I was into VGH wednesday... and my last appointment at the ~VGH Bone Marrow Transplant Unit ~ will be next Thursday!! I have the 'yucky' Pentamidine one more time and then the PIC line is taken out and I will be "Released" from the Daycare Program!! All the blood work needed, will be done in Surrey and faxed to Vancouver from next Thursday~ on! Yahoooo!!
I began the "desensitization" yesterday, to the antibiotic that I need to take for the two years, while I take the two oral chemo drugs. I am allergic to the antibiotic, so they are starting me on small incremental doses for two weeks, hoping that my body will accept the drug. (The only other alternative is to have the Pentamidine administered every two weeks by IV. So, they are hoping this will work.)
I had a valuable reminder this last week from Clair, who reads this blog and who has also walked through the Leukemia Journey. I will quote her, as the words are profound:
"Cancer invites us to take on the challenge of survival and it also leaves us vulnerable. I think this is a gift too. It reminds us of how precious life is and what really matters in our lives. We get a bonus chance to balance our hectic lives and invest the time into those we love and hobbies that fill our soul."
Thank YOU Clair. I keep assuming that "complete recovery" means life will be back to what it was before... I need to remember that "normal" will be redefined. That is okay, it may just take me awhile to sort out what I can and cannot do.
Thank YOU, again ~
Lorna, the Leukemia Mamma
It has been a week since the wonderful news from my Doctor! What a week! My strength is returning... though I have done something crazy to my shoulder, which is in great pain... and it was NOT shoveling the driveway yesterday, OR playing the congas in Freedom Band ~Yahhooo! So good to BE there last night~ as my shoulder was hurting before that! I guess I have overdone it a bit! It is just so~ so cool, to be feeling a bit 'normal' ! I had a wonderful outing to Fort Langley on Tuesday with a friend to celebrate our birthdays! The 'Salon Cafe' is a new restaurant at 'The Little White House'. They have a pastry chef there who does amazing things with herbs! That little 'cookie' on the spoon is a savory short bread cookie with rosemary! The tomatoe soup was delicious with Basil, the quiche (which is a half portion as we shared it) was also delicious! Just Lovely. Then a wonderful visit on Wednesday at my house with the very precocious and beautiful 'Kirra Theresa Rose' and her Mom! : )
Well..... my last day and my prayer was that maybe God would give me Annette for my nurse today and I had Annette!! Here she is taking out the Pic line (once I was done getting the meds). Wow, it's gone in seconds! Then all five of us met with Dr Forrest, who says "Yes! Lorna is in complete remission!" Good News!! I will need to get blood work done in Surrey once a month... and I will go in to see Dr Forrest once every three months! Then as we were leaving we ran into Dr Drysdale the Pychiatrist who was SO excited to see us and hear our news. She had just prayed "Lord, I need something encouraging right now" and then she saw us! How Fun!! She was so happy to hear me being "clear minded"and talking with inflection and vibrancy!!
Wonderful Snow yesterday... we had 8 inches at our house!!
What crazy weather!! Hailstones on Saturday, followed by sunshine!
I was into VGH wednesday... and my last appointment at the ~VGH Bone Marrow Transplant Unit ~ will be next Thursday!! I have the 'yucky' Pentamidine one more time and then the PIC line is taken out and I will be "Released" from the Daycare Program!! All the blood work needed, will be done in Surrey and faxed to Vancouver from next Thursday~ on! Yahoooo!!
January First, 2011
