Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Day +19

Doing pretty well. I've been home a week and just been laying around. Went to the office for about 1/2 hour and that was a bit much. Picked the kids up from school one day, drove home and that was a bit much. So, after SCT they tell you that you won't feel like doing much for the next 30 days, I'm starting to believe them.

Went to my local Oncologist today and all my blood levels were normal. He was surprised. He was happy with how I was doing. Cleveland has me going in every week for a CBC and I will have to drive back to Cleveland in 30 days for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Dean and I think a Pulmonary function test, to check out my lungs.

Here at home everything seems to be on the mend with the cat situation. Katie is still mad and not talking to Mom but it will take her some time. I rocked McKenna to sleep in my arms for about an hour. She is crawling and has gained 5 pounds since I last saw her. While holding her I was thinking about my own kids how I just loved to rock them to sleep and it just brought tears to my eyes to see my baby Oliver now 15. Kids are doing great. Katie and Oliver are on Spring Break and they just wanted to spend some extra time here with me. They have been helping out a lot. Oliver passed his driver's Ed. test and he is dying for me to get him out on the road to see how good of a driver he is. Maybe this weekend I told him. Katie has been like Mother Hen, making sure Dad is ok. She has been taking Oliver any place he needs to be without question. Mal seems to be doing fine, working hard. Mom has taken some time off from work to take care of all my needs and I'm glad she has. Nice to have someone to wait on you.

So, over all I'm doing well. Will update when I get some new news.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Home again, Home again



Yesterday morning they woke me up to tell me my WBC was 9600 and I was good to get my catheter and infusion port out. Waited, waited and waited but they finally got started around 10:30. The port took about an hour and half to get out, all under local and the catheter took about 45 mins. By the time I got back to my room I had missed my ride. My friend Eric had to pick me up by noon in order to get back in time for work. SO, Keith and Cathy after a hard day at work drive up around 7:00 and picked me up. It was so emotional for me to just get out of that place Knowing I was done!

I know for sure that Christ was with me throughout this entire process. Even to the point I was getting in Keith's car. It was like He was telling me "All is well" So comforting. We got back to Keith's and it was good to see the kids. Didn't stay up too late as we were heading out around 9:00 am.

That evening prior to bed I found out that my Mother put my cat of some 13 years to sleep. Why she couldn't wait for me and allowed me to no this is beyond me. She took the cat why the kids were in school and they nor I got to say our goodbyes. It was really sad and hard to get to sleep. It's not like he was going to die in the next month but he was going down hill. I would have done things differently for the sake of the kids. We are planning a little memorial service for him and put up a stone with his name on it. Sorry Boomer, you will be missed.

Got up this morning and took off to meet my sister and Mom halfway. The ride home was pretty uneventful except for my sore bottom. So, getting comfortable was a challenge. Pulled in the drive about 3:00 and it was NICE to be home. The kids came over around 3:45 and we all hugged and sobbed like babies. I missed the kids so much. I was so homesick, it was making me sick.

Tired, tired, tired. I had to take a nap to recover from the 6 hour drive. Got a little sick at my stomach searching for WATER that had a good taste to it. Could not eat much but Mom fixed me some noodles and butter. Kids have been great all night really helping me out as I still very weak and will be for sometime.

Anyway, I'm home, in my own bed, surrounded by love and it all feels great. I want to thank all that have been praying for me as I have felt all the comforting prayers. I have to go to my local cancer center tomorrow for some blood work. Other than that, I will try to post with any new news. Alan

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Day 10 Going Home tomorrow

HGB 9.8
WBC 7800 up 6500 WOW!
PLT 58K

The nurses and doctors were all impressed with the jump I had in my WBC. They said I was good to go on Monday! I need a ride. If not, Tuesday will be just fine it's just another day I have to spend in here.

Doing well today. They have been taking me off the IV meds and giving me pills. So far, so good.

Breakfast was grits...YUCK never liked grits. So, I hoping for something good for lunch. I need some food on my stomach so I handle the pills before me.

