02/24/18 Update

18 Day – Post-Transplant Update.

I got discharged from the hospital on Thursday, February 21, 2019, in record time following my stem cell transplant on February 6, 2019! Lorraine and I moved into a local Towneplace Suites in the Galleria area to be within 20 minutes of the hospital for two weeks. The engraftment of the new stem cells is going well; and my white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts are going up each day.

My new daily routine consists of going back to the hospital each day between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. CDT for blood sample collection. I then proceed to ambulatory treatment center for 2 hour intravenous infusion of magnesium and electrolyte fluids to make sure I am adequately hydrated every day. Then, if I need blood products (red blood cells, platelets), which I have not so far, I have to stay an additional 2-3 hours for blood transfusion.

I look forward to moving back to our house on March 7, 2019. It will be good to get back home! In the interim, I am very grateful to have Lorraine as a wonderful caregiver. After 45 years of marriage, I know she didn’t expect to spend her 67th birthday in a small room the size of our 1st apartment.
She has been a real trooper, as have both of our sons and their families. The staff at M.D. Anderson have also been tremendous, both in patient and out patient.

God is good! He has created a new road for me to go down, and I am just thankful to be alive!

Thanks for all of your continued support and prayers. I cannot begin to explain how much strength they have provided me during this challenging time in my life.

Praise God,

John L.