30 May - day 16

There is not much news to tell but I thought I should give a short update in case any of you have started worrying :) I haven't written for more than a week now for one reason only - laziness! In fact, I haven't turned on my computer since May 21st, and that is probably a record for me. But I've still checked Facebook and emails on my phone. Thanks again for your greetings and for checking up on me! It's heart-warming ;)

Today is my 16th day in the hospital, I can't believe it's been half a month already. Today is also day #7 post treatment. My white blood cell count is still dropping and hasn't reached the bottom yet, that is pretty much what I'm waiting for. 

In the meantime I have to be careful. Like I've mentioned before, I'm in protective isolation and don't get visitors besides closest family. My appetite hasn't been great in the past days. Those who've seen me eat in the past would have a hard time believing that it took me an hour to eat one waffle. Mom has been baking these amazing waffles that I eat for breakfast. Surprisingly, they are really easy on my stomach. That's another thing, my stomach is pretty messed up because the treatment affects the mucous membrane. Stomach issues are most definitely the most annoying side effect. 

The doctor has me on nutrition through an IV to substitute the many things I'm not eating. Still I try to eat as much as I can to keep my digestive system running. I need a lot of calories to prevent me from losing weight and the strength that I will need to recover. But these days it's pretty much just waffles for breakfast, soup for lunch and the weirdest... yes weirdest cravings for supper. 

I LOVE eating (when I'm healthy), and I eat a lot and there are so many things I can't wait to eat when I get out of this. When I don't have to think about my stomach or this neutropenic diet thing I'm supposed to be on... then I shall have a FEAST. I'm already making a list!!!

I moved again. Now I'm in the last room in the hall and it's a little bit smaller but it's cozy. I have my bed, a nightstand, a lazy-boy for visitors, my private bathroom and shower, a tv, 2 closets, a clock, a tray on wheels for all my food, and a BIKE. The PT brought me an exercise bike so my parents can work out when they visit. Haha. They do, but it's meant for me. It's good to get my blood flowing since I do a lot of sitting and laying here.

I went out once the other day. I put up my fancy green mask and went for a short car ride with my parents. It was nice to see the 'world' again. Hopefully I can go again soon. 

May 21st

I thought I should give you guys a short update before I go to bed. It is not going to be very exciting but it's good for me to make a recap of recent events.

I came into the ER on Wednesday the 15th and spent the night in ICU. The day after I was moved to a different hospital and spent 3 nights in the cancer ward. On Sunday, I was moved to the 'correct' ward. Everyone here is dealing with blood related diseases, it is a little bit like a ghost town because all the patients are supposed to keep in their rooms. We're all making sure we don't get germs and infections. So I've been here 3 days and haven't seen any other patients... not even in the hallway. 

As far as my treatment goes, I'm  on chemo bag #6. It's pretty incredible to think I only have one bag left and the first treatment will be over. 'Over' is still a big word because I'll be at my weakest when it's 'over'. Then I will need about 10-14 days to restore my white blood cell count. Hopefully they will be healthier this time. I will then need plenty of rest before they start treatment #2. 

Like I mentioned, I can't believe it's day #6 already... I thought time would pass slower. 

My appetite is really strange. The therapy is affecting it and I'm also taking anti-nausea meds. I'm becoming a REALLY picky eater. I eat what I can of the hospital food when it looks, smells, and tastes ok IF I think it will help my health. Lately everything has been smelling funny but thankfully I have a drawer full of goodies from home and friends. 

This morning I went back to basics and had baby food and cheerios. For some reason it was the BEST! 

Today I laid my eyes on a jar of kalamata olives that friends had sent. There was no turning back, I had olives with everything today. It was amazing. 

The bottom line here is that besides my funny appetite, I'm feeling fine. I'm actually enjoying the down time at the moment (although I know there's more than enough to come). The days are passing quicker than I thought they would, the nurses are INCREDIBLE people and all your greetings have been brightening my days. 

Thank you!

May 18th

Thank you, thank you, thank you! All your greetings and encouragement really made today pass a lot faster! :) Technology is so amazing and I'm enjoying it a lot these days.

It made my day to hear that individuals, groups and even whole congregations are praying for me in at least: Iceland, US, Canada, England, Denmark, Greece, Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Mexico, Australia etc.

It really doesn't matter where the people are located or how many countries they represent, it is encouraging to me and means A LOT.

Since I mentioned technology, just as I started writing this my good friend Nancy sent me a photo of my brother singing with Fountainview! She happened to be in the same place as he. Very cool.

Then the Children's Sabbath school in the nearest church made me a sweet little booklet with greetings from the church members. It's now hanging on my wall :)

 Then for no reason I'm posting the painting of the yellow bird that is also stuck in this room.

