BLOG 08
7 October 2008
I have now finished 10 days in the Royal Brisbane Hospital and happy to be out and feeling fine. Lumbar Puncture #4 was performed on Monday, 06th October/08 with a very fine needle - which has halted post lumbar migraines to zero. A fabulous result, as I had previously struggled through 5-6 days of migraines, after the LP. Amazingly, the migraines are caused from a tiny leak and imbalance of spinal fluid from the puncture site. Incredible, how it all works. We have run tests and find no cells that we can test for Lymphoma, although I had the symptoms, we could not find the evidence. Therefore my doctor gave me a choice as to whether we would like to progress with Fludarabine (relapse chemotherapy for Lymphoma) or wait off.
We have decided to wait and see if the symptoms return, in the mean time, we will do 2 more Lumbar Punctures in the next 3 weeks, to try and nail it. Obviously, should any symptom return we will get straight into more chemotherapy and then talk transplant. We are happy with the decision, for this time, as avoiding toxicity is our number 1 aim in ridding the Lymphoma completely. I now also have a port-a-cath in my chest for extraction of bloods and delivery of medicines. This will assist me in less needles and pain in accessing difficult veins.
Doctors will continue to monitor me very closely and we will work ot a plan, as we progress. Hopefully, the lumbar's will give me a cure and full healing from whatever is left and was trying to take my leg again. We will continue to post as news comes to hand. Thank you all for your continued prayers and love. See my media page for the latest Lymphoma News and an article on my journey.
Exciting news on the health reform front is that there are some important GP tool's now available through the Queensland Leukaemia Foundation, and these will be sent to every GP in Australia. They are called:GP Diagnosis card-Is Lymphoma On Your Radar? GP Guide-Early Dignosis & Refferal of Lymphoma Is Critical - mail me if you would like copies of these or do a search.
Blessings 2 U,
Jodie G.