[Meg]

I posted this December 21st regarding my girlfriend who just found out this past November (I had thought it was October) that she has leukemia:

http://www.curevents.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1706&highlight=leukemia

Here was her exact message at that time:

I had been feeling ill after a trip to visit my friend at the end of October.

On November 15th, after work, I went into an urgent care facility. I had been feeling fatigued, and my heart would beat fast at the smallest effort.

They checked my blood, and said I needed a transfusion, and sent me to the hospital ER.

I've been diagnosed with leukemia.

I've been in the hospital since that night, and have been going through chemotheraphy. I'm doing well, and the doctor is letting me go home Thanksgiving day.

The hope is I'll be able to go in as an outpatient, and if the follow up tests go well, achieve remission.

This obviously was a terrible shock, but with the support and love of my family and friends, I'll get through this.

Besides my family and friends, what is going for me is I'm very healthy (heart, liver, etc) and "young". Hey, that's what the doc said so I'm going with it! I have a positive attitude, and I WILL get through this!

Never take your life for granted, because there are people you love and love you. I don't plan on letting them down. :)

I just received a message from her dated January 5th:

I have good news, bad news: The good news is, I'm truly in remission!! My cells are making good cells, and all levels are normal. The bad news is, I'm starting my maintenance Chemo today. I'm being readmitted to the hospital, but only for 5 days, so I'll be out Monday afternoon. They are giving me a 3 course treatment of Chemo, and over a 5 day period. I figured since it will be my first time, trying to get the schedule figured out, it would be better if I was just admitted.

It has to be given at 12 hour intervals in one day, then a day off, then on again. I will probably be able to do this as an outpatient the next time, but it seemed impractical since my sister and father are also leaving today. I just want to get it over with. I'll probably be feeling the bad for a week after treatment, and then I'll have 3 weeks before another. This will go for at least 3 months, then technically, I'm cured. After that periodic visits, (no Chemo!) to make sure. They figure to treat it while it is responsive and not just assume it is all gone. I'm sure this is the best thing, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

By March the leukemia will be considered gone, but they may want to do a 4th round unless I'm not tolerating it well (ugh!) then they won't push it. They are not sure if 4 is better than three, so I'd rather just do 3, especially if it is bad. However, he said "the younger patients" *grins* do well, and I'm much stronger than I was the last time. I don't have fevers and such to deal with. It is a stronger dose, but over a short time. At least I'll be home to recover.

I asked her about her beautiful hair and she writes:

Yes. Most of my hair fell out. I'm using scarves at the moment, but seriously thinking about a wig.

I've heard it grows back differently, and I feel some little nubbins, but with these blasts of chemo, I'm not sure when it will be allowed to grow back. Probably after the last treatment. I feel sort of bad about my hair, but knowing I'm going to live makes it bareable. I look like the Borg Queen on Star Trek! :lol:

Doing good so far (no nausea) but have two more rounds to go, and should be released on Monday. Yes, the nausea is bad, but not being able to eat is equally bad. Even smells of some food make you sick! Not that hospital food is good anyway!

Her spirits are up and it really looks like she has this think licked! :yes:

Thanks to all of you who pray for her. :pray:

OH! I just got another message from her:

My job is secured. They are being very good to me, and I miss all the wonderful people I work with. They are waiting to help me with anything, from taking care of my cats, to taking me to appointments.

Since my sister is no longer here, I may have to tap into that resource if I'm not feeling well after I'm released Monday.

Unlike Caesar, I'm looking forward to the Ides of March, because that is when I'll be done with the 3 treatment, and I can look forward to getting back my life.

I wrote back that she was just trying to get a vacation. :D She is the dearest lady and I'm sure her attitude and prayer has a lot to do with how well she is and that there is the promise of full cure. :sun: