Friday, August 31: Transplant Scheduled

Kristina is being scheduled for the bone marrow/stem cell transplant for about September 17. "About" means that the transplant process begins with 2 weeks of evaluation, 1 week of chemo, and then the transplant. This means the transplant should occur about October 11. Keep in mind these dates are today's best estimates. I'm sure this will change . . .

The day 14 bone aspiration was not done (day 14 was yesterday) because they're doing the transplant whether or not the leukemia is in remission. At first blush this made me nervous because I thought this meant things were very serious. Actually, this means they are treating her case aggressively.

Kristina continues to be highly neutropenic and tired. She is still in a very critical period - still very susceptible to infection. Please call before a visit. To date, things are progressing as expected with little or no complications.

Friday, August 24: Updates and Counts

Kristina is starting to feel the effects of the chemo, her blood pressure is very low, she's neutropenic (ANC= 300), and she has had some neasea . She is still fielding many calls sorting through the transplant. The long and the short: she's exhausted. If you want to visit, call her first to ensure she has the strength.

Last night was the 7th day of the chemo, she has 3 more days of another chemo drug which will mark the end of the chemo treatment. Over the next several weeks, the doc's will be monitoring her white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), hemocrit % (HCT)and neutropenic state (ANC). I will try to post these measures daily. The chemo will make all of these measures drop dramatically low (I think - I'm not a sure what it will do to the HCT count).

Here are some of her counts. 8/23: WBC-1.2, HCT 29, PLT 21, ANC 300. 8/22: WBC 1.4, HCT 30, PLT 30, ANC 1232. The ANC count dropped dramatically from day 6 to day 7.

Day 14 is a big day. They will do another bone aspiration/biopsy to measure the blast count. Basically, they want that to be 0. This says whether the chemo did it's job. If the blast count is not at an acceptably low level, they will administer another round of chemo. Day 14 is Thursday, Aug 30.

Janet Bien

Saturday, August 18: Chemo Begins

Kristina has officially jumped into the deep end of the pool of what will be a long journey back to regaining her life. She received her first dose of chemotherapy at 9:30pm last night. Kristina is such a brave soul and she was brave yet again but this was very very scary. No turning back now.

The chemo was administered by the most gentle and caring nurse with 27 years in Oncology at Virginia Mason. This woman delicately cradled Kristina's fears and that of her friends and funneled them towards what is important right now: the sustaining power of hope and the belief beyond anything else she is going to get through this.

Cheryl Nelson Charney

The Story Begins

Kristina was recently diagnosed with a form of Leukemia known as Myleodysplasia Syndrome - RAEB2. This aggressive form of cancer of the blood is necessitating the need for lethal chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

We are struggling to understand all that may be encompassed in the immediate future. If you inquire and do not receive a prompt response, please understand that we are working hard to process and move forward through what is down the path to come....and we will follow up with you.

There are those of you who are very close to her, and those of you who are acquaintances. We ask that all of you send positive energy for this life changing journey that is beginning for her. We welcome any experience, insight, tips and support. What's needed is expertise in finances, care giving, scheduling and fund raising. If you are someone who wishes to bring your expertise forward or who wishes to assist through fundraising or care giving, please contact/email, Ali Saccone at alisaccone@hotmail.com.