Today is better. Christi is feeling good, and we took her in a wheel chair over to the Truett Cafeteria where she watched us eat a late breakfast. Since I have been massaging her feet, some of the swelling has gone down. Christi's friend, Renea, who lives near Huntsville, Texas is coming to see her this afternoon, so she is looking forward to that. Very little, if any, bleeding today. Blasts still zero, as is everything else. We expect her blood counts to start up in about another week, then the DNA tests to see whether it is her system or the donor's which is taking over. All in all, it's been a good day so far.
Layton
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Zero blasts, days 8&9
Friday and Saturday have been challenging for Christi. She is receiving blood and platelets almost constantly because her counts are zero. Her feet and legs are swollen from all of the fluids that she is getting, so they have given her lasix, and she spends much of the day on the potty.
Please, God, heal Christi...she is tired and frustrated but is not giving up! Help us, her family of caregivers, to continue our vigil over her which we know is paramount in her will to survive. We seek your will...
Marcia
Please, God, heal Christi...she is tired and frustrated but is not giving up! Help us, her family of caregivers, to continue our vigil over her which we know is paramount in her will to survive. We seek your will...
Marcia
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Zero blasts, day 7
Christi had a really good day today, beginning with the news that her blasts are still at zero. Early in the afternoon, she was able to drink and eat very small amounts without getting sick, and she was quite pleased with herself!
However, as has been the ritual, her nights aren't quite as good as her days. I'm sure most of you can relate because it's the same with anyone who is sick...the evenings and nights are when fever kicks in, nausea returns, and overall aches and pains seem to enjoy the fact that we're just not going to get much sleep tonight! Bring on the pain/nausea meds!
She did get a special visit from Holli and her boyfriend, Clay, who (per Christi's request) brought a dish of chicken and dumplings! I totally enjoyed sampling the dumplings, but Christi chose to wait until tomorrow when her tummy isn't so rumbly.
Good night, friends...gotta catch a few z's while she's snoozing!
Marci
However, as has been the ritual, her nights aren't quite as good as her days. I'm sure most of you can relate because it's the same with anyone who is sick...the evenings and nights are when fever kicks in, nausea returns, and overall aches and pains seem to enjoy the fact that we're just not going to get much sleep tonight! Bring on the pain/nausea meds!
She did get a special visit from Holli and her boyfriend, Clay, who (per Christi's request) brought a dish of chicken and dumplings! I totally enjoyed sampling the dumplings, but Christi chose to wait until tomorrow when her tummy isn't so rumbly.
Good night, friends...gotta catch a few z's while she's snoozing!
Marci
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June 24th - better today
After two days and nights of intense pain, which appear to have been caused by a kidney stone, Christi is considerably better today. Her blood counts are still practically zero, but there are no leukemia blasts in the peripheral blood. We're anxiously awaiting the blood counts to start up, and when they do, the doctors plan to do a DNA test to see if the new cells are from the stem cell donor or from Christi. If they are only from the donor, that may mean that the transplant was not a failure after all.
There is no projection on when she might get out of the hospital, and since this is the 14th week of continuous hospitalization, it's beginning to get rather old. We hope things have improved within the next two weeks for her to go home. We'll just have to wait and see. Someone continues to stay with her around the clock, and that has not been too bad as there is a chair-bed in the room which is pretty confortable.
We still covet your prayers that she will start to produce good blood cells and be in remission.
Thank you all for your cards and notes. Christi is now feeling like reading them.
God bless you all,
Layton
There is no projection on when she might get out of the hospital, and since this is the 14th week of continuous hospitalization, it's beginning to get rather old. We hope things have improved within the next two weeks for her to go home. We'll just have to wait and see. Someone continues to stay with her around the clock, and that has not been too bad as there is a chair-bed in the room which is pretty confortable.
We still covet your prayers that she will start to produce good blood cells and be in remission.
Thank you all for your cards and notes. Christi is now feeling like reading them.
God bless you all,
Layton
Monday, June 22, 2009
Zero Blasts, Day 4
As most of you know Christi's transplant failed, and we were given very dire news. One of the doctors suggested a new treatment drug, mylotarg. Christi has been given three infusions of this drug which is to target cd33 leukemia cells,the kind Christi has. We are to wait until Wednesday or Thursday of this week to see if the treatment will work. We are again in a wait and see situation.
I am writing this tonight to ask for your prayers that the donor cells will start working under the mylotarg. They will do a DNA
test to see if it is working.
Thank you for your love, your prayers, the many cards and the terrific support that we have received during this time.
We continue to rely on Tom and Estella Lyon's generous offer of their condo. It has given us a haven for much needed rest.
Tonight we would ask that you again contact your prayer chains that they may send prayers to God on Christi's behalf.
With much love,
Melba
I am writing this tonight to ask for your prayers that the donor cells will start working under the mylotarg. They will do a DNA
test to see if it is working.
Thank you for your love, your prayers, the many cards and the terrific support that we have received during this time.
We continue to rely on Tom and Estella Lyon's generous offer of their condo. It has given us a haven for much needed rest.
Tonight we would ask that you again contact your prayer chains that they may send prayers to God on Christi's behalf.
With much love,
Melba
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Post Mylotarg, Zero Blasts Day 3
Not much change...Christi has gone 3 days with ZERO leukemia blasts. Penny reminded me tonight that this hasn't happened since she finished her first chemo back in November! Her numbers are all near zero, meaning that she has no immunities AT ALL. We pray that she stays immune to anything that may find its way into her body and wreak havoc. Each day is a gift.
Marci
Marci
Friday, June 19, 2009
Mylotarg, Days 8&9
On Day 9, Christi's blasts have been blasted to ZERO! Yes, this is absolutely great news, but will they stay blasted? That's the million dollar question right now, so we wait.
Today was a little bumpy for Christi. She didn't eat or drink much and talked about going home. We patiently tell her to hang in there. Since her counts are basically at rock-bottom, she has little energy and just sleeps. That's fine with me! Sleep it off, little sister, and maybe you'll wake up to a healed body, God willing!
I hope you'll continue the wait with us as we pray for a miracle.
Marci
Today was a little bumpy for Christi. She didn't eat or drink much and talked about going home. We patiently tell her to hang in there. Since her counts are basically at rock-bottom, she has little energy and just sleeps. That's fine with me! Sleep it off, little sister, and maybe you'll wake up to a healed body, God willing!
I hope you'll continue the wait with us as we pray for a miracle.
Marci
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