Dancing With My IV Pole

Okay folks, I was released from the hospital last Thursday, July 19th to our apartment in Greenville.

 I must have been on a "fantasy trip," because I thought okay I am out of the hospital so I will get stronger and better each day.  That thought was definitely a fantasy!  I started eating regular food, after all that is what I ate at the hospital, what was I supposed to know.  My discharge order did not say otherwise.

 We went for our appointment on Friday morning at the Cancer Center for blood work and to get IV fluids.  I told them I was having diarrhea, and that I was using Imodium for relief.  All along I kept eating a regular diet.  We had an appointment at the Greenville Hospital Infusion Center on Saturday for more IV fluids.  At this point I have become a pro at "dancing" with my IV pole back and forth to the bathroom.  We went back on Sunday to the hospital infusion center (these appointments were already scheduled by the cancer center to keep track of my "numbers," etc.)  By the way, each time you go for an appointment the first thing they do is weigh you.  Well, on Sunday, the nurse went a "little crazy."  She said, do you realize you have lost 4 pounds overnight?  Well, no I didn't, but then I was still having lots of diarrhea and it was getting worse and I was starting to feel really awful. She called my stem cell doctor and I was put back on the same medicine I was on in the hospital and she also gave me an extra bag of IV fluids, long day for us.

Then the nurse informed me that I must change my diet to just bananas, applesauce, baked potato, rice, toast, roasted chicken (what not fried!!), absolutely no dairy products!  And to add insult to injury, no caffeine.  My friends and family know that I really, and I mean really do not do well without my morning coffee!

 Needless to say it has been a really stressful week for me.  But, the good news is most of my "numbers" have been going up slowly (which by the way is in the right direction.)  Two days ago the nurse told me to slowly add some regular foods, one at a time and see what happens.  I tried it with yogurt and it was a no go!  So maybe dairy might have to be the last thing I add.  This morning I tried coffee, YIPPEE SKIPPY, no problem!  Today was a day off from the cancer center and the hospital, so Bill and I went up to the pool and stayed for almost 2 hours.  It felt so good to lay on a chaise lounge and feel the filtered sun and nice breeze on my skinny bones.  I can't go in a pool yet, but Bill went swimming and loved it.  We go to the hospital infusion center tomorrow and depending on my hemoglobin number, I might need some blood.  We will pack a lunch, just in case, because it makes for a longer day if I have to receive blood.

Okay, enough of my "lousy" week!  Today has been great, so God has answered my prayers to give me the strength and courage to get through each day.  I have a lovely view out our apartment french door where I have sat for many hours, too fatigued to do anything else.  I love watching all the birds and folks walking their pets.  Michael, there is a lady that walks her "tea cup" chihuahua on a leash, funny to see.  She always waves at me sitting on the sofa.  Here is a picture of the view.  The apartment is very quiet and peaceful.  We are lucky it is in the back so we have this nice view instead of looking at a parking lot!

I won't sugar coat or fib about all I went through last week.  I cried a lot!  Each time I slipped into my "dark corner," my Bill was always there to lift me up with lots of encouraging words and hugs.  My mother already thinks he is a saint, so Mama I think you are right!

One last picture of "My Saint" sitting in a child's easy chair, pulled up to the postage sized TV with the sound turned low, so the noise won't bother me while I sleep.

Thanks everyone for keeping me in your prayers, pray for Bill as well.  I think of everyone often and hope that we will be able to come back to Westminster real soon.  God Bless You All.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Feeling great one minute, then "boom" everything went down hill!  Started day before yesterday, the diarrhea from all the antibiotics got the best of me.  It is a side effect that I will have to manage for another week.  I am better today, the doctor has put me on Lomotil (for diarrhea) along with taking Imodium tablets.  At home, I would adhere to the strict instructions on the box, not to take too much.  Well, that goes out the window when you are in the hospital, they give you as much as needed.  Also, feeling somewhat nauseated yesterday, did not get out of the bed much, no exercise, but I feel a little better today.  The nurses started the Neupogen injections yesterday.  That is the drug that will increase my white count.  I will be taking it for 6 days.  All of this is to be expected, I am just hanging in there.  Night before last, I was at a low point, I think I actually felt the "Indians surrounding my stagecoach!"  I had to do some deep, down in the gut praying to get me through it.  The nurses are so fantastic, nothing fazes them, they sweep in like birds, clean you up and make everything right again.  But, believe me it is so humbling to be put in situations that I normally can handle myself.

