Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I'm supposed to be calling utility companies and getting services established, and since it's one of my least favorite things to do, I'll just blog instead.
I've been having a minor GvH flare up lately, which leads me to believe that the baby stemcells are done playing with strange viruses and bacteria and reverting to attacking my skin. This morning I discovered another rash on my chest to add to the rashes on the backs of both ankles and knees, the two on my abdomen, the ones on both upper arms, and the one on my right calf. I'm sure its mirror image will show up on my left calf in the next few days. At least the stemcells share my need for symmetry. It's just a minor nuisance and doesn't get in the way of my day to day living. Most of the shades are drawn just to be safe, since exposure to sunlight can sometimes make these things worse.
The ever present GvH on my fingers has ratcheted up on my right index finger. It looks like I've been gnawing on it. It's constantly red and there are small plaques of scabs across the top of the finger. The finger is also the latest victim of paronychea. Trust me, I know these are very small complaints in the big scheme of things.
Chris's sister is coming into town Friday and we're looking forward to visiting with her and the kids before they make the big move to Vancouver.
I've submitted an application for re-entry into LSU and am waiting with baited breath to hear something. I got a little warning that I'm not in compliance with their vaccination policies which gave me quite a chuckle. I'm hoping that they can overlook this considering my circumstances. I've asked my transplant doctor to write a letter on my behalf explaining the situation, so I'm just waiting on that. I'm a little anxious about having to really engage my brain again. I went from being the kid who really didn't need to study to needing everything repeated a thousand times. It should be interesting. At this point, I'd just be happy to graduate with the minimum grade point average required. I won't stress about it.
As for the house...Angela called Chris with a confirmation for the Monday closing. When it all happens, I'll post pictures, etc. I'm just loathe to tempt fate.
I've been having a minor GvH flare up lately, which leads me to believe that the baby stemcells are done playing with strange viruses and bacteria and reverting to attacking my skin. This morning I discovered another rash on my chest to add to the rashes on the backs of both ankles and knees, the two on my abdomen, the ones on both upper arms, and the one on my right calf. I'm sure its mirror image will show up on my left calf in the next few days. At least the stemcells share my need for symmetry. It's just a minor nuisance and doesn't get in the way of my day to day living. Most of the shades are drawn just to be safe, since exposure to sunlight can sometimes make these things worse.
The ever present GvH on my fingers has ratcheted up on my right index finger. It looks like I've been gnawing on it. It's constantly red and there are small plaques of scabs across the top of the finger. The finger is also the latest victim of paronychea. Trust me, I know these are very small complaints in the big scheme of things.
Chris's sister is coming into town Friday and we're looking forward to visiting with her and the kids before they make the big move to Vancouver.
I've submitted an application for re-entry into LSU and am waiting with baited breath to hear something. I got a little warning that I'm not in compliance with their vaccination policies which gave me quite a chuckle. I'm hoping that they can overlook this considering my circumstances. I've asked my transplant doctor to write a letter on my behalf explaining the situation, so I'm just waiting on that. I'm a little anxious about having to really engage my brain again. I went from being the kid who really didn't need to study to needing everything repeated a thousand times. It should be interesting. At this point, I'd just be happy to graduate with the minimum grade point average required. I won't stress about it.
As for the house...Angela called Chris with a confirmation for the Monday closing. When it all happens, I'll post pictures, etc. I'm just loathe to tempt fate.
Monday, June 23, 2008
I can't be certain, but I suspect some little corner of hell involves buying real estate as a punishment.
My agent is spot-on amazing, the house we want needs very minimal work and is not in a flood zone. Chris is quite pleased with the lack of yard. I love that the house is close to three drugstores and two major grocery stores and interstate access isn't too far away. What more could we want? What could possibly go wrong?
That shrill cackling you might be hearing is me laughing my head off.
House drama.
Chris has been doing due diligence and talking to the mortgage lender every day just to be sure that things are moving in the direction that they need to be. He was assured that things were indeed headed in that direction. We're scheduled to close next Monday. We even picked up a few things that we'll need to do a few minor repairs.
