Transplant postponed...

Back in Houston now. I was supposed to be admitted either Friday or Monday.

One of my blood tests for my liver came back a little suspect--so they are going to retest me on Tuesday and decide whether to admit me then or hold off more. The chemo can be tough on your liver--but sometimes certain drugs they give you can cause the numbers to be off as well.

I'm just hoping the liver issue is a side effect of the Neuprogen shots I had to give myself to boost my white count before the collection.

Remember when I first started and my fingers were numb after they hit a nerve putting in my PIC line? That numbness lasted over 3 weeks. I learned the first time I beat Burkitt's and this time as well--when little problems present themselves, it's best to not worry about them too much. It doesn't really help. Just say a little a prayer, "it's going to be alright" and that's the best way to deal with it.

Soon, I want to write more about Hurricane IKE, post more pics I had taken, and share what the experience taught me...

Power!

Made it home safely. Just got a call that power has been restored to
my place in Houston. So that means 7 days without power. Much of the
city still dark..

I'll be taking it easy and then returning early next week. I'm trying
to mentally prepare myself for the transplant. Keep in mind, once I am
done with it... It's just a matter of bouncing back (which will take a
few months). But no more chemo or treatment after this. Surviving a
stem cell transplant is no small feat, but for me, it means I get my
life back. The same life that so many others take for granted...

Homecoming!

Got clearance to go home to Florida for a week... Will be admitted for
the transplant Sept 26...

Will write more later but I am so glad to be able to go where there is
power and safe water!!!

One hit wonder!

Found out earlier they were able to collect enough stem cells in one
collection! They only need 5 million and I gave them 8 million.

So these will be purified, frozen, and given back to me after the high
dose chemo in a few weeks.

There is some talk about removing the chest line back to the smaller
one (standard procedure) so not sure about that...

They will probably want me to stay in town. 5 days no power, but since
the grocery stores (and some food places) are open it's not as bad.
And being 60 degrees at night (makes it 75 inside) certainly helps.

No room in the inn...

I feel like I have something in common with Mary and Joesph... No
hotels with power and water are to be had...Social workers at the
hospital can't find any either. Not enough beds to admit me but I have
to stay nearby for the collection process. They say I am fortunate to
have running water (although it isn't safe to drink...)

I have better pics of the damage that I will post when power is back...

Aphreresis..

So I'm done with day 1 of the blood collection process ("apheresis").
I won't know until tomorrow how many stem cells were collected. On
average, it takes about 3 days to get enough...

Here's how it works: they hook you up to a machine that seperates your
white cells, red cells, plasma, and platelets. The machine just saves
your white cells ( which contain the stem cells in them).

The process is painless and takes about 3.5 hours. If you have ever
given platelets-- you have probably seen the machine. I will try and
take a pic tommorrow.

Hospital social workers are making calls to try and find me a hotel.
It's a little bit cooler in town, but I am now going on 4 days without
power. You know how fustrating it is to lose power for a few hours.
And no one really truly knows when it will be back...

Jackpot!

Interesting and unexpected news today! I found out my white blood
count is high enough to start the collection process. (my platelets
remain very low)

I don't know if I ever made it clear but they are using my cells
(auto) transplant instead of my sister. The reason is there are less
risks and it gives us a third option ( which I assure you I will never
need).

So they collect my cells, purify them ( to kill cancer cells that may
still be swimming around) then freeze them to give them back to me
after high dose chemo.

The collection process takes 1-4 days--they collect until they have
enough. The process to collect is called aphresis and I will talk more
about it tomorrow.

I can't leave Houston, so stuck with no power, but at least a cold
front is coming through so that will make it a little more tolerable.

Powerbars and Pop-Tarts

Back at the hospital today. I got fluids yesterday but they are
keeping a close eye on my blood counts (which are very low). I am glad
I have my car because the shuttles and security are not running. At
least there is power at the doctors office and I was able to charge up
my phone (how I am able to blog).

The pictures of where I live don't do the damage justice. Most of the
grocery stores and gas stations are closed. Slowly, some are reopening.

I am safe. But it's not very healthy or comfortable at 80 something
degrees inside. I am getting tired of living off powerbars and pop-
tarts (and Gatorade).

They seem to want me to stay nearby so they can do the blood
collection soon. Of course, my conern is I don't want to get sick
under these conditions. All hotels within 100 miles are so are mostly
booked up.

I remember, upon coming to Houston, wondering if hurricanes hit here.
I now know.

I really hope the power comes back soon. Three days and counting seems
like a lifetime.

Seriously, I have survived a hurricane and cancer! No doubt I can
handle anything life throws my way :-)

Possible transfusion

The hospital called and said they will be able to see me tommorrow
since I most likely need platelets/and or red blood cells.

The emergency room is closed but some patients were admitted and then
some like myself need blood. Hospital police are suppose to pick me up
in the morning so should be interesting to see how it goes. Not sure
how long the power will be out, I am doing good considering all things.

Hurricane aftermath

No power for days or possibly weeks!

Ike...

I survived the storm, but don't see how I can get to the hospital
today for bloodwork.. Will write more in the coming days...

A long overdue video update...

Video update on how I have been doing and explaining the stem cell transplant process...

If video doesn't work, try this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hdKhdvT3E4

Another tour of duty...

I don't have the energy to go into details, but wanted to let everyone know that I have made in back from the hospital again. I didn't have any complications, but I will say this was more challenging than prior treatments and may knock me down a little more, but I'm determined to get back up again.

I can't begin express my thanks for MOMMA who drove over 15 hours to be with me (as if the drive from Texas to Florida isn't long enough) but also had to deal with all the traffic from the New Orleans evacuees that were returning back home. (A bit eerie for me as I was facing cancer treatments when Katrina hit three years ago).

I FINALLY have high speed internet in my new place (I'll have to dedicate a future post to nothing but that ordeal of my internet connection woes). I hope to be posting videos again soon. I was going to post a pic from the hospital room, but quite honestly, I think if I would have people would have been very worried for me so decided not to. At one point, I had put on over 9 pounds of water weight (just within a few days) so my face became very swollen. But it quickly went away.

I'm starting to get used to the whole "bubble boy" concept... having to wear masks and gloves, lots of diet restrictions, that kind of thing. Well--I can't say it's something that I like, but it is, like everything else--temporary.

I also gave myself my first shot today (and will be doing that 2 times a day for a couple of weeks ) to boost my white count in preparation for the stem cell collection.

So I made it through the "mobilization" chemo. I'm back at the hospital Sunday for outpatient Ritixian. Good news is no more chemo until I get the heavy duty stuff at transplant time (probably end of September). And that will be the last time I ever have to have a drip of chemo in my veins.

Tough times...

I'm still in the hospital. This is about the worst I have felt. But
only one more day of chemo. Tough times, but it's part of the game.
This is called "mobilization" chemo---can't imagine what the
transplant chemo is going to feel like! Despite it all, my spirits are
high, and I know I am one step closer to a complete cure.

Day 1 Recap

I entered the hospital late Saturday, so Sunday I will call Day 1.

First, this treatment is a little different than the RICE I had before. I started off earlier with Rituxian. I will have 6 doses of etoposide (one every 12 hours) and have ifospmide mixed with mesna going 24 hours for 3 days. It's a lot of drugs, but still baby stuff compared to the chemo I will have as part of the stem cell transplant.

They were going to change my chest line, but going to hold off a little. They have to put in a larger line to collect blood in a few weeks.

This chemo is starting to hit me so will write tomorrow....