Well I hope that all of you had a magical Christmas filled with friends, family, food, fun and festivities. Ours was perfect on the holiday end, but my health concerns have not been as smooth.
I started catching a cold around December 20th and woke up Monday the 21st with a wretched sore throat. I was set to have chemo that day, so I ventured to Fargo. After reviewing my blood work, Dr. Gitau told me that my white count was reduced to 1200. The low threshold for treatment is 1500. I couldn't proceed with treatment, but he was hopeful that my counts would go back up, and we'd have treatment on the 28th. I was only mildly concerned at the time because I would still get 2 more treatments in by the time we went to Mayo. I was also happy I wouldn't be dealing with chemo side effects over Christmas.
After my canceled treatment session on the 21st, I spent the day with one of my besties Leah. We went to lunch, a movie, shopping, her son's basketball game, and dinner with her son Brendon. It was awesome spending the day with them. My cold was getting worse, so I had to cancel my "girlfriend Christmas" on the 23rd. I wanted to get some rest before the big festivities.
The night of Christmas eve, my parents hosted our annual Olson Family Christmas party, where my dad's whole side of the family is there. We eat appetizers, open gifts and play an exchange game. This year I added a photo booth that turned out to be a great success. I have hundreds of silly pics of everyone. The kiddos thought it was exceptionally fun.
Santa arrived Christmas morning and brought Arya a beautiful barn and farm set, complete with gates, fences, feeders and animals. This Mommy loved her morning with just baby and my husband opening gifts. Later in the morning, Grandma Deb and Grandpa Tom stopped by to see Arya's presents.
For lunch or what North Dakotans would refer to as dinner, we went back to my parents' house for a Christmas with just our immediate family. We stuffed ourselves full of Mom's waikiki meatballs then opened our gifts. The kids were having a ball, and us adults did as well, especially seeing the kiddos' faces. Also, if you run into my Dad Ron Olson, give him a high five for the amazing ring he gave to my Mom. If you see my Mom Lelony, ask to see it.
After a quick afternoon nap, we went over to my in-laws Tom and Deb's house here in Fort Ransom. We again ate ourselves full of ham and all the fixings. After our nice meal, we opened gifts and stockings. Again, seeing Arya's face was the best part of the day.
My mom, sisters and I headed to Fargo early for some after Christmas deals. I have an obsession with Christmas decor, so this day is like my Black Friday. I didn't go TOO overboard, but I did buy all the trimmings for the tree decor Mom, Alayna and I will be donating for next year's SVACA/Community Club Christmas event.
Then Monday the 28th came, and Tim and I were back in Fargo for my rescheduled treatment. He left to run errands and I proceeded to get my blood work and wait for treatment. I was shocked when I found out that my white count had not only dropped, but it had dropped down to only 200. I turned into a wreck, and Tim quickly came back to the hospital for my doctor's input. I didn't meet with Dr. Gitau directly as he was with patients, but the nurse practitioner was in contact with him. They kept telling me that this is a common yet serious side effect of the chemo. They said there isn't a whole lot I can do but give myself time to allow my bone marrow to produce more white cells. I also have to be EXTREMELY cautious now for infection. I'm sure all the activity over the Christmas week didn't help my counts, but I also have to live my life. My cold is still present, but it is mostly just a runny nose at this point. For the next week, they want me to stay put in my home, get rest and eat healthy, and most of all avoid anyone who may be sick. I, of course, stated my worries that holding the chemo would let the cancer potentially advance, but they said that I already have a build-up of chemo in my system. This is where we weigh chemo good vs bad effects. With any luck, my numbers will be up again next week, and I can proceed with treatment. We've had to cancel any New Year's Eve plans we had, as well as plans for my 33rd birthday, but bringing up my counts is of the utmost importance right now.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying hard that my cold will go away, and my white count will go up so that I can get treatment on the 4th. That will mean that I only have 1 more treatment before Mayo, but hopefully it's enough to show some improvement on my January 18th scans.
Overall, we had our perfect Christmas, but the struggles of my disease were always on our minds. Myself and my family have all been in good spirits, and we made sure that we just appreciated eachothers' company over the holidays. After all, family, friends, faith and love are what is important at this time of year.
With love, faith, humility and gratitude for all your support-Jenny
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukah, Blessed Kwanza, Happy New Year
As most people know, this is my favorite time of year. I do believe in miracles, hope for the future, love of family and friends, gathering and giving, and being thankful for all the blessings we have. It's a very warm time of year. And despite our many trials and as many times as we have been kicked down, I can still feel that warmth. What most may NOT know, is that today, December 15th is the 8 year anniversary of my first (blind) date with Tim. I've spent the last 8 years with the love of my life and for that I am forever grateful.
The last time that I wrote, I had just completed my third round of chemo. I followed that one up with a fourth and final round of that regimen just prior to Halloween. With the help of a blood transfusion sometime in there, I bounced back pretty well from that last round.
