T + 8....So far, so good

Friends, I am now 8 days post transplant and feeling so much better than I thought I would.  Docs have unhooked me from 24 hour IV fluids and now I'm getting fluids for just 3 hours a day....the balance is up to me, so I'm drinking an average of 4 or 5 bottles of water a day.   Anti rejection meds are given twice a day, at 5 am and 5 pm, and blood work is collected at 3am....so is it any wonder that my new wake up time is closer to 8:30am than my normal 6:30am??   I can't wait to get home just to normalize my sleep.

I don't spend any time during the day in my bed.   Dr. Tse says that's a no-no.   I need to be up and in a chair or just walking around the unit....as long as I have a mask on so as not to catch any potential illness.   My appetite is good as a matter of fact....not like last time when it took me weeks to recover it and I dropped 20 pounds.   So I am thankful that nutrition wise, I'm getting the calories and proteins I need to regain strength and stamina.

The actual grafting of Bruce's cells should begin any day now....my prayer is that they find their way to the bone marrow, that the anti rejection drugs do their job, and that these immature little stem cells begin producing the white and red cells as well as platelets that will be the building blocks of my new immune system.

I'm so incredibly lucky and blessed that the donor was my brother.   This will help minimize potential complications and aid in the overall long term development of my immune system.   What a selfless act of love, generosity, and human kindness.

Transplant #2 is here!!

For about the last month and a half I have felt as close to 100% as I possibly could. In fact I found myself working at the office on almost a regular schedule of 40-50 hours a week.  That's one reason I haven't blogged here too much....there was not a whole lot to report on.

So who would have thought that barely two months have passed and I am now staring at a second stem cell transplant.   The first one was an AUTOLOGOUS transplant, aka, an "auto", where my own stem cells are harvested and used.   But this second transplant will be using a donors stem cells in hopes of a life saving cure from the plasma cell leukemia.  This transplant is an ALLOGENEIC transplant, aka, an "allo".

But we found a donor and turns out it's my brother!!  There's a prayer that was answered!   Today, Bruce spent six hours harvesting stem cell's from his bloodstream that will be transfused into my bone marrow on Tuesday afternoon.

I have a total body radiation on Tuesday just after lunch and then sometime late afternoon, they will actually do the transplant, which as I mentioned, is simply a transfusion of his cells into my bone marrow.

Thanks for all the ongoing support and prayers....a lot going on Tuesday as well as the coming months.    I'll be back to report on how things went.    Fingers crossed!!

Patience pays off...part 2

So on Wednesday, 12 August, I received those stem cells. And it wasn't 24 hours later when I felt like I just been hit by a truck. Fatigue . . . loss of appetite (who, me?) . . . nausea and the works (you're going to have to use your imagination on that one) . . . developing mucositis     . . .  and a general sense of "I feel like &/!@."

I've never been so sick that I'll that I lose my appetite . . . I joked with the doctors and nurses early on that I might just order carry out from Jeff Ruby's rather than eat hospital food . . . but the joke was on me because just the thought of meat, shrimp, crab legs or even a steak smothered in blue cheese was enough to roll my stomach. Truth be told, I was lucky to keep down 2 ounces of water at a time.  

And frankly even though I'm at home now, I don't have a large appetite whatsoever. Small bowl of cereal and milk this morning more than sustained me for most of the day until I whipped up a little something for dinner tonight. The good news is not so much that I was able to eat, but just that I kept everything down. Descriptive enough?

Friday morning I returned to the hospital for some bloodwork and a consult with Dr. Tse and his staff. And let me just say that those are some of the most outstanding healthcare professionals I've ever run across. Their attention to detail is not like anything I've seen before.  

So the game now shifts from waiting for the stem cells to grow and develop into healthy marrow and cells to feeling more like my 100% self . . . see, I told you I wasn't very good at this patience game . . . I want to be back to 100% yesterday, ha.  

