Back at the hospital today, my last day as an outpatient, tomorrow starts my inpatient stay. We will arrive at the hospital at 6:00 am on Thursday to get checked in and settled to let the fun begin.
Today is considered day -1, and tomorrow will be day 0, then we start counting up from there. That is officially how the transplant is tracked. My blood counts will be tracked daily and my white blood cells will eventually drop to 0, no immune system.
Today I am receiving my high dose Chemo (Melphalan), the day starts with an iv push of salene solution for 2 hours, then one bag of Chemo for an hour then another bag of Chemo for another hour, then another iv push of salene solution for 2 hours. Along with the Melphalan, I will be taking 5 other drugs mainly anti-nausea drugs and one drug to help the kidneys, since all dead cells pass through the kidneys.
During the infusion of the Chemo I will also be sucking on ice. One bad side affect of the Chemo is mouth sores and sores in the GI tract. The ice shrinks the blood vessels in the mouth so they get less of the Chemo drug, hopefully minimizing any mouth sores. If mouth sores occur it can make it difficult to eat and getting good nutrition during this time will be important.
Another side affect of the Chemo will be hair loss, I will loose all my hair, but it will grow back within a few months.
Tomorrow when I receive my stem cells, it will be considered my "new" birthday. I am told I will even get a birthday cake.
I am going to try and post everyday to keep everyone up to date.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
July 2011 - Stem Cell Collection - Complete!
Get to stay home today and tomorrow collected 2.54 million stem cells yesterday. So for the two days I collected just about exactly the maximum amount of 6 million. My baby stem cells are now in the hospital freezer waiting for next week. The other 3 million stem cells that are not used will be saved for 8 years.
Back to the hospital on Monday for final blood work and a visit with the doctor before the transplant takes place. The transplant process is as easy as a blood transfusion. They will take half of the stem cells collected and put them back into my body using the central line, it is a simple as that. Though the rough part is the high does Chemo that will wipe out my bone marrow to make room for the new baby stem cells collected. This will drop all my blood counts really low for about a week or a little more making me tired along with other side effects of the Chemo. Red blood cells and platelets will be transfused as needed. White blood cells, we have to wait for the new stem cells to make.
Back to the hospital on Monday for final blood work and a visit with the doctor before the transplant takes place. The transplant process is as easy as a blood transfusion. They will take half of the stem cells collected and put them back into my body using the central line, it is a simple as that. Though the rough part is the high does Chemo that will wipe out my bone marrow to make room for the new baby stem cells collected. This will drop all my blood counts really low for about a week or a little more making me tired along with other side effects of the Chemo. Red blood cells and platelets will be transfused as needed. White blood cells, we have to wait for the new stem cells to make.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 2011 - Stem Cell Collection - Day 2
Back at the hospital today for a second round of stem cell collection. Correction from yesterday - goal is to collect 4 - 6 million stem cells. Yesterday I collected 3.59 million, so we were summonsed to return today. It is better to be close to the 6 million, so we are hoping for another 3 million today.
Concerned about platelets since this process also reduces the platelet count. According to this mornings CBC, platelets were down to 50; anything below 25 will require a platelet transfusion. Though it is a concern it is not unexpected, we will find out more this afternoon.
Found out more today about platelet donations, according to the blood bank platelets donated by a relative respond better in my body, but I can use any platelets regardless of blood type. Besides today, I know I will need platelets while in the hospital and platelets only last 5 days once donated. Platelets have to donated at Rush, anyone interested in donating e-mail me and I can provide more information. Platelet donations do take a while to extract, up to three hours.
Concerned about platelets since this process also reduces the platelet count. According to this mornings CBC, platelets were down to 50; anything below 25 will require a platelet transfusion. Though it is a concern it is not unexpected, we will find out more this afternoon.
Found out more today about platelet donations, according to the blood bank platelets donated by a relative respond better in my body, but I can use any platelets regardless of blood type. Besides today, I know I will need platelets while in the hospital and platelets only last 5 days once donated. Platelets have to donated at Rush, anyone interested in donating e-mail me and I can provide more information. Platelet donations do take a while to extract, up to three hours.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July 2011 - Stem Cell Collection - Day 1
I am currently sitting in a bed at the hospital today having my stem cells collected. The process is painless and uses my new central line that was placed last Thursday. The collection process collects the stem cells and also depletes the body of calcium, so I have been taking a full dose of Tums since Sunday. The technicians also suggested a shake with lunch, which I think I will have to try.
We arrived at the hospital at 8:00 am this morning amongst the rush hour traffic and the actual collection process started about 8:45 am. The collection process will continue for six hours. Once the collection is done we head the the infusion department to see how many stem cells were collected, the goal is to have 6-8 million. Stem cells are CD34 cells, who knew ones body had so many cells, and each cell had an identification. We will come back to the hospital everyday this week until the goal is met. If the goal is not met today, then it will be another mobilization shot tonight and another Neupogen shot in the morning.
Today will be a long day we left at 6:30 and probably won't return until 7:30 tonight. Bless Mom and Dad for helping get the girls to their practices and for dinner last night and tonight, this is a huge help. Just knowing the girls aren't sitting home alone gives us peace during the day. Thank you for everyone else who has offered to help, don't worry we will be using your resources soon.
