Stem Cell Transplant, Day+9

Monday night, after I posted the last entry, Denise spiked a high fever (103+) and had so much fluid build up that she could scarcely breathe. Tuesday, they moved her down to ICU where she could get more comprehensive monitoring and multi-specialty treatment. Labs showed enzyme markers for a potentially serious liver disease. Tuesday and Wednesday she was very sick, but there are a lot of indications today that Denise has turned a corner. Her temperature was near normal all day, she was much more alert and communicative, the enzyme (bilirubin) for liver disease dipped a little, and her white cells have risen from 0.0 to 0.8 (800 white cells per cubic millimeter)*. The doctors from all the various specialties that have trooped by ICU are all encouraging and happy with the direction of her treatment. This is not to say that there may not still be some ups and downs ahead or that she's entirely out of danger but we're cautiously optimistic for the first time in several days. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers; keep them up!

Stem Celll Transplant, Day+6

Denise has had a rough go since the transplant. Chemo has put stress on most of her major organs and systems and she's in a lot of pain, especially in her abdomen. The doctors are managing her symptoms, and while she's currently stable, some of her issues could potentially become very serious complications. Please pray for protection and for her immune system to come back on line sooner rather than later.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day+3

Denise is pretty sick as described below, and it could get worse before it gets better. The chemo had a much harsher effect than we expected, especially to her gastrointestinal tract. I won't go into the anatomical details; suffice it to say that she's in a lot of pain and discomfort. Still, the doctors say that what she's experiencing is "normal" albeit on the rougher side of normal. They will continue to treat the symptoms, but don't expect significant improvement until her counts start rebounding, which could be another week or more. Not sure I'll be able to update her blog as regularly but will try to every few days.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day-0 (Both Days)

Jim here again for Denise. Denise received half of her stem cells yesterday about 11:00 a.m. and the other half today about the same time. Everything went very well yesterday until late afternoon when she had some nausea and her esophagus became very irritated as a delayed reaction to the chemo. She was up much of the night with the continuing diarrhea (which turns out to be a nasty gastrointestinal bug that is commonly picked up in hospitals of all places). And she ran a fever for several hours of up to 101.5. Then during the transplant this morning, she appeared to be having a reaction to the preservative for the stem cells, exhibiting some chest pain. They immediately ran an EKG and her heart looks OK but they're watching her closely. So they have her on some pretty strong pain meds and antibiotics, and by this evening she is resting more comfortably. The docs assure us that these are fairly normal responses to the stem cell transplant process but they'll stay on top of them. Meanwhile they will try to keep her as comfortable as possible. Nobody said this would be easy.

Stem Cell Transplant, Day-1 and Counting

Hi folks. This is Jim writing for Denise. This has been a hard day with uncontrollable diarrhea, queasiness, and overwhelming fatigue. Actually, if the diarrhea stopped, I think the rest would be pretty bearable. In spite of all this, Denise is doing much better than most people do. The doctor is very happy with her overall health going into the first day of transplant tomorrow. Please pray that the diarrhea would resolve quickly, that she'd have more energy (although this is normal when your blood counts are nearly wiped out), and above all, that the transplant would go well tomorrow. There are potential dangers to the transplant itself, but of course we pray that God will use the transplant to heal her.

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.