It’s been a week or so since I’ve updated. I went to my follow-up appointment with oncology, and my lab numbers are almost the same. Actually they are lower than what they should be, so I still have to, as always, continue to be careful what I touch, who I’m around, and all of the other things that are connected with being careful while having Leukemia. I am still borderline anemic but it’s nothing to be concerned about. I guess I need to find a website or source to increase my iron, even though I am on prenatal vitamins. My stomach has been upset this week; probably because of all the different things I’ve been eating at work. I need to break down and go back to eating more organic.
I have not made my appointment yet with pulmonology to have some kind of test done, but I will do that this week. I have not had to use my humidifier as much and I am still leery of the idea of taking medicine for something called “silent reflux”. I’m just tired of taking so many medicines. I have still been very tired especially earlier this week. I did have enough energy to clean a few areas in the house and do some laundry. I guess I need to make a list of everything that needs to be done in the house and start it.
As far as the Gleevec is concerned, I’m still having the normal side effects and it seems like I’m gaining weight,, which is another side effect of this medicine. I have that much hair loss, and actually my hair is thicker. I still have to clean my hairbrush out very often but I thank God it’s not bad. I think hair loss is not one of the major side effects of the medicine, but it still can happen.
In April I will be doing a race for colon cancer, something connected to my job. I did it last year and it was very fun. I actually surprised myself because I didn’t think I could do it and plus it was freezing cold. I mean, who wants to wake up at 6:45 in the morning on a Saturday to do a race. However, is for a good cause and I will be doing it in the name of one of my friends at church who has colon cancer.
I think my hopes of getting my German Shepherd certified as a service dog are dwindling. My audiologist did not want to give me orders for such, stating that my hearing loss is mostly cognitive. How can it be cognitive when somebody breaks into your car next to your bedroom window door and not hear it? I will try again with my PCP but if it happens it happens. I just think it would benefit me because I am having trouble hearing and I cannot afford hearing aids. Last week I did not go to the Deaf Super Bowl party because I decided to stay with the kids at church. I will try to go to the Silent Dinner this week but it depends on how I feel. As soon as I get my house in order I might take performance part of the VQAS just to try it. I don’t really want to throw away $80 but it’s worth a try.
Another thing that I am going to be doing this year is organize a fundraiser at my job on September 22nd, which is World Leukemia Day. I have gotten “the go” to do the fundraiser but I still have to work out a lot of things. So far, my ideas are gift baskets to be raffled, and an information booth on Leukemia. The event will be held on September 22nd, of course, and will probably be done during lunchtime in the cafeteria at my job. I will keep you updated, if you are interested in going to the event. All of the money will be going to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. It’s just something I want to do. It’s far in advance, however, there are a lot of things I have to put together in order for it to be a sucessful.
Later on today I will try to do some calligraphy. I did have somebody ask me if I would be interested in teaching calligraphy but I don’t think I will have enough people yet. We’ll see. Thank you for reading my very long post and thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
