Ahhh, Insurance!

I recently switched to Teddy's insurance plan to save some money and some hassle (my former employer are utter nitwits concerning COBRA) and I half expected this, but I'm having to switch doctors. This is a real blow to me, as a very much like my current haematologist, Dr. Larson.

The list of providers is just names, addresses, phone numbers... none of it means anything to me. I'm totally lost as for where to turn. I've tried asking for a recommendation from Dr. Larson's office, but surprisingly no one is answering me.

I know I'll get this worked out, and I'd like to make my appointment this month and just pay the out-of-network fees to get things all wrapped up and make sure I have a copy of my chart for the next doctor. I'm just a little lost at the moment.

Fun Side-Effects

I like to drink. I truly, truly enjoy a good craft beer, a lucious bottle of wine, or smooth spirits. I crave a nice cocktail, even. I'm not a drunkard, just appreciate an excellent drink. So it was a bit of a blow when I read that my 6-Mercaptopurine (Meerkat Top Urine? Metaporcupine?) can cause undue liver damage when combined with alcohol. I guess I am embarking, unwillingly, on a sabattical from spirits; a break from booze; a furlough from firewater; a holiday from the hard stuff? In all likelihood, it's until August 2011, which will be the end of my maintenance therapy. It looks like I'll be aging those bottles a little longer than intended. 2007 Dark Lord ought to be an outright rarity by '11, but here's hoping it tastes all the sweeter for the wait.

...Anyone in the market for a designated driver?

Happy Sandwich Day!

It was another uneventful visit to Dr. Larson on Monday! And I can tell you, it's fantastic to be able to say that. My numbers look good, the pills I'm taking now aren't affecting my blood counts like they occasionally do for some people, and I'm starting another pill entirely next week. It's called 6-Mercaptopurine (these names just get wackier and wackier, don't they?) and once again, it's a mild immunosuppressant and side effects are mainly stomach-related. This is a daily pill, and it completes my trifecta of maintenance therapy that won't end until August 2011.

I'm doing so well, all things considered! Still looking for a job, but I'm hopeful. The holidays are approaching fast and I'm feeling festive! It starts with Thanksgiving, then Teddy's Birthday on the 28th, Erin and Lanie's birthdays, and then I'll start thinking about Christmas. Even getting dark at 5pm, I do love this time of year.

Lew Zealand's Amazing Boomerang Fish!

Why yes, I have been watching the Muppets. Why do you ask?

So I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. As usual, everything went swimmingly. My numbers were all good - I'm not even anemic any longer! Good enough, in fact, that I am able to start my second of the three pills that will make up my two-year maintenance therapy. The first was the ATRA, and this second is called Metho...trexo... something. I take eight pills of this once a week on an empty stomach and, from what I hear, then I try really hard not to be sick. I'm starting Monday (because who likes Mondays anyway?) so I'll let you know how things go. Although this pill is a chemo drug, it won't affect me as badly as IV chemo did. No appetite loss, no hair loss, just a little stomach illness.

Speaking of hair, mine is coming back thick, wavy, and blondy! I could upload pictures, or you could all come see for yourself next week when I'm in Auburn at my parents'! I hope to see a lot of friends and family whom I've been missing (and not calling nearly often enough...). Teddy will be in town from October 3rd through 10th, but I'll be staying through the 15th. Hope everyone gets to meet Teddy - as anyone who reads this blog undoubtedly knows, he's a fantastic guy.

Love,
Melissa

Dear Northwesterners;

Teddy and I will see you at the beginning of October! :)

Love,

Melissa

Lookit That Fuzz!

Finally, a Health Update

I hear a few people have been waiting rather impatiently for this update! Well Dr. Larson and I had a chat today about my progress and the path I am heading down. Let me say first that my blood numbers are all coming up nicely - although I am slightly anemic she is not concerned and I'm still well within an acceptable range for my point in the leukemia journey. Outside of some dry skin I haven't had any health issues during the intervening month or so since my last visit. Tomorrow I start on ATRA, which I have taken before with few side effects other than (ugh) more dry skin. In a month I'll start another more serious chemo pill, and a month or two after that I'll start yet another. The idea is this: monitor a specific marker in my blood for signs that the leukemia is returning, because some of the drugs I will be taking further down the road sometimes cause blood numbers to drop. The moral of the story is, I'm in the best kind of remission but I'm still taking pills to make extra sure that this crap isn't coming back.

In short: it's aaaaall good.