update on me... warning...LONG! all my hot air, you know! lol

12 years ago

Good morning...

This is another copy and paste job! sorry! lol But that is the easy way to go,

don't you think? lol

Good morning!

I have some decisions to make. Well, not too many! lol I have basically 2 choices to save my life. I can try RIT ( radio immune therapy) or a marrow stem cell transplant. I've been thrown for a loop, because I really thought my last chemo treatment had put my lymphoma back into a "remission" and that I was just going to the SCCA in Seattle to have my stem cells harvested and stored for a transplant down the line, if ever. Well, seems that this chemo didn't work either, not for more than a few months anyways. So now I

guess I have to decide. I wish there really WAS a magic 8 ball with all the answers.

We are going ahead with the harvesting of my cells. The bone biopsy and the actual luqidy marrow are clear of disease, well they were 3 weeks ago! lol The PET scan showed that the nodes were actively growing again, in the same area that we have been fighting this last time. So, I am going for inpatient chemo therapy for probably 4 or 5 days

then 21 days off, then back in to the hospital for another round of chemo. This is to "de~bulk" the lymph nodes. The day after my last chemo is given, I will be given shots of a drug that will force my marrow to super produce more cells, quickly. That growth factor will be given for probably 4 days, maybe more, But the harvesting will more than likely begin on the 3rd day. The SCCA wants to move right to a transplant. But have no idea if they mean the next day,

a week later, or a month later.

We are supposed to be having a meeting with a world class RIT, radio

immune therapy,specialist up at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in between my chemos. Will be interesting to hear what he has to say.If we go that way, and it doesn't work, then the transplant. But more chemo would need to be done and the side effects of this inpatient chemo can be devasting too. Like acute leukemia, bladder cancer,

and a few other little problems! lol They are rare but do happen.

I suppose it is better to have the transplant with a healthy body instead of waiting until you are on deaths door. But I always had it in my mind that that is when you get it! lol I thought it was the last available option, and I am suprised to see that, that is actually where I am. I've never felt healthier for stronger, so it is hard to even believe that I am so very sick. sheesh! lol

I have to live up in Seattle within 10 or 15 minutes of the clinic after the transplant. AND I have to have someone with me 24 hours a day. That is going to be the hard thing. The price for staying up there is going to be tough, but it will get done. And Gary HAS to continue to

work. He is 100% commission, no sick pay, his work doesn't help him at all, they've been known to give his accounts to another salesman because that salesman wasn't making enough money! And if he doesn't work, we don't have enough $$ to pay for our health insurance. Now would be a nice time to be independently wealthy!

LOL

My cousin and her hubby have very generously offered the use of their condo, but I don't think the times will line up right and they will be having another visitor! Ryan (my son) will probably be the one being stuck with me. He will have to take my temp umpteen times a day, fill out forms for

bathroom visits, food intake, etc... Make calls to the clinic if there is a problem, get me there. Poor kid. But he still doesn't have a job. He is supposed to be coaching a baseball team this summer, it starts next week, so he will be able to coach the month of June. And I expect Gary to come up on the weekends, and give Ryan a break so he can see his girlfriend, coach on the weekends and maybe find a job? lol Gary will take days off to be with me too, he does have a work cell phone so he can work it from there too. Just not every day, as he does have to deliver everything he sells.

Anyway, I don't have a clue as to what to do, but I guess it is sounding more and more like the transplant. Don't know if I will be checking in much, don't know what I will be feeling like, maybe that is all I WILL be doing! Sitting on my a$$ typing on the computer! hahaha

One of the side effects is that my brain will not be working right. Doc said it isn't anything like the chemo brain like lots of us have had. He said your brain just doesn't

fire right and won't be working right and I might be doing or saying strange things. But it should go away after the infusions!

As if I wasn't weird enough! ahahahaha pity Gary and Ryan! lol

Just thought I would give an update, and thank you all for

your prayers, and good vibes!

Gary and I are going in for haircuts this afternoon. I'm going to get it cut to about an inch or two long. Guess I the decision to go natural or still foil has been made! I will soon be sporting short white hair! lol

I WILL be looking more and more like my brothers, and not too far from my Ryan's bald head!

My last day of work was yesterday, My boss took me out to lunch and enjoyed a non weight watcher meal of a personal pan pizza and salad bar! lol I guess the 50 pounds I gained with my last

rounds of chemo will be coming in handy!

I'm just going to be doing some super cleaning around the house. I am NOT a clean freak

and I always find other things to do, and I think the cleaning can always be done another

time. Well, that "other time" is here I guess. My house is a wreck! lol So, I hope to be meeting a friend

for lunch, seems everyone wants to feed me! hahaha... then back here to clean and pay bills!

All prayers welcome! lol

thank you

kat (the good one! lol)

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Comments (58)

craftycris
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, you are in my prayers.......

