Chemo Four - Complete.

Hello all, Chemo number 4 is complete and now we wait for counts to fall!  My plateletes and HGB (red blood cells) have needed support through this chemo, so now our chemo schedule has shifted.

This week we infused on Wednesday February 18th and Thursday February 19th.
We will head into get platelets today, and blood next week.

For now, we will receive chemo: this past week -- will need food and lots of love this weekend to replenish my body and mind.  Individuals have been asking how they can send food.  There are several ways.  You can order gift cards from:

1) We order our groceries from DirectFresh.com to be delivered to our door: https://www.freshdirect.com/index.jsp

2) Frank Anthonies: http://www.yelp.com/biz/frank-anthonys-verona
(subs, italians, delivery)

3) Chanti: http://www.chatnionline.com
(Indian, delivery)

4) Spice II: http://www.spiceii.net
(Thai, Delivery)

5.) Casapiquin: http://www.casapiquin.net
(Mexican, Delivery)

We will list more and more restaurants as time comes…

We have also made a final decision that transplant will now occur in NYC with Dr. O'connor and Dr. Jasmine Zain, my team here.  It is emotionally, financially, and just easier all around with support.  Therefore, Seattle is out of the mix; however, we will still need finances to fund us through this three to six month process, as I will need caregivers during this entire time.  This is all the brain power I have now, I will update more come the weekend/early next week.

Thanks for the support and cheering, we need it!

Next round of scheduled chemo is on March 12th and 13th.  We are still desperate for candles, books, and food… so send 'em our way!

Love and Light,
B.

Plan of Attack

The month of hell is complete -- and we all survived (somehow).  No major reactions except fevers.  So many people sharing their love, gifts, food, light, with me.  It's been a difficult month but to see how many people are in my cheering section is just mind blowing.

So, what next?

This week I actually have off -- just blood work -- Wahoo!.  The main issue we're having right now is neuropathy, and swollen ankles.  I've fallen twice, and its extremely hard to walk (especially up stairs), and to open things.  I've lost all the the feeling in my toes, and it's moving up my calves at this point.  My fingertips are also completely numb.  I'm concerned.  This is a side effect of some drugs -- and years ago when I received SGN-35, I also had the same side effect.  It was one of the reasons why we stopped the drug.  So, we have to problem solve this issue.

Beside the neuropathy, Dr. O has decided we will now have chemo every three weeks.  These are the dates in case you want to drop off food these weeks, or send some positive vibes.

Infusion Dates: February 12th and 13th
March 5th and 6th
March 26th and 27th

There are two dates since we will be combining SGN-35 and Bendamustine.  I'm hoping the nueropathy won't worsen as infusions pass, it would be a horrible side effect not to be able to walk that well and we don't know if this will be permanent or not. However, I know we also need to look at the big picture, and as far as my life and energy goes I'm doing very well, so we cheer for that.  I have so much to be thankful for, especially this week without poison.  My body is loving the relief, loving it.

After these infusions, we hopefully head to transplant depending on scans and how my cancer is doing.  But that is for another day…

I can never thank you for all of your support, love, and positive vibes.  Again, I know I'm here because of the people and love that surround me, and for that I'm so grateful.

Love,
B.