The Arkansas Travelers

The Arkansas Travelers

Hay family & friends,
It has been a little over a month since my 2nd stem cell transplant (April 26th) and the recovery is slowly progressing. It seemed like this last one was more difficult than the one in February with more fatigue and gi complications. I figure that is because I still wasn’t 100% when I went into the second one. The last 2 weeks before we returned to LR in April I was starting to feel pretty good and was able to do some chores around the house. I was feeling like a member of the human race again. The 2nd transplant took care of that in fast order. I’m telling you that Melphalan is nasty stuff.
The DVT from March is doing well. I am still currently on Lovenox bid which they restarted in April in lieu of Warfarin but will be going back to the Warfarin soon. I’m tired of the Lovenox shots twice a day. The problem with the prosthetic hip appeared to be subluxations rather than a dislocation. The orthopedic surgeons in LR and here both felt there is not significant wear to justify surgery at this time. Over time and with caution the hip has gradually strengthened and is doing well. I think that the steroids and chemo weakened the supportive connective tissue which led to the original problem.
I have been in remission since after the 1st transplant and the difficult part of the protocol is now behind me – no more chemo. Last fall Dr Van Rhee confidently told me he anticipated they would put me into remission and to be honest I thought he was being overly optimistic but I guess their aggressive treatment and those transplants do the trick. Over the next 1-2 months we will be returning to LR about every 2 weeks for vaccination visits and once for a 3rd leukapheresis. After that it will go to monthly visits into next January. Of course there will still be all the normal testing along the way. Now the big hope is for a long remission.
Last week we went over for a vaccination which was held because I was having significant shortness of breath on Friday. I ended up having a bunch of tests which were all negative so we will go back this week. We think the SOB was due to a reaction from the growth factor shot I got on Thursday because my symptoms gradually subsided and I felt as good as I’ve felt since the transplant. Apparently reactions to these shots are not unusual. So we are going back this week to do it again.
I have felt very good the past few days so maybe the worst is behind me. I am totally bald (everywhere). It’s a look I don’t like because it makes me look like a cancer patient, but it is nice for eliminating shampoo, hair care, shaving, bed head, hat hair and it’s only temporary. I still get winded and tired easily but it is improving with time. We started going to the pool for some sun and exercise plus it gets me out of the house.
Louann has been has been so helpful – she is my designated caregiver and has done a great job, and Peg was over the other day. Betsy and I had a nice conversation last week, and Abi (my Jewish foster daughter) and Quiana (my black foster daughter) have always stayed in touch. I’ve been told that folks have been hesitant to call because they have been unsure of my condition but I am feeling pretty good so please call or email if you want. I am so appreciative of all the nice emails and words of encouragement. I cannot express how much they mean to me. I never realized how many true friends I have.
Mary Jo and I have decided to do some traveling later in the summer when I am feeling better. We are going to see some places we have always wanted to see while I am healthy.
Don’t forget about our blog. MJ updates it about every week. www.bigdlehman.blogspot.com
I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Don