But I appreciate your ongoing prayers and support because without them I have no idea how I would've gotten through the last couple of weeks!!

Patience pays off ....part 1

What a couple weeks this has been! Of course it's not like I didn't know what was about to happen . . . but even with all the warnings about side effects and how I was going to feel, as well as the general anxiety of rebuilding one's immune system, I admit I wasn't totally prepared for what transpired.

That cute little bag of what appears to be jello, is actually one of 3 bags of stem cells that were reintroduced into my body. Using a large syringe, Nurse Catie pumped those little rascals back into me so they could begin the process of growing and developing into red and white cells and platelets.

Waiting . . . and waiting . . . and waiting

I so appreciate the role that our nation's farmers and agriculture specialists play in getting food grown, harvested, and on the table at home. You have to have the patience of Job I'm sure, and guess what, I clearly do not. Ha.  

So, since last Wednesday, when the stem cells were actually transplanted back into my bone marrow, I have been playing this waiting game, patiently looking for signs that the graph is taking hold and that this will put me into a partial remission, which was the goal. But alas, nothing yet, short of my white counts and platelet counts predictably dropping toward their nadir of 0.0.

And of course the nurses and docs have sensed my impatience with this whole process and are having more than a little fun at my expense . . . "Only a couple patients took the entire semester for their counts to increase, I wonder if you could be the third?" Comedians. They belong on Jimmy Fallon, not the 6th floor here at University Hospital.


But the transplant itself went just fine. I even experienced a couple "hot flashes" when they were reinjected back into my blood stream. OK, ladies, never again will I make a joke or laugh about hot flashes that you might experience. Been there, done that. And take a look at that bag of stem cells in the picture . . . looks like raspberry gelatin doesn't it? But oh, the secrets of science are in that very bag. Amazing.




Nurse Catie slowly injects the stem cells back into my blood stream. Slow and methodical is the best way. Five minutes into the process, they take your vitals just to make sure you're not going to faint or experience a bad reaction.

It's Monday of Week 2 in the hospital. I have work to keep my attention and the financial markets are open. I hope you have a good week. Thanks for your ongoing support and prayers. Without them, I am not sure where I would be at this point. I am very grateful that God has blessed me with such a great support group of friends, family, and well wishers.

It's TRANSPLANT Week . . . finally!!

Well, this is the week that the doctors have been pointing to. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and after lowering the plasma cell in the bone marrow to less than 5% (from 76% back in April), it's time to take the next big step, which is the stem cell transplant. These used to be called "bone marrow transplants," but at some point in the recent past, doctors simply referred to them as stem cell transplants because that more accurately reflected the process of transfusing the cells back into the patient's body.   The bone marrow simply was the eventual location where these stem cells would take up residence and begin producing red and white cells as well as platelets.

So Monday August 10, I will check in at University Hospital. I'll receive a central line catheter that will not only deliver the stem cells back into my blood stream and eventually to the bone marrow, but also serve as a port for them to withdraw blood for testing and lab work, etc. That will be better than getting poked every day for the next 2-3 weeks.

I will receive a high dose of chemo called "malphalan" on Monday and Tuesday. The actual transplant will take place on Wednesday sometime.  And this transplant is nothing more than a transfusion of my own stem cells that were harvested about a month ago. I must admit that the whole procedure has me on edge, simply because complications such as infections or the like could set in while my white blood counts are non existent. That's the LAST thing I need is to catch a cold or get sick when my immune system is so compromised.

But barring any incidents such as that, things should go smoothly. I have plenty of books to read, I have investment periodicals to pore over and absorb, and I am sure I'll have plenty of emails from work to answer. Despite being in the hospital for 2-3 weeks straight, it should be anything but boring.

Thanks again for your ongoing prayers and support as we continue this battle. There is uncertainty we face each day, especially for me right now, but faith and prayers are the cornerstone helping me through that uncertainty.   

