Sunday, September 28, 2008

Last Time (For REAL.... I Hope)

Hello once again!
Sorry I haven't updated this in a while. I'm sure Laurie has kept all family members well informed, but just in case, and for everyone else, here's an update:
I am back in Strong Memorial for a few more days because of the neutropenic fevers caused by the last chemo. I got my port removed because the doctors thought it was infected. We don't know if they were right or wrong, but my fevers have gone down a LOT. In fact, I haven't had one in over 24 hours, which is GOOD GOOD GOOD. Last weekend I think I had a fever as high as 105.5 which, until then, I didn't know was possible.
My counts are slowly coming up and as soon as they're safe, I am outta here and back to Clark (yes Laurie, MA. YAY!!). Nothing else has been happening, I miss Clark U and I want to go back... That about sums it up. See you (family) at Hanukkah!
Much love,
Marika

3 comments:

LAURIE said...

HEY MEIKS,

WELL IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU GOT YOUR BUTT OUTTA THERE. MASSACHUSETTS MISSES YOU, AND SO DO I. I'M SURE YOUR CLARK BUDDIES WILL BE GLAD TO SEE YOU COME BACK. SO, THINK WHITE CELLS, LOTS AND LOTS OF WHITE CELLS (BUT NOT TOO MANY). IMAGINE YOUR BONE MARROW FACTORY WORKING OVERTIME TO GET YOUR WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT HIGH ENOUGH TO FIRST, GET HOME, AND THEN, GET HERE. GO MARROW!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!

OK, JUST SO YOU DON'T THINK I'VE GOTTEN MORE LOONEY THAN I ALREADY AM, NO, I DON'T USUALLY TALK TO BONE MARROW. BUT THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES, AND DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR RADICAL SOLUTIONS. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE YOUR BONE MARROW NEEDS A LITTLE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. IT'S BEEN THROUGH HELL ALSO. FIRST IT MAKES 150,000 WBC'S, AND EVERYONE GETS ALL EXCITED. THEN THEY POISON IT WITH INDUCTION CHEMO, AND THEY'RE ALL WIPED OUT (KINDA LIKE THE BONE MARROW VERSION OF CUSTER'S LAST STAND). THEN THEY GIVE YOU NEUPOGEN TO STIMULATE YOUR STEM CELLS TO TURN INTO WHITE BLOOD CELLS. THEN THEY REPEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS, TWICE!! I'M SURE IT MUST BE THINKING, "MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!!"
"UP, DOWN, UP, DOWN, UP, DOWN". POOR BONE MARROW...

ANYWAY, I HOPE YOU GET OUT SOON.
HOLLER IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.

LOVE,

YOUR (KINDA WACKO) AUNT LAURIE

Grandma Gladys said...

Hi Marika! I just received Laurie's update #12 and am so glad you are on the upswing and anticipating a return to Clark. Our New Year begins in a few days. I wish you a happy and healthier one with an extended remission for all your days --- now and ever after. Love, Grandma.

terri said...

HI MARIKA,

I CAN'T DECIDE IF YOU ARE IN THE HOSPITAL, AT HOME OR AT CLARK, WELL WHEREVER YOU ARE AT THE MOMENT I HOPE AND PRAY YOU ARE GETTING BETTER EVERY HOUR.

AS WE CELEBRATE ANOTHER NEW YEAR MAY THIS ONE BE THE BEST IT CAN BE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. DEFENITLY MUCH BETTER THEN THE ONE WE HAD.

LOVE, HUGS AND ALL THAT STUFF.

TERRI AND HENRY