Blog for a Cure - A community of cancer survivors supporting each other. Log into your account or create a new account.

avatar

(2/13/76 - 12/24/09)

Vital Info


Josiane Dixon (josigirl13)


June 22, 2007


josigirl13


Sacramento, California


2-13-76


Cancer Survivor

Cancer Info


Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia


A.L.L. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia


6-20-07


Yes


it never lets you go


I had spots that looked like bruises on my skin and my left sinus was completely clogged. I had none of the traditional symptoms of leukemia. When I relapsed I was getting head rushes periodically throughout the day. A spinal tap confirmed blasts in my CSF.

I have 6 months of chemo:
1. Daunorubicin, Vincristine, Asparaginase, Prednisone
2. Cytarabine, Etoposide
3. Methotrexate
months 4, 5, and 6 are a repeat of months 1, 2, and 3. I also had 6 doses of intrathecal methotrexate (chemo injected into my spine).

I am getting cytarabine, methotrexate, and a steroid intrathecally. I think I’ll also get one round of high-dose cytarabine intravenously prior to transplant.


RSS Feed

josigirl13's Cancer Blog

December 10, 2007

Free at last!!!
Views: 4681

I’m sure many of you already know, but the word is official: I am out of the hospital and DONE with chemo! Hooray! The end was decidedly anti-climactic (involving a half-day’s wait for test results) but in any case the worst is over. Now I will have 2 plus years of “maintenance” which basically means I will be taking methotrexate pills and mercaptopurine pills, and an anti-biotic just to make sure I don’t get sick. I’ll have to see the doctor once a month and probably have a blood test and make sure I don’t have any new skin spots. I am already feeling more energetic, which is a good thing since I have so much Christmas shopping to do! I am getting excited for my trip to Minnesota for Christmas; they already have at least a foot of snow so I am sure to have a white Christmas! I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday. To my fellow survivors: I hope that you all feel well and can enjoy the holidays, let others take care of you, curl up in a blanket and stay warm, I hope you can taste the food, smell the tree, feel the warmth of the fire, and see the new year as the time you will conquer this disease!
Happy Holidays,
Josi

Posted on December 10, 2007 at 6:18:40 PM by Josiane Dixon (Link to this post. , Post a comment. 19 comments)



congrats on making it through – I am so glad you are on your way to a great holiday that you so deserve – enjoy.

Posted on December 10, 2007 at 8:12:35 PM by kelly shea (unverified)

Great Josi,
I hope you have the best christmas ever.

avatar Posted on December 10, 2007 at 8:56:17 PM by stage4

That is fantastic! What a great gift to be done with chemo. Enjoy your holidays.

avatar Posted on December 11, 2007 at 7:35:52 AM by jill
YOU are my hero! congratulations! Enjoy the holidays and the trips to follow!
Posted on December 11, 2007 at 9:23:43 AM by Erin (unverified)
WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! See you so very soon. Merry Christmas! I am so happy that your year is finishing out this way, with you getting stronger by the day.
Posted on December 11, 2007 at 9:57:10 AM by Jo (unverified)

Congratulations! I am so happy to hear you are out of the hospital and doing well. Katie

Posted on December 11, 2007 at 11:04:45 AM by Anonymous

Josi that is soo awsome My 2 year anniversary was sunday so december is aq good month!
I hope you have a wonderfull christmas and new year!

avatar Posted on December 11, 2007 at 5:40:26 PM by kara

Im extremely happy that the white christmas is with me and only me! and everyone else here….. But Congrats dodo, youve been amazing! i love you
kisses

Posted on December 11, 2007 at 6:13:46 PM by doot (unverified)
WAY TO GO GIRLFRIEND! I wish you all the best, enjoy your snow filled Christmas holiday in Minesoooootah. You are an inspiration to many of us who have followed your postings Josi. Wishing you an abundance of His Blessings! Shalom, Lily
avatar Posted on December 11, 2007 at 7:31:26 PM by stargazerlily17

Hi Josi
I hope you have a happy, warm, and relaxing Christmas! I am so happy to learn that chemo is over! Best wishes and Love to you and all of your family. Jan

Posted on December 12, 2007 at 5:40:56 PM by Jan (unverified)

Oh my…..I am sooooo HAPPY for you! Enjoy, enjoy, and enjoy! :-)

avatar Posted on December 13, 2007 at 7:52:47 AM by sue123

Congrats on being done Josi! I am so happy for you. Have a wonderful holiday and may the new year bring you health, happiness and love!

Posted on December 13, 2007 at 1:42:48 PM by Az (unverified)

I am so happy for you. Have a wonderful Holiday and don’t look back.

avatar Posted on December 15, 2007 at 7:46:19 AM by carolmcb

I am so, so happy that you’re done with chemo!
...but what am I supposed to do now when I’m procrastinating at work without your blog to keep me occupied? Seriously: I don’t think you’ve considered the ramifications of your being cancer-free on ME. So selfish ;-)

I love you. Merry Christmas to all!

Posted on December 19, 2007 at 12:11:25 PM by Lauren (unverified)
WAY TO GO JOSI!The visit to northern MN was a God send for me…..THANK YOU!
Love Always…..Casey’s Mom….Joni
Posted on December 27, 2007 at 6:39:05 PM by Joni (unverified)

congrats josi! this new year will bring good things. a birdie told me you are heading to paradise in key west… enjoy and live it up :)

-christie

Posted on January 2, 2008 at 6:22:31 PM by christie (unverified)

Here you go girl – on to a great 08. lots of love, hugs and kisses….

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 12:08:01 PM by Pauline Shea (unverified)

I am happy to hear that you are doing well. Stay strong! Take Care

Posted on January 5, 2008 at 9:52:10 PM by Bryan Anderson (unverified)

Hi Josie>

I have been away for a while, I would like to know how things are going.

Hug Sherri

avatar Posted on March 8, 2008 at 12:18:45 PM by karlak



Josiane Dixon's Memorial
(2/13/1976 - 12/24/2009)

Josigirl13's Stats

Posts: 51
Photos: 13
Events: 0
My Supporters: 45
I Support: 9
Comments: 511
Views: 151379

josigirl13's Cancer Blog (51)

josigirl13's Photos (13)

October 19, 2009
80's Style
Mark's graduation

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer Blogs

Luis M. Luis M.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer
Rachel Rachel
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer
MIke MIke
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer
bg3208 bg3208
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cancer

California Cancer Blogs

Donnie Donnie
California
Christy Christy
California
Suzy G. Suzy G.
California
Larissa Larissa
California

My Supporters:

JillJill   PattyPatty   AlyssaAlyssa   MacMac  
JillJill   SherriSherri   debbydebby   julie445julie445  
tabby6680tabby6680   Katie Katie   AngelwthwingzAngelwthwingz   Donna RichnoDonna Richno  
zoey9171zoey9171   Rachel Rachel   PattiDPattiD   StacyStacy  

See all 46 Supporters



Become a Supporter


I support:

JillJill   SherriSherri   joannajoanna   afusaroafusaro  
hightowerhightower   jtpruittjtpruitt   laurenandjoshlaurenandjosh   christiechristie  
LaurenLauren  

See all 9 Friends



Advertising









If you wish to become an sponsor please see our sponsor page. All proceeds will go back into building a better system.

JillThanks for your support - Jill, Founder, Cancer Survivor

p.s. If you have any suggestions on how to improve Blog for a Cure, send me some feedback. Keep in touch & let me know how I can make this the best system possible for you.