Craig has surpassed his goal for number of stem cells for 2 transplants. Chemotherapy will be April 1& 2 and transplant will April 3!
Craig has a couple days to rest before the start of another phase.
Gail
Monday, March 30, 2009
Summary of March 25 and 26, 2009 Stem cell collection
Once again Craig and I have been busy going to the clinic for stem cell collection. We arrive about 7 am and it takes 5 hours. Craig has to stay in a bed for the entire time, but can watch TV or movies, eat snacks or sleep.
I spend some time with him. If I am tired, I can go down to the Patient Quiet Room where there recliners and blankets and sleep. That's for the entire clinic use. Sometimes it is full and sometimes I'm the only one there.
Craig's stem cells numbers feel dramatically yesterday. Last night he went in for a shot of a second growth factor drug. Today his numbers were back where we wanted them. He went in for a second shot tonight and we hope tomorrow will be the last stem cell colection needed. He needs the number "8" for a stem cell count and he is at 6.28. He can go in for another shot on Friday night and collection again on Saturday if needed. The collection process and shots are tiring for him, so we hope for a high number tomorrow.
He'll have a few days of rest before he can get on the chemotherapy schedule. That's a 2 days process and the 3rd day he'll receive his own stem cells back. Engraftment or growing new cells can take from 7 to 21 days. Craig will need to wear a mask when he is out of our room. If all goes well, this can be done as an outpatient.That's all the news from Rochester. At this time of night the internet is really slow and this typing takes twice as long as it should. Craig and Gail
I spend some time with him. If I am tired, I can go down to the Patient Quiet Room where there recliners and blankets and sleep. That's for the entire clinic use. Sometimes it is full and sometimes I'm the only one there.
Craig's stem cells numbers feel dramatically yesterday. Last night he went in for a shot of a second growth factor drug. Today his numbers were back where we wanted them. He went in for a second shot tonight and we hope tomorrow will be the last stem cell colection needed. He needs the number "8" for a stem cell count and he is at 6.28. He can go in for another shot on Friday night and collection again on Saturday if needed. The collection process and shots are tiring for him, so we hope for a high number tomorrow.
He'll have a few days of rest before he can get on the chemotherapy schedule. That's a 2 days process and the 3rd day he'll receive his own stem cells back. Engraftment or growing new cells can take from 7 to 21 days. Craig will need to wear a mask when he is out of our room. If all goes well, this can be done as an outpatient.That's all the news from Rochester. At this time of night the internet is really slow and this typing takes twice as long as it should. Craig and Gail
Monday, March 23, 2009
Contact information
Craig & Gail Eichstadt
705 2nd St. SW # 64
Rochester, MN 55902
507-535-1012 ext. 352
Craig cell: 605 280-4260
Gail cell: 605 280-0702
705 2nd St. SW # 64
Rochester, MN 55902
507-535-1012 ext. 352
Craig cell: 605 280-4260
Gail cell: 605 280-0702
Living arrangements
We feel fortunate we can stay in the Gift of Life Transplant House for as long as needed and as long as we follow the rules. It is a non-profit corporation, but there are several nuns here as employees and volunteers.
The house started in a 1911 Georgian colonial house built by one the first Mayo doctors. The original rooms are used as common areas and the original dining room is still used for dining. A 3 story wing was added on to the house several years ago and the design matches the original house. A huge building for more housing has been started across the street and will be done in November.
There are 2 large communal kitchens and 3 dining rooms. Residents provide their own food, but the kitchens have all the equipment needed for cooking. I do miss my favorite bowls and it is hard sometimes to cook with so many people in the kitchen.
Cleanliness is very important to prevent infection. We sanitize surfaces, before and after we work in the kitchen. Dishes are washed by hand with soap and very hot water and then run through a sanitizer.
The second floor of the original house has 4 rooms for patient and care giver. There are quaint sitting rooms with televisions, books, games, and puzzles for all to use on this floor and on all the floors. On 3rd floor, our TV room is in the former ballroom [a small ballroom] and has many of the original features and original woodwork and ceiling beams. There are no TVs allowed in patient rooms to encourage the residents to visit.
A lot of visiting goes on in the kitchens and dining rooms. Most every one is very friendly. We don't always see some of the sicker patients often. Turnover is high because transplant patients can stay here when needed for checkups even years after the original transplant. Some are only here for a couple days and some for months. It patients waiting for organs can be here for months.
Craig and I enjoy being here. We miss being at home and miss Carl, but this is a wonderful place to stay. There are 3 other couples from SD and many others from the Midwest and even a couple from Argentina. Hospital shuttles run Monday through Friday 7 to 5:30 pm. I've been driving Craig the last few days since he needs to be at the clinic when the shuttles start running. It's nice when I don't have to drive, though.
