Hello family and friends, I spoke with my mom this morning and she informed me that Dave was hospitalized last night with a fever. In the last blog, I explained that any fever above 100.4 they require the patient to be hospitalized so that they can monitor them even closer. Mom was taking Dave's temp regularly last night and it reached 100.8 so she insisted they call the hospital. Around 8 p.m. they headed over and he was admitted. At this point there is nothing to be concerned about. It's really amazing that he made it 10 days post transplant before being hospitalized. This is just normal precautionary measures.
They will keep Dave admitted until his white counts start to rise. They will be giving him high doses of antibiotics for the fever, fluids, his meds through an IV, and will keep him very comfortable.
If there are any changes, I will let you know.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Dave Update-June 11, 2011
Hi there family and friends, sorry for the lapse in updates, but there wasn't really much new to report until now. Dave is still doing really good so far, except he has got to a few of those pesky mouth sores. The mouth sores are in his throat so you can imagine how annoying that must be. He received some "liquid" pain med today so hopefully that will help manage the discomfort they cause. He also has a slight fever. Nothing alarming at this point, but obviously they will montior him carefully. They got it down to a 99 degrees I believe and if it goes to 100.4 they would hospitalize him so they can monitor him even more cafefully. He is in great hands and the staff is taking great care of him.
Each day is a new unknown, but so far Dave has been the ideal patient, breaking all "normal" and "to be expected" symptoms and complications transplant patients typically experience.
Cory and I will be going for a visit next weekend. I seriously can't wait! I really miss mom and Dave and can't wait to see them. I hope to go to one of Dave's doctor's appointment, see the hospital, and maybe sneak over to the mall with my mom, while the guys visit. I'm so excited to be in Palo Alto on Father's Day and get to spend some time with Dave and my mom.
My parents have been thrilled by all the cards and gifts family and friends have sent. How thoughful and kind of all of you. It can be lonely being away from your home, but you have made it easier. Thank you.
Each day is a new unknown, but so far Dave has been the ideal patient, breaking all "normal" and "to be expected" symptoms and complications transplant patients typically experience.
Cory and I will be going for a visit next weekend. I seriously can't wait! I really miss mom and Dave and can't wait to see them. I hope to go to one of Dave's doctor's appointment, see the hospital, and maybe sneak over to the mall with my mom, while the guys visit. I'm so excited to be in Palo Alto on Father's Day and get to spend some time with Dave and my mom.
My parents have been thrilled by all the cards and gifts family and friends have sent. How thoughful and kind of all of you. It can be lonely being away from your home, but you have made it easier. Thank you.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Dave Update-June 8, 2011
Hello family and friends, it looks like things are looking up for Dave. He started feeling better yesterday and was able to go on a short walk with my mom and finally eat a little. The medication they gave him for nausea has been working so no more "up chuck". His numbers are dropping just like they should and he will start nupragen shots tomorrow. Neupogen is a growth factor that is used to bring Dave's stem cells back up to fighting levels (after chemo wiped out his immune system) and helps to stimulate an accelerated production of white blood cells (which Dave needs to fight off infections). We are day 5 post transplant and Dave still hasn't been hospitalized! We are close to zeroing out his system so if we get through the next few days without any complications, we should be over the hump. Fever and infection- stay away!
I read and follow many blogs on multiple myeloma patients and Dave really is doing remarkable well considering everything his body has gone through.
I also want you all to know today is Mom and Dave's Anniversary. It was 26 years today that they married. Wow! I was 15 years old and I'm sure many of you remember what a great day it was. Well, actually, now that I think of it, many of you probably don't "remember" much about that day- if you know what I mean! (wink)!
Not many couples make it 26 years these days and I have a lot of respect for my parent's commitment to each other and our family. Those of us who have failed at marriage know what a challenge it is and how selfless you have to be at times to make things work. I've seen this time and time again between my mom and Dave. I see it now, as my mom so lovingly and painsakingly has cared for Dave. I see it in Dave as he took on four children and raised them as his own.
I found this poem I wanted to share. I did not write it, but I thought it was a wonderful example of what God wanted out of marriage. I think mom and Dave are a beautiful example of this and I hope that all of us who have struggled in marriage and commitment can recognize why God created this amazing partnership.
God created marriage,
for he knew we'd need a friend.
To share our hopes and dreams with,
and love us 'till the end.
God created marriage,
to teach us how to share.
All our earthly assets,
and make us more aware;
That someone else's feelings,
are more important than our own.
And not one of us is perfect,
so we can't cast a stone.
God created marriage,
to teach us to forgive.
His life was our example,
He showed us how to give.
God created marriage,
to teach us how to say.
"I love you" to another person,
each and every day.
Please say a special prayer for mom and Dave today as they celebrate their anniversary. I pray that God strengthens their commitment to each other. I pray that their eyes are wide open to the gifts they have given each other over the years and that an abundance of appreciation, forgiveness, and peace will cover them.
I read and follow many blogs on multiple myeloma patients and Dave really is doing remarkable well considering everything his body has gone through.
I also want you all to know today is Mom and Dave's Anniversary. It was 26 years today that they married. Wow! I was 15 years old and I'm sure many of you remember what a great day it was. Well, actually, now that I think of it, many of you probably don't "remember" much about that day- if you know what I mean! (wink)!
Not many couples make it 26 years these days and I have a lot of respect for my parent's commitment to each other and our family. Those of us who have failed at marriage know what a challenge it is and how selfless you have to be at times to make things work. I've seen this time and time again between my mom and Dave. I see it now, as my mom so lovingly and painsakingly has cared for Dave. I see it in Dave as he took on four children and raised them as his own.
I found this poem I wanted to share. I did not write it, but I thought it was a wonderful example of what God wanted out of marriage. I think mom and Dave are a beautiful example of this and I hope that all of us who have struggled in marriage and commitment can recognize why God created this amazing partnership.
God created marriage,
for he knew we'd need a friend.
To share our hopes and dreams with,
and love us 'till the end.
God created marriage,
to teach us how to share.
All our earthly assets,
and make us more aware;
That someone else's feelings,
are more important than our own.
And not one of us is perfect,
so we can't cast a stone.
God created marriage,
to teach us to forgive.
His life was our example,
He showed us how to give.
God created marriage,
to teach us how to say.
"I love you" to another person,
each and every day.
Please say a special prayer for mom and Dave today as they celebrate their anniversary. I pray that God strengthens their commitment to each other. I pray that their eyes are wide open to the gifts they have given each other over the years and that an abundance of appreciation, forgiveness, and peace will cover them.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Dave Update-June 6, 2011
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
God is good.
Much Love,
Jeana
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.
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