Vidaza Sucks..need the energy dance.

Yesterday, Carla completed the first cycle of that Vidaza drug to ratchet up the fight. She says "It SUCKS!" The drug treatment does have some side effects which requires anti-nausea medicine (doesn't always work) and a tough chin. It has no doubt been a tough sucky week on Carla. However, she is done with it for 3 weeks and looking forward to less frequent hospital visits.

We ran into a person we met at Carla's 100 day checkup at the clinic while waiting in the lobby. He had just finished his blood work and remembered us as well. We told him the news and he could tell we were still processing. He didn't miss a beat with his "roll up your sleeves" attitude and said "Half the battle is right up here", pointing to his head. "Keep your chin up, you can do it." Such simple words can empower and energize people...most definitely it did me! Once we got back into the room I was so much energized that I had to provide Carla my "energy dance" and top it off with a "wonder spouse powers activate" fist bump. You may recall the Super Hero - Hall of Justice - Wonder Twins with their "wonder twin powers activate" move. But that was just too Cajun backwoods to say.



Keep all that good coming. We are learning of all the good out there.

We love you all,
The Hennessy's

Relapse....

I needed a few days before I could post my most recent news. My numbers were continuing to fall and I wasn’t feeling myself. Tuesday's bone biopsy showed that the leukemia has now spread to my marrow. Luckily is a low percentage of cells, but unfortunately more treatment needs to happen. Currently I will be infusing with a drug called Vidaza for 7 days. (Out patient in the clinic with relaxation drugs.) Then I take 3 weeks off and the start the process all over again. I will also be off my immunosuppression drug by the end of January to let my white cells fight at full force. After 3 months we’ll recheck the marrow and see if it is gone. Currently I am devastated by the news since everything was going so well. I am trying to be strong!! Send your good vibes and prayers my way. :)

Small set backs...

Jeff and his "Rocky" t-shirt

Surprise Ipod from Santa

Surprise iHome from Santa

Girls wanted long jammies

Been feeling so good the last few months. I repainted our bedroom, finished off Christmas, organized some drawers and cabinets that needed it and basically getting things off my "to-do" list. I have recently been getting tired more often and with my weekly doctor visits noticed that some of my numbers were going down. (White, red and platelet numbers to be exact.)

Saturday afternoon spent 6 hours getting platelets and 2 pints of blood. (blood pressure 86/60) Feeling lot less tired now that I have oxygen in my blood. HA! Enjoyed Christmas weekend and was glad I could participate. Another long day at clinic today for more blood to check. Tapering down TACRO and losing some drugs. So far I am doing better but not hitting “normal levels”. Had to do the bone marrow biopsy today but asked for some drugs to relax me. (Yes, they helped and I am tired.) Don’t have to go back until next week so hopefully all stays regular. Let's hope we hear good results.

Hoping you all had a Merry Christmas. Lets bring in 2012 with a BANG.....cuz 2011 has sucked!! :)

One year ago....

As I type this I am reminded that this Saturday will be my one year date of being diagnosed with (AML) leukemia. It seems at times like the year has been the longest of my life…..then again it has flown by so quickly too. I never in a million years would have thought that I would ever have had to deal with cancer in my 40’s.

This month has been a little tough for me. I’ve met a few people that were in the hospital the same time as me that didn’t get better and pasted away. They made it past transplant but the recovery was just too much. It is so hard not to get connected to those that you know were fighting just as hard as you, meeting their families and hearing their stories. My heart aches for their loved ones.

Just this week we have a very good friend in for chemo and he got his own stem cells transplant today. (He was diagnosed a month after me.) Another good friend had her mother in law admitted Monday for AML as well. I visit them both when I am at clinic and try hard to give positive vibes and hopeful words. It just seems like cancer is everywhere.

This month has also been very inspiring. My case worker called me a few weeks before Thanksgiving and asked me to talk to a lady getting ready to have her stem cell transplant. She had the same leukemia as me and wanted to know what to expect. WOW! She was great to talk to and we’ve now become great friends. She said I was her inspiration and after seeing how well I was doing she knew she would be fine. That put a smile on my face and made me feel great. (I’ve been asked to visit other patients in the New Year.) Maybe I found my new calling? She is doing well and was discharged last week. We still keep in contact and we promise to stay in touch.

