 |
| Happy Family! |
 |
| Mykee and Evan couldn't wait to show off their room and stuff to the grandparents! |
It has been a long time since I last wrote- I apologize to those who check the blog regularly! I never said I was a blogger! I have continued to have an average of four appointments a week, not all in Hackensack but all of them cancer related. I had the last 3 day chemo session(ICE #3) and made it through without any big problems. The day after I got out of the hospital my parents came into town! We had a ton of fun- we ate REALLY well (too well, I think I gained ten pounds), went to a museum, saw a lot of movies, went shopping, the kids and the men went swimming, and we all had a good time hanging out together. Mom and Dad also helped with watching the kids during all of the crazy appointments that week. It was so nice to have them both here, but after they left it made me miss them even more!
 |
| Swimming at the hotel pool |
 |
| Grandma and Grandpa playing around |
The next and last big step in the road to cancer recovery is the stem-cell transplant. I am at this moment sitting in my lovely hospital room awaiting the high-dose chemo scheduled to start at 8. It will be six days of intense chemo followed by about 1 hour of the actual transplant- when they give me back my stem-cells through my port. Then I'll be discharged to the hospital apartments just down the road. I will be coming back to the hospital daily for 8 hours or so each day for observation, blood, platelets, and fluids. Adam will have to stay with me every night to take care of me and drive me to and from the hospital. The side-effects of the chemo should be rough, so it will be nice to have Adam's love and care. As soon as my white blood cells reach high enough levels I should be given the go-ahead to return home.
We are fortunate to have Adam's mother, Anne, coming to stay with Mykelle and Evan while I am in the hospital. It's going to feel long, being away from home and my kids for nearly three weeks, but I'm happy to have Anne's help so I don't have to worry as much.
 |
| Showing off my Double-Lumen Large Bore Catheter. It's how I'm given chemo and how the stem cells will be given back to me. |
 |
| I have to have the catheter flushed every 5-6 days and have the dressing changed. It's a pain because I have to go in to the clinic every time, and the wait time is always over an hour! Plus a have a GIGANTIC tube hanging out of my chest, so that part isn't too fun either :) |
 |
| Scary Face! |
Wow Tessa. You are an amazing woman. I am so happy to hear the word remission. You are well loved. Thank you for sharing your positive attitude with so many. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! and good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteHey there Tessa,
ReplyDeleteI'm a long time friend of Adams, and have been checking in on you since your diagnosis. Just wanted to say that you are beautiful, and have been in our families prayers. Good luck with everything!
Hayley Kidman
Best news we've heard! We continue to pray for our sweet Tessa! Love you, Big Al and Di
ReplyDeleteI saw the title of your post and did a "Whoop!" :) You gotta love that word, "Remission," it is the best word around. I pray your next few weeks go swiftly for you, and I look forward to your next update.
ReplyDeleteHey Tessa! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... happy that you are in REMISSION!!!! :) I am so glad that your treatment has been going "well" and, more importantly, that it has been doing the job that it is supposed to be doing. I am so happy that your parents were able to visit you! That must have been so wonderful for you...but I'm sure that it was difficult to see them go. I am so happy that your kids are so adorable. I am so happy that your mother-in-law is able to come and stay with your kids while you have to be in the hospital for so long. Basically, I am just SO HAPPY for you! :) Congrats on your remission. And good luck with the rest of your treatment. I'll be praying that you won't suffer TOO much in the weeks ahead. Love ya! :
ReplyDeleteTessa: Will certainly keep the prayers going for you and your family and especially that the time goes by FAST for you xxxxxooooo stephanie
ReplyDeleteRemission! That is wonderful! I am so glad for you and your family! I'll be praying for you and I do hope that the next few weeks will go by quickly and successfully for you. It's wonderful that your mother in law can help you so your husband can be with you! I don't think I could go through that without my husband, there is something about their love that just strengthens so much! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't think ANYONE else can make a tube hanging from their chest look so good! Only your radiant smile and gorgeous personality can pull it off llike the latest fashion accessory. Tessa, you make cancer look GOOD! But seriously, our family is so happy for you and we wish all the very best as you continue your healing. You are in our daily thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Let me know if you need some more movies, books, magazines, or anything...please don't hesitate to ask me! Really! :)
Congratulations!!! I am so happy that things are going as hoped. I keep following, and praying for you- please let us know if there is anything that we can do from here. Good luck with the upcoming treatments and transplant!!
ReplyDelete