Journal 8.2
I haven't written anything in awhile. I have less energy than I did before. You go through 5 rounds of chemo and keep up daily posting.. I'll tip my cap to you. Apologies to anyone who thought maybe I bit the dust last week. No, I'm still here. Hanging on. But for all the shit I've gone through, the lymphoma is on its last legs and that's what counts.
It seems that I'm now done with chemo. Except for the chemo associated with the BMT (bone marrow transplant). That'll entail full body irradiation and infusion with powerful immunosuppressants. The radiation's purpose is to eliminate any lingering lymphoma cells that the 5 rounds of chemo didn't get. The immunosuppressants' purpose is to destroy my immune system so that when my little brother's marrow enters my body, it doesn't get attacked. I have wicked, imaginative visions of how painful this is going to be but there's nothing I can do. I have no choice. It's this or let the cancer regroup.
So that'll be rough on my body. But the next stage will be rougher. When they inject my little brother's marrow, I'm going to face a 10+ day period of neutropenia. Based on how I've reacted to the 3-4 day periods of neutropenia that previous rounds of chemo have delivered (fevers of 103, severe nausea, colitis flares, lack of appetite, etc), I expect these 10+ days to be the worst of my life. But I believe that the doctors and nurses here will deliver me through it. I hope to sleep a lot and not go below 110 pounds.
I'll never forget the summer of 2008.
love all of
love all of you
^^^^^^^^^^
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
-Robert F. Kennedy
I'll admit it, you had me a
I'll admit it, you had me a little worried there. I didn't hear anything and, honestly, skipped out on posting for fear it would end up being disrespectful. (It sounds absurd, but when haven't I been thus?) I'll probably string together some thoughts and put something up tomorrow or Monday. Hopefully I'll throw a couple of posts on, get the site going a bit more, maybe.
Paix et amour,
Joe!
disrespectful? nawww. I'd
disrespectful? nawww. I'd think the total opposite.
I'd like to think that if I croaked, LtL would go on without me. I don't really know what this site is about anymore..not what it set out to be, that's for sure... but it's always been something good and still is. you've made so many great contributions here, Joe. please keep going, no matter what!
^^^^^^^^^^
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."
-Robert F. Kennedy
HI! I'm back from Africa,
HI!
I'm back from Africa, and I want to visit asap (like, tomorrow if possible). I'm assuming you're still at UCSD, but where? When does the worst of it start for you? Can I bring the thing that I got for you, or will they not allow it? I hope you're feeling better, and I really hope I can see you soon.
- Maryann
Jake, you may never forget
Jake, you may never forget this summer, but I will never forget your brilliant strength and bravery. You may not feel like any sort of hero, but I think you are amazing. Please don't ever feel you have to post, but it is good to hear from you again.
With love and appreciation,
Melissa
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