Celeste's Spleen Problem - Some Specifics

The technical term for the low platelet problem Celeste is battling with is
immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We go meet with doctors again today to discuss
blood levels and spleen removal. I thought I better understand better what is going on.
This link has some good - specific information.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/itp/

Check out the tabs along the left side. The best tabs are WHAT IS....
                                                                                    CAUSES
                                                                                    TREATMENTS

 

Checkup

Celeste's platelets are 2. Her hematocrit is low and her white count is in the basement. 

Not feeling very good... vomited on the ride in. 

Celeste will receive 2 units of blood and 1 bag of platelets today. 

Platelet update: Drum Roll Please......

Platelets are 109!!! Celeste is being treated with chemotherapy today! Dr. Harker couldn't feel her spleen at ll today. We don't have bone marrow results yet... should before they leave. 

"Hole"y Body

So my mom and I decided today that I have a holey body!  Reason being, I have holes poked in my port every week, I got a bone marrow biopsy yesterday so I have a hole in my hip, and today I got 4 immunization shots in my arms.  I'm kind of sick of being poked lol.  But hey, at least now I can say that I'm holy!  Well.......maybe. lol

The biopsy went well, I don't remember this one hardly at all, so a lot less pain :)  The immunization shots I got were just in case they decide to take my spleen out next week because I'll be more susceptible to infections.  I would ask my mom what the names of the immunization shots were, but she's in bed right now.  I'll post them later.  We'll get the results from the biopsy next Tuesday and we'll go from there.  Right now we really don't know a whole lot about what next week is going to look like.  I'll keep you posted!

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Platelets were too low today AGAIN.  Tomorrow they will do another bone marrow biopsy to see if that's what's driving the platelet problem, and they'll decide next week about the spleenectomy. 

In the meantime, I am still doing well and enjoying hobbies :)  However, if there is anyone who would like to get me out of the house to do something fun while I'm feeling well, I sure would love it!

Postponed Treatment

Well, I was supposed to get my 3rd chemotherapy treatment this last Tuesday, but my platelets were only at 35 and they need to be at least 75, so they postponed it another week.  We're going to try again this Tuesday.  Decisions about spleen removal are still undecided. 

Although it was unfortunate that my treatment was postponed, it also meant another week of feeling good!  On Monday we went boating with some friends and I had a lovely time sitting on the boat enjoying nice weather and watching my siblings and their friends fly off the tube we were pulling lol.  AWESOME.  I found it was much more enjoyable to watch than to be the one slamming into the water ;)  This week was also corn harvesting week, so I can honestly say that I've shucked my fair share of corn!  I've really been enjoying the beautiful weather and the quiet days while the kids are at school and enjoy spending time with my mother or reading, working on my cross stitch, and playing the piano.  I've also been doing exercises to try to rebuild muscle because I lost so much before I started treatments.  Rest assured I am doing very well and am just hoping for higher platelets so I can finish treatments before Christmas.  Thank you all for your continued prayers!