Today Emily had her weekly labs. Her ANC was 4400, which means she can move back up to %75 dosage for this week. She was on %50 dosage the past two weeks, so I am not too surprised her ANC is 4400. She does have a virus but apparently not a very strong one.
We basically have 1 month and 1 week until Emily can stop taking her Chemo drugs. She is going to remain on Bactrim/Septra every weekend for another 6 months, but that's "just" an antibiotic. Even though her immune system will come back fairly quick, there are sub components of it that aren't going to, so they keep her on antibiotics to help out. She has been taking that every weekend the past two years. I can see us forgetting it here and there because we won't have as tight of a drug regime at home anymore.
Immediately after Chemo ends, maybe 2 weeks after she will have to get a CT Scan, and a PET Scan. When we get back from our Cruise in April she's going to have a spinal tap and bone marrow aspirate. They need to do all those tests and she needs to pass all of those tests before Dr. Link can really sign off that she is cancer free. I am going to be extremely stressed until at least the CT and PET have been completed.
Have you ever had something totally unplanned come up, that you had to devote almost %100 of your focus and energy on, for a short period of time? Image two years of feeling like your life is on hold? That's the best way I can sum up some of my feelings lately. I remember March 8th 2008 like it was just yesterday, seriously, I can tell you the weather, what clothes I was wearing, where my mom was, my call to Tracy telling her that Emily was being rushed to the ER without me and that she needed to meet her there. I remember the projects I was working on at work. It's like my life went on hold and I dealt with what I had to deal with. I also have this false sense that once her treatment is over I am going to transport back to that moment and life will go on. Of course that's never going to happen. But feeling like those feelings and thoughts tell me just how traumatic this experience has been to me, and I'm sure I can say the same for Tracy, and Haley too. The saying "if one person in the family has cancer, the whole family has cancer" really hits home.
Above I mentioned our cruise. Even though I am feeling stressed about the end, I am also glad we have a very exciting and relaxing trip coming up. I have never spent so much on a vacation, and I can say I have been on some pretty nice trips. We are really going to enjoy ourselves, and no matter what the future decides to send our way we are going to celebrate our accomplishments as a family.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
This has been an incredible journey for Emily and for the Pepper Family as a whole. I too remember exactly where I was (in Trader Joe's) when we first heard Emily had gone to the ER that day. We just stopped going up and down the aisles, drove home and waited for the call at home. As soon as we heard anything, we got in the car and drove to Packard. It has been a long 2 years, but everything we hoped for has happened. We have our little girl. Have fun on your cruise. You all deserve it.
Love, Grannie
Congratulations! I am so excited for Emily. I wish for nothing but the best for you and your family.
You are light years ahead of me because you realize now that life is never going to be what it was. So kudos to your wisdom!
I can't believe it's been two years. I remember when Elaine contacted me to tell me the news and how we got connected back then. We still haven't met but it doesn't really matter. You are part of my lymphoma family and that's a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Well, I for one have my party dress ready... Just tell us where! Hugs to you Peppers!!!
Post a Comment