The first weekend

    I have been discussing this difficult time with my family and friends that were with me at the hospital and I'm really suprised how much I don't remember. Have there been times in your life that you thought you were coherent, with it or just really thought you knew what was going on and to find out later you really weren't. Of course, I could carry on conversations but I'm hearing that they didn't make much sense. My husband and a dear friend of mine have been telling me stories about my ramblings. I will let them fill you in on the off the wall but funny renditions at a later time.
  Anyway, the first 48 hours of this horrific diagnosis was treated with multiple machines and treatments that I can not remmeber the name of. I do recall bits and pieces of each treatment or preperation but very vague. When the doctors began my chemo treatments, they used what was called an induction chemotheraphy. (7+3). This treatment is administered 24 hours a day for 7 days with a 3 day push at the start of the first 3 days. If you are interested this link can describe it much better than I. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_myeloid_leukemia . This chemo treatment like all creates many side effects from nausea which I didn't have much of due to the anti nausea drugs (thank you). Mouth sores which were incredibly painful for 5-7 days (lost about 20 pounds from lack of being able to eat properly). Vision impairments, this was freaky. I would imagine strange stains of color running down the walls and floors plus visuals such as fully painted murals and other unique illusions. Of course, none of these were really there and it only last 3-5 days but very strange. It is a diagnosis call Charles Bonnet Syndrome. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bonnet_syndrome. This is worth reading about, very interesting. There are many more side effects including the common chemo brain, which is not a joke (experiencing some right now), your brain feels like it is swimming in a fog. It's hits your memory and sharpness. There are so many side effects that occur with chemo but considering, I did pretty well and hit my remission date in 26 days and was finally able to go home, which is remarkable!
   I have had 4 hospital stays since the beginning which all consisted of ARC chemo which is a high dose consolidation treatment. I did very well with these treatments, I have to say the hardest part of the chemo treatments is the after effects. It totally destroys your counts including white blood cells, platelets and hemoglobin. Not fun, it's as if you are being biologically torn down and then your body has to begin creating new cells, blood and platelets in it's weaken state. During this time there are diet limitations, lack of energy, bruising and high risk of infections. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutropenia .Not fun at all.
  Up until this point it has been a rollercoaster ride and having a strong support system around you makes all the difference. No One should fight this alone!
  Letting the fog settle and will write more soon. Thanks for staying tuned in.