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