Visitors are always welcome, so if you find yourself downtown, feel free to drop in. I will be on the 6th floor of University Hospital.

TGIF...that means Chemo Drip Round 3 is Complete

I am just about an hour away from the last few drips of this chemo cocktail entering my bloodstream. It's been a relatively subdued week, with minimal side effects short of some swelling in my legs and ankles, which was caused by a little water retention. Nothing that a 20 mg shot of Lasix couldn't handle. Lasix forces you to remain in close proximity to your bathroom, unless you prefer a catheter . . . which I sure as heck don't want. Ha! Thanks Dr. Kute!

This now completes another full 5-day hospital stay, my third since May 4th. In that time, I have been surrounded by and treated by the absolute best health care professionals I could ever hope for. The doctors, nurses, aides and staff are so incredibly helpful, informative, nurturing, and empathetic. Plus, they all seem to share the same positive and upbeat attitude that I have . . . maybe that's why we all get along so well. This week, my nurses Megan and Angela, and Rachel have coordinated day shift, while Mark and Kim anchored the night shift. Absolutely consummate professionals, each one of them! And the aides who take my vitals like Meghan and Paige demonstrate the energy and commitment they have as they pursue their nursing degree and gain great practical hands on experience.

I have been so incredibly lucky and blessed thus far with minimal side effects from each treatment. Plus, to be surrounded by such caring professionals as the ones I've come across has made my experience so far a tolerable one, considering the disease I'm fighting. These professionals are making a true difference in my life, and for each of them, I am truly thankful.

Thanks to everyone who continue their ongoing prayers and support on my behalf. God is in charge of this operation, and His plan is my plan. My prayer each day is to continue to grow and strengthen in my walk with Him. And selfishly, I ask for lots more time so that I can be an inspiration and testimony to others so that they too can experience His grace and glory.

How did you spend your summer vacation?

Don't you just love last minute vacations? With the upcoming chemo regimen as well as the pending stem cell transplant, I asked my doctors if they would be ok if I got away for a few days of rest, reflection, socialization with friends as well as a little solitude. I thought they'd poo poo the idea, but to my surprise, they said, "Great idea. When?" So, after redeeming a few rewards miles, 3 days later I'm on a plane to Pawleys Island.

Sorry for the time between blog posts, but frankly I've  felt so good the last two weeks that there wasn't a whole lot to report in the first place. Hence, the desire to scamper out of town and enjoy a change of scenery.

A gorgeous sunset after dinner at K Rae's.

Early morning kayak trip through the tidal creeks and marshes of Pawleys Island.

On the tennis court for the first time since March. I played like it too.

This week though, I am back in the hospital for a 5-day stay, and the chemo is dripping again. This will be the exact regimen as the 2 previous rounds of chemo. That is a 4-day, continuous 24-hour drip of various amounts of cisplatin, etoposide, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide. Complicated formula, but it is working, and both Dr. Zhong and Dr. Tse are happy and satisfied with progress to date. The week before vacation, we completed the stem cell harvest, so that was a success, garnering 14 million stem cells over a two-day period. Dr. Tse was looking for 10 million, so we over-delivered on that expectation . . . a good result.

All in all, it's been a hectic couple weeks. But the real test is the chemo this week as well as the actual stem cell transplant in early August. I keep praying that things go just as well in the forthcoming weeks as they have in the past couple months. Thanks so very much for your ongoing prayers and support. I feel them working and the power of God's grace and goodness is on full display.

It's harvest time!! UPDATE

This is the week we've pointed to for some time. And talk about a structured regimen. Here's what the week looks like from a schedule standpoint:

7:30 am - Arrive at Brown Cancer center; vitals measured

8:00am - Lab work

8:15am - Injection of growth stimulating factor (GSF), which is Neupogen 

8:30 am - Vitals measured again to be sure no negative reaction to the GSF injection

9:00 am - Stem cell harvest begins. The technical and medical name for this is known as Apherisis. This collection process basically goes all day, as in 9am - 4pm . . . kind of like a full time job, except you don't get paid . . . rather, we pay them. That's not a bad setup, huh?

