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John Snyder
Feb 29, 2012, 12:45:06 AM2/29/12
to JSnyder-Status
Thank you again to everyone for the prayers, assistance, and the very
special hospital visits. Your support is so much a part of my
treatment and recovery. Especially my Mother's endless assistance and
care, she really makes everything work, even if it seems like I don't
listen at times :).
It has been a little more than a couple of weeks since receiving my
last chemotherapy treatment, three weeks since I went in for the start
of the treatment. I came out very strong, feeling good except for
some acid reflux. This lasted through the first week, until Friday
the 17th when I went in for my first blood test. Prior to going in,
my stomach started to deteriorate.
My first blood test showed that everything had dropped out, my white
blood count was down to .8 (normal is 7,000 to 10,000), my red cells
were just as low (Normal is 4,000 to 6,000) but my platelets were at
20,000 (normal for me is 250,000). 20,000 is the line for having to
have an infusion so I thought I had dodged that bullet.
Unfortunately, the doctor wanted me to have an infusion of two units
of platelets. This has usually consumed the rest of my day as it
usually takes a couple of hours to receive them. Things went a little
differently this time; I had a reaction to the platelet causing my
whole body to shake uncontrollably. This was very upsetting to my
Mother as she was waiting by me during the infusion. The nurse gave
me a shot of Demerol which relieved the shaking fairly quickly. Later
in the evening I came down with a fever of 100.9, which subsided a
couple of hours later after taking a couple of Tylenol.
I did not have a strong weekend on the 18th & 19th, despite my desire
to do more; I spent most of it resting and in some cases sleeping.
Sunday night around 2:30 am I could feel my immune system returning.
On Monday the 20th I returned to the cancer center for another blood
test and a doctor’s appointment. My counts had only improved
slightly. The white and red counts were around 800 and my platelets
were 30,000. The doctor prescribed a couple of antibiotics to help
protect against any infections, especially seeing that I was battling
a case of folliculitis, which is caused by the heavy steroid dosages
they give me during the odd treatments. I was not getting about much
as my stomach was continuing to decline as the days past.
I returned again on Wednesday the 22nd for another blood count and to
my dismay, my platelet counts had dropped. My white blood count had
risen to about 3,800 and my red count was round 2,000, but my
platelets had dropped to 19,000. The doctor had provided me with a
standing order for an infusion if the platelet count was 20,000 or
less. Because of my previous reaction they administered a double dose
of Benadryl and via the IV, which basically put me to sleep from
1:30pm until 9:30 pm.
My counts on Friday the 24th were improved all the way around. My
white count was at 5,000, my red count was at 2,900, and my platelets
were at 34,000. I was a little concerned that the platelet count was
elevated by the infusion on Wednesday. An entire week had just passed
and I was noticeably more drained then the prior week. I was not able
to do much at all.
I was able to make it to mass with Anne on Saturday morning the 25th,
but I did not attend Sunday mass because of concern for colds that
might be transferred by the large crowd. The tired feeling has
continued, even to today, though I did get out for a walk twice on
Sunday and once yesterday. The weather has begun to improve, which is
a definite aide in my situation.
Yesterday, I had another blood test and meeting with the doctor. The
test results were disappointing as my white count had dropped below
4,000 and my red count dropped to around 2,800. My platelets,
however, had inched up to 44,000, which was an improvement but quite
shy of the 150,000 they need to be. The doctor discussed my next
treatment and I expressed my desire to be much stronger before the
next round, especially considering it is the harder treatment. I also
reflected on how well the last treatment went when I started in such a
strong manner. He was looking at the 5th as the next possible date
and I was suggesting the 12th was more likely. We agreed that I would
return on Monday for the next blood test and discussion regarding a
treatment date.
