"I" Can Do It

Boy, do you remember when your small children said "I can do it" and it resulted in a mess? Well, I had to go to town Wed. for bloodwork at the local cancer center. George wanted to take me, but I told him that "I could do it", as he needed to catch up on some things at work. Sooo, I took myself to the CC, Target and Kolh's.

Each time I would have to get my electric scooter from the back of the Jeep. That's not a problem, as it has a little hoist that does all the work. However, I have to reach up and pull the back hatch on my Jeep down. After not having done that in 5 weeks, the muscles in my back revolted. I've been on pain meds and muscle relaxers since. It's a tiny bit better this morning, but I can tell it's going to be another day in the recliner for me.

Home

We arrived back home in Longview around 2 this afternoon. Other than being very tired, I feel okay.

Anyone want to come over and unpack all this "stuff" that came home with us?

Starting Over

Afraid I didn't get the news I wanted this morning when I saw the doctor, although I was really expecting what she said. We will be going home tomorrow 2 weeks and then come back 4/4 for more chemo and another try at stem cell harvest. I only have enough right now for one transplant, and it's important to have enough for another transplant at a later time if needed.

Needless to say we're very disappointed, as it looks like we'll be living in Little Rock from April 4th until sometime in June, with maybe a week back home sometime in May.

Would appreciate prayers for strength & health to go through all this again.

Finished with harvest

It has been a long 4 days of harvest. However, I ended up with 7.5 million stem cells. The doctor in the collection center told us that is a good number for a "hard collector". Now, I've collected Depression Glass, vintage jewelry, etc. for years. George has often called me a compulsive collector. But, now I've learned I'm a "hard collector"!

I'll see the doctor on Monday and we hope to be back in Longview Tuesday.

Our daughter told us the "lawn fairies" had appeared yesterday and now the lawn doesn't look like a local cow pasture. Thanks so much to Bill, Buddy and Sharon. Love you guys!

Please keep my brother in your prayers as he fights a very serious cancer.

3rd Day of Harvest

As we had anticipated my cell collection went down to 1.2 million today, for a 3 day total of 5.4 million cells. This would be enough for 1 transplant, but would give me no cells for another transplant in the future. I have one more collection tomorrow.

I had to have another unit of blood today and potassium. I don't think I mentioned that I had to have a unit of platelets and magnesium yesterday. It seems the collection procedure depletes your blood and electrolytes.

I will see my doctor Monday morning to discuss further plans. I may come back in several weeks to try and collect more stem cells. If all goes well Monday, we hope to return to Longview Tuesday.

Must tell you something funny. Earlier this week we met a couple from eastern
Tennessee -- Darlene and Harvey. He is being treated for myeloma, too.
Yesterday at the center where they collect the stem cells I was put in a
hospital bed in Rm 1. Later that day I had an email from Darlene. The
subject of the email was "Harvey is in your bed!". Of course, after I
left the center, the bed I was in became Harvey's.

Another funny: Okay, this is ARKANSAS -- big LSU rival. Yesterday our
nurse, who is a big Arkansas fan, found out George and I both graduated from LSU. She stepped into the open area and yelled, "Any nurse here willing to treat an LSU alumni"? You should have heard the laughs.

Second Day Of Harvest

Didn't do quite as well with the harvest today, just collecting 1.7 million cells. Have also found that the process really leaves me tired and weak. After a light lunch, I slept for 2 hours before having to go back to the center for the 2 afternoon injections.

I'm thankful for having collected 4.2 million cells so far. With 2 more days to go, hope to get many more.

Harvest at Last

I had my first harvest of stem cells this morning -- 2.5 million. That is half what we were hoping for. I'm sure I'll have to be harvesting for the next 3 days. Please pray that I can get at least 10 million total, if not more.

My brother Chuck was hospitalized today. Would appreciate prayer for correct diagnosis and an effective treatment.

Thanks for the prayers and support.

Plan in Motion

This morning the catheter was implanted in my neck. They just used a local anesthetic to place it. Afterward, I thought no big deal. Then the anesthetic begin to wear off. It is a bit painful, so have been taking pain meds for it.

I received the first injection of Mozobil late this afternoon. When we arrived at the center, the orders for it weren't in my file. It took a nurse 1 1/2 hours to finally get the orders so I could have the shot.

So, if counts are good in the morning, I'll start the stem cell harvest.

Plan Still On

As of this minute tomorrow's plan is to place the catheter in my neck and give me the high powered injection to cause more stem cells to grow. If all goes well, they should be able to start the harvest on Tuesday.

Please pray for my brother Chuck who has very serious health problems.

If I Had Hair, I'd Be Pulling It Out

It's been one of those days. This morning we were told I'd start receiving Mozobil injections in the afternoons today, Sat. and Sun. to try and increase my stem cells. This is a powerful drug that is used when the regular stem cell mobilizers don't work well.

This afternoon when I told the nurse I was supposed to get Mozobil today, he said there were no orders for it. Evidently plans had changed, but no one let us know.

New plans: Stay with the old drug until Monday afternoon when the Mozobil will be added to the mix. I am supposed to have the catheter put in my neck Monday morning. We assume this means they will start stem cell collection on Tuesday, IF my stem cells co-operate.

It looks like we'll probably be in Little Rock a few days longer than we'd originally thought.

Thanks so much for your prayers and comments. The comments are very encouraging.