Tuesday - 30 April 2013

Day 12

Had an 0900 appointment so Jane had to get up early.  Did not need any supplements such as magnesium,  potassium, platelets or blood.  All is still going well.  White blood cell count is going down slowly and is now at .2.  Immune system almost gone so after that it is supposed to build back up with the new good cells.  I am trying not too get cocky as this has been easy so far, but there is still time for unpleasantness.

"The best of the free life is yet to come, and  the good times are not over for good."  Line from, "Are the Good Times Really  Over For Good."  Merle Haggard

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Monday - 29 April 2013

Day 11

Received more magnesium today.  I really run through that stuff.  Also received Neupogene, to slow down the white blood cell reduction.   Docs just want to control the process.  Prior to today cells were slow to reduce but now are moving faster as I am down to .3 with a goal of less than .1.

 

Typical Day:

Ride to Clinic

Check in with receptionist

Proceed to assigned treatment room

Weigh self on scales

Proceed to vacant cubicle

Donate blood

Get treatment

 I am beginning to feel like a trained goat.

"The only way to keep your  health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not."  Mark Twain

 

Sunday - 28 April 2013

Day10

This was an easy Sunday morning with no problems.   White blood cells are decreasing now and were down to .9 this morning.   Docs are looking for them to go down to less than .1 and then to gradually start rising because of the new cells.  Normal white blood cell count is 3.2 to 9.8.  I did not make the 7 -10 day period as most patients do, but all are happy and say that , once again, I'm a little different.   The goal of less than .1 is called Nadar and one is supposedly guaranteed to feel tired and have a fever whn reaching that period.

Our pharmacy was having trouble getting approval for payment  for a prescription as Medicare insisted that I had to have a dismissal from the hospital to receive it.  They could not understand that I had not been admitted so it's kind of hard to be dismissed.  This is still ground breaking procedure.

It is a rainy cool Sunday here in Durham so we're just chilling.  

"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records."  Willim Ward

PS. my email is dwheeless05@gmail.com

Saturday - 27 April 2013

Day 9

I am afraid if something interesting doesn't happen soon,  I may lose some readers.  Anyway,  I was a "quart low" on platelets today so I got some.  White blood cells are finally going down as they are  supposed to do.  So all good news.

I would like to thank the Peters family consisting of my daughter, Amy, husband, Kevin, and my wonderful grandchildren,  Julia and Sara,  for holding a "Be The Match" event at their church in Huntersville,  NC.  This gives people the opportunity to register and be on the national donor list as  possible bone marrow donor.  People can also make contributions for the cause.  The event was quite successful. Thank you.  I heard that Amy received great accolades for presentation of the announcement of the event at the Sunday morning service. 

"Keeping up the appearance of having all your marbles is hard work, but important."  Sara Gruen

Friday -  26 April 2013

Day 8

Good day at the treatment center.  I am rid of the mobile dispenser bag of immune suppressant which weighed about 11 pounds.   I now take a pill instead.  Our transplant doc says he is very pleased with how things are going and a little surprised about how well my body is coping, as in no side effects.  So far, so good. 

It is sad news that George Jones died today at age 81.  Probably a good run considering what he put himself through.  Back before they killed Music Row,  radio DJ's would say,  "Other than George Jones, who is the world's best country singer?"  He will be missed.

"I ain't ready for the junk yard yet, I still feel like a new Corvette.  An Eskimo needs a Frigidaire like I need your rocking chair."  From "I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair."   George Jones

Thursday - 25 April 2013

Day 7

Day 7 was uneventful.  We had a 1400 appointment and had to receive IV doses of magnesium and potassium.  Never really knew that I used so much of these.

Jane insisted that we should get a handicapped sign so we visited NCDMV today.  I cannot get out of the car to go to any place except a Duke Medical Facility or our condo so I am not sure who needs the sign.

All is still good with no side effects.

"To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance  and confidence."   Mark Twain

 

Wednesday - 24 April 2013

Day 6

Sitting in the Adult Bone Marrow Clinic (ABMC)  listening to Otis Redding, getting blood transfusion as hemoglobin is approaching a lower level.  You must understand that if I receive 1 unit of blood, about 3/4 of an unit is then taken out for testing.   All is normal.  Jane is back and discussing "Him" with the PA's and everybody.  Joyse is at Whole Foods buying shrimp and stuff for tonight's dinner.  I am a well fed patient.

"Don't tell me how rocky the sea is, just bring the ship in"  Lou Holtz

(Advice that I have given to myself)

 `

Tuesday  - 23 April 2013

Day 5

Had a 1400 appointment today so had a lazy AM.  Still at the clinic as I needed more magnesium which takes about 1 1/2 hours.  All is good with no side effects.

Joyse and I walked the Duke Gardens  again which is a better stroll than around the condo complex.  I have discovered through intensive research that neither the Duke Medical Facilities,  Duke U, nor Duke Gardens have any connection to Daisy and Bo Duke.

