Friday, July 11, 2008

Day 57?

To clarify: I AM currently getting the chemo treatment. They found some at a local hospital, had it sent over immediately and started me on it last night (thursday). However, there IS a national shortage and this is a huge concern. Many leukemia patients are not being treated. I am one of the lucky ones. There is only one drug that has any effect on leukemia, and it is in short supply in the US so many people are going without proper care right now.
As for an update from inside the hospital, the PICC team came yesterday and were able to get into my vein on the first try (which, if you ask either one of my parents, they will agree that it is difficult to do), but could not successfully move the tube up my vein and into place. They tried three times before concluding that my veins were not yet ready for another PICC line. The IV team came next. They refused to numb my arm before poking me. It was unpleasant, but luckily I have an understanding roomate who encouraged me to scream as loud as I wanted, which wasn't very loud because my voice hasn't fully returned from the tubes in my throat.
Other than that, nothing too exciting has happened here.
I'll continue to try and keep this blog up to date.
Much love,
Marika

4 comments:

Bonnie R. said...

Hey Marika,
Hahna's Mom -- Bonnie here. When I was a kid, I developed a terrible fear of needles also-- you have my deepest understanding of your fear -- actually, for me it was having blood drawn (I know exactly what you are describing- hang in there).

Your roommate's suggestion to scream was a good one-- when I was much younger, I used to SING -- SING REALLY REALLY LOUDLY while my blood was drawn -- and it eventually took my mind off of what was going on around me. Now I know YOU can sing and sing beautifully at that. I don't sing anymore - I'm too "old" and embarrassed to try that in front of the staff-- but another way to take my mind off the procedure is to work through the alphabet -- either with "food", "geography" or "people"...A for Avocado, B for Banana, C for Cookie, etc....I know it's corny-- but these are my two "tricks" for enduring needles, IVs and the like and hope one of these ridiculous approaches can help you get through things.

Keeping you in my prayers Marika,
With much Love,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

Hi Marika!
Good luck with everything! As always, you're in my thoughts and prayers. Glad you have a nice roommate who lets you scream.
Laura
PS just so you know... you don't know me. I heard about you from Link Crew and other people... I saw you in the musical... you were really good!

LAURIE said...

HEY MEEKS,

SOOO...YOU'RE FEELING LIKE A WALKING PIN CUSHION ARE YOU? WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT, FROM WHAT YOUR DOCTOR TOLD ME, YOU ONLY HAVE ONE MORE OF THESE TREATMENTS AFTER THIS ONE. NOW REMEMBER WHAT I SAID...STAY AWAY FROM THOSE SIDE EFFECTS AND COMPLICATIONS. YOU WANT THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO BE ABSOLUTELY BORRRRRRING!!! WHEN YOU'RE STUCK IN THE HOSPITAL, BORING IS GOOD...VERY GOOD. NO DRAMA, NO EXCITEMENT, NO ROLLER COASTERS.
ABOUT THAT DRUG SHORTAGE...NEVER FEAR. I SPOKE WITH A DOC AT DANA FARBER CANCER CENTER IN BOSTON AND THEY HAVE PLENTY. I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'D JUST HAND IT OVER AND LET ME BRING IT TO ROCHESTER, BUT WE COULD ALWAYS SCOOP YOU UP AND BRING YOU TO BOSTON IF NEEDS BE.

SO, WATCH SOME GOOD DVD'S, CHAT WITH YOUR ROOMIE, SING, BE SILLY, AND GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE AS SOON AS YOU CAN. HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND THE END OF JULY.

LOTS OF LOVE,

(AUNT) LAURIE

Anonymous said...

hey booger.....way to like force me to read your blog meenie pants!! i had the hugest craving to call up you and silv and sebbiekins the other day and be all, so lets get us dem good eats yo and then i was all, um.....yea. so you basically need to get yo bizness back in ithak gurlllll!!!