Monday, November 26, 2007

Monday the 3rd

Well, I'm an official patient of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. We walked down the halls full of sick, bald, wheel chaired elderly and sat next to a few people in the waiting room who looked like they were barely holding on to life. I whispered to Josh "I don't belong here."

The Dr. thought Interferon was the best treatment for me. Thats what all three of my Dr.s have suggested because its the only thing they know helps my stage of melanoma. This Dr. confirmed the 50/50 chance of it coming back, but said the interferon may help an extra 10%.

Interferon is a protein that will tell my immune system to attack. Hopefully the cancer cells. I will be going in 5 days a week for 4 weeks for high dose infusions. Then I give myself shots 3 times a week for a year after that.

I asked them to start me today. "This is a really tough treatment. You could be very sick for a while." "If we start today I can be done before Christmas." He looked suprised. "The first part is very hard to get through." "I havent eaten anything since midnight just in case thats a requirement." I think he knew I meant it. "Ill see what we can do." Unfortunately the best they could do was December the 3rd.

The end of my health history asked: "Is there anything else you would like us to know about you, or do you have any special requests?" The nurse practitioner who did the initial examination looked up a little surprised when she read: SAVE ME!!!!

21 comments:

suzanne campbell said...

Alisa there is nothing to say but go for it. You will be in our prayers constantly and thank you for letting us be a part of this with you.Love Suzanne

Jill said...

You are going to be the best patient they ever had, and you are going to be just fine!

Leah said...

Your strength and determination will get you through this! Our thoughts and prayers will be with you!

Matt said...

It's good to know the plan. I hope the treatments aren't too bad. I love you.

Sonja said...

I think the sick, bald and older people are the 50% who are dying of this. It won't be you!

AnneMarie said...

THe difference between you and the others are that you are young and at the top of your game. I know you will do splendidly. Nate and I are praying for you constantly, and my mother-in-law wants to let you know that she religiously reads your blogs and shares them with everyone she knows. You've got quite the fan club, and quite the family. I hope you know we will do anything for you. I love you.

Kari said...

HAHA! Alisa, you probably scare medical personnel with your bluntness.
You know I'll come to your house to help you out as much as I can. Finals are the 17-21, but before that I pretty much don't have much else due before the end of the semester. Let me know what days you don't have someone to help! Good luck! You're in my prayers!

Dawn said...

You are so tough-I really admire you! And maybe we can freeze you some christmas creme cookies, we will just call them, after treatment cookies!

Kirsty said...

You are too cool for school. I wish I could come visit while you were feeling sick. Or feeling well, for that matter.

Anonymous said...

Alisa,
I understand when you say that you feel you don't belong there. I feel that way every time I go to my cancer clinic. I feel like the older patients are looking at me like what is she doing here. You can do it. Heavenly Father never gives us more than we can handle! I sure have felt that through my treatments the past six months.
Suzanne C.

momila said...

Alisa,
You were too cute to go in there on a empty stomach "just in case" that's the attitude that will get you thru.
Yep, Interferon sucks. I hate it. Brent hates it, but we hate alternative more. AND when those docs give you stats they do not and cannot factor in FAITH!! I think that's worth, oh, a good 20-30% more. Just my humble opinion.

Brooke said...

Alisa,
I am so sorry the timing of this isn't working like you'd like. Please know that my offer to help while we are there is unlimited!

Cara said...

I would love to help drive you there, watch your kids, bring you food, or whatever will best help you and your fam....I'll call you and see what I can do. I am at your unlimited disposal! Britney said our family prayer tonight and prayed that James' Mom will be all better in time for Christmas...it caused a few tears. This was before I read your latest entry. Let's pray that prayer comes true!

Jesse Urry said...

Alisa,
I wish I could take all you pain away and do the treatment for you so you can have fun with those 3 little boys. I pray the cancer is gone and will stay gone for ever.
You are one strong lady and I know I could not do all you do. I pray all your treatments are done by christmas so you can go and spend time with your family.
I hope they give you the meds to help you not be sick I know there is some kind out there and I hope they give it to you I know how hard it is to be sick and have little kids.
Let me know what I can do to help.
We Love you
The Urrys

Buzybugs pixie.blogspot.com said...

Alisa-
YOU are such and amazing person! I have so much respect for you and for Josh for all that your going through. Your in our prayers- I would love to help in any way... P.S. My Mom bought the Thomas the Tank outfits for your boys, I am not sure if you recieved them she thought it would be fun for them. Take care and our thoughts are with you.

Mary said...

Can I just tell you how much I love your candor. I would love to be with you at these appointments just to see the look on the Docs/Nurses faces.

Always thinking of you!

jennie said...

For some reason, I can't read what the NP read at the bottom of your Health History. My computer has some wierd wing dings instead of words. What, is it profane??? I love it when you are profane!
Really, though, I am dying to know what it said.

I can't wait to see you every thursday morning for the next 4 weeks!!! I'm going to pretend like we are back in our old college days. I might be able to find a pair of overalls, or maybe I could even cut bangs for the event. We are going to make this fun.

Love your guts.

Mary said...

PS I'm with Jennie. Am I dumb? I can't tell what it says. Would love to know!

IAmTheWalrus said...

Haven't been here for a while. Looks like you're ready to go for the treatment. You've got the spirit. Just take it one day (or one shot, haha)at a time. I know you can do it. I can't say much for the first four weeks, but after that, I know you can handle it. Heck, I'm traveling and in Oklahoma this week. Took my interferon syringe with me in a cooler pack for the plane ride so I could take it on Friday. If I can do this, you certainly can. You're in our prayers.

Bev said...

Alisa, We are so thankful you will finally be starting your treatment. We continue to pray for you and your little family! Don't forget that Heavenly Father knows you and loves you you. "Life isn't about waiting for the strom to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain". You have cartainly learned to "dance in the rain"! Love Bev

Alisa said...

Sorry guys, I put it in bold maybe thats why you cant see it. I just wrote: SAVE ME!!!