Overall, I feel good about getting out of here. I don't think I'm going to miss this place at all...
Port and catheter is due to come out tomorrow. Discharge after that.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Day 9

HGB 9.5
WBC 1160 up 1000
PLT 65

Feeling a bit tired today but seem to be doing much better. I'm able to keep fluids down with very little pain. They are working me towards pills and not IV's and they do think Tuesday is the day. Met with the nutritionist today and she said it will be slow go for a while with foods until my intestinal track calms down a bit. Keith, my brother, The MAN is going to take they day off on Tuesday and the game plan is when I'm discharged to call my sister and Mom to start heading north. He will drive 3 hours and they will drive 3 hours to meet me. So, I should be home Tuesday afternoon~YAHOO! It's going to take me a couple of weeks to get back on my feet. This has taken a lot out of me. My one fat roll on my stomach is all but gone and when I slip my pants on, they fall off. I feel good about the weight loss, I just don't want to lose too much. Chaplin came in today and prayed with me. She could understand my emotional (Homesick) status but we prayed it up to God and all is good!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Day 8 Doing pretty good

HGB 9.5
WBC 160 up 80
PLT 21

My throat has been sore the biggest part of the day but currently it is like I can SWALLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pain is not there and I want to keep it that way. They said try no food just water for the next couple of days. They are also suspecting my WBC to take a big jump like possible 500. Once I get to 1,000 that should be the magic number for all the gastro intestinal pains and problems to go away. I won't be on a normal diet for several weeks to come they say and healing should occur PLUS I would be able to get out of here.
They are acting like the 20th! I will have my infusion port and Hickman catheter removed that morning of discharge. They will send me home with antibiotics for a couple of weeks to get rid of any lingering staph (I think came from the Hickman).

My weight is 247 and I suspect it will drop even more until I can get back to OUTBACK! For a juicy STEAK!

I'm going to lay down and take it easy. FELLING 70% better this evening!!!!

Day 8 Doing pretty good

HGB 9.5
WBC 160 up 80
PLT 21

My throat has been sore the biggest part of the day but currently it is like I can SWALLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pain is not there and I want to keep it that way. They said try no food just water for the next couple of days. They are also suspecting my WBC to take a big jump like possible 500. Once I get to 1,000 that should be the magic number for all the gastro intestinal pains and problems to go away. I won't be on a normal diet for several weeks to come they say and healing should occur PLUS I would be able to get out of here.
They are acting like the 20th! I will have my infusion port and Hickman catheter removed that morning of discharge. They will send me home with antibiotics for a couple of weeks to get rid of any lingering staph (I think came from the Hickman).

My weight is 247 and I suspect it will drop even more until I can get back to OUTBACK! For a juicy STEAK!

I'm going to lay down and take it easy. FELLING 70% better this evening!!!!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Day 7

Doing pretty good. My blood infection is showing staph which can be treated by pill antibiotics. So, at this point they want to leave things along unless I spike a temp. Still not had anything to eat and my throat is still sore. I have been able to talk and get some water down without it burning. Rectum and surrounding areas are raw which make it difficult to walk, sit and sleep (Get comfortable) I mean.

MB, the Oaks sounds like fun. I hope I will be up to the event.

My counts are going up slowly:

HGB 9.8
WBC 80
PLT 31 K

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Day 6

HGB 9.8
WBC 50
PLT 16K

They came in early today and told me that they are hoping for the "final" culture results or at least the second culture they took in hopes that it is showing "no growth." Still may need to take the catheters out soon but not today. Once they know what is growing and what antibiotic will cover it, they will decide what I need. Most likely will know more tomorrow. I didn't get much sleep last night, I think I was laying in bed trying to figure out what side of my neck I wanted this new catheter. Anyway, I gave up on that after about 1/2 hour. They continuously came in and out last night adding more and more drugs, fluids...so now I'm on another round of Lasix. I've picked up almost 4 pounds in fluids so it was time they say.

Still not eating, can't swallow. My throat is raw. REALLY, it is my entire esophageal track down to my stomach. My stomach doesn't seem to hurt and my colon seems fine (no food) that is a good thing. My rectum is very sore and that made it hard to sleep last night as well. I did get to sleep this morning. OVERALL: I feel better, like I have worked a 'bug' out of my system with all the antibiotics they give my I hope my cultures come negative! Either way, it will be ok.

The blood values should be going back up(they said slowly) over the next few days.

I've got to thank my sister for being my leas ion between work (Katie in the office) and getting things scheduled with my new tech (J. Michael). She is going to make sure that info doesn't get lost. Katie is a teenager and I've tried so hard not to over pressure her but I like she has to be pushed to understand the magnitude of this business I'm trying to run. I know J. Michael understands as I talked to him last night and with what I'm paying him, he could make that kind of money any were else. So, that made me feel good to hear that and hopefully he will further his career in x-ray to be a multi-phase technician.
I got yesterdays blood counts which were the lowest yet.

HGB 8.3
WBC 20
PLT 11K

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Day 5 A lot going on

I don't have my lab values as of yet but they tell me it is the lowest.