So today is Day 1 of this regimen, and as of 11am, I am actually still waiting for lab work to return. Once it does and once the doctor has determined there are sufficient cells to harvest, they will take me down to the Vascular area of the Cancer center to insert a port, referred to as a "Shiley." That port will serve as the access point to remove and harvest the stem cells as well as the entry point when the blood is returned to my body. Think of this harvesting procedure similar to what a dialysis patient goes through.

And if all goes well, by Friday afternoon, we should have enough stem cells to do TWO possible autologous transplants. That's the objective here this week.   

So a lot of hurry up and wait so far. Thank goodness Wimbledon is going on right now . . . that's a very pleasant distraction from all these tubes, needles, and machines.   

Day 1 - Monday

Wouldn't you know it? Injections of the GSF the last 3 days have had no material impact on the quantity of stem cells available for harvest. Using the multiplier formula that the docs and nurses use, shows a final number of 2.85%. As Dr. Tse and Dr. Chao said, "We could hook you up, but it would probably be a waste of time and money." So Monday turned out to be more of a "failure to launch." At 6pm, I received an injection of mozubil, which is designed to mobilize and increase the stem cell harvest process. Today is now officially in the books.

Day 2- Tuesday

Arriving at 8am, I know for sure we are doing something today. By 9am, I am down in the lower level of the Brown Cancer Center, receiving this port, called a Shiley. A fun, little 20 minute procedure where a central line catheter is inserted at the base of my neck and will serve as the entry and exit points for the stem cells to be removed from the circulating blood and that blood returned back into my bloodstream.

This is the machine used to process and collect all the stem cells. My med tech, Helen Fields, and maybe Starship Enterprise navigator Mr. Sulu are the only ones capable of operating this rascal.

Lab work was completed and shows a WBC of 24.7, which is a good number. The med tech doing the procedure today is optimistic we will have a good day. That multiplier number that needs to be ideally above a 10, is actually standing at 29.2 so they have reason for optimism. 6  hours later, and after all the tubes have been unhooked and the sample stem cell vial tested, the doctors declare it a good day, harvesting more than 6 million stem cells, on our way to 10 million total, which would be sufficient for TWO auto transplants, just in case. A shot of mozubil at 6pm, and I am done for the day.

Day 3 - Wednesday

It's 9am, and blood work is already back. My WBC is now an astronomical 45.2. I have never had a WBC that high, so doctors again are encouraged that we will have a successful harvest again today. Amazing what the power of a couple of injections of mozubil will do. 

This is not a painful, nor uncomfortable procedure at all . . . just boring. The machine hums along pumping blood from the central line, where it's centrifuged and separated and the stem cells harvested. Then the blood is returned back to my circulating bloodstream.   At 2:30pm, the machine is unhooked and the tubes removed from these ports in my neck.    By 4pm, the results are back . . . an astonishing 8 million stem cells have been collected on this day, bringing the two day total to 14 million stem cells, far exceeding the 10 million the doctors had hoped for.   

So the harvest is now complete. No more mozubil, neupogen, or uncomfortable central line ports . . . at least for now.  

Dr. Tse and Dr. Chao are extremely pleased and confident. Not everybody has a good response to a collection procedure like this, so I am thankful for a great and encouraging outcome. Two days being hooked up to that device and we collected 40% more than expected.  I am elated, but frankly, we all know there is a higher power at work here. Thank you, Lord, for Your grace, care, and unconditional love as you continue your daily walk with me and give me the encouragement I need to beat this disease and be a testimony to your power and glory.

What a week . . . oh yeah, and a few doctors visits too

You'll pardon my delay in updating this blog if for no other reason that Saturday evening, June 27 my youngest child, Ashley, was married.   She may be young in years (23), but such a warm personality, loving heart for those around her, and a Christian spirit you don't see too often in the youth of today.   Granted, Dad is not being too objective here, but hey, who is when their baby girl gets married?  

