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.
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