Our time table has changed.
We saw Dr. Barlet and Met Dr Cashen. Bob Started his chemo last night. We finally got into a room around 5:00 pm. This one should not be as bad as the first one. Doctors were impressed on how well Bob is responding to his treatment. The nodes in his neck have decreased half in size.
Dr. Cashen will be Bob's stem cell transplant Doctor. She has changed his time table. In 3 wks, Bob will have to go down to Barnes for follow up test. Then the following week, He will have to have another set of chemo. This one will be different. He will be in hospital for 4 days. They are Ara-C(cytarabine), Etoposide and Rituximab. The purpose of this treatment is to fully depelt down Bob's immune system. Two weeks later he will be given Nupgen shot to boost his white blood cell and stimulate the release of his stem cells (cells which will eventually develop into white blood cells , red blood cells and platelets.). He will have to get these shots daily for 5 to 10 days. So he will have to stay close to barnes. They did say this is an important period of risk of infection. So He can stay in their free lodging during this period. Once his count starts coming up this is when they will harvest his stem cells. This will be repeated daily until they have enough stem cells. We then then rest for 4 weeks.
So Approximately June 16 Bob will go into the hospital to receive his stem cells back. He will receive a High dose of Chemo of Carmustine, etoposide and cyclophosphamide. Two days after receiving the cyclophosphamide and all drugs are out of his system he will receive his stem cells. Four days after that he will get daily shots of G-CSF ( a growth factor to stimulate bone marrow to produce white cells). During this period he will receive blood transfusions and antibiotics. When his count is high enough, he then be allowed to leave. This should be about 3.5 wks.
Just got done talking to Bob. Everything went well last night. No episode of chills and slept real well. He is ready for the next round.
Bob wants a shout out to everyone.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HAS CALLED,SENT CARDS, EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS AND KEEPING HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS. HE IS DOING WELL AND FEELING GREAT.
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2 comments:
Great news Tricia. I am sure it is a relief to have a game plan for the future. I know that all will go well. He is in God's hands.
Thanks for the update Tricia. Hurray for you Bob. We were thinking of you and watching this blog for your update. You owe Tricia BIG TIME!! LOL Am glad to hear that everything is going fine. Best of luck these next few weeks. Take care!!
Govaia's
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