The Royal Wedding

Just like the Queen, I too have nice hats!  (thanks to all my hat suppliers!)  The good news is that I now have stubble!  (on my head!) 

There was an opening at CancerCare for tomorrow, so I now will spend the day getting 2 units of Packed cells.  I am looking forward to the boost in my energy level already!  I have been feeling really tired over the past 2 days.  Our bodies are amazing machines - for you none medical people - my hemoglobuin is 75 - or almost 1/2 of normal. 

I did make it to my son's French Play today - they did a fantastic job! 

I don't think that I have thanked all those wonderful blood donors for a while - so for those of you who give - Thank You once again!

Hope you have a great weekend.  Stay safe and thanks for all the thoughts and prayers that are coming our way!

If anybody missed the Royal Wedding - I PVR'd it!  Anytime you want to see it - come on over!  I keep watching the coverage on different channels!  The life of the unemployed!

Take care,

Karen

75.......

Evidently a hemogloubin of 75 is the magic number!  I need 2 units of red cells.....looking forward to the extra energy already!  Bad news is that they can't squeeze me in until next week Monday and Tuesday.  I'll be fine, a little pale, a little tried, but fine! 

I am hoping to to accompany my son's class tomorrow (weather dependant that is!)- they are going on a walk at the Legislature for Cancer.  His teacher in her spare time dresses up as Daisy Dafffodil, the mascot for the Canadian Cancer Society.  They are learning about illnesses and healthy living in their health class, thus the topic of cancer.  My daughter is very envious and thinks that she too should be able to go!  I told her that it's not all fun and games when you get to grade 4!  I'll keep up posted if I go or send poor Doug!

It is so nice to be able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that we have been having!  Thanks again for all the prayers that have been sent our way.

Enjoy the day,

Karen

How low can I go???

Well I spent the morning at CancerCare today. (thank you to my drivers) I had yet more blood work done.  Dr. S is away so Dr. H is covering for him.  My Hemogloubin dropped to 78 - poor Kim spent the morning trying to arrange time for a transfusion for me only to be vetoed by Dr. H - cancelled all of her hard work - as he thinks that thigs will fix themselves with time.  I do feel a little slugish today, but I aslo have not been sleeping that great a well!

The good news is that my platelets are slowly coming up on their own - today they are sitting at 23!  (normal is 140-440) This means that I have the rest of the week off and don't head back to CancerCare till next Tuesday! 

We want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Easter! 

Thanks for everything - once again!

Love,

Karen and all

The New Normal!

I am just back from my outing to you guessed it - CancerCare!   I was initialy scheduled  for another transfusion on the weekeend.  That has been cancelled as the hematologist feels that my
bone marrow is slowly recovering.  My hemaglobin is up to 85 (normal 120-160).  The big excitement is that my platelets went up to 24 (normal 140-440)! He feels that these numbers will keep going up, but never get up to "textbook" normal.  Hey I'm just happy that I am not dizzy anymore!  I was tired of feeling like a blonde!  It doesn't take much for me to get excited these days!

So the plan is sit tight and more blood work next week, and to enjoy the appointment free weekend!!!!

Thanks for all the phone calls, drivers, visits and of course prayers!

Love you all,

Karen

A very long week!

Last week was a busy one - I think I spent more time at CancerCare than I did at home.  I had my port inserted (a permanent IV-tunnelled in my chest cavity) on Monday.  It was still too bruised and sore to use last week - It is getting better so I am hoping that this week they will be able to use it.  Which would be nice as the last time I needed an IV it took 5 pokes!  I used to have really nice fat veins!  Another thing that I miss!

My blood work is holding and I don't have to go back to CanerCare till Wednesday!  Then I see the hematologist again, have more blood work done and see if he has any words of wisdom!  My Oncologist thinks that my bone marrow is slowly recovering and I just need to be patient!  We all know how hard that is for me to do!!!!

All in all I am feeling a little stronger and I do have a bit more energy.  I even baked cookies yesterday and promised the gang homemade muffins for later on today! 

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers once again!

Love,

Karen and all