Jeff has been fever free for about 30 hours, and hopefully will remain that way so we can bust him out of here. His white count was 0.2 today, so I'm hoping that's the start of a real climb.
Hopefully, I'll be posting more good news soon.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Another Temp
Jeff ran another temperature early this morning, so it will be at least Friday before he is discharged. His white count is still lingering at 0.1, but nobody seems too concerned about it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fevers & Donor Drive
Jeff has an infection in his central line, so the docs started him on the appropriate IV antibiotic. His temp hasn't risen yet today, but he needs to be fever-free for about 36 hours before they'll discharge him. Let's hope he's home by Thursday.
The donor drive was a big success. We registered 186 new people and raised about $3500 to help with the cost of the tissue typing. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day run as smoothly as it did, and special thanks to all the new donors.
The donor drive was a big success. We registered 186 new people and raised about $3500 to help with the cost of the tissue typing. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day run as smoothly as it did, and special thanks to all the new donors.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Don't Forget
Please don't forget about the donor drive:
Tuesday, August 11
Johnsonburg Fire Hall
4 - 8 PM
Jeff was admitted to the hospital again today because of fevers. Although it looked like he's been on the verge of recovering his blood counts for over a week, he is still not there, and actually, his white count is back to 0.1. Since October of 2007, Jeff has had a truck load of the most intense types of chemotherapy that exist, so it really shouldn't surprise us that his body is taking its time to recover. It's just frustrating, and Jeff would really like to start feeling better.
JD and I are going to stay home for a few days, while Jeff's mom takes care of things in Hershey. See you at the marrow drive.
Tuesday, August 11
Johnsonburg Fire Hall
4 - 8 PM
Jeff was admitted to the hospital again today because of fevers. Although it looked like he's been on the verge of recovering his blood counts for over a week, he is still not there, and actually, his white count is back to 0.1. Since October of 2007, Jeff has had a truck load of the most intense types of chemotherapy that exist, so it really shouldn't surprise us that his body is taking its time to recover. It's just frustrating, and Jeff would really like to start feeling better.
JD and I are going to stay home for a few days, while Jeff's mom takes care of things in Hershey. See you at the marrow drive.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The Plan
Well, we are home and very happy to be here.
Jeff had an appointment with Dr. Claxton today, and we now have a better idea of what to expect for the next eight weeks. For the next two weeks or so, we'll be traveling to Hershey twice a week for visits to Day Hospital, where Jeff will get transfusion support until his counts recover. Once his counts do recover, and he is making and holding on to his platelets, he'll get the reservoir installed in his head, through which he'll receive chemo to his central nervous system once a week. Also in two weeks, they'll perform another bone marrow biopsy, which will help Dr. Claxton to decide which chemotherapy regimen Jeff receives next. Regardless of the results, he'll be getting another week-long treatment in 3-4 weeks, to help his odds of being in remission at transplant time. If all of the transplant planning goes as expected, AND he is in remission or very close to it, AND his central nervous system is free and clear of disease, the transplant will take place in about 2 months.
Jeff's immune system is still severely suppressed, so if you're sick, please keep your germs at home. Other than that rule, I think it would be good for Jeff to get visitors and phone calls.
Jeff had an appointment with Dr. Claxton today, and we now have a better idea of what to expect for the next eight weeks. For the next two weeks or so, we'll be traveling to Hershey twice a week for visits to Day Hospital, where Jeff will get transfusion support until his counts recover. Once his counts do recover, and he is making and holding on to his platelets, he'll get the reservoir installed in his head, through which he'll receive chemo to his central nervous system once a week. Also in two weeks, they'll perform another bone marrow biopsy, which will help Dr. Claxton to decide which chemotherapy regimen Jeff receives next. Regardless of the results, he'll be getting another week-long treatment in 3-4 weeks, to help his odds of being in remission at transplant time. If all of the transplant planning goes as expected, AND he is in remission or very close to it, AND his central nervous system is free and clear of disease, the transplant will take place in about 2 months.
Jeff's immune system is still severely suppressed, so if you're sick, please keep your germs at home. Other than that rule, I think it would be good for Jeff to get visitors and phone calls.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Nothing New
Not too much to report. Jeff is feeling okay physically, aside from the fatigue and weakness. However, both of our mental and emotional states could use some work. We have an appointment at clinic tomorrow with Dr. Claxton, where hopefully, we'll learn a little more about what to expect over the next month or so. I'm going to push for them to schedule his Day Hospital visits with 2 days between, so that we can go home and just commute back and forth. We miss our dogs, our bed, our families...I could go on and on.
JD had a little bout with a virus this week. He had a fever, a one-time vomit (all over my car, of course) and he has a couple of mouth sores. I think maybe it's that hand, foot and mouth thing that kids get. He was feeling much better tonight, and so far, Jeff has remained symptomless. JD has been an exceptionally healthy kid, so I shouldn't whine too much about this, but the timing wasn't exactly great. Then again, JD arrived into this world 6 days after Jeff's first transplant, so I should probably expect that my life is going to abide by Murphy's Law.
Anyway, with a little persistence and some late-night driving, we might get to sleep in our own bed tomorrow night. Three cheers for that.
JD had a little bout with a virus this week. He had a fever, a one-time vomit (all over my car, of course) and he has a couple of mouth sores. I think maybe it's that hand, foot and mouth thing that kids get. He was feeling much better tonight, and so far, Jeff has remained symptomless. JD has been an exceptionally healthy kid, so I shouldn't whine too much about this, but the timing wasn't exactly great. Then again, JD arrived into this world 6 days after Jeff's first transplant, so I should probably expect that my life is going to abide by Murphy's Law.
Anyway, with a little persistence and some late-night driving, we might get to sleep in our own bed tomorrow night. Three cheers for that.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
The Donor Search, Etc
Jeff's counts are starting to rise. His white count is up to 0.3, and his red blood has been stable. He needed platelets as recently as Friday, but I'm hoping that no more transfusions are needed. Oddly enough, Jeff's taste buds seem to be making an early recovery. He was able to taste almost everything he ate today, and he downed somewhat normal amounts of food. Because he has lost about 20 lbs, and will probably lose more during transplant, we need to continue to keep him well-fed.
You may or may not have heard that the preliminary data available through the donor registry shows several 9/10 matches for Jeff. The hospital is currently working through the logistics of getting confirmatory typing completed on the possible matches, and choosing the best all-around person for the job. The process usually takes about 6 weeks, so we have to hope that one of the possibles works out in a timely manner.
In the mean time, please do not let this information deter you from attending our local donor drive. Jeff only has a match because of the thousands and thousands of people that have been registered in drives just like ours, and have committed to helping an absolute stranger. There are still lots of people who need transplanted, but can't get it because they don't have a suitable donor. PLEASE, please, if you fit the bill medically, make the right decision and attend the drive.
You may or may not have heard that the preliminary data available through the donor registry shows several 9/10 matches for Jeff. The hospital is currently working through the logistics of getting confirmatory typing completed on the possible matches, and choosing the best all-around person for the job. The process usually takes about 6 weeks, so we have to hope that one of the possibles works out in a timely manner.
In the mean time, please do not let this information deter you from attending our local donor drive. Jeff only has a match because of the thousands and thousands of people that have been registered in drives just like ours, and have committed to helping an absolute stranger. There are still lots of people who need transplanted, but can't get it because they don't have a suitable donor. PLEASE, please, if you fit the bill medically, make the right decision and attend the drive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)