rachel2000's Cancer Blog
August 31, 2009
I’ve had an interesting week.
At the beginning of last week, I started to feel really shaky and weak, so that I barely got out of bed until Friday. It seemed like it would get better if I ate, although I would still be too tired to do anything. I thought it might have something to do with my blood sugar levels or the new drug I’m on. I was worried about having a bad reaction to the Lenalidomide and having to stop it.
I had been in touch with my doc and went in on Friday for some blood work. It turned out that I had been dehydrated all week and didn’t know. I was so relieved it was dehydration and not the medication or any other problem; it was fixable! I was pumped with fluids for an hour and was able to enjoy the weekend. My family came to town to visit (so good to see you!) and I was well enough to go out with them. It’s so nice when problems can be fixed fairly easily.
By the way, I don’t want to declare that the Lenalidomide is working yet but I have noticed that nothing is GROWING, which is a great sign. Still too early to tell if it’s all shrinking, but I’ll keep y’all posted.
Also, it turns out that my sister is not my bone marrow match, so I’m on the national hunt now. I know I’ve had several people express their wish to be tested for my match but the hospital won’t test each individual for me. It’s improbable that other family members are matches, since the chances of a sibling with the same parents matching is only 50%. If you want to be tested, though, you can join the national bone marrow donor registry. If you are my match, you can still be my donor. If not, you will be donating to someone else. This is a great thing to do anyhow. If anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll get more information on how to donate.
Have a good week!
I am so glad it was dehydration. It amazes me how some of the most normal things creep up on those of us with abby normal immune systems. I had cut back on salt for normal health reasons and was told that would prevent me from healing and healing took what? oh yea it didn’t last time, so I am to eat a half a can of soup a day. The minerals will hurt as bad as dehydration it seems.Keep on drinking…Sharron
Posted on Do you know if you can be doner if you have cancer yourself? I rather think not, but it is a question that has been plauging me for some time. I would gladly register if I thought I was admissable.
Posted on so glad you hear your problems could be fixed so easily. and what a treat to feel up to visiting and going out with your family. i am just starting into this whole cancer journey myself, so i won’t be able to donate marrow, but if/when the day comes that i can, i will. i am going to find out wednesday when i have my surgery. then will find out about further treatment. i will pray that a donor is found for you and that you will have a successful transplant. you are in my prayers. keep the faith! debby
Posted on What is it all about in testing, if you are a match, how do they take it out, do you have to meet a certain criteria, what is the down time, risks?
Posted on I posted a comment a week ago with the free registration # in it. Nascar is paying for the home kits right now. Other wise it costs $50.00. Good luck on your search. Within 2 hours of searching for my husband they had 6 matches that were 99% 6 out of 6 matches. The 1st person to test proved to be 100% match. That was a great moment in this horrible journey for us. We were told that it would take up to 6 months to find a match. Boy were they wrong.
I also found it really weird that the American Red Cross will not sponser bone marrow drives. They say it costs way to much. When we asked at the bone marrow ransplant clinic they said the blood work for matching costs well over $1,000.00. Hope you find a match soon!
Hugs Stacy
Posted on I forgot, If you have a history of cancer you cannot donate. SOrry Weezie!
Stacy
I am so glad you are raising awareness for bone marrow matching. Good luck with the search. Keep us posted on how it goes.
Posted on 
Thanks for your support - 