 Then my friend Tinna Sól made me a photo with verses that her mom picked :)

I'm in a much more stable condition now, and it seems like I'm responding OK to the treatment. We won't know for sure though till the first part is over and they can do some more extensive testing. But my worst condition will be the 10 days after each treatment.

At least I can walk on my own, and practically do everything myself. I don't know what to expect in the next weeks so at the moment I'm trying to move around as much as possible and keep muscles active and flexible.

I've been injected with so much medicine and so much liquid, I'll be surprised if I don't explode soon. Like really, I feel so full but I know I have to eat. The nurses are monitoring me and will make sure I won't start storing too much liquid.

I think this will do for tonight. Thank you again for your greetings, they are so much fun to read!

May 17 - new chapter - bizzare

It's May 17th - heya Norge day! There are photos below.

So why not just write about it publicly?

The past two days have been eventful, I‘ve tried some cool things and some not so great things. Since Wednesday morning I have fainted... 3x, visited a clinic before its opening time, had the second blood draw of my life... followed by TOO many... WAY TOO MANY. My veins were so pretty and fine they couldn‘t even find them and when they got to them they couldn't fill their little cup. Needless to say, my hands are pretty blue at the moment. Ok, back to my list... I also met incredible and handsome, caring doctors and nurses, stayed in the ICU where a nurse was dedicated to only me.

UPDATE: I can't believe I forgot to say that I got to ride in an ambulance... between the two hospitals. It was pretty cool. 

Then I had a huge needle inserted that sucked out a sample of my bone marrow. I was so drugged I can‘t remember a thing... thankfully! I asked the nurse later, and she said I’d squeezed her hand pretty hard. Then I also have a thin tube in my chest, below my neck so they can shoot and draw straight through so there won‘t be any more needles for me. YAY.

So you’re probably wondering: What’s going on? I actually finished this blog post and then noticed I had never mentioned it. Well, I came into the emergency because I had fainted at home, felt dizzy and could hardly stand. The doctors ran tests and my blood work was all messed up. I hardly had any platelets... which is dangerous. A minor cut and I could’ve bled out. Then they found that my white blood cells didn’t look all too fancy. Too many of them were immature and multiplying to fast.

My diagnosis is ‘acute promyelocytic leukemia’. Or since I'm becoming so familiar with medical terminology, we can just call it APL-M3. Haha. It is so acute that I’m already doing my 2nd day of treatment. This disease in particular has been researched a lot in the past years and the treatment has been dramatically improved. Patients my age in particular, tend to do really well so that is good to know.

I‘ve stopped counting the number of glasses of beetroot juice I‘ve drunken.  They actually have pretty decent vegan food here. I must say I was surprised. My mom does supplement it though with the many missing things. I’m in protective isolation so they’d rather not let me have visitors at the moment, only immediate family. I’m sensitive to infections so the food I get is even specially prepared. Everything has to be cooked to make sure there are no germs in it. Pretty much desensitized. The variety of fresh food is limited. I shouldn’t have vulnerable foods like salad. But I’m planning to eat a lot of fruit tomorrow. I can eat have it if it comes unsliced and unpeeled. I’m craving an orange.

My cousin came and cut my hair today. I like it, I was planning on cutting it short for the summer and there’s no way I want to be washing and brushing the crazy hair I had before.

I’m glad to have my own room, it’s spacious with big windows and a painting of a yellow bird. There’s a lazy boy for my lazy of visitors, who yet haven’t received permission to visit ;) Then there’s a 2^nd bed for when my mom wants to nap.

This is all very new and happening very fast so I’ll just have to adjust fast (never really had a problem with that). Now comes the Golden Globe part: I of course want to thank my very supportive family for being awesome. Also, the most incredible hospital staff that is genuinely caring, supportive and intelligent and takes the time to do whatever my mind comes up with (nursing friends and students... make sure to be that way!). Then there are my wonderful friends who are unfortunately/fortunately (not sure which) spread all over the world. I’m comforted to know that so many are praying for me, even people I don’t know.

It will be interesting so how this goes. It’s a big project but the doctors are positive. I pray that God will guide their minds and that the treatment works for me. The scary part is all the side effects and possible damage; I really hope it goes well. 

I just need a big project to work on this summer. Something fun, challenging and computerized. I’ll definitely brush up my German, and maybe I should learn Spanish. Who knows, maybe I will have knit a sweater for you all by the time I get out of here... or painted a gorgeous piece of art (yes, don’t worry... that was a joke).

WayAnne, darling, I don’t have an excuse anymore.  I promise to reply to your emails.  

PS. pray please

PSS. I'd love if you'd comment or sign the guest book so I know who you are ;) DO IT NOW!

The 'ready to take a stroll down the hall' look.

Yes? No? Yes? No? Not a chance!

The gadget lady who is learning so much new terminology. Be happy you can't see my pants. LOL.

Keeping the lazy-boy warm.