Finally home

Sorry, its Saturday and I'm finally giving an update. Thursday went with flying colors. On Wednesday got a call from Doris (nurse collecting stem cells). Was excellent news, from Wednesday collection got enought stem cells for 2 treatments. The other bonus was that I did not feel to bad Wed night as compared to Tuesday night, just had a slight headache. Back to Thursday went and did normal bloodwork like I have been every other day. It was decided by my doctor to finish with stem cell collection. Reason being is that enough stem cells are collected for only two sessions but by collecting more on Thursday I would have a greater volume of stems available for each session. The stem cell collection only lasted for 3hrs this time and then I hustled back downstairs to have a blood transfusion completed. Needed another 2 pints on blood and was hoping that would be able to get both pints done that afternoon. Was very happy because there was enought time to get both pints done that afternoon. That meant that I got to finally go home. Got home fairly late, 10:00pm.

Friday, finally at home. Feels really good. Really happy to see the kids and kick the cat. Not to much happened Friday. Pretty wore out. Went to see family doctor real quick at 9:00 and got some pain killers and anit-inflamortaries for my back (whick work really well). Colin B. stoppped by for a quick visit and I went for a ride with him. The afternoon went by quick, crawled onto the couch shortly after one and slept until 4.

Here I am Saturday morning finallly typing away. Fell pretty good this morning other that tired, can see a cat nap coming as soon as I done picking away at keyboard.

Back at cross cancer for May11 for first treatment session. Keeping fingers crossed and hopefully will require the one session to kick this dose. Suppposed to be in for 3 weeks so expect to be coming home for the 1st week of June. As recovery goes will apperantly be Please remember that if you are coming by that your health is top notch, I be be very susspetible to illness from I am told. Also FYI the first weekend might be a poor time to visit. The first part of treatment is I get a very hard dose of chemo which I was guarenteed that I would be sick, just not sure how sick. Told that that by weekend is when I would really feel effects so that is why suggested vistors might not be a good idea.

I just want to say once more thank you to veryone for their support. Will talk to you all later, its nap time.

Stem Cell Retrieval Attempt 2

Its Kim writing for Wallace. He is having a lot of back pain and is having difficulty sitting at a computer today. He really was a trooper today. We started the day by being told they didn't get any stem cells yesterday and they were going to consider a plasma transfer with a donor to help. They consulted Wallace's doctor and it was decided to give the traditional retrieval one more try. We went up to meet Gwen and Doris from the Canada Blood Services. They hooked him all up to the machine and got started. Things weren't working.....there was a problem with his central line. They decided to put in a different I.V. in his arm to try instead(has he mentioned how much he now hates needles??). Whoopee!!! It started working and it appeared to be collecting what everyone so desperately wanted to see. After 6 hours of sitting in a chair unable to move with the exception of his right arm (hence the now very sore back) they were very pleased at what had produced over the day and would call us with the results.

We received a call around 8. Not only did the stem cell retrieval work, but they were blown away because not only were they able to successfully collect the stem cells but they were able to get enough for 2 transplants. So, tomorrow leaves us with only a small stem cell collection and a possible blood transfusion. We are staying positive that we could possibly go home tomorrow, but won't get our hopes up just yet.

Stem cell harvest.

Tuesday started off good. Did my bloodwork and white blood cell count at 1.1, that means we can possibly start with the stem cell retrieval. The second test was completed to see number of stem cells in blood sample. The results were ok but not great. Volume of stem cells low, 40, but started with stem retrieval. With the lower number this basically means that will take two days to complete stem cell harvest. Started with stem cell harvest and nurse's completing task having a tough time getting stem cells to seperate from the the other cells in the blood. What was explained to me was the blood was basically clotting. The nurse's said that the multilpe myeloma blood cells can be very sticky and the stem cells kinda bond with the cancer cells. I'm lucky enough to be one one the individuals who are proving to be one of the hard case's. The good news from what I have understood is that the neupogen is still kicking in and should help with this. Unfortunatly due to complication will likely take 3 days to complete stem cell harvest. Will also need a blood transfusion when done so it does look like Friday before I am able to get home. For any of you saddists out there, if you haven't allready guessed, I still get to stick myself with needles, horray! Not much going on tonight, going to lay low, feeling kinda crappy. Got a real dirty headache, pretty sore in my hips (look like I should have a walker when I'm moving around), and just feel real worn out. All that I'm feeling is normal. You are all in for a treat because Kim was taking pictures, this is the machine used to complete the harvest. Well tomorrow is a new day and we'll see what it brings us.

Start of week 2.

