Day 175..2/21/08 Clinic Appointment February 23, 2008
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Hi,
I had another good checkup. Blood work is good. They are very busy at the clinic and many of the staff have the flu.
My doctor had discussed my vein issue (veins re-routing on the surface of my abdomen upper back and hands to compensate for the narrowing of the major chest vessels from radiation and chemotherapy), with a specialist in radiology. He said the specialist has a case similiar to mine and he is working that up to see if anything can be done. Once he finds out, he will discuss it with me. I have had more surface veins appear since my last appointment on my upper back and forearms and hands.
I’m still taking the same meds, except he changed how I take the prednisone. He said hopefully this will help with my insomnia.
Basically, I am feeling better and can see improvement. My appetite seems to have returned (Igained 2 lbs) and my eyesight is better.
My obstacles now are the continued dry mouth, pain from the large surface veins on the sides of my abdomen and the dry cracked fingers, no matter how much lotion I keep on them.
So, things are good. Work is going well and I stay busy. I am so blessed that I have come this far. My 6 month post-transplant anniversary will be on March 1st.
Take care and have a wonderful day!
Day 172 2/18/08 Happy President’s Day February 18, 2008
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Hi,
I go to the clinic this Thursday. Looks like I have put on 2 lbs. The weekend I did nothing but eat. I’m going to have to watch that. I don’t want to put all that weight back on. Hopefully they will wean me off more of the prednisone. I have a couple nights of good sleep, and then several of no sleep. I finally was able to get some sleep Saturday night.
I have started back on my Paralegal studies. I seem to be able to retain the material now and my eyesight is not so blurry after reading. I am also reading a biography on Abraham Lincoln. Very interesting. My eyesight has improved but still need an eye checkup this spring.
Abby (my corgi mix dog) is still at Debra’s friend’s house. I still can’t decide if I should take her back. Brandy is getting older now, and if something happened to her, I would be lost. The cat is good company, but I’ve always had a dog. The guy next door has a nice little boxer. I’ll have to research that breed. She appears to be very intelligent and has nice short hair.
We have been so blessed here where I live that the last 2 tornadoes have not come this way. I am so sorry that anyone had to deal with the death and destruction of the tornadoes and pray for the victims and their families that have lost everything.
I will update this blog again after my appointment on Thursday. Everyone have a great week!!
Day 165 Post Transplant 2/11/08 February 11, 2008
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Hey,
I have had 4 good days in a row!! Started Friday. I have been hungry and have been able to sleep!! I have actually yawned the past 2 days, something I have not done since before the transplant. I know it probably seems stupid, but it works for me!
I talked to the PA today and she said that in March of last year they had done a veinogram on me when they could not access a vein to place the catheter. The study showed narrowing of the major vessels in the chest. The large veins that have appeared on my abdomen and rib area are extra veins to compensate for more blood flow because of the narrowing. I also have many blue surface veins on the upper torso. There is no need for any further studies at this time. When they fill up like varicose veins, that is what causes the pain. Even that has been better the past 4 days. So maybe I have reached a turning point in my recovery. It seems like I have been stuck on this same level without much physical progress. But, I know I am very lucky to be doing so well and before the doctors anticipated schedule. I will be out on my lawn mower this year!!
I have tomorrow off. I am going to get all my income tax stuff together so I can make an appointment for next week at HR Block. It is too complicated for me to do with the medical exemptions.
Had strong winds yesterday. Lost power from downed wires that started grass fires. Electricity was only out for 2 1/2hrs. Today, still windy but got up to 45 degrees.
Have a Happy Valentines Day if I don’t post again before then.
Day 162 Post Transplant…. 2/8/08 February 8, 2008
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Hi all. Had my 2 week checkup at the ABMTC yesterday. Things are looking good. Blood work was good and liver enzymes are almost normal now. Blood pressure good. The dry mouth problem has improved so they are starting to lower the prednisone dose that I take. Yahoo!!! This will hopefully let me get back into a better sleep pattern.
My fingers are sore and tips cracked on some. The fingernails do not seem to be growing out. The doctor told me to get liquid bandage and keep the cracks covered with a bandaid. He doesn’t think this is a GVHD symptom. Toenails seem to be doing ok and the 2 big toes are healed.
I have been having alot of pain in my left side, rib area underneath the breast and around to the scapula. Large veins have popped out in this area. The doctor wants me to have an ultrasound or some sort of test in xray to check these veins out. He thinks I have either an IVC or SVC ….inferior or superior venus clot around the heart. There really isn’t anything they can do about it. He just wants to know if this is what is causing the large veins to appear on the abdomen. There are none on the legs.
Have a good weekend and I’ll keep you updated.
Day 158 Sunny Day 2/4/08 February 4, 2008
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Just a quick update. Feeling a bit better. I was able to get some quality sleep in my recliner the weekend. I worked today 5 hours and then did grocery shopping and poked in a couple dollar stores.
It was a nice sunny day and got up to 70. Mid-afternoon it clouded up and then we had a nice gentle rain.
I have been working on my coin collection the past couple weeks. It really gives me great enjoyment and pleasure looking at the coins and wondering where they have been. If only they could talk!
Big toes are feeling better. Pain in the left side is also better today. The right and left 3rd fingers are still cracked up by the nailbeds.
I weighed 130lbs this morning, fully dressed on my scale at home and at work. I am anxious to see what the clinic scale says on Thursday.
I’ll leave work early on Thursday. I want to get my chest xray and blood work done before my doctors appointment. I also have to talk to the billing/insurance department. Since my insurance got canceled 12/31/07, I now have a bunch of rejected claims for January from the ABMTC and doctors. Hopefully, all it will involve is them just re-submitting the claims again.
I’ll write at the end of the week after my clinic appointment.
Day 155 2/1/08 February 1, 2008
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Today is I feel sorry for myself. Had a rotten night. Maybe I got about an hour and a half of rest. I am so tired of not being able to sleep. Maybe next week they will take me off the prednisone. I haven’t had any weight gain or bloating from the med, so I guess I shouldn’t complain.
Left side rib area pain seems to be more painful than usual. Maybe it has something to do with the rain we are getting. There is no brusing in the area, just enlarged surface veins. The doctor said he thinks it is like having varicrose veins.
Got stopped in a random police check on the way home last night. It looked like the officer was looking for expired inspection stickers as I didn’t see anyone in front of me handing over their license. When I got up to the officer, he looks at me and says; “Oh, you can’t be normal, can you?” I said; “Excuse me?” He repeated the previous statement and then said “Do you have a license?” I said,”Yes, I do it is in my bag.” He said, “Never mind, you just can’t be normal.” and flagged me to go ahead. Now, whether he was referring to my very short haircut and I was some kind of freak or dope addict; I don’t know. All I know is that I didn’t like his attitude. Should I have had my license out? I find people are so quick to judge your appearance. I can’t tell you how many people have called me sir. I guess they just don’t take the time to look or care. I guess I mention this because it hurt my feelings. I should realize that some people just don’t know any better. Maybe I am just overly sensitive from all the medication I’m on.
Guess I’ll stop the complaining. Maybe tomorrow I’ll feel better.