Today, Chris was tied up in meetings at work, so I was in charge of talking to our lenders. A little voice told me to check in with the title company and the company writing our home owner's insurance policy. I felt organized and in charge. Almost like a real, live adult. The insurance company hadn't heard from the title company and needed a few things faxed over before the policy could be written. The title company couldn't fathom that the insurance company needed anything. The mortgage lender was waiting on the underwriter who couldn't move forward because they were missing key documents. I was on hold for 22 minutes listening to the most God awful ode to commercialism. This company actually commissioned a song heralding their merits and why they should be your lender and it was all set to a bluegrass tune. Each time it repeated, I started to feel less inclined to ever do business with them again. The hold music actually triggered some primitive mechanism in my brain and I started to get angry.
The long and the short of it is that I know that the key documents had been faxed/emailed to the pertinent parties involved over three weeks ago. I'm guessing some one has a messy desk and probably mislaid a few things.
I've been assured that we're still on schedule to close on time. I'm trying to psyche myself up so that I'm not disappointed if the closing is delayed.
On the bright side, I don't have any medical drama to report, and isn't that really what's important?
My agent is spot-on amazing, the house we want needs very minimal work and is not in a flood zone. Chris is quite pleased with the lack of yard. I love that the house is close to three drugstores and two major grocery stores and interstate access isn't too far away. What more could we want? What could possibly go wrong?
That shrill cackling you might be hearing is me laughing my head off.
House drama.
Chris has been doing due diligence and talking to the mortgage lender every day just to be sure that things are moving in the direction that they need to be. He was assured that things were indeed headed in that direction. We're scheduled to close next Monday. We even picked up a few things that we'll need to do a few minor repairs.
Today, Chris was tied up in meetings at work, so I was in charge of talking to our lenders. A little voice told me to check in with the title company and the company writing our home owner's insurance policy. I felt organized and in charge. Almost like a real, live adult. The insurance company hadn't heard from the title company and needed a few things faxed over before the policy could be written. The title company couldn't fathom that the insurance company needed anything. The mortgage lender was waiting on the underwriter who couldn't move forward because they were missing key documents. I was on hold for 22 minutes listening to the most God awful ode to commercialism. This company actually commissioned a song heralding their merits and why they should be your lender and it was all set to a bluegrass tune. Each time it repeated, I started to feel less inclined to ever do business with them again. The hold music actually triggered some primitive mechanism in my brain and I started to get angry.
The long and the short of it is that I know that the key documents had been faxed/emailed to the pertinent parties involved over three weeks ago. I'm guessing some one has a messy desk and probably mislaid a few things.
I've been assured that we're still on schedule to close on time. I'm trying to psyche myself up so that I'm not disappointed if the closing is delayed.
On the bright side, I don't have any medical drama to report, and isn't that really what's important?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Baby Cells - 1 Bacteria - 0
Day +383
WBC 9.2 K/uL
RBC 4.14 M/uL
HGB 12.9 G/dL
PLT 723 K/uL (!!!)
ANC 7.2 K/uL
The little "Jet Li" cord (aka DUC 8676) has thoroughly and completely kicked the butt of the bacterial infection Ann picked up around the start of the month. Ann's cough, which was pretty rough a week or so ago, has all but completely disappeared. Color me relieved.
The prevailing theory that the baby stem cells overreacted to the infection seems to be supported by her platelet numbers. 723 K/uL is a huge amount of platelets considering the normal range is about 150 to 350. Even that fits with the "overreaction" theory, because you need lots of platelets to plug all the holes that activated neutrophils make when they leave the blood stream and enter tissue. Our local doctor thinks that her white count and platelets will continue to normalize as the baby stem cells "relax" from their first encounter with a bacterial infection.
Bottom line is we just saw Ann's new immune system react like it should. Albeit more vigourously than expected, but normally. So all in all good news.
We close on our new house at the end of the month, which is another huge step on the road to reclaiming our lives again. I can't begin to tell you how much we are looking forward to it. We even bought a fridge this weekend.
