Pre-Transplant Days

Today is my fifth day as an admitted patient at Northwestern Hospital, but it is considered Day -2 because I'm two days from my stem cell transplant infusion.

On my admission day, I was reconnected with Colleen, a Stem Cell Nurse Practitioner whom I'd met in July when I thought I'd be following the original plan. Colleen apparently came back early from vacation time because I was being admitted! Colleen went over my current health situation and then told me that all of my numbers showed me to be in perfect physical health to begin this process. Then, she gave me the option to begin chemo that day rather than waiting for the next day (as scheduled). After a brief conversation with my parents, we decided not to spend one more day waiting, and so the chemo got started late in the day.

This will not go down in history as a great photo of myself, but the brown bag hanging above my head is covering the bag of Fludarabine which I was receiving for the first time at this moment.

I received two types of chemo over four consecutive days. The first was Fludarabine, administered over one hour, and covered with a brown bag to protect it from light. The purpose of this chemo is to interfere with DNA production, stopping cell growth and production, and hopefully stopping any remaining cancer growth.

The second was Busulfan, which kills cancer cells using a process called alkylation. Alkylation damages the DNA of cells to prevent them from dividing and causes cell death. Since cancer cells are fast growing, they are very sensitive to alkylation.

Ultimately, the point of both types of chemo is to destroy my own bone marrow cells. I am currently on day 1 of two rest days which are allowed so that chemo can be flushed out of my system ahead of the transplant.

Along with most of the other drugs I was taking on a daily basis, a few more have been added. One is Klonopin - this is a drug which prevents seizures. Historically, the chemo combo I had this week can cause seizures, but the addition of Klonopin to the drug regimen has eradicated this side effect. Fortunately, I only have to take it through today - it has made me very, very sleepy!

I have also struggled with an acute case of constipation, likely from the drugs and chemo. Although I had some very uncomfortable moments, it seems the third med finally made a difference!

Tomorrow I will begin receiving Tacrolimus via an continuous IV. This drug will help my body accept the new stem cells by lowering my immune system even further. One side effect is that it could raise my blood pressure. I will remain on this drug in it's IV form until a few days before discharge, when I'll be switched to an oral form.

My parents were able to catch some of the Chicago Air & Water Show action over the past weekend. The weather was not very cooperative, but the pilots did what they could, when they could. Some planes buzzed the hospital, scaring me a couple of times with their sudden whistling sound.

A plane flying over Lake Michigan with the Feinburg School of Medicine in the forefront.

Other than receiving treatments, my days have been fairly easy and move along well. As previously mentioned, I am sleeping during the day one or two times. I have been working on a puzzle in the activity room (it's the history of Hostess-type snack treats). I walk around the 16th floor as often as I feel like it. I've watched some TV and some streamed programming. Thankfully, I brought the right amount of clothes and belongings this time, and so every thing fits well in the room.

The view from my room, looking southeast Streeterville, Chicago, 8:30 pm.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray I have mild side effects to the Tacrolimus.

• Please pray the transplant infusion goes well.

• Please pray my body doesn't react to the "new" cells.

Website Reminders:

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• If you have a Hotmail email, your email notifications from this site are going into your Spam folder.

As always, thank you for your cards, messages, love, support, care, concern, and prayers!