September 8, 2011 update

Hi there,

Hope you are all doing well. Just an update for this week.

On Tuesday morning, I went to have acupuncture. At that appointment, I was able to move my hands and feet and not feel the needles! Never done that before. I felt no pain at all. Before this appointment, I would feel little pings of pain (minimal) when I moved-so this was pretty cool. According to the acupuncturist, it meant I was stronger and had more chi. (or is that 'qi'?).

When I was leaving the appointment, the specialist who had the last test done on me, was in his office with the door open. So, I decided at the last minute I would stop and say, "Thanks!" (I did plan to send him a card). Anyway, I stopped and knocked and said I was sorry to bother you and not sure if you remember who I am-but I am Kat XXXXX who had severe neutropenia. He said, oh yes, you had the severe bone pain. Well, I told him I wanted to stop by and say thank you because I still continue to have no fevers, no sore throats, and no bone pain. He asked about the pain management/medication. I smiled, and said, "I haven't taken any pain pills for over a week!" (And I was taking 3 a day!). He was very excited and said he would update my chart and made sure my doctor knew. I said my doctor does know and I am having WBC with differential on Friday to see if they have done anything. He asked me to keep him updated.

So, I have my blood counts done tomorrow morning. I continue to feel well. But, to be honest, I still think that I am going to wake up one day soon and I will have the same fatigue, fevers, pain, sore throats, I had just weeks ago. I realize it has only been 3 weeks of feeling well but I so want to believe that I will feel this way forever! It's like a miracle! But, I also hear the doctors in my head telling me-not too long ago, I might add-that it was going to get worse and worse and to brace myself for less work, more pain, more fatigue, more illness, etc.

I am LOVING the way I feel. It is truly a GIFT and I know that. I thank God every day-and then some. But there is still part of me that feels it will pass. I guess we'll see.

I am curious about my numbers and where they will be. Will they still be low, even though I feel better? or, will they have jumped up a little? And, then, what does that mean? will they stay that way? So many questions no matter what the outcome I guess.

I will definitely keep you all posted. Thanks for reading and for your thoughts. I wish you all the best.

Kat

September 2, 2011

Hi there,

I continue to feel great! I cannot believe it myself. I sure hope it lasts.
I have been taking better vitamins for almost a month now. I no longer have sore throats, lung pain, or even daily fevers! I have no bone pain in my legs or arms. I still have mild pain in my hands, similar to mild arthritis I suppose. All of this-with just better vitamins. Makes me angry that they can sell cr@p vitamins to people.

The other day, I was able to swim a mile! A whole mile! I haven't done that in 2 years! And, I haven't taken my pain meds in a couple days. For a couple weeks, I was taking 1/2 pill in the am & 1/2 pill in the pm. Then, cut it down to 1/2 just once a day and now-none! I was taking 3 whole pills each day!

YAHOO!! I am having my blood counts checked next Thursday to see what they have done. I know that this has not taken care of the Neutropenia-but I have had that for 20+ years. It's the last 2 years that have s@cked.

Please try vitamins for a health food store if you have any symptoms of fatigue, bone pain, weakness, etc. It seems to have worked.

Thanks for reading and best of luck to you.

Kat