Day + 6

Today is day + 6 and that also marks my two week anniversary in the hospital.  Oh, how time flys when your having fun!  Trying to take it one day at a time.  I figure that I have about 7-10 days to go.  

Not much else going on, nothing new to report, just trying to occupy my days.  

Day +4

Sorry about no post yesterday. Had a rough night Friday night and didn't feel up to it.  I have what they call Mucositis. Mucositis is caused by low white blood count. Now I have to be on a special diet which is very restrictive. Basically oatmeal,cream of wheat, broth, rice and noodles. It's worth it if the pain in my stomach goes away. 

Eric and Kim came for a visit yesterday and it was great seeing them. It makes the day extra special when I get visitors. Today the pain has lessened some what and we had a nice visit from Warren and Vanessa. 

My white blood count is almost zero, my red blood cells will soon follow.  I have been here 13 days already hopefully only 10 more to go. 

Day +2

Day +2 was very uneventfully, Caroline was back in NoVa working and I had to entertain myself today.  Spent the day mostly reading and sitting quietly.  The nausea subsided somewhat and I began to feel human again, even though some of the other side effects are still lingering.

As my red and white blood cells are starting to decline, my biggest problem is going to be lack of energy and fatigue.  It takes about two weeks for the returned stem cells to work their magic.  So I have at minium about 14 more days at the hospital, provided all goes well.

The nurse just brought in my latest labs and everything is proceeding just as they expected.  Things are starting to drop like they should.

More on Saturday

Day +1

Jeff has asked me to write the blog for today.  He is feeling pretty crummy today. Spent all day in the room trying his best to take naps. So, no crossword, Netflix or much reading was done.  They gave him a medication IV immune globulin which is to help him keep from getting an infection.  They said he was low in the IG (immune globulin). Of course, there is a side effect which he didn't know.  Severe chills.  I called the nurse and they were able to slow down the drip which should help. The chills lasted for more than 30 minutes but have now subsided.

Jeff is sorry that he hasn't answered texts or phone calls or emails.  He has been in bed most of the day sleeping and hasn't really felt like talking  

6 days of chemo has finally caught up to him, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Hopefully we can get past this stage and continue recovery.

see ya tomorrow

send good thoughts

caroline

Day 0 the big day

Just a quick post before things get started, transplant is scheduled for around 1 pm.  Don't know how long it's going to take yet, it depends on how the lab has preserved the stem cells.  Each bag of cells will take 20-30 minutes to infuse.

Of course because this is the big day, it is also coinciding with me feeling the worst I have felt. Lots of side effects from the chemotherapy are starting to kick in, extreme fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, etc etc you get the idea.

more later!

Day -1. Rest day

Today was my rest day after chemotherapy, so it was a quiet day.  For the most part, had several visitors one expected and one not.  My son Joseph came down to spend the day and as a bonus he is spending the night in Richmond and I'll get to see him in the morning also!  How nice!

Also Buddy Pittman strolled in quite unexpected, he stayed for a few hours and it was great to see him.  

Caroline is driving back down tonight for the big day on Wednesday.  Yes Wednesday is stem cell return day.  Welcome home!

On the other hand my labs have started to fall, so tonight I get potassium and calcium replenishment.  They are just starting now and it's going to take till midnight to get it all infused.  There goes another nights sleep, I've got to start fitting in some more naps!

That's about all for now, looking forward to the big day tomorrow. 

Day - 2 Last day of chemotherapy

Today was the last of 6 days of chemotherapy leading into my transplant.  Happy that that part of it is over and I can move on to the next phase.

tomorrow is my rest day, where they give 24 hours for all the drugs to get out of your system before the transplant. But according to the doctors and nurses this is period that the side effects gradually start kicking in, coinciding with my labs starting to tank.  

Caroline had to work in the office today, I miss her.

I have had a very sleepy day, lots of well needed naps whenever I could squeeze them in, just sitting in the recliner and reading, napping, and hanging out.

on my rest day I'm going to get a visit from Joe then after get back to downloading more Beatles albums, and watching house of cards, Orange is the new black, and true detective.

not much else to report today.

