Only one more day of chemo! I'm excited...going to the hospital every day gets old, but again, I'm thankful that I'm not inpatient. So far I haven't noticed many side effects. The skin around my bandage seems to be healing nicely. Thanks for all the prayers! We had a doctor check it yesterday while I was getting chemo, just to be on the safe side. I may switch over to Hypafix (spelling?) tomorrow -- one of my nurses calls it "old lady tape." It's a lot easier on the skin, though I tend to avoid it because it's not waterproof and makes showers difficult. Several have suggested using the tegaderm over top, so I think I'll give that a try. I never really thought I had sensitive skin but tape has often been an issue over the past year.
My platelets seem to be holding a little bit better this time. They were at 21 today and the fellow on call decided to let me go through the weekend, if possible. She told me what to watch for if they get too low and to call SEU at the main hospital if necessary over the weekend. If they get really low there is some risk of stroke or hemorrhage, but that is supposed to be rare. I forgot to ask for a copy of my labs today so I'm not sure what my ANC is like. I just continue to be cautious and always mask up when out at the hospital.
We'll be meeting with my transplant doctor at Barnes on Tuesday. He wants to make sure I don't have any GVHD that I'm not aware of. I spoke with him on the phone the other day and he has decided to wait on the next DLI. I'll find out more on Tuesday, but for now it looks like May or June. He said in his opinion the disease is progressing slowly, if at all. (Blasts were at 13% on Monday, for those in the know.) I was quite pleased to hear that, especially from the same man who gave me a two month prognosis, but he hasn't been following my labs these past few months, so I prefer to have him repeat that after I show him some records on Tuesday.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers. Have a good weekend!
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About Me
- Brandon Wilhoite
- Amy was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia subtype M4 on July 2, 2006. For your convenience, Brandon & Gary can be contacted via email through amysblog@mac.com.
Timeline
- August 2007 - Clofarabine & Cytarabine with possible second transplant
- August 2007 - Intrathecal Methotrexate
- June - July 2007 - FLAG w/ mylotarg
- April 2007 - AML M4 MLL-ELL Diagnosis
- March - June 2007: Experimental DLIs
- March - June 2007: Decitabine 5/28
- November 2006 - Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (brother)
- September 2006 - Salvage Regimen - MEC
- July 2006 - Reinduction - Cytarabine & Daunarubicin 5/2
- July 2006 - Induction - Cytarabine & Daunarubicin 7/3
- July 2, 2006 - AML M4 Diagnosis
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:5-18
27 comments:
So good to hear! You sound great! Still praying........
Sandy
We continue to follow your progress, and pray for you.
Amy,
It's great to hear of your progress, reading that post just made me get the feeling your spirits are very high today, and that is truly a blessing in itself!
I continue to pray for you and your family. I am living in Jeff City now, not too far down the road from you, actually ran into your dad outside my office about a month back!
Keep up the positive thoughts, you have so many people who love and care about you, and so many people you don't even know praying for you! What a blessing you truly are dear!!!!!
Anna Beckett
Praise the LORD! Thanks for the updates!
Amy,
I can hear the cheerfulness in your voice by the tone of your update. I am so glad things have been going well this week. We will pray that your platelets will do well over the weekend. No matter what the doctors say, remember that you are not a statistic and that God knows all of your days! Your doctor (transplant) has already been wrong in his prognosis, so take courage!
Praying for you always,
Gina
What a great update! So glad to hear that your spirits are up! HOpe the weekend goes well for you, will be checking in for an update for more progress next week! Praying for you always Amy!
That sounds like really good news, Amy! Have a wonderful weekend with your family!
Kim
Praying for you.
Im praying for you today. I too wish you a happy weekend.
Even though it's just in writing, you truly sound so much better today:) It sounds like you got some wonderful news from your doctor and I'm so glad to hear about your progress!
Oh Amy -
You sound encouraged (as much as I can "feel" it through your words). I am so thankful for answered prayer. God bless you - I will keep praying!
