Hay everyone,
Isn’t it hard to believe it’s February already. Time just flies especially when you’re an old fart.
We returned to LR last Wednesday (no speeding ticket in Hope, AR this time – I think Clinton had his boys gunning for me) for my 3rd vaccination which is a 2 day process – blood work & growth factor shot on day1 then the vaccination with 2 other SQ shots all in the same spot in the arm on day 2. The vaccination has to be given by the physician. I had a pretty strong reaction this time and actually had flu symptoms & a lot of swelling & redness at the site then as it resolves it itches like mad. All this is to be expected is easily managed with Tylenol & Benadryl & believe me is nothing compared to chemo side effects.
This week has been lots of retesting again – bone marrow, EKG, pulmonary functions, cardiac echo, CT of sinuses & chest, PET scan, MRI & every blood test know to man (I average about 15-20 tubes per draw – no wonder I’m anemic). They are both assessing my progress & also checking to make sure there are no occult infections, etc. before they kill off the bone marrow before the transplant. Friday I will have the 2nd apheresis where they take off WBC’s that I will get back after the 2nd transplant. I will see Dr. van Rhee on Monday & if all is well I will get chemo (Melphalan) on Tuesday then the 1st transplant on Wednesday. The transplant is really a simple process involving reinfusion of some or the stem cells they took back in December & only takes about 30”. The side effects from the chemo are apparently what knock you on your ass. Everyone says they have a slower onset are much stronger & last much longer than the stuff I originally had with prolonged fatigue lasting for weeks & the potential for mouth sores (you have to keep your mouth iced for 30” before & 3-4 hours afterwards to help minimize problems). Again these effects vary from patient to patient so we will see how it goes, but you may not be hearing from me much the remainder of the month. It is all still a small price to pay for getting better.
The 2nd transplant will be some time in May & we will repeat the same process again. There is not much happening in the interim so maybe I’ll be able to come in & see some of you. Although I was home much of January I chose to avoid the hospitals because of flu season & the fact that my WBC count has been hovering around 2,000.
Generally I feel well most days but still fatigue easily & have no stamina. There are things I would like to do but can’t because I don’t have the energy or concentration. Still about 2 days per week and for no obvious reason I am pretty much exhausted and sleep most of the time. Mary Jo says I get pasty looking. It is very weird.
Mary Jo is still spoiling the hell out of me and I still have the wonderful support from all of you which is so much appreciated. If everything continues to go as it has I expect to be working again for PECA in some capacity in a year or so.
What can I say besides it’s all bueno!!!!! I do want to remind you all that MJ has the blog up & running with pictures etc. and all the updates. She will post things on the blog if I am not feeling well.
Love you all