Water Bugs and Dragonflies

Water Bugs and Dragonflies

I want to thank my niece Deb Wirrig for sending me this children's book explaining death to little folks. My home nurse liked it so much she wants to get a copy for her home care work.

Letter to Washington Post

Letter to Washington Post

I agree with the writer who worries that the Susan G. Komen campaign for breast cancer awareness has turned all cancers to pink. That is not true. I have leukemia which is a lymphoma.

The color for leukemia is lime green and the month designated for leukemia is September.

Look At This

Look At This

Another Valentine bear has arrived. This one is from Dr. Jackson my last principal at Franconia Elementary School. Isn't he cute. I'll call him Jackson. So here is Darlene and Jackson. Jackson came with a bouquet of spring tulips and iris and a box of gourmet chocolates. Wow!

Thanks so much Dr Jackson. How sweet of you to send these things to me.

Leukemia Update

Leukemia Update

Last week I did four days of chemo and on Wednesday I went to the Prince William Hospital outpatient center for blood transfusions and for platelet transfusion. To have the transfusions you need to go in the day before to register and have blood drawn for testing.

Now this is where things get interesting and strange. Jack and I arrived at the hospital around 4:00 P.M. last week and discovered at least four Manassas police cars and one canine unit at the front door. When we got out of our car a lady in the parking lot warned us not to go up to the door because there was a confrontation between a group of young Latino men and young African American men. Everyone was yelling and screaming. It sounded like about 25 people yelling but I counted only about 12 people including the police. Well, Jack and I had to get inside to register before closing time so we quietly and quickly circled around this group at the front entrance and went inside. Later when we came outside the young men were all gone but several police officers were still on the scene. Strange, strange, strange! I can see a confrontation taking place between two groups at a bar or a school or even a shopping center but not at the front door of a hospital. We never did find out what was going on, even when we returned on Wednesday.

So I guess this is a mini mystery.

This week I finished up my seven days of chemo on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Yesterday I spent resting on the couch. The chemo kinda wipes out your energy.

Therapeutic Dogs In Hospital

Therapeutic Dogs In Hospital

In my recent stays in the hospital for my leukemia I have been visited by two adorable therapeutic

dogs. The first was a black lab who was so well mannered. Totally different from my daughter's black lab Barney Beans who is a non stop bundle of energy and action. My daughter Jeanine said she could just picture Barney in the hospital wrecking havoc like jumping up on the staff or grabbing and eating medical supplies.

This photo of a post card of a six year old female boxer named Jesse. She visited my room and sat up in a chair and let me pet her. Finally she laid down beside my bed and got ready to take a little doggie nap. However, her owner who had her on a special leash and harness told her to get up because we have more patients to visit and cheer up.

Animals do put a smile on my face. Jesse was like a Volkswagen beetle. She was so ugly that she was cute in my humble opinion.

Always Someone With A Worst Story

Always Someone With A Worst Story

When I went into the cancer center to get my blood checked I saw one lady in her mid-seventies and one young girl in her mid-twenties holding her little daughter who was about two years old. We three started talking and I discovered that these two women both had worst hospital stays to relate.

The older lady told me that she had three armed Prince William police at her hospital room to guard the escaped psychiatric patient who was from St. Elizabeths Hospital in D.C. and managed to make it 35 miles west to Prince William County. St. Elizabeths is where John Hinckley who shot President Reagan is kept.

The young woman told me that I was lucky to have a single hospital room. She had a room for two patients and during her stay she had four roommates and all four roommates died while she was there in the room. That's when she insisted on being moved to a different room and they did move her.

So when you are going thru a bad time you can always find someone who has had a worst adventure. My thought for this morning.

Health Update 8/11/11

Health Updates 8/11/11

#1 A recent chest x-ray shows that my bacterial pneumonia is almost cured.

#2 An echocardiogram yesterday shows that the fluid on my heart is almost totally cleared up.

So some good news!! Yeah!!

Our grandson, Jack Aidan, when he got home from Cape Cod took a tumble against the family room entertainment cabinet and split his face open right next to his eye. A trip to the emergency room led to three stitches being put in next to his eye. My daughter Jennifer says that little Jack was very brave about the stitches. He has had to miss a swimming lesson or two because he couldn't get in the pool with stitches. He had his stitches removed this past week and is now ready to go to his the pool once again.

I Had My 4'th Blood Transfusion For Leukemia

I Had My 4'th Blood Transfusion For Leukemia

Yesterday I went to my local hospital and had my fourth blood transfusion. I'm o positive. If I was o negative I could be a universal doner though no one would want my blood now that I have leukemia. LOL!