I have been listening to my gospel CD's, and other music that I brought, which has helped me very much.  There is just something about listening to a simple CD of the ocean sounds that can calm you down.  I am glad I thought to plan ahead with my music!

I looked at all my cards that Bill brought me the other day, so beautiful and such heartfelt prayers for me.  I am blessed to have so many on my side, wanting me to win!

My sister-in-law, Sandra and my brother Brent met a wonderful lady on a cruise a few months ago.  Sandra told me her story.  She has been cancer free for 12 years after surviving stage 4 cancer.  The lady has a son in a wheel chair.  The lady made a scarf, and I believe her prayers are woven into the scarf for me.  Here is a picture of me with the scarf on.  Very beautiful!  Thank you Sandra and Brent.

I will continue to stay positive, and believe that as so many others believe, my healthiest years are ahead of me!  I look forward to the future with friends and family.  Every word, kindness, and deed that you do for me and my Bill will never be forgotten.  You all sustain me.  God Bless You All. 

Biscuits n' Gravy

Yesterday was the big day for my stem cell transplant.  I woke up to Biscuits n' Gravy, honeydew melon, orange juice, bacon and coffee.  My southern roots kicked in with that scrumptious breakfast.  The Lord provided me a beautiful sunny day for the event.

I had a surprise the day before though, I thought it was going to be my free day, but oh no, one more chemo in the afternoon that lasted an hour.  The drug was Melphan (a toxic chemo, nitrogen mustard compound.)  I had to chew on ice the entire time and 30 minutes after.  This drug can cause mouth sores, so I have to rinse my mouth a lot with a saline solution many times a day, to help prevent the sores!

The stem cell process started at 1:30 p.m. yesterday and finished around 4:00 p.m.  It was quite a process.  Bill took some pictures.  Here are a few:

This picture is of the nurse taking a bag of the stem cells out of the dry ice container that was brought over from The Blood Connection, where it was stored.  Then they go through a processing of exact timing to defrost the cells just a little, a minute here, then another 5 minutes in a warmer tray.  The cells have to be hung and infused within 10 minutes.  Then they repeat the process.  I had 6 bags to infuse.  The nurses are checking my vital signs every 15 minutes. 

 This is what a bag of stem cells looks like ready to be infused into my body.  It was not painful, just tiring to lay in the bed not moving much. 

Here is a picture of my stem cell transplant nurses.  I can't say enough about all the excellent care I am getting here at the hospital. 

I was put back on the drug Lasix (diuretic) because I am still retaining too much fluid.  I weighed 116 this morning, WHOA!  My face looks like a Cheshire Cat this morning, very round, at least the wrinkles have smoothed out!

I was started on lots of antibiotics and anti-viral meds this morning.  This week will be the toughest, so I will take each day as it comes and work through it.  I am reminded of the song, Be Happy, Don't Worry.   I think it was sung back in the 80's.  My favorite version was by Bob Marley. 

So everyone out there, please do the same, Be Happy, Don't Worry!  I am in the right place to conquer this cancer.  God Bless Everyone!

"Pufferfish"

Okay, for all the questions about just what High Dose Chemo consists of, here is a list of the chemo drugs I have been receiving for the last 5 days:

One drug is called: Carmustine (brand name BiCNU)
Another is called:  Etoposide (brand name Toposar)
And the third one is called:  Cytarabine (brand name Cytosar)

The chemo drugs are repeated, not sure in what sequence, for 5 days, twice a day, morning and night.
Last night was the last night of chemo.  YEA!  Today is what is called my "Rest Day."  They are giving me potassium and magnesium in my IV to replenish what the chemo takes out.  Along with other fluids. 

