful day with my Mom in from Ohio. Jim and the kids, my aunt, cousin and her husband, and dear friends of ours spent New Years Eve in my surprisingly spacious hospital room. Absolutely the safest place I have ever spent New Years Eve
Late yesterday the second bone marrow biopsy was done. With this biopsy we are looking for a wiped out bone marrow with no leukemia cells. We should have results from this biopsy Friday - For now, too many 'what ifs' to lay out possible next steps beyond what I've posted before. Will keep you posted!
Happy New Year all
Love Maureen
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
December 30 Tuesday
Well I am almost through the stabilization phase and my body continues to do well (no 'blast'cells - or leukemia cells - have been found in the blood work done over the last two days). A far cry from the 168,000 blast cells two weeks ago this time!
This week kind of begins phase II - Approx 14 days after the 1st day of chemo the doctors do another bone marrow biopsy to confirm there are no blasts in the bone marrow - also to check if the bone marrow is wiped out. Interestingly they want the marrow completely wiped out so it can 'reset'. That biopsy is yet to be scheduled but could happen as early as today. I am not sure how soon I will have the results
Another bone barrow biopsy follows between day 28 - 32 after 1st day of chemo. Here we are looking to see if the bone marrow has come back and is producing healthy cells. This will be the first opportunity to declare the leukemia in remission.
It is still not clear when I will leave the hospital. I may go home between the second and third biopsy - all depends on what is found and how my platelets and red blood cell production recover. Once I do come home I will still be coming in for outpatient treatment including some overnight stays.
Since we are working toward a cure - we are very likely looking at a bone marrow transplant. There is quite a bit to consider with a transplant - for today I am grateful to be making such strong progress toward remission.
My Mom (Grandma K) comes today and I cannot wait to see her - off to settle into my new room - I got kicked out of my room - again! - last night. Turns out they are painting and refurbishing the patients rooms with computers. My new room is just fine - I only hope Grandma can find me!
Love Maureen
This week kind of begins phase II - Approx 14 days after the 1st day of chemo the doctors do another bone marrow biopsy to confirm there are no blasts in the bone marrow - also to check if the bone marrow is wiped out. Interestingly they want the marrow completely wiped out so it can 'reset'. That biopsy is yet to be scheduled but could happen as early as today. I am not sure how soon I will have the results
Another bone barrow biopsy follows between day 28 - 32 after 1st day of chemo. Here we are looking to see if the bone marrow has come back and is producing healthy cells. This will be the first opportunity to declare the leukemia in remission.
It is still not clear when I will leave the hospital. I may go home between the second and third biopsy - all depends on what is found and how my platelets and red blood cell production recover. Once I do come home I will still be coming in for outpatient treatment including some overnight stays.
Since we are working toward a cure - we are very likely looking at a bone marrow transplant. There is quite a bit to consider with a transplant - for today I am grateful to be making such strong progress toward remission.
My Mom (Grandma K) comes today and I cannot wait to see her - off to settle into my new room - I got kicked out of my room - again! - last night. Turns out they are painting and refurbishing the patients rooms with computers. My new room is just fine - I only hope Grandma can find me!
Love Maureen
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Weekend Dec 27 and 28
Well in this new world of mine there is news, not great news, and good news. We received some good news this weekend in that my 'blasts' the nasty leukemia white blood cells are at 0. Now that was the goal - to eradicate all the leukemia white blood cells and allow my bone marrow to begin the process of resetting itself. This will be a long process but I am beyond encouraged by this forward move.
Another wonderful weekend with loads of company including my sister in law MaryAnne who, along with her husband Pat, are in from Long Island. They went to Emma's Basketball game last night which was apparently a great game for our St Mike's team.
Just wrapped up a visit (and a mochahino) with two of my dearest friends and waiting on Joe and Jim to arrive. When my friends arrived earlier they brought with them an honest to God rainbow! How beautiful and profetic.
So the next big milestone is another bone marrow biopsy eeeeeeeeeeeeee-yow which will happen early next week (probably Tuesday). While we are no longer seeing the existence of the nasty blasts, the biopsy will tell us the true health of my marrow and help lay out next steps. Could be more chemo - could be recovery as we prepare for bone marrow - I kind of just want to go to TJ Maxx but they say no.
