Day -1, Prep for tomorrow

Woozy meter registered about a 6.5 this morning with a little mental confusion and digestive troubles. We settled into our regular room in the clinic. The HVAC  system was confused and although it was 50s-60s outside, the system kept pouring arctic air on us. We reported it to the boss nurse who got maintenance on it. As long as the heated blankets hold out, we'll be OK. Even Vern made himself up like a 'mommy-mummy' yesterday. Today we had our hats and coats on.

The was some confusion about Deb's sequential position in the Natural Killer Cell Program. We confirmed that she is actually number six in the world! Number seven is just starting processing. It is the doctor patient I reported on last week. He had previously told us he was not able to be a candidate, but now he is. He really wanted to be. Professional courtesy? We do not know. Amanda met number one. We've been visiting with number five. A number of the tests were not so successful because the blood was being frozen after Baylor processed it. One of the test subjects was our friend who died of infections. A pretty exclusive club, no doubt!

Dr Fox,who is in charge of all things blood at UAMS, came for visit. She does not allow pix. Dr Fox asked all about Amanda, whom she got to know while Amanda's cell were being collected. She was also wearing a piece of handmade jewelry similar to what Deb and friends make. That gave Deb and Dr Fox a little more connection. Dr Fox said that she personally would bring the cells over from the lab when they were ready for infusion.

It will take about  five hours to prepare the cells tomorrow morning. Therefore, we will not go in until 10:30 am. Then APN Kristen has to do a little physical on behalf of Dr van Rhee.

APN Nadine will oversee the procedure. APN Peggy has been overseeing Deb all week but has other duties tomorrow. Nadine is the nurse who saved Deb's life several years ago. Dr Waheed will be the boss physician, so we'll have 'a cast of thousands!' We are so grateful for each one who cares so much for Deb!

There is still confusion on staff about the painful belly shots-Interlucen-2 that Deb must have for thirteen days. Our Research nurse told us weeks ago that our insurance would not cover giving these and that Vern would have to give them and we were given written procedures for giving them properly. Number 5 was told a similar thing and he reported to us that the cost of these shots was $7,000 if patient-given, but $40,000 if hospital given. We have asked for clarification since a mere $33,000 may be at stake. Normally, any drug provided by the hospital pharmacy is to be given under supervision of the staff here.

Deb's labs showed her white count at 0.18, so she basically has no immune system. The nasty affects of chemo have all shown up. Deb is very listless and sleepy. So, to the best of our knowledge, we are set for tomorrow. The staff has done their job. The meds have performed as expected. So, with faith in the God who has never let us down and who has brought us this far, we look forward to tomorrow and the future and hope it brings.

We covet your prayers that all works as planned. If this Natural Killer Cell protocol test of thirty individuals can be developed and eventually approved for the general population of cancer patients, it could become a breakthrough in cancer treatments!

Praying together!

Blessings!