It has been a while since I have posted and a lot has happened. Reasons I haven't written were due to a relapse after returning home. My life was shaken up a bit and thoughts were just not organized enough to write.

I will back up a bit and explain, recovery was going well after the transplant I spent 60 days living in a condo in Denver with my parents as my caregivers. Day 60, I received clearance to go home, everything was going so well. One week later, when I revisited the doctor for routine labs and check up we discovered the Leukemia was back. Yes, a relapse. This was a very discouraging set back. I was readmitted in to the hospital for approx 32 days which during this time I received an extremely powerful chemo treatment to knock out the leukemia cells. This worked but caused side effects such as fevers and rashes. I was surrounded by family which made the time more comforting but it was a difficult month. Finally, I was told we hit remission and as soon as the fevers were gone I could return home but would continue treatment.

I have been home now for approx 1 month and getting stronger each day. I continue to take a chemo regimen at home which is a very new drug and there isn't a lot of research on it but so far results are good and the leukemia is in check. At this moment we are in unchartered waters, we have a couple options but the doctors don't really know which one would produce the best results and of course with any cancer there are NO guarantees. So, today we continue on the path we are on and hope for the best. It's a bit of an uneasy feeling but we haven't lost any of that positive attitude. Still fighting!

Below is a link for the "Light the Night Walk" that will take place in Sept. 2012. We would love for you to join my family and I at this walk. Please check it out.
http://pages.lightthenight.org/rm/CoSprngs12/GBaldinger

Imagine your rainbow.

A few words.      
        Back in the day people thought Cancer was a dirty word, people were scared of the unknown. This hasn't changed much. Are we still scared? Sure but it's not a dirty word. As a patient, caregiver, family member or friend dare yourself to be positive, dare yourself to be happy and use your imagination for a happy and healthy life for the future.
         Pain and sorrow does not heal, always remember your happy place. This music by The Piano Guys is perfect, just imagine.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jzF_y039slk#!

Post Transplant

   Forgive me for not updating sooner, sometimes after chemo treatments it's hard to put words and thoughts together in an organized manner. (We call it Chemo Brain, not lol). January 3rd kicked off my pretreatment for the Stem Cell Transplant. The first step was to replace my pic line in my arm with a trifusion in my chest. In non medical terms a trifusion has 3 lines for the medical staff to access with IV's and they are larger than the previous lines in my arm. It was a little uncormfortable at first but it grows on you. These lines will be in place for approx 4 months and they dangle from your chest and need daily care. (Similar to utters on a cow, nice huh). Anyway, following was the routine admission testing and then we began 5 days of chemo treatments (I was approved for new trial drugs, interesting) and 1 dose of radiation. My body responded very well to the before mentioned but did have some side effects. Mouth and throat sores (very painful) and ooops lost my hair AGAIN. This was followed by a day of rest, no drugs entering my body and before I knew it, the time had come. Jan. 11th, my new birthday!
   Let's say YAY because the transplant turned out to be very uneventful which is a good thing. I received 6,000,000 stem cells from an unrelated donor. Incredible! Can not thank this person enough and the information is kept under lock and key for 1 year. The whole thing took 22 minutes. My vitals of course were being checked constantly throughtout the day and fortunately there were no immediate reactions. Following the infusion I began receiving anti-rejection drugs and a whole regimen of other medications to prevent this and that. These drugs are all pretty harsh and I was lucky, only very minor reactions such as itchy skin in random places and night sweats. Very lucky, could have been much worse.
    I was doing so well they discharged me on Jan. 26th but have to remain in a location close to the hospital for up to 80 days after the transplant. Hoping for a shorter time, very homesick. Currently, I am renting a lovely condo in Denver and my parents are here as my caregivers being I am not allowed to be alone. We head over to the hospital 3 times a week for labs and doctor appointments so it's good to be close especially if I have a reaction. Hubby and the kids come up on the weekends but it's hard not being with them everyday but here is the good news.
    Good news: I had my first post transplant bone marrow biopsy at Day +28 and all is clear. 2 more are scheduled at Day +100 and 1 year. We are doing routine spinal taps with IT Chemo to zap and keep away any cells that might be lingering in my central nervous system being the 2 systems don't communicate. Recovery is going well, energy levels are low which is normal. It's said a patient can feel like this for the first year. So, a little bit each day and one day at a time!
    Be inspired by all the Teams in Training out there trying to raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They are trying to stamp out blood cancers and at least .75cents of every dollar goes to research. Please help, if each person donates $1 or the price of a Starbucks coffee the goals could be met. Attached is a link for the cause in my honor but I'd be thrilled no matter where you donated. Thank you. 
  http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/ambbr12/SYBIKER