Day -3 Fifth day of Chemotherapy

Happy Fathers Day to all!

Last day of two chemotherapy treatments per day, tomorrow is only one and the last!  Starting to feel some effects of the treatment but I'm still holding up good.  My labs are holding steady which is good because I haven't needed any supplements yet, like potassium, magnesium, calcium, or phosphorus, etc, etc.  

i have gained a bunch of water weight, so they have been treating me with a strong diuretic (furosemide) twice a day to combat that gain.  IV fluids all day plus drinking, they certainly can't be surprised.

Rachel just left she was here most of the afternoon hanging out with Caroline and I.  Dan is on the way for a quick visit after work.

Movie for today was Gone Girl, good so far but with all the nurses and doctors coming in and out we haven't finished yet.  Probably finish tonight chemotherapy.

Thats all for now more tomorrow!

Cheers.

Day -4 fourth day of chemotherapy

Been a very busy day, not much sleep last night which is starting to wear on me.  Still, only minor side effects from the chemotherapy so far which I am very glad about.  

How ever the day went very quickly because I had lots of company.  Caroline came back around 10 am left at 1 pm to grab a bite (at the Capital ale house, yes I'm jealous) Russell showed up around 2 pm and stayed for a few hours, then Warren and Vanessa came for a visit around 4 ish and stayed for a few hours.  

It it was great seeing them and it really made the time go by fast and I was very happy to see them! 

Chemo again starting at 10 pm tonight, going to hit the bed early and try to catch an hour of sleep before they start.

yes it appears in the title that I have missed a day, but actually my math was off and I'm actually on day -4!  Yea!

house keeping note: valet parking closed on the weekends. Signs for parking garage are apparently small!

Day-6 3rd day of chemo

Last nights chemo was challenging, it started at 10 pm and ended about 12:30, not much sleep till 1 am when I got about 4 solid hours. Came in at 5 for vitals and that was the end of sleep.  Three more night time chemos to go!  Finished up this morning chemo around 12:30 and managed to get about a 30 minute nap be getting woken.  Oh well.

Still not bad side effects from the drugs, let’s hope it continues that way.  Appetite is still good, at least for now.  Walking helps the recovery, and I have been walking the halls 3 times a day for about 20 minutes today I decided to increase it to 30, I got plenty of time!

My youngest, Dan is coming for a visit tonight after work, i am looking forward to that very much.

i have gotten a bunch of requests for the following information so here it is:

Massey Cancer center is located at 1300 East Marshall street, Richmond VA.  I think that it is also called the north hospital.  Conviently located directly off I-95 exit 74C.  Not far from many of Richmonds finest craft brewery’s!

Valet parking is available at the front door or the visitors parking garage is located off 11th street, follow the signs. I am located on the 10 th floor room 39.  No set visiting hours for this floor, so you can come and go most any time.

I will be here for at least another 20 or so days, and that’s the best senerio, so that puts me in the hospital till at minium July 8th or 9th.

thats all for now, Caroline returning on Saturday!

Day-7 second day of chemo

Today was very similar to yesterday, with the exception that my chemo schedule is twice a day for the next 4 days.  The schedule is 2 drugs which take an hour each at 10 am and at 11 am.  Then the 2 drugs are repeated again 12 hours later, at 10 pm and 11 pm.  Between the chemo and how the dexamethasone wires me up, looks like another sleepless night in the hospital!  Today’s cocktail is: ARA- C and Etoposide.

so far so good, no bad side effects yet.

Caroline came today again around lunch time, and just left.  Driving back to NoVa for a few nights and I’ll see her first thing Saturday,  she is a pillar of strength for me.  I’ll miss her, but she needs to take care of herself.  A few nights of being at home, sleeping in your own bed, loving on those beagles is just what the doctor ordered!

Dowloaded and and listened to the fourth Beatles album today, “Beatles for sale” this early stuff is very interesting.  Started watching House of Cards season 3, and loving it.also checking out White Collar, and Banshee.

