Thursday, September Twelveth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hello all -

Once again, I apologize for the lack of updates.  This past Tuesday, I was released from the James Cancer Hospital where I spent about 35 days...I truly lost count!  I'm currently back in Cincinnati and will remain here for two weeks as long as I feel well.  It took my body several weeks to recover from the treatment in August and that is why I remained hospitalized for so long.  Again...the more chemotherapy, the harder it is for your counts to recover.  I must sound like a broken record, ha!

There was a small "window of opportunity" to reschedule the transplant.  I was scheduled to move to the BMT (bone marrow transplant) floor on September 10th and start the "conditioning" for the transplant.  The actual transplant was planned for September 17th.  I held off from updating the blog with this information because I feel like each time I update it...something changes!  And in true fashion, there have been changes.  I had a PET scan while I was admitted because my EBV titer that had been originally on the decline for weeks had started to go back up.  This means that there is active lymphoma in my body.  I have some disease near my kidney and near my aorta.  So the transplant has been postponed again.  Of course it is frustrating and disappointing but I've learned to anticipate changes.

I started a new antibody-drug called Brentuximab on Monday.  This drug is administered every three weeks.  Brentuximab will target the specific cancer marker I have.  Dr. Baiocchi felt that I could go home during this time and recuperate while the drug does its thing.  While home, I am going to continue to isolate myself and stay out of the public.  My main concern is to take it easy and avoid infection!  I have an appointment in Columbus on September 17th, 24th and a scan on October 1st.  If the Brentuximab works, the transplant will be rescheduled ASAP.

Lauren xoxo
                                       Something I have to remind myself of daily

 *Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I together can't handle
    

Friday, August Sixteenth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hi there!

My PET scan showed that the radiation worked on my L5 (spine), but unfortunately displayed several new spots.  The stem cell transplant was postponed.  I was admitted to OSU on Saturday, August 3rd and just finished a five-day chemotherapy treatment to tackle new areas.  I was treated for pneumonia too.  I remain at the hospital, as this is my "bad week" (immediately after chemo).  This way, they can control infection or fever.  I have another PET scan next Friday, August 23rd.  If looking good, a new transplant date will be determined quickly...I'll update the blog when I know more.  I am anxious for the transplant and cannot wait for things to get going...  Afterwards, my hospital stay will continue for several more weeks.

Also, a big THANK YOU to the Fedigan Family (Mom's family) for the huge poster with the encouraging words and signatures, from the recent family reunion.  I loved reading the messages!  It put a big smile on my face :)

Lauren

Sunday, July Twenty-Eighth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Hello all,

I finished ten rounds of radiation this past Wednesday, July twenty-fourth.  The radiation itself was pretty easy and painless.  The only side effect I have experienced is fatigue.  Thankfully, radiation didn't affect my numbers or blood counts.  We drove up daily for treatment.  I will have a PET scan this Friday, August second.  The scan will show if the radiation worked and if there are any new spots...so please keep me in your prayers that the scan comes out clear!!

There are several pre-transplant tests that I must do to prepare for the Stem Cell Transplant.  I will go to Columbus tomorrow morning and stay until EOD Tuesday.  I will attend an information class and have several tests including an MRI of the brain, bone marrow biopsy, EKG of the heart, spinal tap, and blood work.

A stem cell donor has been contacted and has agreed to the transplant so that is great news! The donor is a 28 year old male.  I do not know where he lives or anything about him.  I will be able to write him a thank you card after the transplant...but other than that, I can contact him one year from transplant.  I hate that I have to wait so long but that is the rule in place.  My admission date is August fourteen.  There is a five or six day chemo involved prior to the transplant so I imagine the actual transplant will take place at the very end of the month.

I will update the blog once I get the results of the PET.  Thank you all for reading and keeping up with my journey.  It means a lot to know that I have such a large support team behind me :)


                                   Ringing the bell for my last radiation treatment

       Enjoying the summer fresh air with a Pina Colada (no alcohol but tastes the same!)

                                                     For a good laugh!

~ Every day, set your mind in the right direction.  Find something to be grateful for.

Monday, July Eighth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

I've been waiting to update the blog until I found out what my near future looked like, so here it is...

After meeting with my doctor last week I found out that I will not have another chemotherapy treatment (yippee!!).  My body has been through a lot and he doesn't think it could handle another treatment...as it took two weeks for my numbers to recover last time.  He scheduled a PET scan to see if the spot on my L5 vertebrae disappeared with this last chemotherapy.  Unfortunately, the spot was still present.  Therefore, I will have ten rounds (I think) of radiation on my lower back.  I return to Columbus tomorrow to have my back "marked" for the radiation and then I will start on Thursday.

As far as the Stem Cell Transplant goes, there is a good match for me on the donor registry.  The doctor tested Kristen's blood and we are indeed identical twins (we were never 100% sure).  He feels that if Kristen is the donor, her cells would not be strong enough to attack the bad cells present in my body.  It would be similar to getting my own immune system back.  Thankfully, I had multiple matches on the donor registry.  The transplant should take place soon after the radiation...possibly in 3 weeks.  Following the transplant, I will spend a month in the hospital and then move into an "isolation apartment" for the following month.  More info on that when I learn more!!


~Whatever you're facing today, keep going. keep moving. keep hoping. keep pressing on. There is victory on the other side!

Saturday, June Fifteenth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

The last couple of weeks have been pretty nonstop! First off, I was discharged out of the hospital the day before my sister's wedding :) It was beautiful and Kristen looked gorgeous. It was a long day for me but everything ended up working out really well. It was so nice to visit with friends and family. Thank you to all of those that traveled to be part of her special day! I will include some pictures down below. The wedding was on Friday, May 31st. I was due back to the James on Thursday, June 2nd where I was admitted for the third 5-day IVAC chemotherapy treatment. I also had a PET scan while admitted. Many of the areas where the lymphoma was present (abdominal area and sinus cavity) have resolved. There is an area on my L5 vertebra which seems to be stubborn. There is talk that I may have radiation on that area - stay tuned. It has been decided that I will definitely go forward with the Stem Cell Transplant. My siblings have been tested as possible matches. Kristen seems to be a perfect match. The doctors are doing a few more tests on her blood involving the EBV and her T-cells. I should have more information for you soon regarding these tests. Tentatively, the transplant will take place in July. I am currently at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati getting some blood products and antibiotics. It is nice that I can come to Christ when I'm home and my numbers are down. Both hospitals work together which makes it somewhat convenient for me. Here are some pics from the wedding. I was transformed with hair and make-up :)

Thursday, May Thirtieth, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Quick update!

I am going home this afternoon!  I will be at that wedding tomorrow!  Thank you for your prayers :)
I return Tuesday to Columbus, but I am thankful for a few days at home!!

Monday, May Twenty-Seventh, Two Thousand and Thirteen

Quick update!

I am still in Columbus.  My body had some issues with the chemo last week.  This put me behind schedule.  My numbers dropped quite fast so I was never discharged after my treatment.  I am now waiting for my white blood count to increase so that I can be discharged.  There is nothing I can do to speed up the process!  As you can imagine, I am getting a bit nervous considering the wedding is in 4 days!  I'm trying to stay positive, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't freaking out inside!!  The worst-case scenario would be that I miss the rehearsal dinner Thursday and get a "temporary discharge" pass for Friday.  I won't have the energy I had hoped for at the wedding...but again, it's just important that I'm there!   

Check back soon!

"In his mind a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps."
                                          -Proverbs 16:9