(((((((Kat & Family)))))))
lydia1959
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
(((Kat))) hang in there!! Prayers on the way!!!
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thank you MJ. My oncologist down here can't do the shots because I believe that the scca will be starting them on a Saturday, possibly a friday,(my doc isn't open on weekends) on the following Monday, they will have to put in a mehurker (sp) line in the left side of my neck, as my power port doesn't allow enough volume to pass. The doctors up there all want the procedures, Petscans, etc done up there with their techs and labs. Tomorrow, my last appointment ends at 5pm. I think I will spend the night at my brother's home, which is 45 minutes closer than mine. I have to be back at the scca at 645am on Thursday for the petscan. I do need to run home after the PET scan and try to get some of my work done. My boss just can't physically do her accounts AND mine. Then back up to the U of W med. on Friday morning to have an ultra sound, and another procedure on my heart, back to the scca to their dental clinic. I'm getting tired, LOL And I feel pretty good! I feel for Bulldinkie and all the tests she had to complete when she was feeling so lousy! We haven't seen any postings from her, I wonder how she is doing? thanks again MJ.. I don't like taking pills, I didn't take anything for the biopsy... but they tell me I will need something for the growth factor. But every body is different! MEOW ! hahahahahaha
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Zach, when I first collected the seed I was calling it P. utahensis! Well, duh, it made sense! I collected it near Boulder, UTAH! It was when Kelly came over and saw it and suggested P. eatonii that I changed my mind after comparing pics, and started calling it that! Looking at more eatonii pics, tho, I think the leaves are too "big" on that one to be the one I have. The P. rostriflorus (you have an extra "i" in it!) sure does look like what I saw along the road where I collected the seed! The range is right--but it is for the P. eatonii and the P. utahensis too! http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Pink%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/penstemon%20rostriflorus.htm I have a couple non-digital pics of it growing along the road somewhere, and if I ever find them I'll scan them into the computer and link them! But the P. r. pics on swcoloradowildflowers sure does look "wispy" kind of like they looked growing in the nasty, never watered, harsh conditions along the road! And the seed pods sure look right--tho most penstemons look pretty much like that! The really confusing thing is how tall it gets in my yard! I assume that's the lack of sun--and the overabundance of water! That's why I still hope to get one (of the right ones!) to you to grow in full sun without water so I can see what it'll do in conditions closer to those where I found it--tho your conditions are NEVER gonna equal the awful conditions it was in where I found it! There is another plant--second year I think--growing right in front of my original plant, and if we're both at the swap (I'll be trippin' again the end of August, so it depends on when the swap is!) I'll stick it in a pot and you can try another one to see what it turns out to be. The leaves on this one sure look like the original--but until it gets flowers there's no way to be sure! So I'll leave it in the ground for now, and let's see what might work out for the fall swap! If I'm right that it's a second year plant, it should bloom some this year, so I might know for sure what color it is before I ever dig it to put it in a pot! Just for the uniqueness of it, I bet you'd love the little P. davidsonii v. menziesii 'Microphyllus' I got (in the $1 each leftover sale plants!) at Laporte this spring. If you decide to order from them, or go up there to do a look-see next year, you might want to see if you can find one of them! Mine is still very small, but it's a cool little creepy (in the nicest way!) thing, that looks like it's gonna totally hug the ground. VERY different from "all the other" Penstemons! It's semi-woody, and my guess right now is that I'm not gonna wind up with any to "share!" http://www.laporteavenuenursery.com/html/penstemon_davidsonii_v__menzie1.html Skybird
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Talk you out of it? NOT a chance Beth, quite the contrary - your roses are always so exquisitely intriguing that your post sent me straight to the website to check them out. You have excellent rose judgment, so if they caught your eye they're worth checking out. I already did some substitutions with Nicole for my order of a dozen or so, and I have no business adding anything to my running rose total that's over 300 if Wes comes through with the Ludwig roses after all, but I think Liberty Bell is going to have to squeeze into this order in the end after all. Mine aren't due till early April, so I still have time for daydreaming. Sympathies on your mother's passing, but you get the peace that comes from knowing you spent the time appreciating being with her when she was here. You're right that as much as we love roses (and NO, we are not nuts, just rose gourmets with discriminating tastes, i.e. one of each please), people are still more important. Rebecca, as usual you are getting fabulous photos of a rose that's barely "meh" for me - both my TGG and Crown Princess Margareta are mostly forgettable barely once blooming Austins for me, but yours are both stunning. Clearly Nebraska needs to be colder or something, to make them shine like yours. Similarly, oldrosarian your Aloha Hawaii is something my plant has only dreamed of. I can't say I've seen more than 5 or 6 blooms ever in its 3 years, but it's approaching its fourth year and I'm gonna show my plant your photo and tell it to shape up to meet the competition. Go for it Beth - the only requirement is to show us your pictures. Cynthia
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kayjones
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, we will continue to pray for you!
glenda_al
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Know you can feel the LOVE from everyone at the KT including ME!
Cherryfizz
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Aww Kat, you are always in my thoughts and prayers but I will send up extra ones. I wish my sister had been more like you and put up a fight when she had the chance but she didn't. I have said it many times - you are an inspiration to all of us.

