Mom has sure been a trooper. This was a holiday season like no other. Mom had to endure chemotherapy on Christmas Eve and also on New Year's Eve... which was her birthday as well. The chemo isn't terrible, but it does make her feel bad and it's not the way to celebrate the season.. BUT it has been worth it.
The latest numbers show Mom's protein levels to be 1.4 so it has dropped considerably and that was a great Christmas present. All her other numbers look great, she is no longer anemic and here is the best number of all: When they first tested her bone marrow, they said it had 90% myeloma cells. Her latest bone marrow biopsy showed less than 10% myeloma cells.
She recently had to undergo a battery of tests to make sure she is ready for the stem cell transplant and she has come through with flying colors. In fact, the transplant has been scheduled.
Bright and early January 16th, she will go in and get an aphoresis catheter in her chest. It will be a surgical procedure but will make her much less of a pin cushion. This catheter will allow chemo to go in, blood to go in and out, and they will even harvest her stem cells through it.
She will take her first dose of chemo that day and then again the following two days. It will be a high dose chemo, so we think those three days will be all the chemo she will take during this harvesting portion of the transplant. She will have to go to the dr. everyday for lab work during this time.
She will probably start feeling the effects of the chemo within 2 weeks, and when she feels she can't handle the effects at home anymore, she will be admitted to the hospital. There they will be able to manage her side effects and make her feel better. Of course, I'm holding on the belief that her side effects will be mild - She told her transplant coordinator that she wasn't going to throw up. The coordinator told her that it certainly wasn't a requirement! In fact, there are some that don't get sick in that way. Considering that mom doesn't ever remember throwing up, she might stand a good chance of getting through this with nary a yak!
Mom will probably lose her hair, and she has prepared by buying some of the cutest hats. She also has a brand new wig, which I have to say, is beautiful on her. It looks very natural, very unwig like!
Of course, she is anxious as anyone would be, but she is ready to get this out of they way and begin enjoying remission. We all are.
Mom's sisters, Joyce and Brenda, and her mom have been for a visit. In fact, Joyce and Mamo just left for Texas a couple of hours ago. I know they hated to leave, but look forward to seeing mom healthy and in remission very soon!
As always, your prayers are appreciated.. and they are working!
You can be sure that I'll be updating more regularly as we go through this season so check back often...
1 comment:
dear melaine,i went to high school with your folks. i know little about the internet as this comment will show; but i do know this, YOUR BLOG SITE IS FABULOUS! as you are obviously aware your folks are fabulous people.the picture of your mom and dad is so indicative of who they really are;and i know that with their attitude and your help your mom is going to do fine!
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