Been up since 4:30am, lots of fun. Went for blood work hoping for good results. Was pretty happy when #'s came back. White blood cell count back up already, 0.9. Figure by tommorow that will likely be able to start stem cell harvest. Not sure yet if stem cell harvest will need to be done over one or two days. Once it is determined that my white blood cell count hits 1.0 a second test will be completed. The second test checks for the number of stem cells in my blood. If high level of stem cells harvest will be done in one day, if it is low will be over two days. The good news about this is I won't be giving myself needles much longer. I really need to emphasize how I hate giving myself needles, if anyone is that curious get to stick myself in the stomach today. Was told that tonight might be a long night, probably won't sleep much, if any, due to the nuepogen. The other major side effect that I get from the neupogen injections is bone pain in my large bones. As odd as this sounds the more pain I feel the better, though not everyone feels pain. The reason behind the bone pain is that the stem cells are mobilizing, and the more pain generally means the more stem cells. I'm not feeling that bad, some minor discomfort through hips, femurs (thighs), and across shoulder blades. Being told that might starting hurting more as the day progress's. Was warned last week about how intensse pain can be. Here's the example, the stem cells also mobolize in the sternum, has been many case's were pain got so bad that people thought they were having a heart attack. Found out my hemoglobin level starting to get a bit low again so will need to get another blood tranfusion (just had trasfusion maybe two weeks ago). Should be back in town for Thursday,but possibly for Wednesday.

The Weekend

The weekend has now passed my by. Waited to get sick like was being told might happen. Lord and behold the 'sickness' has passed me by. Felt pretty good all weekend, didn't even really lose any appetite. Kim seemed sorta upset that I didn't get sick. She figured that because I felt good meant that things weren't working the way that they were supposed to. Seeing I felt ok on Sunday went to supper to some friends. Highlight was introduced to the nintendo wii, played a few games. Pretty fun stuff. In case anyone was wondering no bloodwork on the weekend, back for Monday.

Bloodwork

Need to say sorry up front, not keeping up to blog. Friday started my bloodwork. Everyday bloodwork requires to be completed to check my hemoglobing level, platelet levels, and most importantly white blood cell count. Bloodwork came back in an 'o.k.' (acceptible) fasion. Biggest thing we are looking for is level of white blood cell count. The other thing the chemo I did on Monday of course kills the white blood cells as well stimulates the stem cells. The idea behind the nueopogen is that it gets my stem cells into my blood system. On Friday white blood cell count quite high still, according to the nurse reason being is that the chemo hadden kicked in yet. Once the chemo kicks in will drop my white blood cell count to possibly zero. Because of my white blood cells getting killed off (they are the imune system) got the big talk emphasizing how careful to be health wise and some of the syptoms to be aware of. Got the big talk about the chemo I received from Monday. Was explained that since it was my first real dose of chemo and such a strong dose that likey will be pretty sick starting later in the day and throughout the weekend. Will have to wait and see what happens, of course got more pills to help with this.

Killing time

Day 3 passed us by. Not really much to report for day 3, had nothing on the go at the cross cancer institute. Pretty much a lazy day, slept the afternoon away. Highlight of the day was giving myself the needles at 6:00pm

Neupogen Needles

Well day 2 came and left. Got trained and started on the neupogen needles. Neupogen is the drug used to the get the stem cells away from the bone marrow and in into the blood system. I require to self inject myself with the neupogen, lots of fun. After getting trained I required to give myself the first of the needles. Took a bit at first just a wee bit nervous about the fact of having to stick myself. I require to give myself 2 needles at 6:00pm everyday. If anyone is curious the injection points are in the stomach adjacent to the belly button or in the thighs. I choose stomach today, wasn't that bad after it was said and done. Need to be carefull with the neupogen, not cheap stuff, almost $1000.00 / injection, thank the lord for excellent medical plans.

FYI in regards to chemo treatment no major side effects from the actual chemo. No nausea or flu like symptoms yet but I'm being told that that likely by the weekend that I will be not feeling that good. Got some heartburn but that was from the injection of the steroids prior to the chemo but good old zantac fixed that problem.

Well not to much going on for days 3 & 4. Not scheduled to be back a cross cancer institute until Friday 8:00am for blood work.

Day 1 - Mobilizing Chemotherapy

Got a fairly heavy dose of chemo Monday. The idea behind this chemo is to stimulate my stem cells. Things seems to go well, had ordinary side effects, got what felt like a really good sinus headache. Also which was weird my face went a little numb. Nurse wasn't really sure how to explain this other than being attributed to the steriods I was given prior to chemo. According to my nurse they expect me to get sick for the weekend due to the doseage level and the fact it was the first time I have had chemo. I have been taking the same type of chemo in pill form for the last 5 weeks but at a much smaller doseage. The idea behind the oral pills was to introduce my body to chemo so it is not such a big shock. I have been given more pills to help with sickness related to the chemo but hopefully I will not get sick like the staff at the cross cancer institute are saying.