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