We had our much anticipated Mayo appointment November 18th, and I admit that I was terrified. At this appointment they completed repeat bloodwork and CT scans of my neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. We met with Dr. Banck, and the results were mixed. The chemo regimen that I had been on worked pretty well on the liver and lymph node lesions. The liver lesions have shrunk down and some of the lymph node lesions were gone. However, the chemo had no effect on the bone lesions, which have advanced down the entirety of my spine, a few on my pelvis, and she states that there are some on the ribs (although those were not outlined in radiology reports). We were pleased to hear about the soft tissue lesions, but the bone advancement was difficult to hear. Dr. Banck ordered another regimen with an added medication that research has shown to stop bone lesion growth. We left Rochester with very mixed feelings, but knowing another plan was in place. I will return there January 18th for follow-up testing, and I will also be meeting with my radiation oncologist to determine his perspective on treatment.
I have since then started on my new regimen that I am tolerating very well. I now only have to be in Fargo 4-5 hours one day for IV infusions. At the end of infusions, I am fitted with a pump attached to my port that delivers another type of chemo over the course of 46 hours. I am able to have this removed at the hospital in Lisbon. This regimen hasn't made me very sick, but it does have a strange side effect that makes me have to avoid anything cold. Contact with something cold shoots a strange pain to that area that feels a lot like extreme frost bite. It's very strange. I have also had to have a second blood transfusion as my hemoglobin keeps going down. The explanation is that the chemo kills cells, but it cannot differentiate between new good cells and new cancer cells. During times my hemoglobin is low, I am very lethargic and have no energy at all. After a transfusion, I feel amazing, almost like myself again. I will go again for my next regimen Monday the 21st. Luckily the pump will be removed before all the festivities!
My family and I have been processing this information for a long time. I have been dealing with cancer on and off now for the past four years, and I have no intentions of giving up anytime soon. I have made in abundantly clear to my physicians that they WILL try anything and everything if needed until this wretched disease is gone.
I know at times I often feel that people handle me with kids' gloves. I was offering assurance to a friend the other day regarding a problem, and she told me that she doesn't want to bother me with her problems because I have enough and hers pale in comparison. I told her I didn't want to hear that. Everyone has their own struggles that they deal with everyday, and I don't want others to feel like their problems aren't valid. I'm still me, and I love being there for my friends and family whenever they need me. Also, you don't need to be delicate around me. I still have fun and try make the best out of everything. I'm not sitting home feeling sorry for myself. It's ok to give me grief about my bald head. It doesn't bother me, and I actually find it funny. Arya says I have Barbie hair (because of the Cancer Asso. Barbie she was given). Leighton just mimics everyone saying "bald head, bald head" repeatedly. Corbin's is the best. He told me I looked like a light bulb. Touche, buddy.
As I said earlier, the holidays are my favorite time of year, and I haven't slowed down due to this distraction. I felt alright despite chemo on Halloween, so I threw a quick costume together and joined my family at Fort Ransom's Trunk or Treat. Arya was an adorable little Minnie Mouse with Leighton and Corbin played the role of Mickey. Nearly the whole month of November, Deb and I worked on decorating my house. I typically go all out, but this year our house was on the annual tour of homes, so we went over the top. I loved it. We had a lot of fun doing it, as usual. Tom and Deb left prior to Thanksgiving. We celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving at Barry and Linda Kylstad's with half their family and all the Isleys. The Saturday after Thanksgiving was the tour. With a lot of help from Mom, Teresa, Alayna and Leah, my house was emaculate and well staged. Toot Toot. Two more of my college girlfriends joined us for the event, so I was able to have a great girls night with some of my besties. I had 119 people sign my guest book that night. It was a great fundraiser.
We also had Santa here in Fort. Arya was prepared to tell Santa what she wanted, but she froze up a little when meeting him. We got a great picture, but she had to sit with Momma. She was going to tell him she wanted a horse. Maybe one day that'll happen. I've finished shopping and all my wrapping and cards were sent. Cards are one of my favorite traditions. We had friends over this past weekend for an adult get together, and we had a great time. I hadn't gotten out much in recent weeks, so it was pretty fun.
All in all, we are making the most of the holidays, and not taking any of our time together forgranted. We still have a lot on our schedule coming up including visits from friends, Tom and Deb's return, school and church programs, etc. I want to send a big thank you to all of you who have sent gifts, cards, food and delicious Christmas treats. We have such great friends, neighbors and family. Your generosity is so appreciated. To anyone who has wanted to stop by but feels that they are intruding, you're not. We like the company, and I do still like to talk just as much as I ever did. Tim, Arya and I would like to wish everyone a Blessed Holiday Season and a very Merry Christmas filled with Faith, Hope, Joy and Love.
