Sure is quiet on the leaky boat.

I made it thru a week's cruise & two airline trips without catching anything, only to get it in spades one afternoon about 10 days ago. Bad case of bronchitis, but started meds yesterday & feel better already.

Panama Canal cruise is coming up all too soon, & I need to be as well as possible. Went to Dr yesterday & started antibiotic etc. Wish me luck!

birdmom good to see you! I have that crud too! yuck! glad you got some antibiotics though! have a great cruise!

Hi, I agree, it is too quiet. Birdmom, sorry to hear you were sick, after all that travel, its no wonder. Hey, its worth it tho to see all those places! :)

Mike, Becky Jean, where are you? Hope all is well. We're down again Mom was in the hospital for a week, IV antibiotics, blood and stupid Neupogen shot that almost killed her. They gave her the shot at 9pm when none of us were there. She awoke about 4am and couldn't breath, heart attack symptoms. They finally released her -- never found what was wrong. Chalk it up to another reaction to a bad drug.

Mom's baby sister is in grave condition in hospital. It was a sudden thing, went from pneumonia to hematoma, basically she's bleeding to death. I think Mom is taking it pretty hard. She says she had a premonition that she and her 2 sisters will go together. They'll be dancing in heaven together. Of course, I'm crushed, my Aunty was like a mother to us, so losing her will be very hard on top of my grief already for Mom.

Mom's hanging in there barely, .7 wbc today, 6 rbc, and 1 platelets. Geez, can they get any lower! She's getting 3 bags of blood and 2 OJ to tank her up for Thanksgiving. We're planning a surprise for Thanksgiving (a family mbr coming to visit). Hopefully, that will cheer her.

Hope to hear from more of you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

motorcycle I am really sorry to hear about your aunt. is there nothing they can do for her? I hope your mom improves really quick for the holidays! praying for you hon.

Dear Friends, I was in the hospital all last week, went in early Monday morning and came home on Sunday afternoon. Boy, was I glad to get out of there. Went in for fever! Got IV antibiotics, blood and platelets. When I went in my platelets were 0.9
I have felt better since I have been home. Will go for a cbc today.
Birdmom: Sorry you got sick, but glad that u are reacting to antibiotics. My husband was in the Army in Panama and I jointed him and lived in the city. He was only a PFC when I went down. Our son was born in the canal zone 42 yrs again 12/31 memories.
Elaine: Hang in there with your depression...try to get in the sun for 10 mins. when you see it.
Motorcyle: I am so sorry about your Aunt and your mom...both have gone through a lot. They say if it not one thing it is 75 others. Please enjoy your Thanksgiving.
Oh! My great news: MY BROTHER IS A MATCH AND WILL BE MY DONOR FOR THE BMT. I hope to see Mike here soon. I missed my computer when I was in the hospital. Love and Peace to all...Sandra

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I have not checked in for awhile. I am doing ok. Welcome to the newest members and glad to read everyone's post. I am thankful for every day and am enjoying spending this time with family and friends. Be blessed.

LaDawn

Happy Black Friday, everyone. I rather doubt that any of us braved the sales today. I never, ever do because I hate crowds, especially frenzied shoppers.

I'm progressing slowly but surely, & hope it continues. I leave Sunday, & I will have just finished my 10-day course of antibiotics.

Even better, after a couple months of low 9s, down to 9.1, I rose to 9.7 this last time. What a relief! I dread getting into the 8s.

Not all of us are doing well, sad to say. Our hearts are with those of you who are grieving and/or in trouble. But Sandra! What great news that your brother is a match.

I admit to worrying about Mike. It's been a while since he's posted. I hope everything is okay.

Good to hear from you, LaDawn. We have several crew members who don't post very often, so we love to hear from you & know if all is well...or not.

I'll be thinking of you all when I take off on my leaky boat, er, cruise ship. I'll be away till Dec. 13. Sharon

Hello! Just checking in and worried and praying for Mike...miss him. He has been a lot of support for me. Maybe he is gone for Thanksgiving visiting family. I had more platelets on Wed. and start Chemo again on Monday. Go to U of M in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, November 30th just to find out about the BMT. Love and prayers to you all. Sandra

glad everyone had a good thanksgiving! Sharon have fun on your cruise! it was pretty rough without Dad with me but I made it. He and my brother would have loved our gathering. our first without them.

Sandra, so happy to hear your brother is a match. Sorry to hear about your recent week in the hospital, but it sounds like things are on the up for you! Good luck today at U of M, can't wait to hear about your BMT. How exciting someone can actually get some help for this disease. It was nice hearing you talk about your son being born in Panama.

