Charmaine is feeling very good now. Finally over the side effects of the last chemo treatment.
This has been a week of back and forth to Emory. The transplant team has started getting everything in place.
We found out the dates. She will check in August 26th to start a week of conditioning to get ready for the transplant. She will have 2 or 3 days of intense chemo then 2 days of full body radiation. These will completely destroy her immune system. That is called day zero. That is when the transplant will be done. It is scheduled for September 1st.
We also were told that her donor is a 19 year old male outside the United States. I wonder if he might be a military person?
We also found out she will be getting a stem cell transplant instead of the bone marrow. That's supposed to be easier on her to graft the new cells than marrow.
We go back today for more tests and bone marrow biopsy. Tuesday they took 25 vials of blood for testing. The nurse said she had never taken that many at once before.
If all goes well they said she would be in the hospital 2 to 3 weeks. That's less than we expected.
I will update you on today's visit.
Pray that she will accept the new cells with no rejection.
Sam
Our Visit went well today. Her bone marrow biopsy was postponed until tomorrow. Today she had a c scan on her chest, an ekg on her heart and a pulmanary test on her lungs.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday July 27th.........Update
Charmaine had a good weekend at home. Slowly gaining her strength back. The Valtrex causes some extra fatigue but the Dr cut her dosage down to 2000mg per day. That seemed to help some. Her blood counts are normal now so she is able to see the kids and grandchildren some. Her appetite is back to normal and she is slowly gaining her sense of taste back.
While she was in the hospital this last time, one of the nurses gave her Lovenox shot (which is a blood thinner) on her side instead of under her navel area. For some reason she had a terrible bruise to start with about the size of a half dollar. It was sore like a bruise. It has expanded to softball size and the pain has intensified. It feels like all the nerves in that area are exposed, almost like touching an open wound. We are calling the Dr today on this.
She also has a small white ulcer looking spot on her right pupil.
As I have said before , new things seem to pop up every time.
We have a very busy week this week going to Emory 3 days. The testing and pre transplant counseling are starting.
Will keep you all posted on the progress as we approach the transplant which should be end of Aug or 1st week in Sept.
Sam
While she was in the hospital this last time, one of the nurses gave her Lovenox shot (which is a blood thinner) on her side instead of under her navel area. For some reason she had a terrible bruise to start with about the size of a half dollar. It was sore like a bruise. It has expanded to softball size and the pain has intensified. It feels like all the nerves in that area are exposed, almost like touching an open wound. We are calling the Dr today on this.
She also has a small white ulcer looking spot on her right pupil.
As I have said before , new things seem to pop up every time.
We have a very busy week this week going to Emory 3 days. The testing and pre transplant counseling are starting.
Will keep you all posted on the progress as we approach the transplant which should be end of Aug or 1st week in Sept.
Sam
Friday, July 24, 2009
Healing and Preparing for Transplant at home
Charmaine has been home for almost a week now and is so happy to be there. Her ulcers, fever blisters, and spots on her face and shoulders are so much better. Her face looks back to normal now. She is still taking the Valtrex for the virus, and they are gradually reducing the dosage. The stomach burning has improved, but the med still makes her very drowsy and seems to zap her energy. She sleeps in and naps frequently. Today she seemed to have no energy and experienced some nausea. These next few weeks are very important for her to heal and remain healthy both physically and mentally...being careful not to pick up any sickness; so her visits are still limited. Dad's having the deck screened in next week to keep the bugs away from her!
Dad asked me to apologize for not updating...he stays pretty busy and needed a little help getting the right thoughts together...it strains your brain to try to remember everything!! (Especially at his age...just kidding, dad. You're amazing!)
Charmaine went back to see the doctor and her pre-transplant appointments are now being scheduled. She will go next week to speak with the Transplant Coordinator, the Oncology Radiologist, and have lots of tests and scans done to make sure everything is in good working order to get ready for the transplant. Our family meeting will be the following week. The transplant is still tentatively scheduled for the last week in August or possibly the first week in September. The decision will have to be made soon as to whether she gets a Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant. One is as successful as the other we are told. I think we are leaning toward the Stem Cell, but that's not our final answer yet.
Thank you all for thinking of her and for all the prayers. Many of them I know have already been answered!
Stefanie
Dad asked me to apologize for not updating...he stays pretty busy and needed a little help getting the right thoughts together...it strains your brain to try to remember everything!! (Especially at his age...just kidding, dad. You're amazing!)