New Year Fresh Start

   It's early New Years Eve, this past year has been life changing and life learning. We as people don't realize how much we have and how much we love till we are faced with a life terminating situation. Why is that? We are human, we have emotions for good and bad. Why do we overlook and take advantage of our lives? This is hard to write but my wish for the new year is for each of you to take a step back and appreciate who you are and who's around you. Material items are nice but you can't take them with you. Life is about gratitude, generosity and love. Share and enjoy each moment.

             When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,
                                        show life you have a thousand reasons to smile.
                                                                                                      Unknown Author.

Jan. 3rd, 2011 I will be admitted into the hospital for conditioning treatments that lead up to my stem cell transplant. Transplant sounds like a scary word, let's say transfusion being everything is done through an IV. It's a Fresh Start! Currently, I am disease FREE and in perfect condition for the procedure. The outcome looks really good but there are always complications along the way. Some minor, some not but I'm ready. My family and friends have been and I know will continue to be a great support system and I love and appreciate each and everyone of them. Stay with me through this time and please share my story. The more stories like this we share the more we can help each other get through difficult times.

                                             A Happy and Healthy 2012 to ALL!

Helpful Sites for Patients and Caregivers

When you first hear your diagnosis it's challenging to know what to do and where to start. Here are some sites that can help you on your journey. As we are going through treatments there is a ton of information that comes our way so my best advice is to ask lots of questions and take plenty of notes.


The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers ways to help, disease info and support plus more.
    http://www.lls.org/

The American Cancer Society can offer financial assistance, ways to get involved, disease and staying healthy info.
   http://www.cancer.org/index

What Next helps you connect with others on a similar path.
   http://www.whatnext.com/

Cancer Care  Professional support for anyone with cancer. For patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Offers financial assistance.
   http://www.cancercare.org/

National Marrow Donor Program-Be the Match provides patient, family and donor info.
   http://marrow.org/Home.aspx

Leukemia Research Foundation includes listing of many helpful sites.
   http://www.leukemia-research.org/page.aspx?pid=225

Hope Lodges assists with during and after treatment lodging.
   http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/index

Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers provides info on patient resources, scheduling appts and much more.
   http://rockymountaincancercenters.com/

The Max Foundation supports people living with cancer.
   http://www.themaxfoundation.org/

RipRap a site to help when a parent has cancer.
   http://www.riprap.org.uk/


 

Final testing for stem cell transplant

   Before going into the stem cell transplant so many things need to be done. Of course, you want to head into the procedure with the best possible outcome which includes total remission (absence of disease). Yesterday was my exciting, exhausting day for testing, unfortunately the 2nd time I have gone through this being we found disease the 1st time.
   The testing protocol to get ready for the transplant includes but not limited to the following procedures.
1- Heart Ultrasound
2- Chest Xray
3- Arterial Blood Gas test (if needed), many people that live in high alttitudes will need this procedure.
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arterial_blood_gas
4- Pulmonary Lung Function Testing  http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/pulmonary/pulmonary-function-testing/#s0010
5- EKG
6- Bone Marrow Biopsy  http://www.webmd.com/cancer/bone-marrow-aspiration-and-biopsy
7- Lumbar Puncture with IT Chemo  http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Lumbarpuncture.aspx
8- Lab Draws and Urine testing.

   This all takes place during the course of one day and as out patient but is required to enter the transplant stage. After results register (hoping they are all good), what needs to be treated will be and can delay the transplant. Cross your fingers with me that all results are good this time.
   If you know anyone that has been diagnosed with AML or other Leukemia's please have them check out my blog, I will be posting a page with helpful sites for them to visit.
  My transplant will follow the New Year, what a great way to kick off 2012. Let's do this!

Definition of AML