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