It is amazing how it works. You go into the outpatient infusion clinic for two units of blood that takes about 6 hours. While there you can order any meals that you want. I had a hearty omelet with toast and jam. Then after the transfusion is finished you hop up off the bed or recliner with a lot more energy in your body, a clearer focus in your mind, a lightheartedness in your heart and a little skip in your step. In other words, the old grey mare is running better or as Jack puts it: "You can tell when the car needs an oil change and how it runs after the successful oil change. It runs better."

The infusion nurses also gave me some units of Benedryl and another drug to keep me from getting a blood transfusion reaction like I did in May. Hope everything goes well this time. But I do feel good this morning. This is my third blog post for today. I'm making up for lost time. Ha! Ha!

Taking It Easy At Home

Taking It Easy At Home

Watching TV.

Using my brand new white Kindle!

Watching Jack prune some roses and watching the hummingbirds go to my feeders.

Tests, Tests, Tests At Heathcote Hospital and Prince William Hospital

Tests, Tests Tests At Heathcote Hospital and Prince William Hospital

Thursday, July 15 I had a sonogram at the Heathcote Hospital that is less than two miles from my

House. It was for checking on my leukemia status. Then on Tuesday, July 19 Jack and I made a trip to the Heathcote Hospital because I was having a terrible headache, pains on my heart and I was spitting up blood in my mucous. The doctor at Heathcote had me transferred by ambulance to the larger Prince William Hospital after blood work and a cat scan indicated that I had possibly had a heart attack and that it looked like I had bacterial pneumonia. I was admitted by a very nice doctor, Amitkumar Dave, who placed me the intensive care unit.

Beginning Tuesday afternoon I had nonstop medicals tests and nonstop visits from many medical personnel. Everyone who entered my room had to don a mask to keep from spreading germs to me and my weakened immune system. I finally was released from the hospital late Friday afternoon. While in the PW Hospital I had five cat scans that checked my head, chest and heart.

And I received three different antibiotics by infusion. I also received lots of steroids, drugs and platelet transfusions. Also during this time frame I had visits from the following people: the admitting doctor, two oncologists, a heart doctor, an infectious diseases doctor, an endocrine doctor, a dietitian, a physical therapist, a social worker and the local Catholic priest. Needless to say I was so busy that I didn't have time to rest until late Thursday night. Oh, and did I add that I got weighed, had three chest x-rays and an echocardiagram on my heart that indicated that I had fluid on my heart?

Now here is when things got really interesting. When a cat scan of my throat could not verify that I had some type of lesion on the left side of my throat an MRI test was ordered for my throat. Have you ever had an MRI test?

This test is where they put your entire body in a metal tube with a magnet to do magnetic imaging of the body. The noise from the machine is very loud so you wear earplugs and your face is covered with a cloth before they put a metal helmet on your head. The MRI tech person then leaves the room and the test begins with the tech calling out don't move and expect very loud noise for the next 45 minutes that is only broken up by quick breaks. So you lie there thinking of what can you relate to all this very loud noise. It sounded like guns and cannons going off so I tried relating it to the beginning 150'th anniversary celebration of the start of the Civil War which was being reenacted near Manassas. Now here is where I had a meltdown. Thursday evening when this MRI test was given the temperature in Manassas was 102 with a heat index of around 110 degrees outside but the air conditioning in the hospital lab was not working correctly so I'm lying in a metal tube and the magnets are getting hot and increasing

the temperature in that metal tube. The tech person had to stop the test twice to replace the cloth on my face because I was sweating so much that the cloth was getting wet and you can't do an MRI test with anything wet in the helmet which was inside the metal tube. Obviously I was not a very happy camper!

Then when I got back to my room close to 9:00 P.M. I was hoping to chill out by watching my favorite summer show, Big Brother. But I was told that I was going to have to move to my third

hospital room for the week. Now this is where things really got a little scary. When I got to my new room I discovered that there was a Prince William County Police officer wearing a gun who was there to guard a psychiatric? patient from the Prince William County Male Detection Center.

This fellow was not a happy patient and was throwing a fit or two. Holy Cow! At this point I thought to myself that if that police officer has to draw his gun and use it on this man and a bullet went thru the adjoining wall I might get hit with a bullet. I already had a plan if this happened. I was going to hop under the hospital bed even though I was hooked up to an IV for meds. Needless to say it was a night that I will never forget for many reasons. Oh, also during my four day hospital another test in the basement found me staring at two more police officers who were guarding another patient from the male detention center. I have never been so upclose and personal with police officers wearing guns,bullets and handcuffs before this past week.

