Round One

After receiving treatment for 9 hours Monday 4/13/09, I felt somewhat icky for the remainder of the evening and ended up in the ER at 2am because my digestive system was not working. After slow improvement, I was put on a feeding pump and sent home Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, I did not process the feedings and ended up collapsing in the elevator at my parents’ hotel while still on the chemo drip. I was rushed to the hospital and treated immediately due to dangerously low blood pressure. Unfortunately I have been at Seton ever since. Becoming neutropenic (white blood cells extremely low) did not help matters but I am slowly recovering. The blood transfusion helped tremendously!! Now if my digestive system would kick into gear I’d be in business. Dr. Patt (Chemo Oncologist) is keeping me in the hospital until I can tolerate the tube feedings and gain a respectable amount of weight. Her theory is I have had an extremely hard time with chemo because I am so malnourished. Once I get to a healthy weight and am able to eat both orally and through tube feeds, I will be much stronger and much more prepared for the next round of treatment. My impression is I will be in the hospital for at least another 4-5 days as she does not want me to deviate from the program.

I am staying positive… Positive I will overcome. I will be here in whole health for a very long time. “My soul – it is there I find Peace, and when I’m at peace, I can handle anything. Each and every day is precious, each moment a gift.” This quote is on a plaque just as you enter the Oncology wing of Seton Hospital. A good friend of mine did a crayon rubbing of the quote and it hangs in my hospital room. It reminds me of my strength and the childlike wonder and unshakable faith in things seen, unseen and felt. May we all have the courage to hang on to our child perspective as the world and its doctors/professionals try to bend and mold us to their will; their want.

I will make it through to the other side a much stronger, much healthier woman and mother. I will be and have more of myself than I ever have in this lifetime. Thank you to all for your prayers, healing energy, positive thought, affirmations and overall support. It’s because of them I will see greener pastures.