Tunnel Catheter Inserted Today

My Tunnel Catheter was inserted today in my right side near my collar bone. It was about a 30 minute procedure in the operating room. I was not "out" but in a twilgiht condition as they called it. No problems. One hour in recovery to let the drugs wear off and we were on our way. Stem Cell collection starts Thursday.

Getting Ready to Harvest my Stem Cells

I started getting a daily shot of NEUPOGEN, Sunday, to cause my body to make more white blood cells to get ready for the stem cell harvest this Friday. This causes me to have an abundance of white blood cells and the harvest goes well. Wednesday I get a central line installed and Friday the harvest takes place. I get connected to a machine that looks like a dialysis machine. My blood goes through it, the stem cells get removed, and the blood gets returned to my body.

Pre-Transplant Physical Exam Completed

I have completed two days of testing. When they took my blood, they used 14 test tubes because there was going to be so many tests performed using the blood. This was a very complete round of tests used to find "anything" that may be wrong at the moment that would become a major problem after my immune system is killed by the high-dosage chemo.  We start a 10-day waiting period now so they can review the test results and give me a clean report as a go-ahead for the chemo.

Mayo Visit - Stem Cell Transplant is a "GO"

We met with Dr. M at Mayo and he told me that I am an excellect candidate for the high dosage chemo treatment and the Stem Cell Transplant. So, for the first week of July, I will have a physical and tests to make sure I can stand the coming treatments. Second week of July is a rest. Third week of July is the Stem Cell Harvesting. Fourth week of July is check-in to Hospital, get the high-dosage chemo treatment, and transplant the stem cells from week 3. I will be in the hospital for about 2.5 weeks and go home mid August.

Peripheral Neuropathy is Starting - Reducing Velcade

I am having symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Spoke with Dr.S and Dr. M (at Mayo), and they both agreed that we should reduce the Chemo drug Velcade. We kept the amount the same but changed the frequency from twice a week to once a week. Let's see if that helps..............

Initial Consult Set-up With Mayo Clinic for June 17

We got through the registration paperwork, records transfer and doctor assignment process at Mayo. My Initial Consult visit is set-up for June 17th with Dr. Slack to discuss the opportunites for a Stem Cell Transplant. Thank goodness they are part of the Optum Healthcare Centers of Excellence Program and considered "in network" because of it.

Cycle 3 of Velcade Chemo Going Well

I am half way through the third cycle of chemo and the after-effects are continuing to remain low. Interruped sleep is the most annoying. There are nights when I wake up every 20 to 30 minutes and take 15 to 30 minutes to sleep again. Then there are nights where I wake up once and sleep the rest of the night. I catch up with a nap or two the next day and I am fine. It's more annoying than anything else.