Update 12/15/10

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to give a quick update on my dad.  During the middle of last week, he developed an infection (probably in his lungs) and a fever.  The doctors put him on antibiotics, and a few days later he was feeling much better and his fever was down.  Apparently, iinfections and fevers are not uncommon when a patient leaves the hospital after extensive chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. 

This week, he is feeling more energetic and his cell counts are looking good.  His last white blood cell count was at 4,300.

I will keep everyone updated if any changes occur.

Happy Holidays!

Michelle 

Home

Hi Everyone,

My dad is home from the hospital and resting.  He has a follow-up appointment on Monday.  I will let everyone know what the treatment team has to say after his appointment.

Thanks,

Michelle

Discharged tomorrow!

Hi Everyone,

Good news-my dad is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow!  He initially had a discharge date of this coming Friday, but his blood cell levels have increased so much that he is getting out early.  His white blood cell count is already at 6,600!  The doctors said that people who recover the quickest are patients who are physically fit, have a hopeful attitude and a good outlook on life.  Thanks to everyone for all of your support.  I am sure all of your phone calls, emails and cards helped him with his speedy recovery from this phase of treatment.

In the coming weeks he will be at home resting and getting his strength back.  Although he does have a few follow up appointments he is finished with the bulk of his treatment and his body is now making its own, healthy blood cells.

Feel free to give him a call or send an email.

Thanks,
Michelle

Update 12/2/2010

Hi Everyone,

My dad is doing well as his blood cell count numbers continue to decline.  Today, his hemoglobin levels were low (under 8) so he received a transfusion of platelets followed by 2 pints of blood.  The extra fluids should help his numbers increase and give him more energy.  Although his numbers are low-the treatment team expects that by tomorrow or Saturday his numbers will begin to rise.

I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks,
Michelle

Update 11/30/2010

Hi everyone,

My dad's cell counts are continuing to drop.  Currently, his white blood cell count is at 100 and his red blood cell count is low as well.  Hopefully, his cell counts will drop to zero.  Ideally, all of the old blood cells will be wiped out and replaced by his new stem cells.  The doctors feel like tomorrow his numbers may drop again. 

Due to the low cell counts, he is feeling very tired and is starting to struggle with some nausea.  These side affects are very normal and should resolve within a few days when his cell count numbers begin to increase. 

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes.  It is much appreciated by everyone.  I will post again soon.

Thanks,

Michelle

update 11/26/10

Hi Everyone,

My dad's stem cell infusion went well and he received all he needs in one day.  As expected, his hemoglobin, red blood cell and white blood cells are all declining.  The doctors expect that by tomorrow or Sunday his cells will be very low.  Once he is neutropenic (extremely low white blood cell count), he will begin his neupogen injections. 

Currently, he is feeling increasingly tired as his cell counts continue to decrease.  He should regain his energy in the next few weeks. 

Please feel free to give him a call.  If he is resting feel free to leave him a voicemail.

Thanks,
Michelle

Done with Chemotherapy

Hi Everyone,

My dad has finished his chemotherapy!  He received a dose Saturday and a dose yesterday.  It went well-his dosage of diuretics was quadrupled with the anticipation that he would retain water as in previous rounds.  So far, he has mentioned some swelling in his ankles but not enough to affect his breathing.  We are all very pleased that he is through that portion of the treatment.


 Instead of having a day of rest, the treatment team decided to give him his first dose of stem cells today.  The procedure takes about an hour and he was placed in what is called a "twilight" or barely conscious state for this.  Although nausea can be a potential side affect of this procedure so far, my dad is feeling well and not having any troublesome symptoms.  He will probably recieve at least 2 more rounds of stem cells and then the treatment team will assess how he is doing.

I will keep everyone posted on his upcoming stem cell transplants and subsuquent recovery.

Thanks,

Michelle

In the hospital

Hi Everyone,

My dad is in the hospital!  He was admitted late last night and received his first round of chemotherapy this morning (each round only takes 15-20 minutes).  Tomorrow, he will receive one more round followed by a day of rest.  On Tuesday, he will begin to receive his stem cells back.  The doctors are not sure how long this process will take as it varies from person to person. 

My dad is feeling well right now.  The chemotherapy takes about a week to have any side affects.  Although he has to keep ice in his mouth for 7 hours a day to avoid mouth and throat sores.  Overall, he is very glad to have the final process under way.

