No stem cells ready today -- all Eric's blood counts are low so today he was treated to a couple of units of blood and a unit of platelets. Again -- so many many thanks to those of you who are blood donors.I just noticed on the Canadian Blood Services website that there is an immediate need for O- blood.... yep, that would be Eric!
This week is another chance to collect stem cells. Eric had ICE chemotherapy last week and it went alright for him. He's been giving himself 2 shots of neupogen daily to force stem cell production. With luck, his marrow will become over-run with stem cells and they will be forced into his blood stream for collection Wed - Fri of this week.So what is different this time? This protocol uses both the chemotherapy effects combined with 8 -10 days of neupogen. On his last attempt to collect cells, we only had 5 - 6 days of neupogen and any help that the January DHAP chemo could have offered had long worn off (remember, that infection got in the way...).Eric and Morgan and Shelley and Dave were here for Easter. Zach was working all weekend so he gets all the leftover ham and scalloped potatoes! Eric and Morgan are having another dinner tonight with Morgan's family. One of the side effects of Eric's chemo from last week appears to be a voracious appetite. I suspect the steroids have left him hungry! Anyway, it's a pleasure to see him eating well.Shelley is busy training for this May's marathon and she had plans to run 23 KM today. OUCH! I can't imagine being able to do that! Kudos to Shelley -- she is challenging her supporters to donate blood in recognition of her marathon. As Eric has needed many many transfusions of both whole blood and platelets, we are always grateful to grab any opportunity to encourage everyone to give blood if they can.Did you know?- Approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood.
- In fact, according to a recent poll, 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment.
- The good news is that one blood donation - in just one hour - can save up to three lives.
- Be honoured that you have taken a life-saving action.
- Your donation will help up to three people, and may be used up in just 48hrs.
- Call 1-888-2-DONATE to book your appointment at your local blood clinic.
Eric got out for good behaviour and is back home safe and sound! He is feeling 'okay' -- I don't think he'll be out partying for St Patrick's Day or anything, but he is feeling okay. And after the horrendous experience with the last round of chemo, we are all eager for him to keep feeling okay.He will be on anti-'pain-in-the-ass'-biotics this week to help curb any re-occurrance of the infamous abscess. Tomorrow he will start giving himself daily neupogen injections to force those baby cells to be created and mobilized. His job now is to look after himself and grow stem cells!Next week he will head back into the 5th floor medical day care unit for daily blood tests until they confirm that his stem cells are ready for collection. We need all your prayers, positive thoughts, good vibes, etc. -- we'll take it all. The stem cell collection has to work! Thanks everyone.
Eric completed ICE today! He will have Mesna (IV) for another 24 hours to further protect his kidneys and bladder from the impacts of the Ifosfamide.He is doing great -- tired, but, hey -- what else is there to do in the hospital but sleep?We still expect him to come home tomorrow and pray that this course of chemo continues to be uneventful.
Eric is on day 2 of his ICE chemo regimen and so far all is going well. He was admitted into the hospital today and will stay until Monday. They expect tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday to be the toughest days and then again next weekend when his counts bottom out. Ironically, his blood counts now are completely normal -- we'd really like to think that the DHAP in January (the chemo that started all the problems) has at least killed off some the Hodge...Will update again tomorrow.