I really received exceptionally good care at both hospitals although I got very tired of getting stuck for tons and tons of blood for my many tests to determine what was happening to my weakened immune system. I had my third and final chest x-ray right before I left the hospital. Let me tell you that it was so great to get home and chill out.

No Recent Blog Posts

No Recent Blog Posts

Reason: Spent Last Four Days

At Prince William Hospital For Medical Tests/Evaluation Of My Leukemia

I'll Write About Within Next 24 Hours

Stay Cool

Going Up To 102 Degrees Today

Heat Index Will Be Around 120 Degrees!!

Holy Cow!

Body Reactions

Body Reactions

Part 1

On June 11 I went to the Prince William Hospital outpatient blood clinic to get two units of eradicated o positive blood. Within a few days I started to have but didn't realize that I was having a delayed reaction to the June 11 blood transfusion. I had always assumed that if you were going to have a bodily reaction it would happen while you were getting the transfusion.

Here's what happen to me. First, I lost my appetite. Everything I tried to eat tasted bad and I would regurgitate it for 6-8 hours after eating it. I discovered that I didn't like the taste of some of my very favorite foods like bacon, spaghetti and meat sauce, and French vanilla ice cream with strawberries on top. Second, I started having diarrhea 24/7 which was no fun at all. Third, in spite of not eating very much I was gaining a pound a day! I went from 152 to 157 within five days. Finally I woke up one morning and looked in the mirror and discovered that my face was swollen, especially my upper eyelids and cheeks. Then I noticed that my ankles and tummy were also swollen. When I had my next appointment at the Lake Manassas Cancer Center Dr. Marsh took just one look and said I looked awful! Thank you Dr. Marsh! He said that my skin had turned yellow and also the whites of my eyes! Holy Cow!!!! What to do? He ran some blood tests that showed that I was having a delayed blood transfusion reaction and that that was also affecting my liver. He had me take Benedryl to bring down the swelling. This all occurred around June 23. Today is July 13 and I am better but not over this crisis. My appetite is coming back and my diarrhea is much better and my color is better but I'm still slightly swollen around my eyes. Tomorrow I will get an ultrasound to see how my liver is functioning. I'll keep you all informed.

Body Reactions

Part II

I've been doing seven days of chemo---four days last week and three days this week. While doing chemo you can't help but notice all the other cancer patients who are also there doing chemo along side you. Last week Jack and I got to witness something very scary. There was this gentleman who came in for chemo after I did. When the infusion nurse started his IV he immediately started having a very bad reaction to the infusion chemical and complained that he was starting to itch around his head, back and groin. When the nurse pulled up his shirttail to check his itching back I happened to look over and I couldn't believe what I saw. Within just a few minutes his entire back had turned as red as a raw red steak with lots of big welts appearing all over his back. Luckily I have never experienced anything like that with my chemo treatments.

But let me tell you that the entire infusion lab sprang into crisis mode. Every infusion nurse ran over to help this man deal with his reaction. First, the chemo was stopped and a large bag of Benedryl was given by infusion to bring down the swelling and redness. His whole body including his feet had become swollen within a few minutes. They had to remove his sneakers to give him relief. With all the chemo and Benedryl in his system he then insisted he had to use the restroom. Two female nurses carried him to the restroom where a male nurse helped him use the restroom. The nurses then said that they would let him rest for about 45 minutes before they tried using a different chemical for his cancer treatment. This whole event was very scary to witness. I was relating this story to another cancer patient yesterday at the clinic and she informed me that before I arrived yesterday there was another patient who didn't react well to his chemo treatment. He started complaining of chest pains. Immediately an ambulance was called and this patient was taken to the emergency room at the Prince William Hospital for evaluation.

Come back here tomorrow and I will relate a blood transfusion story I experienced in the '70s at the University of Kentucky where I was working to earn my school library certification. Everyone have a good day and try to stay cool by staying inside and drinking lots of water.

Chemo Week

Chemo Week

I'm looking forward to the weekend after this week's chemo sessions

for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Everyone have a great weekend.

I know my relatives will be heading to that big country concert in the hills near Fort Laromie, Ohio.

http://www.last.fm/festival/1008448+Country+Concert+2009+@+Hickory+Hills+Ohio

Go to site above to see who will perform---Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Julianne Hough will be some of the entertainers thrilling the crowds.

News Flash: If you have an extra moment to spare go to my blog roll and go to my daughter's blog: Jenn and Terry to see some adorable pics of my little grandson, Jack Aidan. I know I'm prejudice but I think this is one adorable little boy.

