Have Faith, Beleive in Modern Medicine, Postive Attitude

Some people call it Soul, Body, Mind. For me it is Faith, Medical, and Attitude. I believe in my faith and the faith of hundreds of others that have continually prayed for my healing. I believe in my medial team, Dr. Mosqueda, Dr. Dice and her staff, and appreciate AJ , my kids, my family and friends for keeping my positive attitude in check!~ My marrow shows no sign of myeloma cells, which technically means I am cancer free today! For me, I give all the glory of this amazing blessing to God.

Now we are on to the next path, stem cell/marrow transplant. My medical team will change to Dr. Charles F. LeMaistre and his staff from Texas Trans-plant Physician Group through the transplant process, but I have a feeling that Dr. Dice, my oncologist, will be close at hand! After all, I will return to her after the transplant for maintenance therapy.

Here is the low down on the transplant:

June 12, 13, 14, 15 Neupogen shots daily OPT (out patient clinic)
Neupogen shots are growth factors that encourage stem cell production. So the deal is, they are multiply my stem cells getting ready for the “harvest.”

June 16, 17 and 18 a “line” or sometimes called an IV catheter, will be put in placement and stem cell collection or “harvesting” begins.
This will be in a large vein in my neck because it releases so many cells in a rapid amount of time. This line also has an in and out port allows my blood to be withdrawn, have the stem cells spun out of it, and then return into my body. It isn’t painful, just boring! I will be in a lounger for 5 or so hours each day. I think I will pick up my crochet again!

June 19, 20 ,21 days off………… I suspect I will sleep a lot during this period!

June 22, 23 Melphalan Chemo Treatment
I will be admitted into the oncologist in-patient clinic and have two days (about 3 hours a day) of SERIOUS chemo! I will spend one or maybe two nights, unknown at this time.

June 24 TRANSPLANT!
They bring out my frozen stem cells, put them in a warm bath (not the microwave, like AJ thought) to defrost them…then via my port….put the CLEAN cells back into my blood. This works much like a blood transfusion. And then I go home!

June 25 – July 8 (13 days)

The chemo will kill everything~ red and white blood cells and all the platelets, which means my marrow will be destroyed, bringing my immune system to “0”. This sounds much scary than it really is. CAUTION is the key word. I will come home for the next 13 days after the transplant, but make daily visits to the clinic. I will be watch 24/7 and if there is any sign of infection, I will be checked into the in-patient clinic immediately for patient care. I have been told around day 4, 5, 6, and 7, I will feel really yucky! All fun stuff; nausea, extreme fatigue, possible mouth sores, etc……….but the UP SIDE is by July 4th the 10th day after transplant I should begin to feel like a human again. My marrow should be almost totally replaced by then. Is this not the most incredible thing? I am so lucky to have received this disease at this time because so much progress has been made in the last 5 years! It is a good time to have myeloma, IF you have to have it! Realistic recovery is 3 to 6 months. I am planning a great trip for the end of October….I will keep you guys posted!

I know this has been a long entry, but I wanted you guys to have a calendar so that you can keep your prayers going. We are only part of the way there. I do have a lot of local family for support. My sister, Linda, will be coming in during those critical 13 days, she and Martha will take turns watching me. I have all three kids and of course AJ and Pam! So know that I am truly taken care of. As you know scripture is food for me, so here is a wonderful desert!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6