I have not made it through a day recently without having to stop for a
nap. It seems that the treatment did not hit hard until the 17th, a
week after the last chemical was administered. I have detected a
small improvement with my digestive system late Sunday, so it may be
that my recovery is slowly beginning. I guess I am always more
anxious for things to be more normal, so I am pushing to be more
active and I am disappointed when I am not capable of actually doing
anything. It is not in my character or genes to be lying about, but
maybe that is one of the points God is trying to make. I continue to
watch for enough of an improvement so that I can begin to apply myself
in a daily fashion. Until then I will have to stay in close contact
with my pillow.
I have three more treatments left, two even and one odd. Your prayers
and assistance continue to be of great benefit. They will truly be
required when I start my next treatment. I do not think about the
next round, at least until I have experienced some stronger days. It
is hard to think about getting through that treatment when I am still
struggling to be up and about. It is hard to think about being
leveled flat again, while I am still trying to pick myself up off the
floor. Yet as they say, it is not important how many times one is
knocked down. What counts is how many times one gets back up.
If I return for treatment on the 12th of March, it will likely set my
seventh treatment for the 9th or 16th of April and my final treatment
for the 14th or 21st of May. This will mean that my final recovery
will likely be in the middle or late June. Overall, things are
looking very good. I am not really concerned about the cancer. I am
more focused on the risks associated with the treatments and getting
through the recoveries. It may be that I extend the time between
treatments to reduce the associated risks.
I will post again once I have confirmed my next treatment dates, which
will likely be the 12th of March.
God bless you all and thanks again.
John
special hospital visits. Your support is so much a part of my
treatment and recovery. Especially my Mother's endless assistance and
care, she really makes everything work, even if it seems like I don't
listen at times :).
It has been a little more than a couple of weeks since receiving my
last chemotherapy treatment, three weeks since I went in for the start
of the treatment. I came out very strong, feeling good except for
some acid reflux. This lasted through the first week, until Friday
the 17th when I went in for my first blood test. Prior to going in,
my stomach started to deteriorate.
My first blood test showed that everything had dropped out, my white
blood count was down to .8 (normal is 7,000 to 10,000), my red cells
were just as low (Normal is 4,000 to 6,000) but my platelets were at
20,000 (normal for me is 250,000). 20,000 is the line for having to
have an infusion so I thought I had dodged that bullet.
Unfortunately, the doctor wanted me to have an infusion of two units
of platelets. This has usually consumed the rest of my day as it
usually takes a couple of hours to receive them. Things went a little
differently this time; I had a reaction to the platelet causing my
whole body to shake uncontrollably. This was very upsetting to my
Mother as she was waiting by me during the infusion. The nurse gave
me a shot of Demerol which relieved the shaking fairly quickly. Later
in the evening I came down with a fever of 100.9, which subsided a
couple of hours later after taking a couple of Tylenol.
I did not have a strong weekend on the 18th & 19th, despite my desire
to do more; I spent most of it resting and in some cases sleeping.
Sunday night around 2:30 am I could feel my immune system returning.
On Monday the 20th I returned to the cancer center for another blood
test and a doctor’s appointment. My counts had only improved
slightly. The white and red counts were around 800 and my platelets
were 30,000. The doctor prescribed a couple of antibiotics to help
protect against any infections, especially seeing that I was battling
a case of folliculitis, which is caused by the heavy steroid dosages
they give me during the odd treatments. I was not getting about much
as my stomach was continuing to decline as the days past.
I returned again on Wednesday the 22nd for another blood count and to
my dismay, my platelet counts had dropped. My white blood count had
risen to about 3,800 and my red count was round 2,000, but my
platelets had dropped to 19,000. The doctor had provided me with a
standing order for an infusion if the platelet count was 20,000 or
less. Because of my previous reaction they administered a double dose
of Benadryl and via the IV, which basically put me to sleep from
1:30pm until 9:30 pm.
My counts on Friday the 24th were improved all the way around. My
white count was at 5,000, my red count was at 2,900, and my platelets
were at 34,000. I was a little concerned that the platelet count was
elevated by the infusion on Wednesday. An entire week had just passed
and I was noticeably more drained then the prior week. I was not able
to do much at all.
