Keep your fingers crossed!

After a wonderful weekend I am trying to go back to work again tomorrow. Wish me luck! I feel very positive! I promise not to over do it!
Love to you all!
Kathy

Great to be home!

Hello All! sorry for the long time since I have checked in! I am just getting adjusted at home. Everything is good. I had a couple days of sore legs. The pain was from not using my legs as much. I guess walking around the hospital unit was not enough. I do not care about the pain as long as it is not MS pain and I am happy to report it is not! Yeah! I had some pretty vivid dreams from coming down off the morphine. My favorite dream was traveling to Germany with the girls from sex in the city and also the cutest old lady. Boy we had a time! I over did on Monday and went to work for 4 hours. What was I thinking! It is just like me to think I can do anything. I have had alot of fatigue since, but my doctors had me do some blood work and the results so far are fine. As far as MS goes I am feeling fine and really have not had any MS symptoms and as far as the cognitive thinking it may be getting better. I mean I have not forgotten how I have gotten somewhere or what I was doing there. I am not kidding it has happened. So all is looking positive!

Here is a little fun fact about the chemo I had. My immune system was wiped out so much that I have the immunity of a new born baby. I will have to get re vaccinated in 1 year for chicken pox, measles, hepatitis and all those good things. I am also more susceptible to get a cold or really anything I have had In the past. So needless to say I have to play it safe.

I have been contacted by many MSer's that are interested in this treatment and I think that is wonderful. I like helping. If anyone is reading this blog and has any questions please contact me by e-mail.ktrgarland@sbcglobal.net

My next appointment with my doctor is in 3 weeks. I will keep you updated and constantly check the blog!

Thank you all again for everything, I could not have done it without you.

Love,
Kathy

Here is to catch you all up!

Sorry I have not written in a few days. Things have gone so fast. I was pretty sick with the bone pain and they kept me well doped up on morphine. Come to find out all the bone pain was for a good reason. My bone marrow was producing so fast and that is what was causing all the pain and in return my neutrophil #s were bouncing back high and because it was working so well they stopped my neupogen shots. My #s continued to get higher Monday and then my wonderful doctors said i could go home. I can't tell you how stinkin shocked I was. I couldn't believe it. My sister came to the hospital Monday morning to confirm I was not losing my mind and sure enough she heard it to. The doctors and nurses told me all the precautions I needed to take at home and the surgeon came and took out my triple leumen line. By then Tim was there to take me home. We made a quick stop to see my friend Tracy who was donating platelets and then we were on our way! My sister had left before Tim got there to pick up Collin and Becca and then Ryan from school. They had decorated the house and by the way it was super clean( thank you Mom, Jody, Beth and Tim). My sister dropped off Ryan and It was so great to see him. I couldn't stop hugging him! I hugged Collin and Becca and then Ryan, Tim and I went down stairs and snuggled on the couch. This is something we have been talking about for 3 weeks. Our house has changed as far as washing hands more and no lip kisses. I finally have gotten my own bathroom and Tim is disinfecting everything. This blog is not over I plan on updating it as my progress continues. I can say I think I can tell the difference. That might be just wishful thinking but who cares. My future MRI's won't lie. Thank you all for your warm thoughts and prayers. I know in my heart that it definitely helped my experience. I am very blessed with thoughtful , loving people in my life. I love you all!

Kathy

The very important #s
Neutrophils/ White blood count/ Platelets
8/03 0.30(3000)/3.78/25
8/04 0.80(8000)/11.68/48

Info For Sarah

Please E-mail me ktrgarland@sbcglobal.net and I can give you all the info you may need for your mother. I did this blog to help my family and friends but also if I can help anyone with MS it would make me so happy. I can't say enough wonderful things about all my doctors and the staff at Rush. They are really the best. Please e-mail me. I would love to give any info.

Kathy

My numbers are finally going up!!!!!!

The last couple days have been pretty hard as far as feeling alot of bone pain and the doctors thinking I might have a infection. But again I am in the hospital were they have all different drugs and wonderful people to take care of me. I have MS, pain is not a new thing to me. I can definitely handle this pain too! My bones have been hurting so that means to me that my new bone marrow is being produced. My bloodwork confirmed it and my doctors and I are very happy. They said I am doing great! Here is a weird thing. My mouth has been hurting, almost like it was raw inside so they gave me this special cocktail with lidocaine. I compared it to a strawberry mohito. Who said you can't party in the hospital! Tim and my Dad shaved their heads today to support me, those guys even look handsome with bald heads.They are so stinkin sweet! Well here are my #s enjoy. Have a great rest of the weekend!
Love to you all,
Kathy

Neutrophils/ White blood count/ Platelets
7/30 to low to count/.03/45
7/31 to low to count/.06/25
8/1 to low to count/.08/16
8/2 ***.11/.34/14

TRESemme Stock Plummets as major shareholder stops using its haircare products!!!