Charmaine went back to see the doctor and her pre-transplant appointments are now being scheduled. She will go next week to speak with the Transplant Coordinator, the Oncology Radiologist, and have lots of tests and scans done to make sure everything is in good working order to get ready for the transplant. Our family meeting will be the following week. The transplant is still tentatively scheduled for the last week in August or possibly the first week in September. The decision will have to be made soon as to whether she gets a Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant. One is as successful as the other we are told. I think we are leaning toward the Stem Cell, but that's not our final answer yet.
Thank you all for thinking of her and for all the prayers. Many of them I know have already been answered!
Stefanie
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday July 20th........Came Home Sunday
Charmaine finally got to come home Sunday around lunch time. So glad to be home.
She is much better. Her face has almost cleared from the rash. She is starting to be able to eat and swallow food now. That means the ulcers in her throat are healing.
They have her on a new med called Valtrex. She has to take 1000mg 3 times a day. It appears to burn her stomach pretty bad. Only has to take it 10 days.
Her energy level is good now and should get to normal very soon. All of her blood counts are normal so her immune system is not compromised.
Hopefully she will be able to enjoy 4 to 6 weeks at home before the transplant which should happen in mid to late August. We will still be going to the clinic twice a week for lab checks.
Thanks for all your prayers, the food, and other kind things from so many.
Sam
She is much better. Her face has almost cleared from the rash. She is starting to be able to eat and swallow food now. That means the ulcers in her throat are healing.
They have her on a new med called Valtrex. She has to take 1000mg 3 times a day. It appears to burn her stomach pretty bad. Only has to take it 10 days.
Her energy level is good now and should get to normal very soon. All of her blood counts are normal so her immune system is not compromised.
Hopefully she will be able to enjoy 4 to 6 weeks at home before the transplant which should happen in mid to late August. We will still be going to the clinic twice a week for lab checks.
Thanks for all your prayers, the food, and other kind things from so many.
Sam
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday Am July 18th... Back in Hospital
Friday morning at the clinic visit the Dr. readmitted Charmaine into the hospital.
Needless to say she was more than disappointed.
Since we have been home her temp has been up and down teetering on the edge of going to the ER. We did go there Thursday night but came home.
She has for the first time ulcers in her mouth and throat and possibly in her stomach. She also has a very bad blister on her lower lip. These are very painful and she can hardly swallow any food.
She also has for the first time lots of red splotches on her face and shoulders.
These along with the fever were too many issues not to stay and get to the bottom of the cause.
The ulcers are a common side effect from chemo but she has never had them before. The rash happens sometimes from transfusions.
She was so exhausted yesterday she slept most of the day after being admitted, from being up the night before at the ER.
I am not sure how long this stay will be but will keep you all posted.
She just feels like a revolving door right now back and forth to Emory.
Please pray that she'll find her peace again.
All will get better if she can just get home and feel good for a while.
Natalie was with her last night.
Sam
Needless to say she was more than disappointed.
Since we have been home her temp has been up and down teetering on the edge of going to the ER. We did go there Thursday night but came home.
She has for the first time ulcers in her mouth and throat and possibly in her stomach. She also has a very bad blister on her lower lip. These are very painful and she can hardly swallow any food.
She also has for the first time lots of red splotches on her face and shoulders.
These along with the fever were too many issues not to stay and get to the bottom of the cause.
The ulcers are a common side effect from chemo but she has never had them before. The rash happens sometimes from transfusions.
She was so exhausted yesterday she slept most of the day after being admitted, from being up the night before at the ER.
I am not sure how long this stay will be but will keep you all posted.
She just feels like a revolving door right now back and forth to Emory.
Please pray that she'll find her peace again.
All will get better if she can just get home and feel good for a while.
Natalie was with her last night.
Sam
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday July 16th....10PM Update
Last night after coming home, about 9pm, Charmaine's temp started rising. Went to 101.7 at one time but settled a little. The Drs. wanted us just to watch it and come in if it went up again. It never rose that high again. Stefanie came and spent the night to help me monitor her during the night.
She has for the 1st time a fair amount of ulcers in her mouth, throat and esophagus. She also has one on her lip. In addition she has some red rashes on her face and throat from the last transfusion. She has been very fortunate until now not to have had either of these. They are both very common with chemo and transfusions.
