Hypertension! { Day +54 }

My blood pressure is going up!!! This is also one of the side effects of all the medications I am taking. On November 22nd, my BP was 140/100 mmHg. It was just a little bit over than normal. So the doctor said that they will monitor it, if my Blood Pressure next week still goes up, they will put me on another medication :(

FACTS: Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels. The peak pressure in the arteries during the cardiac cycle is the systolic pressure, and the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle) is the diastolic pressure. Values are usually given in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Normal ranges for blood pressure in adult humans are: (taken from Wikipedia)

• Systolic between 90 and 135 mmHg
• Diastolic between 50 and 90 mmHg

Complete Blood Count
HGB – 109 (normal range = 120 to 160)
PLT – 167
WBC - 11.9
Neut - 10 (normal range = 2.0 to 8.0)
Mg - 0.77
Creat - 88

Liver Functions
ALB - Not Available
ALT - 34
ALP - 54
AST - 25
TBili - 6

Legend:
Green: Normal
Yellow: Abnormal
Red: Critical

Hairy! { Day + 53 }

One of the less common side effects of Cyclosporine, anti-rejection drug, is increase in hair growth on the face and forearms especially in women. Having said that, I am starting to have light hair in my face. If you will take a good look at it, I'm growing beard and mustache :( But this is temporary, once I am off with this drug, I don't have to shave like my hubby :) There was also an increase hair growth on my eyebrows. It's funny how I am growing these hair but not on my head...he!he!he!

FACTS: Cyclosporine is use to prevent or treat organ rejection and to prevent graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in transplant patients.

Complete Blood Count
HGB – 112 (normal range = 120 to 160)
PLT – 159
WBC - 15.8
Neut - 13.3 (normal range = 2.0 to 8.0)
Mg - 0.71
Creat - 94

Liver Functions
ALB - Not Available
ALT - 42 (normal range = less than or equal 39)
ALP - 65
AST - 24
TBili - 6

Legend:
Green: Normal
Yellow: Abnormal
Red: Critical

STIRoids { Day +45 }

When I was discharged from the hospital, October 21st, doctors prescribed me steroids for my liver was acting up. At first, I was ashamed to let people know that I am taking it. But now, I guess its okay, because I have a good news…they lowered the dosage last November 8th. In the beginning, I was taking 65 mg per day, since my liver functions are going down to normal range, they lowered it to 50 mg. Not much difference, but I am sure happy to take less…The effect of steroid was mind-blowing…I gained 2.4 kilos in a week…yes…2.4 kilos…I eat so much since I started this medication. I always eat full breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus, in between meals. I just have to crunch and munch on something. It even wakes me up in the middle of night, guess for what, heheheh…yes, to eat again. I just could not stop it. But I tried to eat healthy now, meaning more fruits and vegetables instead of anything I can grab at home. There are other side effects this can give but this is the only way to help not my liver to be damaged. Hopefully, I won’t be taking this long and I will have less and less dosage as days pass…with it's short and long term side effects and troubles of taking steroids, sometimes I wondered it should spell as STIR-oids rather than S-T-E-R-O-I-D-S!

FACTS: Prednisone is the medication I am taking. According to Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre- Patient Education Committee, in co-operation with the staff and patients at HRCC and other Cancer Centers, here are the side effects of taking this Drug.

Common Side Effects

• Increased risk of infection
• Mood changes
• Fluid retention
• Weight gain
• Weakness, decrease in muscle size

Less Common Side Effects

• Vision changes
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Stomach upset

Mostly, these side effects are only happening while you are taking this medication. The only problem I am encountering right now are the "weight gain", "frequent urination", and "increased thirst". But my doctor assured me that when I stop this medication I will go back to my original size :)

BTW, Auntie Prelly Celestial, gave me a “wig” before, I wore them couple of times last summer. This week, I decided to wear them again when I went to my clinic appointment…I was surely glad I did, because I realized how important it was for Jensine to have my hair back. He told me, he was happy and jumping because I have my hair. I should wear it more often if this will make my son happy. Thanks again, Auntie Prelly!!!

REFLECTIONS: I am meeting a lot of people on my clinic appointments at PMH who has similar diagnosis as mine and have had their Bone Marrow transplanted up to 6 years ago. They are doing pretty good aside from some complications that doctors expected could happen now and then. This reminds me of a qoute from "Touched By an Angel", "God promises it won't be easy but it's worth it".

Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7-11)
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Complete Blood Count
HGB – 108 (normal range = 120 to 160)
PLT – 167
WBC – 20.9
Neut - 17.5 (normal range = 2.0 to 8.0)
Mg - 0.88
Creat - 89

Liver Functions
ALB - Not Available
ALT - 92 (normal range = less than or equal 39)
ALP - 66
AST - 39 (normal range = less than or equal 35)
TBili - 5

Legend:
Green: Normal
Yellow: Abnormal
Red: Critical

Once a Week! { Day +35 }

This week is my second week after discharged from the hospital. The first week, my appointment was twice a week. Now, they change it to once a week!!! I guess that's pretty amazing...The doctor said "why not?, we don't have to see you twice a week since you look great" I asked him about the GVHD and he said that it will come, maybe later but it will...as they changed the dosages of my medications. So for now, my appointment will be once a week and no changes on my medications. But of course, if I will feel sick, I can call them anytime.

I also sent a request at Jensine's school to let me know if he will be exposed to communicable diseases like chicken pox and measles, and of course flu and colds. The school is very nice that they are looking into this...I already got a call from them telling me that in the afternoon class there's a kid with chicken pox...at least not in Jensine's class yet...I just want to thank them for their cooperation on this matter. Thanks to Greenholme Junior Middle School!!!

Complete Blood Count
HGB – 113 (normal range = 120 to 160)
PLT – 133
WBC – 16.1
Neut - 13.7 (normal range = 2.0 to 8.0)
Mg - 0.79
Creat - 93

Liver Functions
ALB - Not Available
ALT - 198 (normal range = less than or equal 39)
ALP - 66
AST - 61 (normal range = less than or equal 35)
TBili - 6

Legend:
Green: Normal
Yellow: Abnormal
Red: Critical

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12