NBA Playoffs

Just a quick post today. Go CHICAGO BULLS! Yes, yes I am from LA and I do love the Lakers but they suck this season. I guess I'm not a true Laker fan. Whatever! If they win, I'll be happy. But if Derrick Rose and the Bulls win, I'll be even happier. Haven't been a Bulls fan since Michael Jordan left. Gotta get me a D. ROSE jersey. I love basketball!

These doctors...

I finally ended up in the OR for a procedure called D&C (Dilation and curettage) and IUD (Intrauterine device). Basically my GYN thinned out the lining of the uterus and inserted a birth control device to help stop the bleeding I have been having since February 2nd. For two months, these doctors allowed me to bleed to death. I just found out that there were a lot of things that they could have done to prevent my trips to the ED (Emergency Department). What a mess! I was getting transfused with packed RBC and platelets every other day; and all that could have been prevented if only they knew what they were doing. During the previous couple of months, I've had 6 pelvic ultrasounds and 8 pelvic exams. Yet with every one of those exams, they come back to me and tell me that everything is normal and it could be just my menses. HELLO?! I'm not a doctor but I know it is not normal to bleed heavily for two months. My high-risk OB, Dr. ERC (his initials), knew about my problem since Day 1 but he didn't do anything about it. As a matter of fact, he came to see me in the ED yesterday to say, "The baby is already out and I'm not managing your case anymore. Dr. L is here to help you. I just came by to say hi." Basically he doesn't care about me! Well boo-hoo! Turns out, he's the one who knows what to do to stop the bleeding. So gee thanks, Dr. ERC! Thanks for taking your sweet time, you were killing me slowly!!! BLAH =X

Yet another trip to the hospital

At 0230 hours this morning, Raul took me to the Emergency Department at Kaiser in Los Angeles. I needed blood! My lips were pale, I hear my own heartbeat in my left ear, I was having chest pains, nausea and vomiting. The problem is I'm still bleeding down there (sorry, TMI) and it is getting worse. It has been 9 weeks now and the doctors don't know what to do to fix it. My GYN started me on Progesterone to stop the bleeding. I've taken it for 2 weeks now with no result. And because I am losing blood, I am needing more. Hope you're following along. LOL! So I am losing blood and to top things off, my bone marrow has failed and is not making it. Wowsers! I can't do much but keep fighting. Raul needs a wife, Danica needs a mom, and my family needs a comedian. Who's gonna make them laugh when I'm no longer here?? Haha! Sometimes, we take for granted the little things in life. I bet you don't ask yourself these questions, "How much hemoglobin do I have today?" or "What's my platelet count today?" For the past 8 months, I have been relying on the blood bank to provide for my body's needs. So for those who donate blood, thank you! Thank you for saving my life. And a big THANK YOU to my Lord, Jesus Christ. He created me, He knows  me, He knows what is wrong and He will save me. So folks, be grateful for what you have. For every little thing, be thankful!

I love her





The Plan

Two days ago, I met with Dr. Farol, Bone Marrow Transplant doctor at City of Hope. He did give me some good news. I have a donor and it's a perfect match! During this meeting, I was told that I will start Chemotherapy the Monday before the actual transplant. Originally, it was scheduled for the 18th of April. However, my husband, Raul, got a call today from the BMT team to find out that the donor is not available until May. I will wait. God's timing is always perfect. I thank God for this anonymous donor, God bless him. According to the doctors, he is my only match. Science is amazing but what is more amazing is how God works in our lives. Truly, He will never leave us nor forsake us. I love you, Lord!

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

THERE IS HOPE! I was 13 weeks pregnant when I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia + PNH. The doctors gave me the option to terminate the pregnancy but my husband and I decided to go on with it. Platelet and blood transfusions were done as needed. Soliris was also started due to the presence of blood in my urine. My signs and symptoms were fatigue, dizziness, petechiae, bleeding of gums and blood in urine. It was a tough pregnancy. I found myself in the hospital twice a week. The doctors said the baby would most likely come out early... but she didn't. She is a full-term baby! We were all surprised. I gave birth via C-section to a very healthy baby on February 2nd, 2011. Her name is Danica Joy Palma. She is now almost two months old and doing very well. I wish I could say the same about me. It has been two months and I am still having post partum hemorrhage. My blood count is getting worse. I am in and out of the hospital for transfusions and observation. Next Monday, I will meet with the Bone Marrow Transplant Doctor at City of Hope in Duarte, CA. I will keep you guys updated... For now, I just PRAY and PRAY and PRAY!!!

Say my name, say my name

When I was younger, I hated my name because my friends always made fun of it and most people don't pronounce it correctly. I was always asked where my parents got my name from. To those who still do not know, my father named me after a camera... but not just any camera, an expensive one. That sure makes me feel special. I'm glad he didn't name me Kodak or Fuji or Mamiya. For thirteen years, I really hated my name. My classmates would always sing "Like a virgin" to me. My teachers would mispronounce my name for the first 2 weeks of class. It was so annoying!!! There was even a time when I would lie to people and tell them that my name is Michelle. It took a long time for me to like my name. As I got older, a lot more people said I have a "unique" name versus I have a "weird" name. They would substitute the word "like" with "leic." And just leic that, now I love my name.