Here's a photo from immediately after the ceremony.

So its been a somewhat hectic week.  

Tuesday the 23rd, I had tests galore down at U of L as well as meeting with Dr. Tse in preparation for a stem cell harvest. By all counts, all the results of those tests were positive and it appears we will proceed with the actual harvesting procedure on Monday, July 6th.

I met with Dr. Zhong on June 26 for our biweekly consult. He's satisfied with the response to the chemotherapy . . . so much so that he's recommending potentially a THIRD round of chemo so as to eliminate most of the cancer and leukemic cells in the bone marrow. But this third round would not begin until sometime mid July, after the stem cell harvest is totally complete. That means 5 more days in the hospital and the subsequent 7-10 days of feeling like %$#%# when I get home.

It's important that my bone marrow have the lowest possible amount of cancer cells when it's time to do the actual transplant. When all this got started, I had close to 80% of my bone marrow occupied by plasma and leukemic cells . . . now, it's less than 4% and hopefully going as close to zero as possible.

The really sad part of this whole damn thing is the fact that Dr. Zhong estimates I have had myeloma growing within me for the last 12-15 months. Nearly a year and a half!!!!    And I did NOT have one symptom that would have clued me in that something was wrong. The only thing that would have been a leading indicator was my anemia level which was at 9.5.  But the only way to find out what that level would have been would be to have done a complete blood test. And who does that anyway when you feel great, exercise regularly and otherwise have no medical issues?? Sometimes, life is simply not logical is it?

I am continuing with daily injections of Lovenox, which is a blood thinner I am on after discovering a small clot in my right forearm . . . but that seems to be working as the tenderness of that area has dissipated, and I don't feel any abnormalities or pain there any longer.  

These last couple weeks and the week ahead I must admit I have felt pretty good . . . no fever, good appetite, walking every day for exercise, and working from home to boot. I even made it out on the river last weekend for a little sun and relaxation.

But the real work lies just ahead as I get ready for this stem cell harvest and the ultimate transplant that will hopefully lead to a period of remission from this treatable, but not curable disease known as multiple myeloma.   

I'd give anything to be at the All England Club this week, enjoying my favorite tournament of any sport whatsoever . . . Wimbledon. But I will have to resign myself to watching the action on TV and remembering the beauty of that place that I had the privilege of seeing in person back in 2010. If you ever get the chance to go, by all means, don't pass it up. It truly is special.

Thank you, as always, for your continued thoughts, emails, cards, phone calls, and prayers on my behalf. Trust me, they are uplifting and powerful and much appreciated.  

Injections, Transfusion, and Biopsy, Oh My!

This is going to be a crazy week.   

Sure enough, as everyone expected, my white counts dropped to an absurd .4 on Friday morning. That led to a weekend of seclusion at the house, away from visitors and well-wishers and crowds, so that I would not risk getting sick or catching a fever.    That happened last month about this time and put me back in the hospital for a quaint 5-day stay.  

But this morning at CBC, lab work showed my white count was back up to a level of 2.62 which is still low, but on the upswing based on supporting data from other hematology results.

I received my Neupogen injection this morning as well, plus an injection of Velcade, the cancer drug that Dr. Zhong administers 4 times a month. And take a look at this needle . . . not your everyday conventional one, is it?
  

Looks more like a rocket with some kind of booster engine on it. But Diane is pretty good at injecting that with a minimum of discomfort or burning sensation.

As for this week's activity, it's going to be hectic.
  

