Since the last time I posted here on october 23rd I had been really feeling ill. I go to my primary physican on the 24th of october and he looks at me almost turning grey himself. He sends me directly to the hospital where after waiting several hours to get in my wife shows up and throws an abosolute fit. they send an ER nurse out to see me and ten minutes later i'm in the back with all kinds of needles and probes all over myself. The next am they intial report is that I am luekemic but there will be more test including a bone marrow draw to determine what type and my chances of several.
As this is going on my body is continuing to shut down to the point where i was intubated with ports idirectly into my heart. On Saturdaay the 27th of october my kidneys failed and they knew i was gone but they tried dialsys. I had gained 29 pounds of fluid in 3 days. So here I was semi comatose with a sudden wait gain not knowing what the heck was going on. I do have to say I can know remember visiting people and loved ones in my during this time. i have gone through 7 episodes of chemo in the last ten days and have been given the opportunuty to recover b4 I go back in next week for the Heavy treatment. So people what I am saying if I seemed a little sarcastic in the previous posting it is because you just never no how your life is going to change in the blink of your eye.

Oh Shelby, this is shocking news. It is great that you don't have to go it alone like so many others. My deepest blessings go out to you and your family. Be sure and keep a daily journal or notes to keep this all in prospective for yourself. What ever happens it is all OK it is part of 'your' path here on this planet. Be at peace and enjoy as you say each simple joy. Remember to breath deeply and stay connected to your heart. Check with your local health foods store and talk to the owners about what they reccommend. There are many alternative suppliments that can help replace what the chemo and such take out of you. Blessings, julie

I'm not much of a praying person but Ill sure as hell say one for you.

Stay strong my brother!

I am so sorry for what you are going through. I'll say prayers for you and your family. Do go to the health food store and get some supplements to help your body recover.

Please keep us updated.

God Bless.

Consider Prayers coming your way.....

Me and my family will be praying and hoping for the best....

Semper

I'm really sorry for you are going through. I will be praying for you.

I hope you will fill better soon.

Bless your heart. I am so sorry this is happening to you. If I could take it from you I would.

My SO and I will be praying for you.

My heart's with you Shelby. I know what going through chemo is like. Not to mention all the uncertainities that lie ahead. Please remember that you always have friends here to be with at least electronically.

Just noticed you'd picked me as a friend, so I though I'd offer any helpful comments I could.

It's been a while since your initial post. Hope things are going OK. I see you visited ATS yesterday 5/5.

Believe me, I agree with your advice to live each day to the MAX which is what I do.

Since my friend works in a center and does blood counts for patients such as yourself, I'd be glad to ask her about your condition. (Depending on the type the prognosis (outcome) differs)

What is the name of the type you have? Finished chemo yet?

If you'd rather not talk about it, I understand.

Good thoughts being sent your way and thanks for picking me as a friend, good buddy.





[edit on 6-5-2008 by Badge01]

I'm so sorry to hear about this shelby, my sister was also diagnosed at the end of last year with leukemia.

She has had many chemotherapy sessions and is scheduled for her bone marrow transplant in about two weeks time.

It's certainly a wake up call! Not just for her, but for all of us as her family and friends.

She's a tough cookie and she's coping amazingly well considering. When she was first diagnosed, she was just having a routine check up for a chest infection. Luckily, there was a new specialist at her surgery who obviously wanted to be thorough and check out all his new patients, (thios could so easily have been missed) she had a non-scheduled blood test and that's when they found out.

Straight into hospital and straight into her first session of "chemo" the next day, really knocked her fir six and took a few months for her to be able to reach a stage where she could get her head around what was really happening! Poor little lamb. She's 41, petite and the sweetest, kindest person I know, and I'm not just saying that cos she's my sis'.

I can't imagine life without her, even though we live far apart, she's always with me.

Unfortunately both my brother and I were not suitable donors (gutted is an understatement!) but what a relief to find out that the "register" came up with a match. A nineteen year old american girl.

EVERYBODY, GET ON THE LIST - YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE

The feeling of helplessness on my part is excruciating, I've never felt such frustration. Also bear in mind that these sort of things must be put in perspective. No flowers, fewest visitors possible and as much rest as possible. Infections to a person with a low blood count and no immune system are not simple matters. While she was at home as an outpatient she burt her thumb on the cooker, just a "plaster" for you or me! She was taken to hospital a few hours later and has been treated for the injury ever since, plastic surgery and the like. Thankfully it's under control and preparations are going ahead for the op.

I have had to put my needs aside and follow her wishes. I will see her when I visit next week but will not outstay my welcome.

Chin up Shelby, if I can help with info, advice or support please let me know. You are not alone. And remember, a lot of good can come of this too, life takes on new meaning.

I cry as I type. I will post again later.

I just wanted to offer you my encouragement, you will be in my thoughts.

I just got back from helping with a dinner for cancer survivors. Sort of a coincidence, I've never been involved with this before and to see how real it is, is just...

You are anything but alone in this. My hope goes out to you and others with burdens such as these.