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.
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