I went to the oncologist for weekly bloodwork on Monday. My white count was up to 13,800 which is a little high but the doctor said it was okay because the white cells were neutrophils (good white cells) and not lymphocites. I am anemic now because the chemo destroyed some of my red blood cells so I got a shot to for the anemia which should give me more energy.

I am returning to school tomorrow. My white count is now high enough that my immune system is not as compromised as before. I should do just fine-funny but seniors dont usually hug on you and sneeze on you like little kids might. I am looking forward to getting back to my daily routine. I miss my co-workers and my students.

I cant thank you enough for keepnng up with the blog and offering up my name to Him. God has been so good!

Keep Praying,

Lisa

The last few days I have been extremely fatigued from the chemotherapy but today has been MUCH better. I have almost felt like my old self again today (maybe that's a good thing-maybe not!) I had a good visit from Ashley Atencio and Lauren McClure today from the senior class. It was good to see them-I miss them all very much.

Thanks to all of you who are including me in your daily prayers and to all of those who have placed me on prayer lists. Knowing that you are lifting my name up before Him is truly one of the greatest blessings of Christian kinship. Also thanks to everyone for all the cards, gifts, and other acts of kindness shown to me, Jeff, and the girls. Words can never express my heartfelt thanks.

With the inital diagnosis, I struggled a lot with "why" this had happened to me. Today, I find myself concentrating more and more on how I can use this "bump in the road" to glorify my Father. He has definitely answered and continues to answer your prayers, so ...

Keep on Praying!

I love you,

Lisa

I finally broke out of ECM on Sunday. They knocked me out for the Ritoxan on Saturday and I was able to get through it. I went to the Dr. today and the white count is now 3,000. Quite a drop from 245,000 just a couple of weeks ago. They gave me a shot to boost the growth of "good"white cells.

Thanks so much to everyone who is reading the blog and for all the cards and other acts of kindness.

Keep Praying!

I love you,

Lisa

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post...

On Monday, I started my first four day round of chemotherapy. I was scheduled to receive Ritoxan on the first day (the antibody) and then two other drugs on Tuesday through Thursday. I had a severe reaction to the Ritoxan and was rushed to the hospital where I landed in the Cardiac Care Unit.

On Tuesday, my cardiologist saw something in the blood work that alarmed her and she wanted to perform an arteriorgram before preceding wth any treatment. So on Tuesday afternoon I had the arteriorgram and it reavealed that I had a 70% blockage. So I received another heart stent. The leukemia had flooded my blooded with white blood cells and made my blood like mud and it simply could not flow through my heart. Many kudos to Dr. Therese Lango-she has been the Lord's instrument that has saved my life more times than I can remember.

Finally on Wednesday afternoon I began the other two drugs of chemo. I made it through the first round of those with just a little fatigue and I will receive a second does later today (Thursday).

The plan is that I will receive the third does of the two chemo drugs tomorrow and we will began the Ritoxan again on Saturday at a slower rate through the IV.

For the meantime, I am stuck in the Eliza Hilton in their complimentary hospital gown ...

Thanks for all your calls and acts of kindness.

Keep Praying!

Lisa

I will have surgery on Friday morning to implant the port under my collar bone. The port will enable me to receive the chemotherapy treatments and never have to be stuck again when the "draculas" come callin'.

Thanks again for all your kindness. Keep on praying!

Keep the Son in your Eyes,

Lisa

I received good news at my oncologist visit today.

There are two types of CLL (B cell and T cell). Most patients with B-cell have responded well to an antibody drug treatment which I will hopefully began on Monday of next week. Another piece of good news is that the disesase has not progressed to the point where my spleen and liver are enlarged. The initial scan has indicated that there are some lymph nodes in my neck and behind my stomach that are enlarged, but no effect on the organs.

And I saved the best part for last. After taking three days of oral chemo my white cell count went from 245,000 down to 143,000 when they checked it today. Although it is still very high, it does indicate that the drugs will be effective in continuing to bring it down to normal levels.

I will see the surgeon tomorrow and hopefully set up the surgery to have a port implanted on Friday. If all goes well, I began my first round of chemotherapy on Monday. The treatments will last four days.

Thanks to all of you who are praying so dilligently for me-your prayers are working so please continue to remember me.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Lisa