Hi everybody! LONG POST

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  • RFREE
    Senior Member
    Missouri Star
    • Dec 2010
    • 1961

    Hi everybody! LONG POST

    Hi everybody,
    Its been along time since I have posted here. I hope you all are well and are sewing up a storm. I check in every now and then but alot has gone on since I last posted.
    I haven't been in my sewing room since December . I started getting sick about every 10-13 days . Same time,same symptoms over and over. Always at night, hard chills,spiked temp, dry heaves this went on all night then in the morning temp would be gone and I would have a major sinus headache. Me being me would carry on as normal but it kept happening over and over ( I started tracking it on my phone)13 times between Dec. and Feb. Well after a "spell" one night I got up to go to work and when I got up to leave that afternoon my hips felt like hot pokers sticking in them to the point I didn't think I would make it to my car. I went and had labs drawn and told them to draw anything and everything they could think of because something wasn't right. Came back WBC LOW and my inflammation levels were 10 times what they should be. They referred me to an oncologist He first told me I had a viral syndrome??? (Because I didn't look sick). But wanted to draw labs "one more time" "Just because" . He called me and told me he wanted me to have a bone marrow biopsy ......... So I didresults 70%of my marrow is hairy cell).......Cancer... Rare form called Hairy cell Leukemia. (1 in 5 million ppl get this) This oncologist knows nothing about it and referred me to a specialist in Nashville. We decided when I got out of school I would do a 5 day M-F chemo with an 80% chance it can put me in remission. 2 days before I got out of school my local oncologist put me on Allopurinol 300mg QD to try to keep me from getting gout after the chemo starts. Well it literally about killed me after I took it for 8 days. I was home alone. early morning and I had noticed a rash on my upper chest the night before. googled it. STOP TAKING MED IT CAN BE FATAL!! I had made my mind up to go to Dr. this morning. I got up looking like I had been scalded. My entire body was bright red. I started dry heaving. I got in the shower 7:15 and almost immediately I knew I was in trouble. It was like my heart stopped. I went down in the shower.I couldn't feel anything or hear anything. My first thought was "OMG James is going to find me dead in the tub at 30 this afternoon". I told myself don't close your eyes. I don't know how long I laid there but I was able to pull my self up and get out of the shower. This landed me in the hospital for 2 days,postponed my chemo for a week. I had my chemo June 10-14th Done great . Never once got sick. But 3 days after finishing I spent 9 days in hospital with bacterial infection. They sent me home and 2 days later I was back in hospital with sepsis. spent 2 days in CCU because my B/P got 50/30 and my heart rate was to high. Anyway I came home on July 5th and haven't been back since. I have had such a hard time because with this type cancer I was not allowed to have the neupogen (helps you build WBC) if I got it it would cause my body to make Hairy cells. 2 weeks after getting home I was stricken with severe joint pain over my entire body. I cant take anything for it because the chemo messed up my kidneys. So here I sit. I do think the pain is getting better. I still have days I can't get up from a sitting position but I will wear it out. lol. I'm not able to go back to work just yet. But I will get there eventually. I did not lose any of my hair I did not lose any weight(darn it) and I have the prettiest fingernails ever.( I was a nail biter but my nails are hard as a rock) I just do the total opposite apparently to what a normal person does after getting chemo.
    It is a chronic cancer and I will always have it. If I can go into remission I have to have my blood checked regularly to make sure it isn't coming back.
    Please pray for me that I am in remission. I go in October 8th for repeat biopsy. It takes a week and a half to get results. Other than Joint pain I feel good. I hope this chemo works for me.
    Thank you for reading.
    Rhonda
  • Carlie Wolf
    Senior Member
    Missouri Star
    • Oct 2013
    • 4492

    #2
    Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

    Rhonda, I'm so so sorry to hear this :-( You are definitely in my prayers and will continue to be.
    https://forum.missouriquiltco.com/co.../icon_wave.gif
    Women are Angels. When someone break's our wings we will continue to fly-usually on a broomstick.We're flexible like that.

    Comment

    • SuzanneOrleansOntario
      Senior Member
      Missouri Star
      • Aug 2015
      • 9014

      #3
      Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

      Whoa, that is quite an experience. You are certainly lucky to be alive. I will pray for you. Cancer is such a nasty visitor to the body.
      Enjoy life and do what makes you happy. Everything else will follow.

