The CMV test results are in. The test was negative (that's a good thing) and Mark's white blood cell count is on the rise (above 6)!!!
Mark is up and moving around the house a bit today, however he continues to be very weak and will break out in a sweat for no apparent reason.
Leave it to Mark to describe his journey in terms that only another auto enthusiast would love ... the stem cell transplant process is just like needing an oil change. Now apparently his thermostat has gone out!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
White Blood Cell Count = Up!
Mark is doing about the same. He is still very tired and wears out fast. He has lost 25 pounds in about the last month. The good news is his white blood cell count is up. The results of the CMV infection won't be back for two days so he is still on antibiotics.
His next appointment is on Friday.
His next appointment is on Friday.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Minor Set Back
Mark and Dianna met with Dr. Zangari today. Mark is doing okay but has contracted a virus called Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and his body can't fight it off. This has caused his white blood cell count to drop. Also, Mark has thrush from throwing up so much. Mark will be taking a strong antibiotic for both of these infections.
In addition, because he is still not eating or drinking like he should, Mark is in need of more fluids. His blood pressure is very low (around 84/72 and they measured it three times). Because of this, Mark will need to go to the Huntsman over the weekend and then will follow up with Andrea, the PA, next week.
On top of all that, Dianna ended up with an unscheduled root canal on their only day off this week and felt really bad on Wednesday. The nurses they met with on Wednesday at Mark's appointment thought they were going to have to find a bed for both of them!
Mark continues to be very weak -- just getting dressed is exhausting for him. Even the trip to the hospital and back home is very draining on him.
Mark and Dianna are a bit discouraged. They had hoped to attend the AutoRama tomorrow night ... had even arranged for wheel chair for when Mark got tired. With Mark's white blood cell count down, they have decided it's probably not a good idea. Also, Dianna had planned on going back to work for awhile but she'll need to see what happens first.
There is a bit of great news however ... they did not see any free air in Mark's abdomen. Hallelujah! Also, Dianna has been giving Mark potassium in IV and pill form for the last 6 days and his level is about to where it needs to be.
Bottom line -- more meds, more fluids, a few more appointments, and then maybe a 6-week break.
Have a good weekend.
In addition, because he is still not eating or drinking like he should, Mark is in need of more fluids. His blood pressure is very low (around 84/72 and they measured it three times). Because of this, Mark will need to go to the Huntsman over the weekend and then will follow up with Andrea, the PA, next week.
On top of all that, Dianna ended up with an unscheduled root canal on their only day off this week and felt really bad on Wednesday. The nurses they met with on Wednesday at Mark's appointment thought they were going to have to find a bed for both of them!
Mark continues to be very weak -- just getting dressed is exhausting for him. Even the trip to the hospital and back home is very draining on him.
Mark and Dianna are a bit discouraged. They had hoped to attend the AutoRama tomorrow night ... had even arranged for wheel chair for when Mark got tired. With Mark's white blood cell count down, they have decided it's probably not a good idea. Also, Dianna had planned on going back to work for awhile but she'll need to see what happens first.
There is a bit of great news however ... they did not see any free air in Mark's abdomen. Hallelujah! Also, Dianna has been giving Mark potassium in IV and pill form for the last 6 days and his level is about to where it needs to be.
Bottom line -- more meds, more fluids, a few more appointments, and then maybe a 6-week break.
Have a good weekend.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Another Day
Mark continues to be very weak and he tires easily. His potassium level is still very low as his body is robbing his potassium to look for energy. Dianna will be giving him a potassium IV for the next 8 hours. He is still experiencing bone pain and most likely will for about another 48 hours.
Mark and Dianna will get a break tomorrow and then go back to the hospital on Wednesday for labs. Their appointment with Dr. Zangari is on Friday.
Thanks again for leaving comments for them on the blog. Please be sure to leave your name along with your comment. (Whoever wished Shane a "Happy Birthday," please let us know who you are so he can thank you properly.)
Mark and Dianna will get a break tomorrow and then go back to the hospital on Wednesday for labs. Their appointment with Dr. Zangari is on Friday.
