First, some really good news: I am a Grandma! Connor Nelson Chose was born on October 22, 2010; 6lbs 8oz; 20 inches long and I was lucky enough to be at the hospital when it all happened. Magical! He is, of course, the most beautiful baby in the world.OLD NEWS I was going to write:!!!!!!!!!!ZERO LEUKEMIA CELLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and start the celebration, but the very day I found out the test results and was supposed to go home, I started running fevers. Not just any fevers, but as high as 104.9. This went on for days and completely wiped out the last bit of energy I had. They put me in the Intensive Care Unit after my heart went into atrial fibrillation and had to be shocked back into normal rhythms. They put me on oxygen because I had water around my heart and lungs and I couldn’t get enough air without panting. I was so weak at the end I couldn’t make it out of bed without assistance. Ron stayed 24 hours a day at the hospital because neither of us was sure I was going to make it. I was a mess! But thank goodness, things got better. The fevers stopped and my wonderful Doctor said, “What this woman needs more than anything else is to go home.” I could have kissed him! I was still in terrible shape and Ron wasn’t quite sure how we would get from the car to the house but I would have gone if I had to crawl.
THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME My first week home I slept at least 12 hours a night. I think sleeping, uninterrupted in my own bed, was the best medicine. After two weeks, I was done with the walker and the oxygen. Yesterday I walked almost a half mile with our little dog Maggie.
THE LATEST I received my second bone marrow biopsy results this Tuesday and I couldn’t be more delighted. The Doctor said he could not give me any better news; not only are my bone marrow counts (white cells, red cells, platelets) almost completely normal, there are no leukemia cells! I am in remission! This is a grand slam home run in my book!!
THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE I have to check back into the hospital November 4th and go through another full round of the trial chemo. I REALLY don’t want to, but the Doctor reminded me the survivor rate is better for people who do back to back treatments. I am determined to have a short stay and not get sick. Hopefully, I will be out of the hospital in seven days or less. Of course, it will take time to build up my immune system, but I hope to be spoiling my Grandson by Christmas.
THE UNDETERMINED FUTURE I need a bone marrow transplant and unfortunately two of my four siblings are not a match. We are waiting for the results of the last two and then, if they do not match, they will search the world wide registry. I will have more chemo and maybe radiation to face then, but hopefully, also be cured.
I am sorry I’m so slow getting this out. At first, I was too sick and lately, busy with recovering and being Grandma. I think about all of you every day and how lucky I am to have you in my life. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I feel like I am proof of the power of prayer and am very grateful. I am living with a new perspective on life and wake up every morning happy and excited for another day. Take care and please keep me in your prayers.
With love and gratitude,
Connie
