Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Getting Stronger One Day at a Time

I'm sitting in my chair feeling much better although also strangely drained. Diane pointed out that I've been in the hospital nearly 3 months and who wouldn't be drained.  I came in on the first day of winter and now it's almost the first day of spring. 

My white count is great at around 6 or 7, but I keep needing transfusions of platelets and red blood. I just learned today that I am definitely done with dialysis and the kidney guy congratulated me and signed off by saying, "Keep peeing!"  I can make it up and down the hallway with a walker and that is getting easier as I am losing more water weight, but I still I look longingly out my door at the people who are just walking without giving it a thought. It is interesting what we take for granted.  I am due to go to rehab after I leave here so I assume that walking will be second nature in the near future.

Also I need to force myself to eat which is a chore since I haven't eaten in such a long time, but I am working on it.

I can't concentrate on much -- watching a lot of MSNBC. I am sure I will end up knowing all there is to know about bonus-gate at AIG. 

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. Keep the good vibes coming.

22 comments:

Susan C said...

Wonderful to hear from you, Ronni.

I feel like my blood pressure is rising every time I think about AIG. Too bad it doesn't cause the hemo and platelets to rise too.

Anonymous said...

Dear R-
Recovering your strength will take time. But, every day you will grow stronger, but especially so if you eat your peas and broccoli. Keep up the good work. Susan

Anonymous said...

So good to hear you are slowly getting back on your feet, Ronni. It's fantastic that you are able to update us all.

Try eating, have some hearty soup and think how good it is for you!

LR

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Ronni. Sending you lots of happy and spring filled thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to seeing you one day soon... Michelle

susiegb said...

Lovely to hear from you Ronni. And great that you are finished with dialysis ...

Keep growing stronger, and if you keep eating those veggies you will be walking out the door into the sunshine soon!

Anonymous said...

Dear Ronni,

I am one of the run coaches for the Long Island NY's chapter of Team In Training. Each week we find, and share a story, about someone's experience with leukemia/lymphoma. Our hope is to remind our runners (before they set off on what will be, for many of them, their longest and probably most difficult run to date) of WHY we are part of the 'Team'.

Our head coach came across your touching and intensely inspiring story and asked me to share it with our runners this weekend.

After I read your blog, I just had to let you know, that on Saturday morning, there will be about 50 of us will be thinking of you, praying for you, and dedicating each and every step of our 12 mile run to you.

Thank you for sharing your story... It will be our team's motivation this weekend to continue our unending efforts to put an end to this miserable disease.

I send you all my prayers and best wishes...

Jen Taggart

Mikha'el said...

Great to know you are up and geting stronger. Wear out the walker and don't watch too much news...try some old funny movies as it will give you a boost. Keep the updates coming

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's so great you had a 12 mile run dedicated to you getting better! You'll be doing that for someone else in no time.
I'm so glad you're walking about, thinking about it, anticipating exercise and movement. You really are an athlete. I'm damn sure your drive and attitude are what gets you up and out of there soon.
Everyone's right, eat your veggies and gain that strength back...
Miss you and wish I could visit...

Anonymous said...

Wow, I was not expecting an update so soon, and not from Ronni herself. I could not be happier! You are so strong. You are a true survivor. Keep it up!

Jim said...

Ronni,

It sounds like things are really coming along, which is wonderful. Too bad you had to come back to AIG World, but on second thought, you probably don't look at it that way!

I think of you often, and pray for full recovery. I'm looking forward to the "I'm walking now" post, and later, "I ran today" post.

Jim

Ann said...

So good to see you back.

Wendy S. Harpham, MD said...

Dear Ronni,
Another day closer to feeling and being well again.

In your honor, I'm making a donation to LRF. Your name will be inscribed on a ribbon for the 2009 Ribbon of Names. You can see pix of earlier years' flags on my website. (Click on Wendy's Eagles) www.wendyharpham.com

With hope, Wendy

Anonymous said...

It is so cool that you have a team running in your honor and that you will be on the Ribbon of Names. Like Mieke says, soon you will be running for someone else! Keep up the good healing and eat, eat, eat. Love you!

Anonymous said...

It's so fantastic to have you back!! I love checking in to your blog and hearing from all of the people you've inspired - and after all of these 30+ plus years you continue to inspire me!
love,
Tami

Nelle said...

So glad to see you are on the road back. Eating can be tough...are you on a restricted diet for sodium? That's what caused me a lot of trouble. Whatever seemed good that I might eat was sodium laden and vetoed. I just heard the government passed a law today if those execs keep the bonuses they will be taxed 90 per cent. Some have agreed to return them.

One Mother with Cancer said...

Ronnie, I know it takes time but my prayers are with you. I wish you nothing but the best.

Today I'm scheduled for my Bone Marrow Transplant for AML.

Wishing you much health and streangth.

One Mother with Cancer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
EricKaye26.2 said...

Keep going strong Ronni!

Anonymous said...

Great news that you're getting around, Ronni, even if it's just to the bathroom. Keep up the good work! I have you in my thoughts and prayers and hope to see you one of these days on one of our family's thrice-yearly visits to New England.

Diana(Tomb)Carter,
Rochester, NY

Anonymous said...

Remarkable Ronni,

Wonder-Woman has nothing on You!

So glad to see you! don't let the nurses bribe you with those frappes...perhaps, i hope, that the frappes are passee!

xop

Howard said...

Great to see this post Ronni, and delighted to know the dialysis is over.

Better days are coming. All the best from Mtl.

Howard

Anonymous said...

great work kideneys-
great work ronnie!!!