Fourth

Anybody feel like doing something for me? Go donate blood. It's not just for car accident victims or red cross relief efforts anymore.

I get to have a blood infusion tomorrow. My crit is 23-24, which means I'm down about 3 and a half pints of blood (red cells). Most of you know I've gotten infusions during past chemos as well.

I was suprised to learn all the other uses for donated blood - I'd really only thought it was used for emergencies or surgery. I've met a lot of people who are there getting blood for a lot of different reasons.

In cancer's case, chemo kills blood cells because it targets fast-growing cells. The doctors won't give chemo to patients with low blood levels, so blood is infused to bump the numbers up. Chemo can then be given on it's regular schedule, which is very important as it increases the chemo's effectiveness in the patient. It's also such a boost to my energy level for about 5 days after I get the blood - try to imagine how tired you'd be if someone siphoned off about half of your blood.

So I'd appreciate it if you'd participate in your local office, church, etc. blood drives when you can. Or here's a link to the Utah donor registry which lists places you can go to donate: http://www.yesutah.org/donations/blood.php

Thanks much.

Cheers

Third

I'm bald again. I'd bleached and dyed my hair blue over the weekend hoping it would last a couple of weeks. But the hair was thinning more today, and the itch that goes along with the hair falling out was really bugging me so I shaved off what was left.

My head is really white. Somebody fly me to the Caribbean so I can get it tan again!

Cheers

Second

Had my third chemo treatment yesterday so now I get next week off. Woohoo! I still have to go in to get blood drawn tho, that bunch of vampires. I think they've got enough of me now to start another person. Maybe she could go out in the world and make me some money lol.

It's been okay so far. Almost no nausea, but some lack of appetite, and my legs have been all twitchy and spasms. My hair might be thinning out so I may be bald in the coming cycle. And my immune system has taken a real hit this last time so I might have to break out the masks if I'm around you sickos =) The fatigue comes and goes, but it isn't too bad, and that will just continue through the treatment.

My immune system should rally - it's a common thing with this drug to drop you really low the first cycle but then build back up. They said the leg thing is uncommon but will go away soon too - I'm lucky, I guess at higher doses some people react badly enough they can't walk for a day or two. I'm always curious and interested in just what these drugs do and how they do it, but I'm glad they don't list the really uncommon reactions, or they'd never get me back in that chair.

I heard an extremely good joke at the doc's office yesterday. I wish I could remember it. Just imagine I told it to you, I guess. You'll really laugh.

Cheers

P.S. Happy Valentine's Day