Mobilization Continues

Hello dear friends,

It's been a while since I last posted.  Sorry for the delay.  I am still in the mobilization stage.  My stem cells did not cooperate.  They needed to collect 2.5 million total.  On Friday they hooked me up to the apheresis machine that withdraws blood from my CVC line and circulates it through a centrifuge, which separates out my stem cells, the stem cells are collected into a bag and the remaining blood returns back to me.  I was hooked up for 5 hours, but I was relaxing in a comfortable reclining chair and I could watch the telly, movies or read. I watched Julia Julia with Meryl Steep, one of my favorites. The rest of the time I just laid back and took in the surroundings dozing in and out.  Oh yeah, and I was even able to order food - just like room service.  Not too bad.

On Friday they only collected 1.01 million, not enough so I had to return on Saturday to try again.  Repeated the same process as the day before but unfortunately they only collected .36.  Dr. Nash did not feel it was worthwhile to try again on Sunday due to my blood count numbers being too low.  However, he had another plan he feels very confident about for collecting more stem cells.  Hmm... what's that?  "Well, you will need to come back on Thursday and we will give you 2 days of chemotherapy along with other drugs and hopefully in about 5 to 7 days my blood count numbers should be where we feel we will be able to collect more stem cells."

Chemo! I don't want that, I was prepared to get it after the stem cell collections when they have to tear down my immune system, but now?  And not to mention this will add another 3 weeks before I can start the actual treatment.  More time away from home.  Well, can't say I didn't have a few days of Matt and I going back and forth with thoughts of uncertainty.  But were hanging on to the hope that the outcome of this treatment will help this disease slow down in my body.

So having said all that, today I showed up for my 1st day of chemo. I was there for about 6 hours, they gave me a huge bag of liquids through my new hanging accessory - it's very important to stay hydrated so that the chemo does not effect my kidneys.  Then they gave me medicine for nausea through my port and finally a giant bag of Cytoxin (chemo).  Oh, and I forgot to mention I need to continue having the liquid (saline) even at home so they sent us home with 1 battery operated pump and 3 bags of saline that my personal nurse Matt will have to change every 8 hours and another smaller pump that is hooked up to the another line with medicine to protect my bladder.  I am quite a sight-- I carry a black bag with two long tubes that attached to my chest.  With all this liquid I need to go to the bathroom a lot, which is what they want, so I have to remember to bring my black bag along.  Just hoping I don't forget in the middle of the night and trip over the darn thing.
My fear today is it not knowing what to expect from this chemo, the nurses tell me it varies with each person but to make sure I take the nausea medicine every 8 hours whether I think I need it or not. Which I will for sure.

I need to remind myself continually to take it one day at a time and lean on the Lord for His strength and peace to get through this - ".... He will never leave you or forsake you" Duet 31:16.  

And remain hopeful ... reaching for His cloak.

Matt 9:20-22, 14:34-36

  ".... and all who touched Him were healed"


Thank you for your prayers and support!  Pray for stem cells please.    xo

Below are some pictures of the stem cell collection process ...

The Set Up

The centrifuge

Medicine in Stem cells out

My stem cells

My collection for the day

Think I deserve a drink.... :) 

Home IV's