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March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 26

The last week was pretty good, really felt like myself before the treatments began. I did not realize how wiped out I was during the first two weeks of treatments, until this week. Really did not feel very tired this week at all, did not need one nap. Actually cooked breakfast and dinner today.

Still drinking lots of water, 3 plus liters a day. That is a total of 6 bottles of water a day, on top of the water I also have juice with breakfast and vitamin water with lunch. The water and other fluids hopefully keeps the kidneys functioning properly. Jane gathers the water bottles in the morning and numbers them 1-6, so it is easy to track.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 24

Well it has been a pretty good week, had lot more energy than the last couple weeks.

Back at the clinic for another blood test. WBC are coming back slowly (WBC 2.3, Grans 1.3), platelets have pretty much recovered (131) and the hemoglobin is on the rise (10.1). (Now that my platelets have recovered Jane let me cut my own meat at dinner tonight.) I need to get these number as high as possible before the next induction cycle starts on Monday, which will most likely bring these numbers back down.

Besides causing hoarseness the steroids have started causing heartburn / acid reflux. I noticed the last couple weeks I seem to experience these symptoms Monday evening into Tuesday and each week it seems to last a little bit longer and get a little worse. Talked to the nurse today and she said that is a known side effect and I should take Zantac or Pepcid.

Meet with the doctor on Monday to see how I have responded to the first induction cycle, hoping the response is good.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 21

Not much new to report, had a good weekend. More energy than I had in a while. Went for a mile walk today (actually felt like jogging, but I did not) that felt great; would have been better with company but Jane was working; so it was me and the iPod. Can't even take Harry (our 80 pound boxer) with me since sometimes he looses his mind and starts to bite my ankles, he does this to show off when he sees another dog (He is looking for a girlfriend and thinks this impresses the ladies).

Loosing my voice again, after doing some research over the weekend I found out this can be a side affect of the steroids I am on. Seems like I loose my voice on Monday (the day I take a high dose of the steroid) and then it gradually gets better by Wednesday. I will mention this to the doctor when I see him next week.

Received a bunch of literature from Rush Medical center about the stem cell transplant last week, spent some time reading through the literature the last couple days. I need to gather some questions for my patient coordinator at Rush, a lot to think about and read.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 18

Back to the clinic today for a CBC. The results were not as good as I wanted, but were better than last week. WBC were up to 2.0 (grans 1.1) still low but getting better and platelets where up to 51.0, again still low but better. Hemoglobin dropped a little (9.1) which explains my tiredness the last couple days. Next week down to just one drug; the steroid; which should help my counts recover before the next induction cycle that begins on Monday March 28th.

I was not expecting my counts to drop so low, when first diagnosed the doctor made it sound like I could continue to do what I normally do during the treatments. I find it hard to do anything with my platelets so low, I am afraid of getting a nick or cut. With the WBC counts low I have to be concerned about infections of all kinds including bacteria, viruses...

The weather was nice today and got out for a short walk, that was a nice change.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 15

Not much new to report in the last couple days. I had an INR blood test this morning to check my pro time levels to see how the blood thiner is working. Levels are right where the doctors want them (2.3). Won't have to have that checked for another week and a half. The phlebotomist at the outpatient facility really bruised my arm today; though it might not be her fault; I wonder if it has anything to do with my low platelet counts.

Heading back to the clinic on Thursday for another CBC, hoping my numbers continue to rise. Jane has me on house arrest until my numbers get better. I only get to go for car rides and wait in the car. That is okay because I really don't want to catch anything, the fever I had the first week was no fun, it completely wiped me out for a day.

Seem to be loosing my voice today, not sure what that is about. Though I did have a small bloody noise yesterday and was afraid to blow my noise all day yesterday, which might have something to do with my voice. If it is not better tomorrow I will be calling the doctor to make sure it is nothing to be concerned about.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 11

The last couple of days have been uneventful; which is a good thing. Actually slept pretty well the last couple nights. Been a little more tired the last couple days. Back at the clinic today for my fourth and last injection for cycle 1. I had my doubts that my counts would recover and I would actually be able to receive the injection. To my surprise my WBC was up to 1.7, but the platelets are still dropping, down to 46; though that is still to be expected. Now my body will have 2 weeks to recover before the injections start for cycle 2, hopefully by that time most of my counts will be greatly improved.