No biopsy

My oncologist in Cleveland has decided not to do the liver biopsy, which delighted me. However, he still thinks that is what is going on (graft vs host of the liver) so I had to start a new anti rejection drug, but at least it is not Prednisone, which has so many nasty side effects. My liver labs came back about the same as last week and he wants to try this approach, before going to the Prednisone. So, if the labs go down next month, I will stick with this new treatment. I also do not have to have that 4 hour infusion anymore because I had an allergic reaction to it on Friday. After my appointment we went to visit Kyle and Erika and Kade and Liv. We had a very nice evening with them. It seems Liv grows so much each time we see her, and Kade is always in heaven when he has his Papa to play with. We are so thankful to have them in Cleveland. It makes the trip worthwhile. Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for me and my family!

Back to work

As all of you know I went back to work last week and it went really good the first 2 days, but then I did something crazy and tried to work 8 hours on saturday and sunday.......and I paid for it. I just thought it went so well when I worked the 4 hour shifts that I would be able to do it, but my body said WHOA NELLIE! I slept most of the day on Monday and I realize I was expecting too much out of my body at this point....so I am back on 4 hour shifts for a while. The doctors didn't even expect me to go back this soon, I have to remember that. It sure was good to be back on the floor and see all my friends. It felt like a little bit of normalcy returning to our lives. I know I had tears in my eyes as I pulled out of the driveway and saw Kyle standing in the door, waving goodbye. This would be the first time we have been apart since all of this began and it was an emotional day for both of us. I depend on him for so much, so it was also a little bit scary for me to leave my comfortable little nest he has made for me, but we made it! I also got good news on Thursday...I went to Cleveland for an appointment and they postponed the liver biopsy because my liver functions that were high came down a little bit, so the Dr said we will wait until this Friday when I have another appointment in Cleveland and see if the labs continue to decline. If they do, I may not have to have the liver biopsy, which would make me happy,since I was not looking forward to that procedure at all. So, I will update you after my appointment. Thanks to all of you for your comments and best wishes on my return to work!

Welcome Back

Photos courtesy of Kim Leck.

Back to Work

Mom's first day back to work.

Rollercoaster continues

Well, I have been feeling so good that I thought that I would sail through my Dr appointment after Christmas with flying colors. That was not to be. The good news was that all of my counts (WBC's, RBC's, and platelets) were all close to normal levels. The bad news was my liver function tests were elevated and my Dr suspects graft vs. host of the liver, especially since my legs and feet were swollen to twice their size. Also another lab value (IGG) was on the low side so I was going to have to get that 4 hour infusion of immunoglobins again for the next 4 months. So I just received that on Monday here in Sandusky at the new cancer center at Firelands..... how beautiful it is in there! And close to home! Then yesterday, I woke up with a sunburn type rash on my face, so I called my nurse as I am supposed to when anything abnormal happens, and she set me up for a skin biopsy today in Cleveland. The Dr suspected graft vs. host of the skin as well. This morning I woke up with no rash..... so I called my nurse and she was off today, so I spoke with someone else and she said I could still come, but I knew they would not biopsy skin with no rash and we certainly do not need another consultation bill for nothing, so I cancelled the appointment and I will talk with my nurse tomorrow. My legs have gone down, but I had repeat labs drawn here on Monday and my liver tests are more extremely elevated than a week ago, so I am assuming the next step will be a liver biopsy and the return to some high doses of prednisone. The Dr says I can still go back to work and I feel really good, so I am looking forward to that. I will keep you updated and to all my friends at TTH.... see you next week! Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.