Life since transplant...

Today is day +15, and what a journey it has been since the transplant!

Prior to transplant, we were given a book that outlined all possible risks and detailed a grocery list of likely side effects. We have managed to put a checkmark beside most of the side effects… yay us. Our last 15 days have consisted of (but definitely were not limited to) fun experiences such as: lightheadedness, nausea, fluid retention, mucositis (painful inflammation and ulceration of the oral and digestive lining), stomatitis (inflammation of the mucosal lining of any structure in the mouth- tongue, gums, etc), rash and pain.

The worst side effect by far is the mucositis/stomatisis. It was incredibly painful and caused a great deal of discomfort and an inability to eat. We have weathered the worst of that storm, and with the increase of WBC, he is beginning to recover from that week of hell. People say you should always find a positive to every life experience. Positive: I found a new hidden talent. I make AMAZING blizzards. I’m no expert in the kitchen. My cooking skills are limited to popcorn, pancakes and yam fries. I am now excited to add blizzards to my list of expertise.

The aggressive chemo and radiation prior to transplant has once again forced my Dad’s blood counts to bottom out causing us to receive multiple platelet and blood transfusions during his recovery. With the aid of a few days of GCSF shots, his counts have stabilized and begun to show some recovery!

I would like to address one issue that I am sure has been on the minds of many; possibly even keeping you up at night. The pain in the ass. Has it been an issue? Have you been down to ultrasound, x-ray or CT? Is there a drain? Well, let me tell you. Ever since my Dad received his ‘piercing’ back in May, the pain in the ass has not been an issue (don’t get my wrong, its still ‘not right’ down there, but its no where near the issue that it caused us in the previous rounds of chemo). The doctors have pumped him full of antibiotics in hopes of keeping fluid accumulation down, and it appears the ‘piercing’ device is doing something in my Dad’s favor!

One last thing. Uncle Don is doing great! He experienced some fatigue after donating, but there have been no complications or negative side effects on his end. He's a champ.

Pics from Day Zero

We did it!! Family picture after the first transplant. The theme for that day was black, grey and white.

The room setup for the first transplant of the day. AND the incredible nursing team :) Little did they know they would be apart of a photo shoot

Uncle Don's stem cells getting hooked up. My Dad had 4 of those bags. 2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon.

The stem cells were kept frozen, and thawed at my dad's bedside.... In a roasting pan. It was real silver... we kept it classy.

Day Zero- Transplant!

On June 7, 2011, at 8:08am, my Dad underwent the first part of his stem cell transplant. At 2:28pm, he underwent the second part of his stem cell transplant.

Certain numbers in the Chinese culture are believed to be auspicious. This is based on the Chinese word that the number word sounds like. The word “eight” sounds similar to “prosper”, “wealth”, and “fortune”. The Chinese put great value on the number 8. The number 2 is considered a good number in Chinese culture- “good things come in pairs”. Since we are part Chinese (I dare you to guess who)… 8:08 and 2:28… were great signs to us today!

Typically, with an allogenic stem cell transplant, patients would receive one transplant of two bags. The reason my Dad had to undergo two transplant sessions was because the cells that were harvested from Uncle D had an increased level of WBC’s. An elevated level of WBC’s in the donor cells, can lead to an increased risk of toxicity with the recipient. For that reason, they split the amount to be transplanted into 2 sessions, to transfuse a safe amount of WBC, eliminating toxicity risk.

The donor stem cells were thawed in my Dad’s room, and administered to him via his CVC line. My Dad experienced some immediate and intense side effects during the transplant, but the side effects quickly subsided once the transplant was finished infusing. It was crazy! What we really want you to know is that the transplant went ‘as planned’. No complications, and no adverse reactions.

Jer is currently resting easy in his hospital bed. I am stretched out on the bed next to him, eating Kernels popcorn… delicious! (That’s right…. TWO beds… good things really DO come in pairs)

When my Dad got diagnosed on January 14^th, the thought of a transplant was so far from my mind, it was just an ‘option’ that was to be explored at a later date. Well that ‘later date’ was today. We have fought one hell of a battle to get here, but we made it! Our fight is nowhere near over; some could say it is almost just beginning (again). Today my Dad was given an extraordinary gift, one that offers hope. His gift will now act as a tool, which will aid him in his journey to reach his ultimate goal, remission. In a few weeks we will find out if his body has accepted the transplant (grafted) and has begun to produce new, healthy cells. We will continue to take this journey day by day; as I am sure there will be new challenges to face, hardships to overcome, and tiny victories to celebrate. Today… we celebrate. We made it!

My 2 favorite people!!

This picture was taken on June 1st. That's Uncle Don lounging in his plush hospital bed while he donates his stem cells. After my Dad finished his chemo for the day, he went down to visit his bro.

A small act of kindness and giving, can make such a significant difference in one person's life.

You down with ATG... Yeah you know me!

*if you have never heard of Naughty by Nature, you will NOT get that title. Sorry. I played O.P.P. for Jer, and even HE knew the song. Get with it. *

From Thursday to Sunday, my Dad was receiving both types of chemo drugs. Up until Sunday, once the day’s treatments were completed, my Dad was allowed to go home on an overnight pass. It was great to have him home at night; allowing him to sleep in his own bed and enjoy all the conveniences home has to offer (ie. food that tastes like real food, and a television that was made in this decade).

Yesterday, in addition to chemo, my Dad received his first dose of ATG (antithymocyte globulin). ATG is an immunosuppressant drug, one that lowers the body’s immune response. ATG is used as an anti-rejection drug for stem cell transplant patients, with the hopes it will allow the bone marrow to grow and make new blood cells. Patients are unable to leave the hospital once they begin taking this drug, as it comes with many possible side effects that the medical team must closely monitor. So, Jer is back to adult sleepovers at Hotel du Foothills.

‘Fun fact’: the medical team calls ATG, the rabbit drug… because it is made from rabbits. I was wondering why my Dad had begun to do the Bunny Hop to the bathroom. Now I know why.

Today is Monday, or as people around here would call it, Day minus 1. This morning my Dad underwent total body radiation, and is currently receiving ATG. Later this afternoon, he will go in for his second, and last, dose of total body radiation.

If you didn’t catch it…Sunday was our last day of chemo… hopefully…forever!!!

Tomorrow is Day 0… TRANSPLANT DAY!

The "goods"

Donation Day

The transplant team set a number we had to reach in order for us to begin chemo safely… and I’m happy to report that Jer crushed it! He is not ‘back to normal’, but with much hope and positive thoughts, my Dad’s liver levels have came down enough for us to begin the transplant process. Hiiiigh-five (in a Borat accent)!

On Tuesday, my Dad had the test dose of chemo. This round of chemo is different then the others as he will be taking different chemotherapeutic agents, which are both (yes, 2 different drugs), quite aggressive. The test dose is done to make sure the amount of drug administered is the correct dose for my Dad’s height, weight, and condition. He had blood drawn every hour, for 7 hours once the drug had been administered to see how his body was reacting and metabolizing the drug.

Today my Dad started one of the chemo drugs (this one was not tested, as it isn’t as sensitive). This drug will be used for all 5 days of chemo, and tomorrow, the second chemo drug will be added and piggyback the first drug for the remaining 4 days of chemo.

Today is a BIG DAY in the Team Jerry world. Today, my Uncle Don bravely donated his stem cells! My Dad and Kelly went down to visit him during this process, and told me that Don was looking great, feeling great in spite of the fatigue, and he said it didn’t hurt one bit!

Stem cell donation is a completely self less act, and we are so appreciative and incredibly thankful that my Uncle has agreed to participate in this process.