I was able to make it to mass with Anne on Saturday morning the 25th,
but I did not attend Sunday mass because of concern for colds that
might be transferred by the large crowd. The tired feeling has
continued, even to today, though I did get out for a walk twice on
Sunday and once yesterday. The weather has begun to improve, which is
a definite aide in my situation.
Yesterday, I had another blood test and meeting with the doctor. The
test results were disappointing as my white count had dropped below
4,000 and my red count dropped to around 2,800. My platelets,
however, had inched up to 44,000, which was an improvement but quite
shy of the 150,000 they need to be. The doctor discussed my next
treatment and I expressed my desire to be much stronger before the
next round, especially considering it is the harder treatment. I also
reflected on how well the last treatment went when I started in such a
strong manner. He was looking at the 5th as the next possible date
and I was suggesting the 12th was more likely. We agreed that I would
return on Monday for the next blood test and discussion regarding a
treatment date.
I have not made it through a day recently without having to stop for a
nap. It seems that the treatment did not hit hard until the 17th, a
week after the last chemical was administered. I have detected a
small improvement with my digestive system late Sunday, so it may be
that my recovery is slowly beginning. I guess I am always more
anxious for things to be more normal, so I am pushing to be more
active and I am disappointed when I am not capable of actually doing
anything. It is not in my character or genes to be lying about, but
maybe that is one of the points God is trying to make. I continue to
watch for enough of an improvement so that I can begin to apply myself
in a daily fashion. Until then I will have to stay in close contact
with my pillow.
I have three more treatments left, two even and one odd. Your prayers
and assistance continue to be of great benefit. They will truly be
required when I start my next treatment. I do not think about the
next round, at least until I have experienced some stronger days. It
is hard to think about getting through that treatment when I am still
struggling to be up and about. It is hard to think about being
leveled flat again, while I am still trying to pick myself up off the
floor. Yet as they say, it is not important how many times one is
knocked down. What counts is how many times one gets back up.
If I return for treatment on the 12th of March, it will likely set my
seventh treatment for the 9th or 16th of April and my final treatment
for the 14th or 21st of May. This will mean that my final recovery
will likely be in the middle or late June. Overall, things are
looking very good. I am not really concerned about the cancer. I am
more focused on the risks associated with the treatments and getting
through the recoveries. It may be that I extend the time between
treatments to reduce the associated risks.
I will post again once I have confirmed my next treatment dates, which
will likely be the 12th of March.
God bless you all and thanks again.
John
lwl...@charter.net
Feb 29, 2012, 10:47:27 AM2/29/12
to jsnyder...@googlegroups.com
John,
You have hung in there all this time.....keep going. We know you can do
it. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Waiting until you are strong sounds like a good idea. The sunshine
helps and Spring is coming.
Know you are in our prayers.
Larry & Sherlyn
You have hung in there all this time.....keep going. We know you can do
it. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Waiting until you are strong sounds like a good idea. The sunshine
helps and Spring is coming.
Know you are in our prayers.
Larry & Sherlyn
lindas...@yahoo.com
Feb 29, 2012, 11:24:07 AM2/29/12
to jsnyder...@googlegroups.com
John - we are all pulling for you. You are incredibly strong and your will is even stronger - Taking each day as it comes is hard, but you have the end goal in mind as you see it coming closer and closer . A healed body.
Love and our continued prayers,
Linda and Jeff
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Love and our continued prayers,
Linda and Jeff
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
betty...@aol.com
Feb 29, 2012, 11:58:58 AM2/29/12
to jsnyder...@googlegroups.com
Love you little brother! Keep smiling!
Carol
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message-----
From: John Snyder <JohnD...@STLSnyders.net>
Sender: jsnyder...@googlegroups.com
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:45:06
To: JSnyder-Status<jsnyder...@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: jsnyder...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Latest Status
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