Wednesday, November 16, 2011
5.5 Years And Counting....
Sorry for not posting for a long time. Just been busy with life, just like all of you. Ah, so nice to be able to say that! Saw my favorite doctor today and had labs (three sticks later, on the back of my hand for lack of any good veins anywhere else, they got the samples, ugghh and ouch!)
WBC 3.0 (norm 4.0-11.0)
RBC 4.0 (norm 3.8-5.2)
HGB 12.7 (norm 11.4-15.5)
HCT 37.1 (norm 35.0-47)
PLT 106 (norm 150-350)
ANC 1.5 norm (1.9-8.7)
My counts are stable and Dr. Nakamura is not worried, still says these counts may be my new norm. If he isn't concerned, I won't be either. But, he still wants to see me every six months.
Life is good... busy, but good. This is the time of year (from now until New Year's Day) that I always pack on the pounds. I blame it on the holidays and also when it gets cold my body craves insulation. I'm fighting it off this year. If I can emerge at New Year's at my current weight, I'll be happy . I've started resistance workouts because of the chemo-induced osteoporosis and thought it would also help control my weight. I think it's working. I just need to maintain this regimen through the holidays. Also, still trying to get my 10,000 steps a day. I'm going to need some support to keep up the dieting and workouts! Anybody else up for the challenge?
Hope all of you stay healthy and warm. Steer clear of sick people! Get your flu shots. Thank you for checking on my blog.... love you all... nancy
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
5th BIRTHDAY!!!
Today, today, today is the day five years ago that I received lifesaving bone marrow from an unrelated donor who lives in a faraway place. I can only hope and pray that she is fine following the devastating Japan earthquake and tsunami which hit just a few months ago.
Today is a day for celebration!!! At five years, they say the chance of relapse goes way down. Seems like it has been more than five years or, as I've said before, that all that did not happen to me! I have to say our family has fared well even under the extremely stressful and scary circumstances. Scott is at Cal State Long Beach and is majoring in mechanical engineering. Andrew is transferring from Cypress College to Cal State Fullerton and will major in kinesiology. Mark continues to be my rock!
I visited the City of Hope for my five year appointment. Things are really looking up and although my counts are still not all within normal range they are edging closer and closer.
WBC 3.0 (norm 4.0 - 11.0)
RBC 3.92 (3.8-5.2)
HGB 12.9 (11.5-15.5)
PLT 111 (150-350)
My platelets have never broken 100! Woo Hoo... 111 is record breaking for me. My PB. All my other counts and chemistry are within normal limits.
Last month, my brother, Kurt, and I attended City of Hope's, 35th Annual Bone Marrow Transplantation reunion. It's always amazing seeing patients sporting over-sized buttons showing how many years ago their transplant took place. We must not forget those who have lost their battles. Here are a few pictures from the event.
Left Photo from left to right: Myself, Kurt (my brother), Michelle (dear friend and fellow transplant patient 5.5 years post-transplant) and Pat (Michelle and my friend). Right Photo: Michelle, Dr. Nakamura (who helped save my life!) and yours truly.
Left: Christine Pechera and myself. She was in the hospital room right next to me. After being in isolation for so long and being hospitalized for months, I wanted to stir up some trouble... I was trying to think how Christine and I could switch our urine samples or our blood samples and really throw off the doctors... but, then I knew better... I was just trying to have a little fun..... can you blame me?
So, all in all, life is good. I thank God for every single day!
Thank you for continuing to check on me. I appreciate each and every one of you. Your support and prayers have had such a huge impact on so many levels...
love, Nancy (5 years and counting!)
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
No News is Good News.
I am truly sorry for not updating my blog.
The year in a nutshell: I spent most of the year sick with the flu (even though I got my flu shot last fall). Took antibiotics for secondary infections for more than 40 days this year. I'm finally better....
In the midst of all of that, we ended up with another puppy. A college student thought she could care for the puppy, but after having her for several months, realized otherwise. Yes, Mochi (given this name before we had her), is a lot of work. And, yes, she's a little 7 pound brat to her big brother, Miso (Bichon-Poo.) But, she is a sweet little girl, in her loving, bratty, little way. She is a malti-poo (maltese-poodle) and is 5 months old. We were told she was house-broken, but she wasn't, but now she is.... Mochi and Miso play rough but also are good company for each other. My cousin said all we need now is another puppy named Tofu. I don't think so Lynny! I think two dogs are good, especially since we sort of "rescued " both and were not really looking for a dog (much less 2), but would have eventually got a dog.
My friend, Tami, has a little too much time on her hands (jk, tami) and made this sign for me:
Here are a few pictures of our furry friends: (Mochi is the little one)
Thanks for checking in on me. Hope all is well with all of you! love, nancy
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
A Match Found For Krissy Kobata!!!
2011, Year of the Rabbit, begins with fantastic news! After a very long search, a 9/10 match has been found for Krissy Kobata. (My match was also 9/10) To view her updates, click on her name on the sidebar of my blog. And keep registering new potential donors!!! We still have a lot of work to do!!!
I'm sorry for my absence. Happy New Year to all of you!!! Nothing earth shaking happening with me. I spent most of holidays under the weather. After two different 10 day doses of antibiotics (almost back to back), other medications, doctor visits and muscle damage due to extreme coughing spells, I'm finally well. It took Krissy's great news to get me to crawl out from under my rock and post to my blogsite!
Let's all keep praying for Krissy and her potential donor, as well!!! Thanks for checking in on me. Love you all, n
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Hi Everyone,
Sorry, for this delayed posting. I've been a little busy, just like all of you!
Great News! Results back from my bone marrow biopsy performed in November. Clean Results, no sign of leukemia, cancer cells or anything else bad! That's the best Christmas gift a person can ask for!!!
Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace, robust health and much laughter!!!
Abundant Blessings to all of you. Always, Nancy