Today is the day that my counts should start going back up!
They tell me there is an infection in my blood in which they think the SOURCE is the Hickman catheter or my PORT so both has to come out tomorrow or the next day. They try to tell you that you are just ahead of the game but it really feels like I took a step back. Once they take care of the source, hopefully they can get rid of the blood infection and cover it with the right antibiotic.

I got two units of blood and a bag of platelets along with a bunch of other stuff. My throat is felling a bit better, but it is still raw.

Not to happy but I have to really look at this as a step ahead of the game! It's hard but if I look at it that way, things look better. I was going to have to have the Hickman and the Port removed on the day of my discharge anyway.

MB. I've been thinking about you and the kids a lot. Please tell them I said hi! Hope all is well with you. Don't work so hard!

Mark, got your voice mail and all I can say is you are a dear friend to be concerned. Love ya brother! I'll be home soon enough.

Anna Mae and Bertha, the cards keep putting smiles on my face. Thanks!

Virgil and Roberta---What was the eye surgery for? Hope that is all better!!!!

Keith and Cathy, you know I love you guys. Thanks again for everything.

Barbara--I got your card today and it was the same card my cousin Barb sent me so it made me laugh even more. Thanks Sweetie!

HeatherZ. thanks for your kind words as well. Trust all is better with you.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Day 4 Temp/can't swallow

HGB 9.7
WBC 30
PLT 35
Temp 101 or so.

You don't want a temp in this place! They have stuck me and drawn more blood than they deserve. I'm not feeling to well. Hard time speaking and can't swallow nothing. The took me downstairs for a chest x-ray and they tried accessing my port (not the Hickman) and can't get any blood return. They are getting cultures on all the blood and urine. I really tried and all this needs to go away real soon. I think tomorrow the start giving me Neupogem in hopes that my white count will go back up. I'm going to lay back down,

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Day 3

HGB 9.5
WBC 60
PLT 55

Short entry: Feeling real crappy. Sleeping all day because of the meds. Throat on a scale of 1-10 it hurts like a 4. Can't swallow. Popsicles help and is all that I've had to eat. About 5 mins. about my temp. was elevated but not past the magic mark. Once it does go they will send me downstairs for a Chest x-ray and get some blood cultures. I will try to let you know how things go tomorrow.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Day 2 Sleeping all day long

HGB 10.1
WBC 320
PLT 79K

Labs keep going down. My throat is like raw meat. They are giving me meds to make me rest and hopefully sleep. I don't even recall them coming in to get BP checks or anything. It's like I'm really out of it. They said tomorrow will be more of the same. They don't want me to do much. How can I with all the drugs they give you! I think I recall IT was 6:00 a.m. and I woke up at 1:00 p.m. I fell back to sleep at 2:00 and I awake at 6:00 and thought I better type something into my blog. They tell me it is most likely my blood counts will bottom out tomorrow. I feel like I have a bit of a cold working on but the throat is over seeing that for now. Developed a rash around my groin and the medication they give you helps that out just fine. I think since I have started up here with my outpatient stuff I've now lost a total of around 30lbs.

I sure I could lose another 30 and feel almost normal again. It has made it so hard (Steroids) that it makes you want to eat, eat and eat more! I've not had any real food for sometime and it doesn't look like I'll be able to eat for a week or more. They told me Day 5 I start getting Neupogen again to help increase my WBC...just when you thought you was done with bone pain, your not! Heading back to bead. Will try to post tomorrow.

Day 2 Sleeping all day long

HGB 10.1
WBC 320
PLT 79K

Labs keep going down. My throat is like raw meat. They are giving me meds to make me rest and hopefully sleep. I don't even recall them coming in to get BP checks or anything. It's like I'm really out of it. They said tomorrow will be more of the same. They don't want me to do much. How can I with all the drugs they give you! I think I recall IT was 6:00 a.m. and I woke up at 1:00 p.m. I fell back to sleep at 2:00 and I awake at 6:00 and thought I better type something into my blog. They tell me it is most likely my blood counts will bottom out tomorrow. I feel like I have a bit of a cold working on but the throat is over seeing that for now. Developed a rash around my groin and the medication they give you helps that out just fine. I think since I have started up here with my outpatient stuff I've now lost a total of around 30lbs.

I sure I could lose another 30 and feel almost normal again. It has made it so hard (Steroids) that it makes you want to eat, eat and eat more! I've not had any real food for sometime and it doesn't look like I'll be able to eat for a week or more. They told me Day 5 I start getting Neupogen again to help increase my WBC...just when you thought you was done with bone pain, your not! Heading back to bead. Will try to post tomorrow.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Day 1

HGB 10.1
WBC 1320
PLT 120K
I slept well last night. Got some new medicine that is part of the protocol treatment. Something anti fungal. It was by IV. They started me on Ragland and Pepcid for anti-nausea. They keep telling me I stink from the stem cells. I cannot smell it but everyone that comes into the room will sure tell you.

