So, my last entry was posted while Jim was getting platelets in the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic, right? Well, as we were leaving the Dr. grabbed us and pulled us aside. We tried not to make eye contact but it didn't work as there were concerns about Jim's low blood counts. So as soon as Jim recieved his central line we were lovingly escorted upstairs to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit--a section of the hospital which could be compared to maxium security lockdown. We were in one room for two days and then were moved to another.
We are quite grateful for the change in rooms. We can now hear each other speak over the positive air flow ventilation system (which I am grateful for) and we have more than six feet to navigate in. Its not quite that bad, but it was really small.
So we will be here through the process of transplant this week while they carefully watch him and give him lots and lots of platelets. They stopped the continuous infusion this morning and checked his counts this afternoon and they actually rose two points which is fabulous. They will check them again in the middle of the night, oh how they love to do things in the middle of the night.
As always, thank you for your prayers and sweet comments.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
TRANSPLANT TIME
Well, haven't the updates been great? So sorry but we have been enjoying time together and then we met with the Bone Marrow Transplant people the first of January and wow, the ball really started rolling.
This past Monday Jim had another Ofatumamab infusion. He has had a gazillion tests which I will not expound on; only say that each has either been great, good or satisfactory to go ahead with the bone marrow transplant. Jim's brother who is a perfect hla match passed his physical as well and is willing, ready and anxious to get started.
Today Jim is getting platelets and a central line placed. I guess his picc line tubes aren't sometimes large enough for the infusion of the marrow.
The whole process begins on Monday. Jim will receive fleudarabine on Mon, Tues, and Wed. Then Thurs will be a rest day. Then Friday he will get a low-dose total body radiation and the marrow will be infused late in the afternoon or early evening. It has been described to us as being rather anti-climactic as it very much resembles a blood transfusion. Miraculously these cells are infused and then know how to find their way to his bone marrow, which by the way, has room now to recieve them, which several months ago it did not.
When we are finished we will go home to our quaranteened house for the beginning of the process. It takes two to three weeks for his brother's cells to begin to engraft. We will be making at least three trips a week to LDS Hospital and that's if there are no bumps, which inevitably there will be. Still, the travel time is much better than being inpatient which they say to plan on at least once during the first few weeks.
We are thrilled, a little scared, excited, dreading, happy, but most of all grateful. As you can see we are experiencing a myriad of emotions as are all of our children. We so much appreciate all the prayers, fasting, names on prayer rolls and love which continues to be extended to us. Every single thought and prayer has made a difference. We love you.
I will make a renewed attempt to keep the blog posted so you can see what is going on, even if they are brief.
This past Monday Jim had another Ofatumamab infusion. He has had a gazillion tests which I will not expound on; only say that each has either been great, good or satisfactory to go ahead with the bone marrow transplant. Jim's brother who is a perfect hla match passed his physical as well and is willing, ready and anxious to get started.
Today Jim is getting platelets and a central line placed. I guess his picc line tubes aren't sometimes large enough for the infusion of the marrow.
The whole process begins on Monday. Jim will receive fleudarabine on Mon, Tues, and Wed. Then Thurs will be a rest day. Then Friday he will get a low-dose total body radiation and the marrow will be infused late in the afternoon or early evening. It has been described to us as being rather anti-climactic as it very much resembles a blood transfusion. Miraculously these cells are infused and then know how to find their way to his bone marrow, which by the way, has room now to recieve them, which several months ago it did not.
When we are finished we will go home to our quaranteened house for the beginning of the process. It takes two to three weeks for his brother's cells to begin to engraft. We will be making at least three trips a week to LDS Hospital and that's if there are no bumps, which inevitably there will be. Still, the travel time is much better than being inpatient which they say to plan on at least once during the first few weeks.
We are thrilled, a little scared, excited, dreading, happy, but most of all grateful. As you can see we are experiencing a myriad of emotions as are all of our children. We so much appreciate all the prayers, fasting, names on prayer rolls and love which continues to be extended to us. Every single thought and prayer has made a difference. We love you.
I will make a renewed attempt to keep the blog posted so you can see what is going on, even if they are brief.
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