2014/12/10

Wednesday, 10th December

Day 9 - Stem Cell Transplant

It is with much happiness that I am able to say that so far Jimmy has done so well and not suffered too badly at all from those heavy doses of chemo last week.  He has had some difficulty sleeping. I'm not sure if this is some neurological effect that the chemo might have, but we still had some of those strong sleeping tablets he used to use when he was in agony with back pain.  They really have helped to a degree of at least getting some sleep so he has been very tired.  He has also been nauseous but also not really bad all the time.  I think there might still be some side effects to come as his hair will definitely all fall out this time around and this only happens sometime within 2 weeks, but we hope and pray that they will not be too severe.

Some more good news is that we started the Neupogen injections at home this morning, two per day for 10 days.   Today is still touch and go with his immunity and getting infections, we have been taking his temp 3 times a day since Friday.  But from tomorrow his system will already be getting stronger, his white blood cell counts will start climbing and hopefully his stemmies will also start producing and all this is thanks to the wonderful injections.  It has been very quiet around the house as we have not been allowed any visitors but this 'quarantine' is also lifted from tomorrow morning.

  It really has been a hectic year juggling so much.  I'm sure the children are all looking forward to kicking back and relaxing.  They all come to us from today till after Christmas and I can't wait for the house to fill up.  Having all my chickens home is such a lovely saying and describes very well how I feel.  Last week of work for me next week, a quick VAT reconciliation and then I can also relax, well...relax as much as mothers can.

Today was also the last day of school.  Well done to the girls on another year behind them of hard work with good reports. A big congratulations to Loren for achieving half colours for Hockey this year and to Emma who received the JB Swart Trophy for effort and most enthusiastic learner in Grade 9.  You make me so proud!  Emma is also coming on in leaps and bounds with her baking skills and was asked to make Jonathan Ackerman's birthday cake last week.  A group of the girls from the Academy got together to lend a helping hand and I can see why Jonathan was so impressed.

Emma and Jonathan Ackerman


 On Friday the golf academy are taking a road trip up to Sanddrif  in the Cederberg for a couple of days.   I have offered to drive up for the day and tow the trailer with all their goodies. If all goes to plan Jimmy is going to come along and enjoy a well deserved break from being stuck in the house and enjoy some different scenery.

So...this leaves stem cell harvest next week which means the next step in this process is Jimmy having a full blood count taken on Wednesday to see if he is ready for stem cell harvest on Thursday.

Hold thumbs these stem cells reproduce like rabbits for the next six days...

Hey..40 days and 40 nights is a long time..


1 comment:

Julie said...

Hi Vivienne and Jimmy! Just checking in to see how everything is going. Hoping the Neupogen shots are turning Jimmy into "superman" and all is moving forward positively for him. I did fine on those injections, and my clinic was able to harvest over 9 million stemmies for my SCT. Also, if Jimmy is on Steroids (Dex? Pred?) those cause crazy ups and downs and sleeplessness for the days on. Dex gives me a crazy surge, then a nasty crash. Your family is so beautiful and I hope all is going well and you and yours will have a wonderful holiday. When is Jimmy's actual SCT? love, hugs, and support- Julie :)

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