Tuesday at 10 am is a nice, comfy needle biopsy of my bone marrow. Dr. Tse will perform this down at the U of L Graham Brown Cancer Center. The purpose of this test will be to determine if I need a 3rd round of chemo, or if its okay to begin a stem cell harvest program. I'm hoping that most, if not all, of these plasma cells have been killed off.   But I am also realistic enough to know that the percentage of plasma cells originally in the bone marrow was quite high in the beginning and needs to be practically "negligible" for the transplant to be successful. Results should be back by late Tuesday or Wednesday.

After that fun little procedure, I immediately head back to Baptist for a transfusion of platelets. Oh yeah, my platelet count this morning was a 15, which is super low. The slightest little cut or scrape and I could bleed like a stuck pig. Platelets help the blood clot, so its important I get the number back to normal, which for me is in the 150 -200 range.

Wednesday is more lab work, including a Neupogen injection if necessary. Hopefully, my white counts will have recovered enough by then that an injection won't be necessary. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thursday, believe it or not, I have NOTHING scheduled . . . not even lab work. Maybe I can arrange to make that 11 am tee time after all . . . HA . . . I wish!!

And Friday, it's back to CBC for follow-up lab work and another injection. 

So, just another dull, humdrum week of tests, and needles, and transfusions. How's your week going?



It's Roller Coaster week for my blood counts . . .

It's Tuesday, June 9, and it was one month ago when my white blood counts went crazy low and they told me wherever I went I needed a mask unless I was at home by myself. Of course, anticipating a repeat of that topsy turvy week, I showed up at CBC this morning all masked up, just knowing that my count would be lower than yesterday's 2.47 reading.  The last thing I need is another 5-day stay in the hospital on antibiotics. So, you can imagine my surprise when the numbers came back and showed my WBC to be at 7.42. Goodbye mask!!!

I'd rather have a jolt of espresso or a latte, but in a pinch, a smiley face Coke will certainly work.

I could never do needles . . . in fact, I have no stomach for this nonsense. But, considering a small clot formed in my right forearm during chemo round 1, this little shot of Lovenox is a daily reminder of the side effects that can show up unannounced. This is a SELF-injection too, in my belly. Somedays, I feel like a pin cushion I get stuck so much. 

Ahh, the best part of my day . . . lunch . . . my laptop which is logged onto my office workstation, and a little TV noise in the background. Friends ask everyday how my appetite is . . . well, you're looking at Exhibit A right there on my desk. Ha.

My kitchen countertop is overflowing with get well cards, well wishers, hand written notes and CANDY!! Thank you Nancy, Grace, Lynda and John!! 

 

And friends and clients have brought by cookies, my favorite cinnamon candy, muffins,

quiche (thanks Brad and Karen), and lots of other delicious food.   

I am not going to die from starvation, that's for sure.

This is MY own recommended chemo drip. Dr. Z says don't go crazy with the alcohol, so of course, I am trying to be a good boy. None whatsoever during chemo week, but now that I am strictly on a oral chemo pill, a little Woodford over some ice is acceptable. Besides, Dr. Z is still on vacation in China . . . he'll never see this blog. LOL

Tuesday during the summer is normally Interclub Tennis night, but for me, tonight was just taking a short stroll around the block. I must be a major weenie because that wore me out . . . time to take charge and get on some kind of exercise regimen. And with my daughter's wedding less than 3 weeks out, I need to be conditioned for that big walk down the aisle. :)

Most of all, THANK YOU to everyone who continues to pray for me and offer their assistance in whatever I may need. I so appreciate the unconditional support, prayers, visits, thoughts, and help. We're gonna beat this dang cancer thing, you watch and see!!!!  

God is not done with me yet!!

2 down, and 2 to go

Wednesday and Thursday are pretty uneventful, short of the wonderful friends and family who have stopped by in a steady stream to say hello and extend their best wishes. Having that kind of support and fellowship is PRICELESS throughout this whole ordeal. I am humbled yet so appreciative of everyone's phone calls, emails, and cards expressing their love and support. THANK YOU!! 

Kathy gowns up to administer bag 2 of 4. She looks so serious doesn't she?