WBC 9.2 K/uL
RBC 4.14 M/uL
HGB 12.9 G/dL
PLT 723 K/uL (!!!)
ANC 7.2 K/uL
The little "Jet Li" cord (aka DUC 8676) has thoroughly and completely kicked the butt of the bacterial infection Ann picked up around the start of the month. Ann's cough, which was pretty rough a week or so ago, has all but completely disappeared. Color me relieved.
The prevailing theory that the baby stem cells overreacted to the infection seems to be supported by her platelet numbers. 723 K/uL is a huge amount of platelets considering the normal range is about 150 to 350. Even that fits with the "overreaction" theory, because you need lots of platelets to plug all the holes that activated neutrophils make when they leave the blood stream and enter tissue. Our local doctor thinks that her white count and platelets will continue to normalize as the baby stem cells "relax" from their first encounter with a bacterial infection.
Bottom line is we just saw Ann's new immune system react like it should. Albeit more vigourously than expected, but normally. So all in all good news.
We close on our new house at the end of the month, which is another huge step on the road to reclaiming our lives again. I can't begin to tell you how much we are looking forward to it. We even bought a fridge this weekend.
Monday, June 16, 2008
I still have a lingering cough that's aggravated by my constant post nasal drip. Thanks, crazy allergies. Other than this very minor complaint, I feel completely normal. I've got a doctor's appointment scheduled for tomorrow and I'm hopeful that the blood draw shows things getting back to normal.
I spent the weekend working on a super-secret project that I can reveal tomorrow night. Nothing amazing, so don't get your hopes up too high.
I spent the weekend working on a super-secret project that I can reveal tomorrow night. Nothing amazing, so don't get your hopes up too high.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
My friend, Patricia, has a friend who is raising money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She'll be participating in a 100 mile bike ride in Florida in October in honor of Patricia. If you'd like to help, please visit Karen's fundraising page here.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an invaluable resource for patients and caregivers alike. In fact, it's one of the first places we turned to when I was first diagnosed. They offer programs that help patients financially and emotionally as well as educational material. To this day, I still draw a lot of emotional support from the LLS boards and the many wonderful people who post there.
I wish I could write more eloquently on how the Leukemia and Lymphoma society has benefited me. Since I'm a bit off my game, please just pop over and have a look for yourself.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an invaluable resource for patients and caregivers alike. In fact, it's one of the first places we turned to when I was first diagnosed. They offer programs that help patients financially and emotionally as well as educational material. To this day, I still draw a lot of emotional support from the LLS boards and the many wonderful people who post there.
I wish I could write more eloquently on how the Leukemia and Lymphoma society has benefited me. Since I'm a bit off my game, please just pop over and have a look for yourself.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Day +377
I have been sitting on this little nugget of news for over a week and it has nearly killed me to keep quiet: My friend Nancy was on The Price is Right! The episode featuring her in all of her fabulousness aired on 6/10 and I believe for a limited time you can view it here. Just select the episode of the same date. I screamed when she let us in on the secret. Literally screamed. It's just one of those once in a lifetime opportunities and the show is so iconic. It couldn't have happened to a nicer, more deserving person and I'm so glad she got the chance to thank her bone marrow donor on national television.
Nancy did ask that we not post any incriminating pictures and I think I've managed to skirt the offence. Sorry Nancy, I'm just so thrilled for you! I had to share the fun.
I have been sitting on this little nugget of news for over a week and it has nearly killed me to keep quiet: My friend Nancy was on The Price is Right! The episode featuring her in all of her fabulousness aired on 6/10 and I believe for a limited time you can view it here. Just select the episode of the same date. I screamed when she let us in on the secret. Literally screamed. It's just one of those once in a lifetime opportunities and the show is so iconic. It couldn't have happened to a nicer, more deserving person and I'm so glad she got the chance to thank her bone marrow donor on national television.
Nancy did ask that we not post any incriminating pictures and I think I've managed to skirt the offence. Sorry Nancy, I'm just so thrilled for you! I had to share the fun.
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