Thanks again for leaving comments for them on the blog. Please be sure to leave your name along with your comment. (Whoever wished Shane a "Happy Birthday," please let us know who you are so he can thank you properly.)
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Engraftment Finally!
Mark has finally engrafted and he is no longer nauseous. His white blood cell count is up to 3.49, and his absolute neutrophile count (ANC) is above 500. (Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fights against infections. A normal ANC is above 1,500 cells per microliter; less than 500 cells means neutropenia and significantly increases the risk of infection.)
Mark and Dianna have had to spend an extra two hours at the hospital the last couple of days because Mark needed potassium and they wanted to get his level up. The best medicine for that?? Banana smoothies!
Mark can have company now as long as they are not sick nor have been in the last few weeks. Dianna said she is finally letting him out of the "East Wing". Apparently she's had him locked away in the bedroom to prevent him from ending up in the hospital with a staph infection or anything else for that matter.
Mark is still very weak and will be for awhile. He is off the antibiotics and Dianna is no longer hooking his IV up in the evenings and through the night.
Mark and Dianna will go back to the hospital tomorrow for labs. If everything looks good, they will set up a clearance appointment with Dr. Zangari. The next thing on the schedule is a 2-month break!
Mark and Dianna have had to spend an extra two hours at the hospital the last couple of days because Mark needed potassium and they wanted to get his level up. The best medicine for that?? Banana smoothies!
Mark can have company now as long as they are not sick nor have been in the last few weeks. Dianna said she is finally letting him out of the "East Wing". Apparently she's had him locked away in the bedroom to prevent him from ending up in the hospital with a staph infection or anything else for that matter.
Mark is still very weak and will be for awhile. He is off the antibiotics and Dianna is no longer hooking his IV up in the evenings and through the night.
Mark and Dianna will go back to the hospital tomorrow for labs. If everything looks good, they will set up a clearance appointment with Dr. Zangari. The next thing on the schedule is a 2-month break!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Still No Engraftment
Mark's white blood cell count has only increased to 0.17 so unfortunately engraftment has not yet started.
Mark and Dianna will go back to the Huntsman tomorrow for labs. If his count has increased enough, he will be able to stop taking the medication.
He is still getting a morphine shot when they arrive at the Huntsman and then again before they leave. This seems to be keeping Mark really tired but pain free for most of the day.
Mark has had a fever. The good news though is that he had a blood culture test yesterday and nothing grew from it so that just means that his body is trying to fight the Myeloma and graft new cells.
Hopefully tomorrow will show a jump in his white blood cell count.
Have a good weekend.
Mark and Dianna will go back to the Huntsman tomorrow for labs. If his count has increased enough, he will be able to stop taking the medication.
He is still getting a morphine shot when they arrive at the Huntsman and then again before they leave. This seems to be keeping Mark really tired but pain free for most of the day.
Mark has had a fever. The good news though is that he had a blood culture test yesterday and nothing grew from it so that just means that his body is trying to fight the Myeloma and graft new cells.
Hopefully tomorrow will show a jump in his white blood cell count.
Have a good weekend.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Support and Encouragement
Dianna has been reading all the comments to Mark that everyone has been leaving for him on the blog, and he looks forward to hearing from you all. He is down in the dumps right now and your comments really help raise his spirit.
Thanks so much for all of your support and encouragement.
Thanks so much for all of your support and encouragement.
White Blood Cell Count on the Rise
Today is much better. So far, Mark has not thrown up. In addition, his white blood cell count is at 0.11, so it is on the way up!!
Engraftment has started, however, the bone pain has set in and Mark is miserable. He is taking a few pain medications, plus they have given him a couple of shots of morphine. He will continue taking the pain medication tomorrow as needed.
Mark is still unable to eat solid food. He said everything tastes like Melphalan (the chemo drug). Dianna has been able to get him to eat a smoothie and he is keeping it down. Better than nothing!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
More of the Same
Mark has been about the same today. His white blood cell count is down to 0.07 -- about as low as it can go. As soon as his count starts to increase, his intestines will go through a repair cycle and his nausea should end.
