Saturday, May 2, 2009

Getting Closer...

On Thursday, we held the bone marrow drive on campus and we had great success with it. Lots of people showed up and gave their support, both monetarily and going under the 'swab.' So I'd like to personally thank everyone for coming out for that. I'm not going to mention the fact that the pizza they ordered made me sick afterwards, but hey, I survived.

For those that are interested, you can check out a few pictures from the drive.
Bone Marrow Donor Drive


I am however, allegedly done with chemotherapy though, according to my doctors. And that's been really nice. Being able to eat what you want is such a nice feeling. My biggest battle lately has been my headaches...they have been horrible. They start about 15 minutes after I wake up and are with me until I go to sleep. I've been living off of Ibuprofin. I'm scheduled to enter the hospital for the transplant on May 12th. Once my transplant is done, hopefully it will be smooth sailing from that point forward.
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3 comments:

  1. prima donnaMay 4, 2009 at 7:20 AM

    I thought that you would be used to day long headaches after working with me for the past 5 years!! They will end soon. Think of your time in the hospital as "vacation". When you think of it that way.....maid service, room service, front desk service....heck, it is practically like a spa!! Plus you have the added bonus of radiation treatments. I would bet you money if the rich people in California were told that was a good way to stay young, they would be lining up for it. Might be a new money maker for you!! Oh, wait....I take that back, I need that for the out of work hubby ;) Don't worry, this will all be over soon and you will be back to what we consider "normal" for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BKMay 4, 2009 at 10:05 PM

    Stil praying for you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 8, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    Hi Jonathon & Katie
    How are our fellow leukaemia fighters in Indiana doing? We are pleased your bonemarrow drive went so well, every single donor counts.
    Are you really finished with chemo, what happens when you go in for your transplant, dont you get more chemo then? Steven is in hospital now, on day 5 of his 6 day chemo. It seems like infections are with continually, he now has one in his j-line. Dr says its one of the 'super bugs', so have to treat it very carefully and keep an eye on it. We know the drill though now with this chemo, on day 10-14 his white cells will drop to 0 and then the infections really take over....ISOLATION at home.....NO visitors!! not sure if it will help this time round, but we going to try it anyway. Hopefully he can come home for a few days before he has to come back for the blood and platelet transfusion. Last time the blood bank ran out of A+ platelets, so now one of our friends who is A+ is going to donate specifically for use by steven.
    How are your headaches now, have they eased up?
    May 12th is just around the corner, good luck and remember you are not alone in isolation, our BMTU here is full up with fellow transplant patients.
    2 days ago a 22yr old guy was admitted into stevens ward with A.L.L., he was diagnosed Feb 23. He seems to have had your treatment plan, and is having his bonemarrow transplant in 3 weeks time. Its been nice for steven to have young company and someone with the same difficulties as he is having with the chemo. They live about 1200km away from cape town, in a place called Bloemfontein, where his family have a farm....so his mom has moved down to cape town with him for a few months, so that he can be treated at this haematology unit.
    Anyway, enough rambling, let me spend some time with Steven. I am on his laptop at hospital, as our computer at home is not working AGAIN.....very frustrating!
    Keep smiling, stay well and good luck for the 12th.
    lots of love alison

    ReplyDelete

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Saturday, May 2, 2009

Getting Closer...

On Thursday, we held the bone marrow drive on campus and we had great success with it. Lots of people showed up and gave their support, both monetarily and going under the 'swab.' So I'd like to personally thank everyone for coming out for that. I'm not going to mention the fact that the pizza they ordered made me sick afterwards, but hey, I survived.

For those that are interested, you can check out a few pictures from the drive.
Bone Marrow Donor Drive


I am however, allegedly done with chemotherapy though, according to my doctors. And that's been really nice. Being able to eat what you want is such a nice feeling. My biggest battle lately has been my headaches...they have been horrible. They start about 15 minutes after I wake up and are with me until I go to sleep. I've been living off of Ibuprofin. I'm scheduled to enter the hospital for the transplant on May 12th. Once my transplant is done, hopefully it will be smooth sailing from that point forward.
Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. prima donnaMay 4, 2009 at 7:20 AM

    I thought that you would be used to day long headaches after working with me for the past 5 years!! They will end soon. Think of your time in the hospital as "vacation". When you think of it that way.....maid service, room service, front desk service....heck, it is practically like a spa!! Plus you have the added bonus of radiation treatments. I would bet you money if the rich people in California were told that was a good way to stay young, they would be lining up for it. Might be a new money maker for you!! Oh, wait....I take that back, I need that for the out of work hubby ;) Don't worry, this will all be over soon and you will be back to what we consider "normal" for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BKMay 4, 2009 at 10:05 PM

    Stil praying for you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 8, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    Hi Jonathon & Katie
    How are our fellow leukaemia fighters in Indiana doing? We are pleased your bonemarrow drive went so well, every single donor counts.
    Are you really finished with chemo, what happens when you go in for your transplant, dont you get more chemo then? Steven is in hospital now, on day 5 of his 6 day chemo. It seems like infections are with continually, he now has one in his j-line. Dr says its one of the 'super bugs', so have to treat it very carefully and keep an eye on it. We know the drill though now with this chemo, on day 10-14 his white cells will drop to 0 and then the infections really take over....ISOLATION at home.....NO visitors!! not sure if it will help this time round, but we going to try it anyway. Hopefully he can come home for a few days before he has to come back for the blood and platelet transfusion. Last time the blood bank ran out of A+ platelets, so now one of our friends who is A+ is going to donate specifically for use by steven.
    How are your headaches now, have they eased up?
    May 12th is just around the corner, good luck and remember you are not alone in isolation, our BMTU here is full up with fellow transplant patients.
    2 days ago a 22yr old guy was admitted into stevens ward with A.L.L., he was diagnosed Feb 23. He seems to have had your treatment plan, and is having his bonemarrow transplant in 3 weeks time. Its been nice for steven to have young company and someone with the same difficulties as he is having with the chemo. They live about 1200km away from cape town, in a place called Bloemfontein, where his family have a farm....so his mom has moved down to cape town with him for a few months, so that he can be treated at this haematology unit.
    Anyway, enough rambling, let me spend some time with Steven. I am on his laptop at hospital, as our computer at home is not working AGAIN.....very frustrating!
    Keep smiling, stay well and good luck for the 12th.
    lots of love alison

    ReplyDelete

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