Tuesday 31 March 2015
Lauren - special update 31/03/2015 - Remission!!
just found out... CHEMO HAS WORKED!! Has pretty much knocked my cancer outta me so I'm ready for transplant!! #cancerpickedthewrongfight #fuckcancer #bringontransplant — feeling like I've fucked cancer.
Update #5 by Lauren 30/03/2015
UPDATE #5: GOOD NEWS - I managed to get discharged on Friday and had some much needed home time and sleepy time in my own bed and was able to eat yummy home food!!!
NOT SO GOOD NEWS - I spiked a temperature last night so I'm back in hospital. This sort of thing is very normal when you don't have as many awesome working blood cells as everyone else and I can remember this sort of thing happening last time so it's not depressing, it's more of a nuisance if anything. So they've taken tests to find out what infection I have now and my money is on this head cold/ear infection that's been very slowly brewing over the past week. I'll keep you updated.
Apart from that the weekend was awesome - I forgot how good it is to sleep in your own bed and how good it is to brush your teeth, even if it's with a my first barbie toothbrush! (you can't brush your teeth if your blood counts are too low cause it can cause bleeding in the gums, but mine were high enough this weekend so yay) Dad and Mum also took me for a few drives here and there and I was able to sweet talk my way into making a special delivery to the third year acting students of ACArts (where I was studying acting) who are performing their devised shows '3D' at the moment. Chookas for closing night tomorrow guys!!
As for today, I think you could call me Mr Grumpy or Little Miss Sleep-a-lot. I'm fairly sore and pretty tired because I had my all important bone marrow biopsy today. The results from this determines whether the chemo did it's job (which we are all hoping it kicked cancer's ass)I find out the results from this on Thursday. Fingers and everything is still crossed hoping that the chemo has allowed me to go into remission (a fancy word they use for cancer free/kicking cancer's butt) and therefore be able to go straight into transplant and start mending myself to get better! So that hopefully by the end of the year I am truly and, hopefully, forever cancer free. That's my wish at the moment - and it's becoming closer with those cranes I'm making. Just got up to the 400 mark, just need to make another 600 and we will see whether this old Japanese fable is true smile emoticon in the meantime #fuckcancer
NOT SO GOOD NEWS - I spiked a temperature last night so I'm back in hospital. This sort of thing is very normal when you don't have as many awesome working blood cells as everyone else and I can remember this sort of thing happening last time so it's not depressing, it's more of a nuisance if anything. So they've taken tests to find out what infection I have now and my money is on this head cold/ear infection that's been very slowly brewing over the past week. I'll keep you updated.
Apart from that the weekend was awesome - I forgot how good it is to sleep in your own bed and how good it is to brush your teeth, even if it's with a my first barbie toothbrush! (you can't brush your teeth if your blood counts are too low cause it can cause bleeding in the gums, but mine were high enough this weekend so yay) Dad and Mum also took me for a few drives here and there and I was able to sweet talk my way into making a special delivery to the third year acting students of ACArts (where I was studying acting) who are performing their devised shows '3D' at the moment. Chookas for closing night tomorrow guys!!
As for today, I think you could call me Mr Grumpy or Little Miss Sleep-a-lot. I'm fairly sore and pretty tired because I had my all important bone marrow biopsy today. The results from this determines whether the chemo did it's job (which we are all hoping it kicked cancer's ass)I find out the results from this on Thursday. Fingers and everything is still crossed hoping that the chemo has allowed me to go into remission (a fancy word they use for cancer free/kicking cancer's butt) and therefore be able to go straight into transplant and start mending myself to get better! So that hopefully by the end of the year I am truly and, hopefully, forever cancer free. That's my wish at the moment - and it's becoming closer with those cranes I'm making. Just got up to the 400 mark, just need to make another 600 and we will see whether this old Japanese fable is true smile emoticon in the meantime #fuckcancer
Monday 30 March 2015
Lauren back in hospital last night
Hi All,
Lauren ended up back in the RAH last night as she spiked a temperature - she's just missing those great nurses too much!! She's in until they diagnose the cause and it's fixed. She had her bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture this morning and was feeling a bit sore this evening from the procedure. Hopefully, she'll be back home for Easter, but we won't hold our breath. We should find out the results of the biopsy on Thursday.