Andrea, the PA, does not think Mark is having a bad reaction to any medication, however, she won't rule it out either. Mark will continue on the same meds for the next couple of days and then hopefully engraftment will start on Friday. Once that happens, Mark and Dianna will not have to go to the Huntsman every morning.
Mark is still extremely tired and weak.
Andrea, the PA, does not think Mark is having a bad reaction to any medication, however, she won't rule it out either. Mark will continue on the same meds for the next couple of days and then hopefully engraftment will start on Friday. Once that happens, Mark and Dianna will not have to go to the Huntsman every morning.
Mark is still extremely tired and weak.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
This morning started out good -- Mark was tired but not sick. He was able to keep down some hot cereal.
After arriving at the Huntsman and getting hooked up to the IV, however, Mark has literally been sick and tired. He has slept a lot today, and when he's not sleeping, he's very nauseous.
Tomorrow they will meet with Andrea, the physician's assistant. Dianna will ask her if it's possible that Mark is having a bad reaction to one of the medications he has been taking.
Hopefully engraftment will start on Friday. Again, engraftment is the point at which the body starts to reproduce white blood cells and platelets needed to fight infection.
After arriving at the Huntsman and getting hooked up to the IV, however, Mark has literally been sick and tired. He has slept a lot today, and when he's not sleeping, he's very nauseous.
Tomorrow they will meet with Andrea, the physician's assistant. Dianna will ask her if it's possible that Mark is having a bad reaction to one of the medications he has been taking.
Hopefully engraftment will start on Friday. Again, engraftment is the point at which the body starts to reproduce white blood cells and platelets needed to fight infection.
Monday, March 16, 2009
On the Right Track
Another day better than the last ... Mark was able to get a smoothie down today.
Mark was evaluated at the Huntsman today and his white cells have hit bottom at 0.21, less than what he hit with DPACE. (DPACE is consolidated chemotherapy that Mark was given just before the stem cell collection in early January.)
Today Mark had the first of many stomach x-rays to keep a watch on his bowels. Dr. Zangari wants to continue treating him with caution.
He has not been able to take any of his meds orally, so most have been given to him through IV. Mark was given a Fentanyl patch for pain that so far is not doing much for him. He was also given the Neulasta shot today which will stimulate the bone marrow and likely cause bone pain (hopefully not as bad as during DPACE). He will try to take some meds this evening to prevent some of the bone pain and hopefully he will be able to keep them down.
The good news is that Mark's nausea is finally gone. The bad is that the chemo drug, Melphalan, strips the lining all the way from the mouth to the intestinal tract, and Mark continues to have to deal with spitting up the nasty effects of that. Chewing on ice helps with preventing mouth sores but there's nothing you can do to help the intestinal tract.
Dianna will continue giving Mark his meds through an IV until Thursday. They have been told that her doing this has been a big factor in keeping Mark out of the hospital. Dianna -- we all appreciate what you are doing more than you'll ever know!
So to sum it all up, Mark is not throwing up as much, has started eating a little, has some pain that is about to get worse, and he is extremely weak.
Oh, and Mark is still bound and determined to make it to the Dunes in 3 weeks even if he has to be delivered there in an ambulance. That's better than having to be driven OUT of the Dunes in an ambulance!
Mark was evaluated at the Huntsman today and his white cells have hit bottom at 0.21, less than what he hit with DPACE. (DPACE is consolidated chemotherapy that Mark was given just before the stem cell collection in early January.)
Today Mark had the first of many stomach x-rays to keep a watch on his bowels. Dr. Zangari wants to continue treating him with caution.
He has not been able to take any of his meds orally, so most have been given to him through IV. Mark was given a Fentanyl patch for pain that so far is not doing much for him. He was also given the Neulasta shot today which will stimulate the bone marrow and likely cause bone pain (hopefully not as bad as during DPACE). He will try to take some meds this evening to prevent some of the bone pain and hopefully he will be able to keep them down.
The good news is that Mark's nausea is finally gone. The bad is that the chemo drug, Melphalan, strips the lining all the way from the mouth to the intestinal tract, and Mark continues to have to deal with spitting up the nasty effects of that. Chewing on ice helps with preventing mouth sores but there's nothing you can do to help the intestinal tract.