I have had issues with fluid retention, hence the title of my blog.  I look like a Pufferfish!  I came in the hospital weighing in at 101.2 lbs.,  and in 3 days I went as high as 115.8 lbs!  I needed to gain weight but not this way.  The doctor ordered the drug Lasix, a diuretic.  They administer it through the IV and believe me within just 10 minutes I am going to the bathroom, and the effects last about 3 hours.  I have had the Lasix four times.  I have become an expert at maneuvering my IV pole to go to the bathroom.  My weight is down to 111.8 as of this morning!  But my eyes are still swollen, no eyelids, and my feet look sorta "pudgy!"  My legs are usually thin, but now resemble table legs!  Oh well, if that is all that happens, I am grateful.  The anti-nausea drugs that are constantly running in my PCA pump, have helped tremendously,  the doctors know what they are doing, thank you God! 

Tomorrow, Sunday, will be what the doctor calls "Day 0,"  the day they infuse me with my own stem cells that were harvested a few weeks ago.  They will start around 2:00 p.m., so I am told, and it will take several hours.  Should not be painful, the harvesting was not painful.  I still believe I am in a "lucky" room.  Room number 5426 (look at my last blog for my reasoning on that number, divine intervention to be sure.)  Here is a picture of the room number!

No pictures of me today, you are not going to see Glenda the "Pufferfish!"  But I do want to post a picture of my true love and the best caregiver anyone could ask for.  We share the computer while I am in the hospital, so I thought I would post a picture of him working.  Time goes by fast for me.  I have lots of things I do.  Cross Stitch, Sudoku, Solitaire, a book I am reading by Stuart Woods called Capital Crimes.  I like mystery type stories.  The TV stays off most of the time, nothing worth watching!

The food here has been very good.  My breakfast this morning was as good as a "Cracker Barrel" breakfast!  I have absolutely no complaints about anything.  I feel like I am in the right place to get completely well.  So by the Grace of God, friends and family I will win this battle.  Love to all my readers.  God Bless you all!

Keep Trying

Bill and I drove to Greenville Memorial Hospital Monday morning, July 2, 2012.  I was admitted to room 5426.  I will be here approximately 3 weeks for several different phases to complete the Stem Cell Transplant.  The room is nice and large with a beautiful view, lots of trees to see all the birds I love to watch.  I must tell you when we walked into my room, the number 5426 jumped right out at me.  I told Bill it was a lucky number.  He said why and I said, "If you add 5 and 4 together you get the number 9 (which is how old Nathan my grandson is.)  And then the number 6 (is how old my granddaughter Katie is), and the number 2 is for having 2 grandchildren."  I know you think that is a stretch, but remember I'm kinda quirky and think a little out of the box on many things.  I actually think it is not really just a lucky number but God's divine intervention, because every night the first thing I pray for is to live long enough to see my two grandchildren grow up.  I ask for a miracle healing, strength and courage to keep fighting.  Of course I have a litany of other things I pray for as well, can't you just hear God saying, "okay, it's Glenda praying, so it will be a little chatty!"  Here is a picture Bill took of the sign on the Hospital.

Today is July 4, 2012 and the nurse said I should be able to see the fire works out my window towards the downtown Greenville area.  I hope so, I'm looking forward to that.  Happy Independence Day to everyone out there, I hope your day will be filled with joy.

I dressed for the occasion today, with a red/white/blue scarf on my white hat and brought some American flags from home.  Hope you enjoy the picture.

I am coping very well.  The doctors and nurses are marvelous.  I have a PCA pump that is dispensing anti-nausea drugs continuously so I have been able to eat well with out feeling the effects of the chemo.  I will get 2 units of blood today, because my count is low, to be expected.  Also, some magnesium in the IV, it is too low and of course more chemo drugs.  But, hey that is why I am in the hospital to get well and move on to bigger and better things in my future.  So, I say bring it on!

You know how I read lots of quotes and inspirational messages, well the following is in a book I have at home:  The title is KEEP TRYING........When things go wrong And you wanted them right, And you feel like quitting But you have to fight........When disappointments come And you feel like crying, And you want to run away But you have to keep trying.........Remember success Means refusing to quit.  It means you try harder When you're hardest hit.........Your own victory parade, with flags of triumph flying, Will soon march down your street, If you will keep on trying.~~Perry Tanksley~~

I thought this message was right for my blog today, with the mention of flags flying on this beautiful birthday of our country.

Bill brought me so many heartfelt cards yesterday, so many with Blue birds on them, my favorite bird!  Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support.  I will get through this with the help of God, family and friends.  Life is nothing with out a great support team!  Love you all.