mymandablog

I took Christina's advice... along with my mother's (as much as I hate to admit that one... lol jk MOM) and went to the movies ALONE!!! I saw The Hangover!! Which I have to say was very liberating. Not the movie, the act of going alone. I spent the entire evening on a "date" so-to-speak with myself. I went to Barnes and Nobel and got a new book then went to the movies! It was soooooooo funny! I loved it! Definitely something to buy down the road!

Thanks for the advice Christina and Mom!!! Although, now I need to share the funny moments of the movie with someone! Hahaha!

Are you serious!? I wrote an entirely too long post in Word and it won't let me copy and paste!!!!!!!!!!!! WTH!??!?!??!?!

So I haven't written in awhile. Everything is ok. Mom is doing well health wise, she can finally stay by herself which is a step in the right direction. The biggest issue going on right now is affording to stay in her house. It really sucks how money works when you are sick. She can't work and shortly her pay will go to 60 percent which most of you all know is not enough to keep a house and pay all the bills. She will only get one pay check a month as well. It's just stressful and we are looking into disability, but the problem with that is we've heard you can't get disablilty and still get paid from her job. Ugh, if we could jut win the lotto!

As for me, I'm doing alright. Could be better, but I guess I can't complain. Mom is getting healthier and hopefully I will be too! I am putting a lot more focus on my health and weight. I want to get back on track how I was last year at this time. I went to a trainer last wednesday and I wish I could afford him all the time. He kicked my butt!!!!!!!! But in a good way. I really felt powerful and I know I can lose the rest of the weight that I started losing last year!

I am looking forward to summer, the pool... cookouts... baseball! All of it. I'm going to try to make the best of my time and remember that even though I am sad sometimes that I have a lot of good things in my life. Even if I'm not always happy at work, I have a job. Even though mom doesn't have enough money to have her house and such anymore, she is in fact alive to have this problem. And I'm hoping to go visit my family again soon... and perhaps catch an O's game with Heather and Shawn... We'll see!!!

Mom is doing a lot better. Yesterday and today that is.

Just a small update!!!

I'm at the hosptial with mom, last night she was kind of bad but we were told this would happen. She had a fever and chills but today she is looking better. With low hemo levels they are giving her blood, again something we were expecting. She keeps dozing in and out, but it makes me feel much better to be with her even if I can't do anything for her.

WBC:700
Hgb:7.9
Plt:92
K+:3.8
Mg:1.9
Cr:8.9

Ok, so here is some info about what's going on.

Aunt Linda gave a successful 2.4 (of stem cells out of her bone marrow) but they want more just in case. So she stayed overnight and mom received what she gave yesterday. What took Aunt Linda 6 hours to give took mom 30 minutes to receive. But all is well. Aunt Linda was back at it at 7:30 this morning and needs to give 1.6 more to make 4.0. I realize this all sounds like weird stuff, but trust me it does to us too... we just know everything is going right as of now. Aunt Linda will go home today and mom will get the rest of the cells.

Mom's stats as of now:

WBC (White Blood Cell Count) 1.6
Hgb (Hemoglobin) 8.1 - Anything Less than 8 she will need blood
PH (Platelets) 127 - Anything Less than 10 she will need platelets
K+ (Potassium) 4.3
Mg (Magnesium) 1.7 - and this is low so she received some this morning

It's very likely these numbers will decline. It's normal and she should get weaker before better. They said at Day +5 and Day +9 will probably be her worst days. However, right now she is doing great!

Also, on a good note Aunt Linda's WBC was very high and she didn't have to receive the shot to stimulate them to produce! (Good times with no shot in the belly!!!)

So, I'm at the hospital as we speak. Aunt Linda is down the hall she got her port put in this morning and is currently giving bone marrow and they are filtering out the stem cells. This process could take 4-6 hours and maybe even into tomorrow. There is an hour of testing to make sure they have enough then mom will start to recieve the stem cells via iv into her port. Everyone is doing well, Aunt Linda is a bit nauseated but this is natural and everyone should be just fine! =)

Visitors are welcome after this week...

No laytex or rubber balloons only mylar.
No real flowers.
No one under 12.
And absolutly no one who is or has been around anyone ill.

Thanks everyone!! Call the cell if you need any information on locations and stuff

I know I haven't update this in awhile... so there is quite a bit going on.




1) Mom is officialy at The James Cancer Hospital @ The Ohio State University! She went in yesterday at 7am. This is how our morning and afternoon went.

