We will be proceeding with the "super beam" high dose chemo next week followed by a stem cell transplant. Beam is just an acronym for 4 of the 9 drugs I'll be getting. We met with Barlogie yesterday and unfortunately, the bone marrow continues to be "packed" with myeloma cells. Although the IGGs have come down to around 3200 that apparently is not significant in light of the bone marrow being so full of myeloma. I've been given another week off to continue to recover and to regain some strength. I start physical therapy tomorrow and otherwise have daily labs until the chemo starts next Wednesday or Thursday. The chemo will be administered over 5 days, after which I'll be given my stem cells back and then we wait for the stem cells to produce new cells to replace the ones destroyed by the chemo. Everything will be done on an outpatient basis, although I'll spend about 5 hours a day at the hospital getting the chemo and being observed for any reactions. Catherine and Julia will be here next weekend which will be a big lift for me as well as Susan. I do wish it felt like we had made some progress over the past 2 months. The most I can say is we've held it at bay, but now it's time to start slicing it up. Not much going on for the next week, so I likely won't be posting much until the chemo begins. Here's hoping you have great spring weather for the next week ---yes, even you North Dakotans who are apparently homebound due to a blizzard. Why did I ever leave that state? Oh, yeh, the weather did play a role in that decision.
Love,
Dan
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5 comments:
Love you Bro. You are in my prayers as well as all your family. Miss ya. I should be back up un Fargo to help them sandbag.Oh well---Henke and the guys can handle it.
Have a wonderful time with your lovely beautiful daughters! Love to all of you! As always you are in our prayers and positive thoughts. The Seal Family
Dear Dan,
the post you left for your anniversary is one of the most touching ones.
You say words, that I was feeling for a long time, it's only so sad, you had to get there paying such a high price.
But nothing is free in this world, and you have to go on, you have to take the next step. I want you to continue to fight all the battles infront of you, because I want to read also what you'll write the 5th, the 10th, the 15th, the 20th and the 25th anniversary.
Never stop fighting, especially not in those moments, where you ask yourself what for you do fight, because you're feeling so miserable.
Big hug and love and prayers,
Ingrid
I know you already know this, but I'm going to say it again...you have more people pulling for you than you know. We're all sending our energy your way, Dan. For all you have done for all of us, if any of us could put ourselves in your shoes we would.
Hello Dan,
I'm Jean from the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, an organization which helps patients and caregivers cope with the social and emotional challenges of transplant by providing vital information and personalized support services. We subscribe to Google blog alerts, where we found your story.
Please know that others are thinking of you and rooting for you! If you would like to learn more about our programs, please visit www.nbmtlink.org.
All the best to you!
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