An Amazing Day

Mom's stem cell transplant went perfectly today. Mom was quite anxious at first because they told her all the list of side effects that could happen. Of course, they didn't, but Mom was understandably worried.

The stem cells came to the room in a large container filled with freezing vapor. They thawed the stem cells, then her nurse, using all the strength she had, pushed the thick stem cells through the IV tube. As they entered Mom's blood stream, the perservative keeping the stem cells fresh, went to her lungs. She had to breath deeply and cough to keep her lungs clear. One interesting side effect from this preservative is a strange taste in Mom's mouth and eventually a smell that fills the room. For some this smells/tastes like Garlic. For some it is creamed corn. One patient described it as an old army boot and another set is tasted like an acetalyne torch. Mom thought it tasted like tomatoes.. probably because she's never munched on an army boot or a torch. Soon the room smelled like tomatoe juice which is not a scent I find particularly pleasurable. There were "Wow, I could have had a V8" jokes flying, but I think after today, it will be a while before Mom actually drinks another V8.

Her stem cells came in 3 bags which took less than a minute each to push through. Besides the tomato taste and an itchy throat, mom had no unpleasant side effects. In fact, she is feeling no effects from her chemo yesterday.

Janice, the transpant coordinator, told us that now Mom has another birthday. And you can be sure we will celebrate every year!

She's had her chemo..

I just spoke with Mom. She had 2 big bags of chemo in about 30 minutes. She said she's feeling a bit light headed but not from the chemo. They have given her pain medicine for some pain associated with her catheter. She told me she had a good lunch and all but licked the plate!

This is such a change from when she went to the hospital in January. Then she was in a wheelchair. This time she walked to the transplant unit on her own.

Tomorrow she will get her stem cells at 1:30. I will be there with my camera so check back tomorrow for pics!

Neither hail nor sleet nor snow....

Ok, it didn't sleet or snow, but it sure did hail. And thunder. And flood. But that didn't stop Mom and Dad. They are at the hospital now and she has her catheter now. You might remember that putting the catheter in is a surgical procedure, although she can have it done in her room. This time did not go quite as smoothly as the last time. It seemed to take quite a long time and Mom felt it a lot more than before.

She is in Room 7128 this time. We knew this room from a couple of outpatient visits and it's uncomfortable bed stood out. Fortunately, they've either gotten a new bed or Mom is not quite as picky as she was when she felt so bad. The official word from Mom is the bed is fine.

She should be getting her chemo soon. The doctor and the pharmacists have a plan to battle the c-difficle before it even starts, but your prayers are still appreciated on this battlefront.

More updates to come!

Small Change and Specific Prayers

Just wanted to post a quick update since Mom's schedule has changed just a bit. Instead of Monday, she will check into the hospital on Tuesday. Everything else will happen just a day later than I originally posted.

Now, if you are wanting to know something you can specifically pray for, here it is. Pray that Mom does not have to deal with any C. Difficile this time around. This was the worst part of her chemo the first time, and it's something she's definately not looking forward to this time. She was told that her doctor is trying to figure out a way to keep this complication from happening again. Pray that he gets a grand idea, and short of that, that God just intervenes and keeps her gut happy!

More later!

Photos and an Update

These photos were taken Easter day. Mom was feeling pretty good. She even did quite a bit of cooking which is a huge improvement over Thanksgiving and Christmas, when I don't think she felt like celebrating at all. We had a great time and Mom looks absolutely beautiful, don't you think? Not many people can pull off her minimal hair style, but she does.. and with flair!

Now for the update...

Mom is heading back to the hospital to pick up the stem cells she left behind last month. She checks in April 7 and will get her huge dose of chemo that day. The very next day, they will put back her harvested stem cells. They actually harvested twice as many as they need, and she will get them all back, making her recovery that much quicker.

She will stay in the hospital this time, although it will probably just be a couple of weeks.

To prepare for this second phase, Mom went through the full series of tests last week and everything checked out great. Her protein levels are below 0 now. 0.6 to be exact... which means their is virtually no myeloma protiens there! Her bones look pretty good, although some myeloma damage is showing up in her back. As soon as she get back on her Zometa, that should get better.

She is feeling so much better. Her only complaint is that her back is so weak, which I'm sure is a result of the Myeloma damage seen on her x-rays.

Please pray for her, especially on April 7th as she gets her chemo. This is the last speed bump on her road to recover and getting back to normal.

I'll be sure and keep you updated daily when she goes back into the hospital.

I just don't think anyone could say it any better