Still chuggin’ right along on the recovery train J I had my first office visit back at Kaiser
with my primary oncologist, Dr. Liel.
She was able to give me the results of my DEXA scan and said reported
that my bone density is “a little on the low side” and indicates that I
probably have osteopenia…but that its not full blown osteoporosis and that I
shouldn’t have to take any bone strengthening meds. Instead, she thinks that I should be just
fine on the current Vitamin D and Calcium supplements that I am already
taking. This is wonderful news as my
dentist had warned me that the bone density medications (like Boniva, etc) are
very bad for your teeth and that I wanted to avoid having to take them (if at
all possible). Dr. Liel also referred
me to an endocrinologist to discuss the hormone issues related to the probable
early onset of menopause (due to all the super intensive chemo and totally body
radiation pre-transplant). So I have
that appointment next week at the Kaiser office downtown and we will be
discussing whether or not to put me back on birth control or artificial hormone
replacement therapy. This certainly
wasn’t something that I thought I would be doing at 33 years old, but hey… I am
getting this out of the way and will be able to enjoy my “golden years” without
having to worry about “the change” J
lol
While I was at the clinic seeing Dr. Liel we started talking
about the past 2-3 years and everything my body has gone through with fertility
medications, pregnancy, c-section delivery, the effects of the leukemia, the
toxicity of the chemo & radiation as well as the whole transplant deal. Dr. Liel kept telling me how great I looked
and that she was very pleased to see me doing so well. As we were talking, it struck me how
resilient our bodies are. We only get
one body and mine has been through a whole lot these past few years. As I continue to get stronger and stronger it
is nice to feel like I have my body back.
I am working on losing weight and I’ve lost just over 100 lbs since
having Scotty nearly 1 year ago.
Certainly, this recent ordeal isn’t the way I would have wanted to lose
the weight but it certainly gave me a “kickstart” and I’m trying to keep that
momentum going. For all of you who read
this that might have struggled with your weight…this is the first time in my
life that I’ve weighed less than what my driver’s license says (that was a big
deal for me when I hit that milestone!). J I would love to go get a new drivers license
but I don’t think I’ll do it till my hair grows out a little bit more. LOL
Aside from doctors appointments, I’ve spent this past week
volunteering at my old job. I’ve been
helping them reconcile one of their fundraising events from last month, putting
together packets, and stuffing envelopes/packets for a youth art contest. I have noticed that I am TOTALLY exhausted
when I get home from volunteering for a few hours. I am realizing that Dr. Nash really does know
what he’s talking about (hahaha) when it comes to my recovery and being able to
return to work. He keeps saying that I
shouldn’t go back to work until I am off my immunosuppressant medication and
even then it should probably be part time…so I guess I’m realizing that is
going to likely be the reality. (I’m
pretty stubborn and it takes me a while to let things sink in when it doesn’t
“go my way”…and this delay in returning to work is finally starting to sink
in.) Oh well, its giving me more time to
focus on my family and my ongoing recovery.
I talked to my Dad earlier this week and he will be coming
out to Colorado at the end of next month to join us for the Light the Night
walk (fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Rocky Mountain
Chapter). I am really looking forward to
participating in that and getting to experience the atmosphere at Washington
Park that night. My nurse coordinator from
the CBCI clinic said that many of the staff from their office go, so it will be
fun to see them outside of work as well J I know that in my last blog entry I mentioned
that I would give more details on the fundraising part of the walk, but I
haven’t had a chance to get the link to my fundraising site. I promise I’ll get it organized and post
about it next week! J
Thanks again for all of the continued prayers and
support. I am so blessed to have
everyone rooting for me and supporting me on my journey!
-Chellie
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