Chemo Day

Hi Everyone, Thanks for praying. All the blood work came back normal and so we started the Chemo today. It was a good process no hickups, slight headache from the drugs but it should go away shortly. Jill, Patty (sister) and I arrived at UCLA at 1:30. Started with saline solution 1 hour, took an anti-nausea pill when we started the saline. Then 2 hours of Chemo followed with more saline. All went very well. We finally left UCLA at 7:15. Oh I also forgot they gave me Dexamethozone Steroid, along with a steroid they gave me early with breakfast at home. So needless to say i'm wired up on steroids. Its after 12 am and I'm still up. But all in all everything is better than I expected. For two more days i take steroids and then 8 days of shots 3 times a day.

I'm glad to be in the process and moving forward. Steve

Tuesday Update

Jill and I were at UCLA today. Long morning commute but a good meeting with the Doctor and Nurse. They answered all our questions showed us around the facility. My tentative date for the first Chemo is Friday 30th. We did some blood work today to make sure that i'm still in remission. I may need to get another Bone Marrow Biopsy if the blood work is higher than the last report. If the blood work is higher than it will delay the process to start on Friday. I'll let you know what the result of the blood work are.

Stem Cell Transplant (SCT)

Hi Everyone, The stem cell Transplant is starting this week. My tentative schedule is Friday I go UCLA for Chemo treatment about 6 hours, then steroids for 10 days to develop stem cells. The stem cell grow in the bone marrow and usually stay there but with the steroids they grow faster and are pushed into the blood. day 11 to 14 they collect the stem cells. Nov 17 I go into the hospital for two days of chemo and then reintroduction of the stem cells and then recovery. The process takes 10 to 14 days in the hospital. My body will be going thru a major ordeal and will be very week after the process is completed. The information I read indicated that most people are 50% of the normal strength after a year. So pray that I'm not normal and that I can recover quicker. Thanks so much for praying. I'll try to update the site even when I'm in the hospital.

I received a call tonight from UCLA. The insurance company approved the transplant and we are scheduled to start next Tuesday 10/27. Thanks for praying and helping us with expenses during the stay at UCLA.

No word yet from the insurance company. This is not unusual for them to take a little time to approve such a large expenditure. I'm feeling better today so far. I worked from 7 to 4 yesterday but was tired when I got home. JIll and I were out to dinner with friends last night. We used a gift card given to us by one of the couples that were at dinner. Had a nice time. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Steve

Jill and I visited with long time friends Marv and Linda Mings, who are missionaries to the Navajo Indians in Ely NV area. It was a nice visit at my sister Patty Schramms house.

Well we are getting closer for the stem cell transplant. All the pre-operation information is in to UCLA. They have requested from my insurance company authorization to complete the transplant. We are just waiting for the ok at this point and then we can schedule a date for the procedure. I"m still not feeling well but am working half days. I have been walking most days with the dogs (Molly and Ruby labs). They need to exercise as do I. At times its difficult to get going but I'm always glad after we done. We usually walk at 5:30 am but it is getting cooler in the mornings. I know what your thinking, Los Angeles cooler huh! its 12 degrees here where I live... Well I did live in Michigan for 1o years so I know what its like to be cold and your right this is not cold. I still wear shorts when I'm walking the dogs. I'm looking forward to get the stem cell procedure behind me and move on with life. Its been a challenging year for us. Thanks for your prayers.

Oct 4th

Hi Everyone, it's Sunday evening. Jill and I were with her side of the family for a little reunion. Cousins, aunts and uncles came from La Habra and Santa Barbara. It was nice to see everyone again. As for Me: I had the eko cardiogram and on Friday evening I had a meeting with a social worker. After all the reports get back to my coordinator at UCLA then a letter goes to the insurance agency for approval of the procedure. No problems are expected. I'm guessing now that I may start the stem cell transplant on or about the 19th. I hope this will be a good date to get started. The stem cell transplant process takes from 4 to 8 weeks to recover. The first two weeks are driving back and forth the next 2 to 4 weeks are in the hospital then I have to stay in the area for 1 to 4 weeks after discharge just in case I need to go to emergency. This is my road to take in the near future. Steve