      Comment

      • KarenC
        Senior Member
        Missouri Star
        • Apr 2015
        • 6480

        #4
        Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

        Rhonda, so sorry you are having to go through this. Praying for good treatment plan going forward and remission. Will definitely keep you in my prayers.
        Karen
        Spring, TX

        Comment

        • jjkaiser
          Senior Member
          Missouri Star
          • Oct 2013
          • 9619

          #5
          Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

          OMG I am not a doctor or a nurse but how frightening! Those symptoms sound so extreme and so dangerous. I am so glad you are feeling okay (under the circumstances), and I hope your joint pain subsides soon. You have been through so much. Thanks for letting us know. Take care of yourself.
          Jocelyn
          South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

          Comment

          • MSN
            Senior Member
            Missouri Star
            • Jan 2017
            • 1837

            #6
            Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

            Oh, wow, Rhonda, you have been through a lot! As a chemotherapy nurse, I have taken care of several patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). It can definitely be managed, if you can tolerate the side effects of the medication. You have a tremendous advantage in your positive attitude. Your outlook is critical to getting through this.

            It sounds as though your specialist is on top of things. Please feel free to PM me if I can help in any way.

            Comment

            • laura44
              Senior Member
              Missouri Star
              • Mar 2014
              • 4159

              #7
              Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

              So sorry you have to go thru this trying time. Praying
              for a speedy and complete healing. Know you can
              come to the Forum anytime for support.

              Comment

              • sewbizzy
                Senior Member
                Missouri Star
                • Feb 2012
                • 4199

                #8
                Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                Rhonda, I am sending prayers for you...you have been through a lot...hang in there...
                Carol

                Sewing Mends The Soul ~ Author Unknown

                Comment

                • pcbatiks
                  Senior Member
                  Missouri Star
                  • Mar 2012
                  • 10687

                  #9
                  Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                  Hey Rhonda, it’s good to hear from you. So sorry to hear about all that you have been through. You will definitely be in my prayers too. My heart goes out to you, this has been a frightening ordeal. But I agree with MSN, your positive attitude will help you through.

                  Sending a gentle hug of comfort and friendship to you.
                  "I'm putting together a list of 100 reasons why I am NOT relentless!" - Sue Heck, The Middle

                  Leonard: For God's sake, Sheldon, do I have to hold up a sarcasm sign every time I open my mouth?
                  Sheldon (intrigued): You have a sarcasm sign?

                  Comment

                  • nativetexan
                    Banned
                    Missouri Star
                    • Feb 2018
                    • 2637

                    #10
                    Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                    Oh Rhonda, i am so sorry to hear all this happened to you. You caught it though and are very strong in thought and deed. You can make it and of course you have my prayers too. Every day. Remission, remission, come on remission.
                    If you get to where you feel like watching anything funny, find comedian Jeanne Robertson on Amazon utube or netflix. she is a tall older Southern woman who will make you laugh and laugh. Going to bed after a good laugh will give you a good sleep or rest. hugs to you and yours (((())))

                    Comment

                    • Jean Sewing Machine
                      Senior Member
                      Missouri Star
                      • Jan 2012
                      • 24853

                      #11
                      Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                      What a terrible ride you've been on! I say prayers for you daily that you get through this and the medicines are successful in putting you in remission! Thanks for sharing the whole story with us! Love you!

                      Comment

                      • Carol336
                        Senior Member
                        Missouri Star
                        • May 2013
                        • 2713

                        #12
                        Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                        Oh my goodness Rhonda, you have really been through the mill. I so admire your awesome attitude in light the pain and suffering you have had. I will certainly be praying for your comfort and recovery.

                        Comment

                        • Star lover
                          Senior Member
                          Missouri Star
                          • Apr 2016
                          • 7551

                          #13
                          Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                          Oh Rhonda.....how scary! I’ll keep you in my prayers. Loys of love and hugs!

                          Comment

                          • Monique
                            Senior Member
                            Missouri Star
                            • Jan 2011
                            • 19412

                            #14
                            Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                            WOW you have been through a lot haven't you. Sending prayers your way.
                            Blessed are the children of the piecemakers for they shall inherit the quilts!

                            Comment

                            • JCY
                              Senior Member
                              Missouri Star
                              • Jul 2013
                              • 13962

                              #15
                              Re: Hi everybody! LONG POST

                              Rhonda ~ Oh my goodness! What an ordeal you've been through. Thanks for sharing with us. I'm glad you got to the dr. when you did & demanded the lab work. I certainly will be praying for you. Hang in there. One day at a time. God bless.

                              Comment

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