The doctor is very happy with my results, so my next visit is in three weeks time which is great news.
I seem to have a slight permanent hangover as a result of taking the Imatinib.
When I explained to the doctor that I sometimes feel like I've had a few drinks the night before, he thought it was a good description of one of the side effects. He mentioned some others such as an itchy/reddish rash on the skin but I don't have this one or the puffiness around the eyes. Which is good news.
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Blood tests and other things
Got last Friday's blood test. Everything seems to be going in the right direction still. Though my white blood cel count has dropped a bit to 4200, but my haemoglobin count is slightly up which is good.
Off to the specialist tomorrow.
I find keeping a positive attitude is definitely the way to go. People are quite surprised when I tell them I have leukemia,and how positive I am. But I count myself as very lucky (will probably say this over and over again) as only 15% get diagnosed with the version I have.
Been having a look at something called MMS or Miracle Mineral Solution apparently discovered by Bishop James Humble all it is is Chlorine dioxide. Now would you drink bleach, since that is what it is mainly used for and for the treating swimming pools. There are many claims of how effective it is, but I am dubious. Some of the photos on Mr Humble's site are obviously photo-shopped.
Why do peopel have to prey on the hopes of others. The FDA have also issued a warning about taking MMS.
So if you are thinking about taking MMS don't do it
Off to the specialist tomorrow.
I find keeping a positive attitude is definitely the way to go. People are quite surprised when I tell them I have leukemia,and how positive I am. But I count myself as very lucky (will probably say this over and over again) as only 15% get diagnosed with the version I have.
Been having a look at something called MMS or Miracle Mineral Solution apparently discovered by Bishop James Humble all it is is Chlorine dioxide. Now would you drink bleach, since that is what it is mainly used for and for the treating swimming pools. There are many claims of how effective it is, but I am dubious. Some of the photos on Mr Humble's site are obviously photo-shopped.
Why do peopel have to prey on the hopes of others. The FDA have also issued a warning about taking MMS.
So if you are thinking about taking MMS don't do it
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Counting the cost
After last nights thunderstorms we are slowly getting back to normal.
Electronic casualties are,
Electronic casualties are,
- Home built media centre - network card failure. Just replaced this, so we can watch TV again. stored movies will have to wait.
- File server I also built this myself- network card failure- Will replace this tomorrow. This has all our DVDs on it. Plus music and photos. It links to the media centre.
- My PC - Completely dead. So I think dear Santa I want a new cool pc please.
- Telephone.Its the actual phone that's dead.
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Deposit returned
Yippee. San Carlos has finally returned my deposit. But due to the exchange rates I have lost about 30 pounds. At least its been returned.
Doing chicken in breadcrumbs for the kids for lunch today.
There is no school today due to the weather, its raining. rain here in Spain is like snow in England. If there is too much of it they shut the schools. The theory is that this lessons the number of cars on the road and therefore potential accidents. So most of the Costa Blanca is on Orange alert for severe weather.
I have so far got €2.19 from the adverts so keep clicking. This will get me about 18km (its a 200km round trip) or buy a coffee and cake in the cafe at the hospital. I am hoping that enough money is earned so that I can donate some to charity. That would be really cool, if I could do that.
Doing chicken in breadcrumbs for the kids for lunch today.
There is no school today due to the weather, its raining. rain here in Spain is like snow in England. If there is too much of it they shut the schools. The theory is that this lessons the number of cars on the road and therefore potential accidents. So most of the Costa Blanca is on Orange alert for severe weather.
I have so far got €2.19 from the adverts so keep clicking. This will get me about 18km (its a 200km round trip) or buy a coffee and cake in the cafe at the hospital. I am hoping that enough money is earned so that I can donate some to charity. That would be really cool, if I could do that.
Monday 21 November 2011
Spain is blue
Most of Spain is now blue, after the general elections. Next step is do they bring back the peseta. :-)
Someone had heard from someone that I had Leukemia and that it is treatable, so they wanted to know what I was taking as they had just been diagnosed with Lymphoma I think that is what it is called in English. Told them that Glivec may not help them and its not cheap.
Watched children in need on Friday, got a little emotional when they did a piece on a boy who had Leukemia unfortunately he became very ill and died. It just made me realise how lucky I am, I call myself the 15%.
Saturday 19 November 2011
Weekend again.
I apart from today I seem to have more energy. Not feeling too good today.
I have been thinking about the last 2 years or so and have realised I have had some of the signs or symptoms of CML back then, such as always feeling tired. I just put that down to having to very active kids and not enough sleep and a dodgy back. ( I have a herniated disk in the L4-L5 region.).
I will do part 2 of the beginners guide to Leukemia next week.