Lauren ended up back in the RAH last night as she spiked a temperature - she's just missing those great nurses too much!! She's in until they diagnose the cause and it's fixed. She had her bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture this morning and was feeling a bit sore this evening from the procedure. Hopefully, she'll be back home for Easter, but we won't hold our breath. We should find out the results of the biopsy on Thursday.
Friday 27 March 2015
Lauren's home!!!
Yes, finally a break from hospital. Lauren has been discharged from the RAH as her counts are coming up and she's not under treatment currently. Should be home until after Easter at this stage - but that can change quickly!! Monday she has her bone marrow biopsy which will confirm if she's officially in remission. If so, she'll be going straight into a second bone marrow transplant as I understand it. We'll see what happens. She gets the results next Thursday from the bone marrow biopsy. So to her friends, don't bother turning up at the RAH for the time being. She's at the Birksgate Taj if you want to see her. Please only if you have been well, with no colds or viruses. She's still neutropenic (low immune system).
Her Week 4 Quote in her 'former' hospital room whiteboard:
Also another of Lauren's famous quotes she recently wrote on a birthday card:
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns
OR
Rejoice because thorn bushes have roses" Abraham Lincoln
Her Week 4 Quote in her 'former' hospital room whiteboard:
Also another of Lauren's famous quotes she recently wrote on a birthday card:
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns
OR
Rejoice because thorn bushes have roses" Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday 24 March 2015
Update #4 by Lauren
Heading into week 4 and it looks like - assuming my blood counts are rebounding back (but not with any cancer cells cause hopefully the chemo told it to fuck off) - that by the very end of the week I possibly, might be an outpatient or at least have some day leave where I can spend some time at home!! AND some more good news is that they can't see any cancer cells in my blood tests... AND it appears my blood cells are starting to ,very slowly, rebound again... WHICH (with fingers and toes and tongue and arms and everything else that can be crossed) means that the chemo has done it's job!! This will be made certain in a weeks time when I go for a bone marrow biopsy to see if there's any cancer still lurking in my bone marrow (the place where all your blood cells are made). So even though there's a 50% chance of the chemo not working, hopefully the other 50% works in my favour - well that's what I'm going to try my best to focus on till then.
As for my previous week - even though I've been pretty tired, I've definitely started to bounce back. My PICC line (somehow now named Kathy) was inserted (first time round thank God) and even though I took the sedation drugs too early it was a much much less traumatic experience than last time! But I have to say memory of the week goes to my nurse, Rocky. She was on night shift last Friday and we snuck out to the nurses station (by snuck out I really mean walk down the corridor) and made Nutella and marshmallow toasties!! Definitely worth a try!! So good! Oh and as you may notice from the picture I'm now bald... Thanks to nurse Emily for turning my humble little en suite into my own Royal Adelaide Hotel hairdressing salon and to my Dad for his hair clippers aaand Yes unfortunately my Dad and I now have the same haircut -.- but overall it's been an unexpected 'good' week and if this week goes to plan I'll be wanting to socialise and have visitors in no time smile emoticon so thank you again for your understanding and support - it really helps keep me on track!! Much love Lauren xx #fuckcancer #boom!