Anne
User
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
(((((((((((Kat))))))))))))
Prayers for you and your family
lynn_d
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
((((Kat)))) I sure am proud to know you. What an inspiration you are.
juellie1962
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat - I don't know you; especially like some of the people here....but know this......you have impacted my life. I truly hope that when (not IF) I face battles in my life that I handle them with even 1/2 as much grace as I've "seen" you handle this illness.

I am truly in awe. I too wish I lived closer; have you ever heard of the "The Servant Song"??? I will think of you when I play it; I wish I could be the Christ light for you! Know that prayers from strangers are going up!
jae_tn2
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
My prayers are certainly with you! Ditto for all of the comments above.
sleeperblues
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, you inspire me. I wish I didn't live half-way across the country because I would be honored to help care for you. I will be praying mighty hard for you, girl!
Vickey__MN
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat...

(((kat)))

says it all

Vickey
Lily316
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You so inspire me with your courage and good humor. There will be many prayers for you here on KT.
jennmonkey
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, what time frame do you expect to be staying up in Seattle? And for how long?

I thought they provided some sort of housing for this type of situation.

I would be happy to come hang out with you a few times some to give the guys a break! I work during the days but maybe we can arrange a few evenings. I'm serious! Let me know when you know more details.
Jasdip
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I'm pulling and rooting for you! You have such amazing courage and a heck of a sense of humour through your ordeal!!!

"Kat the Brat" is one heck of an amazing woman!!!
susan_on
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I just now saw this Kat, and I'm speechless. You have been such a support to me on f/b, with all I've been dealing with. You're amazing, and I'm pulling for you 1000%. Please let us know the next step and the time frame as soon as you know something.
FlamingO in AR
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You have all my best thoughts and wishes, bRAT, you know that! I do wish I was closer to you so I could help, but if I were, you'd have moved long ago and left no forwarding address, just to get away. :)

Big hugs, girls, and I so admire your attitude, even though it does NOT surprise me one iota.
wanda_va
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I will be there with you in spirit...and praying my hardest for everything to go perfectly. Hugs!
ruthieg__tx
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat you know that I am holding your hand on this long road and I have faith that something will work for you....It happened once and it can happen again.........If we can't cure, then a nice long remission will work. Keep the faith.
maryanntx
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Like Ruthie said - Keep the faith. And stay positive! This may be just the treatment that you need. You've been so supportative of me and I've appreciated it so much.
My faith was renewed last October when I found out how amazing all those prayers are. Please know that thousands of prayers are being said for you now.
Georgysmom
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I am drained just from reading your up date.....and you, you are amazing!!!!! Lots of prayers, hugs and very best wishes coming your way.

((((kat)))))

Dottie
Jeane Gallo
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I'm praying for you, and praying you make the right decision for yourself. My step-son had the BMT for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was in the hospital for about a month, then stayed in an on-site hotel for about 3 weeks after he got better. It's been a year now and he's cancer free. It was really hard on him and the method used to kill all your stem cells after harvesting really made him sick. You do need to be as healthy as you can be for the transplant, because it is so hard on your body. He could have waited because he was in remission, but the doctors talked him into going ahead with it while he was in good shape.
zeetera
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm using up all of my prayers on you! Hang in there Kitty Kat.

P.S. If you find yourself really in a bind for someone to help you, research medical missionaries.
hallngarden
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, you are one tough lady. How wonderful that you son will be able to help you. Please keep us posted during this time. Prayers for you.
msmarion
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WOW! I haven't been to the KT in a couple of years and this is the first post I thought to open.
Kat,as the others have said you are amazing! Special thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Please arrange for your son or husband to call or email someone here once in a while, so we can know how you are doing.
Marion
mjny
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
((((Kat)))) This just really sucks.

We all know you are strong & feisty. You have family & friends who love you. They would do any & everything they can for you. Let them.

It is such a plus that you have never 'felt' better. Your physical and mental strength and your sense of humor will get you thru whichever treatment you decide to take.

Ideally the fewer cancer cells the better in order to harvest stem cells. But a transplant can be done even if you are not in remission. And who is to say one of these treatments will not put you back into remission.

I wish you peace and faith. Keep on.

