Fairysong vs. the big bad ugly C Monster

[fairysong]

Been a few weeks since I've been on Lit and I've been bored and a bit depressed at times. So, I decided to start my own thread here about my O so fun battle against the C Monster. And no the C Monster isn't the Cookie Monster, I wish. It's Cancer. WooHoo, how exciting is that!

 

[impressive]

What can we do to help?

 

[fairysong]

What can we do to help?

Thanks imp

Just put up with my ramblings in this thread. I most likely will rant quite a bit.

 

[impressive]

Thanks imp

Just put up with my ramblings in this thread. I most likely will rant quite a bit.

I can do that. If there's more, though, holler.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

What imp said. If we can help in any way, you have only to ask

 

[fairysong]

Later part of April I received my prognosis and it didn’t look good. My only chance to live a normal life was a bone marrow transplant. I sat in the doctor’s office in shock. In that moment I felt so many emotions that I couldn’t name them all but fear and anger were quite strong.

So, we discussed the chances of my survival and I decided to go for the transplant. I was not going to give up without a fight. I called my Mum, back in Ireland and she began to make arrangements to fly down to New York. She also had my extended family go in to check if they matched as my donor.

Both my brothers also went in to see if they were a match. I was lucky. They found two matches. My cousin and my second brother. With my brother being over a 90% match.

 

[fairysong]

What imp said. If we can help in any way, you have only to ask

I know. You guys are great.

 

[fairysong]

The month of May seemed surreal. The month passed by so fast. I was in and out of the hospital getting tested. They decided that I needed the transplant soon so the date was set for June 11th. I was being prepared for the transplant while my friends were taking their final exams. I began receiving conditioning and chemo while many of my friends graduated. My mood went up and down like a roller coaster.

The last week of May came. My Mum flew in. When I saw her walking down the airport terminal I was so happy. I made quite a scene running to her. But I didn’t care. Life was too short to care about what others thought. I had missed my Mum and having her with me for the transplant meant the world to me. I hugged her and when I turned around I saw my two bothers standing behind me. Both had huge grins on their faces. I had missed them too.

I had the day to myself, so I spent it with family. We went around town, strolled the streets, window shopped and eat ice cream. For that one day I forgot to worry about my cancer and I was just me, enjoying myself with the people I loved.

Monday, June 30th. I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee. My brother C was in the kitchen making breakfast. My Mum and my brother B were getting my things in the car. I had to be at the hospital at 9 that morning.

 

[fairysong]

The schedule for the first week of June:
Monday 30th May – Chemo
Tuesday 31st May – Chemo
Wednesday 1st June – Chemo and conditioning
Thursday 2nd June – tests
Friday 3rd June – day of rest
Then Saturday 4th through Thursday the 9th more Chemo.
Friday 10th - day of rest.
Saturday 11th – What I dubbed “My Dday”...Transplant.

So, a few days before my transplant they attached a Hickman into my chest. No, a Hickman isn’t a hickie. I wish. It is a tube used for meds and such, and of course used for the marrow transplant. It Hickman hurt my neck constantly and it was worse when I tried to turn. That first week of June I was miserable. I was in pain and nauseous all the time. My mood, depressed.

Then I received one of the best surprises I could get. Shadowskill came to visit me. I couldn’t believe that he was there. Between my family, him and my friends I was beginning to feel better. I was beginning to find my fighting spirit. One that I didn’t know I had before and one that I’ve learned I need to win my battle against cancer.

 

[TheEarl]

<hug> You need cheering up or anything; we're always here.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

My favorite fairy,

Get better and stronger, so we can sail the South Pacific again. We need you flitting through the rigging keeping the landlubbers safe when they are aloft.

Do get better!

Ted

 

[Goldie Munro]

Too bad sweetie - held my Mum's hand when she went through brest cancer - was ok and worked out fine - thinking of you

 

[rgraham666]

Here for you, fairysong.

I'm in awe of your strength and courage.

*HUGS* and healing thoughts go out to you.

 

[Guest]

Here for you, fairysong.

I'm in awe of your strength and courage.

*HUGS* and healing thoughts go out to you.

I cannot say it better than that.

to you.

 

[cantdog]

You're handling yourself very well through all this, Fairysong. Our thoughts are with you.

 

[logophile]

If I can help...

 

[BigAndTall]

(flowers and pixie dust)

 

[Edward Teach]

Keep hanging tough, Fairysong. People are beating the monster every day and you can too.



Ed

.

 

[fairysong]

Thank you so much everyone

I won't give up, not now. I'm done with my chemo and I've survived the transplant. No rejection yippie!!! So all I need to do is wait for the donor's marrow to engraft(make new marrow) and overcome the GVHD that has began to show signs.

GVHD is graft-verses-host disease. Graft is the donated bone marrow and the host is me or my marrow. From what I understand it happens when the graft fails to recognize the host's cells and it launches an attack on the patient's cells and organs. Because my immune system was suppressed prior to the transplant, it cannot counterattack.

But I am going to beat the Monster.

 

[fairysong]

June 11th, my Dday. I woke up early that morning and received four hours of hydration and premeds. I learned that they had successfully managed to extract the needed marrow from my brother B. He had been moved to the recovery room. An hour before the scheduled transplant, my family was allowed to visit. My Mum sat beside me waiting for the doctors to take me in for the transplant.

The hour passed and my doctor came in. The transplant was delayed. I waited restlessly for the rest of the day.

At 9pm, finally the transplant began. The procedure was to take approximately 2 hours. It was as simple as getting a blood transfusion I was told. I was mostly asleep for the transplant. I hear that everything went smoothly until that last half hour. My heart had stopped. After several tries the doctors managed to find a heart beat. They finished the transplant and moved me to an Intensive Care Isolation Unit. My heart wasn’t stable and they needed to monitor me until it returned to normal.

I don’t remember much for the next two days. I drifted in and out of consciousness. When I did wake up the very first thing I thought was, “I want Ice Cream”. Then I realized that I wasn’t feeling all that great and that I was in the hospital. I asked to see my family but due to that episode with my heart and the fact that I had no immune system I was told that I couldn’t have visitors. I was in “Total Isolation”.

There was nothing to do, no one to talk to and I felt sucky. When the nausea didn’t hit me I was in pain and when the pain would become bearable I was exhausted. They did a cell count and found that mine had bottomed. I had zero White cells and very low Red cells. I received several blood transfusions and platelet infusions to counter balance my low counts. I spent my days in Total Isolation feeling sick and sleeping.

 

[minsue]

If you need a shoulder, an ear, an embrace, or a wailing wall, we're all here. And you're right. You will beat it.

 

[fairysong]

If you need a shoulder, an ear, an embrace, or a wailing wall, we're all here. And you're right. You will beat it.

I'll remember that. The next time I feel the need I'll drop by the AH. I'll rant and wail and demand all sorts of things.....

for you.

 

[Belegon]

I'll remember that. The next time I feel the need I'll drop by the AH. I'll rant and wail and demand all sorts of things.....

for you.

go ahead and demand. if it is possible, you'll receive it...

 

[Erotic-Kiss]

I have a very close friend who is battling the "C" monster as well. He's having a terrible time with his chemo...

I wish you the very best...keep the faith!

 

[Boota]

I have two close friends right now who are battling cancer and they seem to be kicking it's ass. You will, too. Stay strong.