Oy Vey.

Again, wishing I had better news to relay to you all. But it is what it is...

Monday the moms and I headed to the ER due to major chest congestion and coughing. Luckily, it was attributed to major allergies and sinuses. The X-ray revealed no pnemonia to speak of. Thank god. However, the coughing and other symptoms has prevented me from receiving a good nights sleep the last two weeks, and added antibiotics.

Thursday morning, I arrived in New York City for my weekly check-up.  I had been feeling extra fatigued and light headed but just assumed it was due to my head cold. After several blood tests and my check-up with my NP the results came back and it showed that my Hemoglobin (red blood cells) had taken a huge nose dive as well as my potassium (major lack of elctrolytes).  I could hardly walk, or keep my head up with my numbers all over the place. The rest of the day was spent in the infusion room to receive fluids, potassium, and a unit of blood. We arrived at 9am in the office, and left by 8:30 pm that night -- long day to say the least.

This morning, I headed back there to recive two more units of blood since my levels were so low.  My reserves aren't that great right now, but I'm attempting to hold tight and see where this takes us. For the first time, in a really long time my oncologist team is again feeling that these symptoms do not have anything to do with my cancer, nor the treatment. SGN-35 is not suppose to cause 'counts' to bottom out. So, today, my NP decided to do addition blood tests to see again... where these mystery symptoms (the fevers, vomitting, low counts) are coming from.  We are all feeling again, that something else, or some type of infection continues to rear its ugly head from week to week, and no one can put their finger on what it is. To say it is frustrating would be an understatement.

On a good note, this is the last 'weekly' check up I will have. My visits once a week to New York have definitely taken a toll on myself, my body, and my family and friends -- we are ready for this part of the trial to be over. After next week, I will only have to return to NYU for infusions (once every three weeks).  So, we cheer for that.

In addition, I'm staying at the Hope Lodge througout the weekend and next week. I have received two cycles of SGN, and next Thursday morning, May 6th, I will have my first scan. If the scan reveals stable disease (which we hope for), I continue on this trial, and receive treatment (for cycle three) the next day, May 7th.

This part of the trial has been a long one, I'm grateful and thankful that it is over, and hold onto hope that the scan and future treatments reveal promising news. Thank you all for your kind thoughts, and positive support. I'm not sure how I would keep truckin' along without each and every one of you.

Lastly, I  officially turned 'two years old' on April 22nd. Although, yes, my transplant failed, it is still an accomplishment -- that I'm here -- still kickin :)

Sending Love,

Bekah