Snoopy's Updates

Erika's four-year ongoing battle with non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's Lymphoma after an autologous BMT and non-myeloblative allogeneic BMT.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Erika's Treatment Update -- Week 23

Hi everyone.

I'm writing my update a little early this week, because I don't think I'll be able to get it around to it the next few days. It's been quite an interesting couple of days all starting with an unexpected trip to the ER on Sunday...
  • Saturday Chris and I met up with some TNT people for breakfast at Hobee's after their morning training which was nice. It was great to hear that they're getting so close to their event in Honolulu and next weekend is their 22-mile training...Go Team! After that we decided to take a short day trip to Half Moon Bay since I was feeling so well. We took Pebbles to the beach at the Ritz Carlton and had a great time, aside from the fact that I got submerged to my knees by a wave and I was wearing my favorite and very hard to get UGG's! Of course I was devastated and had to ride back home with wet feet, wet jeans, and the thought of my UGG's being ruined.
  • Sunday morning I woke up feeling a little hyper and overly energized. I didn't think much of it, I figured it would just be a good day in terms of energy level. Well at around 11am my right arm & leg started moving uncrontrollably and I started getting hysterical. The whole episode lasted about 20-30 minutes and when I called my oncologist she said I needed to go to the ER. When we got there they initially thought I had a seizure, however after a normal head CT and examination by a neurologist and several other doctors they think it was something more of a movement disorder or muscle spasms. I had an MRI of my brain done yesterday morning which also came back normal and I'm scheduled to have an EEG (similar to an EKG, except of the brain) next Wednesday. I will also be seeing a movement disorder specialist to see if they can determine exactly what it was and rule out anything serious. Whatever it was, I hope to never have to experience it again as it was pretty scary...of course Chris thought I was joking around while it was happening, especially since the only way I could get from one room to another is by hoping around like a bunny.
  • Today was my long day at Stanford. I had my blood drawn, met with my oncologist, BMT doctor, and had my 4th chemo treatment. All went very smoothly, my counts were normal, my liver function seems to have improved slightly, and I'm not scheduled to return until Dec 8th for my 5th treatment (knock on wood). I also got the results of my donor chimerism...drum roll...I have a 100% donor cells. I think everyone expected that, but it's always nice to have a confirmation. I'm still dealing with daily fevers and no one seems to know the source of them, my BMT doctor decided that I don't need to see an infectious disease specialist since he doesn't feel that they will be able to find anything. Basically I just have to suck it up and deal with them and carry Tylenol and a thermometer with me at all times. Oh one bit of good news that I did receive today (and something I've really been looking forward to)...I can have sushi again - yupee!

Well that's it for this week. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Friday, November 19, 2004

Erika's Treatment Update -- Week 22

Hi.

Again it's been a pretty slow, uneventful week for me. I've mostly just been dealing with some low-grade fevers since my last chemo treatment. Wednesday morning they started getting pretty bad to the point where I was on Tylenol every 4-6 hours and Thursday morning I woke up feeling miserable so I called into Stanford. Sure enough they had me go in for some cultures, a CBC, and other tests. My blood counts ended up looking good, however one of my liver tests is still elevated and seems to be steadily climbing. Although there's no huge concern at the moment, my doctors are trying to see what could be causing the abnormal numbers and are trying to rule out certain problems, it's very possible that the chemo I've been receiving could be causing this. As for the fevers, I'm back on a daily dose of prednisone to control them (which of course I'm not happy about) and I'm scheduled to meet with an infectious disease specialist next week to see if she can possibly find any other source. Go figure I couldn't go a full week without going into Stanford...

The plan for next week is still for me to go in on Wednesday for my 4th treatment and to meet with my oncologist, BMT doctor, and possibly the infectious disease doctor. I should also be getting the results of all the tests they did yesterday and the donor chimerism that was done last week. I'll try to post the results as soon as I receive them.

Chris and I have no big plans for Thanksgiving this year, we will just go over to his mom's for dinner. I'm usually not up for eating a few days after chemo so no turkey for me this year, I sure don't mind since it's not my favorite meal anyway.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 12, 2004

Erika's Treatment Update -- Week 21

Hi.

Here's my quick update for the week:

  • Monday - went into Stanford to get blood counts and everything looked great, didn't need anything although I was there from 9-4:3opm since the lab was having problems with their machines.
  • Tuesday - spent the afternoon at the dentist getting an unexpected emergency filing. Guess I went a little too crazy with all the Halloween candy and broke a tooth when I was eating some of it.
  • Wednesday - had appointment with my doctor and 3rd round of chemo. She seemed pleased with the way things are going so I'm not scheduled to go back until Wed 11/24! I will get my 4th treatment that day and will also get the results of my donor chimerism.
The rest of the week I've spent resting at home, this chemo has mild side effects, but it really makes me exhausted. I'm still catching up on emails, so those that haven't heard back from me I'm working on it :)

Friday, November 05, 2004

Erika's Treatment Update -- Week 20

Hi everyone.

Not much of an update this week. I have generally been feeling well this week, just a little more tired than usual, which is normal for the chemo that I'm receiving. On Monday I went in to get my counts done and they were good (this chemo isn't affecting my counts as much as the previous one) and Wednesday I met with my BMT attending and he was pleased with the way things have been progressing for now. He suggested that we do another chimerism test to see what percentage of donor cells are currently in my body, which I was in complete agreement with since I'm curious to know myself. I should get the results of the chimerism next time I see him, which is the day before Thanksgiving. Next week I'm scheduled to go in again on Monday for counts and Wednesday I'll be getting my 3rd treatment.

Now that I'm not going to Stanford as often I find myself with not much to do during the days so if any of you have any good hobby suggestions, please let me know! There's only so much of the Food Network that I can watch :P