tests as of 12/21/2010

The last two weeks have been "cautionary" to say the least.  My tests two weeks ago showed the CEA going down significantly, but the white blood cells were dropping too low and the platelets were bottomed out. 

I asked the dr about the injection to boost the white blood cells and she said I could do it.  However, I was already on the way home from VA to NC and didn't have access to a Kaiser pharmacy.  I thought they would be able to send it to the Walmart pharmacy down there.  However, protocals didn't allow for that, so I waited to have it sent by mail.  It can take 8-10 business days, and with the holidays I wasn't surprised that it didn't come. 

I had prayed all week that the white cells would be up.  I haven't been working in the temple since I started chemo, but Wed, December 23, I felt I should go Thurs night with Dan and do something.  I contacted the shift coordinator, Sis. Goodwyn, and she worked it out that I could come and help.  It felt so good to be there and it felt "right" that I was there. 

I have blood tests done two days prior to each chemo treatment.  This gives the dr the chance to review the tests and give the ok for the oncology pharmacists to prepare the drugs.   I normally would have the blood tests on Monday, and then the chemo Wed - Friday.  Because of the New Year Holiday the oncology dept had December 31st off.  That made it so I had to have chemo Tues, Wed and Thurs. . and that the blood tests had to be done on Sunday.   However, this particular Sunday, NC got hit with a super duper snow storm.  We got 8 1/2 inches of snow and it literally shuts things down when it snows.  The forecast was to snow from 6:00 am Sunday morning until 6:00 pm Monday.  We headed out at 6:30 am Sunday morning but after only being able to go 30 miles in a hour, and cars slipping and sliding in front of us and off to the side of us, we decided it just wasn't meant to be.  We turned around and went home.

It stopped snowing about 10:00 am Sunday morning and the sun was shining.  Monday morning they had cleared all the roads and Dan asked me about going anyway.  He had an appt for Tues morning to have some minor skin cancer removed from his nose.  I had called my drs office and told them I wasn't able to get the blood tests.  They called back at 10:30 am and said to get there as quickly as I could and get them done. 

The tests came back.  I started with a CEA marker of 25 - it was 23 two weeks ago and 15 this time.  The lower it goes, the better.  Normal CEA counts are between 1-4.   The white blood cells were miraculous.  They went from 1.4 to 2.1 - we want them to go up.  The platelets did the same. . .they went up too.  And all without the injections!!   Two weeks ago, the results had also come back great, and Bryce commented that night that one of the things he enjoyed about medical school (that's why they are in Maryland) is learning how things work.  He said, "but you are not following the pattern and making this difficult." and then smiled.  It's all in the hands of a higher authority. 

I feel so blessed.  I know they wouldn't have changed so drastically if it weren't for blessings and all those remembering me.

It took us 5 hours to get to VA on Monday.  It is normally a 4 1/2 hour ride to the lab, then it takes 2 hours for the results to come in, and then the pharmacist has to mix it.  The pharmacist got the chemo prepared.  I appreciate whoever worked late Monday night for me. 

Dan was able to get his skin cancer off, and I was able to get my treatment.   We feel very fortunate that we were able to stay with the regimen.  One of the things they said in the chemo class was to try to stay on track   I honestly just put it in God's hands.  I was doing everything in my power to make it possible.   I just had to have faith that whatever was the best for me, would be done. 

Jason, has a sister-in-law that writes a beautiful blog.  They have had a tragedy this past summer and she shared one of her dreams on the blog.   She said she had not been able to sleep, and she prayed that she would be able to.  She then fell asleep and dreamed that she was on a roller coaster, in a car similar to that of a cattle car with bars.  The train was traveling fast and the people were hanging on, scared and crying.  She was also hanging on, and as she glanced around the car she noticed a little girl standing in the middle of the train car.  The little girl "lifted her hands in the air and was laughing as the wind and the world swept around her."  She followed the little girl's example and felt "life."   I loved that post.  It was right after my hysterectomy and I felt the same thing.  We need to enjoy life.  I have told several people since then, that God has a plan for me, and I am along for the ride.  I need to keep my faith, serve when and how I can, and all things "shall work together for my good" - whatever that may be.

Before I end, I cannot begin to express my appreciation for my family.  My children call and show concern and offer to do what they can.  I love that I can talk to my grandchildren by video chat and on the phone.  Nothing makes a day brighter than to talk to your 17 mo old granddaughter on the phone and have her just listen and seemingly "hanging on every word" (which I know she is not - lol- she just likes her mother's phone) and then to video chat with my sweet 14 mos old granddaughter and do "itsy bitsy spider" and have her do it with me.  I also want to say how appreciative I am of my "in-law" children.  They have been as close to me as my own.  Ruth in the Old Testament holds nothing over my own "daughters."  LaDonna and Cathi are always so caring. . and so are my sons "by marriage."  I wondered how much we really plan out families in heaven before we come. . .because we truly have a blessed one.  Our son-in-law, Jason, as interpreted scans for me, offered advice, and been a great support.  It's nice not to have to wait for the drs report, and also to have a second opinion.  Jason has kept me educated with good questions to ask the dr.  She's been impressed as well.  My brother and all of his famly, my extended family - my aunt, uncle and cousins. . .thank you for your preayers, concern and emails.  

And the same to all my friends. . .my special "ward family" and "temple family."   I know it is easier for me because of all of you.  You have all been a great support and blessing in my life.

May the new year bring happiness and joy to all of us.