Final Treatment Went Fine - February 6th, 2002 by Mary Sandberg
I had my final chemotherapy treatment this morning. Nancy accompanied me and we had a nice visit waiting for the IV to finish doing it's thing. I feel great, looking forward to the next few weeks as I prepare for the stem cell transplant. I will be going to Froedtert in about two weeks for a one-day high-dose chemotherapy treatment. That's the first of several steps before the actual two-week stay in the hospital when I have the transplant. I don't have the date yet, Dr. Vesole's office will be calling me to set that up. My blood work figures were excellent, which is why Dr. Myong went ahead with the fourth treatment today. My protein level was down to 1.4 -- it was 11.6 when I was diagnosed and has been dropping with each treatment. The lower the number, the better. If it had leveled off, there would have been no need for treatment, but since I'm still responding, a fourth dose can't hurt. Since none of my siblings were a match for me (though several match each other!) the second transplant is up in the air for now. Dr. Vesole may consider using an "unrelated donor" in the future. If so, it was implied that they would use the blood bank rather than have relatives tested the way my siblings were tested. I did find out that donors do not need to be the same blood type, they simply remove the red cells. If anyone wants to be tested at this time, they can call the blood bank to find the nearest location. The number is 1-800-MARROW2. If/when they decide to try the second transplant and search the blood bank for a donor, I'll let everyone know. Thanks again for your prayers and support. We're doing great!
©2001 Michael Kristopeit all rights reserved