Thoughts and prayers for whichever route you decide to make.
nanatricia
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So sorry you are going through this .Hang tough I will be praying for you.
socks
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You definitely have a lot of fans here, including me! I admire your sense of humor and strength. I know you must have bad moments too. I'm sending you a very big hug.
Tally
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You know Kat, I don't often respond to prayer requests (not that you've ever asked for any). That doesn't mean I don't spare a thought or two in silence.

However, I just need you to know that I admire your strength and humor and that you have big, gianormous mega-prayers from me going straight upstairs to The Big Guy.
Kathsgrdn
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
((((Kat)))) I'm sorry you have to go through all that. I'm glad you're in such good spirits, though! Prayers and good thoughts that it will be worth it. I'm glad you're feeling so strong and healthy now and hope you will breeze through all the chemo.
joann23456
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a great attitude! You have my prayers and best wishes for the road ahead. And I agree with Susan - I'll bet your son is happy and proud to be able to help you, as you no doubt helped and cared for him throughout his life.
petaloid
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I'm a survivor and know lots of others.

Sorry about all of the challenges, but you and your medical team are well on the way to your cure. I just know it.

(((Kat)))
kacram
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you all so very much.
One of the accounts I do is the hospital where I will be
going next week. My Inpatient chemo starts on Tuesday.

Anyway, I was speaking with the people down in endoscopy,
( I just told a few of the people at a few of my accounts, my boss will tell them when she shows up in my place! LOL)...
anywhoo.... I told her the part about my brain not working right and she had the same response that so many people had... "so, what's new?" LOL I told her that if she found me wandering around the hospital in my birthday suit trying to take care of the plants, to send me back up to the third floor. She laughed and said, no joke, that it happens, they DO have naked people leaving their rooms and doing a walk about! lol Oh, my, those poor people. I tell you what, if anyone saw ME naked on the cancer floor, it would scare the cancer right out of them.

thank you all for your support and kind words. It means a lot.
jennmonkey
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I sent you an email through "your page". Let me know if you don't get it.
coral_ok
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I admire you tremendously, Kat! I've been on the bone marrow donor list for years and years and have never been contacted. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you and I were a match?
carol_in_california
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I remember way back when before you had the diagnosis....and I have always kept you in my healing prayers.
Know that I will continue to pray for you and I only wish I lived closer so I could be of help.
Keep up the positive attitude.
Allow your family and friends to help you....it is not only good for you but very good for them, too.
angela_nor_calif
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Prayers going out to you Kat. You are such a strong lady with a great attitude.
ont_gal
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thinking of you Kat and sending extra special Canadian prayers up for you...always.
terilyn
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Love you Kat.
gemini40
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat you are an inspiration to us all.Your wonderful sense of humor and an atttitude should be bottled and sold.I am praying that you get the best news ever when all the chemo and tests are done.

June
lisa_fla
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sending good healthy prayers for you! Well....if you do anything wacky, maybe you won't remember it anyway!
Granlan_TX
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh Kat, I wish I could be with you during your chemo. It may sound strange to some, but I have fond memories of my chemo buddies and all the laughs we shared while being infused. Can't think of anyone I'd rather be with. :)

I've never forgotten what generous support I received from you and my KT family during my chemo and recovery.

You'll always have my hand to hold and shoulder to lean on.

It's a plus you are feeling so well at this time so you can charge ahead and defeat this damn cancer. Your KT Army is pulling for you!!

Love you Kat,

Lana
linda_in_iowa
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I will keep you in my prayers. You have a great attitude.
summer_tx
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love your 'get 'er done' attitude and sense of humor Kat. What an inspiration you are. You KNOW you have my prayers and wishes for a full remission little buddy. If anyone can whip this disease, it's you Kat, that's who! Please know that you are never far from my thoughts.
OklaMoni
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I am so sorry to hear about this. I wish, you could have gotten nothing but GOOD news.

I am sending my best get better wishes to you.

Moni
kim_okla
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
God bless you Kat. My thoughts are with you.
missmaggierock
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We love you Kat.

Take care of yourself right now. All the other "stuff"
will be taken care of.

You are so strong, you sure are an inspiration to all the KT.
oldgardener_2009
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You truly are an inspiration, Kat. (hugs)
sue_va
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, it doesn't happen often, but I am at a loss for words! I don't know what to say to add to all the other good wishes, prayers, and hugs.

So I am using someone else's words here:

Anything is possible if we open our hearts and believe. I'm wishing you a hopeful heart and brighter days ahead.

Blessings.

Sue
caroline94535
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat, I hope you know you are in my daily prayers.
(((((((Kat)))))))
kiwidj
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Kat I've been offline for a couple of days and when I opened this last night I just didn't know what to say.

I still don't really ... but please know that I'll be thinking of you constantly while you go thru what has to be done.
You've got such amazing spirit and you know we all love ya to bits!

Take care & big ((((hugs)))) to ya!

update on me... warning...LONG! all my hot air, you know! lol

Comments (58)

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