Finally, progress on the Stem Cell front!
Received a letter from the City of Hope (COH) today with some appointments scheduled for me. Called them up, chatted with Jill L., the Nurse Coordinator from the Division of Hematology and Hemoatopoietic Cell Transplantaion (that took up half of her buisness card), and got some dates and info on my upcoming procedure.
First, I am gratefull that I passed all the tests and qualify to have this cutting edge procedure done so soon after my diagnosis. 147 days have passed, and I am on the slippery path to total health... I need to watch out.
Now the dull specifics.
13-August -- Classes at COH. New paitient information, consulting on the catheter, care and cleaning of the catheter. Also, how to inject myself with Nutropin. Joy.
21-August -- Chemo at Kaiser Lakeview. This is to jolt my system into making more stem cells. Yes, I will still have hair afterwards. This is baby chemo.
22-August -- "Pic Line" time. Get my catheter inserted. This is so I can hook up to the machines quickly to harvest my stem cells starting...
1-September --... daily at COH. I will be my own milk cow, being milked of my precious stem cells for my own sake. Drive up, hook up, chill out. Un hook, drive home, chill out. Just like a job, but with needles.
Once they get enough stem cells (at least 4 or 5? How big are they?) they will admit me to my own private suite at COH. Actually, it's only a VERY sterile room, but I can call it whatever I want! That will be either 12-September or 19-September.
Now you know my schedule. I will try to pack as much face time in between now and then with each and everyone of you, so be prepared!
More soon,
jc
Quake? Shut up and watch the movie!
Got to see my movie (a rare treat), and darn it, folks ruined it!
I guess there was a quake during the movie, yes I felt it, no I didn't care. I could tell it was close -- sharp P-wave with rumbling after wards. Did I get bothered, no.
Just like LA Story, I nudged Doc, said "what a 3.5 or so?"
"Possibly a 4..."
We returned to the movie. The family behind us was absolutely terrified. Honestly. I have never seen that. I told them to sit down, the worst is over, and they are in a VERY safe place.
They bolted.
Years of training has jaded me to the fact that sometimes these things do panic folks. It was just plain annoying being around amateurs.
So, we ended the movie with 5 people watching instead of 9. No loss. Had a great lunch at Brea's Best Burger, and came home. Not even a scratch to the house.
======================================================
Good news / Bad news
Good news: I no longer need to take the stupid steroids.
Bad News: Still only 4 hours of bad sleep this morning. No, they won't give me a pill for just one night. I may try beer...
jc
I guess there was a quake during the movie, yes I felt it, no I didn't care. I could tell it was close -- sharp P-wave with rumbling after wards. Did I get bothered, no.
Just like LA Story, I nudged Doc, said "what a 3.5 or so?"
"Possibly a 4..."
We returned to the movie. The family behind us was absolutely terrified. Honestly. I have never seen that. I told them to sit down, the worst is over, and they are in a VERY safe place.
They bolted.
Years of training has jaded me to the fact that sometimes these things do panic folks. It was just plain annoying being around amateurs.
So, we ended the movie with 5 people watching instead of 9. No loss. Had a great lunch at Brea's Best Burger, and came home. Not even a scratch to the house.
======================================================
Good news / Bad news
Good news: I no longer need to take the stupid steroids.
Bad News: Still only 4 hours of bad sleep this morning. No, they won't give me a pill for just one night. I may try beer...
jc
Update of the day
I feel like I should ues the "Daddy Big Voice" when I post that.
Had lunch with my BFFs Brian and Mark. Had a big lunch, gave the girl a $10, shoved the change in my pocket. Got home an had $12! Love that new math.
Had infusion in the Chemo lab today. They pump in a drug called Aredia, pretty mild stuff (compared to the other stuff they pump in people there), and I don't seem to have any side affects.
Nice.
I take my little non-ipod mp3 player and listen to all my songs. Usually I sleep, but the *#&$@ steroids were starting to kick in.
The girls were well taken care of by Grandma, and they were good girls. They went to the Arboretum, picked some tomatoes, and Caitlyn got bit by a chicken. It was payback for all the nuggets she has eaten in the past.
Tomorrow, I get to see a movie with my old professor, long time friend, and father of another BFF, DOC. I will let you know if the movie is OK or not.
Time for a sleeping pill, and cool down...
jc
Had lunch with my BFFs Brian and Mark. Had a big lunch, gave the girl a $10, shoved the change in my pocket. Got home an had $12! Love that new math.
