At Home Waiting For My New T-cells

When I last wrote, I'd arrived home in Belfast, Maine, but the traveling, medical tests, pollens that gave me allergies and finally the apheresis process had taken quite a toll on me. So exhausted and still coughing, I didn't even feel like moving. I settled into my recliner where between naps I could gaze out at beautiful Penobscot Bay. I'd planned to get meals from the kitchen delivered for the first few days after I got back. It took me six days to unpack my suitcase and a few more to wash my dirty clothes. I usually do fine on seven hours of sleep but a few nights I got in ten hours of sleep or more.

On my second day home, a Sunday, while working on my last blog post at 6:30pm, I felt my heart start to race. My blood pressure was slightly elevated but my galloping pulse was 140 beats per minute while sitting still. Oh, no! What could cause my heart to be racing? I took a reading on my little portable EKG device. The result read possible atrial fibrillation. I had gotten nothing but a normal reading when testing before. I waited a minute and took another reading. Still, the result showed possible atrial fibrillation. Something wasn't right. I didn't want to get myself kicked out of the trial, but neither did I want to ignore a potential heart problem.

I pressed my life alert button and asked for help. While waiting for the medics to arrive, I kept writing my blog. When they arrived, they took my blood pressure. Their reading showed as perfectly normal and my pulse had dropped to 90. I opened the abnormal reports from my EKG device, but the EMTs argued home devices often give inaccurate information. They repeated my blood pressure test, getting a second normal reading. They offered to take me to the Emergency Room if I wanted, but they didn't feel it was necessary.

In an abundance of caution, I had them take me to the hospital. The doctor there, after a quick work up and a blood test, found nothing of concern, but to cover the bases had the cardio team put a 14-day Zio patch on to monitor my heart. Three more days until it comes off.

On Monday, I could hardly wait to get to the hospital for my much needed IVIG infusion. I never remember having that little energy before in my life. My oncology team welcomed me back and eagerly questioned me about my trip to Denver. I had such high hopes that the infusion would magically perk me up. It didn't. I slept nearly 12 hours that night. On Tuesday, I returned for my second IVIG infusion. This one represented a milestone. If the trial works, this infusion would be the last I would ever need.

Hooked up for my last IVIG infusion with fantastic nurses Kerry, Maureen and Jen

Even after my second IVIG infusion, I felt tired and listless, but I had things to do before returning to Denver. I completed answers to interview questions for Norah Deay, a British author and blogger to be featured in her newsletter. I also worked out logistics with Tim Trott, an author who has created a new You-Tube podcast called Author to Author. We recorded that interview today. When he's done editing, it will be posted and I'll let you know.

On Friday night, still feeling completely spent I opened an email to discover that The Book Fest had awarded my book Becoming Amazed: Discovering the World with Eyes Wide Open with a Gold Award in the category for best non-fiction travel - adventures and destinations, and a silver award for non-fiction, travel memoir. That put a smile on my weary face.

Until I return to Denver, I'm keeping up my physical therapy regimen. On my first visit back, after missing three weeks of therapy, Kaly had her work cut out for her. During the first half of my routine, Kaly massages every muscle in my legs. She found several huge knots in both my legs that she worked gently, but painfully, to release. The second half of my routine involves stretching my leg muscles in ways I can't do myself. When she tried to stretch my legs, from a prone position on my back, she could lift them only 45 degrees off the table, by far the worst flexibility I've had.

In this picture, Kaly is stretching both my left calf muscle and my right quad muscles. Every muscle is super tight, so this trial is happening just at the perfect time for me.

Slowly, I've been gaining back a little energy, at least enough to prepare some meals and play some bridge with friends here at Penobscot Shores. I also binged watched the entire season two of Taylor Sheridan's 1923. I am smitten with the star, Brandon Sklenar, along with about a million other female fans.

One month from today, I'll be on my way back to Colorado. I've started working on travel plans for me and Monica, who will make the trip from her summer cottage in Maine back to Aurora with me. Until then, I'll try to stay healthy and rest as much as possible. I'm so grateful for all of you who are reading my blog posts and sending words of encouragement. Your support means the world to me.