Friday, 7/27/07--Being Home w/fewer Hospital Trips is Great

Good news in that only one trip each week on Monday is necessary to monitor the blood counts, possible infections, and anti -rejection status.
It is usually at least a half a day to get a IVIG infusion and usually some other blood components to balance out the system.

A quick trip to have the the Hickman catheter flushed and bandage changed seems like a breeze after all the other time we've spent in the Oncology Out Patient Unit.

We're able to reduce the dosage of one of the anti-rejection pills today and will every week until hopefully it can be discontinued on Aug 25th. The Dr. say that my blood pressure, pulse rate, blood numbers will improve as this prescription is tapered.

I've been restricted from eating any fresh fruits and vegetables since the isolation during the Bone Marrow Transplant. So I'm really looking forward to tasting some Indiana home grown tomatoes and lettuce on sandwiches as well as eating salads and bananas again next week.

The first Bone Marrow Biopsy since the Transplant was collected yesterday. We're hopeful that the results (not available until next Thursday or so) will not show any abnormalities or reveal any surprises.

My energy, strength an endurance levels haven't seemed to change much during the week. The Dr says that they would improve as the medications are tapered over the next few weeks.
In the meantime, Sharon & I are taking on only small projects around the house--work a little--rest a long time--work a little--nap a longer time--etc. :-)

Best Wishes To You !!!..
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Saturday, 7/21/07--Progress Report--Fewer Trips to Out Patient

As posted last week, we were making 2 trips per day including weekends
to the Oncology Out Patient unit for anti CMV viral infection IV's.

It was great to get the Drs.' OK on Monday that I could resume driving
which Sharon welcomed the change of pace for her to have a more normal
schedule.

And, fortunately, the lab results on Wednesday showed the CMV virus
stabilized and the IV's could now be replaced with a very very expensive
daily pill.

I'm now on a one trip per day Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule for
blood results to monitor Anti-Rejection and Anti Virus concerns.
Seems like there is a different blood component each day that requires
an IV to balance out the system.
Magnesium is a frequent required booster that is common with other Blood
Marrow patients too.

I'm probably too impatient and would like to have more energy & endurance.
Compared to my former days as a runner with low pulse rate and blood
pressure my current vitals are super elevated during this period when
I'm taking all the infusions.
The Dr say it is typical during recovery process and they will
ultimately return to normal.

In the meantime, it seems I need a rest or a nap pretty often. :-)
We're just grateful for each day---taking it one day at a time and doing
only the things we have energy to do.

Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers & encouragement.

Saturday, 7/14/07--Bob's Home BUT spends lots of hours in Out Patient

I was surprised last Monday when the Dr. came in at 6:30 AM and said, "I think you should go home today."

I had some reservations feeling I was not really up to the strength level as in my previous 2 releases from the hospital. But the thought of having some freedom and being able to sleep in our own bed without all the nurse interruptions throughout the night said, " OK, let's Do It."

It was nearly 5:00 PM before the final IV's for the day and paper work were completed.

Sharon dropped me by the house and proceeded to the drug store to fill the 6 release prescriptions. (4 of 5 pharmacies did not have one in stock).

I was originally expecting Monday, Wednesday, Friday visits to the Oncology Out Patient for blood tests and any needed in-fusions for about 2 weeks. and then once per week for about 90 days.. On Wednesday, I received 2 units of blood, and a Magnesium IV that took a total of 8 hours.

Then on Thursday, we received a call saying that a dormant Viral Infection had become active (common in Marrow Transplant patients) requiring immediate counter attack with an AM and a PM IV.
We were give the choice of being re-admitted to the hospital OR to come to the Out Patient Unit at 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day including Saturday and Sunday for the one - three weeks to combat the CMV virus.
After 13 weeks so far in the hospital this year, Sharon & I opted to take the multiple treks to the hospital option.

We've just accepted that this will be a full time job for us for several weeks doing the things that come up during the adapting and recovery process.

I've regained my appetite with diminished nausea and I'm feeling stronger every day, :-)

Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers and encouragement.

Friday, 7/06/07--Waiting Period After Bone Marrow Transplant

This has been a week of being in Isolation waiting for the effects of the prior Chemo to have it's final effects, taking IV's to accelerate the production of White Cells and continue taking Anti-Rejection IV's.

We're grateful that things have gone relatively smoothly this week without some of the gruesome side effects that often occur during this period.

My Platelets (Clotting component) have been very low requiring daily infusions. Even though I've had many other Platelets infusions without any reactions, this week the injections caused a Hives reaction. They now give me an pre-Platelet IV mixture that seemed to have solved the Hives problem.
The result is that it makes me pretty sleepy so I've been able to take lots of naps during the day.

I've also required 2 Magnesium IV's to keep some of the blood components in acceptable minimum levels.

If all goes on a typical schedule, my sister's blood marrow should kick in producing increase blood counts by the first of next week

Sharon continues to be able to visit & spend time with me in Isolation but it is more uncomfortable having to wear a mask all the time she is in the room.

Hopefully all will continue to go smoothly/successfully and I'll be able to be home again before July 15th. :-)

We're grateful that so many things have come together to have this much of the adventure behind us and look forward to finishing the regimen and to good days ahead.

Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers and encouragement.