I'll be thinking of Sharon cruising -- my favorite thing to do! Positive thoughts that she'll stay well and enjoy an amazing adventure.

We've had more ups and downs. Aunty made it thru and is in an extended care facility. I think it was a miracle; her spirits are good. Mom's spirits are up and down. Some days, she just wants to give up and then the next day, she's determined to de-frost the freezer! She had 3 bags of blood & 2 bags of platelets last week and her numbers didn't budge, still way low. She got another transfusion on Monday and she's feeling a bit better. My nephew arrived for his surprise visit to Grandma so we had a nice Thanksgiving. Elaine, how tough it must be to go through the holidays this year with your losses. I hope your fond memories will sustain you during the season. Take care all. Cindi

Hello to all, sorry I've been out of the loop with computer issues.
It sadden me to read all the postings to catch up with what was happening.I've missed everyone.

I'm hanging in there. My blood levels continue to drop. My first blood transfusion was Sept 9 and received 2 units. raised the HGB to 11.3,
levels haven't been that high for 2-3 years. I felt good for several weeks, so had a reprieve regarding the Vidaza treatment. It didn't take long for the levels to start dropping and I asked to received another transfusion and received it Nov 18th just before our trip to Alabama to spend Thanksgiving with grandson and family. I only received one unit this time so don't know if I'll be able to make it to Alabama for Christmas without another transfusion. I'm going to ask to put off starting the Vidaza until January. I've gone this long, another 4 weeks can't make that much of a difference.

We go on Tuesday for labs and doctor visit and hope for the best.

Sandra, anxious to hear about your BMT, so happy for you that your son is a match.

So glad Sharon is able to cruise. Stay well everyone. Hugs!

Hello Friends: I use to get a e mail every time someone wrote a reply and I don't get that any more. I am still missing Mike and pray that he is okay.
My trip to U of M went good even tho I wasn't feeling good that day. My daughter drove and one of my friends went. Gave my husband a day off. I took a pillow and blanket and slept in the back seat. The doctor we talked to went through all the side effects and what could go wrong and then asked if I still wanted to have the BMT...of course...the allterative isn't that good so why not take the 30-40 percent chance. The doctors at U of M call MDS cancer. I do have cancer cells, but it has not gone into luekemia, yet which is good. I am so positive that I had to wake up to the fact how sick I really am. It isn't going to be an easy road, but I am ready for it.
We are about 3 hrs away from the university. I will have to be in the hospital for a month...1-2 wks getting strong chemo and will loose my hair...that is a minor thing. I wear it short and it grows fast. I have to be within 90 miles from the hospital and hang around for 100 days. I do have some cancer insurance and hope that will cover the housing. My brother the donor and I have to go there for a complete physical. Then he will have to get the shots...then they have an I.V. in both arms and take out the stem cells and put the blood back into his other arm. It is an easier task for him which I am so glad. He has a family and is so willing to do this for me. I have 3 things going for me. 1.) My brother is a donor 2.) I have been in good health and 3.) I have a positive attitude and I am very persistent person.
Elaine: I know that it was hard for you during Thanksgiving, time does heal, but the memories stays.
Cindi: Glad that your Aunty is doing better and that you had a nice Thanksgiving with your mother.
BeckyJean: It is my brother Richard who is a match...they don't even test children. Pray that your tip to Alabama goes well.
LaDawn...nice to meet you. The doctor told me that they never use to give a 67 y/o a BMT. I am so blessed...thanks for all your prayers and concerns. I start Chemo again Monday and hope that my counts let me. Couldn't get them this week.
Well, hope u all didn't fall asleep reading all this. You may ask me any questions and I will try and answerer it. Love you all. Sandra

Sandra, so sorry about the mixup...that's what happens when you read all the posts at one time, reading about your son's birth in Panama.
I admire you for your courage and determination regarding the BMT.
Thanks for sharing the info. Not sure if I'm up to that and I know my fella would be a basket case before I finished. My doc won't discuss it until I go through 4 months of Vidaza, but then I'll be 76 in January so maybe that's not an option.

This disease has many challenges for both the patient and caregivers. The best we can do is take one day at a time and make the most of it, enjoying the time we have with family and friends. Hugs!

Beck Jean, I am very blessed. I did get this at a younger age. I am going to put my e-mail address down, so you all can keep in touch when I am at U of M
sgroes1308@comcast.net (Sandra)
wgroes1308@comcast.net (husband Wayne)
My husband will be going back and forth, I am sure. Maybe we can find a computer to use.

hugs to all...Sandra

Sandra I will be praying for you!


Cindi thank you hon.