Happy New Year

12/31/13 – I was recently posed a question in a book I was reading.

“What do you think is bigger, your disease or God?”

Of course, God is infinite; there is nothing that comes close to God.

The author followed up saying; if you believe in God… and you believe that all things are possible with God… than at anytime God can heal you. 

I processed that for a short while and I couldn't agree with it more.

I think that is such a grand thought and I wanted to leave it with you as we approach the New Year.  

I also wanted to thank everyone for all their support and wish you a Very Happy, Healthy New Year to you and your families.

Below is a YouTube link to a song called “What Faith Can Do.” Give it a listen, I think it truly fits well with our grand thought of the day. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NreUhPk9s9Y

What Faith Can Do

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you are stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn't ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I've seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It’ll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

I've seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn't ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I've seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds

You do have a chance

 (That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It’ll tell you that you can!

I've seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn't ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I've seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes

You will have the strength to rise

  

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +33

12/30/13 – Can you believe that I am 1/3 of the way to the 100 day milestone? You may be thinking... so what's the big deal about “Day 100?” Day 100 is a milestone that many stem cell transplant recipients circle boldly on their calendars as the turning point in their recovery. That’s when the greatest risk for critical side effects is past and when the stem cells have en-grafted and begun making new blood cells. It is also important because it is a time when my doctors can begin to run test to see where I stand with my MCL. The 100 day mark is by no means the end all, be all… I will be continued to be checked and treated for years to come. More specifically, by the end of the first year, my immune system should return to normal and my body should begin to produce blood cells normally again. About 1–2 years after my stem cell transplant, I will likely need to be immunized with vaccines that are commonly given in childhood (such as polio and measles vaccines).

Another “important” aspect of hitting the 100 day milestone is that it could mean that I will be allowed to venture out, see people, go to church, and possibly even get to eat at restaurants.

But, I guess I shouldn’t get too far ahead of myself. So, you may be wondering how I am doing now? My last two appointments showed that my counts are still on track and even have climbed into normal ranges. The one area that was not so great was my Creatinine level which is running high. This typically means that I am not getting enough fluids which can have an adverse effect on my kidneys. I had to receive fluids by IV at my last appointment. My take away from this is that I need to drink more liquids. I was told to try and drink 3 liters of water per day. I think I have been doing this and I am looking forward to see my results at my next appointment.

With just typical things, my energy seems a little lower than usual and I am still struggling with my appetite and a slight case of nausea. I definitely eat for fuel versus enjoyment. Since the transplant I have lost about 25 pounds. The good news is this seems to be stabilizing and I have been at the same weight for the last few days. I am sure I’ll get passed this soon. After all, food is way too good to miss out on for too long.

Overall, I feel great and I am excited about my awesome progress.

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Tuesday, December 31^th.

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.

Genesis 9:3

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas

12/24/13 – I had two more checkups since my last update and my counts continue to be on track. So much so I earned a “Rich, you are the man!” and "You are perfect” from the nurse practitioners. I have truly been blessed with a good stem cell transplant experience so far. Here I am at Day +27 and all is good. What better Christmas present could I have been given?

Allow me to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas to you and your families.

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Thursday, December 26^th.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:9-14

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +19

12/16/13 – I had another good day at the John Theurer Cancer Center. My WBC count is up to 5.2 and my platelets are 239. 

Regarding me feeling anemic, my Red Blood Cells were up to 3.27 (normal range is 4.70 – 6.10) and my Hemoglobin count was up to 10.1 (normal range is 14.0 – 18.0). This will go a long way in reducing any anemia I have experienced. The even better news is that my body is doing all of this on its own… without the help of any kind of infusions.

On top of that, making a good day a great one, my triple lumen catheter was removed today. It certainly served its purpose but having the tubes hanging from your shoulder does get annoying after a while… but now I am free from that.

As they were getting ready to remove the catheter, Dr. Donato said, 

“Now let’s make sure that you don’t go crazy doing things, after all you are still a baby.” 

True I am still a baby, but I am a very blessed one.

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Thursday, December 19^th.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

John 10:10

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +16

12/13/13 – I had my 2^nd outpatient appointment at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center today and my counts continue to be very good. My White Blood Cell count is now 4.5 which is actually considered normal. My platelets are 161 which also falls within the normal range. 

I have been feeling a bit tired and sometimes light headed.  This was explained by my counts which show I am anemic (low red blood cell count). This was no surprise to the folks at the cancer center and it’s actually expected for where I am in the process. 

All in all, it was a great appointment today.

 One question I have been getting a lot is when can I have visitors. I brought this up with my nurse practitioner and she offered this.

Before someone can visit you, you need to ask them the following:

• Are you sick? If yes, you cannot visit
• Do you have allergies? If yes, you cannot visit
• Have you been around anyone who has been sick? If yes, you cannot visit
• Is anyone in your household sick? If yes, you cannot visit
• Has anyone in your household been around anyone who has been sick? If yes, you cannot visit
• Did you have a flu shot? If “no”, you cannot visit

 I guess it all comes down to “it’s better safe than sorry.”

