morning face

and hands.... so, when i was diagnosed with CML i weighed about 174 pounds, give or take. (wish it was less, but there it is). this morning i weighed myself--2 months in and i weigh about 182 or so. i had settled into weighing about 178 until a couple of days ago--like water retention. but now i have gain another 4 pounds, undoubtedly also edema since my rings and face are hugely swollen each morning. by evening it has moved to my legs and feet. it's not pleasant, but i've been told nothing will be done until i gain at least 10 pounds. i was really hoping i'd stick with 178, and just be able to ignore it.

additionally, my most recent odd symptom has developed. i am having fairly significant pain at the base of my neck. not like stiffness from bad posture, like pain. i'm not sure what that'll turn out to be, but when i call about the added edema, i'll report it as well. i don't have an appt for a blood draw for another 10 days or so.

tomorrow, my plan is to call the leukemia specialist in Raleigh NC (that's where my sister lives so i'll have a place to stay) and see if i can get an appt. to see him. i feel like i really need to see a specialist who knows more than dr. robinson (or dr. coldfish as my mother called him).  You need to understand that this comment from my mother is really shocking. she generally looks for the best in people, and seldom gets upset with people and i don't know that i've ever heard her call someone a name before. EVER. in 44 years. so, this, this is the ultimate insult.

my hope is that he'll be able to look over my records that i will be able to wait to see him until Jan sometime, so that our holidays won't be any more disrupted than necessary. of course, in an emergency--if he thinks things are going badly (which i doubt will happen) i guess i'll be on a plane and there before thanksgiving. in the meantime--i'm living with these side effects, as well as the symptoms i'm still having, because the alternative--it's far worse! hugs everyone....