The Rochester community has embraced the transplant house much like Pierre has embraced the Banquet. The Missouri Synod Lutheran Church is a block from the transplant house. The congregation has a ministry for the patients and helps as needed. Many groups bring in an evening meal for the residents a couple times a month.
Last week we had pizza and cupcakes from a Board of Directors member. The Mennonite Girls sang and there was a local story teller here. I kind of felt like we were in a nursing home.
We're on the 3rd floor and have a large room with 2 beds and a private bath. It's much like a motel, but very quiet.
Craig is doing fairly well, but tires easily. That's one lasting effect of chemo and his back pain. He remains optimistic and we both expect all the procedures will go well and he will be in long term remission when this is all over.
We are very thankful for the support and prayers from family, friends, and coworkers. We know people in many states are praying for Craig. We counted our blessing when we learned one patient had 14 months of chemo and came here 3 weeks after it ended. He went through the week of testing and found his tumor had returned larger than before in those 3 weeks. Gail
The house started in a 1911 Georgian colonial house built by one the first Mayo doctors. The original rooms are used as common areas and the original dining room is still used for dining. A 3 story wing was added on to the house several years ago and the design matches the original house. A huge building for more housing has been started across the street and will be done in November.
There are 2 large communal kitchens and 3 dining rooms. Residents provide their own food, but the kitchens have all the equipment needed for cooking. I do miss my favorite bowls and it is hard sometimes to cook with so many people in the kitchen.
Cleanliness is very important to prevent infection. We sanitize surfaces, before and after we work in the kitchen. Dishes are washed by hand with soap and very hot water and then run through a sanitizer.
The second floor of the original house has 4 rooms for patient and care giver. There are quaint sitting rooms with televisions, books, games, and puzzles for all to use on this floor and on all the floors. On 3rd floor, our TV room is in the former ballroom [a small ballroom] and has many of the original features and original woodwork and ceiling beams. There are no TVs allowed in patient rooms to encourage the residents to visit.
A lot of visiting goes on in the kitchens and dining rooms. Most every one is very friendly. We don't always see some of the sicker patients often. Turnover is high because transplant patients can stay here when needed for checkups even years after the original transplant. Some are only here for a couple days and some for months. It patients waiting for organs can be here for months.
Craig and I enjoy being here. We miss being at home and miss Carl, but this is a wonderful place to stay. There are 3 other couples from SD and many others from the Midwest and even a couple from Argentina. Hospital shuttles run Monday through Friday 7 to 5:30 pm. I've been driving Craig the last few days since he needs to be at the clinic when the shuttles start running. It's nice when I don't have to drive, though.
The Rochester community has embraced the transplant house much like Pierre has embraced the Banquet. The Missouri Synod Lutheran Church is a block from the transplant house. The congregation has a ministry for the patients and helps as needed. Many groups bring in an evening meal for the residents a couple times a month.
Last week we had pizza and cupcakes from a Board of Directors member. The Mennonite Girls sang and there was a local story teller here. I kind of felt like we were in a nursing home.
We're on the 3rd floor and have a large room with 2 beds and a private bath. It's much like a motel, but very quiet.
Craig is doing fairly well, but tires easily. That's one lasting effect of chemo and his back pain. He remains optimistic and we both expect all the procedures will go well and he will be in long term remission when this is all over.
We are very thankful for the support and prayers from family, friends, and coworkers. We know people in many states are praying for Craig. We counted our blessing when we learned one patient had 14 months of chemo and came here 3 weeks after it ended. He went through the week of testing and found his tumor had returned larger than before in those 3 weeks. Gail
First week summary, part 2
We just got out Craig's schedule from last week and I forgot the blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function test, and echocardiogram. We spent 8-10 hours at the clinic every day.
Last Thursday to Sunday Craig had injections to force the stem cells to multiple, mature and go into the blood stream. Today, 3.23.09, stem cell collection began at 7 am. Craig was hooked up to a machine that reminds me of a kidney dialysis for 5 hours. People who don't have a central line have an IV in each arm and need to keep their arms still for the entire time. Craig can watch TV, read, sleep, listen to music, and have snacks. He also had more shots to force the cells to grow.
The cells, that look alot like blood, have a preservative added and then are frozen. The cells are usable for up to 10 years. The preservative causes some unpleasant side effects when the transplant begins.
This afternoon the bone marrow nurse coordinator called and said 25% of the needed cells were collected. We hope there will be enough cells collected by Friday for 2 transplants. Half the cells will be as soon as possible and the remainder will stay frozen in case Craig needs a second transplant. Neither one of us wants to repeat last week.
