I realized that the further I get away from the start of all of this the more fuzzy it gets. My solution…. Recap. This is more for me than for all of you, but again… My blog. You can skip to the next post if you don’t want to wade through how short or long this becomes.
May 18…. Doctor for sinus.
May 19-24…. Atlanta – much more tired than I should have been
May 25 – back at work
May 26 – dentist for abcessed gum procedure
May 27 – called advice nualrse and ended up with another round of antibiotics for sinus (never saw a doctor)
May 28 – May 31… Home sick
June 1… 4:00 PM…. Called advice nurse in afternoon after not being able to walk to kitchen in house without feeling like I was going to hurl from fatigue. Was told by advice nurse after relaying my specific symptoms that I should go to urgent care.
June 1…. 5:15 PM…. Arrive urgent care. See doc, Eric Martin, at 7:45. He listens to symptoms, looks at me, talks to Karen about my color, etc., and gets blood tests done.
June 1…. 9:30 PM… Doc comes in and says, “girl, you are really sick. I’m checking you into the hospital and you are going by ambulance. They will have to do a lot of tests, a lot of tests, and then they will let you know for sure what’s going on.”
June 1…. 10:00 PM… Ambulance comes and picks me up.
June 1… 10:30 PM… Arrive at Sunnyside and get taken directly to Oncology floor and room 442.
June 2…. 2:00 AM… First transfusion begins
June 2… 1:00 PM…. Bone marrow biopsy
June 3…. Second tranfusion
June 3…. 4:00 PM…. Dr. Bigler came in and talked to us, finally giving the news that, “my marrow was chalk full of APL Leukemia”. I then say…. OK, what do we do about it. What’s next.
June 3….. 6:00 PM…. First round of ATRA chemotherapy pills
June 4…. 8:00 AM…. Second round of ATRA
June 4…. 10:30 AM…. Muga scan (nuclear scan of heart to make sure my heart was strong enough for the ATRA regimen)
June 4…. Noon…. First IV Push of chemotherapy med Idarubicen
June 5…. ATRA continues morning and night
June 5… IV site fails…. Other attempts made and then picc line decision made
June 6…. Third transfusion
June 6… ATRA continues…. Second IV push
June 7…. ATRA continues morning and night
So many more things happened, and continue to happen, in the course of all of this…. So Many talks with fantastic nurses and doctors answering our questions, giving us lessons on what this and that means, taking a shower without being able to use my right arm because the picc line is in that side, pills for all sorts of things, eating on time, getting vitals done often, measuring my liquids in and out, great talks with Karen, mom, and Kev, having Saline IV sometimes, getting my own clothes, so much love pouring in from family and friends…..
And that my friends is a non-comprehensive recap!
Josh just introduced me to your blog. Wow Tamra this just shows how fast your life can change. We are thinking of you.
Tamra, I’m thinking of you and sending stalwart vibes constantly. I went through cancer with my sister and Ted. Val said hearing the news was like the roar of the ocean in her ears. You are so brave. You have to be. You have a wonderful support group and it doesn’t matter if everyone can’t see you right now because all of their power is swirling all around you, relax into it. If and when you must wallow, allow yourself this. Wallow with gusto then you can pick up and go on. You are the kind of person who can find the good in everything and there is good in this too. You’ll find it all along the way. All the love pouring in from friends and family is such a blessing. Knowing your fellow POs are having to pick up your load is ever so sweet. I don’t know if it’s any comfort but when I’m going through life’s hell, I believe that this is where I’m supposed to be. I have lesson’s to learn here. This is supposed to happen to me. There is a reason. I have loved reading the funny messages from your family. They remind me of mine. I love that. Take care and anything… Love Cindy
Tam-girl… I wish I had something profound to say… but honestly, all I’ve got is love. We love you so very much. The P and I are always thinking of you.
I agree with the above statements in that I wish I had some great words of encouragement or something truely profound to say. I don’t…because words can not always express thought. You have such a strong spirit and are truely an amazing woman. My best to you and your family.
This is the first time I’ve had a chance to read all your posts. This one was very enlightening as to how all this came to pass. You are such a trooper and I keep sending you all the positive energy that I can. You are amazing. Love you.