Through the Leukemia Lymphoma Society volunteer program I was connected with a young man, 31 years old, his name is John. He and his wife have two young children, his youngest is under 6 months old. He was admitted into a center of excellence for a stem cell transplant, his donor is a volunteer with a 10 out of 10 match.
I have not heard from my brave friend and I think about him everyday! I would like to send prayers and strength to John and his family that he continues to fight. Please God let him be OK, he just wants to get it over with and be home with his wife and kids.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Give & Get is Here! Enjoy 30% off
Shop and help support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! LLS gets 5% of what you spend
4 days only, March 17-20
Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, just present this coupon at checkout
Gap
click and print
4 days only, March 17-20
Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, just present this coupon at checkout
Gap
click and print
Sunday, March 6, 2011
T.G.I. March
If I could of, I would of hibernated the entire winter! It was a rough one for me, and I did sort of hibernate, in my own way. After my allergic reaction to the flu shot, it was time to get into the holiday spirit. I wanted to do all the things I used to do, bake the cookies, get the gifts and try to make it another special holiday season. In the process, I became weaker, more exhausted and my hands began to shake. The holidays drained me, and I was not ready for the cold weather headed our way.
Soon, every single site where I was poked, pricked and dug into was exacerbated by the cold and damp weather. I felt rotten everyday, as chronic pain took over. I felt like a worn out pin cushion! At one of the last Boston trips I asked what the tingling in my hands and feet meant. I was told I had peripheral neuropathy, damage to the nerve endings, most likely due to the chemo/radiation. One cold winter night before dinner I was taken down, literally to the floor, unable to overcome the pain, tingling and weakness of this disorder. As time has passed I have noticed a lack of coordination and a cross of signals from my brain to my fingers. I can only hope this gets better, as the temperature outside rises.
Soon, every single site where I was poked, pricked and dug into was exacerbated by the cold and damp weather. I felt rotten everyday, as chronic pain took over. I felt like a worn out pin cushion! At one of the last Boston trips I asked what the tingling in my hands and feet meant. I was told I had peripheral neuropathy, damage to the nerve endings, most likely due to the chemo/radiation. One cold winter night before dinner I was taken down, literally to the floor, unable to overcome the pain, tingling and weakness of this disorder. As time has passed I have noticed a lack of coordination and a cross of signals from my brain to my fingers. I can only hope this gets better, as the temperature outside rises.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Allergic Reaction
On November 3 we drove to Dana-Farber for my 2 1/2 year post stem cell check up. My doc checked me over and gave me the go ahead to do exactly what I have been doing. It was a non event, thankfully! However, due to my low immunity he advised us, (Glenn and the girls) to get the flu vaccine.
On November 13, the girls and I got our shots. The next day almost exactly 24 hours after the shot I became symptomatic. I had a low grade fever, I felt weak and shaky, and I knew this was all due to the shot. Monday morning before showering I noticed a huge lump at the injection site and hives below the lump. Still feeling ill I waited for the symptoms to subside. That Tuesday I became nauseous, my neck was sore and I noticed uncontrollable spasms beginning in my arms and legs. Of course my daughters were home due to a half day. I tried to keep calm in front of them, but it was hard when my body was out of my control.
In the hospital during chemotherapy and post stem cell transplant I experienced the same reaction to other medicines. The nurse simply explained that this is how my body presents with an allergic reaction.
On November 13, the girls and I got our shots. The next day almost exactly 24 hours after the shot I became symptomatic. I had a low grade fever, I felt weak and shaky, and I knew this was all due to the shot. Monday morning before showering I noticed a huge lump at the injection site and hives below the lump. Still feeling ill I waited for the symptoms to subside. That Tuesday I became nauseous, my neck was sore and I noticed uncontrollable spasms beginning in my arms and legs. Of course my daughters were home due to a half day. I tried to keep calm in front of them, but it was hard when my body was out of my control.
In the hospital during chemotherapy and post stem cell transplant I experienced the same reaction to other medicines. The nurse simply explained that this is how my body presents with an allergic reaction.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Funding for LLS
As you may know I am a volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The program is called First Connection. The LLS ofice in Albany receives phone calls from patients and or caregivers requesting that a volunteer call them. We are then matched up by age, gender... and we are given the phone number to call the patient back to discuss our experiences and answer any questions.
I recently mentioned my blog to the person in charge of the First Connections and here is what she said,
"If you can share the names, I can list these as First Connections. The more matches we make, the more funding we can often obtain, as we demonstrate more service delivery."
It is the funding that leads to the research that saved my life as well as many others. Please consider michele.harland@gmail.com
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Happy Holidays
I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season! May you be blessed with love and good health.
However, if the season finds you down, I understand. I remember my first Christmas after diagnosis, I had a scare the first week of that Dec. a very high fever, infection, and I had to be hospitalized. As far as my girls holiday parties at school I could not go in unless I had a mask on. But I was happy to be home with my girls and not in the hospital on Christmas day.
So, if you are fighting or struggling this holiday season, try to take just a moment for yourself, forget all your troubles, immerse yourself in whatever makes you happy, and take a moment to be free.
However, if the season finds you down, I understand. I remember my first Christmas after diagnosis, I had a scare the first week of that Dec. a very high fever, infection, and I had to be hospitalized. As far as my girls holiday parties at school I could not go in unless I had a mask on. But I was happy to be home with my girls and not in the hospital on Christmas day.
So, if you are fighting or struggling this holiday season, try to take just a moment for yourself, forget all your troubles, immerse yourself in whatever makes you happy, and take a moment to be free.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Side by Side Article
On the third of the month I had a check up at Dana-Farber. I was thrilled to step out of the elevator and find my article stacked on every news stand. (They have a lot of news stands there). The editor, informed me that the internal patient staff liked it so much, he re-printed it in a small newspaper called, Inside the Institute. This paper also gets distributed to satellite offices. My doc and nurses told me that they loved reading my article. So pleased!
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