While Adrienne didn't have any falls this week because she's been extremely careful, she has profound weakness especially with the right leg. She drove herself to City of Hope today but has decided that she is giving up driving for the time being, as she just doesn't trust her strength. Her doctor wasn't there today so she saw another doctor who gave her a neuro exam and Adrienne didn't get any specific feedback except to say that yeah, she's weak (duh!). We'll hear next week whether or not she can stay on this chemo given the extent of her neuropathy. Blood counts weren't too bad today with platelets down but acceptable. She got a shot of neupogen to stimulate white blood cells and aranesp to stimulate red blood cells/hemoglobin. Hopefully her energy will pick up.
I myself made an appointment at City of Hope next Friday to donate blood. I wasn't able to give in the past due to my own anemia but since my hysterectomy in 2006, I'm hopeful that my hemoglobin is high enough now to be able to help. They told me to take iron between now and then just to be sure. So here's my little plug for blood, platelet, and bone marrow donation. If you can do it, donate blood and ask to be added (for free) to the bone marrow registry.
Not much going on this weekend. Some good friends of ours from the Bay Area will be in Claremont this weekend showing their son colleges and Adrienne is looking foward to their visit. She has two papers and an exam due next week and we're just pooped here in Nevada, looking forward to a few days off. Enjoy your holiday weekend.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Adrienne was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1996 at age 9. She had multiple relapses, two bone marrow transplants, and a range of chemos and radiation therapies, and passed away on October 1, 2009. We are heartbroken.
Out with the Girls
About Adrienne
- Adrienne
- Adrienne was very much like others with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the most common cancer in teens and young adults. What was unusual is that she had it for more than half her life and ultimately, it took her life. Hodgkin's is curable for about 80% people, but Adrienne was one of the 20% for whom a cure was elusive. She considered herself lucky since treatments had been there for her with each relapse but she ran out of treatment options and her body just couldn’t take any more. As she said, "Though I’ve now had cancer for most of my life, I no longer plan my life around it; instead, I try to plan cancer around my life." We hope you can take inspiration from her and how she lived her life.
2 comments:
Hi Adrienne
I am sorry to hear about the weakness in your leg. I hope that it is something that will clear up on its own so you can continue your treatments.
Wow, you have a lot of school work to do this week. Being busy with school may help to keep your mind off some of your other worries.
You continue to be an inspiration because of your perseverance. Despite all the curve balls you have been thrown, you never give up. Not only are you fighting for your health, you are also pursuing your college degree and having some good old fun with family and friends too. You are living your life despite those curve balls. Good for you Adrienne. You set such an awesome example for everyone.
Hi Adrienne - glad the week was better than after the previous treatment. Enjoy the time spent with your old friends who are visiting (our Katie is a neuroblastoma survivor since 1984).
Alison - Rich and I have been on the bone marrow registery for close to 30 years.
Have a great weekend ladies : }
Post a Comment