The last time that I wrote, I had just completed my third round of chemo. I followed that one up with a fourth and final round of that regimen just prior to Halloween. With the help of a blood transfusion sometime in there, I bounced back pretty well from that last round.
We had our much anticipated Mayo appointment November 18th, and I admit that I was terrified. At this appointment they completed repeat bloodwork and CT scans of my neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. We met with Dr. Banck, and the results were mixed. The chemo regimen that I had been on worked pretty well on the liver and lymph node lesions. The liver lesions have shrunk down and some of the lymph node lesions were gone. However, the chemo had no effect on the bone lesions, which have advanced down the entirety of my spine, a few on my pelvis, and she states that there are some on the ribs (although those were not outlined in radiology reports). We were pleased to hear about the soft tissue lesions, but the bone advancement was difficult to hear. Dr. Banck ordered another regimen with an added medication that research has shown to stop bone lesion growth. We left Rochester with very mixed feelings, but knowing another plan was in place. I will return there January 18th for follow-up testing, and I will also be meeting with my radiation oncologist to determine his perspective on treatment.
I have since then started on my new regimen that I am tolerating very well. I now only have to be in Fargo 4-5 hours one day for IV infusions. At the end of infusions, I am fitted with a pump attached to my port that delivers another type of chemo over the course of 46 hours. I am able to have this removed at the hospital in Lisbon. This regimen hasn't made me very sick, but it does have a strange side effect that makes me have to avoid anything cold. Contact with something cold shoots a strange pain to that area that feels a lot like extreme frost bite. It's very strange. I have also had to have a second blood transfusion as my hemoglobin keeps going down. The explanation is that the chemo kills cells, but it cannot differentiate between new good cells and new cancer cells. During times my hemoglobin is low, I am very lethargic and have no energy at all. After a transfusion, I feel amazing, almost like myself again. I will go again for my next regimen Monday the 21st. Luckily the pump will be removed before all the festivities!
My family and I have been processing this information for a long time. I have been dealing with cancer on and off now for the past four years, and I have no intentions of giving up anytime soon. I have made in abundantly clear to my physicians that they WILL try anything and everything if needed until this wretched disease is gone.
I know at times I often feel that people handle me with kids' gloves. I was offering assurance to a friend the other day regarding a problem, and she told me that she doesn't want to bother me with her problems because I have enough and hers pale in comparison. I told her I didn't want to hear that. Everyone has their own struggles that they deal with everyday, and I don't want others to feel like their problems aren't valid. I'm still me, and I love being there for my friends and family whenever they need me. Also, you don't need to be delicate around me. I still have fun and try make the best out of everything. I'm not sitting home feeling sorry for myself. It's ok to give me grief about my bald head. It doesn't bother me, and I actually find it funny. Arya says I have Barbie hair (because of the Cancer Asso. Barbie she was given). Leighton just mimics everyone saying "bald head, bald head" repeatedly. Corbin's is the best. He told me I looked like a light bulb. Touche, buddy.
As I said earlier, the holidays are my favorite time of year, and I haven't slowed down due to this distraction. I felt alright despite chemo on Halloween, so I threw a quick costume together and joined my family at Fort Ransom's Trunk or Treat. Arya was an adorable little Minnie Mouse with Leighton and Corbin played the role of Mickey. Nearly the whole month of November, Deb and I worked on decorating my house. I typically go all out, but this year our house was on the annual tour of homes, so we went over the top. I loved it. We had a lot of fun doing it, as usual. Tom and Deb left prior to Thanksgiving. We celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving at Barry and Linda Kylstad's with half their family and all the Isleys. The Saturday after Thanksgiving was the tour. With a lot of help from Mom, Teresa, Alayna and Leah, my house was emaculate and well staged. Toot Toot. Two more of my college girlfriends joined us for the event, so I was able to have a great girls night with some of my besties. I had 119 people sign my guest book that night. It was a great fundraiser.
We also had Santa here in Fort. Arya was prepared to tell Santa what she wanted, but she froze up a little when meeting him. We got a great picture, but she had to sit with Momma. She was going to tell him she wanted a horse. Maybe one day that'll happen. I've finished shopping and all my wrapping and cards were sent. Cards are one of my favorite traditions. We had friends over this past weekend for an adult get together, and we had a great time. I hadn't gotten out much in recent weeks, so it was pretty fun.
All in all, we are making the most of the holidays, and not taking any of our time together forgranted. We still have a lot on our schedule coming up including visits from friends, Tom and Deb's return, school and church programs, etc. I want to send a big thank you to all of you who have sent gifts, cards, food and delicious Christmas treats. We have such great friends, neighbors and family. Your generosity is so appreciated. To anyone who has wanted to stop by but feels that they are intruding, you're not. We like the company, and I do still like to talk just as much as I ever did. Tim, Arya and I would like to wish everyone a Blessed Holiday Season and a very Merry Christmas filled with Faith, Hope, Joy and Love.
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