Getting ready for the next step.

Last Thursday was the start of the “pre-tests” I have to start for the next transplant.  I was at clinic 6 hours and got platelets, blood, did an EKG/Echo, chest x-ray, radiation measurements for transplant day and got more pills.

Today was more invasive with a pulmonary breathing test, drinking gross contrast for a chest and abdomen CT (going through the “donut” as I like to call it) and another bone biopsy. (OUCH)  It was just as painful, but I think I might be getting used to them.  It feels like I’ve been hit with a baseball bat but within a few days it won’t hurt so much.

My numbers are looking good. My “neweys” are at 1100, blood and platelets are holding (however I did need platelets today). Kidney and liver are doing well.  All good signs!  We are meeting with the doctors on Thursday for results of all the tests and then the pharmacy tech. to start my new pill regimen. We’ll know more if the marrow is still clean in a few days.

We ran into two friends today and they are doing well. It is so nice to see that others are thriving.  Met a young man named Ryan that had leukemia as a child and beat it.  It has come back so he is at East 8 getting ready to have his first bone marrow transplant.  I gave him advice and wished him luck!  (My heart aches for him too.)

My energy is good and I feel strong.  I am more nervous for the side effects of the transplant.  I never had issues with my last donor so hoping this goes well. Thank you to my donor for the sacrifice you are making for me.  I am forever grateful.

Thanks to the Witt’s and Garrett’s for dinner last week.  YUMMY!

Happy 40th Jason

Jeff and I surprised Jason with a AVENGER birthday party last week. (May 4th)  He turned 40 and loves Marvel Comics. It was perfect that the AVENGERS opened on his birthday (even though we could not see it that day).  We made it up to him by seeing it the next day!

 Happy 40th Jason

 Yeah! It's my birthday

Make a wish!

The Good Vibes are Working!!

Things have been pretty slow around here since I posted. Continuous trips to the doctors for updates and infusions. Staying close to my “cancer” family and watching some getting better while others are still fighting.   I am so amazed how strong people are doing this time.

We lost a great friend a few weeks ago and it hit me hard. Mark and I have been friends, soccer carpool buddies, cancer advisers and support buddies through this whole process. (He was diagnosed a month after me.)  I miss him a lot. RIP!

Last Tuesday did another bone marrow biopsy.  Didn’t hear anything yesterday and was frustrated.  The phone rang first thing this morning with good news on the line!  The scan shows no detected leukemic cells. YEAH!   They did see some “blast cells” but those could be mine and my body working.   My neutrophils “neweys” are up to 200 (I’ve been at 0 since January -500 is considered normal…I am almost there!)  So other numbers are moving up.

I am not out of the woods yet.  I still have to wait and prepare my body for the mini-transplant in a few weeks. I will continue to do weekly infusions with blood and platelets and well see what my body does.  I still have low energy and get tired a lot but that comes with the disease. I am eating better and trying to gain weight.  Food can be my enemy at times.

Thanks Megan for lunch the other day and for those of you who are still sending cards, calling or dropping off treats on the front porch!

NO APRIL FOOLS!

I have been home for over a week from the hospital and doing well. The infected port on my chest is getting better, but still sore and I am still careful with it. Been to clinic every day (the tradeoff for getting to go home) and have only had platelets once. Everything is holding for now but we’ll check things 2-3 times a week to see what transfusions I need. The bone biopsy isn’t for a while so we’ve got some time to let the chemo treatment do its thing!

Callie’s gymnastics teacher opened the gym last Sunday so I could watch all that Callie has learned. THANKS WENDY!! I was so impressed and also a nervous mama. Ha! She has learned so much and can’t believe how much I have missed.

My Aunt Sandy was in town yesterday and brought her clippers. We shaved my head back to bald. Wasn’t as emotional as it was the first time since hair is hair….it will grow back. Thanks Sandy for that!!

I hate the PICC line I my arm but it is the best alternative for now. I am depended on Jeff (or someone else) to do my home transfusions. Takes about 3 hours a day….and unless I grow a third arm that is how it has to be for now.

Thanks for the cards, dinners, carpooling, phone calls and encouragements you have sent. We are truly grateful to all of you.

Finishing treatment!

On Wednesday, placing the tri port in her chest did not go as planned. Her blood was too thin, so after back and forth with doctors, decided to place the PICC line back into her arm as to not delay start treatment. Once that was done, she was admitted up to her room and they got things started. One of the chemotherapy drugs is indigo blue. Looked like concentrated Windex! Maybe Windex does have universal purposes (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).

Today is the last of the five days of the treatment. Each day has made her a bit more tired. We were hoping that Carla could come home today, however, the last treatment dose was carrying into the evening a bit and the doctor wanted to make sure that any pain she has can be managed. The area on her chest where the port was removed and got infected has shown great improvement and is mending. Dr. P says she is on the list to be discharged tomorrow. Any amount of stay in a hospital is too long, and each stay has its challenges. Family, friends, neighbors all help make it manageable. Thank you all very much.

We hope all of you are doing well.

With love,
The Hennessy’s

How many forks in the road?!

We had a change of plans yesterday. The hospital called at 8am and changed some things and wanted to admit her Tue or Wed because they wanted to do a heart echo test and administer a drug which needs a day to work. However, while there, her new port she got Friday showed signs of possible infection and is causing lots of pain. So, this morning we called and said that it needs to come out. They called back and said come in and lets get it taken care of right away , and they completed the removal. Carla also had to get a transfusion and antibiotics yesterday. We thought we were getting things started yesterday but have a detour.

The plan is to place a different tri-port line in the morning and admit her right after to start treatment.

All, thank you for everything, every bit of encouragement builds strength.

Love,
The Hennessy's

Another road we haven't travelled

Yesterday Carla endured another bone marrow biopsy to check the effectiveness of the latest treatment. Today we had the consultation with the leukemia doctors to discuss some of the results. They concluded the Vidaza treatment is not yielding the desired response. We discussed other treatment plans for the situation. The new treatment (different type of chemo) will place Carla in the hospital for at least 5 days. This could be as early as MONDAY. After the five days she can come home, and then wait for a period of time to see if this zaps the leukemia, and potentially lead to another bone marrow transplant. There is no one road that we are on, and plans can change.

She will have the PICC line in her arm replaced with the same central line she had for her treatment last year. Carla is soooo happy to get that thing out of her arm, but would rather not have any line at all.

We are saddened by the news, but optimistic that one of these bullets will do the trick. Your hope, prayers, thoughts, mojo are always welcome. You are welcome to correspond any way you like.

With our love,

The Hennessy’s