Day 29 - Second Chances

You almost never get another chance to do something right the first time.  But every once in a while you get a second chance.  Say for example you don't get marriage right the first time (as some of us don't).  You've got to take a deep breath, let go of old mistakes and learn to believe again.

Day 22 - Talking Pillows

Did you notice anything missing from the picture of Jay yesterday?

Day 21 - Happy Birthday - (Again)

It's not too often that you get two birthday's in one year.  You might remember just a few short weeks ago Jay's brand new bone marrow was born.  (That post is here) But today was his real birthday, 57-years and going strong!  

Day 14 - Home Sweet Home

Home has never been sweeter!

Day 12 - Welcome Back Bone Marrow!

Today at doctor's rounds we heard the words we have longed to hear.  "He has engrafted nicely".  I particularly appreciated the word "nicely".   What this means is that the transplant was successful and Jay's new bone marrow is beginning to produce white cells, platelets and red cells.  I can't believe the difference in how Jay feels already.  He was able to get out of the room and walk the halls for the first time since coming to the hospital.

Day 11 - Steady as He Goes

Jay is hanging in there and things have been pretty stable today.  The main goal for now has been to keep his fever down and blood pressure up.  His fevers have been much less severe and the blood pressure drops have been manageable.  But the laundry line of hanging drippy bags just keeps getting bigger.

Day 8 - Those Unexpected Events

We got some information during the night that one of the cultures came back positive for a bacterial infection.  So we now have some idea of what is causing the fever but the extent of the spread is still being investigated.  That was not good news but was somewhat expected.  

Day 7 - Updating the Update

After a scary morning, (fever spike of 103 lots of shaking and chills) things have settled down and the fever is under control.  A fever is a common, but potentially very serious complication.  Now the search goes on to determine the cause.  It is likely from one of two possible sources.  The first is a reaction to the transplant called a Neutropenic Fever and is not generally too serious.

The other possibility is a blood infection.  This can be extremely serious and is the reason he has been hospitalized.  Even a small infection can spread quickly to the entire body with no white  blood cells to stop it.  This is referred to as Septic Shock and is often life-threatening so that is the reason for the extreme caution.

Day 7 - They Also Said There Would be Days Like This

It's amazing how fast things can turn.

Yesterday he was feeling pretty good, eating normal food and even watching a little TV.  Some time during the night things changed.  He didn't sleep and I was worried about him getting dehydrated.  By morning Jay was spiking a small fever but it had gone down by the time we got to the Huntsman.  However about an hour later the fever returned and that is an automatic admit. So he will be spending some time as an inpatient until they figure out what is going on.

This is really all a normal part of the process but we can't help but be a little discouraged.  In some ways I'm relieved to have him here where I know they can do a lot more to keep him comfortable.  

I'll post more info once we get a chance to meet with the inpatient team.

Step by step,

Lynn

Day 6 - They Said it Would Happen.....

......and today it did.

Jay's white blood cell count and neutrophils dropped to near zero.  He is now considered neutropenic and is very susceptible to infection.  So we are taking extreme precautions to prevent any contamination from attacking his defenseless immune system.  That means wearing a mask when we leave the house for the clinic or go outside.

Day 4 - Now What?

One of the things that the transplant team has told us is that everyone handles this procedure differently....that we should expect the unexpected.  That being said there are a few things we can plan on as Jay goes through the healing process.

Day 0 - To the Guy that Doesn't Even Want One Birthday....

...now he has two!

Jay has never been a big celebrator on his birthday. No big party, presents, cake and especially no singing.  (Just between you and me, he can be just a tad grumpy on his special day).  Get him a giant cookie from Mrs. Fields that he doesn't have to share and he is good to go.  But today's Birthday is different.  In a very real way this is the first day of a new life for us. Hopefully one free of cancer for a long time. Jay will be reborn as the old bone marrow cells die and the healthy stem cells take over.

Day -1

WARNING:  Please do not attempt any of the stunts you will see on the blog today!  They are being performed by a highly trained cancer patient with months of preparation.  He has an expert support team standing by in the event he needs assistance.  I repeat, do not try this at home. (No matter how fun and exciting it may appear).

The Reinforcements are Here!

"A real woman can do it all by herself."

Changes

We have a few more days to relax until the actual transplant date of April 26-27.  It will take about a week for the collected cells to be processed, tested and confirmed.  So it's been a good time to think back on the past year and the things that have changed and the things that are the same.

Today

Ya know what happened today?

Collection Day Part II

These days are all starting to sound the same.

At the clinic at 7 am for the blood draw and then waiting for the results.

The tech hooks up Jay to the machine that will collect the cells and we wait for the ok from the doctor, then the hours long procedure begins.

But today we got a special surprise.  Two of Jay's daughters, Amber and Ginger, stopped by to spend a little time with us!

While Amber was with her Dad I got to take her son Mason to the museum.  I think I got the best end of that trade!  We just happened to find an exhibit on Stem Cells and Mason helped me put together a model.

Collection Day is Here!

It started early at 7 am again this morning, but this time we didn't need to wait for all the test results.  The shot he received last night assured us that he would be ready for collection today.  So the lab tech, Brad, met with us, went over the procedure and got things hooked up and ready to go.

Will He Stay or Will He Go?

That is the question of the day.

Sign Me Up

Back in the beginning, when the "C" word became a part of our life there was a time that I was pretty angry about the whole thing.  I remember saying to Jay one day, "I really don't think we signed up for this".  I was expecting a few sympathetic words and maybe some commiserating conversation.

My Iron Man

Jay woke up this morning and told me, "I don't feel like being a good patient today."

We both had some concern about the day's procedure.  Having a tube tunneled under the skin in your chest and then inserted into a vein and pushed down near your heart didn't sound like anything to look forward to.

We'd had a good long discussion about the procedure with Lynn's daughter, aka Dr. Kassie.  As part of her interventional radiology rotation, she had installed several of these types of devices.  "It's really not a big deal, they even let Residents do them".  But I suppose that's all a matter of perspective and which side of the "pointy end" you are on.

Headed There, Doin' It

 Yesterday was a look back, and today is a look to the future and what lies ahead.

April 8th - Installation of the Triple-lumen device


First step in the process...

Been There, Done That

Today marks exactly six months since the text message that started it all. (Read about it here).  We spent the day reflecting on all of the seemingly impossible things that are now behind us.


Like......

4 Rounds of Chemo,

Been there done that!

Testing 1,2,3

In preparation for the next phase of Jay's treatment, Tuesday was a day filled with testing at the Huntsman.

Happy Groundhog Day!

So, what is the groundhog predicting around the Wood house this February 2nd?