25-09-2023, 05:42 AM
Hi BN, I thank everyone (p_r_1974, Aria, Shirazm, LizW55, Lara, myboobs, Jennifer, ChuckM, Alexis, Bobbi and Stevenator) from the bottom of my heart who stopped by to share their love and support. 
I'll try to give an update of how things are going. I spent three days in the hospital (a couple of days ago)... my blood pressure was spiking between 40 to 60 points. When the readings were going over 210/100 (and higher) it was time to go to the emergency department. Along with the high BP I was wheezing, migraines and having uncontrolled coughing. About two weeks ago I had an EKG (electrocardiogram) and it revealed a past heart attack (myocardial infarction). When I got to the hospital my BP was over 200/89, (essentially i was having a hypotensive crisis) they immediately took me back to an exam room and a few hours later admitted me to the hospital. Over the next few days they ran just about every blood/chest x-ray/mri test you can think of.
My immune system is compromised as a result of having leukemia, and taking the cancer treatment medication lowers your immune next to nothing. Then I got sick (of course) with a virus, which then led to bronchitis (still have it)
This next part is truly amazing, after everything I was going through (which I thought was close to having a heart attack) all heart related tests came back normal… I was stunned (and two more EKG's and an echocardiogram showed no history of a heart attack).
My issue continues to be with the medication I take to fight the cancer. It's called Gleevec, some may refer to it as a chemo med, but it's actually a TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) which attacks the cancer cells. I'm having negative reactions to the medication like coughing, wheezing, headaches, unrelenting fatigue and pain. My oncologist says the medication is essential for saving my life (she says over and over) like somehow I have forgotten this is life-threatening, and I have less than two years if I'm (somehow) unable to get treatment from the medication. I've asked repeatedly to try another medication, but I get denied and get the above lecture. The oncologist says all cancer drugs come with side-effects, but dang… this one seems like it's out to get me.
I have more things to update, but I'll do that soon, I tire easily.
If I can say one thing to you (or anyone else) who feels intimidated to talk to me please don't be. I'd like to talk less about science and more about life, and maybe get to hear from anyone who just wants to say hi… or talk about things. I may not respond in a timely manner, but I'll do my best. Alexis, your post was/is beautiful, it was posted on the day I was released from the hospital, so thank you so much, it lifted my spirits at a time when I needed it. 
I do feel incredibly lucky for a number of reasons, and for having great friends here. There are many more people who have things worse than me… but hey, I just found out my heart is healthy, imho that's fate.
I'll try to give an update of how things are going. I spent three days in the hospital (a couple of days ago)... my blood pressure was spiking between 40 to 60 points. When the readings were going over 210/100 (and higher) it was time to go to the emergency department. Along with the high BP I was wheezing, migraines and having uncontrolled coughing. About two weeks ago I had an EKG (electrocardiogram) and it revealed a past heart attack (myocardial infarction). When I got to the hospital my BP was over 200/89, (essentially i was having a hypotensive crisis) they immediately took me back to an exam room and a few hours later admitted me to the hospital. Over the next few days they ran just about every blood/chest x-ray/mri test you can think of.
My immune system is compromised as a result of having leukemia, and taking the cancer treatment medication lowers your immune next to nothing. Then I got sick (of course) with a virus, which then led to bronchitis (still have it)
This next part is truly amazing, after everything I was going through (which I thought was close to having a heart attack) all heart related tests came back normal… I was stunned (and two more EKG's and an echocardiogram showed no history of a heart attack).
My issue continues to be with the medication I take to fight the cancer. It's called Gleevec, some may refer to it as a chemo med, but it's actually a TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) which attacks the cancer cells. I'm having negative reactions to the medication like coughing, wheezing, headaches, unrelenting fatigue and pain. My oncologist says the medication is essential for saving my life (she says over and over) like somehow I have forgotten this is life-threatening, and I have less than two years if I'm (somehow) unable to get treatment from the medication. I've asked repeatedly to try another medication, but I get denied and get the above lecture. The oncologist says all cancer drugs come with side-effects, but dang… this one seems like it's out to get me.
I have more things to update, but I'll do that soon, I tire easily.
If I can say one thing to you (or anyone else) who feels intimidated to talk to me please don't be. I'd like to talk less about science and more about life, and maybe get to hear from anyone who just wants to say hi… or talk about things. I may not respond in a timely manner, but I'll do my best. Alexis, your post was/is beautiful, it was posted on the day I was released from the hospital, so thank you so much, it lifted my spirits at a time when I needed it. I do feel incredibly lucky for a number of reasons, and for having great friends here. There are many more people who have things worse than me… but hey, I just found out my heart is healthy, imho that's fate.