Dad's Life with Lymphoma - Part 3..

[Hawkeye-X]

As I posted last January, Dad's lymphoma has returned. Since then he has gone another round of chemotherapy, and went through a battery of testing, which included consults in lungs and heart - Both came out clean so he was a good candidate for stem cell transplant. He just started his first phase of the SCT - which is to "jazz" up his stem cells while also going at the same time giving him a high dose chemo to begin killing the good and the cancer cells. His first harvest MAY happen this Friday, and if he does get it harvested by March 15th, then he will begin a 2nd phase which is the high-dose chemotherapy to completely wipe out his immune systems as well as cancer cells. Mom and I have been the caretakers, me for his business, and Mom for family, and my wife and I help out whenever we can. Dad has been very tired from getting his neutoplestic shot (I think that's what it is called to boost up his white blood count) and as well as jazzing up the stem cells. We had to wipe the house down from top to bottom to make sure it's sanitized for Dad to keep it healthy. It isn't easy for mom, but she gets help every week from the housekeepers which Dad is instructed to stay away from (move from room to room). We have the Manual which we have to follow to keep Dad's diets and meds right. He also has a CVC inserted in last Friday and has to be flushed daily (Mom is starting to be a pro in that). So we're just waiting for the harvest to done and confirm that there is enough stem cells to transplant it back to Dad after the high dose chemotherapy. The BIG date we're talking about is March 25th. My sister from Israel will be there for two weeks, followed by another sister from Chicago who made a promise to Mom that if Dad's feeling better, she'll keelhaul back to Chicago if it's less than 10 days of her stay.

So fingers and toes crossed. I just want my Dad to get better. I've been a problem for my family for more than 5 years, but that was over last December, when I finished my probation, so I am truly a free man. That made Mom feel better and can now focus on Dad.

Hawkeye-X

[Longhorn]

1. That's quite a regimen y'all have to follow!

I hope the treatment is successful! This certainly points out the need for more stem-cell research! :hug:

[karmaqueen]

2. Good vibes for your family.

Sounds as if you all have been through so much. I admire you for turning your life around and caring so much for those around you. May your Dad get well and the best to you and your family. I can see there is much love between you all, that is a blessing in itself. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. *UPDATE* March 9 2008

Dad harvested 10,000,000 out of 5,000,000 stem cells, and the docs were so pleased with the numbers, they decided to give him a day off tomorrow with no futher harvesting planned. Tomorrow he goes in for blood pressure and bloodwork. He will begin his High Dose chemo on Friday (or Thursday) if all goes well. The BIG day, however, is on March 25th. We're going to spoil him rotten with my sisters who are flying in from Israel then another sister from Chicago, as well as us. Therapist said to start writing something about Dad once he starts his high dose chemo until the big day, and keep writing until he said to stop. That goes for Mom. It's kind of like a "feeling" journal...

So all in all, it'll be a exciting and yet scary time for all of our family.

David

[Longhorn]

4. Great news!

I hope he handles the chemo as comfortably as possible and that those stem cells do their job! I'll be thinking about y'all! :hug:

[seemunkee]

5. That is great

I hope you have a video camera ready for when your sisters show up.
Best of luck in his treatment.

[Hawkeye-X]

6. *UPDATE* March 21, 2009

He's finishing his last two High Dose Chemo sessions today and tomorrow, then he'll have a break on Sunday before the BIG day. My sister from Israel has been terrific in relieving some of my duties - and just in time - I caught a cold, and now I'm trying to recover from it, and I will be about 300 miles away from him for the weekend. I better get some sleep....

See you guys soon...

Hawkeye-X

[Longhorn]

7. I'm sending good wishes your way!

I'm thrilled that he is getting this opportunity to try something innovative yet so promising. I hope you feel better soon, too! Good luck to all of you! :grouphug:

[Hawkeye-X]

8. UPDATE - March 30, 2008

I'm sick, and my sister was sick when she was visiting my father, so he may have gotten a small infection - they are fighting it with IV antibiotics - his fever was low-grade 100 - the docs think it may be neutropenic (I think that's how it's spelled). He is now day +6 since his SCT, and he had to have a blood transfusion last Friday - Mom told me he was so green and didn't look well that morning.... He has to go back tomorrow for more platelets, and his spirits remains up. He got a great early birthday gift (3 months early) that he can use right away - an Irish cap - he loves it! It was a gift from our Irish therapist who I have been seeing, and my family occasionally sees him (He thought my dad's birthday was in April - it's actually the end of June). My therapist worries about my mother though - and that's a good thing.

I'll keep you guys posted. He's beating this thing, that's for sure.

[pecwae]

9. Thank you so much for all the updates.

Yours is truly a family affair and you all sound as if you are strengthened by one another. I'm so happy to hear his spirits are up and his platelets are on the rise. And he's got that great Irish hat to show off! Appreciating all the little things that make up a full life seems to be something you and your entire family know how to do well.

I think other families touched by cancer would benefit in hearing your story. Thank for continuing to share it here with us.

[flamingyouth]

10. Sounds like he's doing great all in all, and I'm glad to hear it.

There have been a whole slew of nasty viruses going around (in addition to it being a bad flu season) so it's doubly hard for someone in his state. Glad you're seeing someone to talk about it and I'm sure it is hard for your mom because it always is for the spouse/partner. But your family sounds amazing. Thanks for the updates. :)