**Need some good vibes for my m-i-l please!**

[grace0418]

My husband's mom was diagnosed with leukemia just before Thanksgiving. She went through three rounds of chemo like a trouper, no problems at all. Well, because of her age and some other factors, the doctors felt that if her cancer were to return there wouldn't be much they could do about it. So they suggested one last round of chemo just to be sure they got it all. I personally felt that she shouldn't do it (they detected no cancer after the *first* round of chemo so a fourth round just seemed like overkill to me) but my opinion doesn't hold much weight in the family. I kept my mouth shut but now wish I'd spoken up (not that they would've listened).

Anyway, she just finished her fourth round and everything seemed to be going well just as in the first three. She got out of the hospital last weekend. But the chemo doesn't discriminate between good cells and bad so it does a number on your immune system and last night she developed a 104 degree fever. She's in the hospital now and her blood counts are very low.

Can I get some of those patented DU vibes for her? She can be a bit of a loon and we definitely don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but she's got a good heart and I know my husband, his siblings and their dad would be really devastated if they lost her now.

Thanks DU!

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. You got it! *healing vibes and hugs*

[grace0418]

6. Thank you GPV!

:hug:

[Suich]

2. Sending healing vibes your way, grace0418!

I hope your m-i-l is home soon!

:hug:

[grace0418]

7. Thanks Suich!

I hope so too.

[FloridaJudy]

3. You got 'em

Healing vibes on their way.

[grace0418]

8. Wow, that's gorgeous!

Thank you FloridaJudy! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear grace0418!

My biggest and bestest vibes to your m-i-l right now!

I hope that she will soon be well on the road to recovery...

:hug:

[grace0418]

9. You're the best CP!

Thanks and :hug: right back atcha.

[emilyg]

5. Good vibes on way.

[grace0418]

10. Thank you emilyg

I'll get an update from my husband soon. He's at the hospital now.

[grace0418]

11. Kick for my m-i-l

Thanks!

[bif]

12. Good vibes coming your way!

From Motown!

[grace0418]

13. Thanks Bif!

She can use them! :hi:

[Dystopian]

14. Sending vibes....

grace0418:hug:

A friend was diagnosed with leukemia around the same time...He's doing fine, and working every day.
I was so worried about him...I just love him, he's a wonderful soul....but everything is under control.

Please keep the faith...
The treatments are wonderful these days...I hope you have her home soon.
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers...
Positive and healing thoughts going out to your dear mother-in-law...

For Hope, Patience, and Recovery...



peace~

[grace0418]

16. Thank you Dystopian.

Yeah, I was really amazed at how well she was doing so far. She never lost her appetite or even too much energy. She lost her hair of course, but other than that she was pulling through with flying colors. Almost to the finish line and a stupid infection has to get her. So far she's hanging on thought. Thanks again.

:hug:

[applegrove]

15. Vibes for your MIL.

[grace0418]

17. Thank you applegrove.

:hi:

[latebloomer]

18. That's really very common

I'm a leukemia survivor (diagnosed 2 years ago, stem-cell transplant 17 months ago) and after my first round of chemo I landed back in the hospital with a fever. They really couldn't find a cause for it- no infection- but attributed it to low white-cell counts caused by the chemo, and pumped me up with antibiotics. I was told this is practically unavoidable. The fact that your MIL made it through the first three without a hitch shows that she must be quite strong physically and she will probably come out fine.

Do you know what type of leukemia she has? And how old is she?

Healing vibes to her and to the family.

[grace0418]

22. Thanks latebloomer.

She has APL (a from of AML), and it's highly treatable. She's 71 years old but very active and strong. She did get one small fever during the first induction chemo session, but was in the hospital for that and got it taken care of quickly. After that it was pretty smooth sailing. She lost her hair and some energy, but never lost her appetite and was very calm and stoic about the whole thing. Her fever is pretty high and they couldn't get it to come down last night, but I'm waiting for news today. My husband is there now and his sister flew in from out of state. So she's got loved ones around her. I didn't want to add to the possibility of introducing any more germs than necessary so I will visit when she's feeling a bit better. I think she'll put through. She's incredibly strong. But she's also very accepting of whatever is next.

