Day +5

As each day goes by Steve is feeling worse. Yesterday began the increased weakness and fatigue. We got him to take his daily bath and sit in the chair for a while but he never left the room to walk the hallway. It's important to his recovery that he be as active as possible and walking the hallway is key. It helps to avoid pneumonia, blood clots (he has a history of) and atrophy of his muscles. Please pray he'll begin walking the halls again and also take all of his medicines. He's avoiding the ones that taste bad and help with fungus and mucositis. He already has thrush and this morning there was a new sore in his mouth. His appetite is nonexistent, but he has been drinking juice, sprite, a little water and some ensure.

Blood Counts:

Sunday 11/28/10
WBC
1.43
Hemoglobin
10.5
Platelets
95,000
ANC
1.3

Today 11/29/10
WBC
.11
Hemoglobin
10.5
Platelets
68,000
ANC
Zero

Day +3

Steve ate breakfast this morning! Yeah! He had some pancakes and orange juice. He's feeling a little better but is still very tired. Last night he asked if he could use my pillow (I brought it from home) because he was uncomfortable. Then at bed time he asked if he could keep it for the night! Man.......only my husband would be allowed to separate me and my pillow. But he was nice enough to give me his hospital issued pillows, I mean rocks. Needless to say I will be heading home today to get his pillow.

We continue to persevere and trust in God.

Today's counts 11/27/10

WBC
1.47
Hemoglobin
10.5
Platelets
133,000
ANC
1.4 (Neutropenic)

Counts are Dropping

Today's counts are showing a significant drop, except for the hemoglobin. After asking Dr. S. why Steve's hemoglobin has been trending up and not down, he said it could be that he is dehydrated. We'll let's see, not eating, not drinking and vomiting for 2 1/2 days, could that be why he's dehydrated! Sorry I'm being a little sarcastic, but come on! The Dr. said several days ago that Steve's vomiting was unusual. They stopped giving supportive fluids after the chemo was done on Tuesday, and that night he started getting sick. In the past when Steve has been dehydrated it contributed to him feeling really bad and vomiting. So maybe now that they are going to give him some more i.v. fluids he'll start to feel better.

Today's Counts 11/26/10

WBC
2.0
Hemoglobin
11.0
Platelets
193,000
ANC
1,900

When his ANC gets below 1,500 he'll be considered neutropenic, which is expected.

Blood Counts Update

I forgot to post his counts for the past few days. So here they are.

11/25/10

WBC
4.1
Hemoglobin
1o.6
Platelets
179,000
ANC
Not given

11/24/10

WBC
4.2
Hemoglobin
9.6
Platelets
224,000
ANC
3,900

Day +1

I should have explained this earlier but didn't think about it until now. Steve's admission day was Day -3 and that began the count down to transplant day which was Day 0, his New Birthday! His daily progress is tracked from there. Yesterday was his first really bad day, actually it began Tuesday evening (which according to Dr. S is unusual). He started vomiting and not eating. He's been experiencing nausea and vomiting since. So they up'd his anti-nausea medicines, but if you ask me I don't think they are working like they should. Especially since they are giving him 3 different kinds. Dr. S said they expected him to get sick while getting the chemo, but not after......he says things as if he's thinking out loud. So I'm never sure what he means.........

He expects certain things to happen at certain times. W know his counts will be going down and we should see a significant drop by this weekend. This is when he'll be the most vulnerable to infections. And from what I hear he'll really start to feel bad. Right now he'll tell you he can't feel any worse.

On a good note he did take a bath this morning, and I was happy he was willing to do it. He's suppose to t ake a bath daily but there was no getting him in there yesterday. Daily baths and linen changes are part of avoiding an infection. Plus, lot's of hand washing and cleaning all surfaces in his room.

I expect to be tired and know that the days ahead will not be easy, so I covet every one's prayers for both of us. Please pray for the following:

Physical Needs
-No mouth sores
-No more nausea and vomiting
-Steve's appetite to return
-Energy for Steve so he will walk the floor as needed
-A successful grafting of his stem cells and quick production of new blood
-No new complications
-No infections
-Complete Response to the stem cell transplant
-Enough rest for myself

Spiritual Needs
-That our circumstances will not cause us to take our eyes off the Lord
-The Lord will be our source of strength and hope, everyday!
-Our lives would bring glory to him and a reflection of his love to others
-May our thoughts be pleasing to him

Transplant Day

Today was the day in which Steve has been preparing for since September. It was amazing to think that Steve's new blood was inside this container. The "gift" that our merciful Lord provided for him by making all of this possible. I'm reminded of the saying "There is power in the blood." As a Christian, I know this refers to the shedding of Christ's blood for us, on the cross.
The power to save us from our sins and the gift of eternal life with our God in heaven.

But there is also power in our blood, given to us from God, life. With out this new blood, Steve would not have life. God gave Steve enough stem cells for this transplant and all of them were given back to him today. Thank you Father!

Here the nurse's are comparing his name, birthdate and ID number on his wrist band to the labels on the 3 bags of stem cells pulled out of the container.

Here the nurse is thawing the frozen stem cells in a vat that has been prepared and heated to the correct temperature. The room began to smell like creamed corn due to the preservative they add to the stem cells before freezing. Steve's body will emit this smell for the next 24 hours.

And at exactly 11:14am the first bag was hung and connected to the tubing, leading to his picc line.

The nurse had to use a special syringe to hand push the stem cells into the tubing that leads to his picc line. The tubing in the picc line is too narrow for the stem cells to "drip" through.

And now we wait. We wait for the stem cells to find their way into the bone marrow, graft and begin making new blood cells. This should take up to 10 days and then he will hopefully be ready to go home.

Thanksgiving Eve, we have so much to be thankful for!

Doing Better Today!

He woke up feeling refreshed, had a great breakfast (Via Deanna's Delivery Service) and took a bath! They tell us tomorrow will be the day he begins to feel the side effects of the chemo. Essentially he'll be really tired, could develop mouth sores, stomach problems, nausea and maybe diarrhea. Pray for minimal side effects please.

Last night was pretty rough. From the lack of sleep to pain meds not being given on time, Steve had a tough time staying awake for the chemo. While he wanted to eat the popsicles he was too tired and they also tasted funny. So instead he fell asleep. But luckily for us after the chemo was finished the nurse made it possible for us not to be disturbed from 10:30pm until 3:45am! That allowed us to get a good nights sleep.

There is a direct line into the room, 310 area code, 267-6157. If you'd like to call, please do. Hopefully he'll feel well enough to talk.......if not I can pass on a message.

Today's numbers:

WBC
5.03
Hemoglobin
9.6
Platelets
224,000
ANC
4.9