I was forced to return to the hospital on Sunday do to a sudden fever. Thanks to my math teacher friends, I now know what that is in Celcius. With a 37.7 fever and low white cells, it was necessary to stay overnight. This was the worst news to me. A hospital stay means having … Continue reading White Cell Problems Part 2
British Hospital
White Cell Problems
I woke up this morning unable to swallow. No really. Could not swallow on the right side of my throat without a 7 on the pain scale. So, like a good little patient, I took my temp. I don't understand Celcius to save my life. But considering that my body typically runs cold (96.5-97 F), … Continue reading White Cell Problems
The Hope in Others
I received this article from a fellow cancer fighter and fellow UAS teacher that gave me a lot to think about. Serendipitously, Amy and her husband John (both of whom worked at UAS a few years ago) were visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday at the exact time that I got my official diagnosis. I cannot … Continue reading The Hope in Others
A Year I Will Never Forget – 2018
January: Started off the year with dear new friends watching fireworks explode all around me from a rooftop. Started off the year with four months under my belt living in a brand new country. Finished up a two week intensive Spanish immersion course. Made my way to my dream destination, Rio de Janeiro where I … Continue reading A Year I Will Never Forget – 2018
Chemotherapy Treatment Number Three
I woke up feeling a bit yucky. I don't really know why. My stomach was a little out of sorts and I just didn't feel that surge of energy, that "let's kick this thing" attitude that I felt for the previous two treatments. It could be that I am already getting sick of this mess. … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number Three
Chemotherapy Treatment Number Two
I was a little nervous for this one. My lack of symptoms from the last treatment made me think that this one would be my doozy! But I guess my body is stronger than the average bear because this one was easier than the first...no pain, no reactions, no symptoms. And best of all, it … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number Two
Chemotherapy Treatment Number 1
Hodgkin's Lymphoma requires a chemo regimen of ABVD drugs for 6 cycles. A cycle consists of two sessions of chemo per month. Therefore, this whole process should take six months if my body responds completely to the treatment. I must admit that I was looking forward to the first treatment. Not in the "woohoo CHEMO!" … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number 1
Day 8: Travel from Hell (Bogota to Salento)
I had a super early flight from Cartagena to Bogota. I was trying to decide which place to go – San Gil or Salento so Bogota was a better place from which to decide. San Gil was more adventurous, but I really wanted to see the coffee region. As soon as I got into Bogota, … Continue reading Day 8: Travel from Hell (Bogota to Salento)
Burning to Return to Normal
The first week of April, I returned to school. Our students had just come off of a week-long fall break, but I was coming off of my own personal three-week hiatus. I can affirm that I was one of the only people actually excited to be back in school. Back to normal. I was elated … Continue reading Burning to Return to Normal
The Burn: Week Four AND Paysandú
The Week of Awesome! My week of awesome started with simply getting out of the house. I burned myself on a Friday, so it was only fitting that my week of awesome started on a Friday. I was looking forward to Beer Week in Paysandú and I was able to get out of the house … Continue reading The Burn: Week Four AND Paysandú
Teach Abroad Coyle-Gamero 