After collection, Craig will have 2 days of intensive chemotherapy to kill off all the bone marrow. This produces the usual unpleasant side effects. I need to take pictures of Craig before his hair falls out.
We don't know when the transplant will start. Only 6 patients can be transplanted in one day, there may be a wait. Staff here only give out scheduling information as needed.
Last Saturday and Sunday we only went to the clinic once a day for injections. We enjoyed the break from the long days, but had to go in early. End of first week.
Last Thursday to Sunday Craig had injections to force the stem cells to multiple, mature and go into the blood stream. Today, 3.23.09, stem cell collection began at 7 am. Craig was hooked up to a machine that reminds me of a kidney dialysis for 5 hours. People who don't have a central line have an IV in each arm and need to keep their arms still for the entire time. Craig can watch TV, read, sleep, listen to music, and have snacks. He also had more shots to force the cells to grow.
The cells, that look alot like blood, have a preservative added and then are frozen. The cells are usable for up to 10 years. The preservative causes some unpleasant side effects when the transplant begins.
This afternoon the bone marrow nurse coordinator called and said 25% of the needed cells were collected. We hope there will be enough cells collected by Friday for 2 transplants. Half the cells will be as soon as possible and the remainder will stay frozen in case Craig needs a second transplant. Neither one of us wants to repeat last week.
After collection, Craig will have 2 days of intensive chemotherapy to kill off all the bone marrow. This produces the usual unpleasant side effects. I need to take pictures of Craig before his hair falls out.
We don't know when the transplant will start. Only 6 patients can be transplanted in one day, there may be a wait. Staff here only give out scheduling information as needed.
Last Saturday and Sunday we only went to the clinic once a day for injections. We enjoyed the break from the long days, but had to go in early. End of first week.
Third Summary of our first week at Mayo Clinic
The first week was full of every kind of test possible for Craig: MRIs, PET scan, CT scan, x-rays, renal function test, dental exam, visit with a psychologist, and several informative sessions with nurses. The purpose of all the tests is to find new developments, but the hope is to find nothing.
Monday afternoon Craig had another bone marrow biopsy and it was negative for cancer. He is in remission. This is great news and now is the perfect time for a transplant. Thursday morning Craig had another procedure and a central line was inserted under the skin on his chest. One end is in a vein and the other comes out of his chest and splits into 2 tubes. The tubes can be used for like an IV, but the main purpose is to pull blood into a machine, extract the stem cells, and return the blood.
Monday afternoon Craig had another bone marrow biopsy and it was negative for cancer. He is in remission. This is great news and now is the perfect time for a transplant. Thursday morning Craig had another procedure and a central line was inserted under the skin on his chest. One end is in a vein and the other comes out of his chest and splits into 2 tubes. The tubes can be used for like an IV, but the main purpose is to pull blood into a machine, extract the stem cells, and return the blood.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The first week at Mayo Clinic 3.16.09-3.22.09
This week was 5 full days of tests, evaluations, explanations, and 2 procedures. Craig had MRIs, PET scans, CT scan, x-rays, renal function test, dental exam, interview with a psychologist, blood and urine tests, bone marrow biopsy, and had another catheter inserted in his chest. The purpose of all the tests was to be sure nothing new had developed, such as tumors in the spine. They didn't tell us this until after all the tests. Most days we had to be at the clinic by 7 or 7:30 and often were there til 5 or 5:30. Each day and evening was full and left little time to email often or to write blogs.
The good news is Craig is in remission. There is no cancer in his blood or bone marrow and the bone lesion in his lower back is cancer-free and will not need radiation. Now is the best time for a stem cell transplant.
Thursday a catheter was threaded into his neck and down into a vein. The other end comes out an incision in his chest and ends with 2 tubes. One tube will direct blood into a machine to extract stem cells and then the 2nd tubes returns the blood to his body. Later that day, Craig had 2 growth factor injections in his stomach and every day through Sunday. These force the stem cells to multiple in the bone marrow to the point there are so many they are pushed into the blood stream.
For the rest of his stay, Craig will only go to the clinic once a day. Most everything will be done on an outpatient basis unless there is a problem.
Now there are trillions of stem cells in his blood and collection will begin Monday at 7 am using the catheter. The collection will take 3-5 hours each day until enough cells are collected for 2 transplants. It can take 2-7 days to collect enough cells. The cells are put in a preservative and frozen. After 2 days of chemotherapy to kill his bone marrow, the cells will be transplanted. This chemo has the typical side effects of nausea and hair loss.
We live in the Gift of Life Transplant House 4 blocks from the clinic. You can find out about the house by Googling the name. There are 50 transplant patients and their care givers living in the house. We have an pleasant room with private bath and 2 beds on the 3rd floor. There many TV rooms, and reading and computer rooms. There are 2 complete communal kitchens and 3 dining rooms. We have a refrigerator, freezer, and pantry space. The only downside is washing all dishes in hot soapy water and then running through a sanitizer. We need to wash hands frequently and sanitize the surfaces in the kitchen before and after using them.
Shuttles run Monday-Friday from 7 am to 5:30 and some of the time our schedule works to use this. The rest of the time we drive.
We talk to Carl every day and he is doing fine with Grandpa and ma Eichstadt for 2 weeks. My mother will stay with Carl at the end of March for 3 weeks.
We look forward to your communications on the blog. Please share the address with others. Thank you for your support and prayers. They are working.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
This is Gail. This is a time of new experiences. I'm trying my hand at adding to Craig's blog.
Friday Carl traveled with the Oahe-Pierre Special Olympics basketball team to compete at Mitchell. This is the first time Oahe Inc. has competed in Special Olympics. Craig and I stopped to see the team play a game against Huron. Oahe-Pierre started out with a 8 point lead, but the seasoned Huron team rallied in the second half and pulled out a victory.
I did take a few pictures of the team and will get them on the computer as soon as I learn how.
Carl and the team seemed to be enjoying themselves. Craig and I were glad to see all of them and cheer them on. After the team ate, we hugged Carl good-by and started the drive to the next new experience.
The team played another game at 3 pm and got back to Pierre in the evening. Even after a long day, Carl went to Pot of Gold bowling with the Pit Crew house guys and had fun. He told us he bought a new bowling ball.
We're in Rochester and settled in the Gift of Life Transplant House for the medical experience of getting Craig in long-term remission from multiple myeloma.
The house is an elegant 1911 Georgian colonial built by a Mayo doctor. The original house is used as common areas and has one dining room. The 60 rooms are in a new Georgian colonial style addition behind the house. Our 3rd floor room with bathroom is large & pleasant. We should be very comfortable here. The 3rd floor ballroom has been converted to a common sitting and TV room and there are a couple reading rooms . I'm looking forward to relaxing there.
There are 3 large communal kitchens and dining rooms and ours is in the addition. It's hard cooking in a strange kitchen and our pantry, freezer, and refrigerator space are in different corners. We need to sanitize the counter area before and after we cook and sterilize the dishes after we wash them by hand in very hot water. It will take awhile to get used to cooking with a third of the patients/care-givers and no dishwasher.
There are 3 other patients from South Dakota here, but we haven't met them yet. Many are from Iowa and Minnesota and there is one patient from Italy.
Craig is fasting this evening and needs to be at the clinic tomorrow morning at 7:30 am for tests. We're not sure what will be tested and will be given more details tomorrow.
There is a transit bus from the house to the clinic. We plan on using that often. It's about 5 blocks from the house to clinic, so I could walk occasionally. Parking is a challenge close to the clinic.
Craig is feeling pretty good tonight and looks good. We found a Hy-Vee and Craig didn't get tired shopping. He hasn't felt well the past couple weeks since his last chemo treatment. The chemo did kill the cancer in his blood, bone marrow, and one lesion, but left him tired.
Pastor Urbach suggested we call the pastor from Trinity Lutheran here and planned on doing that. Tonight we discovered the church is a half block away.
We need to be ready for the bus at 7 am tomorrow, so it's time to close. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Gail
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday Evening
We are home for this Wednesday, waiting for our trip this weekend to Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
I will post to this blog as there are new things to report. For now, hello, and there will be more to come.
I will post to this blog as there are new things to report. For now, hello, and there will be more to come.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A week and a half Away...
As most of you who would read or follow this blog know, I am a 57 year old state employee in Pierre, South Dakota who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in October, 2008. I have been undergoing chemotherapy since diagnosis, and this part of treatment probably is finished or nearly so. The next (apparent) step in treatment is an autologous stem cell transplant, which involves a several month process of promoting my own stem cell growth, collecting my own stem cells, killing any remaining cancer with massive doses of chemotherapy, and re-infusion of my own stem cells to hopefully produce new, cancer free bone marrow. The bone marrow, in turn, makes the various components of the blood such as red and white blood cells. There are important milestones along this road. I will try to keep friends and family updated on this blog. I hope I don't put everyone to sleep!
(By the way, this IS Craig, not Anne and Scott posing as Craig, so this post is the genuine article----ha,ha)
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