In my last post I mentioned that my hair was starting to fall out and that I was undecided on whether to shave my head or not. Well, since then my hair started to fall out in large clumps, which was getting very itchy, So… yes I shaved my head. Of course we are experiencing the coldest days of the year here in New Jersey and my head is feeling very cold. I guess this is why God created hats… to keep our heads warm. 

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Monday, December 16^th.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +14

12/11/13 – WOW, it is already 2 weeks since my stem cell transplant. On one regard it feels like it was yesterday but now that I am home and I am feeling very comfortable with my surroundings, it seems like it was a long time ago.

Yesterday I received, what I believe was, my last dose of Rituxan. Going forward I will need to be at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center every Monday and Thursday for the foreseeable future. The transplant team need to keep on top of how i am doing. My counts need to be constantly monitored being there is a chance that they will go up and down over the next few months. In addition they will be checking me for any number of things that my arise and take whatever appropriate action is necessary.

Speaking of counts, they did go up again yesterday. My white blood cell count was 3.5. I am closing in on normal which is between 4 and 11.

Another important count that will be monitored closely is my platelets. They are also beginning to climb. On the day of my release they were at 46 and yesterday they were 115. The normal range for platelets is 150 to 400.

I guess I have one other update. Yes, my hair is starting to fall out. I had thought after 18 days in the hospital that maybe it wouldn't happen but the nurses always said "give it a couple of weeks and it will fall out." Well they were right. Now I just have to decide when it’s time to shave it all off. In the scheme of things, it’s only hair. After all I have been given to gift of life. What’s better than that?

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Friday, December 13^th.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

The Power of Prayer

12/8/13 – Yesterday my WBC count was 0.2 after my first neupogen shot. Today my counts climbed to 1.2 after my second shot. 

Do you know what that means? For one thing it means that my new immune system has en-grafted with me. This also means that I get to go home today.

I will have to be at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center on Tuesday, December 10^th to get Rituxan as an outpatient.

I have really done well with this first step of my stem cell transplant. Part of it is due to my doctors and nurses who really know what they are doing. The other part of it is that I truly know how many people that have been praying for me and prayer is VERY POWERFUL. All I can say to all of you who prayed for me is THANK YOU!!!

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Matthew 21:22 

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +10

12/7/13 – As I am going through this process and attempting to blog about it, I am finding that it is long, slow process where thing don’t change much from day to day.

Saying this, here is an update:

I am still in the hospital and feel well. I do have a nagging cough but from what I recall from 2008, I always had a cough while in the hospital. I guess I just need to get home.

Yesterday I received my first neupogen shot and will get one every day until my WBC count in 1.0. This morning I was at 0.2. My doctor is predicting that I may be able to go home sometime next week. 

Once I get home I will need to be back at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center 2 to 3 times per week. Also when I am home I will need to be very cautious with germs and bacteria and I will not be allowed to go out to public places. This is all because my new immune system is still developing. The best advice anyone could get is to wash your hands after everything you do. This goes for me and for all people around me. The biggest risks I will face when I go home are infections and graft versus host disease. Being my donor is not a 100% match, it is very likely I will have graft versus host at some level. The good news is that my doctors see it all the time and know how to treat it.

Overall I feel very blessed for all the great and caring people around me. My family, friends, doctors and nurses. I cannot thank them enough.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +6 from Transplant

12/3/13 – Today I will be getting a dose of Rituxan. In addition I will get Methotrexate (which I also had on Day +1 and Day +3).

The process seems to be progressing just fine. The rest of my time in the hospital will consist of:

• Starting Neupogen on Day +9
• Methotrexate on Day +11
• Rituxan on Day + 13

 So you may be wondering, when do I get to go home? Really the key is my white blood cell counts and avoiding getting an infection. My WBC count must be at least 1.o for me to be released. As of yesterday I was still zero (which is normal for where I am in the process). I have to believe that once I start getting Neupogen that my counts show rise fairly quickly (at least that is the hope).  My hospital stay calendar is showing that there is a possibility that the Rituxan I get on Day +13 could actually be as an outpatient. Boy, would that be great or what? The key is that I need to be patient and let the process run its course and when I get out of here… I get out of here. I guess there is a reason they call us “patients”.

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:7-9

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Bubble Boy

12/1/13 – How often after hearing: “your white blood cell count is zero” would you respond with a “GREAT!” Yesterday when I me t with my doctors I was told that all my number are where they are expected to be. My WBC counts have hit zero, and as strange as that may sound, it is where they should be at this point. With today being day 4 after my transplant, it could take another 10 days or so for my counts to begin to rise.

I must stay diligent on keeping the process moving in the right direction through daily exercising, eating well, performing mouth care, breathing exercises and being upbeat and positive. I am pretty good at the being upbeat and positive part. With another couple of week in the hospital I will be trying to make all the other things part of my daily routine.

Of course the 800 pound gorilla in the room is the risk of infection. We just need to be smart with this. I can’t take any unnecessary risks and certainly friends and family will need to keep away from me for a while. My wife, Sue, always refers to this as keeping me in a bubble. So I guess I will be Bubble Boy for now.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, [and] a strong tower from the enemy.

Psalms 61:3

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/