My wonderful mother and sister were lovely enough to visit me yesterday and give me my long awaited buzz cut. At least I don't have to wait all day for my hair to dry, right? It's a little more manageable now. One of my new hats came in handy at bedtime Brrrrrrrr. I weighed myself and lost 1.5 lbs. after my run in with the mower. I needed a blood transfusion today because my hemoglobin levels were a bit low. My bones and joints are aching from the neupogen working my marrow into a cell producing frenzy. That is why I needed a little help from morphy last night. I am also noticing that my teeth and gums are becoming more sensitive which is a result of this treatment. Other than that my levels are pretty much bottomed out still with the exception of my white blood count which could be a sign that things may start to turn in my favor. Knock on wood everyone. I am much more tired and sore today than I have been since I started this. I am not sure but I think this is finally catching up with me a bit. So I am ready for a good nap. Tomorrow is another day, another day closer to being home. I can't wait to see everyone soon, especially my little Ryan.

Love,
Kathy

Bald is beautiful RIGHT!

My hair started falling out last night so my wonderful mom and sister are shaving it all off today. I cried to Tim for a few minutes and then realized I knew this was part of the deal so whatever. Besides I have beautiful and fun scarfs that you all have given me to wear. Hey I might even start a new trend, you never know. I will put some pictures on the blog for all of your viewing pleasure. My counts are still low but they expect them to rise soon. This is definitely teaching me to be patient. Have a great day!

Soon to be bald,
Kathy

P.S. Keep your fingers crossed my hair does not come back thicker and curler. I have had a afro long enough!

Meet the great Doctors and Nurses

A Message From Kathy

Busy night last night!

Yesterday was fun!Mom, Krista , Ellen and Kristen came to my place just to hang out. We had alot of fun. Those girls are great! Last night my platelets hit low so I did have a platelet infusion. Not bad, no big deal. My blood pressure was 80/50 so they freaked out a little. I told them not to be concerned, but they got all doctorie on me and watched me close for awhile. I guess they know more than I do!HAHA! Tim will post some pictures tonight. Take care!

Neutrophil/ White blood count/ platelet
7/29 /too low to count/.03/ 9

Monday, Monday la la la la

What a good weekend. I hope you all enjoyed the great weather. It was wonderful from my window. I had a movie marathon this weekend and Karen kept me busy on Sunday. We always have a good time. There is not much to report except my legs are hairy and because my platelets are low, I can't shave them. Sorry,was that TMI? I will be getting my usual neupagen shot and possibly some of my family and friends' platelets. Thank you to all that have donated. Talking to the blood Bank rep Malissa made me realize how important it is for people to donate blood and more importantly, platelets. Platelets only have a shelf life of 5 days and are constantly needed. I am learning alot from being here in the hospital. One thing I have learned is that I have alot of loving friends and family. I know I have said that before but you all are the best and make me feel so loved. Without you all, I don't know if I would have done so well.


Here are my newest #s ( don't be alarmed they are suppose to go that low)

neutrophil /white blood count/ platelet

7/26 .03 /.11 /57

7/27 so low can't count/.06 /37

7/28 so low can't count/.04 /18

If you guys are interested in donating platlets. please e-mail Malissa Litchtenwalter@ mailto:blooddonor@rush.edu or platelet_donor@rush.edu or 312-942-7824

Friday was busy!

Friday was a good day although I became dehydrated and hooked back up to IV fluids. I also broke out with a cold sore( which I new was going to happen) and also a rash that sthey can not explain. The important part is no fever and everything can be handled. I still feel good and my #s are still dropping as planned. The started me on a shot called neupogen to help increase my # s now. The Dr. says it will take a few days but they eventually will go up. Which is really good because I miss snuggling with Ryan and Tim on the coach. Maybe next time we do get to snuggle my legs wont twitch and I won't have to fake being comfortable! HA HA! Have a Great Day!
Love, Kathy

Newsest #s

neutrophil/white blood count/ platelet
7/25 /0.12 / 0.30 / 92
7/26/ 0.03 / 0.11/ 57