Well its on to my 5th cycle of chemotherapy this time around, and my 11th overall. I spent the night in the hospital last night for my campath infusion, and got rituxan this morning before getting hooked up to my EPOCH bag. Its the same old process that I've gotten used to, but its a pain the butt.
Yesterday's appointment at the clinic was somewhat uneventful. I had a simple echo cardiogram test before the appointment, and it seemed to be non-eventful. The tech who did the test said everything with my heart looked good, so I'll take that good news. The research team that is overseeing my chemotherapy didn't have anything new to report. The doctors felt that it is likely that I'll need another transfusion this time around, since my hemoglobin will likely drop a lot again. Otherswise there wont' be any changes or scheduled tests or scans coming up this cycle.
While the research team had little to report, we did get some more information from the transplant team. First my parents and I had a conversation with the lead doctor on the transplant team. He was looking to start the transplant at the beginning of January to work around the holidays. My family and I were under the assumption that we would have already started, and that I would be in the hospital over Christmas anyways. Since the lead doctor of the research team had wanted us to get started as quickly after my chemotherpay ends, we didn't want to wait a few more weeks. We also got a little more detail from the nurse practicioner who works with the transplant team. He let us know that following the 6th cycle of chemo I would undergo about 3 or 4 days of tests in order to ensure I was ready for the transplant. That sounds like fun. It doesn't sound like anything I haven't been through before, but its probably all going to be crammed into a short amount of time.
So for the time being there isn't much new to report. I'll get the 5th and 6th cycle of EPOCH-CR most likely without much difference than what I've been through already. However, once December begins it looks like life for the Blattner's here in Maryland will be a whirlwind. Hopefully I'll have a lot of energy in the next 6 weeks and will be able to get myself ready for this transplant.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Blood Transfusion
Its been a while since I've updated my blog. I haven't had a lot of energy lately and haven't sat down at the computer long enough to type my thoughts out. From my bi-weekly blood tests, one could tell why I was losing energy. My hemoglobin level went from 8.2 on October 7th, to 8.4 on October 10th, to 7.4 on October 13th. Keep in mind that levels under 13 are considered anemic for adult males. During my best days, I've got a pretty formidable task to stay energized with this condition. At NIH, they start to consider blood transfusions when hemoglobin levels dip below 8.5. When it was 7.4, they wanted me to come in right away for a transfusion. I ended up doing that Monday evening, and the nurse who saw me through that procedure let me know that my hemoglobin fell into the 6's when it was tested Monday evening. So my energy which was already low, was decreasing quickly and significantly. It takes a while for them to get the blood ready for transfusion, so I was at NIH past midnight getting two units of blood. However, when I was walking out of the hospital I was feeling good and could definitely feel the positive effect of the blood tranfusion. My hemoglobin level on Thursday was 9.1, which is as high as its been in probably about a month or so.
So while I still feel much more tired than I normally should, the tranfusion was a big help. I was able to put in a full 4 day work week. Yes...Christopher Columbus gave me an extra day last weekend. Most other things have been good during this cycle. My mouth hasn't been nearly as uncomfortable or painful as it was the previous cycle, and the other side effects aren't any worse than usual.
A positive thing I'd like to share was that Father Bob, the campus minister from Catholic University stopped by last Monday before I went for my blood transfusion. I got to know him very well while a student at Catholic, and have kept him updated about Kate and I's life together after graduation. He works closely with the football team at Catholic, and expressed that the team has kept me in prayer recently. The football program has changed a lot since I was there, but the current senior class was there when I was still coaching. Father Bob talked to us about our current situation, and offered to organize some help for us from current students and some alumni. It was great to sit down with him and feel support coming from yet another place.
Right now I've got a few days left until the next round of chemotherapy begins. It feels good every time I think about where I am in the process and how much closer I am to being through with it. I feel like the bone marrow transplant is a big question mark staring me in the face that keeps on getting closer and closer. I'm ready to run right at that question mark and smash through it.
So while I still feel much more tired than I normally should, the tranfusion was a big help. I was able to put in a full 4 day work week. Yes...Christopher Columbus gave me an extra day last weekend. Most other things have been good during this cycle. My mouth hasn't been nearly as uncomfortable or painful as it was the previous cycle, and the other side effects aren't any worse than usual.