• Admissions @ 7am.
• Went to the 3rd floor (Mom is in room 357 and her phone number is 614-293-3423, I'm sure she'll be bored so give her a call!)
• Got in the room, it's nice she has a tv and dvd player and a nice view.
• They needed to get blood so nurse 1 (Lindy) comes in to do so....
• IV won't work, mom has only one arm to use because of the lymphnod being removed out of her right arm and her left arm veins are awful
• Lindy get's nurse 2 and nurse 3.
• They bring the ultrasound machine to find a vein, but not before they prick her 4 more times...
• Nothing really works they only get 2 vials of blood and that's after they decided to take a suringe and fill them up with the blood.. Poor mom
• She get's taken down to get a new and improved 3 hole port put in her chest
• Test come back saying she may need platelets but they retest after the port and its not needed
• After what seemed like forever, mom comes back to the room in pain because the stupid doctor doesn't really allow the meds to kick in to put her in "twilight"
• All in all mom is good though and prepared for the week to come
• She received chemo last night and will do so for the next 4 days
• Next tusday is Day Zero... that's how they say it as will I
• She should be in there for about 5 weeks give or take and when she comes home will have many restrictions until Day Plus 100
  

I'm over my being scared and just ready for mom to get better! GOD BLESS Aunt Linda for being a match and doing this for my mom and her sister.... It's such a gift!

2) Jackie and Ryan got married! The wedding was beautiful and now she is the first married Grandchild (and at this rate only LOL).

Some pictures from the wedding.... Facebook wasn't cooperating with me when I was trying to save from Jackie's page... so I didn't put all I wanted to. Either way she looked Sooooo beautiful and I think everyone had a lovely time.

3)I'm putting school on hold while mom is in the hosptial, I'm not trying too put more on my plate than I can handle and right now I know I can't handle more work.

4)I really looking forward to May and visiting Maryland even if it is only for a few days. I need out of OHIO!!! Plus I can't wait to see preggie Heather!!!

5)Did I mention that I am loving that Spring is here and peeking its good weather out occasionally!? I am really over Winter!

6)I think that is all for now..... Oh wait, I love the show Being Erica on SoapNet! It's on Thursday's everyone so Tivo it cause Gray's is supposed to be CRAZY!!!!!

Thanks to Adam's computer cord working and my computer working together we have one good computer! lol I'll be updating everyone tomorrow about mom and her bone marrow transplant (to be known as BMT from here on out)

Look what I got! John is the greatest person ever! :-) I LOVE YOU!!!

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Soooo here is what's going on:

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

9:45AM - We go to Zangmister (Cancer Center) to see the financial advisor guy to help mom out on her medical bills.

10:00AM - Finance guy Brian notices how ill mom is feeling today and gets nurse.

10:05AM - Mom gets vitals checked from nurses and such. EVERYTHING IS LOW... Blood pressure (which is usually super high) white cell count is dangerously low, red cell count is crazy low... hemogloben craziness is going on. Along with Iron and potassium

10:20AM - They take mom back to fill her up with fluids....

Time gets fuzzy at this point, but they were back there until 1pm.

1pm - I take mom on our way to St. Ann's hospital to get a blood transfusion.

They are waiting on us! We go right back... she get's an IV (which was already still in her which made it a bit easier... Mom has bad veins too!)

We wait now for more blood test.. and wait for 2 units of blood to show up.

5:30PM - blood transfusion starts... each unit takes about 3 hours.

6:00 pm - Mom Get's admitted to room 211 at St. Ann's hospital in Columbus.

Uncle John comes and takes over while I get much needed sleep.

9:00PM- I go back.

Pastor Harold and Ken visit!! =) We love them!

I stay unitl 11 then she sleeps..

Wendesday, February 4, 2009

My BFF Linda takes mommy food (hospital food sucks!)

Grandma stays with mom all day (so I can rest up to work the night shift!)

Aunt linda and uncle john visit ( so i hear =) )

Mom get's 2 more units of blood...

TODAY!!!

She should get to go home... I took her breakfast.. and we'll know more soon!

Thanks I'll keep you as updated as possible!


Just so everyone also knows, we were well aware this may happen. She had one in June of 2008 as well, so no worries this should actually help her with chemo. Just keep her in your prayers!

Love you all!

So there was a local business that was on fire and/or is still on fire as we speak. And the first thing that comes to mind, then they mention arsen.... I think to myself, I hope this guy wasn't having financial issues and thought this was his way out.... Geesh! What are we coming to when this is the first thing I think too.

