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Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
I think you are doing great! Your posts are fantastic!
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Thank you everyone for cheering me on!
Today is Day +5. My white count is down to 0.2 and my platelets are 56. I am now confined to my room so I can longer walk the halls. By tomorrow I should have a stationary bike in here and I plan to use it.
Overall, I feel pretty good. They have been continuing to check my blood pressure more frequently due to the concerns they had yesterday with the low numbers when I stood up. But I have had no lightheadedness. I suppose if I were to try to go for a run right now, I wouldn't feel great, but walking around I feel almost normal. I understand that the red cells are the last to die. Once those go, I may be singing a different song.
I have had a couple of moments of spontaneous nausea, appearing out of nowhere. After not vomiting once in 4 pregnancies, that trend is now reversed. But seconds later, I'm fine!
In other news, I woke up at 3:30 this morning to the jolt of a good ol' California earthquake. A 6.1 on the Richter scale. My IV pole was dancing around. Had I been at my home, I would have been a lot closer to the epicenter, about 24 miles [40 km], but I was another 60 miles [100 km] farther out. So my family felt it quite a bit more than I did!
I am enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon with a friend and my husband visiting. Have a wonderful day everyone!
Now below, enjoy this pic that was taken when some friends brought all of my 'pets' for a visit!
Today is Day +5. My white count is down to 0.2 and my platelets are 56. I am now confined to my room so I can longer walk the halls. By tomorrow I should have a stationary bike in here and I plan to use it.
Overall, I feel pretty good. They have been continuing to check my blood pressure more frequently due to the concerns they had yesterday with the low numbers when I stood up. But I have had no lightheadedness. I suppose if I were to try to go for a run right now, I wouldn't feel great, but walking around I feel almost normal. I understand that the red cells are the last to die. Once those go, I may be singing a different song.
I have had a couple of moments of spontaneous nausea, appearing out of nowhere. After not vomiting once in 4 pregnancies, that trend is now reversed. But seconds later, I'm fine!
In other news, I woke up at 3:30 this morning to the jolt of a good ol' California earthquake. A 6.1 on the Richter scale. My IV pole was dancing around. Had I been at my home, I would have been a lot closer to the epicenter, about 24 miles [40 km], but I was another 60 miles [100 km] farther out. So my family felt it quite a bit more than I did!
I am enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon with a friend and my husband visiting. Have a wonderful day everyone!
Now below, enjoy this pic that was taken when some friends brought all of my 'pets' for a visit!
- image.jpg (118.99 KiB) Viewed 468 times
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Kim, You continue to amaze me! I hope your recovery continues to go along so smoothly. Love those chickens! Hang in there -- you are an inspiration to all!
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Keep up the good work, Kim!
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
So, it's Day +6. I have embraced the lazy life. There is something to be said for having no responsibilities whatsoever, although I wouldn't recommend joining the multiple myeloma club to get there.
I feel very normal, except for the fact that my stomach cramps up when it encounters anything at all. I have had one Ensure Clear today and shortly after I had cramps and a trip to the bathroom. So, it's water and the pills I take with it. I am still on IV fluids constantly.
I have not developed mouth sores, in spite of a half hearted effort to suck on ice during chemo. I have a nice case of thrush [oral candidiasis], however.
My white count is 0.1. My platelets are at 40. Today they started the Neupogen shots to stimulate the new cells.
I'm enjoying my stay here. One recommendation I have is to decorate your room with lights (and cut-outs of chickens if you have them handy). It's a sure way to have everyone smiling when they come in to take care of you.
I feel very normal, except for the fact that my stomach cramps up when it encounters anything at all. I have had one Ensure Clear today and shortly after I had cramps and a trip to the bathroom. So, it's water and the pills I take with it. I am still on IV fluids constantly.
I have not developed mouth sores, in spite of a half hearted effort to suck on ice during chemo. I have a nice case of thrush [oral candidiasis], however.
My white count is 0.1. My platelets are at 40. Today they started the Neupogen shots to stimulate the new cells.
I'm enjoying my stay here. One recommendation I have is to decorate your room with lights (and cut-outs of chickens if you have them handy). It's a sure way to have everyone smiling when they come in to take care of you.
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
You amaze me! I hope the thrush clears up soon. I am sure they are treating it. You must be the favorite patient on the floor!
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Kim,
I love the cut outs of your animals - they put a smile on my dial. All the best for the coming days and keep on smiling.
I love the cut outs of your animals - they put a smile on my dial. All the best for the coming days and keep on smiling.
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Kim,
Glad to hear you are doing so well. My SCT was almost 3 years ago and I'm still in remission. I love all of your pets. I know you will be very happy to get home to them soon. Just be very careful around them as you are still immunosuppressed with the SCT.
Be strong! Best wishes to you.
Mary
Glad to hear you are doing so well. My SCT was almost 3 years ago and I'm still in remission. I love all of your pets. I know you will be very happy to get home to them soon. Just be very careful around them as you are still immunosuppressed with the SCT.
Be strong! Best wishes to you.
Mary
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Mary Degenkolb - Name: Mary Degenkolb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
Hi Kim,
I'm from across the pond (England). I have been following your SCT posts with great interest, as my husband who is 56 is going into hospital for his SCT on the 10th September. I hope his goes as well as yours so far. I'm gearing myself up for a rough ride and anything less is a bonus.
Keep doing what your doing and you will be home soon. Looking forward to your next update.
Suzi
I'm from across the pond (England). I have been following your SCT posts with great interest, as my husband who is 56 is going into hospital for his SCT on the 10th September. I hope his goes as well as yours so far. I'm gearing myself up for a rough ride and anything less is a bonus.
Keep doing what your doing and you will be home soon. Looking forward to your next update.
Suzi
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Suzi
Re: KimT's Stem Cell Transplant (Stanford, Inpatient)
It's getting late in the day but fear not ... update from Day +7 is here!
I'm doing very well. The only problem recently has been horrible stomach cramping when I have had Ensure. I managed it for several days but can no longer tolerate it. Since I have not had solid food since Sunday, I was getting a bit concerned. But I have just spent the last hour+ working my way through a serving of white rice and chicken noodle soup. I think my stomach is happy. I had assumed that if the Ensure wasn't working, that anything solid wouldn't either. But you know what they say about assuming.
I rode the exercise bike for about a half hour this morning. I plan to step that up as I'm used to doing a lot more. Of course, I am just grateful I'm able to exercise at all. I am feeling pretty normal.
My white count is still 0.1, hgb 8.3 and platelets 23. They have started me on Neupogen shots to get the new cells going.
Things seem to be going according to plan. I have a nice visit with one of my cousins just now.
Have a great day everyone!
I'm doing very well. The only problem recently has been horrible stomach cramping when I have had Ensure. I managed it for several days but can no longer tolerate it. Since I have not had solid food since Sunday, I was getting a bit concerned. But I have just spent the last hour+ working my way through a serving of white rice and chicken noodle soup. I think my stomach is happy. I had assumed that if the Ensure wasn't working, that anything solid wouldn't either. But you know what they say about assuming.
I rode the exercise bike for about a half hour this morning. I plan to step that up as I'm used to doing a lot more. Of course, I am just grateful I'm able to exercise at all. I am feeling pretty normal.
My white count is still 0.1, hgb 8.3 and platelets 23. They have started me on Neupogen shots to get the new cells going.
Things seem to be going according to plan. I have a nice visit with one of my cousins just now.
Have a great day everyone!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
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