Went in for blood yesterday and am juiced back up. When I went to see Dr. Page (my oncologist) Wednesday, we were checking my numbers- IgM and IgG are in the normal range and the IgA is low. The IgM helps see how active the cancer is and it is lower than it has been in forever and that is a great thing. That is one good thing the stem cell transplant did so there was some success. If the Amyloidosis had not attacked me and if the stem cells had developed properly, I would be in pretty good shape. I could live with the cancer but of course, that is what happens. Waldenstrom's allows other diseases and problems to attack the patient because the immune system is so bad. I was glad of the good news and another good thing is the Exjade (the iron binder) is bringing my Ferritin/Iron numbers down. They have come down from in the 3,500 range to in the 1,700 range and that takes some of the pressure off my liver and heart. They also checked my chest and there seems to be no pneumonia so that has been taken care of. He said I looked great and for all my problems, the numbers are good. So, all in all it has been a good week.

The last month has been a rough one. But I thought I was getting better and felt pretty good Tuesday but on Wednesday, things went south. I knew it was time to do something. After dialysis, I went in last Wednesday to Weatherford Regional Medical Center (new name for Campbell Hospital) and they found I had pneumonia and infected sinuses. The doctor came out and told me there was really some nasty stuff in there....my kind of medical jabber. WRMC sent me by ambulance to Baylor/All Saints in Fort Worth and I was first in the emergency room, then in CVICU and then to a private room. I was to go home Monday but during dialysis, I had such a headache they could not ease it with Tylenol and Vicodin and the doctor called for a CT on my head. He was afraid because my platelets were so low there might be some bleeding in the head. I told him it was sinus but he still wanted to check. Got the word Tuesday and the CT did not show anything but sinus problems. It is sure good to be home because I really get tired of hospitals. So now I am juiced up on blood, platelets and antibiotics so the ole gal is set for a while.

I have been battling this stuff for a month and it finally just got me down. They also found I have a staph infection. They first thought it was MRSA but it turned out to be a lesser kind and I am thankful for that. They are treating it with Vancomycin and it should be gone pretty soon.

Looking from my desk through the windows in the garden room and out into the garden, I can see the sun shining and it is a beautiful day. It is wonderful to be home and enjoying the day. I hope to be in the garden by Saturday and doing what I love.

Quick Update

La Donna is currently in the hospital. She is battling pneumonia, she is doing better. The one thing we really need at the moment is your prayers.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers:
Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant La Donna.
the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into
health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen