We were awakened at 3:30 am for an extended blood test process. Deb's chest port had to be accessed since her three lines would not produce. That meant some lidocaine creme spread on her port site to prepare in for a honking big 90 degree needle. Did I mention that it was at 3:30 am??? \|/
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| Deb's room from the bookstore sidewalk-under the mark. seventh floor next to end room |
Yesterday afternoon I took a short walk over to the bookstore while Deb slept. Lack of exercise makes one move like a slug! I like to peruse the books the nurse and doctor students use. They look like high schoolers with huge book bags and lab coats in the dining hall and around campus. They all have iPhones and headsets plugged in. In a year or so they could be holding my heart, so I treat them with respect!
Deb's platelets are very low and the only matching donor we know of in Wisconsin did not donate this week apparently.{joke} So we wait!. Until platelets go up, no bone marrow procedure. So we wait.
We are eager to see these numbers go up to normal.
Everyday a nutritionist comes around and provides the day's entertainment. Today it was 'the man in black' who is a PhD candidate who wants to work with a sports team someday. He is a vegetarian. We talked about the original veggie diet in the biblical book of Daniel 1.
Chatted with a classmate from Alabama this morning. He has had 8 stem cell transplants and 36 bone marrow tests. They infused his last stem cells and they are going home hoping the stem cells will do their thing in his marrow. They looked very tired.
Stand by for news throughout the day!
There is an educational event ahead on the ins and outs of myeloma. Many of our caregivers will be presenting.
Amanda just arrived for a Friday-Sat visit. Good to see her. She is giving Vern a Saturday off. YEAH!!!
The Doc just left. We had meds being hung and discussed and Deb had many questions. Biggie: The virus they've been fighting is responding very well to the drug that causes Deb to have rashes, fevers, and diarhea. A week ago virus count was over 900,000. Today it is 800. So, good response, but at a price!
Most likely no platelets will be found today. Tomorrow starts the glacial weekend. So, bone marrow will probably be Monday.
Stand by for news when it happens!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Platelets arrived and were infused too late in the day for the bone marrow. So, a likely scenario is for platelets to be needed Monday, be located by Mon afternoon, and bone marrow Mon or Tues.
Because Deb is in such tough shape, the procedure will be done in her room under IV sedation. Should be the easiest of her 18 or so procedures.
Amanda arrived and is spending the night with Deb. Vern hopefully gets a nights sleep at the condo tonight.
Blessings all!
The Doc just left. We had meds being hung and discussed and Deb had many questions. Biggie: The virus they've been fighting is responding very well to the drug that causes Deb to have rashes, fevers, and diarhea. A week ago virus count was over 900,000. Today it is 800. So, good response, but at a price!
Most likely no platelets will be found today. Tomorrow starts the glacial weekend. So, bone marrow will probably be Monday.
Stand by for news when it happens!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Platelets arrived and were infused too late in the day for the bone marrow. So, a likely scenario is for platelets to be needed Monday, be located by Mon afternoon, and bone marrow Mon or Tues.
Because Deb is in such tough shape, the procedure will be done in her room under IV sedation. Should be the easiest of her 18 or so procedures.
Amanda arrived and is spending the night with Deb. Vern hopefully gets a nights sleep at the condo tonight.
Blessings all!
Platelets -(Normal range 150-500) a whitish colored component of blood. Low platelets=higher Woozy factor!
CRP -(Normal range = 0.0-10) An indicator of relative health. Lower is better. When the number creeps up, Deb could be getting sick.
CRP -(Normal range = 0.0-10) An indicator of relative health. Lower is better. When the number creeps up, Deb could be getting sick.
Day White Count Platelets CRP
0 0.04 29 12.8
1 0.07 15 77.0
2 0.03 42 140.3
3 0.07 27 144.1
4 0.23 52 206.0
5 1.21 33 168.2
6 2.32 26 214.0
7 2.29 11 209.3
8 2.84 25 230.2
9 2.32 12 234.1
10 2.66 24 220.1
11 2.50 15 196.0
12 2.54 28 186.0
13 1.98 18 181.0
14 1.22 28 199.9
15 0.95 20 138.6
Stem Cells on Day 15
16 0.83 32 129.4
0 0.04 29 12.8
1 0.07 15 77.0
2 0.03 42 140.3
3 0.07 27 144.1
4 0.23 52 206.0
5 1.21 33 168.2
6 2.32 26 214.0
7 2.29 11 209.3
8 2.84 25 230.2
9 2.32 12 234.1
10 2.66 24 220.1
11 2.50 15 196.0
12 2.54 28 186.0
13 1.98 18 181.0
14 1.22 28 199.9
15 0.95 20 138.6
Stem Cells on Day 15
16 0.83 32 129.4
17 0.86 22 121.4
18 0.70 12 110.3
19 0.55 9 159.2
20 0.75 14 162.9
21 0.36 26 127.9
22 0.53 13 86.2
23 0.34 28 59.6
24 0.29 14 95.8
25 0.38 28 114.5
26 0.40 17 129.1
27 0.37 29 87.0
28 0.41 24 72.6
29 0.35 12 73.3
Hi ! Praying for those platelets to go up. It is amazing all of the people whose lives you touch with your encouraging attitude, inquisitive personality, and (most of all) His love!! Cindy & Don J.
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