I MADE IT!!!

I will write more but just wanted to let everyone know I am back home and trying to feel better. I had my last chemo yesterday and my last spinal tap this morning.

I
SURVIVED
BURKITT'S TREATMENT !!!

I MADE IT! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS. THEY REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE.

Almost done!

Tomorrow, I enter the hospital for 6 days. This should be my last hospital stay. The blog won't be updated until I'm back.

Not only should this be my last hospital stay, if all goes as planned, this will be the last time I will ever be considered a cancer patient. This will be the end of chemo for me. For Burkitt's lymphoma, you basically complete the protocol and for most patients, at the end you are cured.

I can't describe what it feels like to know you are almost done. I say this with a smile, but cancer really ruined my summer. I can't be like Lance Armstrong and say cancer is the "best thing that happened to me," but I am glad that I have lived through this. It's changed my prospective on life.

I went to the docs office today and found out that my blood counts have basically returned back where they were before chemotherapy. This is amazing considering the treatment I've had and nearly unheard of. (Those prayers have really worked). I am sure I will take another nose dive once I get out of the hospital, but hopefully will be back to normal 2-3 weeks after.

The past 4 months seem like a big blur. A nightmare and I'm about to be able to wake up and live my life as normal human being.

On the Rise

Back at the doctor's office for another CBC today. I went yesterday and they told me I was right on the line for needing a red blood transfusion. They left the decision up to me and I figured if I didn't have to have it I didn't need it.

The good news is I went today and my platelets are at 37,000 (still low but on the rise) and I'm still anemic but my red blood count is up as well.

The main problem/side effect I have now is just feeling weak. I've also had vision problems. It's hard to explain but my eyes feel dry and everything seems a little fuzzy.

I may not update the blog for awhile.. my next doc appointment is not until Wednesday and I'm sure each day I will be getting a little better.

Whose platelets art these?

This morning I went back to the doctor's office to have a CBC (complete blood count). I knew my mouth had been bleeding, but figured it would heal on it's own. The CBC revealed my platelet count was only 15,000. Normal is around 200,000-300,000.

The lab technician told me I needed a platelet transfusion (type of blood transfusion). So I went back to the hospital as an outpatient.

They typed my blood (A-) and then placed an order with the blood bank in town. About 2 hours later, the blood arrived.

The process itself was very simple. It's a lot better than chemo. The fluid in the bag was a yellowish/orange color.. it kind of looked like Sunny Delight or orange juice.

I was 90% complete when I noticed I was itching and the nurse took a look and saw that I had hives. So I had to have a 2nd dose of Benadryl which made me feel like I was rocking back and forth on a ship.

All in all, the experience took all day but it really wasn't a big deal. Hopefully my mouth will begin to heal.

If you can give blood... Please do so. You hear it all the time but it really does save lives. I stop and wonder to myself whose platelets I am now walking around with.