Vacation Plans Hijacked

We were scheduled to go on vacation to Monterey and northern California to see some of our kids and our grandkids a few weeks ago, but the fever and hospitalization I mentioned in my previous post halted those plans. We rescheduled and will leave tomorrow for a less ambitious trip (4 days instead of 9) so I can get back to complete apheresis (stem cell collection) and start the transplant. My doctor is anxious to get the transplant started as soon as possible.

Catch Those Stem Cells!

The apheresis technician has been able to collect about half of the stem cells that I need for a transplant using an apheresis machine which basically withdraws my blood through a central line in my chest, puts the blood through a centrifuge, and collects stem cells. The remaining blood minus stem cells is returned to me. Two of the days that I was scheduled to have collection (apheresis) of my stem cells my lab results were not high enough to collect. Another day I had a fever and had to go back to the hospital (and stayed for 5 days).

Here is a great article about the transplant process from the National Cancer Institute - www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/bone-marrow-transplant and the lyphomainfo webpage - www.lyphomainfo.net/therapy/transplants/bmt.html

Stem Cell Transplant

I know that it has been almost three weeks since I have written, but I wanted to wait until I had some news about having a stem cell transplant before I wrote again. I've just finished 10 cycles of chemotherapy, and the doctors consider me a good candidate for a stem cell transplant. My chances for a cure with the transplant are 50-50. With chemo alone, my chances are very limited.

The transplant and isolation period afterward will be about 2-3 months long (I can have visitors during that time; I just have to stay in the hospital for the first month and in an apartment within 30 minutes of the hospital for about 2 months.) We'll be able to visit some of our children and grandchildren in California before the transplant though, which I am so thankful for.

P.S. For those of you who are interested, I'm having an autologous transplant--the doctors are using my own stem cells (they will collect the stem cells next week and freeze them until they are needed. After my entire immune system is wiped out with very strong chemo the frozen stem cells will be given back to me.)

Keep me in your prayers.

Short and Silver

My hair is still short, but I went to my hair stylist today to get some advice about how best to grow it out. She trimmed it up, and she'll continue to do that until my hair is the length that I want it. I imagine that will take 6-9 months.

Also, I wanted her to tell me what color my hair is coming in. First of all it's straight and not curly and it's growing in SILVER!

Same-o-same-o

Jim and I returned from the hospital last Sunday evening in time for church (yeah!). Usually I have to stay in the hospital for chemo for one day, and then stay for another 5-7 days to"wash" the IV chemo drug from my system. The idea behind this is that the chemo drug is only supposed to be in my body for a certain numbers of hours. Otherwise it's toxic.

We go back up to Denver for a clinic appointment with my doctor in a few weeks who will tell us what the "plan" ahead will be for the rest of my treatment. There may be more chemo, antiviral meds to kill off the EBV virus and maybe a stem cell transplant. Since January we've been driving up to the University Hospital in Denver, staying a few days for chemo, and then coming back home...same-o-same-o.

Gracie on Vacation

Gracie is our 8 year old Weimaraner. Since we are gone so much in the hospital and not at home much we decided that she needed a "vacation" so that she could be around other people and dogs. She's been at my brother's house in Denver for about 3 months. She has been very happy there with lots of hands to pet her.

AWOL

Sorry that I haven't posted anything for a few weeks. I had chemo for 6 days, and then came home for a few days to rest and then I went back up to the hospital (160 miles round trip) for a support group meeting for people who have lymphoma in the brain like me. I go to the local hospital to get labs drawn 3 mornings a week, and a dressing change on Monday. I have physical therapy twice a week and a nap every afternoon (2-hours). This new schedule has been busier than I expected.

Also, I was kind of bummed about my entire situation. It's difficult to be cheerful when I really can't go anywhere (I'm not allowed to drive yet.) If my white count is really low I have to wear a mask to keep any little germies from invading my body so that I don't get sick.

But, I've been doing alot of reading, mostly Anne Lamott books and an collection of stories by Flannery O'Connor which has been delightful.