Day Zero Stem Cell Transplant #2

Today was officially Day Zero of transplant #2. Don received his melphalan chemo yesterday and got 6.3 million stem cells infused today (24 hrs later). This leaves around 9 million cells in reserve, if another transplant is needed down the road. The only major side effect Don has had is hiccups from the dexamethasone. Tomorrow is the last day for that, so he should get some relief.

The results of last week's tests were positive. Don has a small focal lesion on his left femur, but no other bone lesions. His "M" spike was zero! (For our non-medical friends, this means that the plasma cell tumors are no longer growing). The only hitch at this point is a staph infection in his central line. All four ports and the peripheral culture were positive. Since they have had an increase in staph that is resistant to Levaquin, they started Don on Invanz. They also started him on Vancomycin IV today to treat the line and will pull it as soon as he is safely through the transplant. He's off coumadin and back on Lovenox now. The little bag of pills continues to grow!

He has slept most of the day today. "Nazi Nurse" hasn't arrived yet, since he has been cooperating in drinking fluids. We learned a great deal the last time! His spirits have been good and he looks great, sporting a new "fur" haircut that has potential for another mullet in the future. It will be interesting to see how much hair he loses this time.

It has been raining the past two days, so the dogs are a bit stir crazy. Overall, we like this apartment location. In spite of the rain, I have enjoyed the patio, which is secured with wire to keep "houdini" dog secure. The evenings have been cool and there is a wonderful scent of honeysuckle from the vines across the road. I think Little Rock is growing on me!

Thank you all for your continued prayers, emails and calls. We are so blessed. I will keep the postings up as often as I can!