Canada's Top Models

As you know, back in May our little family of 3 took a trip out to Victoria to get away from the hospital, Calgary and cancer for a few days. We had such a great and relaxing time in Victoria, as it also served to re-energized us for the biggest and hopefully last, battle; stem cell transplant. Before our visit to the island, I had asked a close girlfriend, Ashlene Narin, if she would be available and willing to do some family photographs for us. She graciously accepted and we conducted our family photo shoot at Fisherman’s Warf. The three of us had never been apart of any type of photo shoot, but we tried our best to channel our inner top model, and work it! The photographs turned out better then I had hoped, and we now have and incredible family memory. We wouldn’t have this gift without Ashlene…so thank-you!!! You did a fantastic job, and I can’t wait to see where this talent takes you!

Below are some of my favorite photos I’d like to share with you…

Howdy from Jerry - Day 35

Rumor has it that nurse Sam has been seen drinking margaritas on Scottsdale Rd. and partying at "W" at night . Another sighting was at the gay pride parade in Toronto riding a fire truck and later hosting a pool party and drinking fine wines in the Niagara peninsula. The call of Stampede has brought her home, but her Stampede obligations have kept her too busy to get to her blog duties as of yet so I am providing the update.

(Editors note (aka Sam): I apologize for not getting this out when my Dad actually sent it to me... I was too busy pretending to be a cowgirl and consuming adult beverages at the Stampede.... So the dates he mentions may be off by a few days...but you'll get gist, I believe in you)

It has been 35 days since Transplant Day. Here are some of the good things that have happened so far:

I was discharged 2 weeks ago ahead of schedule. I am now at home and go to the BMT clinic twice a week. My oncologist tells me that I am progressing well at this time - no infections or signs of graft vs. host disease, where my body rejects the transplant, other than a minor skin rash which is considered good (its a sign the new blood is seeing my old blood cells as 'enemies', and fighting them off).

My blood counts are close to normal levels now, most of my mouth and throat sores are gone, I've maintained my weight better than most, and I have been able to become more active, getting short walks in twice daily.

That being said, I still feel crappy - there are so many side effects from the transplant and the numerous drugs I am taking. Eating is a problem as I haven't had an appetite yet. The radiation makes food taste metallic, so it definitely closer to taking medicine than eating for enjoyment.

The doctors tell us this is the most intense and aggressive cancer treatment they give to cancer patients. So post transplant recovery will take quite a bit longer than recovery from my previous chemotherapy treatments. I am extremely tired all the time and this extreme fatigue is expected to last for at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Things are still very early and it is too soon to tell whether the transplant was successful. The next 65 days are critical as most complications arise the first 100 days post transplant. In fact, complications are likely and it will be a matter of managing the hiccups and taking it one day at a time.

So bottom line - so far so good.

On behalf of myself, nurses Kelly and Sam, thanks again for all your continued support and positive thoughts.

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!