Tam's Think Tank

June 1 I went into Sunnyside Hospital and July 1 I was finally able to leave.  It was a very rough last couple of weeks there.  I think the chemo finally caught up with me and my system.  My GI tract totally got wiped out.  Meaning…  loads of bad things happening.  I felt terrible and pretty much was handling things hour by hour.  It wasn’t good, but I kept looking at it like along with the feeling so terribly bad the chemo was also taking care of the bad stuff.  That’s the idea.  It’s just tough getting through some of it.  I did though… thanks to Karen and Mom and the nurses at Sunnyside.

Now… home.  And happy to be here.  I feel more rested and stronger.  Finally yesterday and today eating a little more like normal.  For a while at the hospital I wasn’t eating.  I was on a liquid diet hooked directly into my arm because I couldn’t eat.  That ol’ GI Tract thing… couldn’t handle food.

Next steps…. I go for blood tests tomorrow, then have my first outpatient appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Bigler, on Wednesday.  He will go over the blood work and talk about where we are at with everything.  I’m supposed to have my next bone marrow biopsy in the next week.  That will tell us where we are at.  If I am in remission then we move on to the first of three consolidation rounds (three more rounds IV push chemo) all the while taking the oral chemo meds (which I am taking every day).

In other news… my baldness is almost complete.  I’ve been joking about how I’ve been losing it just like male patterned baldness would occur.  Top front first.  Mom gave me another close shave with the clippers.  I still have stubble up there, but it’s going.  And I have to say… I don’t really mind.  Easy to take care of and really not that bad looking.  Who knew I’d make such a good looking bald woman.  LOL

So that’s pretty much it for now.  Karen and Mom continue to take such awesome care of me and thanks to some of our friends who, as a birthday present for Karen, came up and did loads of weeding in our flower beds.  That was the best gift you guys could’ve given her.  We love you very much.  And Don and Mom, thanks for the yard work as well.  You guys have been so great through all of this.  I am just so grateful for all the fantastic people we have in our lives.  Blessed and lucky.  That’s what we are.  Blessed and lucky.