Fasten Your Seatbelts

Shoopy
Shoopy Member Posts: 210
edited April 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1

So the original plan was for my brother to donate his stem cells on the 28th and 29th of this month.  I would  had started the high dose chemo part of the transplant on May 5th.  Of course, things never go as planned with me.  But wait...normally things get delayed...postponed...this time...they aren't!  They decided to move thing up?  Could this be?  Has Area 51 transported me to some paralell universe?

The doctors met last Monday and decided that we had an open window and don't want to give the cancer another chance.  They moved my brother up to collect his stem cells this Monday and Tuesday.  He is a minister so image having to take those G-shots during Easter week.  They are moving me to the BMT unit on Monday with the goal of starting the HD chemo on Wednesday.

The cancer isn't completely gone but they believe it has dramatically reduced.  There are still a lot of risks too: bleeding, infection.  Mainly because my counts are so low given the amount of chemo I've been given.  Of course, there's always a chance the cancer might return in a short period of time.  Both the oncologist and BMT doctor say there are a couple things that can be done (althought, let's face it...that wouldn't be great).  And then there is graft-v-host. 

So...while there are plenty of reasons to be happy...there are also plenty of reasons to be a little scared.

My plan is to live forever!  So far; so good!

Karl

Comments

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #2
    Positive thoughts coming...

    Hi Karl,

     You will have all of my positive thoughts coming your way! Everything sounds good, but indeed there is still plenty to be concerned about. I sure understand the "scary" part...right now I'm about as scared as it gets, but now I can take all of my scared energy and focus it in positive thoughts for you! I will be praying hard for you and wishing only good things to come. Take care my friend and know we are here for you all the way! God bless your wonderful brother, and you and your family. Best wishes...Sue

    (Follicular NHL-Relapsed April 2014)

  • illead
    illead Member Posts: 884 Member
    #3
    allmost60 said:

    Positive thoughts coming...

    Hi Karl,

     You will have all of my positive thoughts coming your way! Everything sounds good, but indeed there is still plenty to be concerned about. I sure understand the "scary" part...right now I'm about as scared as it gets, but now I can take all of my scared energy and focus it in positive thoughts for you! I will be praying hard for you and wishing only good things to come. Take care my friend and know we are here for you all the way! God bless your wonderful brother, and you and your family. Best wishes...Sue

    (Follicular NHL-Relapsed April 2014)

    Hi Karl

    I was afraid to read your post, but thank goodness there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I know it's just a glimmer but we're praying it gets brighter and brighter.  I echo Sue's comments, she said it perfectly.  The other day Bill was taking a nap and it was so long, I snuck in to make sure he was still breathing.  We keep chugging along but these side trips aren't fun.  We know you will hang in there. 

    Thinking and praying for you and your family, B&B

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #4
    A glimmer is good :)

    Hey Karl!  I would be scared myself but as Sue said, we're with you all the way, buddy.  Now be careful cause those "aliens" may clone you :).   Come to think of it a few more of you here with your great atttitude would be a good thing.  Give your brother a hug from us.  I wish you were getting a BLT instead of a BMT but I don't know if there are support groups for a BLT :).

    Positive thoughts and energy coming your way,

    Jim

     

     

  • MChantal
    MChantal Member Posts: 107
    #5
    Happy Easter

    Hi Karl,

    As you mentioned, that there are "plenty of reasons to be happy...there are also plenty of reasons to be a little scared" although Kyle did not undergo an allo, we met plenty of people that were undergoing the allo while we were in the transplant center. Kyle was actually placed in the unit where all the allo's were and in all honesty as much as it scared him, it gave us a sense of almost relief. The allo's at the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute were of course, in a much higher acuity or rather "awareness" state, it provides a security factor that the auto's were not given. The allo's had more precautions (like i am sure you have been told) that led to better outcomes and at the Institute they knew what they were doing. Trust in your medical team and always keep that positive outlook.

    Let faith drive out fear. God is good.