As for my previous week - even though I've been pretty tired, I've definitely started to bounce back. My PICC line (somehow now named Kathy) was inserted (first time round thank God) and even though I took the sedation drugs too early it was a much much less traumatic experience than last time! But I have to say memory of the week goes to my nurse, Rocky. She was on night shift last Friday and we snuck out to the nurses station (by snuck out I really mean walk down the corridor) and made Nutella and marshmallow toasties!! Definitely worth a try!! So good! Oh and as you may notice from the picture I'm now bald... Thanks to nurse Emily for turning my humble little en suite into my own Royal Adelaide Hotel hairdressing salon and to my Dad for his hair clippers aaand Yes unfortunately my Dad and I now have the same haircut -.- but overall it's been an unexpected 'good' week and if this week goes to plan I'll be wanting to socialise and have visitors in no time smile emoticon so thank you again for your understanding and support - it really helps keep me on track!! Much love Lauren xx #fuckcancer #boom!
Friday 20 March 2015
Lauren's week 3 whiteboard quote
Lauren's latest quote on her whiteboard:
The pink hair is now gone and the effect of the chemo is coming through - which means the blast cells are being or been destroyed. Just have to wait for the bone marrow biopsy at the end of the month to see what's happening in the marrow. If all clear, it's straight into a second bone marrow transplant. They're tissue typing possible matches from the global registry now and have a few possibilities.
Vanessa, (Lauren's first bone marrow donor from the UK), if you're reading this don't ever get upset or think you failed Lauren with your bone marrow donation in 2008. You didn't fail her at all - you gave her healthy life from 2008 to now by your selfless generosity - time we wouldn't have had without you being the generous person you are. I reiterate a heartfelt thanks to you for your kindness. People like you make others' lives better by your positive contribution. Just as I say thank you to the next person who's bone marrow is used to cure Lauren this time around. Thanks there are people like you out there!!
When she can, Lauren enjoys visits from her friends - they seem to be the 'wind beneath her wings' right now. Just remember to check with her on her mobile how she's feeling for visitors and nb. no flowers in the ward and no visit if you have any colds or illness.
Lauren gets her new PICC line in later this morning. The last one taken out for fear of infection which has since been cleared. Will mean they can stop accessing the veins directly for treatments again - less painful.
The pink hair is now gone and the effect of the chemo is coming through - which means the blast cells are being or been destroyed. Just have to wait for the bone marrow biopsy at the end of the month to see what's happening in the marrow. If all clear, it's straight into a second bone marrow transplant. They're tissue typing possible matches from the global registry now and have a few possibilities.
Vanessa, (Lauren's first bone marrow donor from the UK), if you're reading this don't ever get upset or think you failed Lauren with your bone marrow donation in 2008. You didn't fail her at all - you gave her healthy life from 2008 to now by your selfless generosity - time we wouldn't have had without you being the generous person you are. I reiterate a heartfelt thanks to you for your kindness. People like you make others' lives better by your positive contribution. Just as I say thank you to the next person who's bone marrow is used to cure Lauren this time around. Thanks there are people like you out there!!
When she can, Lauren enjoys visits from her friends - they seem to be the 'wind beneath her wings' right now. Just remember to check with her on her mobile how she's feeling for visitors and nb. no flowers in the ward and no visit if you have any colds or illness.
Lauren gets her new PICC line in later this morning. The last one taken out for fear of infection which has since been cleared. Will mean they can stop accessing the veins directly for treatments again - less painful.
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Update #3 by Lauren
It's been 3 weeks already - I can't really believe it. Been such a whirlwind experience, especially this week. Unfortunately I spiked a temperature last Wednesday which for any healthy human being would be fine except because the chemo is doing it's job (yayy!) I have no immune system to fight off the infection AND because it's an infection in the blood my PICC line (the thiing they put all my chemo/fluids/antibiotics through and makes me look like I'm in the Matrix) needed to come out. That was a weird experience but the nurses were so lovely, patient and distractingly talkative that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. But now I obviously need the PICC line put back in so that will happen sometime in the coming days. And for those of you who know how traumatric the last PICC line insertion was for me - stress less because even my doctor suggested that I have some sort of sedation before the procedure as last time my anxiety didn't help them. But apart from that I have remained reasonably well.
