Saturday, February 03, 2007

Approaching 90 days...

We're now traveling to Barnes every other week for appointments, as hoped. On the "off" week I have bloodwork done at Ellis Fischel here in Columbia. That's been really nice. Dr. Westervelt (Barnes) recommended yesterday that I have an Aranesp shot to help build the red blood cells in my body. He said I will feel a lot better if they can get my hematocrit over 30, and my hemoglobin up as well. (It is still sitting in the 9s.) I do get out of breath easily, and I've been anemic for so long I don't really remember what it feels like not to be...so I am anxious to see how this works. It comes with some nasty side effects, but other than the pain of the shot I've only noticed some additional fatigue. I go back to Barnes in two weeks and we rescheduled my bone marrow biopsy for that date so we don't have to go two weeks in a row. It is now scheduled for February 16th at 9 a.m. Dr. Westervelt said I will have another one done in about three months and then one year from transplant (so sometime in November) and then that will be all unless bloodwork indicates a need for another one. That will bring my total up to 10. Sounds like a nice stopping point to me. :-)

If the biopsy results are good, they will begin weaning me off of the immune suppressant I am currently taking. (Prograf, specifically). The purpose of this drug is to keep my brother's immune system from attacking my body (otherwise known as GVHD). I'm not entirely sure what to expect during this process. For now I'm just taking it a day at a time. We're still staying in to avoid illness. Strep, mono, and pneumonia have been going around at my husband's office, but thankfully the Lord has kept him in good health. I know several of you have been praying to that end, specifically -- thank you!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I pray you continue to be in good health. My mom who has leukemia has had anemia as well and I have to say that Praise The Lord after almost 2 years of battling leukemia she is in remission! (Hers is CML not AML)

Keep that chin up!

Anonymous said...

Amy, Brandon, and Gary,
Glad to hear, and very thankful, you are improving. Hope the resistance can be gained back and your strength increase too. Good to see the "little one", he is a dandy.
Hope you are both doing well today.

Love to You all from us,
Don and Lilan

Girl Raised in the South said...

So nice to hear youre doing well Amy. We'll just keep praying. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hey there--good to hear from you! Will be in touch...we should chat. =)

Anonymous said...

Glad to read your update. Even though we've never met, I have been reading your blog and praying for you for many months. May the Lord continue to bless you with good medical reports, and I will pray for your husband to stay healthy at work as well!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update! Thinking of you and praying for you.

Carrie said...

So glad to hear more good news. May the Lord continue to strengthen you "in the inner man."
Love,
Carrie

Anonymous said...

Amy,
Our family prays for you every day.
We will be praying for excellent results next week with your biopsy.
We will also pray that your husband will be protected from all illness at work. I know how scary the thought of getting sick is when you have a suppressed immune system. I have been finsihed with chemo for almost 5 months now and it still scares me!
You have been through so much and God has been so faithful. Keep your eyes focused on Him. You have been a great testimony to us all.
Love,
Gina

Christina said...

I will keep praying for you. I am glad to hear that you are doing well. I can't wait to be reading your blog for many years to come. I hope you will keep blogging about all the great stuff life has in store for you.

Anonymous said...

Amy ~ Thank you for the update. We've been thinking of you and praying for you. Pryaing God will keep your hubby healthy and continue to heal your body and make you completely well.
Much love to you and you sweet family.
Leah

Kim said...

It is so good to hear from you! I'm thankful things are going well! It is just such great news! I am rejoicing here for you and with you!!!


Kim

Joe.Karen said...

Praise God that things are going well for you. You are in our prayers every day. We'll pray this week that the biopsy goes well and that your hubby stays healthy!

My husband had a PBSC transplant on Jan. 9. He just passed the 30 day milestone. Ever since we learned about you we've been checking up on your progress and rooting for you!

Heather said...

PTL!! God is so good. Your strength is such an encouragement.

Anonymous said...

Amy,

I'm so glad I decided to check your blog tonight. I will be praying for you in the morning, specifically that they can give you a good "cocktail" of meds so you can be as comfortable as possible. We will also be praying for good results and that Brandon and Gary (and you) stay well. May the Lord bless and keep you and cause His face to shine on you tomorrow.

Love,
Jessica H.

Anonymous said...

Amy-

I am so glad to hear that you are doing well! I'll keep you in my prayers!

Overwhelmed! said...

Amy, I'm happy to hear that you're doing well at this point in time.

You remain in my prayers!