Week 3 update


Here’s a pic with Dr. Paralkar who took care of me this past December when I had first come to HUP. I hadn’t seen him since then so seeing and catching up with him the other day was so special. Dr. Paralkar’s bedside manner is impeccable and I’ll never forget the competent and compassionate care he provided during a time when my world had been flipped upside down. 😌 


This is my beautiful view of Penn campus.  It’s the same view I had back during my admission in December when I first came here. Though I love it and enjoy the bright sunshine pouring into my hospital room everyday, I so want to go home. We have a mental countdown til that day in our minds but take it day by day knowing that every admission duration is different. We also keep a close eye on my blood levels. 



My levels including my ANC (neutrophil count) recently hit rock bottom and is officially at “0” meaning I essentially have no immune system right now. It also means there’s only one way up from here! 🙄 Please pray that my levels will soon and steadily rise as Bo’s cells begin to engraft. It’s amazing to entrust these fine microscopic details into God’s hands. But we’re reminded and rest assured knowing that He formed and sustains each and every cell! Please also pray against graft vs. host disease. 🙏

This past weekend, I had a horrible headache which lasted all night but finally “broke” around 4am on Sunday morning so we held off on doing a head CT. Thanks to the many who prayed that night through those dark hours! 🙏 I've never rated my pain a 10/10, but it was unbearable, and I was helpless in the fetal position... and every other position I tried including hanging my head off the bed upside down! 🤯 I’ve also had some throbbing bony pain in my legs recently most likely from my Neupogen shots but this is a good thing as it means that my cells are proliferating in my bone marrow! 😅

Many of you’ve prayed for my appetite which had been hampered by nausea, but thankfully that’s steadily improved. The food options here at HUP have almost returned to pre-Covid norm... the Margarita flatbread is quite delicious! But there’s nothing like homemade food like one of my favorites... yook gae jang (spicy Korean beef soup)!




Appreciate your prayers for Joy as well as she had her impacted wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. 😬She’s a trooper! 




I enjoyed having Chloe visit and hangout with me today!




Thanks to all that have bought our #HyunStrong fundraiser T-shirts in show of support and solidarity as our family fights this battle!


Comments

  1. HyeleeAugust 2, 2020 at 3:27 PM

    I hope u can go home for good as soon as possible too!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Powerback! 💪

Image
After almost 3.5 years since my diagnosis, I’ll be returning to the work that I love. I’ll be starting a job this week with a company called “Powerback” where I’ll be doing home care visits providing physical therapy… ironic name considering the past several years of battling cancer.  😅   I’m excited and grateful for not only this particular opportunity but just the privilege of being able to return to work as a PT, as there were many times when I questioned whether I’d be able to have the strength and endurance to do this again. So, my excitement is tempered by a sense of nervousness as I consider what I’ve been through and it’s just been such a long time! But I feel ready and take this next step of reintegration back to life in faith, knowing that God must have a plan for me.  The initial thought of potentially doing home care PT crossed my mind while I was receiving home care nursing visits myself. I got to know many of my awesome nurses quite well and so appreciated ...
Read more

“Living in Bonus Time”

Image
I still vividly remember my eyes being swollen shut from tears for days after receiving the news of my diagnosis. As my thoughts went constantly to Grace and my kids, I recall one conversation that I had with my son that wrecked me. He asked me what he needed to do at home... taking out the trash, etc. I figured he meant while I was in the hospital, but I realized he was thinking about when I’d no longer be around... ever! He said, “I got it dad.” Those words coming from my 12 year-old broke my heart. Though I’d appreciate his help with the trash (which he’s done a great job with since then to this day  😙 ), this was way too early to be thinking like that. And that was a turning point in my heart and will that I needed to keep fighting as the Lord willed... to beat this cancer!  🥊🙏 During this cancer journey, I’ve read several books that were recommended by friends that have all provided such helpful insight and perspective on areas such as suffering and turning hope into a...
Read more

Week 1 update

Image
As this first week comes to a close, it’s been a blur filled with mostly fatigue and nausea, side-effects of the chemo and other meds. Most of the past few days have been filled with sleep as I’ve been glued to my bed, struggling to get up only to try to eat, use the bathroom, or do some exercise.  I finished my chemo conditioning today and will be receiving my total body radiation tomorrow in preparation for transplant on Friday!   My cousin Bo’s stem cell collection went smoothly in Chicago and they transported it to Philly! Can’t thank Bo enough for his sacrificial giving of himself to afford me this life-saving transplant.  😌 Thank you for your prayers and esp. the many of you who prayed for me this past Saturday as I began my chemo conditioning this week.    It was a rainy day coming to HUP... the rain was fitting and symbolic as many tears were shed as we reflected on all God has brought us through to this point as well as s...
Read more