Today she was very tired all day and ran a low grade fever. This afternoon about 4 it spiked again to 102. We left for Emory ER about 430PM.
I am home now. Stefanie is with her there now. They have just taken blood samples, did a chest xray and an ekg checking her out. The fever has broken. We are not sure if they will admit her again or just treat and send home. Stefanie will let me know in a while.
Needless to say she was so disappointed to come home expecting to be here for 4 to 6 weeks and have to go back the next day. Hopefully this will all stabilize in a day or two.
Will keep you all posted.
Thanks for all your prayers and for caring about her so much.
Sam
11:15PM update.............She is coming home. She and Stefanie are on the way now.
We have to be at the clinic at 7am in the morning to see the Dr and for more tests. Will probably come home and sleep!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank God she is coming home.
Sam
She has for the 1st time a fair amount of ulcers in her mouth, throat and esophagus. She also has one on her lip. In addition she has some red rashes on her face and throat from the last transfusion. She has been very fortunate until now not to have had either of these. They are both very common with chemo and transfusions.
Today she was very tired all day and ran a low grade fever. This afternoon about 4 it spiked again to 102. We left for Emory ER about 430PM.
I am home now. Stefanie is with her there now. They have just taken blood samples, did a chest xray and an ekg checking her out. The fever has broken. We are not sure if they will admit her again or just treat and send home. Stefanie will let me know in a while.
Needless to say she was so disappointed to come home expecting to be here for 4 to 6 weeks and have to go back the next day. Hopefully this will all stabilize in a day or two.
Will keep you all posted.
Thanks for all your prayers and for caring about her so much.
Sam
11:15PM update.............She is coming home. She and Stefanie are on the way now.
We have to be at the clinic at 7am in the morning to see the Dr and for more tests. Will probably come home and sleep!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank God she is coming home.
Sam
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Home again...and Happy Birthday DAD!
Well, Charmaine's white blood count and platelet numbers looked good enough this morning so the doctor let her come home...a few days earlier than expected! She's trying to take it easy so she can keep getting stronger.
It was a great birthday gift for dad for her to get to come home!!
HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY DAD!! We love you!
Stefanie
It was a great birthday gift for dad for her to get to come home!!
HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY DAD!! We love you!
Stefanie
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday July 14th....Back at Emory
We checked in yesterday am at Emory for her week of recovery. She feels great but must be there for blood and platelet transfusions to get her counts stable again after the chemo.
This is her last stay before the transplant. She will be home until mid to late August. At least that is the plan now.
She has had some soreness in her throat due to the chemo but it is improving daily.
We are looking so forward to her long time at home and feeling good.
Hope to come home Friday if her platelets stabilize.
Sam
This is her last stay before the transplant. She will be home until mid to late August. At least that is the plan now.
She has had some soreness in her throat due to the chemo but it is improving daily.
We are looking so forward to her long time at home and feeling good.
Hope to come home Friday if her platelets stabilize.
Sam
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Saturday July 11th
Charmaine has had a great weekend so far. Says it feels good to feel good. Each day she gets a bit stronger. At the lab on Friday her white count was at 800 and will be dropping. By Monday when we check back in at Emory they will be 200 to 300 range. When they go that low she has to be very careful not to be exposed to any bacteria or viruses and insect bites.
Next week she will be getting transfusions of blood and platelets. Hope to come back home on Thursday or Friday.
Will keep you all updated on her progress and any new information we will be getting on the transplant.
Sam
Next week she will be getting transfusions of blood and platelets. Hope to come back home on Thursday or Friday.
Will keep you all updated on her progress and any new information we will be getting on the transplant.
Sam
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday July 9th
Charmaine's counts all looked good yesterday and she was able to come back home. She is feeling very good now.
She cooked her first full meal last night and was able to do some normal chores around the house. You can't imagine how good that made her feel. When was the last time you were excited about doing housework!!!!
We go back Friday to the clinic for check on her counts. If low enough we will check in for the 6 day recovery, If they are not low then we go back Monday for sure and check in.
She had her last routine chemo treatment yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now we wait for the transplant. It will be in about 6 weeks they say.
Sam
She cooked her first full meal last night and was able to do some normal chores around the house. You can't imagine how good that made her feel. When was the last time you were excited about doing housework!!!!
We go back Friday to the clinic for check on her counts. If low enough we will check in for the 6 day recovery, If they are not low then we go back Monday for sure and check in.
