Now dealing with leukemia

I'm sorry, Su. When I was found to be really allergic to Taxol the doctor switched me to adriamyacin and carboplatin. Adriamyacin can cause heart disease, even years later. It scared me, especially since the one person I knew at the time who had chemo had adriamyacin, and it caused heart disease. I'm fine, at least so far. It scared me to death but it was the best option. Having to make these types of decisions are so hard.

survivingsu said:

Thanks everyone!

Thank you for all the inspiring good wishes!  That definitely helps -i know I'm not alone.  Here's a few answers to some questions re my past cancer treatments...I went through chemo and radiation from July 2009 to October 2009, then surgery, then follow-up chemo.   I also had lots of ct scans, 1pet scan, and the CT scans post-treatment diminished over time, first every few months, then every 6, months, then yearly, then none unless a symptom arose to merit one.  Facing another completely different cancer is pretty intimidating, and like my first cancer, this one is also quite aggressive and deadly.  But I'm a tough old bird with good medical experts in a time and location where new technology is in my favor.  So I will really try to beat this cancer too.  

Cheers,

Susan

Love that can-do spirit!

Susan, I am going to pray the chemo "blasts the blasts".  When you have the strength, please let us know how you are doing.  Prayers for all the warriors

survivingsu said:

Doing more chemo

Hi buddies,

Well I was hoping to be all set to begin getting prepared for my stem cell transplant possibility, my numbers had improved and I met with my doctor Monday.  Unfortunately while my blood counts had improved since my first chemo series in May/June, I still have the bad "blasts' cells, too many to qualify for the transplant right now.  And the transplant is the only way I can get cured from my high risk MDS leukemia.  So I'm back in the hospital getting another 5 day series of chemo.  It's going well so far!  Unlike the first time, my numbers are better and I do not feel sick, so this is a good start.  I will be getting day 3 chemo tonight, so I'm halfway to getting home if everything goes as planned.  Then it's recooperation time with multiple outpatient appts and transfusions.  I'm hoping this will get me closer to the transplant option.

So I am definitely hanging in there!  I hate this very long treatment disease, and all the worries associated with it - financial, job, family, pets, future, etc., But this only motivates me more to do everything I can to get better and back to my life.

Onward!

Susan

Your positive attitude is refreshing and I think will help you through this new trial. I sure wish, though, that you are not facing this situation. I remember my gyn onc telling me almost 5 years ago that my chance of developing a different kind of cancer increased, due to having a previous cancer (Uterine). Bad genes, I guess! My Dad was almost 98 years old when he passed on, likely due to a blood clot. When he passed, he had lymphoma. However, that was one of 5 different cancers he had in his adult life! He also had and was treated for: prostate cancer, urinary bladder cancer, basil cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In spite of all that he lived a fantastic, wonderful life. Never ever give up hope! 

Hugs,

Cathy