Thursday, November 6, 2008

Latest News



This morning I went to see Dr. Wolliver. I found out my blood counts were excellent - hemoglobin is 11.4, white blood is 4.1 and platelets were 238k. That's great news and because of my healthy state, my UCLA doctor, Dr. Schiller, told my local oncologist that we can cut back on the dosage of the chemo I'm about to go back in for on Monday. So instead of 6 doses, I can receive 4. AND, usually I'd spend a week in the hospital for this, but I'm going to be able to stay just 3 days and then go home, being monitored 3x/week as an outpatient. This is GREAT news!

I have a lot of information coming at me about the bone marrow transplant, and all it entails. I posted yesterday about some of that. But there is so much more I want to tell you about. Some of you have expressed interest in donating blood and platelets when I need it AND I will! However, are you willing to go to UCLA to do so? It took us 2-2 1/2 hours to get there. I have instructions on how to do it and what it entails, like which medications to avoid taking prior to your donation. If you're interested in that and will be able to go to UCLA to do that in the future (when I'm down there as a patient), then email me and I'll send you the information you'll need.

We're going to be needing to be down at UCLA for 6-8 weeks, my husband staying at a UCLA Guest House or UCLA's Tiverton House. I had heard it was subsidized by UCLA, but nightly rates are still at least $139! We're waiting to find out if insurance covers these costs. Please pray that Blue Cross does.

I want the match to be found quickly, but then I picture myself away from my family during Christmas and think it may be that I'd rather have to wait a longer time. Then I remember that our insurance company is changing to another one in January and what a nightmare that could be so I hope for it be soon again. These things are beyond me and only God knows what's best...He is in control of it and I know whatever happens will be for the best because I love Him. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Yesterday I spent a little time taking photographs around town after taking Trevor and Adam to Trevor's casual soccer pick up game at the Mission. I think my blog needs a little color with some photos. When I started my blog my camera had been kaput and now I've got a new one to document life's special moments.






2 comments:

Natalie said...

The Tiverton house is much closer than the Guest House to the med center.

Let me know about the platelets. Does it matter that I am O+? Or that my immune system can be screwy?

Praying for you.

Anonymous said...

David, our oldest son, gives platelets as much as he can and he lives near UCLA. Can he specify them for you?