Almost Out!!

Well, I am now only waiting for my neutrophils to come up. My white blood cells are high enough to get me out of here and the fever seems to be gone, so all I need is a few more neutrophils and I am outta here and back to Clark!!

-Marika

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

Neutropenia Strikes Again

Hi again!

As you may have guessed by the title of this post, I am neutropenic again! No fresh foods (including peaches and sushi, my two favorite foods), no germy areas, no crowded places... Basically, I get to sleep, do homework and hang out at home all day long.

Anyway, there's not a whole lot to update people on. I got two units of red blood cells transfused today and platelets on Monday. Tomorrow I go in to get blood drawn for labs. This will happen every Monday and Thursday until my counts are back up.

One last thing: my hair is growing back!! You can see a little color now. It's still got a ways to go, but right now I'm past the peach fuzz and on to the baby's hair phase. This is exciting! I'm still wearing hats and headscarves (and setting a new fad at Clark U) but soon I will be sporting a pixie cut. Hopefully by December when I see all you family members I will have a decent head of hair. I don't think there are many pictures of me without hair (thank god), but if, and only IF I have enough hair by Hanukkah, I will allow the family paparazzi to shoot all they want.

Much love,

Marika

P.S. Grandma, the website did help. Thank you!!

Back to I-Town

Hi!

I'm back in Ithaca and about to lose my immune system for what I hope is the last time. Staying on top of school has been alright so far. The professors e-mail me work when they can and I have been reading the textbooks to keep up.

Other than that, there's not much going on here. We are going crazy trying to sanitize the house again and maybe this time I won't get sick.

-Marika

Last Consolidation!

Hello once again!

After spending ten amazing days at Clark U, I had to return to Rochester for my final round of consolidation chemo. I will return to Clark in about a month and I can't wait!! We are taking every precaution and more to keep me out of the hospital once my counts are down including complete house arrest (fun fun fun). Luckily I have a loving cat at one house and a playful dog at the other to keep me busy when friends (WHO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTAGIOUS HEALTH ISSUES) cannot make it over to visit, most likely because of school. I also have my own schoolwork to keep my mind working. My professors at Clark are aware of my condition and are e-mailing class notes and assignments to me while I'm away. Speaking of which, does anyone know anything about egyptian fractions?

Anyway, I am trying REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to stay healthy this time.

-Marika

Week One (Clark U)

So It's about one thirty in the morning and I'm writing yet again from my dorm room at Clark. Today (after I go to bed and wake up again), we will be going to Six Flags for our last day of orientation, which so far has been pretty awesome. Today a hypnotist came to campus and put on a hilarious show. If you ever need ideas for entertainment, seriously consider hiring one of these guys because this was impressive.

I will have my last round of chemo in Rochester because I wouldn't be able to go to class if I stayed here anyway. I will leave Clark sometime this week and return in October if there are no setbacks, but you all know me, so who knows how long I'll be away.

Anyway, I should get to sleep so I have energy for tomorrow's excursion.

Much love,

Marika!

CLARK

Hello once again!

Right now I am in my dorm room at Clark University. I have an awesome roomate and a few new friends and I am having an amazing time so far.

Tomorrow I'll find out when and where my last round of chemo is. Everything seems to be going well so far with me at college. The people here are very accepting of the bald, but I'm still going to try to start a headwrap fad (hehe).

Much love,

Marika