John Wilson Updates

Day 2 after the transplant, definitely felt better than yesterday. I was wrong about the chemo though. Two days worth, starting tomorrow. This stuff is hard on the lining of the bladder, so there is a pre-medication, then lots of water to drink!

Alrighty, checked into MDA yesterday, the usual blood collection, introductions, lectures, etc, and got the hydration IV started. Not much sleep between some pretty nasty back pain and two plugged catheters in my chest. Tramadol helped the pain but I only slept intermittently. About 0200 the IV specialist came in and worked until 0600 clearing up plugged catheters. That young lady hung in there! Ultrasound, EKG, and blood panels showed no internal organs were causing the pain, pretty sure it's a muscle impacting a nerve in my back. Feeling better. First round of chemo is done (it only took 30 minutes). Walked a mile with my beautiful bride Linda, and did a light upper body work out. More of the same tomorrow (Day -4). The implant of Georgia's stem cells is set for some time Monday.
Love you all!!!
John

We met with the transplant team today and the decision is to let my cold run its course since it could be fatal once the transplant starts. We check in late Monday afternoon, fluids and antibiotics start that night (Day Minus 6), the four days of intense chemo, a day of rest, then the stem cell infusion (Day Zero).

It's been a busy week. Chest Xray, oncological dentist exam, CT scan, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, pulmonary tests, bone marrow sample, 18 vials of blood taken, and the finale, change out of my central venus catheter (scheduled for one hour, took three). All that to make sure I was ready for the stem cell transplant. Passed all the tests, so I get admitted to MDA next Tuesday. ~five days of chemo, then a rest day, then the transplant. Should be in there about 30 days.

Spent the day at MDA (routine blood work and hat with the PA) BUT the chemo pump, bag, and backpack are gone after 29 days of 24/7 treatment. We don't have to go to MDA for six days (not sure what to do with myself but I'll find something!!!), then things get busy as we start the pre-transplant conditioning. We still don't know the date of the transplant itself but it's getting close. Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers!

Georgia is officially cleared to be the stem cell donar! She starts her "boosters" tomorrow and we hope everything goes as planned. No date yet for the actual transplant but we're guessing late June-early August.
Thanks everyone!

We were told I will NOT be in isolation after the stem cell transplant (around June 1st). The same basic visitor rules will apply EXCEPT
visitors will be required to wear masks and gloves. This is excellent news for me!!!

We had a very tiring two weeks at MDA. The shortened remission time and the hectic chemo schedule took a toll on both of us. This week ("off" week) originally called for us to drive in every day but we got one moved. One day at 14.5 hours for out-patient chemo and yesterday's 10.5 hour for tests and transfusions were enough for the time being. Next week shows two appointments, so hopefully we can rest up a bit.
That said, things are going according to plan and on track for the transplant.

Saw the head doctor today and as a reward for doing so well I get to go into the hospital Monday (two weeks early) for the next round of chemo. Three days in and back out. Tentatively the stem cell transplant is three months out.
No word on the donors yet.

Had blood work and bone marrow sample this morning. Blood work looked good enough to be able to cancel one test this week, still meet with the program manager Thursday. Things going as they should!

Long day at MDA today (13 hours). They have some issues showing everything on the schedule; we only showed blood test and a spinal tap. Turned into that plus out-patient chem and pulmonary tests.

It's been like heaven being home! I feel very good and can do most "normal" things.
I can't tell y'all how much love and effort Linda has put into this; she's unbelievable!
Not a lot to report, there are blood tests and out-patient chemo coming up but there shouldn't be any big news.
The prayers and well-wishes are deeply felt and appreciated, thank you all.

As of right now I am finishing my last chemo treatment this week and heading home tomorrow (Friday) for four weeks. Relative term because I have to be back at at MDA almost daily for blood tests and other stuff. The good news I I can drive as long as I feel like it. Looking forward to sleeping in our bed!!