Chemo Update

Chemo Update

I have had three chemo sessions this week of the drug Vidaza. I go today and Friday and then go back on Monday and Tuesday. Then I will be finished with chemo for this month. I must note that I can't wait to see what they bill our insurance for this drug Vidaza. All I know is that it is so expensive that the cancer center call each morning to see if I am able to come in for my scheduled appointment around 10:30 before they call the courier to deliver the drug to the center for my treatment. Apparently if I would not show up for treatment after the drug was delivered it would not retain its potency and the center would be out a lot of money. I wonder how much? I do know that the last time I did chemo each Neulasta shot cost $8000. Makes you wonder what is in these chemo drugs. I feel like I'm being infused with liquid gold!

Off To Morning Chemo Session

Off To Morning Chemo Session

I hope to write more later today about the weekend birthday parties and how chemo is going this week when I get back from my chemo outing.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myelodysplastic Syndrome. I can't pronounce it. I can't spell it. I can't define it but I have got it.

Lucky me it has taken me in little over three weeks to go from 163 lbs to 146 lbs. The moral of this story is this: be careful what you wish for. My new years resolution was to lose some weight. LOL!

This condition may have resulted from my previous chemo for chronic lymphcytic leukemia from Nov. 2009 to May 2010. It may be the result of mutations on some of my chromosomes. At any rate it has resulted in all my important blood counts heading south: low level of red blood cells, low level of white blood cells, and low platelet count. And that means my immune system has reached a new low so I need to be around only healthy people. Bummer!

Right now I can't see my cute little grandchild, Jack Aidan, because he might expose me to his current fever which could be the result of another strep infection. Lucky for me my hubby Jack is still healthy so I can hang out this weekend with him. LOL!

I may have my last glass of wine tonight at book club at neighbor Dickie's house because I start a new round of chemo on Monday and I can't drink any alcohol for 48 hours before chemo treatment. Damm! Another bummer.

Final thought: you can google myelodysplastic syndrome to learn more about this crazy blood disorder development. If you understand it completely, I think you are a candidate for medical school.

My Leukemia Has Kept Me From Blogging

My Leukemia Has Kept Me From Blogging

I'm now out of the hospital after having a scare with low vital signs that came after having on Tuesday of this week a bone marrow biopsy done for my anemia and general weakness. It is great to be out of the hospital and enjoying this beautiful warm Virginia weather. This afternoon Jack and I watched on TV the Preakness horse race from Baltimore's Pimlico Racetrack. Hard to believe that I last posted something on this blog two weeks ago when the Kentucky Derby was happening. Signing off now. Will write more tomorrow and share some pics.

Happy Wednesday Morning!

This Photo Taken Ten Days Ago By AT and T Building At Tysons Corner

*****

I Can Remember When These Trees Were Planted About 25 Years Ago.

My How They Have Grown!

They Show My Age, Gosh Darn!

*****

Off For More Chemo Today.

*****

Did Take Time To Move My Songs Around This Morning.

Take A Listen and Happy Wednesday Morning!
*****

Just Another Thought

I Hope You All Know That You Can Search My Eclectic Playlist

By Going Down On The Right To Select And Play The Artists You Like

Be It Celine Dion, Mozart, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Johnny Cash, etc.

I Also Have The College Songs of Ohio State, Miami University of Ohio, James Madison University.

and the University of Virginia. Do You Know That The University of Virginia College Song is AULD LANG SYNE?

Chemo Session Over For Today

Chemo Session Over For Today

I had a good chemo session once they got the port installed in a vein in one of my arms. The third try with the second nurse was the winner. I guess with repeated chemo sessions your veins become rebellious and hide out. They also like to reject the needle once it is in the vein. Kinda like those arcade games where the things keep popping up and out after you knock'em down.

Crazy!

In today's Washinton Post there was a great article on the dangers of using tanning salons. The article stated that tanning salons are as bad as tobacco and asbestos for causing cancer after years of exposure. I thought I would mention this to all of you out there because April is cancer awareness month and April and May are the big prom date months and a lot of young teenage girls think they have to have a deep tan to look pretty.

Listen up young girls you all are pretty even when you are overweight because you are young and vivacious and have young skin with no wrinkles. So you don't need to go to a tanning salon to look like burnt chicken fried steak or George Hamilton or Boehner of Ohio. Think of little babies. They sure look young and cute and they have brand new no tan skin. So stay away from those tanning salons. Then you can avoid in the future some of the horrors of over tanning that I just read about like having to have your nose or eyelids or lips removed because they have skin cancer from tanning.

April Is Cancer Awareness Month

April Is Cancer Awareness Month

And I'm Off To Chemo Session

Will Write About Cancer Later Today

Enjoy This Gorgeous Spring Day!