Dianna will continue giving Mark his meds through an IV until Thursday. They have been told that her doing this has been a big factor in keeping Mark out of the hospital. Dianna -- we all appreciate what you are doing more than you'll ever know!
So to sum it all up, Mark is not throwing up as much, has started eating a little, has some pain that is about to get worse, and he is extremely weak.
Oh, and Mark is still bound and determined to make it to the Dunes in 3 weeks even if he has to be delivered there in an ambulance. That's better than having to be driven OUT of the Dunes in an ambulance!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Better Than Yesterday
After several days without food or water, Mark was finally able to get some jello and chicken broth to stay down today. Not much though ... only about ½ of a jello cup and an ounce of broth, but it's progress!
Mark and Dianna are still going to the Huntsman every morning for fluids and antibiotics, and Dianna continues to give him antibiotics through his IV every few hours.
Each days seems to get a little better but Mark is still very weak.
Mark and Dianna are still going to the Huntsman every morning for fluids and antibiotics, and Dianna continues to give him antibiotics through his IV every few hours.
Each days seems to get a little better but Mark is still very weak.
Friday, March 13, 2009
A Tiny Bit Better
Today Mark is feeling a little better. He has not thrown up since yesterday afternoon, but riding home in the car from the hospital today was a minor form of torture. He is still not able to eat or drink anything but has been able to use a spray bottle filled with water to moisten his mouth.
Mark and Dianna will continue to go to the hospital every morning to get fluids and meds. Dianna will give Mark his meds through the IV a couple of times at night.
Andrea, the physicians assistant, thinks the worst of it will be over by Sunday or Monday and engraftment should have taken place by then. Mark will be evaluated on Monday to make a determination.
Mark is officially neutropenic so he is back to wearing a mask.
Mark and Dianna will continue to go to the hospital every morning to get fluids and meds. Dianna will give Mark his meds through the IV a couple of times at night.
Andrea, the physicians assistant, thinks the worst of it will be over by Sunday or Monday and engraftment should have taken place by then. Mark will be evaluated on Monday to make a determination.
Mark is officially neutropenic so he is back to wearing a mask.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Lingering Sickness
Unfortunately there has been no change for Mark today. It has been 4 days now with no food or water for him. Anything that goes into his mouth, including water, comes right back out. Dianna will hook up an IV for Mark every 8 hours now instead of every 12.
There was a misunderstanding last night with Home Health. The delivery man showed up at their house at 8:30 pm without a nurse. Dianna got in touch with Home Health and found out that they thought Mark and Dianna were staying in SLC instead of at home so they hadn't scheduled them with the local service in Tooele. Knowing that Mark needed his fluids and meds, Dianna bravely decided to hook Mark's IV up without any direction, hoping and praying that she was doing it right. Home Health from Tooele finally arrived at 10:30 pm, but thanks to Dianna's efforts, their help wasn't needed. Good job, Dianna! Now hopefully they won't charge the insurance company for services that Dianna ended up doing.
Unfortunately it is possible that Mark's sickness could last for several more days until engraftment takes place -- that could be about 8 more days.
There was a misunderstanding last night with Home Health. The delivery man showed up at their house at 8:30 pm without a nurse. Dianna got in touch with Home Health and found out that they thought Mark and Dianna were staying in SLC instead of at home so they hadn't scheduled them with the local service in Tooele. Knowing that Mark needed his fluids and meds, Dianna bravely decided to hook Mark's IV up without any direction, hoping and praying that she was doing it right. Home Health from Tooele finally arrived at 10:30 pm, but thanks to Dianna's efforts, their help wasn't needed. Good job, Dianna! Now hopefully they won't charge the insurance company for services that Dianna ended up doing.
Unfortunately it is possible that Mark's sickness could last for several more days until engraftment takes place -- that could be about 8 more days.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Side Effects of Chemo
Unfortunately the news isn't so good today. Mark has been throwing up almost constantly and has lost about 15 pounds in 3 days. Dianna took him to the Huntsman today for fluids and medication through his IV. Mark is so sick that Home Health will be bringing IV supplies to Dianna at home so that Mark can receive saline and his meds in the evening. Mark will also go to the Huntsman every day for fluids and medication until he gets over the nausea.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Successful Transplant
Mark's stem cell transplant was today and everything went off without a hitch!