My throat is starting to bother me. I attempted to eat a soft banana but it got hung up and I threw it up with about a 1/2 cup of blood. So, I just on a liquid diet for now. It feels like it is swollen and there is a knot in my throat. I hope it gets better tomorrow.

Pretty uneventful day overall.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Day -0- Happy Birthday to me.

HCB 9.8
WBC 2760
PLT 171K

I hate birthdays! I just celebrated one so why would I want to celebrate another one? I do understand the significance of this birthday but I really don't care. I just want to put all this in the past and pretend it had been a bad dream but I know reality will never allow me to ever escape this once diagnosed.

The nurses came in the room today and drew pictures of balloons, something that I guess looks like a stem cell?? and wrote Happy Birthday...stem cells do what your supposed to do! It was nice but I was not in to it.

The cells came to the room (like a bag of blood) and was pretty uneventful. The initial taste was like spaghetti O's. The smell was more like rotten eggs to me. It didn't last long so it wasn't that bad. I started to get chilled so I covered up and fell asleep. Woke up feeling pretty good. My throat is not as sore but it still hurts a bit. Overall, I feel pretty good.

I will try to update tomorrow. Nites! Alan

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Day -1 Day of rest

HGB 9.6
WBC 2640
PLT 224

Doing pretty good. I have been resting a lot. They gave me lasix last night so that means very little sleep. Up and down all night long. The fluids are now running in slow since I'm done with the chemo. Tomorrow I get my stem cells put back into my system and they tell me for the most part this is uneventful. I starting to get a sore throat and I hoping it doesn't get out-of-control. Still doing the mouth care thing. The doctors and nurses all seem to be real happy with where I'm at in treatment. They see so much I just hope they are not saying that. I went to a Post Transplant Preparation meeting talking about do's and don'ts post discharge. It was interesting. Everything is good back home with the kids. Katie got a $100 cell phone bill from where we were going over things from my office (which I thought she was calling from the office phone) oh, well, I guess I will have to pay for that one. Oliver is in driver's Ed. My baby...he is as tall as me! Mallory is still having car trouble and they are telling her it's her transmission. I don't doubt it the way she drives. I will let you know how things go tomorrow. Keith is on his way up to visit and bring me some laundry. What a good boy he is! Thanks to Cathy for doing the wash! (I got some more for ya). Love you guys! Alan

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Day -2 My last day of Chemo-FOREVER!!! I pray.

HGB 9.9
WBC 3870
PLT 241K

Cytoxan is running in and I pray to God that I never have to have any more chemo or anything else major with this cancer. My continued prayers is for God to eradicate this cancer from my body and I have put all my faith in Him that he will.

My projected discharge date is March 20 so I'm starting to look a head but they keep telling me to just take one day at a time, which is right. There are still a lot of uncertainties that can still occur with my health. So far, everyone seems to be happy with as well as I'm doing. I know a couple of my SCT friends down the hall are having some rough days. The Cytoxan has been running in for an hour and I've not gotten sick yet so I think that is a good sign. I've been without food for several days and I think that has helped a lot. One more hour and that bag will be finished. It is like I want to celebrate with a beer.

Anyway, I'm better spirits today since I'm not throwing up so much and I got a good nights sleep. I may update again later on tonight if not tomorrow. Thanks again for all the cards and comments. Everyone of them puts a smile on my face.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Day -3

HCB 10.7
WBC 4700
PLT 242K

Blood counts heading down!

Well, I got rid of that nasty Etoposide and I was doing well. The started the other chemo drug at 12;00 Noon today and it has made me sick a few times. One bag and it runs for two hours. The same thing is planned for tomorrow.

Mallory tells me her car stopped running and she thinks it is the transmission. Cathy got her to drive her old (Katie's car) until they can figure out what is wrong with hers.

Mom tells me she was robbed! Thank god she was not hurt and of all places...Going into bingo. Some kid just ran up to her and tore her purse from her arms and ran. She called the police and they have pictures from the security cameras but you could really tell she was quite upset. She said she hated to tell me but I told her that I can't worry about things at home that I have to concentrate on ME and getting through all this. She understood and didn't mean to upset me, if she did. I tried to tell her that I was doing fine, trying to stay strong.