Currently reading a book recommend and delivered by Cuz Jess called Empire of the moon, and story about the rise and fall of the Camanches. This is a very powerful story and well worth the read.  Any other book or movie or TV  series recommendations welcome!

Day -9

Finally settled in the room around noon, they have pushed chemo off till Wednesday.  They suspect that I have an infection and are being cautious till the labs come back. So I'm now on IV antibiotics. 

Not a lot of activity on the floor even though all the rooms are full.  Can't leave the floor, but can walk up and down the halls, one complete lap takes about 2.5 minutes to complete.  Looks like I'll have plenty of time to get caught up on all my reading and movies.  

This is my new friend, I will be attached to the IV machine 24/7 till I am discharged. Everyone here at the hospital is super nice and accommodating, all though they would't let me go out to lunch!  So all in all it has been a very low key day, not much happening, hope to start the chemo on Wednesday.  

I spun off 460 ml of stem cells, the goal for today was 500. 

But the better news is that the 460 ml contained 4.6 million stem cells!!! The process that I thought would take the rest of the week is done!  Apparently I am super stem cell man!  

Since  I finished sooner then expected they have no beds, so I get to go home for the rest of this week. Back on Monday for admission and chemotherapy. 

Day one

first day of harvesting, 6 hours each day for the next 4 days.  Those stem cells can't wait to be collected!


I can't post pictures here for some reason. But I can to the word press blog.

https://wordpress.com/post/92872182/23

monday 6/8

First patient in the clinic this morning, the more stuff you have to get done (or potentially get) the earlier your appt is. had my labs drawn then had 2 hours to wait for the results.  The stem cells are being elusive, back tonight for an injection of mozobil to encourage stem cells to leave the bone marrow.

Apheresis starts on Tuesday!

Port a cath in

Today the portacath was implanted into my cheast.  This is in addition to the port that I already had.  The catheter will allow greater volume and larger cells.  I need this for the apheresis which will start on Monday or Tuesday depending on how my body produces stem cells.

First neupogen shot today to increase stem cell production .  As Eric says " a fine day to start stem cell mobilization"

Today has been a long day, left home at 6 am for an 8 am appointment at VCU, had appointments at 8, 9, and 10.  With the 10 am being the catheter.  We waited for almost 4 hours before the procedure started!  Finally left the hospital around 3:30.

tonight we are staying in Richmond and meeting Dan (my youngest child) for dinner at 7. Back home Saturday night, then return to Richmond Sunday or Monday for the duration.

A glitch

 Had a little hiccup today with the insurance company , so I had a bit of anxiety this afternoon.  but all is well now and we are a go for transplant.

We start mobilization of the stem cells tomorrow!

Wednesday, 6/3

Worked this morning, the last day till my journey is over.  The great folks at Giant in Stafford gave me gift cards to iTunes and Amazon!  plenty of books, music, and movies are headed my way!  A big thanks you to all of you!

The Hospital called and told me that the test for the Rhinovirus done Tuesday has come back negative, this means that we are proceeding as planned.

Off on Thursday to tie up some loose ends, then Friday morning we get this show started!

Tuesday- Final Consultation

Down at VCU for the final consultation prior to the SCT.  All the tests came back fine, with only one exception, I have a Rhinovirus (common cold) this will prevent me from starting my Chemotherapy but not prevent me from starting the process.  The Cold should be cleared up by the time chemotherapy starts.

So here is the time line:

Friday I get the larger port installed

Saturday, Sunday and Monday I get Neupogen (increase stem cell production) shots.

Monday they test the amount of Stem cells, and if enough, began the harvesting process.  If not, I will recieve a shot called Mozibil to help my body release stem cells.  This process will continue till enough stem cells have been harvested.

Then onto Chemotherapy.

Monday 6/1

Had to stay close to the house today, doing a 24 hour urine study, and for some reason they refused to let me in Ihop with it! Go figure.

So today I finished the guest bedroom, mowed the lawn before the big storm, and made a bunch of phone calls.

Tomorrow is my final consultation at VCU and I have appointments scheduled from 9 am through 1 pm.  This will be the Yea or Nay day for the SCT.