My hair has only just started to fall out and I often need a few nanna naps during the day. I haven't lost my appetite yet and haven't had any nausea. So I'm going pretty well and the doctor assures me at this point in time the chemo looks like it's doing its job!! oh yeah and just one more thing, I'm being overloaded by people wanting to come and visit me which is great to know so many people believe in me and support me, except at the moment while I'm not feeling too flash and my counts are low I'm going to be keeping visitors to family and close friends. But as soon as I start feeling better I'll want to start socialising again so I'll let you know when that is. smile emoticon but thank you for the continued love - I'm so blessed to have such an amazing support network. I think that's it for this week. And ofcourse I must sign off with #fuckcancer
My hair has only just started to fall out and I often need a few nanna naps during the day. I haven't lost my appetite yet and haven't had any nausea. So I'm going pretty well and the doctor assures me at this point in time the chemo looks like it's doing its job!! oh yeah and just one more thing, I'm being overloaded by people wanting to come and visit me which is great to know so many people believe in me and support me, except at the moment while I'm not feeling too flash and my counts are low I'm going to be keeping visitors to family and close friends. But as soon as I start feeling better I'll want to start socialising again so I'll let you know when that is. smile emoticon but thank you for the continued love - I'm so blessed to have such an amazing support network. I think that's it for this week. And ofcourse I must sign off with #fuckcancer
Friday 13 March 2015
Update #2 by Lauren
I've decided I'm going to keep these weekly updates from me. Up to you whether you read them or ignore them.
So guess what... My hair is pink!! This morning I was able to get some time out of hospital to go down to the Beyond Blonde Salon to get my pink pixie cut. And wow, what an amazing cut. I'm so happy with it. So thank you to Ross for being amazing and pampering me for the morning and to my other hairdressing friend John who gave the awesome colour. As I finished my chemo cycle on Friday unfortunately this awesome hair will probably be gone by the end of the week, but yolo right?
So the plan is that this cycle of chemo I finished on Friday will work it's magic over the next 4/6weeks and get me into remission (cancer free). And, if everything works and goes to plan, from there head straight into another bone marrow transplant which will be done at the RAH. They've already begun looking for another donor and I think they have found 4 possible donors that they need to tissue type further. So now it's just a waiting game to see if the chemo can do it's stuff. I've begun to feel quite tired and lethargic and often have to have an afternoon nap so the likelihood of visitors over the next 2/3 weeks I'll probably just keep to close family and friends. Otherwise I've been feeling good and have been occupying my time making 1000 origami cranes, teaching the nurses how to drip pole dance, reading, watching movies and YouTube cat videos.
Again, thank you for all the messages of support and love that I've continued to receive. They help so much during the times where I feel abit lost and it means the world to know I have people outside rooting for me.
Anyway I think that's it for this week. So yeah I will continue these weekly updates but completely up to you if you follow them or not. You can also update yourself at laurenkupdates.blogspot.com.au and in the meantime #fuckcancer
Lauren
From Dad: A few photos from this week incl Lauren's week 2 quote and pink hair by Ross:
So guess what... My hair is pink!! This morning I was able to get some time out of hospital to go down to the Beyond Blonde Salon to get my pink pixie cut. And wow, what an amazing cut. I'm so happy with it. So thank you to Ross for being amazing and pampering me for the morning and to my other hairdressing friend John who gave the awesome colour. As I finished my chemo cycle on Friday unfortunately this awesome hair will probably be gone by the end of the week, but yolo right?
So the plan is that this cycle of chemo I finished on Friday will work it's magic over the next 4/6weeks and get me into remission (cancer free). And, if everything works and goes to plan, from there head straight into another bone marrow transplant which will be done at the RAH. They've already begun looking for another donor and I think they have found 4 possible donors that they need to tissue type further. So now it's just a waiting game to see if the chemo can do it's stuff. I've begun to feel quite tired and lethargic and often have to have an afternoon nap so the likelihood of visitors over the next 2/3 weeks I'll probably just keep to close family and friends. Otherwise I've been feeling good and have been occupying my time making 1000 origami cranes, teaching the nurses how to drip pole dance, reading, watching movies and YouTube cat videos.