Love to all and thanks for checking in on Moe!
Another wonderful weekend with loads of company including my sister in law MaryAnne who, along with her husband Pat, are in from Long Island. They went to Emma's Basketball game last night which was apparently a great game for our St Mike's team.
Just wrapped up a visit (and a mochahino) with two of my dearest friends and waiting on Joe and Jim to arrive. When my friends arrived earlier they brought with them an honest to God rainbow! How beautiful and profetic.
So the next big milestone is another bone marrow biopsy eeeeeeeeeeeeee-yow which will happen early next week (probably Tuesday). While we are no longer seeing the existence of the nasty blasts, the biopsy will tell us the true health of my marrow and help lay out next steps. Could be more chemo - could be recovery as we prepare for bone marrow - I kind of just want to go to TJ Maxx but they say no.
Love to all and thanks for checking in on Moe!
Friday, December 26, 2014
December 26 fri
Great day. Lots of energy and lots of visitors. A perfect combination. Settled into trashy tv for the night. More tomorrow
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas Day
Okay today was a little bittersweet. I am in the best possible hands in terms of care with a disease that has a time tested path toward remission and recovery. Yet it would have been very nice to be home.
But home came to me with my family spending the day with me opening presents, talking to my Mom and siblings (nieces and nephew too), and a decadent coffee cake. We blew right past "lets make the best of this" and had some actual fun.
After Jim and the kids left I was beginning to feel a little down when I had uplifting conversations with some friends and a visit from a nurse bringing presents from former patients (many of whom spent Christmas right here in years past!) Then I could not stop crying - these angles took the time to pull together gifts of all sorts honoring their gratitude and connecting their success to our path. One of the notes "Thinking of you - next year you can be giving goody bags too!"
Merry Christmas everyone
But home came to me with my family spending the day with me opening presents, talking to my Mom and siblings (nieces and nephew too), and a decadent coffee cake. We blew right past "lets make the best of this" and had some actual fun.
After Jim and the kids left I was beginning to feel a little down when I had uplifting conversations with some friends and a visit from a nurse bringing presents from former patients (many of whom spent Christmas right here in years past!) Then I could not stop crying - these angles took the time to pull together gifts of all sorts honoring their gratitude and connecting their success to our path. One of the notes "Thinking of you - next year you can be giving goody bags too!"
Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas!
Woke to lots of laughter and Christmas cheer coming from the nurses station this morning. These folks are amazing. Off to my morning constitutional (a shower which is a bit of a production these days) then getting ready for Jim and the kids to visit. Biggest complaint so far - leukemia - second biggest complaint - my lips are swollen and it is very hard to drink coffee. Can't a girl catch a break
More later - love MOE
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve Morning
What a difference a restful night makes. Last night I moved to a new room (room 781) which will likely be home for the next few weeks. I finish my first round of chemo on 12/26 and then there is a waiting period to see how/if my marrow resets itself and the leukemia goes into remission. No one is guessing whether or if this will happen but my numbers are trending strong. The fun chemo stuff is starting to happen as well - mouth sores, a bit of nausea - but I cannot believe how quickly my medical team gets in front of issues (potential issues).
Emma will need to redecorate my new room with all the Christmas bling - the family will be here today and I cannot wait.
Love to all and Merry Christmas!
Emma will need to redecorate my new room with all the Christmas bling - the family will be here today and I cannot wait.
Love to all and Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Tuesday eve 12_23
Hope I get some more clever titled posts. Anyway another amazing day of friend support. Faith Eric was here and prayed with me; Jim; and two of my friends who were visiting. He said the chairs at the Christmas eve Mass would get set out just fine even if I were in the hospital. I'm not so sure ha ha. Today is certainly one of my tired days. I am enjoying the Christmas bling in my room and the powerful books of prayer. I am in an amazing place being loved and cared for. One of the lucky ones
Monday, December 22, 2014
monday 12/22
A good day. Jim was here along with several friends from the North shore and north Andover. Took it easy the rest of the day. Laying down can be so exhausting. More tomorrow. Moe
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