I did get to walk a few times up and down the halls but the drugs were getting me a bit light headed. Going to watch some TV and get a shower before lights out. Connor, I'm going to play # 4 on DOND. Wish us luck! Miss you guys...

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Day -4

HGB 11.9
WBC 10350
PLT 284

I was wanting those shakes to stop sooo badly that the last bag of Buslfin went in at 3;00 am. At 5:00 it had run in and 6, 7 and it was around 7;30 THE SHAKES went away and I was able to sleep. I think I slept all day long. Still doing pretty good. Got sick a couple of times but it not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Keith and Cathy stopped up to see me and wash a load of clothes for me and we talked about NYE. NYE in the Caymans?? Sounds good to me. This is something I think out 25 years of having NYE together we need to treat ourselves with. We are going to look into the expense. No kids from what I could gather due to the expense.

Anyway, I think I on bag 13 of 15 of the Etoposide. Starting my new drug tomorrow and it runs a couple of days. Thanks again for all the sweet comments!
Alan

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Day -5 "The Shakes"

HGB 117
WBC 1O830
PLT 288

Night of the shakes! I was getting scared that something wasn't right. I was shaking so hard that they call in two other doctors to do a Neuro consult on me. These two knew their stuff and told me they had me on Dilanta for no good reasons but concluded that the Bulsfin was the culprit of my shakes. Yes, after the last bag went in the shakes went a ways and I was able to sleep for the most part of the day. I'm on clear liquids but that is coming up as well. I have been more sick with the Etoposide but I have just been trying to maintain, not throwing up all the time.

Hanging in there. will let you know more tomorrow. Heading to bead,

Friday, March 02, 2007

Day-6

CURRENT
HGB 11.4
WBC 8740
PLT 269

Do ok today. Last evening I developed this uncontrollable twitch. It was growing in intensity so the nurse called in a doctor to make sure it wasn't some kind of seizure. He didn't think so and he thought once I get off the Buslfan, I should return to normal~without the twitching.

I threw up this morning and it was all chemical so we know that the Buslfan is working on my system. I will get two more bags, one at 9:00 p.m. and the last one at 3:00 a.m. Etoposide will be waiting for me at 7:00 a.m. As I understand the nurse I will get like 14 bags of this over 48 hours. It will run continuously. Monday will be the worse chemo drug (they say) that will be Cytoxan. That will run for 48 hours as well. After that I get one day of rest!

My appetite is slowly going away. I can't seem to hold much on my stomach. My weight was down this morning so they didn't give me any more Lasix. My labs were all good so no blood was needed. I got my bills wrote out and they are ready to be mailed out. I've been reading all my comments and I glad to see so many of them! They all make me feel so good in different ways. I got Anna Mae and Bertha's card in the mail. And Sue Ann has been updating me on church. I listed my address up here is a previous posting if you want to mail that to me. Otherwise you can call my Mom at 812-945-7642 and she could meet you somewhere. Thanks Sue Ann. That was really a surprise. I'm going to lay down and try to rest. Blessings All

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Day -7

Current
HGB 8.5
WBC 7420
PLT 250K

Chemo Normal
HGB 10.0+
WBC 3,000-11,000
PLT 150-450K

Goal for Discharge
WBC >1,000
ANC > 500 (Neutrophils)
NO FEVER

Feeling a little different today. Hard to explain but when you put your hand out in front of you and they shake, I have that a bit. My abdomen feels bloated and I've not had the energy like I had yesterday. I did get to walk on the treadmill a half mile and I may head back down there in a bit to get the other half in. They got my weight this morning and I gained three pounds which tells them I'm retaining fluids. So, I got Lasixs and you all know that makes you have to pee all the time. In addition, my HGB (Hemoglobin) was low so I got two units of blood. On top of the four bags of Chemo, Potassium, Sodium Chloride that also pumps 24/7.

Everyone here is very friendly and professional. Dr. Dean brought in the Pharmacology doctor to see what options I might have pre-medication (nausea) prior to me getting so sick that it may not work after the fact. So, they are going to try something before the new chemo that I get this Sat. They continue to say that I may be sick from the chemo-throwing up but I will be sickly after day -0- for about a week. Meaning: Lethargic, no energy, just not able to do much. They say the mouth thing is a big problem but I doing all I can to prevent mouth sores as they expect. So bad that I may be only able to have fluids.

Just finished dinner and I think I'm going to watch some TV and take it easy. My tech was scheduled for a big day of scans but the doctor rescheduled for next Thursday. This doctor is good at doing this, I just hope he doesn't do it next next Thursday.