I have been thinking about the last 2 years or so and have realised I have had some of the signs or symptoms of CML back then, such as always feeling tired. I just put that down to having to very active kids and not enough sleep and a dodgy back. ( I have a herniated disk in the L4-L5 region.).
I will do part 2 of the beginners guide to Leukemia next week.
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Visit to the Doctor
Just been to my fortnightly visit to the doctors. He is quite happy with my new results.
Which means I am only taking the Glivec now. so no more Hydrea or Zyloric tablets. Which is good.
Back again in 2 weeks time.
Which means I am only taking the Glivec now. so no more Hydrea or Zyloric tablets. Which is good.
Back again in 2 weeks time.
Monday 14 November 2011
Beginners guide to Leukemia Part 1
The word Leukemia comes from the Greek leukos which means white and aima which means blood. So it literally means white blood.
Leukemia is often referred to as a cancer of the blood. So what is a cancer.
Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
So in Leukemia this abnormal cell production is to do with white blood cells, usually called leukocytes there are 5 main types of white blood cells or leukocytes. Each one performs a different function.
The white blood cells are the soldiers of the body fighting off infections.
The different white blood cell types are:
Leukemia is often referred to as a cancer of the blood. So what is a cancer.
Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
So in Leukemia this abnormal cell production is to do with white blood cells, usually called leukocytes there are 5 main types of white blood cells or leukocytes. Each one performs a different function.
The white blood cells are the soldiers of the body fighting off infections.
The different white blood cell types are:
- Neutrophil. These make up most of the white blood cells in the body. About 54–62% of the total white blood cell count( wbcc). Neutrophil cells target fungi and bacteria.
- Eosinophil. account for about 1-6% of the total wbcc in the body. They mainly target parasitic infections. And modulate allergic inflammatory responses such as hay fever
- Basophil. Account for less than 1% of the wbcc. The are responsible for release of histamine for inflammatory responses
- Lymphocyte. Account for 28-33% of the wbcc. Lymphocytes are much more common in the lymphatic system. There are 3 different types of Lymphocytes: B Cells (releases antibodies and assists activation of T cells), T Cells (play a central role in cell-mediated immunity) and Natural Killer Cells ( play a major role in the rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses.).
- Monocytes. Account for 2-10% of the total wbcc. They can be considered the vacuum cleaner of the blood and share the function of neutrophils, but are much longer lived as they have an additional role: they present pieces of pathogens to T cells so that the pathogens may be recognized again and killed, or so that an antibody response may be mounted. Monocytes eventually leave the bloodstream to become tissue macrophages which remove dead cell debris as well as attacking microorganisms. Neither of these can be dealt with effectively by the neutrophils.
Blood test
Got my blood test results today.
My white blood cell count is now normal at 4500 should be somewhere between 4000 and 10000.
My haemoglobin is a bit low at 10.9 it should be 13 to 17.5. Slightly lower than 2 weeks ago.
Will have to wait and see what the doctor says on Wednesday.
My white blood cell count is now normal at 4500 should be somewhere between 4000 and 10000.
My haemoglobin is a bit low at 10.9 it should be 13 to 17.5. Slightly lower than 2 weeks ago.
Will have to wait and see what the doctor says on Wednesday.
Sunday 13 November 2011
Abu Dhabi Grand prix
Can't believe Vettel is out after the first lap. What bad luck to have a puncture/ tyre failure.
Still no joy from Clinica San Carlos. So I guess I will have to phone them again on Monday to ask yet again about the refund of my deposit. The more people that get to hear about this the better I think, it would be nice to get the papers involved.maybe that's a good plan B. What I don't understand is why Clinica Vistahermosa didn't require a deposit. I'm just glad they didn't.
The money I am earning from the site is now at €1.67, so that's 13km worth of fuel I guess or a coffee and some change. Still pretty good as its more than I expected.
I see I have had views from Russia, The Netherlands, U.S.A, UK and of course Spain.
Pick up my new blood test results Monday. So hopefully everything is still going in the right direction.
I think Monday I will start my Beginners Guide to Leukemia.
Off to watch the rest of the GP. Massa has just entered the pits for the first time.
Still no joy from Clinica San Carlos. So I guess I will have to phone them again on Monday to ask yet again about the refund of my deposit. The more people that get to hear about this the better I think, it would be nice to get the papers involved.maybe that's a good plan B. What I don't understand is why Clinica Vistahermosa didn't require a deposit. I'm just glad they didn't.
The money I am earning from the site is now at €1.67, so that's 13km worth of fuel I guess or a coffee and some change. Still pretty good as its more than I expected.
I see I have had views from Russia, The Netherlands, U.S.A, UK and of course Spain.
