Day +63

1/29/14 – I had my weekly visit yesterday and was given the great news that I am now 92% of my donor. This is awesome progress for me. Also, all my counts continue to be doing well.

My planned IVIG infusion had to be rescheduled for next week (Tuesday, February 4^th) due to a delay in getting an approval from insurance. Apparently these are fairly expensive and insurance companies often push back on doing them. The good news is that there is not a rush to get this done… as long as it happens within the next few weeks.

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Tuesday, February 4^th.

He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

2 Chronicles 26:5

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +57

1/23/14 – I had my normal visit on Tuesday, January 21 and all my counts were looking good except that my immune system was a little low. We have these things called “GA” levels and apparently mine are lower than they should be. To address this on my next appointment on Tuesday, January 28^th I will receive an IVIG infusion. I had this once before back in 2010. It is a blood infusion that gives a boost to the immune system. Here are some details about an IVIG:

• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a blood product administered intravenously. It contains the pooled IgG (immunoglobulin (antibody) G) extracted from the plasma of over one thousand blood donors. IVIG's effects last between 2 weeks and 3 months. It is mainly used as treatment in three major categories:
• Immune deficiencies such as X-linked agammaglobulinemia, hypogammaglobulinemia (primary immune deficiencies), and acquired compromised immunity conditions (secondary immune deficiencies) featuring low antibody levels.
• Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
• Acute infections.

Last time I had this I only needed to be infused once to get things back to normal. I guess time will tell if that will be all I need this time.

Even with the need for the IVIG, I am feeling good.

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Tuesday, January 28^st.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +50

1/16/14 – Could it be that 50 days have a passed since my stem cell transplant? It sure has.

Here I sit, feeling pretty well, my counts are doing great, my creatinine level is moving in the right direction (last check it was 1.5) and the counts for virus known as CMV is also improving. On top of that I have had no evidence of any graft versus host disease.  At this point I must say things are looking pretty good for me. In speaking with my doctors and nurses, the main concern I face is germs, bacteria and sick people in general. Based on this I still need to be very careful. I have come so far that it would make no sense to risk venturing out and exposing me to these things that could bring me harm.

There is the 100 day mark, which is often referred to as being a huge milestone for stem cell transplant patients, where I can start pulling back on some of my self-imposed limitations. In speaking to my doctors they feel that at that time we could start to consider when I can begin resuming some of my life… like working, going to church, eating out at restaurants, hanging out with friends… but I do not want to get ahead of myself being I still have 50 days to go and who knows what I may encounter between now and then?

I won’t lie to you; I am getting a little antsy and would love to get back to life as usual… if there really is such a thing. I know that I must be patient at this time so in the meantime I will read, play my guitar, watch movies, blog, communicate with friends and, most importantly, avoid getting sick over the next 50 days.

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Tuesday, January 21^st.

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:10-12

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +41

1/7/14 – Good news…  my Creatinine level came down a little. It is now 1.7. I did get IV fluids yesterday but I was able to avoid getting a PICC line for now.

At yesterday’s appointment I also learned that I have tested positive for a virus known as CMV. Here is a little info on CMV:

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the herpesviruses. This group of viruses includes the herpes simplex viruses, varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono). CMV is a common infection that is usually harmless. Once CMV is in a person's body, it stays there for life. Among every 100 adults in the United States, 50–80 are infected with CMV by the time they are 40 years old. Most healthy children and adults infected with CMV have no symptoms and may not even know that they have been infected. Others may develop a mild illness when they get infected and have the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands. But since these are also symptoms of other illnesses, most people don't realize that they have been infected with CMV.

 I have been put on an antibiotic to address this virus.

Another piece of interesting information I learned yesterday is that as of the last test my system is now 53% of the donor’s. This is a sign that my immune system is headed in the right direction.

 My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Thursday, January 9^th.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Day +38

1/4/14 – It appears that controlling my Creatinine level will take more than me drinking massive quantities of water. The results from yesterday’s check-up have my counts going in the wrong direction. My meds have been adjusted and hopefully that will help puts thing in the right direction but I was told that if that doesn't work I will need to start getting IV fluids at home. This would mean that I would need a PICC line installed. Getting a PICC line has always been something that was a possibility in the case that I needed to address any challenges that may come my way in the course of my post stem cell transplant. I am certainly willing to do whatever my medical professionals prescribe.

So you may be wondering exactly what is Creatinine and why it is an issue?

Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass). It is measured in mg/dl. The normal range falls within 0.3 to 1.5 mg/dl. My latest test returned a Creatinine level of 2.0. This level is significant because it is an important indicator of renal health/kidney function.

Other than my Creatinine levels I am feeling well

My next appointment at the Cancer Center is Monday, January 6^th.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/