    Michelle

    P.S.

    Kyle told me to tell you to email him if you have any questions regarding the actually transplant. Grant, the situations are extremely different, it's sometimes nice to talk to someone who has undergone a similar experience.

    KRSchneider@bernco.gov

  • Shoopy
    Shoopy Member Posts: 210
    #6
    Kind words and status

    So here I sit feeling so loved by all the comments from my compadres.  Thank you for all your comments.

    I had my central line inserted this morning as well as the plural effusion drained (thank goodness...was tough to breathe!)

    High dose chemo starts promptly at 9am tomorrow (Day-7).

    Let's get this party started...woo-hoo

    My plan is to live forever!  So far; so good!

    Karl

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #7
    Shoopy said:

    Kind words and status

    So here I sit feeling so loved by all the comments from my compadres.  Thank you for all your comments.

    I had my central line inserted this morning as well as the plural effusion drained (thank goodness...was tough to breathe!)

    High dose chemo starts promptly at 9am tomorrow (Day-7).

    Let's get this party started...woo-hoo

    My plan is to live forever!  So far; so good!

    Karl

    Good Luck!

    Good luck tomorrow!  Here is your new nurse at Area 51.  She'll be serving you "out of this world" coctails.

    image

    Hugs - Jim

    Animated clip art gif image of green moving alien head winking and closing it's eyes

  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    #8
    Shoopy said:

    Kind words and status

    So here I sit feeling so loved by all the comments from my compadres.  Thank you for all your comments.

    I had my central line inserted this morning as well as the plural effusion drained (thank goodness...was tough to breathe!)

    High dose chemo starts promptly at 9am tomorrow (Day-7).

    Let's get this party started...woo-hoo

    My plan is to live forever!  So far; so good!

    Karl

    Happy

    Karl,

    I am so happy to hear that your SCT is finally happening. You are going to do great, I just know you will. 

    I'm also glad you got your pleural effusion drained for easier breathing.

    Prayers, hugs, and love,

    Rocquie

     

  • illead
    illead Member Posts: 884 Member
    #9
    Rocquie said:

    Happy

    Karl,

    I am so happy to hear that your SCT is finally happening. You are going to do great, I just know you will. 

    I'm also glad you got your pleural effusion drained for easier breathing.

    Prayers, hugs, and love,

    Rocquie

     

    Tomorrow

    We'll be thinking of you too, dear friend.

    B&B

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #10
    illead said:

    Tomorrow

    We'll be thinking of you too, dear friend.

    B&B

    Me too!!!

    Hey Karl...

      We have your back my friend! Hang in there and know prayers and positive thoughts are headed your way! My bestest Wink wishes to you and your family...Sue

  • anliperez915
    anliperez915 Member Posts: 770
    #11
    Shoopy said:

    Kind words and status

    So here I sit feeling so loved by all the comments from my compadres.  Thank you for all your comments.

    I had my central line inserted this morning as well as the plural effusion drained (thank goodness...was tough to breathe!)

    High dose chemo starts promptly at 9am tomorrow (Day-7).

    Let's get this party started...woo-hoo

    My plan is to live forever!  So far; so good!

    Karl

    I will be keeping you in my

    I will be keeping you in my prayers! Hope everything runs smoothly, take care and I know you can do this, with such a positive attitude who wouldn't!! 

    Sincerely,

    Liz

  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #12
    Shoopy said:

    Kind words and status

    So here I sit feeling so loved by all the comments from my compadres.  Thank you for all your comments.

    I had my central line inserted this morning as well as the plural effusion drained (thank goodness...was tough to breathe!)

    High dose chemo starts promptly at 9am tomorrow (Day-7).

    Let's get this party started...woo-hoo

    My plan is to live forever!  So far; so good!

    Karl

    Party Time!

    Not sure if you are in the same time zone as I (Eastern) but it's time for your party to start.  Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you.  So, don't get "toxic wasted" at your party! ;).

    Jim

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