Pick up my new blood test results Monday. So hopefully everything is still going in the right direction.
I think Monday I will start my Beginners Guide to Leukemia.
Off to watch the rest of the GP. Massa has just entered the pits for the first time.
Friday 11 November 2011
Wife's birthday
Its my wife's birthday today. The kids are excited and sung happy birthday to her in bed. Very cool.
I bought her some flowers. Actual present is coming next week. So watch this space.
We all had a nice day with friends and family.
Hope to start posting next week what I have read about Leukemia.
I bought her some flowers. Actual present is coming next week. So watch this space.
We all had a nice day with friends and family.
Hope to start posting next week what I have read about Leukemia.
Monday 7 November 2011
Hmm something interesting I guess.
Been another good day.
Internet is playing up but it could be due to the wet weather.
Still waiting for San Carlos Clinic to give me my deposit back.
Guess I will have to phone them up again, tomorrow.
Earned a whopping €1.32 so far from the adds on this site, at least that will pay for the coffee while waiting to see the doctor.Mind you its early days yet and that's not bad I suppose out of 100 visits I have had so far.
Just keep clicking.
Been doing some research into Leukemia and what it is exactly. Will post what I have found later this week.
I think the most important thing is to remember life goes on no matter what. And while I count myself lucky (only 15% are diagnosed with the Leukemia I have), I do understand that for some it can be difficult to come to terms with being diagnosed with Leukemia, especially if its not treatable. So for that I count my lucky stars.
I think this must be my longest blog.
Internet is playing up but it could be due to the wet weather.
Still waiting for San Carlos Clinic to give me my deposit back.
Guess I will have to phone them up again, tomorrow.
Earned a whopping €1.32 so far from the adds on this site, at least that will pay for the coffee while waiting to see the doctor.Mind you its early days yet and that's not bad I suppose out of 100 visits I have had so far.
Just keep clicking.
Been doing some research into Leukemia and what it is exactly. Will post what I have found later this week.
I think the most important thing is to remember life goes on no matter what. And while I count myself lucky (only 15% are diagnosed with the Leukemia I have), I do understand that for some it can be difficult to come to terms with being diagnosed with Leukemia, especially if its not treatable. So for that I count my lucky stars.
I think this must be my longest blog.
Cold Sunday. Winter has arrived
Winter is arriving. Its been raining off and on for most of the week now. And the temperature has been dropping.
Been a relatively good day. The kids wanted chicken burgers again. So I was busy in the kitchen this evening.
Off to bed now.
Friday 4 November 2011
Friday happy days are here again
Feeling quite up beat today, considering I had an awful nights sleep. Sitting in my favourite bar having a coffee and surfing the web.
Thursday
Since this afternoon I have been really tired. Had a quick nap after lunch, then picked the kids at school. Fell asleep for about an hour at 8 this evening. So now its just after midnight and I am not tired.
Looking forward to the weekend.
Wednesday 2 November 2011
Wednesday - good news day
Doctor was pleased with my test results. He said with the treatment I am on that I could be cured in less than 12 months. But it could take longer. Anyway my next visit is in 2 weeks time. Which is better.
I also weighed myself and I am still 68 kg, 6 weeks ago I was 76 kg.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Tuesday 1st November
No post yesterday. Didn't feel very good. So couldn't be bothered to post one. Did pick up my test results and they show that my White blood cell count has dropped from 164000 to 98000, which is good news still a long way to go until I get to the normal 4000 to 11000. Haemoglobin is up its now 11.3 needs to be 13 to 17.5.
I find that my best time of day is from about 08:30 until about 13:00 after that I need a sleep. Not very long about 45 to 60mins is fine. But I am definitely more sluggish in the afternoons. Physical things take longer.
More good news is that I fixed the dishwasher, only took a week. Would have taken me a day or two before. It was a small twig stuck in the drain pump impeller. Took it out put it all back together, and no bits left over. Did a quick 30 min wash and it worked. Its just finished a full wash with dishes. So yippee. Anyway better than spending a fortune for a guy to come out and do the same thing. Probably saved at least 100 euros.
I find that my best time of day is from about 08:30 until about 13:00 after that I need a sleep. Not very long about 45 to 60mins is fine. But I am definitely more sluggish in the afternoons. Physical things take longer.
More good news is that I fixed the dishwasher, only took a week. Would have taken me a day or two before. It was a small twig stuck in the drain pump impeller. Took it out put it all back together, and no bits left over. Did a quick 30 min wash and it worked. Its just finished a full wash with dishes. So yippee. Anyway better than spending a fortune for a guy to come out and do the same thing. Probably saved at least 100 euros.
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