Stem Cell Transplant...
This posting is for the newbies in this group of new followers. It will help you to understand that a stem cell transplant is not surgery, but much like a blood transfusion. Then for those of you that are familiar with our last journey with the stem cell transplant in 2009, it will refresh you on what is to come. Especially that Poppy's (ChemoSabe) immune system will be dropping drastically and we will be following precautions.
Stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma -- In a stem cell transplant, the patient gets high-dose chemotherapy (sometimes with radiation to the whole body) to kill the cells in the bone marrow (including the myeloma cells). Then the patient receives new, healthy blood-forming stem cells. When stem cell transplants were first developed, the new stem cells came from bone marrow, and so this was known as a bone marrow transplant. Now, stem cells are more often gathered from the blood (a peripheral blood stem cell transplant).
Stem cell transplant is commonly used to treat multiple myeloma. Before the transplant, drug treatment is used to reduce the number of myeloma cells in the patient’s body
Autologous transplants -- For an autologous stem cell transplant, the patient’s own stem cells are removed from his or her bone marrow or peripheral blood before the transplant. The cells are stored until they are needed for the transplant. Then, the person with myeloma gets treatment such as high-dose chemotherapy, sometimes with radiation, to kill the cancer cells. When this is complete, the stored stem cells are infused back into the patient’s blood.
This type of transplant is a standard treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. Still, while an autologous transplant can make the myeloma go away for a time (even years), it doesn’t cure the cancer, and eventually the myeloma returns.
Some doctors recommend that patients with multiple myeloma have 2 autologous transplants, 6 to 12 months apart. This approach is called tandem transplant. Studies show that this may help some patients more than a single transplant. The drawback is that it causes more side effects and so is riskier.
Side effects -- The early side effects from a stem cell transplant (SCT) are similar to those from chemotherapy and radiation, only more severe. One of the most serious side effects is low blood counts, which can lead to risks of serious infections and bleeding.
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ONWARD: I have some work to do on the cover page of the blog, and I promise to get to that soon. I need to update photos, notes, etc.
We are craving raw oysters so we have been talking about the best place to go in L.R. or Hot Springs. I think we have basically decided on Cajun's Wharf. We haven't been there in a 100 years... LOL We will have to have some soon because he can't do them after he begins his chemo treatments.
He has a new craving for cinnamon applesauce so I have been buying the single serve containers by the multitudes for the frig. He has been letting Pete and Sugar lick the container with much discouragement from me. I told him about a scene I saw yesterday with Sugar going in the yard. I guess he didn't believe me because he let them lick the bowl again last night.
He was up before I this morning.....I heard Woody screeching, of which he never makes a sound until his momma uncovers him in the mornings. I ignored it until I went downstairs myself and the smell was awful..... I'm glad I got up last!!!! I don't remember the last time, if ever, Poppy had to clean the floor from an accident with the kids... Needless to say, I don't think they will be getting anymore applesauce.
I am finding myself more and more protective since our last hospital visit and with the approaching treatment. He is doing a day trip tomorrow and it's wearing on me that he deciding to make road trips again. Last week was a day trip to Shreveport.
He has also had some dental work done that Dr. Z has been frowning upon. Two weeks ago it was a crown, today was cleaning and he has informed me in two weeks he is having a cavity worked on. I found myself just telling him to go ahead and do what he wants. I have explained that the fastest and quickest way for an infection is for someone to be sticking their hands in your mouth.. I'm really going to have to work on myself with issues like that.
Our new MM FB friend is still in ICU. His last name is "Goodness". Please continue to pray for him and especially his family that are in town now. We heard from a posting this evening that his IV have dropped from 11 to 7. Let's pray that each day a bag or two comes off that IV pole. He still remains on the ventilator.
I am reminded of our last stay in the hospital reading up on some of their posts. I don't want to go back there, EVER! It was difficult on Poppy, but in some sense I believe it was more difficult on me. As it would be for any caregiver. Seeing someone there suffering that you have no control over. Really, I don't want to EVER go there again for that reason....
Pray for Poppy, too, in his travels. Pray for his BP to remain stable, as they have been the last few weeks. His labs yesterday showed his levels are coming up, but they still have a way to go. He needs to be strong for the upcoming chemo and he needs to concentrate on resting now, eating and gaining up strength.
Good Night and Love -- Pepper
==============================================================
ONWARD: I have some work to do on the cover page of the blog, and I promise to get to that soon. I need to update photos, notes, etc.
We are craving raw oysters so we have been talking about the best place to go in L.R. or Hot Springs. I think we have basically decided on Cajun's Wharf. We haven't been there in a 100 years... LOL We will have to have some soon because he can't do them after he begins his chemo treatments.
He has a new craving for cinnamon applesauce so I have been buying the single serve containers by the multitudes for the frig. He has been letting Pete and Sugar lick the container with much discouragement from me. I told him about a scene I saw yesterday with Sugar going in the yard. I guess he didn't believe me because he let them lick the bowl again last night.
He was up before I this morning.....I heard Woody screeching, of which he never makes a sound until his momma uncovers him in the mornings. I ignored it until I went downstairs myself and the smell was awful..... I'm glad I got up last!!!! I don't remember the last time, if ever, Poppy had to clean the floor from an accident with the kids... Needless to say, I don't think they will be getting anymore applesauce.
I am finding myself more and more protective since our last hospital visit and with the approaching treatment. He is doing a day trip tomorrow and it's wearing on me that he deciding to make road trips again. Last week was a day trip to Shreveport.
He has also had some dental work done that Dr. Z has been frowning upon. Two weeks ago it was a crown, today was cleaning and he has informed me in two weeks he is having a cavity worked on. I found myself just telling him to go ahead and do what he wants. I have explained that the fastest and quickest way for an infection is for someone to be sticking their hands in your mouth.. I'm really going to have to work on myself with issues like that.
Our new MM FB friend is still in ICU. His last name is "Goodness". Please continue to pray for him and especially his family that are in town now. We heard from a posting this evening that his IV have dropped from 11 to 7. Let's pray that each day a bag or two comes off that IV pole. He still remains on the ventilator.
I am reminded of our last stay in the hospital reading up on some of their posts. I don't want to go back there, EVER! It was difficult on Poppy, but in some sense I believe it was more difficult on me. As it would be for any caregiver. Seeing someone there suffering that you have no control over. Really, I don't want to EVER go there again for that reason....
Pray for Poppy, too, in his travels. Pray for his BP to remain stable, as they have been the last few weeks. His labs yesterday showed his levels are coming up, but they still have a way to go. He needs to be strong for the upcoming chemo and he needs to concentrate on resting now, eating and gaining up strength.
Good Night and Love -- Pepper
1 comment:
Kathy, Diane and I will continue to pray for Jim and for you.
Keith
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