Again, thank you for all the messages of support and love that I've continued to receive. They help so much during the times where I feel abit lost and it means the world to know I have people outside rooting for me.
Anyway I think that's it for this week. So yeah I will continue these weekly updates but completely up to you if you follow them or not. You can also update yourself at laurenkupdates.blogspot.com.au and in the meantime #fuckcancer
Lauren
From Dad: A few photos from this week incl Lauren's week 2 quote and pink hair by Ross:
Thursday 5 March 2015
Chemo Day 4 finished
Chemo started for Lauren on Monday - 6 days straight and then a break for a week (I think). Plan is to get her into remission as soon as possible via the chemo and then go straight into a bone marrow transplant (to be done at the RAH) - after one possible detour - after remission and before a second bone marrow transplant she'll possibly be having her remaining 3 wisdom teeth removed. Minor in comparison to what's going on for the cancer stuff. Is a glass half full or half empty? - what would your call be if it was you in the picture? - basically it's a 50/50 chance the chemo will get her into remission. Lauren has the view the glass is half full as she's determined to knock this over this time. No doubts, just do it #fuckcancer.
Her friends are carrying her this time around. Their visits are all important to her - just remember no visit if you're not well or recently had a cold/flu and aqium must be used entering the ward and her room - also, just check with her via her mobile before coming so she can manage visits and treatment and rest time. Nice to see her managing her treatment and visitors etc. Some highlights this week (for me anyway) was seeing the 'fuck cancer' cookies from Julia H - awesome!
I believe the lady baking them has had a sharp increase in sales for 'fuck cancer' cookies in the last 24 hours alone!!! (see facebook - Alyce in Cookieland)
Last Sunday (her last night before chemo started) her friends from AC Arts stayed until 10:30pm and turned her room into a fairy light, poster crowded walls.
Put Lauren on a nice high before starting treatment - that high is still continuing with other friends visiting her. As we've been saying, she doesn't look 'sick' as per the photo Sunday, so come in with a smiling face and enjoy the visit. BTW, she loves the 'big monkey' Leo.
Also, was impressed with her white board quote and garden.
Some of you around when she was seven and first diagnosed would know the story of the garden and weeds to describe what cancer is and what's happening - have to dig up the SAFM interview with Amanda B, I think - does anyone know how to put and interview from a CD onto this blog? Contact me or Lauren if you know how.
Her friends are carrying her this time around. Their visits are all important to her - just remember no visit if you're not well or recently had a cold/flu and aqium must be used entering the ward and her room - also, just check with her via her mobile before coming so she can manage visits and treatment and rest time. Nice to see her managing her treatment and visitors etc. Some highlights this week (for me anyway) was seeing the 'fuck cancer' cookies from Julia H - awesome!
Last Sunday (her last night before chemo started) her friends from AC Arts stayed until 10:30pm and turned her room into a fairy light, poster crowded walls.
Also, was impressed with her white board quote and garden.
Monday 2 March 2015
Update #1 from Lauren
So I've found that a lot of people are asking me the same questions and because obviously it's a pretty overwhelming time for me I thought I'd start a weekly update to keep you all up with it.
But thank you for all the love and support I've been receiving over the past week - it means so much to me to know I have people there behind me if I ever need them! And if I don't immediately reply to your messages it's not because I don't love you or appreciate your messages it's just that I'm in a hard place at the moment and sometimes I don't want to look at my phone.
Anyway so update #1: today I start chemotherapy... Yes I'll loose my hair, yes there will be good days and there will be the shitty days. I am allowed visitors now except just check in with me on the day to make sure I am up for it because there will be days where I just don't want to see/speak to anyone. Also if you've been sick in the past two weeks you're not allowed in and also if you're sending gifts no flowers or plant products. Just thought I'd clear that up.