A few people have inquired about the hospital address:

University of Chicago Bernard Mitchell Hospital

6 NW - Gary R Renaud

5841 S. Maryland Ave. MC 6041

Chicago, IL 60637-1470

 

Currently, he is not able to have many visitors and will not be able to accept any flowers or plants throughout his stay (due to potential infection).  If you are interested in sending something-I know he loves dark chocolate:)

 

I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

 

Thanks,

Michelle 

Friday

Hi Everyone,

At my dad's doctor's appointment today, he got the news that his pneumonia is clearing up!  At the hospital, they did a chest x-ray and could determine that the fluid in his lungs is going down and that he should be clear of fluids by Friday.  On Friday, if he is feeling well and if a bed is available he will be admitted.

For the first 2 days of his stay at the hospital, he will receive high doses of chemotherapy.  For the next 19 days or so, he will be receiving his stem cells back intravenously and getting his energy back.

I will let you know how things go on Friday.

Thanks for all your support!

Michelle

Update 11/12/10

Hi Everyone,

Over the past few days, my dad has still had a cough and some shortness of breath.  Although he is feeling much better overall he and the doctors have decided not to admit him to the hospital today.  On Monday, he is going to meet with a nurse at the University of Chicago and she will assess his cough and overall condition.  Depending on bed availability and how the exam goes, he could be admitted on Monday or they may advise him to wait another few days.  Because he has to have more chemotherapy during his upcoming stay, everyone wants to be sure that the cough is gone before starting this process.

I will keep everyone updated with any changes.

Thanks,
Michelle

Update

Hi Everyone,

My dad spoke with his doctor today and it looks like he may be admitted to University of Chicago Medical Center on Friday (providing a bed is available).    During his stay, he will have more chemotherapy and then his stem cells will be re-introduced into his system.  Once admitted, he will be in the hospital for approximately 3 weeks and will have very limited access to visitors.

Overall, he has been feeling better, more energetic and his cough has diminished. 

I will send out an update if anything changes.

Thanks,
Michelle

At home

Hi Everyone,

At my dad's appointment yesterday the doctor thought it would be best if he was not admitted for his final phase of treatment for now.  He still has a cough and is fighting some slight pneumonia.  The doctor stated that it could take days or weeks for the cough to go away and until it is completely gone, my dad won't be admitted. 

On a different note, his water weight is almost completely gone and the swelling in his legs is down significantly.

He will be at home at least for the next week or so.  Please feel free to give him a call.

Thanks,

Michelle

Rescheduled appointment

Hi All,

As of today, my dad has rescheduled his doctors appointment at the Univ of Chicago from Monday to Thursday.  He still has a cough and is retaining some water in his legs and feet.  Therefore, the doctors and my dad thought it would be best to wait a few days for the next phase of treatment. 

Currently, my dad is resting at home and is still tired.  In addition to taking a diuretic, he is trying to walk around to eliminate some of the water in his body.  Since he will be home resting for the next few days, please feel free to give him a call.

I will post with any new information.

Thanks,
Michelle

Home

Hi Everyone,

My dad is finished with the stem cell harvesting...they got around 8,000,000 cells!  Overall, he is very glad to be done with the harvesting portion of the process.

He is at home resting now.  He still feels very tired and has retained some water.  On Monday, he has an appointment with a doctor in Chicago to discuss the upcoming process.  If a bed is available and if he is feeling better he could be admitted (on Monday) to the Univ of Chicago medical center for more chemotherapy and to administer his stem cells back into the body. 

I let you know how the appointment on Monday goes.  Please feel free to give him a call over the weekend.

Thanks,
Michelle

10/27/10

Hi Everyone,

My dad's stem cell harvesting has been going well.  However, he had to have another round of harvesting today and one more tomorrow.  Stem cells can only be harvested at a certain speed-depending on the person's bone marrow outlet.  So, it is taking a little longer than anticipated but they are getting the cells. 

Hopefully, tomorrow after his session, he will be able to go home for the weekend.