My numbers are still looking good. Seems like I am always giving blood at one time or another. HA! My INR and TACRO are right where they need to be. I am starting to taper off some drugs but got another one today to help with infections. As we all know the flu, RSV, colds and other germs are out there and can be deadly to us without our entire immune system. (I just hate that person at the store coughing their lungs out with no respect for those around them. So rude to the rest of us.)

As the holidays approach I am reminded how lucky I am to be around for another Christmas. I hope you all got your Christmas cards with our words of appreciation and gratitude for the help this year. I can’t imagine what we would have done without you.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy 2012. May this next year be better than the last!!

HAPPY GOBBLE DAY!!!!

“There is always something to thankful for!” I have this sign out each year to remind me that no matter the situation it is true.

My birthday came on 11-11-11. I wanted to get out of town and asked Jeff to take me to Wendover. We had so much fun….and I knew we’d win big. (ha) I learned how to play roulette and even got the hang of craps (even though I made Jeff stand next to me when I got confused). We had a nice lunch, gambled some more and had fun. We haven’t been anywhere since I got sick so it was nice to enjoy ourselves. Of course we didn’t win any money…but it was awesome anyway.

The doctors told me they are very impressed with how well I am doing. I have exceeded their expectations! Tuesday I had another PET (full body) scan and a CT (chest) scan. The doctors said they were great scans just not “perfect”. The test showed some spots on my hips. We could do biopsies on them, but the doctors don’t think it is necessary since the treatment would be the same regardless of what they could be. I have a clinic visit this Monday and the plan is to start decreasing my tacro (immune suppressive drug) and get my stem cells to start working harder and kill anything still there. Usually this works and we’ll rescan me again in January to see if they are gone.

I still feel great and have a positive outcome. I am still having the body aches but my energy is increasing each week. The doctor gave me the go ahead to start doing more (vacuuming, dusting, bathrooms, yard work etc.) and as pathetic as that sounds….I was thrilled to know I wasn’t so limited at home. I am helping Callie’s teacher by grading papers at home and the librarian has asked me to help her recover the books in the library. The boredom isn’t as bad as it once was. (For a month there I thought I was going to lose my mind!!)

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Today I am very thankful for the year of outpouring of support and love we received. Stuff yourselves silly and enjoy the day! “There is always something to thankful for!”

Fun October!

Lester and McCall as 80's workout girls! "Feel the Burn"

We all know that October (and Halloween) is my favorite time of year. Here are just a few pictures I thought I'd share. It is nice to get out a do the things that I can. My blood pressure is low (88/60) which explains why I am always cold...but nothing the doctors are too concerned about. It does go up occasionally and better to be low than high, right?

Still going to clinic every other week which is nice. They will reduce my tacro (immunized suppressed drug) this month and see how my body handles it. So far I've had no reactions to the last reductions. :) Things are going well and I am trying to recover correctly.

Callie as a Zombie! Yiiiiiiiikes!

The kids first Haunted house.

Callie's "Spooktacular Gymnastics Meet". So proud of her!
(yes, I am finally getting some hair!!!!) :)

Learning more patiences....

Nothing really new to report. My blood results are coming back "normal" each week and my kidneys are back to functioning better. I only have to go to clinic every other week (still have to give blood every week though) so that is nice. I am not sleeping as much during the day, but some days I do get tired and have to lay down. I am still careful with large crowds and miss my old life. I am learning patience while I heal but it is hard that I still miss out on so much.

I am getting more hair and since I went platinum blond I've gotten lots of positive comments on it. (Some people think it is my natural color. ha) It is nice not being bald anymore.

Girls are busy with soccer and gymnastics. Seems like every day we have something going on. The days fly by once the kids get home from school. I am excited for Halloween (my FAVORITE HOLIDAY) and have about 80% of my decorations up. Going to try and get the outside decorations up this week.

Hope everyone is well. My love to all of you!! :)