Anyway, I'm so glad to hear you're doing well. Thank you for your experienced assurance.

:hug:

[Lyric]

19. What kind of leukemia does she have?

My Mom is 52 years old, going on ten years of severe acute myelogenous leukemia remission. Tell her that it IS possible to make it--I swear. Even the worst leukemias are NOT a death sentence. Don't let her give up!!! If they haven't done a stem cell transplant, tell them to do it now!!! My mom made it through with nothing more than that, after a 2-month death sentence!!!

I am sending every POSSIBLE vibe to your MIL.

:hug:

:loveya:

[grace0418]

23. Thank you so much Lyric.

My m-i-l also has a form of AML: APL, the most treatable form. For various reasons she is not a candidate for a stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant, which is why they wanted to do the extra measures of chemo. But if it were my decision to make for myself, I would've stopped after three rounds. Especially at 71 years old. But it was her decision and I'm glad she felt assured enough to make it.

I'm so glad your mom is doing well! Thank you for all the vibes. I feel them for sure!

:hug:

[Lyric]

26. Sweetheart, listen to me:

My Mom went through a stem cell transplant of her OWN stem cells. They isolated her stem cells from the cancer cells and, after extreme chemo, injected them back into her.

In the aftermath, her docs said that her body is trying to (1) grow new coronary arteries (she had heart disease before the AML) and (2) killing off the cancer.

Do NOT let them tell you that 71 is old enough. Trust me!!! There is hope beyond it. My own Mom participated in trials back in 2001 that PROVED the effectiveness of autonomic stem cell transplant as a treatment! PLEASE---believe me. I saw my own Mother survive this VERY thing via having her OWN stem cells re-transplanted after intense chemo! It can work for your MIL too!!!

Don't let them tell you that it can't happen! My Mom was high-risk, with previous heart problems and diabetes! She is STILL alive ten years later! MAKE them do it!!!

Love you!!!!

PM me for more details!!!!

:hug:

[grace0418]

30. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that

at her age she's too old to deal with more treatment, or that her doctors said anything about 71 being old enough. I only meant that her prognosis was given to her along the lines of "your chances of the cancer recurring in the next 15 years are..." and if it were my decision to make I would take my chances. Seeing as, at 71, living another 15 years is pretty darn good.

Anyway, I have no influence on her health decisions, and she is extremely traditional in her thinking. Nothing I could suggest would sway her. The only person she really listens to regarding health issues is my husband's sister (both my m-i-l and s-i-l are nurses). So I stay out of it and offer support. It's all I can do and all I would presume to do. But thank you, I am soooo happy things have worked out for your mom. That's wonderful news!

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

20. Sure, good vibes coming for your MIL.

:hi:

[grace0418]

24. Thanks Call Me Wesley

I appreciate it so much!

[laylah]

21. Of course...

:hug:

[grace0418]

25. Right back atcha laylah!

:hug:

[driver8]

27. Sending good vibes and hugs your way! n/t

[grace0418]

31. Thanks driver8!

:hi:

[fortyfeetunder]

28. Good vibes coming!

She sounds like a good soul. I wish her healing in the coming days.

:hug: to your family.

[grace0418]

32. You know, she and I have our differences on many issues. We don't fight or

anything, I just think pretty much the opposite of her on all matters political and religious. But I keep my mouth shut because I know I'm not going to change her. However, I think she has truly been an inspiration in the way she's handled this illness with such grace and stoicism. The poor woman has had at least 5 bone marrow biopsies where they drill an instrument the size of a large screwdriver into your hipbone and hasn't complained a bit. She is ready to live a long time if that's what's in store for her, but also very accepting that her life may be shorter than we all hope. It's pretty wonderful, I must admit.

My own mother complains non-stop about every little thing that befalls her. She is truly a lesson in how NOT to age.

Anyway, thank you so much fortyfeetunder!

:hug:

[bigwillq]

29. Sending my best vibes.

:hug:

[grace0418]

33. Thank you and hugs right back atcha

bigwillq!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

34. Certainly Grace :)

:hug: :loveya: :hug: :loveya: :hug:

For your m-i-l, you, the family, and your friends.

Love, healing and strength to you all.

[grace0418]

35. Thank you thank you!

You are so sweet! :loveya: