Hola friends and family, we are day 3 post transplant and Dave is still experiencing loss of appetite and nausea. The good news is, no mouth sores as of yet. Mouth sores are really common for transplant patients and extremly bothersome as well. Dave's white blood cells still haven't bottomed out, but typically it takes about 7 days post transplant so hopefully by the end of the week we will be heading on the upswing. Dave has been sleeping a lot due to the benadryl they are giving him along with the anti-nausea medication. As far as Mom and I are concerned, let him sleep through this and wake up all better! Dave is still doing good enough that he has not had to be hospitalized so this is a great sign. I feel so much anxiety being so far away as I'm sure a lot of you do, but I have zero doubt that Dave will come out of this as Charlie Sheen would say, "Winning!"
God is good.
Much Love,
Jeana
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Dave Update-June 5, 2011
Hello family and friends, just a quick update on Dave's progress. Well, the chemo is kicking in and he suffered from some major nauseousness yesterday. He is having a real hard time keeping food down and threw up several times last night and this morning. To top things off, Mom was suffering from some stomach bug herself so they were both pretty much bed ridden all yesterday. I spoke with Mom this morning and Dave was not eating and hadn't since the morning the day before. He also wasn't taking his medication. They had an appointment this morning at 11:30 and they were able to give him his medication through his water pouch, which included the much needed anti-nausea medication. Really, this is to be expected and things will probably get worse as his immune system zeros out before his numbers start to rise. Thankfully, as of now he hasn't been hospitalized. Each day is a new day of unknowns so please keep your prayers coming. Much love, Jeana
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Dave Update-June 4, 2011
Adios Cancer!!!
Dave is getting his benedryl and other meds before they start the transplant.
Here is Dave relaxing during the actual transplant.
Hello family and friends, Dave had his transplant yesterday and it went well. Although they were at the hospital for over 4 hours, the transplant took a whooping 5 minutes. Crazy, right? It's kind of like Christmas. You plan, decorate, by gifts, wrap presents, mail presents, etc. for several months and it's over in one day. I spoke with Dave this morning and he sounds great! He said he felt a little tightening of his chest during the transplant and a weird taste in his mouth, overwise anti-climatic. We are hopeful there won't be any complications and little discomfort, but the majority of patients do end up being admitted back to the hospital for low platelets, potassium, or some other issue that can occur when your entire immune system has been wiped away. Dave goes to the hospital daily for blood work and to monitor his progress. I will keep you posted on any changes, but it looks like we are kicking cancer's ***. I know, I'm a classy gal aren't I?
RESEARCH FINDINGS
I did want to share some exciting findings from recent reseach that has been conducted in Spain. This is postive news for multiple myeloma patients in complete response (which is where Dave is going into the stem cell transplant). Please note, Dave has an agressive abnormal chromosome and I'm unsure it his type is included in this study. But, if you recall from a previous blog entry I told you that they have a new drug that is showing very responsive to Dave's abnormal chromosome. Very promising news for the multiple myeloma community.
Spanish researchers recently published long-term follow-up results confirming that a complete response following stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients increases overall and progression-free survival compared to a very good or partial response.
Treatment with high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation is a standard therapeutic approach for younger, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. There has been some debate among researchers, however, as to whether the quality of response following transplantation can predict patient outcome.
In 2000, the same group of researchers published results demonstrating that complete response should be an important goal of stem cell transplantation as it improved overall survival rates in multiple myeloma patients (see the 2000 study). The goal of the current study was to confirm these results after a longer follow-up period.
The researchers studied 344 multiple myeloma patients who had received stem cell transplants between 1989 and 1998. All 344 patients were included in the original 2000 study. When the follow-up analysis was done in February 2010, updated information was available for 322 of these patients.
Based on the long-term follow-up study, the average progression-free survival period for complete responders following transplantation was 47 months, compared to 30 months for near complete responders, 27 months for very good partial responders, and 23 months for partial responders. At a 12 year follow-up point, 28 percent of complete responders remained progression-free, while 19 percent of near complete responders, 10 percent of very good partial responders, and 11 percent of partial responders remained progression-free.
Overall survival was 91 months for patients achieving a complete response, 56 months, 55 months, and 43 months for patients achieving a near complete, very good partial, and partial response, respectively. At a follow up of 12 years, the overall survival rates were 35 percent for complete responders, 22 percent for near complete responders, and 16 percent for both very good and partial responders.
Based on their results, the researchers concluded that those patients who achieved a complete response following transplantation had a significant survival advantage over those who did not achieve a complete response. Patients who received a near complete response, very good partial response, or partial response were considered to have similar progression-free and overall survival times.
The study also found that a plateau in the progression-free survival and overall survival times occurred 11 years after transplantation. In other words, the number of patients who progressed or died over time leveled off around 11 years, such that those patients who were still alive and still in remission at 11 years were likely to continue living in remission.
A total of 35 percent of patients who achieved a complete response reached plateau, and all patients still in complete response at plateau had not relapsed in an average of five years beyond plateau. The study authors suggested this indicates that these patients may be cured.
Of the patients who achieved a near complete, very good partial, or partial response, 11 percent reached plateau. Two patients in this group relapsed since the plateau.
Dave is getting his benedryl and other meds before they start the transplant.Hello family and friends, Dave had his transplant yesterday and it went well. Although they were at the hospital for over 4 hours, the transplant took a whooping 5 minutes. Crazy, right? It's kind of like Christmas. You plan, decorate, by gifts, wrap presents, mail presents, etc. for several months and it's over in one day. I spoke with Dave this morning and he sounds great! He said he felt a little tightening of his chest during the transplant and a weird taste in his mouth, overwise anti-climatic. We are hopeful there won't be any complications and little discomfort, but the majority of patients do end up being admitted back to the hospital for low platelets, potassium, or some other issue that can occur when your entire immune system has been wiped away. Dave goes to the hospital daily for blood work and to monitor his progress. I will keep you posted on any changes, but it looks like we are kicking cancer's ***. I know, I'm a classy gal aren't I?
RESEARCH FINDINGS
I did want to share some exciting findings from recent reseach that has been conducted in Spain. This is postive news for multiple myeloma patients in complete response (which is where Dave is going into the stem cell transplant). Please note, Dave has an agressive abnormal chromosome and I'm unsure it his type is included in this study. But, if you recall from a previous blog entry I told you that they have a new drug that is showing very responsive to Dave's abnormal chromosome. Very promising news for the multiple myeloma community.
Spanish researchers recently published long-term follow-up results confirming that a complete response following stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients increases overall and progression-free survival compared to a very good or partial response.
Treatment with high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation is a standard therapeutic approach for younger, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. There has been some debate among researchers, however, as to whether the quality of response following transplantation can predict patient outcome.
In 2000, the same group of researchers published results demonstrating that complete response should be an important goal of stem cell transplantation as it improved overall survival rates in multiple myeloma patients (see the 2000 study). The goal of the current study was to confirm these results after a longer follow-up period.
The researchers studied 344 multiple myeloma patients who had received stem cell transplants between 1989 and 1998. All 344 patients were included in the original 2000 study. When the follow-up analysis was done in February 2010, updated information was available for 322 of these patients.
Based on the long-term follow-up study, the average progression-free survival period for complete responders following transplantation was 47 months, compared to 30 months for near complete responders, 27 months for very good partial responders, and 23 months for partial responders. At a 12 year follow-up point, 28 percent of complete responders remained progression-free, while 19 percent of near complete responders, 10 percent of very good partial responders, and 11 percent of partial responders remained progression-free.
Overall survival was 91 months for patients achieving a complete response, 56 months, 55 months, and 43 months for patients achieving a near complete, very good partial, and partial response, respectively. At a follow up of 12 years, the overall survival rates were 35 percent for complete responders, 22 percent for near complete responders, and 16 percent for both very good and partial responders.
Based on their results, the researchers concluded that those patients who achieved a complete response following transplantation had a significant survival advantage over those who did not achieve a complete response. Patients who received a near complete response, very good partial response, or partial response were considered to have similar progression-free and overall survival times.
The study also found that a plateau in the progression-free survival and overall survival times occurred 11 years after transplantation. In other words, the number of patients who progressed or died over time leveled off around 11 years, such that those patients who were still alive and still in remission at 11 years were likely to continue living in remission.
A total of 35 percent of patients who achieved a complete response reached plateau, and all patients still in complete response at plateau had not relapsed in an average of five years beyond plateau. The study authors suggested this indicates that these patients may be cured.
Of the patients who achieved a near complete, very good partial, or partial response, 11 percent reached plateau. Two patients in this group relapsed since the plateau.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Dave Update-June 2, 2011
Hello family and friends, well mom and Dave are settled in to their posh (okay, maybe not posh) apartment in Palo Alto. It's not home, but... it's better than the hospital. Dave had x-rays and blood work completed on Tuesday, and had his Melphalan chemo yesterday. The chemo drip took only 20 minutes and he was sent "home" to relax. He's dragging around a water pump to help him stay hydrated and his infection precautions began, meaning he has to have a special diet and be super careful of germs. (washing hands frequently, wearing mask when out) I'm actually happy about this because dehydration has been a big issue for Dave after each chemo. Today is blood work and he will be having a CT scan this everning.
Tomorrow is Transplant day. They will bring Dave's frozen harvested cells and "transplant" (similar to a blood transfusion) them back in his body through the "line" in his upper chest. Takes approximately 20 minutes. The image below is an example of what it looks like.
From what I understand, Dave's white cell count will bottom out and then what they will look for is those number to start to rise as the healthy cells take over.
I spoke with Dave this morning and he sounds fantastic! He's feeling really good and positive about tomorrow. The doctor did tell him it might take a few days to feel any side affects from the chemo and transplant, but we are hopeful that Dave will ease on through this. Below is a short video that me and the kids did this morning for Dave. Poor Cory did the videotapping so he's not in it, but this is from him as well.
Tomorrow is Transplant day. They will bring Dave's frozen harvested cells and "transplant" (similar to a blood transfusion) them back in his body through the "line" in his upper chest. Takes approximately 20 minutes. The image below is an example of what it looks like.
From what I understand, Dave's white cell count will bottom out and then what they will look for is those number to start to rise as the healthy cells take over.
I spoke with Dave this morning and he sounds fantastic! He's feeling really good and positive about tomorrow. The doctor did tell him it might take a few days to feel any side affects from the chemo and transplant, but we are hopeful that Dave will ease on through this. Below is a short video that me and the kids did this morning for Dave. Poor Cory did the videotapping so he's not in it, but this is from him as well.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
May 31, 2011
Hello family and friends, just a very short update. Dave and my mom left this morning for Stanford and he is scheduled for labs, chest x-rays, and a meeting with his doctor today. It looks like we are going with Option 1. Not that we had a choice really, but Option 1 it is. Dave and I are actually liking Option 1 more since it has only one session of chemo instead of two. He will have his chemo treatment of Melphalan on Wednesday and the transplant is scheduled for Friday, June 3.
Dave was full of energy over the weekend. Mom and I joked that he was like a pregnant woman nesting. I'm not even kidding, he worked on the yard, organized closets, went through pictures, etc. We though his water would break any minute. I really shouldn't joke about water breaking since Dave is having to drink so much to just stay hydrated. We certainly wouldn't want anyting having to do with water breaking.
We had a nice little barbeque on Sunday and enjoyed some time with family and friends before they left on their 30 + day adventure. I felt emotional over the weekend for sure. It's like you wait for this moment for months and now its here and you just kind of don't know what to think or feel. I hate thinking my parents are not just down the street. I hate that I can't be there every step of the way. And yet, I feel peace. I feel like everything is going to be fine and that Dave will have a easy time of it. Well, that is what I'm hoping for and I think Dave is going into this with a fighters spirit! If you could though, pray that Dave's body accepts the new healthy stem cells and that they do their part in healing him. Please pray for my mom as well. Pray that she has peace knowing that Dave will be okay and that everything will be taken care of at home.
I will keep you updated every step of the way as I will be in contant (annoyingly so I'm sure) contact with my mom and Dave. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. We can't imagine going through this alone and you have all been so loving, kind, patient, and selfless. Thank you to Peggy for housesitting my parents "babies". Ya, no pressure there Peggy! Please feel free to write, email, call, whatever. I know that the next 30 + days away from home are going to be difficult so it would be nice to hear from you all. If you'd like to write, send cards, donations (sooo, kidding, just a little inappropriate humor) you can send them to:
Dave and Carol Callahan
1766 Sand Hill Rd. #207
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Dave was full of energy over the weekend. Mom and I joked that he was like a pregnant woman nesting. I'm not even kidding, he worked on the yard, organized closets, went through pictures, etc. We though his water would break any minute. I really shouldn't joke about water breaking since Dave is having to drink so much to just stay hydrated. We certainly wouldn't want anyting having to do with water breaking.
We had a nice little barbeque on Sunday and enjoyed some time with family and friends before they left on their 30 + day adventure. I felt emotional over the weekend for sure. It's like you wait for this moment for months and now its here and you just kind of don't know what to think or feel. I hate thinking my parents are not just down the street. I hate that I can't be there every step of the way. And yet, I feel peace. I feel like everything is going to be fine and that Dave will have a easy time of it. Well, that is what I'm hoping for and I think Dave is going into this with a fighters spirit! If you could though, pray that Dave's body accepts the new healthy stem cells and that they do their part in healing him. Please pray for my mom as well. Pray that she has peace knowing that Dave will be okay and that everything will be taken care of at home.
I will keep you updated every step of the way as I will be in contant (annoyingly so I'm sure) contact with my mom and Dave. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. We can't imagine going through this alone and you have all been so loving, kind, patient, and selfless. Thank you to Peggy for housesitting my parents "babies". Ya, no pressure there Peggy! Please feel free to write, email, call, whatever. I know that the next 30 + days away from home are going to be difficult so it would be nice to hear from you all. If you'd like to write, send cards, donations (sooo, kidding, just a little inappropriate humor) you can send them to:
Dave and Carol Callahan
1766 Sand Hill Rd. #207
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Monday, May 23, 2011
Dave Update-May 23, 2011
Hi there family and friends, it looks like we have a new schedule. Stanford has scheduled two treatment plans, one with highly fashionable BCNU chemo that is currently out-of-stock. The second plan is with the Melphalan chemo only. Obviously, we are hoping for the "original recipe" which is the second option. The two schedule scenarios are listed below:
I. Melphalan only
1. May 31- Report to Stanford for labs, chest x-rays, and meeting with doctor.
2. June 1- Receive Melphalan chemo treatment
3. June 2- No Chemo
4. June 3- Transplant
5. June 4-on Live locally (4-6 weeks)
2. BCNU (if it comes in) Why do I feel like we are waiting for a new shoe shipment? Anyway:
1. June 1- Report to Stanford for labs, chest x-rays, and meeting with doctor.
2. June 2- Stay overnight for BCNU chemo.
3. June 3- Discharge to local housing with caregiver. Start continous IV fluids with home infusion
pump.
4. June 4- Report back for Melphalan chemo
5. June 5- No Chemo
6. June 6 Transplant
7. June 7- Discharged to local housing with caregiver. Live locally (4-6 weeks)
Now that I'm looking at this, why do we want option II? I mean, seriously. Who wouldn't choose option I. Perhaps it's a conspiracy. They offer you Option II to make Option I not looks so bad. Interesting. Genius, really. Time will tell what their master plan is and I will let you know the definitive date of Option I or II once it is confirmed.
The good news is mom and Dave were able to secure housing. It's only one bedroom and costs a bit more than the two bedroom they previously secured, but it is closer to the hospital. That part, I like.
Once I get their address I will post on this blog. Feel free to send cards, letters, whatever. They will be there for awhile and I'm sure they would be thrilled to hear from family and friends.
Dave has been doing fairly well. His appetite is up and down and I think he now owns stock in Aquafina from all the water he has to drink to stay hydrated. I think he is just looking forward to getting this over with and getting back to his life before cancer took over.
Below is a link to a short video on the whole transplant process Dave has been going through. Please note: This is a video for services offered at Cancer Centers of America and Dave is not receiving treatment at their facilities.
http://www.cancercenter.com/video/treatments-technology/stem-cell-transplants/autologous
I. Melphalan only
1. May 31- Report to Stanford for labs, chest x-rays, and meeting with doctor.
2. June 1- Receive Melphalan chemo treatment
3. June 2- No Chemo
4. June 3- Transplant
5. June 4-on Live locally (4-6 weeks)
2. BCNU (if it comes in) Why do I feel like we are waiting for a new shoe shipment? Anyway:
1. June 1- Report to Stanford for labs, chest x-rays, and meeting with doctor.
2. June 2- Stay overnight for BCNU chemo.
3. June 3- Discharge to local housing with caregiver. Start continous IV fluids with home infusion
pump.
4. June 4- Report back for Melphalan chemo
5. June 5- No Chemo
6. June 6 Transplant
7. June 7- Discharged to local housing with caregiver. Live locally (4-6 weeks)
Now that I'm looking at this, why do we want option II? I mean, seriously. Who wouldn't choose option I. Perhaps it's a conspiracy. They offer you Option II to make Option I not looks so bad. Interesting. Genius, really. Time will tell what their master plan is and I will let you know the definitive date of Option I or II once it is confirmed.
The good news is mom and Dave were able to secure housing. It's only one bedroom and costs a bit more than the two bedroom they previously secured, but it is closer to the hospital. That part, I like.
Once I get their address I will post on this blog. Feel free to send cards, letters, whatever. They will be there for awhile and I'm sure they would be thrilled to hear from family and friends.
Dave has been doing fairly well. His appetite is up and down and I think he now owns stock in Aquafina from all the water he has to drink to stay hydrated. I think he is just looking forward to getting this over with and getting back to his life before cancer took over.
Below is a link to a short video on the whole transplant process Dave has been going through. Please note: This is a video for services offered at Cancer Centers of America and Dave is not receiving treatment at their facilities.
http://www.cancercenter.com/video/treatments-technology/stem-cell-transplants/autologous
Friday, May 13, 2011
May 13, 2011-Dave Update
Hi there family and friends, well a small, but annoying, change in plans. It has been three weeks since Dave completed second and final stem cell harvesting and he was scheduled to start pre-transplant chemo on May 16, with a scheduled transplant for May 20. Housing was secured, house sitter in place, ready to rock-n-roll. On Wednesday, May 11 Dave, along with his good buddy Steve, headed to Stanford for a meeting with his doctor. It was at this meeting that the doctor informed Dave that they were out of his chemo medication that was scheduled for Monday, May 16. They explained to him that they hope to have it in two weeks. Huh? This isn't like we went to the McDonald's drive through and they tell you they ran out of ice cream for a vanilla cone, we are talking about a pre-scheduled transplant that has been several months in the waiting. WTF! Sorry, Grandma and Grandpa, I just didn't know any better way to express the frustration we are all feeling.
1. My parents had secured and signed a contract for an apartment right next to the hospital. They will now have to cancel the apartment, lose a couple hundred bucks, and not know for sure if they will be able to secure another one before they rescheduled the transplant.
2. We don't even know IF they will get the chemo medication in since apparently there is a short in this particular chemo. I guess it is very trendy for Spring and everyone HAS to have it.
3. From what the doctor says, if the chemo medication doesn't come in, we'll go ahead and forgo it, and just do the Melphalan chemo (which was going to be the secondary chemo med administered on the 18th. Okay, seriously? This is like you being told that for your car to work properly it will need a new transmission and an oil change, but sorry we don't have the transmission, but we'll go ahead and give you the oil change and that should be fine. Sure, okay! Apparently, they used to do stem cell transplants with the Melphalan chemo alone, so they seem to think this would be fine because this is what they USED to do. Really? Problem is, you told us of this other chemo that was part of the plan and now we'll always wonder if we received the BEST care!
4. Dave and my mom have been mentally preparing themselves for this process for months and for them to run out of the medication they already had planned in advance to administer, is in my opinion, sloppy. There is a lot of planning to do to leave your home, family, and job for 4-6 weeks. Obviously, they are frustrated. And I don't know if you can tell, but I'm frustrated too! This is a family journey that we are on and we were all prepping for our parts.
Okay, enough with Debbie Downer. What am I grateful for:
1. I'm grateful that we have an amazing support system of family and friends that have opened their homes, offered to house sit, prayed, and just listened and supported us over the past 9 months.
2. I'm grateful that Dave is in complete response going into this transplant and has responded so well to all treatment.
3. I'm grateful that Dave has my mom as a caretaker. He couldn't be in better hands.
4. I'm grateful for the amazing local Oncologist and nurses that have given Dave the greatest care and support for the past 9 months here in Visalia.
5. I am grateful and aware of God's control on this situation and will remain faithful no matter how his plans doesn't always match our plans.
So for now, we patiently wait.... I will let you know the new schedule once we are told.
1. My parents had secured and signed a contract for an apartment right next to the hospital. They will now have to cancel the apartment, lose a couple hundred bucks, and not know for sure if they will be able to secure another one before they rescheduled the transplant.
2. We don't even know IF they will get the chemo medication in since apparently there is a short in this particular chemo. I guess it is very trendy for Spring and everyone HAS to have it.
3. From what the doctor says, if the chemo medication doesn't come in, we'll go ahead and forgo it, and just do the Melphalan chemo (which was going to be the secondary chemo med administered on the 18th. Okay, seriously? This is like you being told that for your car to work properly it will need a new transmission and an oil change, but sorry we don't have the transmission, but we'll go ahead and give you the oil change and that should be fine. Sure, okay! Apparently, they used to do stem cell transplants with the Melphalan chemo alone, so they seem to think this would be fine because this is what they USED to do. Really? Problem is, you told us of this other chemo that was part of the plan and now we'll always wonder if we received the BEST care!
4. Dave and my mom have been mentally preparing themselves for this process for months and for them to run out of the medication they already had planned in advance to administer, is in my opinion, sloppy. There is a lot of planning to do to leave your home, family, and job for 4-6 weeks. Obviously, they are frustrated. And I don't know if you can tell, but I'm frustrated too! This is a family journey that we are on and we were all prepping for our parts.
Okay, enough with Debbie Downer. What am I grateful for:
1. I'm grateful that we have an amazing support system of family and friends that have opened their homes, offered to house sit, prayed, and just listened and supported us over the past 9 months.
2. I'm grateful that Dave is in complete response going into this transplant and has responded so well to all treatment.
3. I'm grateful that Dave has my mom as a caretaker. He couldn't be in better hands.
4. I'm grateful for the amazing local Oncologist and nurses that have given Dave the greatest care and support for the past 9 months here in Visalia.
5. I am grateful and aware of God's control on this situation and will remain faithful no matter how his plans doesn't always match our plans.
So for now, we patiently wait.... I will let you know the new schedule once we are told.
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