The One Before the Transplant

Mom has cancer. It is multiple myeloma which is a blood cancer (related to bone marrow). It is treatable but not currently curable. She was diagnose in 2008, and went through a stem cell transplant later that year. This transplant put her into remission for three years, when she had a recurrence of cancer earlier this year. 

In the last few weeks she has had a lot of test run. She has had 27 vials of blood drawn for a barrage of blood tests, she had a kidney test, full body bone scan, bone marrow biopsy, pulmonary function test, she had to have dental and other exams too, and I am sure I am missing something. Her tests all came back with good news. If any of the tests came back abnormal she would not have been cleared to have a transplant. Her numbers all look great. In face the doctor said that if their tests were not so advanced the cancer would be undetectable. This means it is the ideal time to do the transplant. One interesting thing is that her cancer spots have moved a little; last time her cancer spots were primarily in her spine and shoulders. This time they are on her scalp, left shoulder and left hip.  

The treatment is harsh, unpleasant, painful, and taxing on the person. The previous transplant was harder than this one is expected to be. Last time she collected her stem cells before the transplant occurred. This process is called the harvest. They gave her shots to promote growth of new baby stem cells. These shots did things to her body that were painful to watch, I cannot imagine what it was like for her. The good news is that she collected enough cells for two transplants. The reason this is doubly good is that the harvest is kind of a one shot deal. At her age it is unlikely that they will ever do that again. 

Her last transplant was rough. She was in the hospital for 18 days total. She is going to do the same thing this time, and they do not expect her to be out much before 21 days. So tomorrow morning she checks into the hospital at 7:00. She will have surgery to have a central line (pick) put in place this is a good thing because they have a lot of blood work to run, she will have her chemo through it, her transplant and blood transfusions  will be through it as well. This prevents her from being stuck with needle multiple times per day. 

Soon after this surgery she will be given enter first round of chemotherapy. She will be given a second round the next day. She then gets one day off, but stays in the hospital. Thursday will be her transplant day. They will bring the cells she collected 3 years ago, that have been cryogenically frozen, to her room. They thaw them out next to her bed. They then hook the bags up to her like they would an IV or blood. It smells like creamed corn. She says it tastes like creamed corn. We will never eat it again! If they put it in too fast or slow her body gets cold or hot. She has to suck on candy so that the chemical taste does not linger in her mouth. 

After this she will be in the hospital while the chemo does its work. She will have sores in her mouth, esophagus, and stomach. She will start to lose her hair; her hair will continue to fall out over the next few weeks. Her blood count will drop which will require her to get different blood transfusions, depending on what is low that day (plasma, red, white). Her white count will drop so low that she will not be able to fight infections on her own, which is why they keep her in the hospital. Once her counts start going up, she will be evaluated a few more days then released. She has to stay in semi-isolation for the next 100 days to avoid coming into contact with people who are sick. 

Her taste buds will die a little. Nothing tasted good to her except chocolate. Do not worry; she was given a 5lb block of milk chocolate to munch on over the next few months. She has to be very careful what she does eat because of the microbes on food. She can only eat salad if we prepare it carefully and she eats it right away. She cannot eat food commercially prepared unless it comes out right away.

She cannot be around anyone who is sick. So while she is lonely because she is isolated, it is better for people who have been or are sick, or take care of someone who is sick to stay away from her. This is not to say the visitors are forbidden, they just have to mindful and use their best judgment. 

Last time when she was getting ready for her transplant we all shaved our heads with her. This time we are not doing that; rather Colleen, Debbie, Ains, and Lottie all donated their hair to Locks of Love or Pantene's program. Candice did it too, a few weeks ago. I really wanted to donate with them. But apparently my hair does not grow fast. I have been growing it out for 2 years ... it is still kind of short. But I'll get there, so will Kate. I started taking prenatal vitamins so it will grow faster! EDIT: I cut Mom’s hair short last night for her stay in the hospital. Barry, Patrick and Everett all shaved their heads with her.

So it is going to be a rough month(s) ahead. Mom has told some of her pals to come here for news on her, so if you do not want to read up on her cancer treatments I encourage you to skip them! I promise not to be too graphic, I promise to try to be honest even if the news is bad. We could all use good thoughts and prayers sent our way. 

Watching someone go through this treatment is hard. I cry often, sometimes I cry for no real reason and cannot stop. And I am not the one with cancer. It is a disease that affects everyone in our family. So thanks to everyone who has offered help already, I promise to let you know if anyone of us needs help! 


Written 1/8/11