Update - platelets

Since my last entry, I saw my oncologist after the two weeks of steroids to help boost the platelet count.Unfortunately, this did not work. The opposite happened - my count dropped 5K total. This was not the news we expected. Jeff was there to hold me together as I got a little sassy with my oncologist to ask if we could try it again. The answer was no, because most likely nothing would be different. Then she said a bone marrow biopsy needed to be scheduled. Ugh! 

This put me in a focused mode. When I got to the scheduler, she asked what day worked for me and of course I wanted the earliest date possible. Getting this procedure done sooner rather than later was preferred. I was able to get the appointment within 3 business days. Early this morning, we went to the hospital to get the procedure done and we were in an out in four hours. There was minimal pain. I'm more sore than in pain, which works for me. 

Thank you all for the out pouring of love, support and prayers. I could feel the love and cannot wait until we get the results. Expect the results by August 24.

Item #2929: Be the example of goodness you want to see in the world. Smile at a stranger. Hold a door open. Call that family member or friend you miss.

I love your guts!

Week 1 meds done

Here is the game plan for "Platelet Levels Get Back to Normal". 

I am on two weeks of medication to help "lift" the levels to normal range. Lab work 1 done after first week and then finish week 2 medication. I won't know the effects of the medication on my platelet levels until I go to the follow-up appointment with lab + office visit with doctor to review the performance of my platelets. My doctor wants to see the platelet count increase, as much as I do. If she does not see the results we anticipate (positive news), then I will need to get a bone marrow biopsy done to take a closer look at what these pesky platelets are doing. 

Come on platelets, do your job! I am feeling a bit feisty, like Si and shake my fist at these lab results. I am doing my part by staying positive. You do your job and multiply.

In the larger picture of the universe, this is like a rock in your shoe. You shake your foot to get it to roll out. When things do not go your way, you finally stop to pull the shoe off and shake the shoe like a fool. Right now I'm shaking the shoe like a fool and praying that the rock falls out so I can keep going forward. I have kids to get back into a school routine, work, coach boys' soccer and enjoy time with family and friends. 

Item #3994: When life feels like you have a rock in your shoe, stop and shake things up. Wave or smile at a stranger. Give a genuine greeting. Connect with yourself, even if you sit in the car for an extra couple of minutes after the crew goes inside. 

I love your guts!

Positive vibes for good news on August 3! Please and thank you. 

More tests

I am making a few more trips back and forth to my oncologist lately to find out what's going on with my platelet levels (because they had dropped over the last six months). My oncologist was also concerned about my glucose. 

My primary care physician confirmed last week that I have type 2 diabetes. My primary care physician has made sure I have the medication, meal and exercise plans I need to get my glucose under control. The meal plan is not much of a stretch from how we eat today. The exercise plan has increased what I am doing now. I have been asked to do 45 minutes of cardio per day for six of the seven days of the week. [Yes, read that sentence again.] It's not going to be that difficult for me to build back up to the 45 minutes of cardio because I can do this by jogging/running on the treadmill or trails. 

Tracking the medication and glucose readings will take a little bit of adjustments but I created my own spreadsheet to help me with this and will have a booklet of readings and results to share with my doctor. She has no idea what a spreadsheet wizard I am when it comes to tracking progress and results. Those of you that know me can understand why spreadsheets are my thing...I live and work in them every day.

I digress. 

Here is another nugget of data: There is no connection between the low platelets and high glucose. My oncologist is not sure why they dropped and has me on medication over the next couple of weeks to see if the platelet levels can come up to the normal range. We will know the results of the medication the first week of August. I pray for higher levels and know that this is one thing I cannot control. In the mean time, I focus on what I can control - positive attitude, putting laundry in the dryer when it is finished and how much ice goes in my cup.

Item #0722: Remember that there is very little in this world you can control. Pick one thing a day and do it knowing that there is power in the universe that will take care of the rest. 

We often forget the bigger picture of life and focus on the little things that mean nothing. Be the ripple in the ocean of life and leave everyone and everything better when it is your time to walk away.

I love your guts!

What are platelets doing?

Hi. It's me and my sweet angel, Holley. I feel her presence and know I am covered with HIS love and grace. 

Today, I went to see my oncologist this morning to check my platelet levels to see if they've gone up. I prayed almost every day to give me strength and know that HIS will is my path. 

My husband was with me to receive the news at the same time as me and listen attentively to the doctor. She told me that my platelet levels went down to 70,000. There are several steps to find out what is going on with my platelets. This is NUTS! Then, there is no explanation why I'm still having a lot of bone/joint pain. Now I get to take steroids, after making sure my glucose level is under control and get another specialist added to #TeamNikki 

Item #4950 - Just when you think you are near the finish line, you have a longer way to run. Keep a steady pace. Smile. Just keep going. When things seem tough and hard, they probably are, so you need to push through. Be a winner. Give of yourself - smile, laugh or open a door for someone. Hugs are good too.

I love your guts!