Some things to look forward to is this weekend I'm hopefully getting a pink pixie haircut to celebrate my hair falling out and I have all these movies I've been meaning to sit down and watch for ages and now I have the time to do so, so looking forward to that. I'm also planning to win something out of a puzzle book just for lols and giggles and to keep my brain working. I have plenty of stuff to keep me occupied and already a cupboard full of chocolates and goodies for those midnight munchies. smile emoticon
Anyway I think that's all for update #1. Again thank you all again for all the kind words and heartfelt messages - I do read them and I do enjoy them it's just I receive so many I can't reply to all of them smile emoticon I think you'll understand. So until next Monday #fuckcancer
But thank you for all the love and support I've been receiving over the past week - it means so much to me to know I have people there behind me if I ever need them! And if I don't immediately reply to your messages it's not because I don't love you or appreciate your messages it's just that I'm in a hard place at the moment and sometimes I don't want to look at my phone.
Anyway so update #1: today I start chemotherapy... Yes I'll loose my hair, yes there will be good days and there will be the shitty days. I am allowed visitors now except just check in with me on the day to make sure I am up for it because there will be days where I just don't want to see/speak to anyone. Also if you've been sick in the past two weeks you're not allowed in and also if you're sending gifts no flowers or plant products. Just thought I'd clear that up.
Some things to look forward to is this weekend I'm hopefully getting a pink pixie haircut to celebrate my hair falling out and I have all these movies I've been meaning to sit down and watch for ages and now I have the time to do so, so looking forward to that. I'm also planning to win something out of a puzzle book just for lols and giggles and to keep my brain working. I have plenty of stuff to keep me occupied and already a cupboard full of chocolates and goodies for those midnight munchies. smile emoticon
Anyway I think that's all for update #1. Again thank you all again for all the kind words and heartfelt messages - I do read them and I do enjoy them it's just I receive so many I can't reply to all of them smile emoticon I think you'll understand. So until next Monday #fuckcancer
Sunday 1 March 2015
Some home time today
Hi folks,
Lauren is coming home for 2 hours today - from 2:00pm - - 4:00pm. Then she's having take-away in hospital tonight for dinner with some friends. It's the last time the hospital will allow her to have take-away for a while. Home cooked meals are OK going forward, just not take-away. She starts chemo tomorrow. Aim is to get her into remission and then all going well, straight into a bone marrow transplant which will be done at the RAH. Very different system to the children's treatment protocol. Grandma arrives Tues morning, which Kate is over the moon about. She's already organised to stay here Monday night so she can go to the airport and get to school on time - Kate - the new organiser!!!
Results of bone marrow biopsy - 90% blast cells present in the marrow - not a good reading. I think it was 20% in the blood from last Saturday's blood test (different test to the marrow test).
She's fine in herself. On Friday she had lunch with her AC Arts Colleagues which was good for her. We decided to take some extra time out and grab a coffee before heading back to the RAH. (Coffee shop had an interesting sign on display - appropriate!!
Got to run again as she's keen I'm there before 2pm so we maximise the time at home - time to clean her room!!! Imagine a picture of a bomb going off - that's her room. Clean clothes on ground, others in wardrobe, hidden I guess!! Can we request someone with a marrow this time who's tidy? Maybe it might help her keep room tidy cells! :)
Lauren is coming home for 2 hours today - from 2:00pm - - 4:00pm. Then she's having take-away in hospital tonight for dinner with some friends. It's the last time the hospital will allow her to have take-away for a while. Home cooked meals are OK going forward, just not take-away. She starts chemo tomorrow. Aim is to get her into remission and then all going well, straight into a bone marrow transplant which will be done at the RAH. Very different system to the children's treatment protocol. Grandma arrives Tues morning, which Kate is over the moon about. She's already organised to stay here Monday night so she can go to the airport and get to school on time - Kate - the new organiser!!!
Results of bone marrow biopsy - 90% blast cells present in the marrow - not a good reading. I think it was 20% in the blood from last Saturday's blood test (different test to the marrow test).
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