New hair style!
Well, it happened. Showering this morning, hair was coming out, getting in my face, and being generally bothersome. What do I do when something bugs me? Wipe it out!
Boy, it's cold.
When I went to the cheap barber this morning, I pulled out a chunk of hair and told her "take it all off!"
Since I have been going there for a while, she said "Number 2?", and I told her "NO! Number Zero!"
Let's see how Kristin likes it tonight...
jc
Leave a comment as to how you like it
9.1 Million!
Sorry, I have been fatigued and busy to update lately. Here is the big scoop... 9.1 million stem cells collected in 4 sessions! They say that that is pretty good (but they may just be blowing sunshine up my skirt for all I know).
So what does that mean? I get to stop commuting to Duarte every morning. I have forgotten how miserable drive time is. They no longer hook me up to a Rube-Goldberg type of machine to take the blood out, filter it, then put it back in. I no longer have to take Nupagen shots in the leg (sorry Kristin, no more stabbing the husband anymore).
I still have to take care of the Hickman Catheter (It's in my chest, Gary -- sheesh!). That means care around the wound site, daily double Heperin shots through the tube, and not being able to shower without covering the wound site in plastic sheeting.
I am looking forward to getting my stamina back, the Nupagen causes fatigue, and encourages bruising. Last Sunday, Jenna had an early birthday party (I'll be in the hospital on her actual birthday), and I really felt beat afterward. Getting the house ready on Saturday, I pushed a bit too much, hit the wall, and couldn't rebound as fast as I wanted.
Well, the girls are up from their nap, and I have to negotiate a treaty on who plays with what.
jc
So what does that mean? I get to stop commuting to Duarte every morning. I have forgotten how miserable drive time is. They no longer hook me up to a Rube-Goldberg type of machine to take the blood out, filter it, then put it back in. I no longer have to take Nupagen shots in the leg (sorry Kristin, no more stabbing the husband anymore).
I still have to take care of the Hickman Catheter (It's in my chest, Gary -- sheesh!). That means care around the wound site, daily double Heperin shots through the tube, and not being able to shower without covering the wound site in plastic sheeting.
I am looking forward to getting my stamina back, the Nupagen causes fatigue, and encourages bruising. Last Sunday, Jenna had an early birthday party (I'll be in the hospital on her actual birthday), and I really felt beat afterward. Getting the house ready on Saturday, I pushed a bit too much, hit the wall, and couldn't rebound as fast as I wanted.
Well, the girls are up from their nap, and I have to negotiate a treaty on who plays with what.
jc
Stem Cell Update
Well, for a successful transplant, they usually need 5 million stem cells. For Myloma patients, they like 10 million (but will settle for 8 million) -- enough for 2 complete transplants.
The first day my collection was 2.1 million, not bad they said.
The second day I filterd out 2.9 million -- great progress, half way there!
The third day (Friday) I pumped out 2.6 million.
Just short of the minimum. Drat. So, once again, up before dawn, drive an hour in traffic, lay on my butt for four dull hours, and drive home in traffic again. Just like a #@$%# job!
There are no real side effects from this harvesting, I just feel beat when I get home. The folks are super nice, and make it as pleasurable as possible. Just kills any momentum I may have had.
==============================================================
While I was there on Thursday they had two small girls getting their blood processed. To say it was difficult to watch is an understatement.
I am so blessed to have two very healthy girls, and I pray that they need not have this happen to them.
jc
The first day my collection was 2.1 million, not bad they said.
The second day I filterd out 2.9 million -- great progress, half way there!
The third day (Friday) I pumped out 2.6 million.
Just short of the minimum. Drat. So, once again, up before dawn, drive an hour in traffic, lay on my butt for four dull hours, and drive home in traffic again. Just like a #@$%# job!
There are no real side effects from this harvesting, I just feel beat when I get home. The folks are super nice, and make it as pleasurable as possible. Just kills any momentum I may have had.
==============================================================
While I was there on Thursday they had two small girls getting their blood processed. To say it was difficult to watch is an understatement.
I am so blessed to have two very healthy girls, and I pray that they need not have this happen to them.
jc
Oh, I survived
Yesterday was busy, stem cell collection, Kristin interview, kid pickup, dinner, welocme back to school night, and >crash< fitful sleep.
Good news: it's not bad at all.
Bad news: it's not over. They need 10 million cells, not the typical 5 million. At best they can get 5 in one day, but there are many factors that say I may not get there. I will find out today how many I did yesterday.
Gotta go, don't want to be late.
jc
Good news: it's not bad at all.
Bad news: it's not over. They need 10 million cells, not the typical 5 million. At best they can get 5 in one day, but there are many factors that say I may not get there. I will find out today how many I did yesterday.
Gotta go, don't want to be late.
jc
City of Hope stem cell collection
Today is harvest day. It's 6:10 am, and we will leave soon to get to COH. I will update later today as to what happens.
jc
jc
And so it begins...
Last night, after unscrewing up my computer (screwing down?)with the invaluable help of my BFF Neal, the bone pain they have been warning me about hit.
Once again, a new level, a new form, a totally new experience with pain.
The Nupagen is supposed to stimulate my bone marrow into producing more blood and blood by products. Things I need, like white blood cells, red blood cells and most importantly, stem cells. The problem is, I felt it. Every over stimulated cell, pushing out with each heart beat. Each wave of cells accompanied by pain: pump, puMP, PUMP, PUmp, pump. Each pump taking my breath away, as the rib cage seemingly contracts to push out the life giving cells. The pelvis bone pumping out cells, making the knees weak. The spine thrusting out plazma, but making me hunch over like an old man.
The Rx for pain they gave me didn't kick in for what seemed forever. Vicodin is supposed to be taken (according to the directions) once every four hours. The problem, is that the pill lasts only three hours. Tough to sleep that way. I called the nurse at COH, and she said I can take two tablets. Joy.
The pain has stoped at this point, I don't know if it is the pills or that it has gone away on it's own.
Oh, well. This cheered me up this morning. A great new movie coming out, watch some of it here:
I'll go see it!
jc
Once again, a new level, a new form, a totally new experience with pain.
The Nupagen is supposed to stimulate my bone marrow into producing more blood and blood by products. Things I need, like white blood cells, red blood cells and most importantly, stem cells. The problem is, I felt it. Every over stimulated cell, pushing out with each heart beat. Each wave of cells accompanied by pain: pump, puMP, PUMP, PUmp, pump. Each pump taking my breath away, as the rib cage seemingly contracts to push out the life giving cells. The pelvis bone pumping out cells, making the knees weak. The spine thrusting out plazma, but making me hunch over like an old man.
The Rx for pain they gave me didn't kick in for what seemed forever. Vicodin is supposed to be taken (according to the directions) once every four hours. The problem, is that the pill lasts only three hours. Tough to sleep that way. I called the nurse at COH, and she said I can take two tablets. Joy.
The pain has stoped at this point, I don't know if it is the pills or that it has gone away on it's own.
Oh, well. This cheered me up this morning. A great new movie coming out, watch some of it here:
I'll go see it!
jc
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