Monday, November 27, 2006

Update # 75

We just got the phone call at 5:24 PM --  December 12!!!

Now let me back up and fill you in on the last week.  Jeff and I went to Costas on Wed. the 22nd and he did receive one unit of platelets.  His counts had dropped a little bit more.  We had a long wait (3 1/2 hours) since the hospital was low on platelets and was expecting a shipment at any time.

On our drive home that Wednesday, Ken received a call at the house from the nurse coordinator at Barnes.  She said it looked like Dec. 12th for the transplant but they were still waiting for official notice.  She told Ken to figure that Jeff would go in on Monday the 4th.

We spent a quiet Thanksgiving at home with just the three of us.  Our weather was gorgeous so we spent a little time outside.  

We all went down to Barnes this morning for Jeff's bone marrow aspiration.  He was a little nervous since this was his first one at Barnes.  It went very well.  We should have the result by the end of the week.  His CBC showed his white count up a little and some infection fighting cells!  The Neulasta is beginning to work.  When we left Barnes, they were still waiting for official word about the date.

So now more details about the transplant.  Jeff will have to be at Barnes early Monday afternoon (1:00) to have his 2-lumen broviac changed to a 3-lumen broviac.  Then after that, he will be admitted to the transplant unit.  

Monday will be "T minus 8" day and pre-conditioning chemo will begin that evening.  He will receive 2 or 3 chemos during the week but no radiation.  Dr. DePersio doesn't feel Jeff needs any radiation.  We are thankful for that!

"Day Zero" will be the 12th.  The donor's marrow will be collected that day and Barnes will also receive it that day.  They hope to infuse Jeff with the marrow on the 12th but there is a slight possibility (arrival time) they could wait till the morning of the 13th.  

She did mention on the phone a while ago that the donor does have a different blood type than Jeff so they'll do a little processing before the infusion.

So, next week at this time, the long awaited process will have begun.  We're anxious yet nervous but glad to know exactly when.  We have enjoyed these weeks of relative quiet during October and November.  October especially seemed "normal" and we all pushed thoughts of the future into the background.  But Jeff's new future is about ready to start.  We continue to rely on your prayers to heal Jeff and to help us all through this difficult journey.  We cannot travel without you or God.

love,

Marcia