So glad to hear of the good news.
Praying for you.
It's good to hear of some good news! I continue to lift you and your family before God in prayer and know that He is in control!
Amen!!! What a blessing!! We will continue to pray....God is just plain WONDERFUL!! And it is Him that is sustaining you...Praise His Name!!!
Amy, sounds like things are holding steady for ya! That's wonderful. I know you must get tired. Let God be your strength!
~Kristi
you are still in our daily prayers!!!!!! God bless you.
love,
karen&joe
Amy...this is a completely unsolicited suggestion (which I'm sure you are sick of) but here goes anyway...let me know if I'm driving you crazy...
When Alivia got her broviac placed they suggested taping plastic bags over it for bath time. I thought that was crazy. Who tapes a plastic bag to a kid and expects them to not freak out. So instead I thought of trying press and seal plastic wrap. Suprisingly it works pretty well. So we jut put a peice over her whole broviac and she can take baths and not worry about getting the dressing wet. Oh well. Hope I'm not overstepping my bounds.
You sound so positive. I'm excited for you. We will continue to pray for no unwanted side affects, beautiful glowing healthy skin and wonderful days. Take care
*E
Amy...this is a completely unsolicited suggestion (which I'm sure you are sick of) but here goes anyway...let me know if I'm driving you crazy...
When Alivia got her broviac (a double lumen line) placed they suggested taping plastic bags over it for bath time. I thought that was crazy. Who tapes a plastic bag to a kid and expects them to not freak out. So instead I thought of trying press and seal plastic wrap. Suprisingly it works pretty well. So we jut put a peice over her whole broviac and she can take baths and not worry about getting the dressing wet. Oh well. Hope I'm not overstepping my bounds.
You sound so positive. I'm excited for you. We will continue to pray for no unwanted side affects, beautiful glowing healthy skin and wonderful days. Take care
*E
Excellent news Amy, how excited I was to read this encouraging entry. Enjoy your weekend. Pam
Thanks for the news. Hope your week end is well there. I will plan to pass your messages on to the people tomorrow, God Willing.
You do sound good for which we are thankful. We continue with you in prayer.
Love, Don and Lilan
My prayers and thoughts always with you. With love and much excitement to read your new updates.
April Martin
Wonderful news! You even sound better! Just a thought about the tape...I have a latex allergy. Tape with latex in it makes me itchy. Could a simple switch in tape make it easier on your skin?
When the evangelist prayed for you and anointed me on your behalf that Sunday morning, it was such an emotional experience for me. I was just sure I was going to read your post the next week and you would be completely healed. But God is healing you in a different, slower way, but I believe He is healing you. Praise His Name!!
I'm SOOOOOOOOOO GLAD TO HEAR!!!
Still praying for you all!
Abby
Amy, I know your dad through work. I work at the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline and he has helped me several times with computer problems. I have just read through several months worth of your blog. My father was diagnosed in Nov. 2005 with Multiple Myeloma. His oncologist in Dr. Doll at Ellis Fischel. He had an autologous stem cell transplant in May of 2006. Like you Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of the blood. It is an incurable but treatable cancer. In Nov. 05 he was told average life span for Stage 3(of 3)of this type of cancer was 20 months. He is at 17 months. He has been in remission since his transplant almost a year ago. He is now going every 2-3months between blood work. It is always nerve racking to wait for the results. Although, I myself am not suffering from this kind of monstrous disease, I can relate to so many things you have written about. I have been to every Dr.'s appointment with my parents and I guess have become my dad's patient advocate to some extent. I just wanted to share with you my dad's success to this point and to commend you for your faith through all of us. I am not sure where my father stands on his faith but pray daily that he sees and finds his Savior as you. Thank-you for sharing your story and know that you have forever touched my heart. Michele
So happy to hear that things are going pretty well for you! I continue to pray and appreciate the update!!
Good news!!!Enjoy your weekend.I am praying for you.
God bless
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