Clinic

Clinic today was all good news. Let me tell you it is so much better to hear good news than bad (obviously). I remember going to clinic pretty much terrified for the doctors to come in, because I was sick of hearing bad news. Today, my platelets were 110, my kidneys looked good, I gained a little weight, and we even talked about taking my line out. I am a little nervous to have my line out, just because it is a really big deal....and I don't want to get it taken out only to have it be put back in again later. But on the other hand I am very VERY excited to get it out. It will be one more step towards normalcy which I really could use. Also, I am still tapering off of my immunesuppressant and should be completely done with it in May! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, they have helped me get to the point that I am at today. Thank you!

Rachel

Just Hanging Out

Here are some random pictures of lately. Most are of Waldo, my trusty companion.

You can click on the pictures to make them bigger

This is me, Waldo, and my lovely sister Emily :)

I was warming my feet by the fire and Waldo climbed onto my legs and took a nap. (If you are wondering what is in my mouth, it is a mango. I love mangos.)

Isn't he photogenic?

In this picture you can see him relaxing, and he has pulled every single one of his toys around him to keep him company.

Now for an update: Things are going good, I don't go back to the doctor until next tuesday, so I got a little break which was good. I went to Reno to watch my volleyball team play over spring

break, it was lots of fun to get to see all the girls again and to watch some volleyball. Hopefully I can start working out again now that my platelets are on their way back up. I actually went to mutual last night

and played dodgeball with everyone, and also realized that I now have the body of a 90 year old woman. I am slow and uncoordinated, and my throwing arm is very sore today. (no offense to you 90 year old

dodge ball players out there) I am still working on getting all of my energy back.... which I hear can be a very long process. But in the mean time I do school and slowly get back to normal. I will keep you updated

on this week's clinic visit, thank you so much for following the blog!

Rachel

April Showers Bring...Platelets!

We haven't posted in awhile--but everything is still going pretty well. Our last clinic visit was Wednesday, April 13th. Rachel received Retuxan, the IV med that binds with her B-cells and makes it so they will stop making antibodies (which kill off her platelets!). That was the last of 4 doses she's had over the last 4 weeks. Now we just watch and wait and hope that her platelets continue to rise. The bone marrow doctors said that occasionally it takes another course of treatment if antibodies are still being produced. We're hopeful that we're in the 50% that doesn't need additional treatments! Her platelets were 67 last weekt (from 41 the week before) so we are making slow progress!

As you saw on our last post, her hair is coming in thick and curly! Yahoo! She can't wait for it to grow a little longer. She gets tired of trying to explain to random people that she's a "she" not a "he!" (Most of them are under the age of 10.) Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support!

--Marie

Surprise Visitor!

Today Rachel's AML friend ERIN came to visit with her family!

Here is a pic of the two old friends reunited.

Here is a picture from last November when both Erin and Rachel were still in the hospital, and another picture from today. It's neat to see how healthy they both look now!

Before (November 2010)

After (April 2011)

To read Erin's blog go to littleairbear.blogspot.com or click the link.

-Marie

Hip Hip Hooray

I went into clinic today and we found out that my platelets jumped up to 41! So the medicine is working, and my platelets are on their way back up.

Also, for those of you who don't know, I won my election. I am student body secretary! Sorry this post isn't more exciting, I am very tired from waking up early haha

A Tribute to Kim

My friend up at the hospital, Kim Nelson, went into a coma last week and passed away on March 31, 2011. She had AML as well. Although I didn't know Kim all that well, I know she was a great girl who came from a wonderful family.

This makes me sit back and think about what is truly important in this life. Life is so fragile. It is hard to always remember this. It is hard to always be grateful for what we have. I hope we can all go on and cherish the relationships we have and live our lives to the fullest.

Here is Kim's blog if you would like to read: kimbattlestheredrobot.blogspot.com

Rachel