A New Year calls for taking stock of everything so far:
~ 1 Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant (Nov 14th)
~ 2 Chemotherapies (Aug/Sept, and then again during Transplant)
~ 6 Bone Marrow Aspiration’s & Biopsies (Day 80 still yet to come…..)
~ No Evidence of Disease noted !!!! (….as of Day 28 )
~ 1 surgically implanted Hickman Catheter extending out the upper chest (Aug 17th)
~ 1 bag of 1000 ml IV hydration w/ medications a day (4.5 hrs)
~ 42 pills a day (!!!!!)
~ Beclomethasone (to fight upper GI Graph vs. Host disease)
~ 1-2 Insulin injections a day (temporary Diabetic due to the 4 steroids)
~ 7 more PRN (as needed) meds
~ 2 types of GvH Disease (upper GI, skin - new)
~ 2 ointments/lotions (to fight skin GvH)
~ Day 50……and proceeding with Great progress !!
~ 4th week out of Hospital
~ ½ way to Day 100 !!! (leave daily Fred Hutch care & return to daily
Virginia Mason Medical care)
~ 3 PUVA treatments a week (to fight skin GvH) (plus 3 more pills/day)
~ Physical Therapy (due to muscle-mass loss from steroids)
~ The beginnings of “Moon Face”, or chipmunk cheeks (a result of the steroids)
~ 1 VERY shinny, bald head
~ 2nd primary caregiver
~ A crew of uber-Wonderful, weekend-warrior volunteer caregivers
~ A network of utterly amazing friends & co-workers
~ Numerous Unknown & Gracious Guardian Angles…..
~ ….much to be Thankful…and Hopeful of…
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