Thanks,
Michelle

En route to Chicago

Hi Everyone,

More good news!  My dad's white blood cell count was over 10,000 this morning!  Upon discovering this, the doctors wanted him to go to the University of Chicago Medical Center first thing today for stem cell harvesting.  The harvesting process takes about 4-6 hours and can hopefully be completed in one day.  The blood is extracted and then given back so no blood loss is taking place. Depending how fast the process is-he may be able to go home tonight. 

He is feeling more eneregetic now but still has a cough and is pretty hoarse.  I will let everyone know when he is home.

Thanks,
Michelle

10/25/10

Hi Everyone,

Good news!  My dad's white blood cell count increased to 2,974-in one day!  Also, his temperature has stayed close to normal for the last 24 hours.  He has a lot more energy and has been able to get out of bed and walk around a bit.  Over the last few days, he has developed a cough which has left him very hoarse but he should return to his normal voice in the next day or so.

Because his cell count is so close to 3,000 (the minimum needed for harvesting) we are not sure how soon he will be transferred to Chicago.  I will keep you posted.  Also, becuase his immune system is still very compromised he and the doctors have asked that he does not have any visitors.

Thanks,
Michelle

10/24 update

Hi Everyone,

As of this morning, my dad's temperature was down to normal and has remained there for several hours.  Additionally, his white blood cell count is up to 480.  When his cell count reaches 3,000-5,000 he will be transferred for harvesting.  Usually, the cell count increases very quickly and the doctors expect around Wednesday that he will be transferred to Chicago.

In the meantime, he is still not having any visitors until further notice. 

Thanks,
Michelle

update 10/23/10

Hi Everyone,

As of this morning, my dad's white blood cell count was still very low.  He has been running a fever on and off for the past 2 days and is still very tired.  The doctors expect his white cell count to increase at any time now as he has had about 9 injections of neuprogen.  Due to his compromised immune system he has decided not to have any visitors today. 

I will keep everyone posted on updates.

Thanks,
Michelle

update 10/21/10

Hi Everyone,


Here is the latest on my dad. 

This morning when he woke up he mentioned that he felt a little off.  Upon taking his temperature he discovered that he was running a fever.  Additionally, when the nurse stopped by the house to draw his blood-she discovered that his white blood cell count was 310 which was drastically down from 3,500 the previous day.  Although neutropenia or a decreased white blood cell count is part of the chemotherapy/neupogen process, due to the elevated temperature he was admitted to the hospital.  His low white blood cell count makes him extremely vulnerable to infection and sickness.  Most likely, he will stay in the hospital for the next few days.  When his white blood cell count increases he will be admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center for stem cell harvesting.

Currently, he is at Elkhart General Hospital in room 4332.  It has been a tough couple of days and I think he  would enjoy hearing from people.  If you want to stop by the hospital please be advised that he cannot have any plants or flowers in his room due to potential infection.

I will keep everyone posted on any updates.

Thanks,

Michelle

Home from the hospital

Hi Everyone,

My dad was discharged from the hospital this morning and is resting at home now.  His shortness of breath is improving and slowly he is losing the water he was retaining.  A nurse will stop by the house tomorrow and show he and my mom how to administer the shots of neuprogen.


Please feel free to give him a call or stop by for a visit.

Thanks,

Michelle

Update

Hi Everyone,

Here is the latest on my dad!

He was admitted to the hospital on Thursday morning and had a catheter surgically inserted.  The catheter reaches the top of his heart with a port in his neck.  Blood can easily be extracted from the port and his chemotherapy is given through the port as well.  Thursday night he had his first round of chemotherapy-which went well.  On Friday, he received his second and final round of chemotherapy which appeared to go well.  This morning he had shortness of breath and was retaining fluids, so the doctors put him on diuretics and oxygen which should correct the symptoms.  However, he will remain in the hospital for another 1-2 days for observation.

When he is released from the hospital he will be at home and giving himself shots of neupogen twice daily.  The neupogen will help fight off infection by stimulating the growth of white blood cells.  Additionally, a nurse will be coming to the house every 1-2 days to draw blood and monitor his blood cell count.  When his white blood count is optimal (usually around 10 days) he will go back into the hospital for 1-2 days for stem cell harvesting.

Overall, his chemotherapy went well-he had no nausea and little discomfort other than the shortness of breath and fluid retention.  He remains very optomistic about this process.  When he is discharged from the hospital I will send out and update.  Once he is home, please feel free to call him or stop by for a visit!

Thanks!

Michelle

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