Another Monday!!

Not really happy to start the work week again but I had a great weekend. Went to the Duck vs ASU Football game. My fraternity organized a re-union Tailgate. It was fantastic. I saw people I have not seen in over 22 years.

The game wasn't bad either. We kicked the hell out of ASU. Two more games then Rose Bowl bound, cross your fingers.

Feeling OK. I don't seem to have the issues I had the last time I went to a game. I hope its because I am getting better and the swimming is helping!!

I have been faithful, at least 2 days a week. Trying to make a habit of it. I still can only go for 20 minutes or but at least I am doing it. My hips seem to be feeling better each time I go. Keep your fingers crossed.

I am also hoping that my fatigue gets better as I work out more and more. Getting my energy back would be fantastic. I just have to be patient.

Back to Monday Football. Take it easy...

Late Update

I have been a bit behind in my updates, sorry!

I actually have not been feeling up to it. The most activity I have had was the USC Game!! Over a week ago!

My legs have been very sore. Particularly my right side. The pain is a deeper ache. Like the bone pains I used to have before my surgeries.

To try to get better I am back to doing my PT and I finally started swimming again, 2 times!!

I am desperate to keep this up. I don't really have a choice. Not only are my legs very sore but I am gaining weight, which is a NO NO!!

I am going to swim Monday and Wednesday. Then do my exercises in between. I will also try to get a swim in on a Saturday if possible.

I am in very bad shape! I can only swim for about 20 minutes before I give up, which is a joke. If I keep it up I should get stronger fairly quickly.

I also hope this helps with my fatigue. It still has not gotten better but I am managing it fairly well. We shall see as the weeks go by how this works. Cross your fingers.

I am going to a Re-union party this weekend and the Duck vs ASU game! Its going to be another long day but it should be fun. I am looking forward to it. I hope my legs feel good as I do not want be limping around at the game in front of old friends!

Well that is about it for now. Its another busy, stress filled work week!!

Take care.

Great Weekend!

Had a fantastic weekend so far. Went to the Duck Football game last night and watched the Ducks beat USC in dominating fashion! I have Never been to a game like this ever!!

It was close to 60,000 fans which is a record at Autzen Stadium

Aaron's soccer team finally scored yesterday which was Awesome!!

I have no voice today from SCREAMING at the top of my lungs! It was nice to have a full day and make it thru without any issues!!

I am paying for it of course today but I can manage. I slept in an extra hour thanks to rolling back the clocks!

Heading out shortly to go see a presentation with Cameron about the University of Chicago. Very good school and they have a lot to offer him.

After that it is home to rest.

I hope very soon I can have a full day or weekend of activities and have zero pain and not be so tired afterwords. I guess that comes with time!

By the way, I got another CBC last week and my counts are now normal? My white count jumped all the way back to 6.0, my platelets are 229,000 and my ANC is back to 4,500??

Its great but not sure what to make of the dip? My counts have NEVER bounced to that extreme since my Chemo. I am concerned but will not re test until my appointment in Feb. There really is no point. I hope my fatigue goes away and things even out. We shall see.

Take easy!!

Dealing

That is about all I can say...I am getting up in the morning going to work and trying to get through the day.

I am trying not to stress or worry but I can not help it. Not sure how to feel or what to do. I have been thinking about everything I went through last year. From all the tests to the chemo, the emergency room ,the Oncology ward and the trips everyday for an IV at the doctors office. Not a fun place to be.

It was fine the first time around and we all got through it pretty well. Yet, I really don't think I can do it again. I really don't want to put the family through it.

I am not sure how I can wait for 4 MONTHS!! before I see the doctor again and know for sure!! I guess I have to.

I am probably going to go in two weeks to the lab and get another test. Just to see what may have changed. At least I am doing something..

That's it for a Wednesday...

Treatment Options - Hairy Cell Leukemia(Review)

Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
(from OncologyChannel)

In the recent past, HCL patients who were symptom-free typically did not receive any treatment for the disease. However, they did undergo routine follow-up exams every few months to monitor leukemia progression and identify any new symptoms. Now oncologists treat almost all newly diagnosed HCL cases with chemotherapeutic drugs known as purine analogs or nucleosides. In most cases, such treatment will produce a prolonged remission and perhaps a cure.

Specifically, if the patient shows signs and symptoms such as low blood cell counts, frequent infections, bleeding/bruising, or fatigue, the oncologist may recommend chemotherapy with the purine analog cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine; 2-CDA).

If the patient's HCL becomes resistant to 2-CDA, chemotherapy with the purine analog pentostatin (2-deoxycoformycin; "DCF") or immunotherapy with interferon-alpha (INF-a) may be used instead.

In limited cases, the patient may benefit from splenectomy (removal of the spleen) or treatment with colony-stimulating factors (e.g., granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, a substance that helps to shorten the period of granulocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy).

Unfortunately, some younger patients develop HCL that is unresponsive to treatment. Clinical trials are being conducted with high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation.

Physician-developed and -monitored.

Original Date of Publication: 15 Aug 1999
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 04 Dec 2007

Not a Good Start to the Weekend!

I had my HCL check with my Hemo today. Last visit was April 09. The results are below:

As you can see, my White Counts and My ANC took a DIVE!!! Not very encouraging. Needless to say this not the result I was looking for.

Unfortunately , my doctor now wants to see me in 4 months vs 1 year. If my counts don't rebound by February he will want to do another bone marrow biopsy.

As you know I have been yelling as loud as can about never doing another BMB. It sucked the last time. Yet here I am a year and 1/2 later staring down the barrel of large needle looming in my future! HAPPY 2010!!!

To bring things back in perspective, I am still far with in healthy limits. My risk is very low for infection and I am asymptomatic. No need to panic at all yet. My palms are just getting sweaty and the butterflies are growing in my stomach......

You know I will be Obsessing over this for the next 4 months until I get checked again. Who wouldn't!!

I am thinking the hip surgery and everything I have been through had some effect. Yet, I had a transfusion in the hospital, 2 units. I should be at the same high levels (6.0) because of that, right??

Unfortunately, only time will tell....and that's what sucks about HCL...It is slow and makes you think about it....

Have good weekend!!!

Finally Mid Week!

I am very glad it is Wednesday. It has been a long week. I have a lot going on. Cam is back to school after being sick all weekend. Theresa has been sick too. Its been a rough week for both.

I am praying I am not going to get it. The last thing I want is the flu. It wont surprise me however.
Everyone at work is hacking and coughing. People are even coming to work with a fever!!

Whatever!!

I have my HCL check up tomorrow. I will post my blood test results. It will be interesting as I have been having fatigue issues for the last month and half. I know it has something to do with my surgery but I can't help but think about my HCL. Do I have that bad of luck!!!


My left side is feeling better and better. I wish I could report the same for the right side but at least it has not gotten worse. I did walk a mile around the track before Aaron's Sunday Soccer Game. It whipped me out but I did it. I was also sore for two days. I need to do more stuff like that if I am to get better.

I get to go to Aaron's school conference tomorrow. I miss doing this stuff. I have been laid up so much I missed most of the conferences last year and this is my first one solo!

NO surprises..I know he has been working hard.

Looking forward to the weekend and more soccer games!!

Go Ducks!!!(its a bye week so a for sure win!!)