The most recent blood work shows that the current lineup of chemo drugs are doing what they are designed to do. My out of whack blood levels are trending towards the normal ranges. The Mspike level is nearing zero. It stands at .06 from the latest test report. Looking at getting it to zero. That determines when I will be ready for the bone marrow transplant.
I have a follow-up appointment with the Transplant team on August 18.
Once I reach that magic level – Reading through the 76-page booklet on autologous transplant – the next step is “mobilizing” for the stem cell transplant. I will receive different chemo, heavy duty drugs. At this point I have been told, I will lose the hair on my head. I like my hair. I have always liked my hair and the thought of not having any, however temporary, is a bit distressing. Do I need a wig? Should I just go with the flow and be bold and bald? Maybe a skullcap?
Because we live nearby, I will be an outpatient for the procedures. First there is Vital Organ Testing to determine if my ‘vital” organs are healthy enough to withstand the stronger drugs. Not sure what happens if they are not.
If they are – I will receive the drug Neupogen injected for five consecutive days. Neupogen® (filgrastim) is a drug that has been used successfully for cancer patients to stimulate the growth of the white blood cells. Neupogen (filgrastim) is used to decrease the chance of infection in people who have non myeloid cancer (cancer that does not involve the bone marrow) and are receiving chemotherapy medications that may decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of blood cell needed to fight infection).
Neupogen is used to help increase the number of white blood cells. Neupogen is also used in people who are undergoing bone marrow transplants and in people who have severe chronic neutropenia (condition in which there are a low number of neutrophils in the blood). Neupogen is used to prepare the blood for leukapheresis, a treatment in which certain blood cells are removed from the body.
There are myriad of unpleasant side effects from this drug. I hope to avoid them all.
If I survive all this – my stem cells will be harvested for the transplant.
Eileen M Hector 
You go girl! Sounds like you are on a good road to finishing this cancer. Good thoughts …
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Unfortunately, this cancer, in today’s world, has no cure. The best I can hope for is remission.
Eileen -If you know me, you know me.-
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Eileen,I want to send you some of my favorite caps I wore three summers ago. I think they can help you as you decide what you want to do. (I agree, I always loved, and envied, your hair)<3 Eileen
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Okay, you can also be in charge by pre-buzzing. So, you are responsible for the smooth look, not some stupid disease or designer drug.
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Pre-buzz. I like that thought.
Eileen -If you know me, you know me.-
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Hang in there my friend, you can do this! As for wigs… hmmm … could be fun, a new look every week… try it, you might like it.
Love and miss you lots,
Liz
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