Stem Cell Transplant ( Sct )

[Tinyflame]

Yay!!!!! :inlove: :hug: :inlove:, xoxoxoxoxoxoxox.:)

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am so happy for you that they got all of the stem cells. Will you be able to take a laptop into the hospital with you? That way you would at least have online support so you will not go completely bonkers just laying there watching tv. I know you will have visitors and that will help greatly. I wish I could go and visit you.

Hugs and prayers for you Deb. So far so good. You are doing great. You are one amazing lady.

 

[Froggie]

Sharing these moments with you ((((Deb)))), with you all the way. You're one courageous gal, a model for all.

Many :hug: and lots of love :inlove:

 

[The Albatross]

So glad they have what they needed, and hope you continue to get some really good rest. Take good care of yourself?

 

[amethist]

One day at a time.

Thats the trick Deb, one day at a time.

You will be fine, just have faith in your own body to do its majic.

 

[intothelight]

I did make it through the collection process, and honestly it was one of the most grueling physical and mental procedures I have ever gone through. Today I am in much better physical and mental shape as I am finding myself stronger in both areas each day.

I have 13 days until transplant and I understand that this procedure is even harder than the one I just went through. I also belong to a FB support group of myeloma sufferers. Although I don't write, I do read and it is funny to see the discussions over the pros and cons of this procedure and the effects that it has upon people. There are those who will not do it and choose the less rigorous avenues of treatment, which by the way are also very effective.

But I made my choice to go for the most aggressive in the hope that it will have the desired effect of keeping me cancer free for a long time. I have also met those that have done this course only to find the cancer coming back in a few months or even a few years. But it is the hope of staying cancer free for 5, 10, or even 15 years that keeps me moving towards this goal.

The next few weeks bring with them there own challenges as there are things I need to finish. Moving the transplant date up from the 26th to the 17th has put me in a bit of a bottle neck in regard to getting everything in order. As with life, there are certain curve balls that are thrown at you that make things even more difficult. Well I am swinging back at the curve balls and some I will hit and some I will miss.

Time to rock the day!!!

 

[anni]

Of course you made the choice of the most aggressive treatment. That would be a little inevitable, being you.

((((( And Peace )))))

ps What are you Rocking , with your day? Have some Zepplin going on or Lynryd Skyrnd? ZZ Top?

 

[amethist]

You sound wonderfully positive ITL.

keep rocking every day from now on. ;)

 

[Nicolette]

You're doing so well Deb. :hug:

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Deb you rock.:) I am confident that you will get through this very well. I loved your analogy about hitting the curve balls. It goes nicely with my live and let live philosophy I am cultivating. I know you will get through this. You are managing so well. I am very proud of you. I am glad your spirits are high. Big hugs.:hug:

 

[intothelight]

Well, I am hitting what I am calling the "funny looking" stage. My hair is coming out, but in bits and pieces, all 1/4 inch of it. My daughter wanted to pluck some so I would have a smiley face on the back of my head and another daughter wanted to know if she can draw on it when I'm completely bald. They are not right. :)

Problem I am having is with the stupid weather. It got up to 70 the other day and it was way to hot to wear a hat or scarf inside or outside. So I just walked around with my spotty looking head. Not that I look too much different than some of the men I know and I always tease them that at least mine will grow back! :p

It is weird to know when the chemo and steroids are out of your body. I can always tell by my mood. Even though I may not be my best physically, my mental state is so improved. I almost wish I could remind myself that it will pass when the drugs wear off, but I doubt that I would even recognize that fact at some of the worst mental points. Nothing seems to get through on those days.

I have to remember that cancer or any disease is hard on a person mentally, regardless of an individuals mental health. PTSD is exacerbated by the drugs and there isn't a whole lot I can do about it except let them find whatever drugs they can use to offset the effects of the other drugs. Its a bit of a circle. At least I am not being "resistant" to taking medication. I am finding myself being the opposite, give me whatever it takes to get me through this!

Part of this change is that I know when I am feeling well that I do control my symptoms and lead a happy and meaningful life. Keeps me from beating myself up and feeling somehow "deficient". But in all honesty, I have given up trying to figure out what "normal" is in this situation, and just go with what I need to do to feel like me.

I am excited to get this last phase done and get on with life. This is truly my second chance and that is really how I have been living since they told me I had cancer. I've been really trying to "live" and not just "exist". Some days are more successful than others, but really I haven't been this good, well in many, many years.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am really happy for you. You are doing simply amazing. Your hard work is paying off. You are so disciplined. Very inspiring. I am so glad that you are going through this so well. Hugs and prayers.