1. I am above nothing else, scared to death that my mom has cancer...

2. I consider Maryland my second home, I lived there for the majority of my Childhood... I miss it and love it... It's been my home away from home for years

3. I genuinally miss my family and hope that one day we are all closer, geographically and mentally. It's gotten better over the years.

4. I am single! This is true, but I am not in a "hurry" to find "the one" however I do think that I am ready to meet someone worthwhile and I am sick of people telling me to quit looking... Yea cause you quit you not single person! LOL!

5. I am pretty sure I've seen Pretty Women more times that legally allowed. It is by far my favorite movie and I know EVERY WORD! Every gesture and just everything!

6. People think I'm strong and closed off, I am both... but trust me my HEART and FEELINGS do get hurt soooo much more than anyone will ever know.

7. I am so lucky to have great friends...! And even as much as I hold them all dearly, Linda and I have dealt with a lot together high and low the last few years.... and I'm so blessed to have a friend like her.

8. I am sooooo so proud of my first 40lbs and can't wait to lose more weight. I feel so good about my body probably for the first time I can remember.

9. That being said (about number 8) I still hate my chest and would eventually - after babies and stuff- like a reduction.

10. I have had my job for 8 years almost, I to date only know of 2 other people who are like me when they were my age....

11. I can write with both hands! I was supposed to be left handed... then broke my wrist in kidergarten so they automatically thought I was a righty!

12. I need glasses, I own them but I hate them on my face. I love my eyes too much to cover
them up and I can't handle contacts! Yep I'm vain, but they are my best feature!

13. I have had a cabbage patch kid, Kitty, since my 3rd birthday. She is missing a foot and her head has been sewn back on but I take her on EVERY trip. I promise, check my bags... she'll be hiding in there.

14. I wish my friends got together more for games and such... but I know that life is busy.... I just also know that life is short!

15.that being said... I miss those I've lost... the most.

16. I read the last page of a book before I begin it.

17. I hate mayo, sour cream, cottage cheese... you name it if it's white I typically don't eat it.

18. I love playing games, card games, board games, all that! I like linda never have anyone else
to play with... and it's not easy playing with just 2 people.

19. I watch General Hospital religiously.... All the women on my mom's side do... we are awful we know these people better than each other I think. But I think watching stuff like this makes me less dramatic in life. It's my outlet.... I dont like drama and I get fed up with the people who create it in my life.....

20. I've been in 4 weddings and counting..... (that doesn't count Flower Girl when I was little) LOL! I guess I'm 5 down 22 to go..... on dresses! I love weddings, but can honestly tell you I'm ready for them to be done for a bit! LOL!

21. I am sooooooooooooo happy Jackie and I have finally refound that friendship we had as kids, she is truely the sister God didn't give me. I've always felt that I had 2 sisters, Trish and Jackie. They both have other siblings, as do I, but we they both have taught me so many things and in such different ways..... They are similar and different and I am probably more needy of miss Jack, now that I have ever been before... Love you Jackie!

22. I love Facebook, now! LOL But either way Both myspace and facebook make me happy and sad at the same time.... cause sometimes I feel inadaquet against everyone else...

23. I have way tooo much love for Dark Chocolate.... and I love fresh flowers!

24. I love wearing heals but hate being soooo tall!

25. I love the beach and the sun...and all things ocean related... The palm tree is my favorite tree...

Chemo was cancelled for mom, but not before I got up before dawn to drive in this crap and find out at the door! Blah!

These are all my past blogs on MySpace (a good 3 years + of them).... Hopefully, if you are interested you can view them here!!!

Mom was able to have chemo yesterday, and today! They gave her iron and potassium this past week. Also, we some really good news we got last week.... Aunt Linda is a match for bone marrow. So hopefully when chemo is done and WORKS we will continue to step 2 ... transplant!

Thanks for all the prayers!

Love,

Manda

So here is the thing. I started recieving this magazine months ago. I figured it was a sample at first. You know, that they thought I was smart and would enjoy reading science magazines. Anyway, I figured eventually it would stop... It hasn't. And now it's been forwarded to my new apartment. So here is my dilemia should I tell them I don't want it and let them stop wasting good resources and money (it has a $6.95 cover price) or keep it and let myself look super smart and keep it on my coffee table even eventually read an artical, maybe learn a thing or two!

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Ok, a friend of mom's suggested that I do this site instead of the blog... either way you will get your updates quicker, so check it out!

Question is what dog will they get!? I'm with Whoopie, go with the cat! lol

Testing out sending pictures to my blog from my phone. This is Central Park! I loved it thanks to Walt and Char for allowing me to be part of this once in a lifetime trip!

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