And if the chemo doesn't work, there's always this direct laser technology she could use.  These bar code scanners have to be good for something other than inventory control, right?? lol.

Untethered between chemo bag 2 and 3...time for a quick shower and 10 minutes of sunshine outside.

Fellow tennis team member and international traveler, Tomas Aguilera, stopping in for a visit.



Let the fun begin...

Tuesday, June 2 is the actual start date for my chemo drip. Each bag takes a full 24 hours to slowly drip into my veins via the PICC line they installed just yesterday. That was another fun procedure too!

So these drugs are what comprises the chemo drip I am getting. I can't pronounce half of them, but I can say that when used in tandem with the other, this stuff seems to work, despite all the crummy side effects.

And of course, it's sensitive to light, so they put this nice little colored bag to protect the integrity of the chemo . . . at least that's what they told me. Ha.



Round 2 of Chemo begins bright and early...

Monday, June 1 started early with a 7:30 am meeting with doctors at CBC Group. A little blood work followed by a doctor consult and I am outta there by 8:45 . . . across the street I go to check into my room for the upcoming week . . . and lo and behold, see this nice little note written on the white board they keep in each room.

And so I am not even in the room for 5 minutes when the welcome wagon is rolled in and the lab tech says, "Roll up your sleeve, Mr. Bowman."

The hydration and IV fluids are set to begin on Monday. This blood work is just part of the process. Such fun!!!

The calm before the storm...

It is Friday night, and I am hitting some golf balls on the range here at Lake Forest and enjoying a beer with one of my golf buddies. Feels good to be out and about because come Monday, June 1, the second round of chemo will begin and I will be in the hospital for 7 days or so...yuck. But it's hard to beat this weather tonight.

 I didn't even come close to hitting into that water in the background!!

Thursday, May 28th, I met with Dr. William Tse at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center for a monthly follow-up and to discuss additional options going forward. Dr. Tse is very satisfied with how I tolerated the chemo this month and is pleased that there no longer were plasma cells seen circulating in my peripheral blood . . . "a good sign" is what he said. Yeah, I'll second that!!!

But there is still a long road ahead as we have to get rid of all the leukemic cells in the bone marrow before we can harvest stem cells for the anticipated stem cell transplant later this summer. And speaking of summer, there's nothing better than an hour on the river at dusk.

Sunset over the Ohio River, and the water was SOOO calm tonight.

How Low Can it Go?

Friday, May 15, I went to the CBC group to get my daily injection of Neupogen plus a side of Valcade (chemo drug), and to have blood drawn. The day before, they told me my white blood cell count couldn't get much lower -- it was 0.04. However, I've never been an underachiever, so I met their challenge, and on Friday, the WBC count was 0.01. I had 10 white blood cells in my body. They warned me to stay away from crowds and anyone who had the slightest inkling that they were sick.

My temperature at the doctor's office that morning was 99.8 -- the first time it had been over 98. It steadily rose as the day went on, and at 7:00 pm it was 100.1. At 8:00 it was 101.4. As instructed, I called the doc on call that night. And as expected, he told me to go directly to the emergency room. I was checked into Baptist Hospital again on Friday night, around midnight, where I've been ever since. 

The white blood count is on the rise, and my temperature has returned to normal. I'm thinking positive here that I should be home in the next 48 hours. It's Memorial weekend, so I will be ready for some sun and fun!!

I'll Take White Blood Cells for a Thousand, Alex

I haven't posted an update in a few days because things have been pretty quiet. However, today, during a routine blood test, it was discovered that my white blood cell count is .04 -- almost zilch. So I'm voluntarily under house arrest to lower the risk of being exposed to someone who's sick.

I go in daily for an injection of Neupogen, which is supposed to stimulate my bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. I also got one chemo shot Tuesday and will get one tomorrow, and I'm taking a chemo pill every day. So far, I'm feeling pretty good. A little tired and puny, but no nausea or vomiting like they predicted. It's a little tough to go from moving at 100 mph to 10-15, but I know it's necessary.