Once Dr. Tricot signed the orders to proceed with the transplant, the frozen stem cells were brought in inside a capsule and then warmed up prior to injecting them back into Mark. He was then given two bags of saline. The entire process took about 4 hours.
Mark was given a bunch of meds to help his nausea. If he continues to be sick, he will be given more saline tomorrow. Apparently most people tend to get ill around day 5, but Mark's sickness started right away after the chemo. He has been very nauseous this afternoon, along with being exhausted. Hopefully he'll get over it soon and without contracting any infections.
For about the next 48 hours, Mark will smell like sweet corn! He will also have a nasty taste in his mouth. This is from the chemical that he was injected with that preserves the cells.
Once Dr. Tricot signed the orders to proceed with the transplant, the frozen stem cells were brought in inside a capsule and then warmed up prior to injecting them back into Mark. He was then given two bags of saline. The entire process took about 4 hours.
Mark was given a bunch of meds to help his nausea. If he continues to be sick, he will be given more saline tomorrow. Apparently most people tend to get ill around day 5, but Mark's sickness started right away after the chemo. He has been very nauseous this afternoon, along with being exhausted. Hopefully he'll get over it soon and without contracting any infections.
For about the next 48 hours, Mark will smell like sweet corn! He will also have a nasty taste in his mouth. This is from the chemical that he was injected with that preserves the cells.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Chemo Day
Today Mark was given the Melphalan chemo IV. Unfortunately he has been very sick from the chemo and can't even keep the pill to help combat the nausea down.
The transplant will be tomorrow. He will receive two bags of cells along with 2 liters of saline. He will then do lab work every day to observe his blood counts. This is when his counts will drop and he will become neutropenic again (highly susceptible to bacterial infections).
Mark will begin an antibiotic IV on March 15th (in addition to the three antibiotics he already takes) and will continue that for several days. He will also be given a Neulasta shot to get the blood cells brewing.
By the 5th day of the process, Mark will become very ill and that will likely continue for about 3 days. Once his white blood cell count stays at 500 for 3 consecutive days, engraftment will have taken place. Engraftment is the point at which the body starts to reproduce the white blood cells and platelets it needs and can once again fight infection. Engraftment usually occurs 12 to 15 days after the stem cells have been given back.
Mark's and Dianna's friend, Kim, is still in the hospital fighting a very nasty staph infection that he may have contracted in the cardiac ward. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kim and Denese.
Please pray that Mark will not have to fight a staph infection like two of their friends have had to.
The transplant will be tomorrow. He will receive two bags of cells along with 2 liters of saline. He will then do lab work every day to observe his blood counts. This is when his counts will drop and he will become neutropenic again (highly susceptible to bacterial infections).
Mark will begin an antibiotic IV on March 15th (in addition to the three antibiotics he already takes) and will continue that for several days. He will also be given a Neulasta shot to get the blood cells brewing.
By the 5th day of the process, Mark will become very ill and that will likely continue for about 3 days. Once his white blood cell count stays at 500 for 3 consecutive days, engraftment will have taken place. Engraftment is the point at which the body starts to reproduce the white blood cells and platelets it needs and can once again fight infection. Engraftment usually occurs 12 to 15 days after the stem cells have been given back.
Mark's and Dianna's friend, Kim, is still in the hospital fighting a very nasty staph infection that he may have contracted in the cardiac ward. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kim and Denese.
Please pray that Mark will not have to fight a staph infection like two of their friends have had to.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ready for the Transplant!
Mark & Dianna met with Dr. Zangari today. While he's still being very cautious, he gave Mark the go-ahead to start the transplant process. However, instead of four days of chemo, Mark will be given one day of a chemo drug called Melphalan.
Mark is still scheduled for the stem cell transplant on Tuesday, March 10th.
Mark is still scheduled for the stem cell transplant on Tuesday, March 10th.
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