Stem Cell Transplant, Day-2 and Counting

Today has been rough. I've been queasy and found that I have C-diff a bug that lives in my digestive system and gives me diarrhea. I haven't been able to eat much because I've felt so nauseated.

Tonight around midnight, I'll receive my last chemo drug, the one that makes my hair fall out again, along with an anti-nausea medication.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day-3 and Counting

Today, I have no energy and have had diarrhea pretty badly (I know that's indelicate, but there it is). I finish with Busulfan tonight, and tomorrow, the final day of chemo, I'll get Cytoxan. It's probably the harshest of the drugs in this series (they saved the best for last), so keep praying that it goes well. My sister Kim came up for the day to cheer me up and she brought a wonderful letter from my dear friend, Alice. I'm also looking forward to my sister Julie coming to visit on Tuesday. Family and friends continue to be a constant source of strength and love.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day-5 and 4 and Counting

Yesterday and today I received Busulfan, the second of the chemo drugs to prepare me for the stem cell transplant. Although I still haven't had any significant nausea or other discomfort, it really makes me tired and somewhat disoriented. I did manage to put in 1/2 mile on the treadmill this morning. We've been watching the first season of "Lost" in the evenings after dinner. We've never seen the show before so it's been pretty entertaining. We even brought our own microwave popcorn (but gotta watch out for little kernels in the bedding)!

Stem Cell Transplant, Day-6 and Counting

I've had a pretty easy day so far today. and even walked 3/4 mile on the treadmill this morning. Tomorrow, I'll start Buslufan another chemo drug that has a little harsher side effects. So keep me in your prayers.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day - 7 and counting...

Today I felt well enough to walk 3/4 of a mile after breakfast on the treadmill in the solarium, which has a great view (it is on the 11th floor of the hospital). I ate all my meals for the most part. Jim and I watched the first few episodes of the TV series "Lost" this evening from DVD set that our pastor loaned us to pass the time in the hospital. Besides being confined to the hospital, I feel very well.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day-8 and Counting...

Jim and I got up to the hospital in Denver this morning and got settled in the hospital. Then I had the obligatory lab work and chest x-ray followed by a lumbar puncture. (With a conservative estimate, Jim says that I've had 15 lumbar punctures since my treatment began in January.) I got a look at the needle today (I asked to see it). It was 6 inches long!!

I started one of my chemo drugs today, Thiotepa, which is given through a central line in my chest over 1 hour. I'll get the same drug at the same rate for 2 more days. So far, so good.

Thanks for all your prayers on my behalf.

Fear and Trembling

I will be admitted to the hospital for 3-4 week stay for a stem cell transplant on Monday. There I'll have three different types of chemotherapy over 8 days, then a day of rest and then my transplant on August 18. The chemo is harsher than any that I have received so far, so the side effects are expected to be equally as harsh.

For stem cell transplants, there is a descending count down...chemo starts on day 8 and runs through day 0 which will be transplant day (and essentially a new birthday and lease on life). Transplant day is actually day is fairly anticlimactic. Basically, it's like a blood transfusion. Then, the hope is that the stem cells will engraft in my bone marrow within 10-14 days and begin cranking out new cells.

I've been waking up several nights every night since last Monday. I've been very anxious, which I suppose is expected, but I feel that fear even during the day now. I would appreciate your fervent prayers on my behalf.