A positive thing I'd like to share was that Father Bob, the campus minister from Catholic University stopped by last Monday before I went for my blood transfusion. I got to know him very well while a student at Catholic, and have kept him updated about Kate and I's life together after graduation. He works closely with the football team at Catholic, and expressed that the team has kept me in prayer recently. The football program has changed a lot since I was there, but the current senior class was there when I was still coaching. Father Bob talked to us about our current situation, and offered to organize some help for us from current students and some alumni. It was great to sit down with him and feel support coming from yet another place.
Right now I've got a few days left until the next round of chemotherapy begins. It feels good every time I think about where I am in the process and how much closer I am to being through with it. I feel like the bone marrow transplant is a big question mark staring me in the face that keeps on getting closer and closer. I'm ready to run right at that question mark and smash through it.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Day 5 Round 4...or 10
Today is day 5 of my current round of chemotherapy, which means I had my PICC line taken out. So I am done with the infusions for a couple of weeks and happy about that. I am feeling pretty good right now, but the exhaustion of repeated rounds of chemotherapy is catching up with me a bit. It also didn't help my sleep that Isaiah has had a cough this past week and has been having trouble sleeping at night. In order to keep myself free from his potential illness, it might mean a couple of more nights on the pull out sofa. Its kind of odd how a simple cold forces me to change how I interact with my family. Oh well...just another small obstacale in the journey.
I just took a look back at the dates, and I started my first round of EPOCH-R on September 28, 2007. So in a year and a week I have been through 10 rounds of chemotherapy. Its been pretty intense, and unfortunately I still have a ways to go. I feel like a pro when it comes to my type of chemotherapy, and that won't be the hard part. The upcoming bone marrow transplant will effect me in ways in which I can't predict, but the lead doctor on the transplant team believes about a year's time should be what to expect in terms of getting back to full activities. So if all goes according to plan, then this trial I've had with cancer will have lasted over two by the time its over. I don't know what to think of that, but its a pretty long block of time. I had a great time during my remission from February to July, so I can't wait to get back to complete health for the rest of my life. Guess its time to stay focused on getting through this one day at a time!
I just took a look back at the dates, and I started my first round of EPOCH-R on September 28, 2007. So in a year and a week I have been through 10 rounds of chemotherapy. Its been pretty intense, and unfortunately I still have a ways to go. I feel like a pro when it comes to my type of chemotherapy, and that won't be the hard part. The upcoming bone marrow transplant will effect me in ways in which I can't predict, but the lead doctor on the transplant team believes about a year's time should be what to expect in terms of getting back to full activities. So if all goes according to plan, then this trial I've had with cancer will have lasted over two by the time its over. I don't know what to think of that, but its a pretty long block of time. I had a great time during my remission from February to July, so I can't wait to get back to complete health for the rest of my life. Guess its time to stay focused on getting through this one day at a time!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Round 4 Begins and Some New Information
Well I've got another catheter in my arm and the Campath is pumping. Its another round of chemotherapy after a day of some interesting news. Everything is going well in the hospital so far, except for my heart rate registering at about 225. WHAT! I guess something was wrong with the machine, because a minute later it showed a healthy 98 beats per minute.
I had a PET scan at NIH this morning before my clinic appointment with my research doctors. I was heading into this appointment with faith that the PET would reveal I am in remission. No problem with some confidence. Unfortunately that is not yet the case, although the doctors were positive about the results they saw. The cancer activity continued to decrease, although there is still some residual tumor cells surrounding the lung and in the mediastinum. The lead doctor used his fingers to demonstrate how large the three areas with cell activity are, and it appears that there is very little. However, I've already learned with this disease that any cancer is too much.
So the treatment plan that I'm on will be undergoing a bit of a change. The first thing is that the doctors want me to undergo six rounds of chemotherapy rather than just four. Since I am already starting my fourth round of chemo this time around, adding two more isn't that big of a deal. It will delay the bone marrow transplant for a short period of time, but it is more important that I head into the transplant completely cancer free than not. The other change is that the doctors will add Rituximab to my list of chemo drugs. My treatment the first time around was EPOCH-R, the R being for rituximab, so this isn't anything new they will be giving me. The idea is that although there were not any CD-20 cells in my biopsy back in July, there may be some residual CD-20 stained cancer cells somewhere in my body. Using Rituximab, a CD-20 anitbody, should help ensure I get complete remission of this crazy tumor in my body. I'm continuing to get Campath, so my treatment abbreviation is changing from EPOCH-C to EPOCH-CR.
