Savoring My Break

On Monday I had a follow up appointment with my doctor. I received the great news that my PET scan from last week was completely clear! ^_^ My doctor told me that I wouldn't be seeing her until after my stem cell transplant. I am now in the hands of the SCT team. They called me the following day to update me on the next plan of action. Starting next Wednesday I will start taking neupogen shots in the arm again to see if my bone marrow will produce stem cells this time. Its been a very peaceful and restful week for me. Its been great aside from a tiny bothersome headache. My mom visited Monday night and we watched... "The Dark Knight Rises" of course! She had never seen it and loved it. Since then I have been on a Tom Hardy/Christian Bale fix having watched "The Fighter" & "Warrior". Notice the trend in my movies? ;)

Recharging

The 1st "beautiful" fail
behind my arm after a
Neupogen shot.

Well it turns out the "beautiful" fail my husband left me the other day wasn't his fault. The next morning I received another bruise. I suspected it was due to low blood platelet counts, not to mention my gums had been bleeding more than usual the past few days when I would brush my teeth. On Thursday I went in to collect more stem cells, and got a CT/PET scan. The nurses also had me get a platelet transfusion because my numbers were too low. Later in the day we found out that I still hadn't produced any stem cells. I was told not to come back on Friday. Though disappointing, I was much more relieved for it to be over. Its been a hard week on my body, so I needed this break to mentally and physically recharge. On Monday I will find out what is the next plan of action.

This was the 2nd one. Its
easy to bruise with low
platelet counts.

I haven't been updating the past few days because I needed to just rest. Friday & Saturday I was also distracted with visiting guests. My plan today you ask? To vegetate watching Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, & The Dark Knight Rises all over again ;) I will also try to do some heavier workouts today since I'm feeling like my old self again.

I'm a Happy Girl

I was alone this morning eating breakfast & I could tell it was a beautiful morning. The sun seemed to shine bright through the kitchen window & I could feel a refreshing breeze. I just sat there & thought to myself that the only thing missing for a perfect moment would be the smell of green, some grass, plants, some kind of nature. Not too much nature around me. As I sat there the thought came to my mind again: I love my life. I love life. And I've only meant it more each passing year as I mature & go through things that sometimes suck but often times make my life better. I'm a big believer in ones ability to guide themselves into the best possible path they see fit. Example: I have cancer. I'm not depressed. I'm happy, I'm really happy. I don't like cancer, but I'm not miserable because of it. I'm better than that.

*Update: Yesterday I had to do a CT scan with my PET scan. I wasn't aware of that. I had to drink like 2 & a half cups of that yucky fake orange-rasberry soda/juice for an hour. I fell asleep during the 25 minute scan. Also I weighed in at 118. I will post pictures later.

PET Scan

I'm about to eat a big breakfast right now because it will be my only meal until after 5pm probably. I cannot eat 6 hours prior to my scan today so I will load up on some filling proteins & carbs like toast with eggs, plus some bad food too like Nutella maybe ;) I can't exercise either, you can't exercise 24hrs prior.
This scan is very expensive, my insurance hates to grant me permissions for it. My doctors have to usually request with a special note. Its awesome though, the images that it produces with x-ray, infrared lighting, and all that mumbo-jumbo. I have to get this radio active injection a half hour before I get scanned. I think of spider man every time I hear radio active and like to think that on PET scan days like this I'm extra cool because I'm radio active haha.

Wish me luck, & keep me in your thoughts today because Monday will be results day. Time is ticking!...>_<