Month: October 2021

Today I had a follow-up appointment at Karmanos. My labs came back good and my white blood cell count is continuing to rise…YESS! My magnesium and sodium is a bit low, so its recommended that I really push salt in my diet. Also I was given a list of foods to increase magnesium. The bottom line is I have to start eating again everyday. My PET scan is scheduled for November 8th and after that a decision will be made about radiation to get rid of the lymphoma still in my chest area.

I’d like to send a special thank you and mad love to Dr. Ayash at Karmanos for the incredible care I have been given. She is a doctor that comes in and really takes her time with me. She stays as long as I have questions and doesn’t try to sugar coat anything. The entire Stem Cell Transplant team is awesome!

Thank you all for the birthday well wishes and sentiments. I had a wonderful weekend with great friends. I still wasn’t able to enjoy much food, but my taste is returning slowly. That’s a good thing. I have a follow-up appointment with Karmanos tomorrow and am hoping my cell are still increasing as they should. I developed a slight cough and a bit of congestion the past day or so, but I am sure its the changing weather that is reaking havoc for a lot of people. I still feel good and no major fatigue so I believe I’m in good shape. I hope they will let me know when I can get the Covid shots over again. When I go anywhere, I continue to wear my mask and stay away from crowds of people.

Although my birthday is a couple days away, I feel a bit lack luster about it. This year when I celebrate, I feel it should be November 9th. But everyday is a blessing and should be celebrated.

Even though my oncologist had always told me a bone morrow transplant would be the best way to go once the chemo was complete, I really kind of ignored him. When the chemo was complete, I felt great and in my head didn’t want to go through transplant. Well needless to say, all the cancer was gone out my bones and everywhere else except a little lymphoma in my chest where it all began.

After the chemo was complete, he referred me to Karmanos Cancer Center Bone Marrow team. My own white blood cells were cancer free and I could use my own for transplant. My oncologist along with the Karmanos team expressed this would be the best thing for me to prevent the cancer from returning.

September I went in for 22 days for very intense chemo and to get my cells back. It was tolerable but grueling. There were nights of nausea and intense fevers, but I made it through. The thoughts of getting out and being well enough to drive and enjoy my life again motivated me to thrive. Now, the chemo really did a number because foods still taste like cardboard and I tired of drinking Ensure. LOL Those of you that really know me know that I’m a big foody and not being able to enjoy some of these good ole restaurants that have opened is crazy difficult.

Early last year, I knew there was something not quite right with my body, but foolishly I ignored it. By November I had lost more than 20 pounds and could not eat solid foods. When I finally decided to go to my PCP, it was at the height of covid and would not see me in the office because of a cough I had.

My dear friend Derrick rushed me to the hospital the evening of 11/9/2020 and I was admitted immediately. I remained in the hospital all of November and December. This was tough because I could not have visitors due to covid restrictions. I thank the amazing team at Ascension St. John for becoming my surrogate family each day. By December, I still could not walk due to being so weak and my legs swelling like tree trunks because of the massive amount of IV fluids. By mid December I was in rehab learning to regain my strength. I just wanted to go home. Even with my face being 3 shades darker, and still thin, I was released.

The moment I decided to get home and exercise, begin eating was when my mom picked me up from the hospital and didn’t recognize me. It of course was not her fault because she had not seen me in 2 months. I cried inside and was determined to get better for us all!

I came home with physical therapy and a feeding tube. Quickly I regained my strength enough to walk well and go up and down my stairs. Sadly my feeding tube became infected and I returned to the hospital…but not for long. It was removed and I began my outpatient chem regiment, which would last until June of this year.

When was last in the hospital at Karmanos Cancer Center for my bone marrow transplant (22 days), I decided to use my days to journal and document what I was going through. It can be lonely. That’s when I decided to start this blog. For those going through a a journey with cancer, feel free to chime in or even if you are the loved one of one going through…you are recognized!

One week since discharge from Karmanos Canxer Center. White Blood cells are multiplying and I feel awesome. Fatigue sets in a bit a night before bed, but during the day I feel great.

So everyone has moments in their lives in which you’ll never forget where you were or what you were doing. I call those 9/11 moments….mine was actually 11/9. That was the evening that I was rushed to the hospital and admitted. On 11/9/2020, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer…lymphoma. The cancer had spread all over, even in my bones.