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Harvest Moon
August 4th, 2015
I went in yesterday at 7:30 a.m.; they drew labs and started fluids. Then at around 2:00 p.m., they started the chemo.
Have you ever been up all night drinking, and when you wake up you might be drunk and hung-over at the same time? And throwing up might be a good choice? That’s pretty much what chemo feels like. I confessed about the slight bladder problem (I’ve already confessed to all of you, so what the hell), so they catheterized me because the chemo is toxic if it sits in your bladder. It was uncomfortable, icky, and made me feel like an invalid. I’m woozy, sleepy, and I have a headache, but at least I was released from the hospital today.
Dr. Burt wants the stem cells, not the MS-laden immune system, and this is the process: depress the immune system with chemo; 4 days later, give me nuprogen to mobilize stem cells from the bones. When the immune system is at its lowest and the stem cells are at their highest, harvest the stem cells. (There might be some stem cell processing and cleaning.) Saturday I start nuprogen, which will make my bones ache and make me feel like I have the flu. Then Monday I have labs drawn and Thursday they harvest stem cells. Friday home (Aug 14).
Depending on how I feel, Chicago is our oyster from now until Saturday. We’re hoping to make it to the Art Institute and a Cubs game. Tonight, I’m going to FaceTime with the kids to watch Big Brother.
Chris and I might have some fun together in the in-betweens.
I’ll be back Sept 6 for three weeks: 5 days of straight chemo to severely suppress the immune system. Two days later I get my stem cells back. Then I wait for the immune system to grow enough for me to be released into the wild. (I can have visitors then, BTW.)
Chris and I already took a babymoon when I was pregnant with Maddy; it’s like a honeymoon, only you are pregnant. I wonder what this is, a Harvest Moon?
test Filed under Stem cell transplant for MS | Comments (16)16 Responses to “Harvest Moon”
Ooh we were almost typing at the same time! Enjoy the fun you can have, and say hi to the sentimental Cornell of my youth if you make it to the Art Institute.
Sounds better than chemo moon.
You’ve got a great attitude about this. We’re thinking about you and sending you good vibes.
Nice reference to Mr. Neil Young! Keep on rocking! XOXO
Very good pun old Harvest Moon MaMa. Glad you can have some time for fun. Glad Chris is there. I so respect him. He is cool.
Love, Moon Ma
Karen, You are beautiful and strong. Hang in there. Enjoy your time with Chris, and know I hold you in my heart always, envisioning your full healing and full love flowing through you for you. I am sorry you have to go through such pain. And I wish I could help more. Love, Laura
Are they giving you anti-barf meds? I recommend phenergen. Sending you love and light.
Any way that we can be with you in your journey, we are with you. We love you! Aunt Franny and uncle Don. We wait for the outcome of each procedure.
Your experience and your blog can be an important source of direction and hope for others with the same malady.
Love from us.
Any way that we can be with you in your journey, we are with you. We love you! Aunt Franny and uncle Don. We wait for the outcome of each procedure.
Your experience and your blog can be an important source of direction and hope for others with the same malady.
Love from us.
Hope you are feeling okay today. You’re a beast!
I’m rooting for you! Hope they get lots of healthy baby Karen cells later this week. Enjoy the fun parts of Chicago if you can. Thanks for sharing your journey. You are amazing!
We double down wishing for you and Chris some enjoyable time in Chicago. Cheers for feeling better!
Fran speaks to your mom every day. She keeps us informed.
Lots of love!
Hope you and Chris get to have some fun. I am so glad he is with you – he is a good man. I love you.
you can deal with the hangover/still drunk feeling (that description is awesome)! thinking of you, enjoy some big city time, go take a selfie in that silver sphere thing.
You rock, Karen.
Fingers crossed that you and Chris get to see some of the sights…rock on!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and
said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.”
She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside
and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!