Opening Day; day 0

Transfusion complete! Everything happened pretty smoothly, my morning started early with labs at 4 and then someone was in or out every 30 min after that. Keith's cells were brought in at 9 with lots of fanfare, well, not quite, it was actually a red cooler full of dry ice, but a very nice cooler. When it was all said and done, the transplant only took 1 hour and at the end, they gave me a little cake. Very nice. I'm a little tired from all the meds, so this is going to be left short, might write more later.

Day -1...

My day of rest has been pretty quiet so far. Docs were in earlier this morning, started my anti-rejection meds, told me a little bit about tomorrow. I guess they'll change my fluids and give me some meds at 5am, then at 9am I'll get Keith's cells. Will run pretty much like a blood transfusion, shouldn't take too long since Keith was able to get them all in 1 bag. I asked what they were going to do with the extra cells that Keith pumped out and they said that I'm getting them all! Maybe they looked them all over and deemed the whole lot to be high enough "quality" for me to receive :) Wouldn't expect anything less! In any case, I'm afraid that my poor little cells don't know what they're in for, but I say: "take the field, it's time for Opening Day!!"

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ~ Phil. 4:13

Day -2, a rough one

Today was a little rough, didn't feel the best. Not sure if that's because they upped my chemo by 50% or side effects from the meds that they're giving me to prevent side effects. Afraid to complain much because they'll give me more meds which will lead to more SE... But, there is good news, I'm feeling a little better this evening, AND tonight at midnight I will start my last dose of prep chemo - YIPPEE!!! Tomorrow is appropriately referred to as a day of "rest" before transplant on Monday.
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

Day - 3

Still hanging tight in Omaha, not much new and exciting. My WBC's are slowly starting to fall but nothing like I've experienced in the past. The doctors have told me that this regimine of chemo tends to have a slower onset when it comes to side effects. It might be the middle of next week before I really feel the worst of it. Oh well, 1 day at a time. No use worrying about what's to come when it might not ever arrive!
Still praying for a successful "opening day" - hope the team is strong and that everyone gets along. No fighting in the clubhouse!
And as always, I'm still praying for all of you! Even when we can't see it, God has a purpose and a plan.

The countdown moves on: Day - 5

I'm almost done with the first day of chemo. It's a little more intense than what I've received in the past. Just 2 drugs this time but one of them I receive every 6 hours and it runs for 2 hours each time. The other one I only get once a day, I think. In any case, not really catching up on sleep since the nurses have to be in and out a lot. I'm still feeling pretty well today - stomach is trying to hold tight. They're giving me a lot of drugs to try and prevent side effects, but I'm nervous that they're going to make me feel loopy. Guess we'll wait and see. Neb Med is pretty relaxed when it comes to letting me take walks. As long as the chemo isn't running and I wear a mask and gloves, they'll let me leave the floor. Today we found a pretty garden and sat outside for a while - so good to feel the sun!
I'll try to write more tomorrow. Praying that I continue to feel well and that the fevers stay away!
PS- my room is the coolest on the floor - decorated with a great signature poster and a prayer chain from St Agnes gradeschool (that I'm using as a countdown chain)!

Back to Omaha Day -6

It's Tuesday morning, and after a great week, I'm on my way back to Omaha. (not really wanting to go). Doesn't seem possible that I won't be coming home until Fall. So much will happen between now and then- lots of growing, lots of learning, lots of trusting and hopefully lots of healing! Many of you have asked if I'm afraid or anxious about what's to come and I really don't know. I guess the unknown always brings with it a degree of uncertainty and fear, but I can't let that be the feeling that rules my thoughts. I must trust that the plan set in motion long before I was born will continue to its perfect completion, and that God will meet my needs (whatever those may be) along the way. I'm optimistic and strangely confident that in time, everything will turn out well. It's all so much bigger than me, but it will turn out well- good will come out of this, beauty for ashes.
The countdown is on, tomorrow I'll start my final round of chemo – day 1 of 4. The goal of this round is to destroy my bone marrow so that Keith's stem cells can come in and rock the house. I hope all those little guys are ready for game day because there are no trial runs or pre-season when it comes to stem cell transplants. And we're headed straight to the championship. Transplant day (maybe I should call it “opening day”) is Monday.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” ~ Phil. 1:6

That's my boy!

More answered prayers! Keith had his first day of apheresis (stem cell donation) today and they were able to collect all the stem cells needed - 3x more than needed in fact! That is a huge blessing for many reasons, but mainly because I didn't want Keith to have to spend another 4 hours sitting in a chair unable to move his arms- not such a fun morning for him. I have a couple doctor's appointments tomorrow morning and then we'll all be headed home for a long weekend. Scheduled to be back in Omaha on Tuesday.
"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you hear me always." ~John 11:42