So this sounds like more stuff that I have to go through, but Kate, my parents, and I aren't viewing this as negative at all. I think we were all pleased to hear that the cancer is still responsive to the chemotherapy. It is easy to fear that the drugs aren't working, but this isn't something that crosses my mind. I have complete faith that this treatment is working, and that I will be ready and healthy for the bone marrow transplant. The new timetable to begin the transplant looks to be in early to mid December. Thats about a month later than what I was thinking before, but thats fine with me. It means I should get a little more time working before taking my extended, medical induced vacation! Unfortunately I'll probably end up in the hospital over Christmas for the second year in a row, which is disappointing. However, I should be able to have a Thanksgiving at home...I reckon I'll just have to eat and drink enough on Turkey day to make up for missing Christmas at home.
Speaking of the transplant, we got some good news about that today as well. We don't have a single match, but out of the 10 people who received further testing, three of them were 10 out of 10 matches. So it looks like I'll have my donor in place to start the transplant on time. I don't know if they do any further testing to narrow down which potential donor would be asked first, but my Dad shared that the youngest, male donor will usually be selected.
So today has been one where my family and I received plenty of new, good information about my treatment. I wish I didn't have this disease and that I could be doing everything I love without hassle. However, thats not what I've been dealt, and I just need to continue living each day as best I can. Thanks to everybody around the country and the world who has been supporting my family and I through your thoughts and prayers. I know I speak for my family when I say that we are extremely grateful and consider ourselves blessed.
I had a PET scan at NIH this morning before my clinic appointment with my research doctors. I was heading into this appointment with faith that the PET would reveal I am in remission. No problem with some confidence. Unfortunately that is not yet the case, although the doctors were positive about the results they saw. The cancer activity continued to decrease, although there is still some residual tumor cells surrounding the lung and in the mediastinum. The lead doctor used his fingers to demonstrate how large the three areas with cell activity are, and it appears that there is very little. However, I've already learned with this disease that any cancer is too much.
So the treatment plan that I'm on will be undergoing a bit of a change. The first thing is that the doctors want me to undergo six rounds of chemotherapy rather than just four. Since I am already starting my fourth round of chemo this time around, adding two more isn't that big of a deal. It will delay the bone marrow transplant for a short period of time, but it is more important that I head into the transplant completely cancer free than not. The other change is that the doctors will add Rituximab to my list of chemo drugs. My treatment the first time around was EPOCH-R, the R being for rituximab, so this isn't anything new they will be giving me. The idea is that although there were not any CD-20 cells in my biopsy back in July, there may be some residual CD-20 stained cancer cells somewhere in my body. Using Rituximab, a CD-20 anitbody, should help ensure I get complete remission of this crazy tumor in my body. I'm continuing to get Campath, so my treatment abbreviation is changing from EPOCH-C to EPOCH-CR.
So this sounds like more stuff that I have to go through, but Kate, my parents, and I aren't viewing this as negative at all. I think we were all pleased to hear that the cancer is still responsive to the chemotherapy. It is easy to fear that the drugs aren't working, but this isn't something that crosses my mind. I have complete faith that this treatment is working, and that I will be ready and healthy for the bone marrow transplant. The new timetable to begin the transplant looks to be in early to mid December. Thats about a month later than what I was thinking before, but thats fine with me. It means I should get a little more time working before taking my extended, medical induced vacation! Unfortunately I'll probably end up in the hospital over Christmas for the second year in a row, which is disappointing. However, I should be able to have a Thanksgiving at home...I reckon I'll just have to eat and drink enough on Turkey day to make up for missing Christmas at home.
Speaking of the transplant, we got some good news about that today as well. We don't have a single match, but out of the 10 people who received further testing, three of them were 10 out of 10 matches. So it looks like I'll have my donor in place to start the transplant on time. I don't know if they do any further testing to narrow down which potential donor would be asked first, but my Dad shared that the youngest, male donor will usually be selected.
So today has been one where my family and I received plenty of new, good information about my treatment. I wish I didn't have this disease and that I could be doing everything I love without hassle. However, thats not what I've been dealt, and I just need to continue living each day as best I can. Thanks to everybody around the country and the world who has been supporting my family and I through your thoughts and prayers. I know I speak for my family when I say that we are extremely grateful and consider ourselves blessed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)