Had infusion in the Chemo lab today. They pump in a drug called Aredia, pretty mild stuff (compared to the other stuff they pump in people there), and I don't seem to have any side affects.
Nice.
I take my little non-ipod mp3 player and listen to all my songs. Usually I sleep, but the *#&$@ steroids were starting to kick in.
The girls were well taken care of by Grandma, and they were good girls. They went to the Arboretum, picked some tomatoes, and Caitlyn got bit by a chicken. It was payback for all the nuggets she has eaten in the past.
Tomorrow, I get to see a movie with my old professor, long time friend, and father of another BFF, DOC. I will let you know if the movie is OK or not.
Time for a sleeping pill, and cool down...
jc
Recovery Day
Finished the last of my tests... for this week. The Creatine (sp?) involves 24 hours of urine collection and, yes more, blood tests. So yesterday I went to Kaiser and dropped off 2 jugs of my personal best, and they took 2 vials of blood. That's 24 this week. I have to go back Sunday or Monday for one more vial for my infusion appointment on Monday. My arms look like junkies.
To celebrate, I kidnapped the Schicklets and the Crumlets and went to Disney's California Adventure (DCA) for the afternoon. They had not seen the new Pixar parade, so we camped and waited for that one to go through. Big hit on that one: Jak Jak and his hair on fire! While waiting I sent Ashley over for fast passes to Soaring over California (late at 7:30, but we probably would still be there).
Next was the big event, Toy Story Mania. The 4D ride was a hit with all involved, and we all got keychain blasters for scoring our personal best! Nana and Papa met us in the gift shop and we went to diner at Pizza Oom Mow Mow.
Now, it has been one of my dad's life goals to actually eat one of those turkey legs off of one of those outdoor vending carts. Why? Perhaps it was something from his childhood that stuck with him, but he got one, and devoured it! Was it good? "I dunno, I ate it too fast!"
Clean up the kidlets, and off to Soaring over California. Boy, they like that. Jenna loves it when they check her height, and it shows that she is a big enough girl to go on. Afterwards, had just enough time for one quick ride before the electrical parade. What did they choose? Grizzly Rapids! I am not 100% ready for that one (soon, though) so it was an all kids adventure. Jenna actually made (barely) the height requirement, so it was her first time. They all got pretty soaked on this one, but had tons of fun!
By the time the Parade was done, everyone was BEAT. Jenna was carried out by Ashley (thanks Ash!) and we treked home. It's almost 9 and the Schicklets are still sleeping (Jenna gets up at dawn regardless).
So, today is rest and relaxation. Ahhhhhh...
jc
To be three and naked...
While encouraging Jenna to get dressed, I told her this:
"Hurry up, get your pants on, and we will get to work!"
"Wa wor?" (What's work?)
Oh, to be three and naked. Biggest worry? Being caught by dad and told to get dressed.
jc
"Hurry up, get your pants on, and we will get to work!"
"Wa wor?" (What's work?)
Oh, to be three and naked. Biggest worry? Being caught by dad and told to get dressed.
jc
Today so far...
When Kaiser gets things rolling, they roll.
The road to transplant is filled with tests. And needles.
Had 17 X-rays done today (chest and body survey) at the Lakeview facility.
While waiting, I made the appointment for my pulmonary test, got it at 4:45. A bit late, but it worked. While leaving X-ray, they called and asked if I could go up right away, so >BAM<, there I am huffing an puffing into a Rube Goldberg machine. It seems that they just can't go a day without poking me for blood, this time to check my blood gas levels. I knew I had gas, but in the blood? Now I have a good excuse!
Now, after a healthy lunch of hot dogs and Caitlyn's lemonade, I am off to physical therapy.
If they whip out a needle, I am so out of there...
jc
The road to transplant is filled with tests. And needles.
Had 17 X-rays done today (chest and body survey) at the Lakeview facility.
While waiting, I made the appointment for my pulmonary test, got it at 4:45. A bit late, but it worked. While leaving X-ray, they called and asked if I could go up right away, so >BAM<, there I am huffing an puffing into a Rube Goldberg machine. It seems that they just can't go a day without poking me for blood, this time to check my blood gas levels. I knew I had gas, but in the blood? Now I have a good excuse!
Now, after a healthy lunch of hot dogs and Caitlyn's lemonade, I am off to physical therapy.
If they whip out a needle, I am so out of there...
jc
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