Sunday at UofC

Gosh, its boring up here. There is literally nothing to do except watch TV and/or do "whatever" it is that I brought with me. I brought some cross-stitch but can't get interested in that, I am searching for new recipes to try when I get home, but that isn't proving too much fun either. I'm going to retype my personal recipes and make a cookbook,, so maybe that will take a week or so. I always worry about doing that because of all those numbers -- very high chance of error, but I'll do my best to make sure my recipes turn out right. Anyone want a copy of my recipes, let me know, they will be in Word and I can electronically send them in one huge document.

Beth

Transplant is done!

Well, its done. It was very boring, took about 15 minutes, and now I guess I wait to see what happens. I still have a couple of weeks to stay in the hospital to monitor blood counts, side effects, etc. All the preparation that was done for the transplant....and it was done so fast! I did get some excellent medications which made me feel absolutely drunk, which was a good thing -- but then I slept for a few hours and the feeling was gone. I am praying that this works and I stay in remission for 20 years.

More later,
beth

stem cells tomorrow

My transplant is tomorrow! Looking forward to it......and I'll rest well knowing that the Stanley Cup is secure in the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks. It was pretty cool looking out my window and seeing some of the celebrations up here, mostly people walking around outside and holding sparklers. But it was still awseome. My chemo floor was very happy about it, even though there are some from folks from Arizona and other states (who weren't too concerned about who won).

Not such back side effects yet...little nausea but thats about it. I keeping waiting for the 'shoe to drop' on those side effects. I guess I'm more tired too, but nothing that too awful.

Later!
Beth

Still hanging around....

Well, tomorrow is D-Day for my etoposide, the chemo drug that "knocks me off my feet." The side effects are icky, but should only last for a week or so. My actual stem cell transplant is scheduled for the 11th, so all of this chemo is in preparation for those darn little things.

So far, so good. No terrible side effects other than a headache which just gets worse by the day. Not sure if its the chemo, if its stress, or what its from....but it sure gets uncomfortable. Thankfully they give me IV pain meds to handle it, so it gets better for a couple hours before it gets worse, and then they give me more pain meds. Happy days!

I'm hoping my transplant goes well, and have confidence in the Univ of Chicago and my doctors. The nursing staff is amazing up here, very nice -- it was sort of like coming back home a little bit when I was readmitted.

Beth

Still here!

Day 2 of Chemo!

So far, no side effects other than I'm starving!!! They gave me Dilantin and some steroids, so I'm assuming the steroids have boosted my appetite. I don't need that, trust me. Anyway, I'm going through pre-recorded episodes of my favorite shows, watching some movies, just being bored. I did buy some cross-stitch stuff, but not sure I have the patience for that (and I know that I can't crochet or knit). My stem cell transplant is scheduled for June 11th, so thats just a few days away! I can't wait to get this over. Then I can (maybe) get back to my life, with a few visits to my doctors thrown in every now and then.

Later,
Beth

We're Baaaaaaack!

ShaBAM!

I'm back at University of Chicago for my stem cell transplant and I believe they remember me. This is a picture of the "wipey board" they have in my room. My chemo will start in about an hour (Busulfan) so they are premedicating me with tons of drugs right now. Haven't seen my doctor yet, but he's around somewhere. I;m going to try and keep up with posting, but no guarantees -- apparently the actual transplant wipes folks out for a few days, so I'll have to see how everything goes.

Later!
Beth