Still tiptoeing thru the tulips.

Nothing else to report. Jane is en route so we got to hurry back and pick up at the condo!

"The world is getting crazy and  it seems to be  getting worse everyday so,  Come On Back Jesus and Pick Up John Wayne On The Way."   Willie Nelson from "Come On Back Jesus"

Monday - 22 April 2013

Day 4

Another good day. Only had to take a magnesium pill and had a short clinic visit.   Tomorrow's  appointment is not until 1400 so it should be even quicker as I will not have to wait on others.

Jane is in VA consulting and will be back tomorrow night.  Joyse is cooking lamb chops.

"Tough times never last, tough people do."   Dr. Robert Schuller

Sunday - 21 April 2013

DAY 3

  Another easy day.  Testing at 1100, no meds needed,  so dismissed at 1215.   After a brief break at the condo,  we walked through Duke Gardens which is a very large (5 miles of trails) botanical garden, beautifully landscaped. All the tulips were in bloom so it was very dramatic.  Those girl cells are bringing out my feminine side. 

The tulips and me at Duke Gardens.

 

 

 

How to survive boredom of daily treatment routine.

(Must have toys including cell phone , Ipod, laptop, and Kindle)

We were even able to stream our Brevard Ssunday church service over my laptop  which is broadcast on WSQL AM  (White Squirrel Radio)

"Difficulties in life intended to make us better, not bitter"   Dan Reeves (Former NFL player and coach)

Saturday- 20 April 2013

Day 2

Funny,  does not seem like a Saturday.  We had an 1100 appointment today.  I received a blood transfusion as hemoglobin was low. It is all kind of a balancing act, We were out by 1400 so another easy day with no side effects.

Joyse and I went for a good walk.  Jane is cooking cornish game chickens for dinner.  Life is good,

"God gets you to the plate, but once you're there, you're on your own."  Ted Williams (baseball hitter).  

Friday - 19 April 2013

Day 1 after Transplant

All is well after the big event.  None  of the expected side effects but day 7 to 10 is the most likely time for nausae and other stuff.  Perhaps,  I can slip by that also. The first month will also be the important period of time when the cells should actually start growing.  

I have named  the babies whose blood cord was donated.  First there is the girl from NY who I have named Veronica (nice northern Catholic name) and the girl from NC is named SuziBel (yes, with one L).   SuziBel will probably attend Duke. Not sure about Veronica but I am fairly assured that she will head South for a finer education.

Joyse has arrived.  She will be the patient assistant for the first part of next week while Jane goes to VA for her consulting work.  It is good to have her here.

TRANSPLANT ACCOMPLISHED - DAY 0

 

Thursday-  18 April 2013

Daily Blog

 

I received the cord blood transplants from two babies whose cord blood was voluntarily donated by the parents.  Both happen to be female, one from the South (NC), one from the North (NY/PA), one is O+ and one A+.  One of these two will be dominant and foster the growth of new healthy cells.  I received one transplant at 1015 this morning and the second at 1345.   All went well and there have been no side effects.,  I am told that there should be some weakness in 7 to 10 days and be on the lookout for any temp over 100.5.  If the temp exceeds 100.5, we go to the transplant center in the daytime or the emergency room at night.  Hopefully that will not happen.

Our associate pastor was with us for both transplants and said a much appreciated prayer prior to each procedure.   That is very special.  There have been many prayer groups and prayers.  i am very fortunate to have such family, friends, and supporters.

Jane, I and whoever acts as my patient assistant during this time will have to be vigilant.

I have no preference as to which set of cells wins this battle, but my blood type could change and I guess I would drink more "white wine" in the future.  No danger of accent change.

 

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."  Will Rogers   

 

Wednesday - 17 April 2013

Daily Blog

Well,  that was all very anti-climatic.  This morning started with the usual blood tests and vital exams.  I am still checking out good in all areas such as potassium, magnesium,  and other areas such as heart, kidneys, and liver functions.  Not that there was ever any question.

Then the radiation which has been known to cause nausea and knock one out fortunately has had no side effects.   I did have to put on one of those gowns but, other than that, it was a nap on a gurney.

So tomorrow is the big day. We will do the usual exam at 0830 and then do the transplant, which is like a transfusion, when they can do it.  No specific time.  I am promised that there will be a weakness side effect in 7 to 10 days.  Infection is still the biggest threat as the chemo and the radiation is designed to knock the immune system down to zero.   It could be a long haul.

"They certainly give strange names to diseases." Plato

Tuesday - 16 April 2013 

DAILY BLOG

Well, that completes my last round of chemo and should be the last one forever.  Tomorrow is radiation day and then Thursday is the day of  the transplant, so things are getting kinda serious fairly rapidly.  I will have blood test each morning, then the procedures.  After that, just monitoring by blood tests, etc.

In celebration of the last chemo,  we had a nice lunch out and got the oil changed in the jeep.

