Fortunately, there's little to report, and what little there is, is all good news. Yesterday, I received my last itsy-bitsy dose of Methotrexate, a chemotherapy designed to knock down any aggressive donor cells. For the past week, my blood counts have been dropping steadily, but never far enough to require a blood transfusion. And, unless my blood counts plummet dramatically today, I'll also have managed to dodge Neutropenia, a condition defined by a neutrophil (special infection fighting white blood cell) count of less than 0.5. I am very happy about this, because as anyone who's been with me on previous treatments knows, Neutropenia equals no fresh fruit or vegetables, unless cooked. Yuck! The Neutropenic diet would be especially devastating to me now, as fresh fruits are about the only thing that I actually enjoy eating at the moment. (Yes, still no appetite. Can you believe it? How non-Buono/Zarling of me.) When Dr. Martin visited me yesterday, he was almost giddy about my progress, which makes me feel extra hopeful and even has me contemplating "life without cancer" (Wow! What's that like!?).
Today, I start Neupogen, a drug that stimulates the production of white blood cells. From what I understand, the drug will work first on my old immune system and then on the new one. It's almost as if they are getting conditioned for the big fight, where the docs slowly withdraw the immune-suppressant drugs, in roughly 2-3 weeks time. (Dr. Martin calls this "removing the sunglasses from the donor cells" ... Right now, we have them pretty much fooled into thinking that they are still in their host body ... he he ... so sneaky.) I can't help but wonder if I will be able to "feel" my old immune system duke it out with the new donor system ... It's also the part of the transplant that I am most anxious about, as it's pretty much the moment of truth.
Hey, and I still have my hair! I keep thinking that maybe I'll get lucky and not lose it at all ... But everyone keeps assuring me it will start falling out any day now. I have never worn my hair super short, so you can imagine how much I'm dreading going bald (I hope I have a good head!). However, in the spirit of "embracing the situation," I did purchase a pretty hot red wig and a cashmere cap for the occasion, so it won't be all bad.
Well, that's all for now. Lastly, I want to thank you all again for your continued words of support and encouragement and care packages. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate everything, even if I haven't been able to respond/thank you personally. I love you all.
--Katie
Comments (8)
Hi Sweetie....
I just wanted to let you know I tune in daily to my "mini soap opera" with you as the star. A star who writes her own script and has opened her heart as an open book for all of us to read. As far as I'm concerned IT is a best seller.
Thank you for sharing some of your most intermost thougths and feelings. It must have some healing aspects for you. It is wonderful to read the uplifting comments from your supporting cast of friends and family. You are much loved and cared for by many and we all love to hear from you.
I know you can rest assured that your litte one is being cared for quite well by Ian, Mar and Ron. I'm anxious hear more stories about their adventures.
SO...for today....rest well.. eat well...and remember "a little bit of humor helps the medicine go down". (or something like that). I love you.
Cousin Barb
Posted by Cousin Barb | June 25, 2008 8:03 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 08:03
"The Hat" is COMING
It has mystical POWERS
It will make you MIGHTY
(It will make you feel like Bugs Bunny in the Wagner episode...)
Posted by Tara | June 25, 2008 8:58 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 08:58
YAY!
What a great entry today. It gave me shivers. I'm glad things are going so well. I thought they might be because the sun has finally come out in the great northwest and that's always a good sign!
Hang in there!
Lisa
Posted by Lisa | June 25, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 09:31
Hi Katie,
Just wanted to say hi. I'm so happy to hear your doc is giddy with your progress - that's the greatest news!
I'm also sorry to hear about your hair. It's no surprise that you're well-prepared to embrace the situation with style...you are fabulous. (Get ready, world, the redhead is back!)
Thinking of you each day,
Love,
Mer
Posted by Meredith | June 25, 2008 11:23 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 11:23
Redheads really are the best, (if I do say so myself) so will be glad to have you back as my redheaded soul sista. Hooray, there's something that you want to eat and fortunately it's summer fruit time. Here's to staving off Neutropenia! Will parade in the strawberry pj's for this one. Hip, hip hooray!
love,
shona
Posted by Shona Mauro-Sachs | June 25, 2008 12:48 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 12:48
Riddle me this--why don't dogs lose their hair during chemotherapy? The question is not a riddle. It is a fact. Chemo attacks cells that are misbehaving, especially the ones exceeding the body's speed limit. Human hair comes from rapidly dividing cells. Dog hair comes from cells that divide slowly. So, dogs do not lose their hair. People do. Think of it this way, Katie, if your hair falls out, your body is underscoring the efficacy of the chemo. How do I happen to know this? Our dog, Duffee, had chemo. The vets told us he would not lose his hair. He didn't. Tuck that away as a trivia tidbit.
One more trivia tidbit: Which is the only US Air Force base that does not have a runway? Answer tomorrow.
Lovingly, Eva
Posted by Eva | June 25, 2008 4:12 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 16:12
Dear Katie,
Well, sounds like great news fron the medical front there and I am ever so encouraged. So glad that thing s are on the upswing.
My 4 nights of work are over and I am still tired. I got home yesterday at 8am and am still kind of tired. Today i went to Stillwater to my meeting and then out to lunch and some shopping and then home for a well deserved beer. I have a lot of mail to catch up on and the dogs to the Vet tomorrow.
I'm gald that the heat wave is over there-found it hard to believe that there is no AC in the hospital. that just seems a little impossible but i guess you guys don't really need it.
Talk with you soon.
Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | June 25, 2008 5:30 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 17:30
Katie, Have been "lurking" the past many days, just reading the posts to find out about your progress. Glad the doctors seem to think you're doing well. Would love to see you in your hot red wig! Whether or not you lose your hair, I can imagine your wearing the wig with pizzaz! Grandma just returned from Cleveland and a visit to her long-time friend, Joan. Although she was really nervous about flying alone, she managed well, having a wheelchair ride at both ends of the trip. She had a great time with Joan and her daughter, keeping busy galavanting and talking every day. I'm afraid she's probably a bit lonely now that she's home, as I'm working every day. We do get together every Fri. for breakfast and usually once during the weekend. I'm not much of a phone person, but do talk with her a little bit almost every day. I'll read her your entries when I see her Fri or on the weekend. Love the pictures of Zach. Really appreciated your body's entry.
Love, Aunt Kathy
Posted by Aunt Kathy | June 25, 2008 5:47 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 17:47