 Waiting for the pharmacy to finish concocting the Velcade that I will take as an injection in my tummy. I'd like to say that's a Bloody Mary I am drinking, but ginger ale is probably more like it!!

Still waiting . . . you know, there's a lot of old and sick people that come through this area . . . I don't need to catch anything, not with my white count so low now.

She's so covert, trying to hide that needle from my view.

Tell Mr. Allen I want him to buy 500 shares each of Procter & Gamble, Exxon, and Walmart.

I so hate needles.

These silly daytime TV shows could put anybody to sleep.

Firing off an email to a client, this is my comfort zone and elixir. I LOVE what I do and I am blessed to have earned their confidence and trust for the past 29 years.

Mother's Day

Being able to go home after 5 1/2 days in the hospital was a bonus vs. the 7 to 10 days they predicted. Feeling fatigued and kind of puny today, but that was to be expected. Keith and Cyndy had everyone over for a Mother's Day cookout, and I got to spend some time with Mom. Monday I report back to the CBC office for blood work and a daily injection of Neupogen, which will boost my white blood count and help fight off infection.

I came home to the tree in my backyard in full bloom and the soothing sounds of the waterfall in my pond and the frogs singing. It's good to be home.

GOING HOME!

I finished bag number 4 at 12:30 pm, and at 2:30 the doctor was satisfied enough with my progress that he's sending me home today. Time to pack the bags.

Just like Maxwell House, good to the last drop. Chemo bag 4 of 4 is down to the last few drops.

Nurse Marcia removes the chemo line. No longer tethered to a pole.



Goodbye, PICC line.

My daughter Christina and her husband Jon stopped by this morning.



And my brother Bruce was here for the good news.

Bags are packed . . .

 . . . Now I'm just waiting for the discharge papers to be done. Then...freedom, baby!

Four of Four

Thursday was a busy and tiring day, with friends dropping by and nurses taking vitals for what seemed like every 15 minutes.  Ha.  So I thought I would just consolidate Thursday and Friday's developments into one update here, along with a few new photos. The doctor is pleased with my progress so far. I've been able to escape each day for a 10-minute sit on the outdoor patio. And with this nice weather this week, it's been nice to sit in the sun. I'm walking the floor several times a day talking with the nurses and aides and trying to stay out of trouble. Overall, I am feeling pretty good, just a little tired, but the doctors said that was to be expected anyway.  

I've tried to get pictures of my visitors and include them in these updates, but sometimes they get away before we get a chance to snap a photo. I appreciate all my friends and visitors who have stopped in. Most of all, THANK YOU for your continued thoughts and prayers. They are invaluable and much appreciated!!

Melanie Wood, stopping by to make sure I'm still listening to my Spanish music and memorizing it for the Cuban National Choir program on July 1!!!

Fraternity brother Jack Martin, no doubt wondering if I was going to share my pumpkin pie that they brought for lunchtime dessert.

Holding court. Too bad it's not the tennis court.

Another in a long line of investment advisor friends who've brightened my day . . . Shaun Chelf of Hilliard Lyons. A great friend and fierce competitor.

Michael, a very competent and friendly aide here on the 3rd floor is from Cuba. He will help me with some of these tough Spanish translations and dialect for our Cuban National Choir program at Southeast Christian on July 1. He and his wife are bringing their children to the concert and are excited to be going. 

Friday

It's Friday May 8, and I'm just chilling on the blanket Christina and Ashley made for me.

The nice flowers were sent by my mom . . . Thank you, Mom!!
And my favorite hat from my favorite South Carolina tennis facility, The Litchfield Racquet Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

Nurse Julie starts the fourth bag of chemo cocktail. Just 24 more hours of being tethered, and then freedom, baby!

Tennis buddy and St. Louis Cardinal fan extraordinaire, Ed Farmer.