Monthly Clinic Visit

I am flying high as I right this. My clinic visist yesterday was my personal best. All of my blood counts are in the normal range for the first time in 2 years! And I don't have to go back to Cleveland for 2 months!!!!! My doctor says I am doing WONDERFUL. I was just about to burst into tears and I must have said "thank you" a thousand times. He said keep up the good work. He did decrease my Prednisone, but not as much as I'd like. But I will get there. I just had to share this with all of you, who have carried me through this long journey with your prayers and help. I felt like I was walking on a cloud out of the Clinic. Thank you and bless you all.

Bittersweet 2 weeks

Since I have last written quite a few changes have happened in my life. First on March 14, my son, Kyle, called to ask if Dad and I could come to Cleveland to watch the kids. His wife, Erika's blood sugar had skyrocketed to 650 and she was being admitted to the hospital. I was so worried about her all the way there. She was in the hospital for a few days and they did get it stabilized, but she has now been diagnosed as a Type I diabetic and will have to test her blood several times a day and give herself insulin injections for the rest of her life. A hard pill to swallow for a 27 year old healthy active young woman. Of course, I do not want her to run in the Leukemia Foundation race in May, but she promises me that she will follow the doctor's recommendations. The second thing that happened was that my friend and neighbor of27 years, Judith Bartow, passed away on March 15 while we were in Cleveland. She also was diagnosed with cancer about 1 year before I was, However hers was in her gallbladder. She fought a valiant fight and will be terribly missed in our neighborhood. She was our "party lady" and started our Christmas in July parties. It was a very hard thing for me to go to her funeral, but I felt good supporting her husband and children. Then, on a sweet note....... yesterday was our grandson, Kade's, 3rd birthday party! He is a pirate fanatic and he had all the trimmings! His mommy even made him a pirate ship cake that far outrivaled any I have ever seen. It is so delightful for me to watch all 7 of my grandchildren frolic and play together and it was the most beautiful day! I drank in and savored every moment of the day. Just to be here today and enjoy them.

Team Roth

I just wanted to put a plug in for my wonderful daughter-in-law, Erika. She is running in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's marathon in Cleveland on May 20 in my honor. I am so proud of her determination to train for this through the bad weather, with little babies at home and no time. I told her I don't think I could ever do that and she said "well, I could never go through what you've been through". All of the money she raises for this marathon goes to research for a cure for these awful diseases, so maybe someday, other people will not have to go through what I and my family have been through. She still is short of her goal, so if you can give I would be most appreciative! And a special thank you to all the people who have so generously donated, your kindness touches my soul!

Results?

My nurse called with the results of my biopsies and said that they were "nonconclusive", but that the doctor still thinks it is graft vs host, so he wants me to stay on the Prednisone until my appointment on the 27th this month, until he sees me. I am not real happy about this, because if it is not GVH then I don't need the Prednisone, which could be doing damage to my muscles and organs. But, I have to trust my doctor, he has gotten me this far and I feel so fortunate to be alive that I will do what he says. I seem to be gaining some stamina at work and I have been able to work a whole 8 hour shift without being totally exhausted and that is an accomplishment! I also am able to swallow better and that has helped get some nutrition into my body. I just wake up every morning and thank the Lord that I am able to enjoy this day! God bless you all and keep me in your prayers.......I think it's working!

EGD results

Last Friday, I had the EGD done and the doctor dilated my esophagus. He said it was the size of a pinkie finger and he stretched it as far as he could, but I will probably have to have it done again in the future. He took biopsies of my esophagus and stomach which he thought showed signs of graft vs host disease. The final results will not be available until the end of this week, but he was pretty sure. I was out cold for the rest of the day Friday! On a positive note, I seem to be feeling much better since I started the Prednisone. I am not as fatigued as I was and I even worked an 8 hour shift and didn't feel exhausted. Plus the fact that I can actually eat food now helps. So, I am enjoying the bright sunshine today, even though it is very cold out. I am looking forward to spring and enjoying my summer this year, since we really didn't get to last year. Talk with you soon!