... Once i was admitted, i was introduced to the doctors and specialists that would be taking care of me. Dr. Roboz was the assistant director of Leukemia at the the time and helped me very much with her positive attitude.
... Since Leukemia is a blood cancer, i was always getting poked with needles and getting blood drawn from me. I would have to give anywhere from 5 to 15 viles of blood a day. They would draw blood with those needles from my arms, top of my hands, fingers and wrist. I was black and blue all over. I still couldn't believe what i was going through and would start saying: why me ? why me ?
... It was now time to start my Chemo treatments. They put a bunch of bags on a long pole. I had to get about 5 different types of Chemo round the clock for a few days each week. Chemo is a poison that is used to destroy the cancer cells, it also destroys the good cells. It made me sick and nauseous. It also destroyed my taste buds. Everything tasted like metal to me. Even water didn't taste good. I could hardly eat and was losing weight everyday.
...I was very blessed to always have my family & girlfriend (Isabel) around me 24/7. Isabel quit her job and stayed with me at the hospital most of the day and night for about 14 days. They allowed her to sleep in the room everynight. Isabel and my mom then started taking turns staying at the hospital all day & night with me.
...I wanted to live..I love life...however...I'm a realist and knew that i could die any day and wanted someone to be there with me all the time.
... I am very thankful & blessed for the love and support i got from family and most friends. Some people disappointed me...however... i will not get into that. I still love them.
...The next step was doing a DNA test from my sister Nellie to see if she would be a match for a Bone Marrow Transplant.
The doctors at the time said i needed a Bone Marrow Transplant to have a better chance to survive..
A sibling only has about a 25% chance of being a match. They said if Nellie wasn't a match... they would try and find a match somewhere around the world. However... a sibling match would be best.
...After about 3 weeks of Chemo, i was put into temporary remission. The doctors said there was a 90-95% chance of relapse if i didn't get the Transplant and that the sooner i get the transplant.... the better.
...Most patients with my type of Leukemia would have a hard time to survive if they relapsed before the transplant.
...During my stay at the hospital i was also getting many blood transfusions. I'm thankful for all the blood donors out there.
God Bless You Donors.
You are all life savers. I encourage all to donate blood if possible.
You never know when you're going to need it.
...My next blog will talk about the most important phone call of my life...
Stay tuned.. Have a nice weekend everyone.. :-)
... Since Leukemia is a blood cancer, i was always getting poked with needles and getting blood drawn from me. I would have to give anywhere from 5 to 15 viles of blood a day. They would draw blood with those needles from my arms, top of my hands, fingers and wrist. I was black and blue all over. I still couldn't believe what i was going through and would start saying: why me ? why me ?
... It was now time to start my Chemo treatments. They put a bunch of bags on a long pole. I had to get about 5 different types of Chemo round the clock for a few days each week. Chemo is a poison that is used to destroy the cancer cells, it also destroys the good cells. It made me sick and nauseous. It also destroyed my taste buds. Everything tasted like metal to me. Even water didn't taste good. I could hardly eat and was losing weight everyday.
...I was very blessed to always have my family & girlfriend (Isabel) around me 24/7. Isabel quit her job and stayed with me at the hospital most of the day and night for about 14 days. They allowed her to sleep in the room everynight. Isabel and my mom then started taking turns staying at the hospital all day & night with me.
...I wanted to live..I love life...however...I'm a realist and knew that i could die any day and wanted someone to be there with me all the time.
... I am very thankful & blessed for the love and support i got from family and most friends. Some people disappointed me...however... i will not get into that. I still love them.
...The next step was doing a DNA test from my sister Nellie to see if she would be a match for a Bone Marrow Transplant.
The doctors at the time said i needed a Bone Marrow Transplant to have a better chance to survive..
A sibling only has about a 25% chance of being a match. They said if Nellie wasn't a match... they would try and find a match somewhere around the world. However... a sibling match would be best.
...After about 3 weeks of Chemo, i was put into temporary remission. The doctors said there was a 90-95% chance of relapse if i didn't get the Transplant and that the sooner i get the transplant.... the better.
...Most patients with my type of Leukemia would have a hard time to survive if they relapsed before the transplant.
...During my stay at the hospital i was also getting many blood transfusions. I'm thankful for all the blood donors out there.
God Bless You Donors.
You are all life savers. I encourage all to donate blood if possible.
You never know when you're going to need it.
...My next blog will talk about the most important phone call of my life...
Stay tuned.. Have a nice weekend everyone.. :-)
...Note: The picture above is of Lorenzo and his mom & dad at the annual NY Hospital Transplant cruise... It was a great day.
Larry, reading your blog is difficult. But not nearly as difficult as writing it. It is a testament to your strength and will. Stay positive, and stay strong. I wish you health, happiness and all good things.
ReplyDeleteWith much love and good wishes,
Bonnie (Barr)
You are an inspiration, Lorenzo!! I have a framed needlepoint here that says "Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday". I live one day at a time and try to make the most of it and not spend all my time worrying about the "what ifs". It took me a long time to finally think that way, but it works and now I am able to live in the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou are a blessing to everyone that knows you. I know that God will use you to encourage others by seeing your faith, honesty and your bravery. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteAwwwe, I never knew the details. You are courageous in so many ways!! YOU are a survivor and you have so many reasons to continue! Congratulations to you for your strength and for sharing such intimate specifics pertaining to your health and your personal life. Your forum is a public service as well...many of us (including me) can really learn from it. So sorry for what you had been going through and what you are continuing to go through today. The best always and God bless you, your family and your children. Thank you for the knowledge! I've always wondered how personally the blood bank is helping each individual. Much love and extra prayers towards your already invaluable braveness and strength!
ReplyDeleteNora Guenther ;-)