She had her last routine chemo treatment yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now we wait for the transplant. It will be in about 6 weeks they say.
Sam
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday July 8th......am Update
Charmaine has had two great days feeling near normal. Has been able to stay up most of the days and do normal activities around the house.
We go to the clinic and a Dr visit this morning at 830 am. Her #'s will be falling now and she may have to have a transfusion or they may admit her for the week of recovery if her platelets are very low. This is normal.
After this 6 day recovery stay she should be home for 4 to 6 weeks waiting for the transplant. During this time she should feel very good and get stronger every day without the chemo.
Will let you know the outcome of today later on this post.
Sam
We go to the clinic and a Dr visit this morning at 830 am. Her #'s will be falling now and she may have to have a transfusion or they may admit her for the week of recovery if her platelets are very low. This is normal.
After this 6 day recovery stay she should be home for 4 to 6 weeks waiting for the transplant. During this time she should feel very good and get stronger every day without the chemo.
Will let you know the outcome of today later on this post.
Sam
Sunday, July 5, 2009
July 4th and 5th.............. Update
Within one hour after getting home Friday Charmaine started feeling the effects of the steroids she has to take in tandem with the chemo. For some reason they make her extremely anxious and nervous. Had a very long night Friday night because of this. Saturday it slowly subsided and she began to think and act more normal.
Saturday night she slept and rested well and seems to feel great Sunday am.
We go back to clinic Monday for lab work and back Wednesday for Dr. visit. Will probably check back in then for her 6 days of recovery as her counts bottom out. During that week she will get numerous blood and platelet transfusions. When that is over we will come home for 4 to 6 weeks waiting for the transplant process to get in place.
Hope you all had a safe weekend.
Sam
Saturday night she slept and rested well and seems to feel great Sunday am.
We go back to clinic Monday for lab work and back Wednesday for Dr. visit. Will probably check back in then for her 6 days of recovery as her counts bottom out. During that week she will get numerous blood and platelet transfusions. When that is over we will come home for 4 to 6 weeks waiting for the transplant process to get in place.
Hope you all had a safe weekend.
Sam
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday July 3rd......Update
Charmaine has been feeling quite well all week with little or no effects from the chemo except for today. The chemo drug today is called Doxorubicin. It is a 24hr drip. This one seems to always hit her harder than the others. Extreme fatigue and nausia. The meds for the nausia intensify the fatigue.
This has still been one of the easiest rounds of them all.
We are supposed to check out this evening around 7 or so after the chemo is finished at 5.
I'm not sure she needs to come home today unless she gets to feeling better. Sometimes if we leave too early we end up back at the ER that night. Will decide later today. To some extent they let us have a say in when we leave.
We will come back to clinic Monday at 830 am for lab work then back on Wednesday to see the Dr. Very good chance she will check back in next Wed for the 6 days of recovery from the chemo. That's when she gets the transfusions of blood and platelets all week long. After that we will be home 4 to 6 weeks then the transplant.
They have already got samples of the donors blood here and have started testing it ect. All still looks on track for mid to late August for transplant. We still don't know if she is getting a bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant. Will find out soon.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Sam
This has still been one of the easiest rounds of them all.
We are supposed to check out this evening around 7 or so after the chemo is finished at 5.
I'm not sure she needs to come home today unless she gets to feeling better. Sometimes if we leave too early we end up back at the ER that night. Will decide later today. To some extent they let us have a say in when we leave.
We will come back to clinic Monday at 830 am for lab work then back on Wednesday to see the Dr. Very good chance she will check back in next Wed for the 6 days of recovery from the chemo. That's when she gets the transfusions of blood and platelets all week long. After that we will be home 4 to 6 weeks then the transplant.
They have already got samples of the donors blood here and have started testing it ect. All still looks on track for mid to late August for transplant. We still don't know if she is getting a bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant. Will find out soon.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Sam
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wednesday July 1st...Update
Charmaine has had an incredibly easy time on this last round of chemo before her transplant. So far she has had hardly no side effects from the chemo treatments including not even feeling the needle on the spinal tap yesterday. Will have another one tomorrow at 11am.
We hope to come home late Friday evening maybe 7pm.
Will keep you all posted on any changing events.
Thanks,
Sam
We hope to come home late Friday evening maybe 7pm.
Will keep you all posted on any changing events.
Thanks,
Sam
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