BINGO! The Stem Cell Collection has Started!

Hi guys!

We spent hours and hours at Tulane today.   8am until 6:30 pm.  It was an emotional roller coaster of "Yes"....then "NO"....then "Maybe".... then "NOW".

They hooked Dom onto the super-machine for about 3 hours today....  heading back for 8am tomorrow morning.  (Christ!  Yet ANOTHER 5:45 am morning)

Figuring he'll be hooked up for at least 8 hours tomorrow.

Christine is here..... didn't get home today until after 8pm.  She's sticking around.  We're spending the night in Metairie, as we're sick of driving, and there's a possibility that we'll have to return to Tulane on Sunday (my 49th birthday) to finish the collection.

Alot of stuff happened today, which I'll catch you up on.... but.... FINALLY it's happening!  Have a groovy weekend, friends and family.  We love you.

Leukine, White Blood Cells and Stem Cells

Well, I just hung up the phone with Dom's Amy.  (As opposed to Nan's Amy in Ohio)  She said that we'll be getting another shipment of Leukine delivered tomorrow...... just in case.

She'll test his blood again tomorrow morning.  If the stem cells aren't there, we head back in on Monday morning.   They want to catch them during the right time of the cycle...  I laughed and said, "Well, I guess he's worth all of this running around".  She replied, "You're fixin' to find out just HOW MUCH you like him".  Funny.

I asked her about White Blood Cell counts.  Monday was .6   Wednesday was .4  Theoretically, when they drop down to "nothing", the Stem Cells will burst onto the scene.  She also went on to say that they could run 10 bloodtests on him during the same day, and the counts might be all over the place.

Been on a semi cleaning-frenzy.... for both health reasons, and the fact that Christine is flying into town this afternoon and will be here tomorrow night or Saturday.  Yippee.

No Luck Today- Back to Tulane on Friday Morning

Hi gang-

Well, Dom's Stem Cells are NOT cooperating with us.  Went to NOLA this morning for bloodwork, only to be sent back home an hour later.

They want us back again on Friday.  That'll be the 3rd attempt this week.  Perhaps the third time will be the charm?

Dom is moving pretty slow today.  Doesn't feel too well, so had me do the driving.  He called me "Mario" on the way home.  *smiling*

Christine flies in tomorrow.  As of now, Dr. Safah sez "NO" to a casino visit in a couple of weeks.  White blood cells are down.  .4  Have no idea what they should be. 

Home Health, Christine, Radiation Consultation and Bloodwork Tomorrow

Hi gang...

Things are rolling along here.  We're starting to feel quite organized, and not as overwhelmed as in the past.

Heading back for bloodwork in the morning.  Would LOVE to be able to have them collect tomorrow-  If not, probably back in on Friday.  I'm getting really good at sticking him with the Leukine needle!

A sweet Home Health nurse was here earlier.  Insisted on shaving Dom's chest before re-dressing the wound.  Nice, nice kid.

Christine is flying in on THURSDAY for 3 weeks.  Yeah!  It'll be great fun to see her, and she'll be a great help with her 95 year old grandma in Slidell.  Christine, if you're reading this, I've got our martini mixings ready, honey-girl!

Just hung up the phone with the Cancer Center.  Dr. Elnaggar http://www.som.tulane.edu/cancer/cores/tcceupdate2.1.08.htmwants to meet with him NEXT Thursday for a "radiation consultation".  Apparently, she's going to be his radiation doctor.  Honestly, Tulane seems to really have their shit together..... like a well oiled machine.  I'm happy that we ended up there.

Not Much to Report Today

Hi gang-

We had nurses stop by on Friday and Sunday to redress his wound.  I'm giving him his Leukine without a problem.

We were at Tulane at 8am for bloodwork.  A couple hours later, Amy informed us that the stem cells haven't moved into the blood stream yet.  Nor have new White Cells, so his immune system is compromised.

We have to return on Wednesday morning to try again.  Hopefully they'll be able to collect them then.

She's checking with Dr. Safah whether or not we can get a room in a Biloxi casino on the day that we go to see the Veteran's Oncologist.  Christine is flying in on Thursday for 3 weeks, so we'd like to whoop it up a little bit!  

Dunno if I mentioned this already.....  Dr. Culasso said to have a bottle of water in between every couple of beers.  We don't want him fainting again!  Too much sun and fun!