Day 1.

So, it's done.

Late last night, just after 11pm, the stem cells from my brother/sister from a different mother were dripped into me.

We have pictures, but I will let Sonja upload them as they don't seem to be working on my computer right now.  Sonja was able to stay the night, and the will be here the next two as well.

The procedure went well, and there were no complications from the actual transplant.  My persistent hiccup's were the biggest problem and made it very hard to get any sleep.  It has become quite painful on the chest muscles, and it's like getting the wind knocked out of you each hiccup, and gasping for breath.

I am getting the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine put in me now, and later today will be the research drug that will hopefully reduce the changes of a bad graft-vs-host reaction.  Tomorrow I get the first a 4 doses of a real nasty one I can remember right now that promises to do quite a number to my GI tract (primarily the mouth).  Morphine drip kinda stuff nasty, so I am not looking forward to that.

So, there it is - day 1.  I'll try and keep as much info as I can, but expect things to be getting worse before they get better.

99 to go.

Comments

Unknown said…
thanks for the update Richard...hoping and praying for the best possible outcome and a speedy recovery !!
10/28/2010 12:55 PM
Anonymous said…
/hugs!
many heartfelt wishes for your speedy recovery!!!!! keep your spirits up, we are praying, sending good vibes...whatever we need to do on our end for you and yours!

stacy and ryan
10/28/2010 11:10 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for keeping us posted...you too Sonja!

Ryan
11/03/2010 3:57 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Someone's like me.

I was back in at the LBMT Thursday afternoon for blood work, hickman line flushing, and news. The good news is that there seems to be a very good chance that they have found a bone marrow match for me.  Dr. Bernard, who gave me the news, said a "95% chance" - mostly to give an out, as there are a lot of things that can go wrong still. I don't know how far along they are in the process with the donor but they are looking at starting the transplant in the next 2-3 weeks, early-mid October.  I will know more shortly after a yet to be scheduled meeting with Dr. Nevill. So, if you are one of the recent people who signed up for the registry, and have been magically called as a match, you might very well be my blood brother/sister so to speak - lol. The coming transplant scares the willies out of me as it will be the most intensive event I have been through in this whole thing, since the start over a year and a half ago.  Any grief, discomfort, etc.  I have been thoug
Read more

Thurdsay - My New Nemisis ?

Wow. Today was nasty. Tossed and turned most of the night, and then barfing in the morning. Nothing to come out, just there to taunt me, and let me know who's boss. Then there was the tightness of the chest, and some pain in my arm. Well, that started a flury of activity. ECG, blood work, etc. ECG looks good, there were some blood signed that the heart might have been in distress. They will be putting me on some drugs to help my heart mellow out just in case. It's all fine now, but they are being on the safe side. Tired. So very tired today. I slept most of the day, and I am only now getting into doing some stuff on the computer. Catching up with work, blog, etc. I don't have my totals for today, but the platelets and red blood cells mean I will probably be getting a transfusion tomorrow. I got to have a shower today - Yippie ! My last bag of the nasty "Red Koolaid" of death was today, so only the one Chemo drug left on tap. Still a potent brew at that, bu
Read more

Day 36, 37 - You're Fired !

Image
Day 36 - Thursday Ok, so today was another decision day.  Would the stat's be stabilized or would I get a transfusion ? Determined to be going home no matter what, I had checked out of the Lodge at 9am, and my luggage was down at the reception.  I was still there until around 12:30 when I said my goodbyes to some of the other inmates, and left for my 1pm appointment.   W 3.7 / N 1.7 / H 100 / P 60 All Up with last transfusion on Sunday. So, they start consulting if they should remove my Hickman line or not.  Just after 3pm, the decision comes down that they will remove it. At this point I feel it looks good that I will be able to have my next appointment be a week away, or at least until Monday, thus giving me the weekend. Around 3:15, Dr. Teshpar comes in to remove my Hickman line.  Most of the female doctors are more compassionate, but have a lot of difficulty when it comes to the "Causing Pain" stuff like biopsies, etc. Dr. Teshpar was not happy about h
Read more