Below is a picture of me and the machine that collects the stem cells.
We arrived at the hospital at 8:00 am this morning amongst the rush hour traffic and the actual collection process started about 8:45 am. The collection process will continue for six hours. Once the collection is done we head the the infusion department to see how many stem cells were collected, the goal is to have 6-8 million. Stem cells are CD34 cells, who knew ones body had so many cells, and each cell had an identification. We will come back to the hospital everyday this week until the goal is met. If the goal is not met today, then it will be another mobilization shot tonight and another Neupogen shot in the morning.
Today will be a long day we left at 6:30 and probably won't return until 7:30 tonight. Bless Mom and Dad for helping get the girls to their practices and for dinner last night and tonight, this is a huge help. Just knowing the girls aren't sitting home alone gives us peace during the day. Thank you for everyone else who has offered to help, don't worry we will be using your resources soon.
Below is a picture of me and the machine that collects the stem cells.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
July 2011 - Neupogen Shots
Started the Neupogen shots on Thursday, Jane has been giving me the shots every morning precisely at 7:00 am. Jane is making a good nurse, hardly feel the shots at all.
I believe the shots are doing their thing, I have started feeling some aches in my hips and back. This means the bone marrow is filling up with stem cells / white blood cells.
I believe the shots are doing their thing, I have started feeling some aches in my hips and back. This means the bone marrow is filling up with stem cells / white blood cells.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
July 2011 - Central Line
Phase one of the stem cell transplant is complete. Surgery for the central line went well. The hospital worked like clock work, surgery started when it was supposed and all went well. I am back home resting comfortably.
Phase two the Neupogen shots have been started. I received my first Neupogen shot today, which is really two shots. These shots are used to tell the body to produce more stem cells. Jane was trained to give these shots and actually gave me one today, she did good. Jane will be giving me these shots for the next 5 days, at which point the stem cell collection process will start.
Thanks you everyone for the well wishes!
Phase two the Neupogen shots have been started. I received my first Neupogen shot today, which is really two shots. These shots are used to tell the body to produce more stem cells. Jane was trained to give these shots and actually gave me one today, she did good. Jane will be giving me these shots for the next 5 days, at which point the stem cell collection process will start.
Thanks you everyone for the well wishes!
Friday, July 1, 2011
July 2011 - Final Preperation for SCT
Back at the hospital yesterday, final preparations for the stem cell transplant. Received a tour of the blood donation center where my stem cells will be extracted. Saw the unit where I will be staying and met the Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. The rooms are very small. Seeing the hospital ward made everything feel so real.
It is hard to accept all of this when I really don't feel bad and actually being off the steroid for a week and 5 days I feel much more awake and less moody/cranky. Today I have to say I actually felt great.
Also met with the transplant doctor, I have to say he is so positive. He confirmed I am in complete remission and stated only about 25% of people get to complete remission before the Stem Cell Transplant. I asked if I was in complete remission why is a SCT needed. His response was two fold: 1. If I continue on the drugs I am on eventually I would incur nerve damage and my quality of life would suffer. 2. He stated we have to use all the weapons available just like the military, the induction therapy was like the air force and the SCT will be like sending in the ground troops. He stated to win the war we have to use all available divisions of the military.
I passed all the tests done 2 weeks ago, and insurance has given verbal approval, so it is all systems GO.
Things start rolling next week, with surgery for the central line on Thursday July 7th. Wednesday July 6th will be my last day of work for a while, they keep telling me I will be off for 3 months. Thursday will also mark the start of my Neupogen shots, Jane will receive her honoree Nursing certificate, since she will be giving me the shots every morning at 7:00 am for at least 4 days. The shots are given in the stomach. More details on the stem cell collection process next week, maybe even some pictures.
Just gave Jane a crash course on how to create a blog entry, so she can keep everyone up to date if my energy is zapped at anytime during this process.
It is hard to accept all of this when I really don't feel bad and actually being off the steroid for a week and 5 days I feel much more awake and less moody/cranky. Today I have to say I actually felt great.
Also met with the transplant doctor, I have to say he is so positive. He confirmed I am in complete remission and stated only about 25% of people get to complete remission before the Stem Cell Transplant. I asked if I was in complete remission why is a SCT needed. His response was two fold: 1. If I continue on the drugs I am on eventually I would incur nerve damage and my quality of life would suffer. 2. He stated we have to use all the weapons available just like the military, the induction therapy was like the air force and the SCT will be like sending in the ground troops. He stated to win the war we have to use all available divisions of the military.
I passed all the tests done 2 weeks ago, and insurance has given verbal approval, so it is all systems GO.
Things start rolling next week, with surgery for the central line on Thursday July 7th. Wednesday July 6th will be my last day of work for a while, they keep telling me I will be off for 3 months. Thursday will also mark the start of my Neupogen shots, Jane will receive her honoree Nursing certificate, since she will be giving me the shots every morning at 7:00 am for at least 4 days. The shots are given in the stomach. More details on the stem cell collection process next week, maybe even some pictures.
Just gave Jane a crash course on how to create a blog entry, so she can keep everyone up to date if my energy is zapped at anytime during this process.
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