Joan has been battling myleofibrosis for awhile. It is secondary to another blood disorder so she was able to keep it at bay with different chemo drugs. But things had stopped improving and the doctors wanted her to have a bone marrow transplant. As luck would have it, St. Luke's had just brought in a bone marrow transplant specialist to start up a program here. So, she would be able to be here, close to home and family, while undergoing the transplant.
Out of all her siblings (6), Trish was a perfect match!!! Joan was admitted today on day -9, she would receive different medications and chemo to rid her body of her bone marrow. On day 0 she will receive Trish's stem cells and then we just wait. There are no guarantees and a page of side effects, but it is hope!! So here we go on this journey!!
Here are different facebook updates...
June 11: Today came with more emotions and some relief of moving forward. Mom had a trifusion catheter put in, which she'll have for the next several months. She was admitted to the hospital and will be there for the next 4-6 weeks. Today is day -9 with transplant being on day 0! So the countdown is on!
June 19:Today is day -1! An emotional and inspiring day would be an understatement after witnessing such selfless giving! Tricia had her stem cell collection today! She was strong and positive despite 5 days of shots, feeling a bit weaker and bone pain! Mom had a really tough day yesterday but was able to rally today and see Tricia during the stem cell harvest! As I drove home tears trickled down my cheeks....it is simply amazing that Tricia is able to give the gift of life to her sister....our Mom, wife, Nana, sister, friend! We are thankful and blessed! Please continue the prayers, tomorrow is a big day with day 0 being the infusion of stem cells!
Today is day 0!!!! Happy Re-birthday to Mom! So many tears of love, joy, happiness and hope for a new beginning! Please continue to keep our family and Mom in your prayers as her counts recover and she accepts and engrafts Tricia's stem cells! But today we celebrate!!!
From Trish: Stem cell collection day and infusion day was a success! All I can say is that the bone marrow “plumping” shots worked. The Dr. wanted to collect 5-7 million stem cells and I gave over 10.1!
June 23: Today is day +3.... sometimes the best medicine is sunshine and grandkids! It's one day at a time but mom is feeling pretty good!
June 24: Day +4 ~”Remember how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go.”
Joan was once again in good spirits even though her counts have dropped considerably and she’s a bit weak. She’s in a holding period waiting for engraftment.
June 27: Today is day +7.... its been a week since the transplant and we were told these days could be some rough days! Today was a rough day. Mom started the morning getting platelets... she was tired all day, low energy and trying to find food that tastes good is hard! Please say a prayer for her! She's a fighter but some prayers to get her through these tough days would be appreciated!
June 29: Thank you for the outpouring of support, prayers and love! The last few days have been really tough for Mom. She's experiencing all of the horrible side effects of chemo! She's on day +9 and we expect some more rough days to come....until her counts recover her body has no way to fight! So out with the old.... in with the new. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.....but Mom rocks the short hair! She's one step closer to a healthy Joan! Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers!
July 3: We are sending our thanks again to all those out there keeping Mom in your thoughts and most importantly your prayers! She's another day closer to a healthier Joan! She's feeling a smidge better and her numbers are starting to recover!!! (she has had 2 days of increased counts which reflects engraftment of Trish's cells)!!
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