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.
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