Before anything, we unbelievably forgot to mention that Bill (in the BYU Athletics Dept.) invited Eric to his office the other weekend and Austin Collie was there! You won't believe it, but he gave Eric his Super Bowl jersey. Yes, it's a real Super Bowl jersey.
Friday, March 12th. Enter the unit. This is true for now, but could change so don't hold me to it.
Days 1-6. Eric will receive BEAM chemo everyday (his previous was CHOP). The first day according to others who have received the BMT is the worst. The chemo is harsh and gruelling. These days are technically pre-transplant. The chemo will completely wipe out his immune system, as in 100%. Symptoms should be similar to his last chemotherapy, but mouth sores are more common.
Day 7. Transplant Day. This is the start of the actual transplant. All of this is through his central line so though it will be a difficult process, it will not at least involve needles and external pain.
Days... who knows? After the initial tranplant day, it can anywhere from 10 to 14 days to get your white cells back to "500" which is pretty low but normal enough to discharge you.
As some of you know, Eric and I have not had to go up to Salt Lake in one week! This has been a huge relief for now, and it is due to the fact that Eric collected on Monday last week. They needed to collect 5 million cells for his transplant, and after a long day of collection he produced over 9 million cells! If only we could sell his excess cells... haha. Actually we would willingly give them to anyone but I don't even know if that is possible or even useful in the medical world. All I know is Eric is a stud. He knows how to get it done.
As for everything else, we have been waiting just like you have. Many people have sought me out looking for the next set of information, but I haven't had it to give yet. We have been pretty content just to have Eric home and be able to attend the last two BYU home games.
So after our week-long break, we visited the U of U Hospital Bone Marrow Unit today and met with a social worker, a nutritionist, and a nurse. The first made sure we are feeling okay about all of this. This part made me nervous because I don't like sharing my feelings with people when they ask me outright. I'll share when I'm good and ready! But we are doing good and I think maybe she expected us to be worse than we are. I have a feeling it might wear on Eric being stuck there forever and hard for us being apart, but as for now we are feeling normal. The nutritionist was BORING. Sorry. But true. She read to us from a binder we already have about his diet. The strange thing is the hospital will be feeding him so I think he'll just eat what they bring him. I know we need to know it, but I think Eric summed it up well when he said he felt like he just sat through a Home Ec class.
The nurse gave us a basic schedule. Which I left in the car. Dang. Okay Eric remembers it, so here goes:
As for everything else, we have been waiting just like you have. Many people have sought me out looking for the next set of information, but I haven't had it to give yet. We have been pretty content just to have Eric home and be able to attend the last two BYU home games.
So after our week-long break, we visited the U of U Hospital Bone Marrow Unit today and met with a social worker, a nutritionist, and a nurse. The first made sure we are feeling okay about all of this. This part made me nervous because I don't like sharing my feelings with people when they ask me outright. I'll share when I'm good and ready! But we are doing good and I think maybe she expected us to be worse than we are. I have a feeling it might wear on Eric being stuck there forever and hard for us being apart, but as for now we are feeling normal. The nutritionist was BORING. Sorry. But true. She read to us from a binder we already have about his diet. The strange thing is the hospital will be feeding him so I think he'll just eat what they bring him. I know we need to know it, but I think Eric summed it up well when he said he felt like he just sat through a Home Ec class.
The nurse gave us a basic schedule. Which I left in the car. Dang. Okay Eric remembers it, so here goes:
Friday, March 12th. Enter the unit. This is true for now, but could change so don't hold me to it.
Days 1-6. Eric will receive BEAM chemo everyday (his previous was CHOP). The first day according to others who have received the BMT is the worst. The chemo is harsh and gruelling. These days are technically pre-transplant. The chemo will completely wipe out his immune system, as in 100%. Symptoms should be similar to his last chemotherapy, but mouth sores are more common.
Day 7. Transplant Day. This is the start of the actual transplant. All of this is through his central line so though it will be a difficult process, it will not at least involve needles and external pain.
Days... who knows? After the initial tranplant day, it can anywhere from 10 to 14 days to get your white cells back to "500" which is pretty low but normal enough to discharge you.
We're looking at a total of 3 or 4 weeks. I can sleep there, so I will on the weekends and I will be home during the weeks. It's a small place and people can visit, but only two visitors at a time. They can come anytime as long as Eric is up for it. But no sickies!!! So what I'm saying is please do come visit if you can if you are healthy and clean.
In lieu of a Visitor of the Week, we want to SHOUTOUT to some of our good friends who aren't "visitors" because they're always around...
*Davy and Hillary: Congratulations on Olliver! Can't wait to meet him.
*Rosie and Josh: We'll miss football and basketball season with you guys.
*Chris and Jeff (Hometeachers): This is ALMOST VotW so get up to the hospital and see Eric so you can be official.
*Jeff and Lisa: we just like you guys.
INVITATION: Friday, March 5th @ 7p.m. or so and beyond... anyone is welcome to come over and say hello at our house before Eric heads up to the hospital. We'll eat food, play rockband, games, whatev. Just figure it'd be nice to see everyone before Eric can't fight off your germs.
It's going to be an eventful month. Hopefully this is it the final March. It's exciting and difficult time, but good to know we have friends and family surrounding us all the time, and a social worker and nutritionist.
I can't believe you are this far through the process. You're both amazing. It will be good to come say hi next week.
ReplyDeleteYou are in our prayers and our hearts. You guys have definetly blessed our lives this year with friendship, laughter and memories and we just love ya. Please let us know if we can do anything at all!
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, we're about to go over a huge waterfall.
ReplyDeleteYep.
Sharp rocks at the bottom?
Most likely.
Bring it on!
I'm so amazed by your strength Holly. Wow, you are quite the example to me. By the way I'm so happy he got that jersey...and maybe a tad jealous. We'll be praying for you both.
ReplyDeleteI 'ditto' Jen's comment!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything, you are in our prayers.
ReplyDelete