The R word

Peeking in the Cooler

I know you are all dying to hear how my blood transfusion went. Well, it was a bloody long day. I was at the hospital from 9:30 -4:00 and got two units of blood. It started out with the nurse bringing me an Igloo cooler (that had the first bag of blood on ice) and saying “Here is your lunch, enjoy.” I almost threw up when she said that and then I kept staring at the cooler debating if I should take a look. So of course I had to look inside and there it was my bag of blood chillin.

That was really gross. It looked liked the leftover juices from raw meat in a nice packaged plastic bag. I have posted some pictures so you can enjoy them as well. I eventually got over the seeing the bag of blood and sat there for most of the day while this blood slowly entered my veins. Within a couple of days, I felt a million times better. It’s looking back now that I realize how weak I really was. I am glad that I went through that experience because I now know what to expect in the future.

Bag of Blood

On Monday, I had an appointment with my oncologist to talk about my latest PET Scan results. As of Oct 13, I am in remission! Yaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy! I have waited 12 months and 11 days to hear that wonderful R word. This is amazing news and I can’t tell you how relieved I feel. Now the for the hard part. Being in remission does not mean that I am Cancer free. It means that my disease is not growing and my tumor is stable. My disease is under

control. My oncologist is concerned that I will relapse so my first transplant has to happen quickly. I needed to be in remission before these transplants. I will know soon when I will begin the first transplant process and will keep everyone informed with the details. Again, it is great news that my Cancer has responded to ICE chemo. The R word bring such joy and hope! Thank you for all of your comments, emails, and donations. You all amaze me.

8 Responses to “The R word”

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1 Allie October 15, 2008 at 2:18 pm

Ah! Remission. It is a beautiful word. I remember sitting at the food court with you and having you explain how ICE would work and BEAM and the transplant. You’ve come so far, and IT’S WORKING! BEAM you up to a healthy cancer-free life.
Loving you always,
Allie

2 Harvey Lynch October 16, 2008 at 12:28 am

Hello Geraldine,

Wow, this is REALLY good news, and I am excited for you! It has been a long road to this point, and this result makes it all worth while. Yes, there is more road ahead, but this is a really important milepost. We are all rooting for you.

I am also glad to hear that you are feeling much better. Those red cells are in there for a good reason! 🙂

Love,

Harvey

3 Emily October 17, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Such good news Geraldine! Progress is such a wonderful feeling, especially after a tough fight. I am so impressed with your strength. Love, Emily

4 Laurie Davis October 20, 2008 at 6:50 am

Geraldine,
I am so happy to hear your news of remission. I often see you out and about and am amazed at your strength and spirit. You are a strong lady who can’t be kept down. You are an inspiration to me! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Laurie

5 Boris Maitre October 20, 2008 at 5:05 pm

Salut GÃ©raldine!
Tu es probablement en train de te demander qui est ce Boris qui t’Ã©crit un message en franÃ§ais???? Et bien, dans le cas oÃ¹ tu te souviens pas de moi (ce qui serait assez normal), on s’Ã©tait rencontrÃ© il y a bien longtemps Ã …Palo alto en 1987! Ca fait donc un sacrÃ© bout de temps! Par contre tu te souviens sÃ»rement de Marie-NoÃ«lle (ma mÃ¨re) que tu as rencontrÃ©e lors d’un de tes passages en France. Donc je penses que tu me situes, et si non, je crois que Martine a encore de trÃ¨s bon souvenirs du petit Boris haut comme 3 pommes qui assistait au cours d’aÃ©robic de sa maman et des 2 Martines (dont Martine Guidon) avec sa lunchbox! Ca y est, je crois que tu as une bonne idÃ©e maintenant ;)!
Enfin voilÃ . Je voulais juste Ã©crire un petit mot pour te dire qu’on pense bien Ã toi depuis la Suisse (pour moi c’est l’Espagne). On s’est bien rÃ©jouit en lisant les derniÃ¨res nouvelles sur le blog, donc on espÃ¨re trÃ¨s fort que tout continuera ainsi. On admire tous le courage avec lequel tu traverses ces Ã©preuves!
Je te souhaite le meilleur pour la suite et j’espÃ¨re trÃ©s fort pouvoir lire d’aussi bonnes nouvelles trÃ¨s bientÃ´t!
Hasta pronto!

Boris

6 Larni October 28, 2008 at 9:20 am

Allo Mon Cheri! I’m so glad to hear that you are in REMISSION! I know this has been the biggest challenge in your life and you have overcome it! Continue to keep your chin up and smile…

Hugs,
L

7 Diana October 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm

SSWWWWEEEEEETTTTTTTT! I am so happy for you to make it to this milestone! I can’t believe it has been over a year. You are such a trooper and I am glad to hear that the transfusion has helped you to feel better as well. My thoughts and well wishes continue to be with you as you tackle your next step.
P.S. Did you save one of your blood bags for Halloween?? So many possibilities 🙂

8 Vanda November 10, 2008 at 11:50 am

I would suggest to put your page on Facebook. Look here (copy and paste the address):

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=9ea995af9043ec74ec7fc7de8aca0e54&refurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fs.php%3Fsid%3D9ea995af9043ec74ec7fc7de8aca0e54%26q%3DHodgkin%25E2%2580%2599s%2BLymphoma%26init%3Dq%26n%3D-1%26o%3D4%26k%3D200000010%26sf%3Dt&gid=14137062493