Not much other news except it now takes 17 days to have mail forwarded here by  USPS as NC distribution offices have closed and mail goes to VA for rerouting.

Quote for Julia Peters

"Always remember,

a cat looks down on a person,

a dog looks up to a person,

but a pig will look a person straight in the eye

and see his equal."         Winston Churxhill

Monday - 15 April  2013

Another day of chemo and preliminary doses of antibiotics, anti nausea and other stuff.  All is still going easy.  i am now required to wear a pack which makes it possible to recieve meds while mobile so I  wear it low slung on my hip as though, with my shirttail out, I look as though I may be packing heat, which is accepted or expected in the beautiful mountains of Western NC.  Not real sure about this Durham town. 

 One more day of chemo,  then one day of total body radiation and the transplant,   Things are moving rapidly.  We will know the results when they happen and that's the only real fact at this point. All I  know is that, we are giving it hell  and have good medical promises and expertise.

Not much more news,  except that out of the 250 or so condoes in this complex,  we are the only one with pots of herbs, tomatoes, and flowers on the patio,   Jane has struck by quickly finding Lowes and Home Depot. 

"Was it yesterday or the day before?"   A line from Kentucky Rain sung by Elvis.

Sunday-  14 April 2013

Well, I guess this a different kind of Sunday since I have to be at the clinic at 0800.  Yesterday was just terrible.  All counts were good,  chemo was easy, had a nice lunch and went back to the condo to watch the Masters UNTIL THE CABLE WENT OUT.  Time Warner Tech help was remotely familiar with written troubleshooting procedures.  After I discovered that all 3 TVs were inoperable (horrors), our Oakwood Manager suggested that we check Internet and telephone.  Yes, they were out and we were on a deserted island (double horrors) - no Masters  and no Texas NASCAR.  By this time most of Eastern NC had been alerted but the cable company said they would quickly send someone out by Tuesday.  After a call to them by our condo manager infoming them of the total cable outage,  we were restored to life after about two hours in the vacuum. 

Jane and I tried to stay mostly congenial throughout the ordeal and once I got to watch Masters reruns and the remainder of the race,  I felt better.  Yes, we had cell phones and books but used to more tech needs.

Now, as for why I am really here.  We are doing great.  Jane is cooking good meals and we have had great lunches out.  I have been given stero\ds which increase appetite and golf driving ability.  All is good, two more days of chemo then the radiation day.

"With diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable"  Ben Franklin

Saturday - 13 April 2013

Yes, the cure process has begun.  I started the first of five days of chemo yesterday which will be followed by one day of total body irradiation or irradication if one fat fingers the keyboard.  Yesterday, the chemo was  Cytoxan and Fludara and today is Fludara only.  No side effects, yet.  We had a good evening in our new condo operated by Oakwood Corporate Suites which is a very good acommodation just minutes away from the hospital.  

 This procedure  is to be what is known as a "cord blood transplant" which is from two babies who were kind enough to donate as they are fine, healthy folk living good lives. 

We had a great send-off celebration at our home in Brevard last Saturday night with our wonderful Brevard friends including Rick and Page Ciordia who live in Hendersonville, NC on a beautiful golf course named Champion Hills.  Taylor,  google this one.  We are invited to play a round with Rick when I get back home.  Rick is a long time friend from Griffin High School days, class of 62.  Our friends from Brevard included  Joyse, Lisa, Lori, MaryKay, Alice, Peter (actually from Balsam Grove), Biff, Tim and Sylvia,  Chris and Harriett, Jeff and Betsy, Gary and Suzie, Richard and Luanne,  and Ike from Asheville.  We are fortunate to have made such wonderful friends.  Thank you, Toni.

Tim,  former member of the National Italian Orchestra,  played his alto  horn and his wife, Sylvia, beautifully sang "O sole mio" in Italain.  The deck windows held up which was a test of our carpenter, Peter's work.  Tim is a true native of Brevard.  We had great food thanks to Jane and Joyse and also plenty of libations. It was a magnificent night that I will recall during the upcoming 100 days.

For some reason we did gender separation for the party pictures.

In the midst of all this, we lost a dear friend, Daniele Johnson, wife of  Steve Johnson,  both long time friends.  She will be greatly missed.

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  Hebrew12:1  (Sent to us by Judy Britt of GHS - 63.)

 

Saturday - 5 April, 2013

 

Well, it is all going to officially start on Tuesday, 9 April. I will have diagnostic testing for two days and one  dose of radiation (1st time).  This will be followed by 5 days of chemo as these days are refereed to as -6, -5, on down to the actual transplant which the doctors refer to as my new birthday.  It will be 18 APRIL,  same as Sara Peters, granddaughter.

 

We have rented an apartment in Durham as all of this plus 100 days monitoring is out patient.

 

 

Doug  and Kevin Peters,  son-in-law,  at Easter.  Did we both shop at Banana Republic, Gap, or good ole Kohl's ?

 

 

 

 

 



 

Alfred E. Newman - you remember him