Monday, June 1, 2009

Monday Evening Update

Not a lot of news, which is good. Mostly we are in a holding pattern, waiting for tomorrow and the infusion of the donor stem cells. Be advised, this climactic event is not at all climactic in the happening. Susan simply gets another infusion through her PIC line, but this one is stem cells rather than chemotherapy drugs.

At this point, we do not know when tomorrow it will happen, as the frozen stem cells need to be flown in from wherever the donor was located (they don't tell us where that is, because then they'd have to . . . etc.) and then validated through some elaborate protocols, which is reassuring. I'll post from Susan's room when it begins, and again when it is completed.

Susan did not have a good day today; nothing dramatically wrong but in Bob's words she was feeling "lousy," or in Susan's "yucky." Take your pick. This is not unexpected after 4 straight days of chemotherapy. She'll probably feel a little better tomorrow. She continues to be on the antibiotic for the infection and to be receiving nutrients, including potassium and magnesium, which were found to be low, and saline solution through her heplock. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update.

13 comments:

  1. Dear Susan,

    I will be thinking of you tomorrow . I'm looking forward to your recovery so we can again get out to Brimfield and shop till we drop.

    P.S. My mother sends her you her good wishes and her prayers.

    Love,

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susan,

    Just wanted to wish you well as you go into the transplant. Hopefully it'll be steady recovery from tomorrow on. You have a lot of people thinking about you and we can't wait to see you in good health and good spirits.

    All the best,

    -Johnhenri

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Susan,
    Gina and Amelia join me in sending all our best wishes for a successful transplant and smooth recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Much love to you and Bob,
    Cousin Andy (Westport CT version)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Susan: Thinking of you, here in New York City. Wishing you well with the transplant and recovery. Hope you are feeling less yucky. So glad to to be able to get news of you. Sending positive thoughts, prayers and love your way. You have a great support system there and I believe the Newtons will be coming to Boston tomorrow for Michael's graduation.
    All the best to you and Bob,
    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm thinking of you all today and I hope the stem cell transplant goes well. Susan, I hope you're feeling better today.

    Olivia

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Susan,

    Thinking of you and wishing you well.

    Lots of love,
    jill (and the rest of my family)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Susan -

    Sending you lots of positive energy and happy thoughts for a speedy recovery. We hope all goes well today.

    Anne and Michael

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Susan,

    Just checking up on you from Spencertown and sending you good energy from the sunshine and growing things on Reed Road. I'm about to leave on a trip to the Dump to deliver the remains of the beer (formerly, ping) pong table that never made it to the party, having fallen prey to the elements in the shed below the screened porch. Just in case you missed the metaphor, we're all getting rid of the bad to make room for the good.
    Kaila, Steve, Amy, Alex and Bryan join me in sending you good karma for the success of the transplant. With lots of love, Nansi

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dearest Susan,
    Today's the day!!! Stem Cells to the rescue!! All your friends back here in the NYC LLS - elaborate code for New York City's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society : ) office are sending buckets of well-wishes and healing vibes your way. Despite your "yucky" day, it sounds like things are progressing well. Can't wait to read the post that says "infections - gone, CLL - gone, Susan - 100% HERE!" Until then, we will keep you all in our thoughts.

    Warmest regards,
    Meg

    ReplyDelete
  10. Susan,

    Been following your progress and will continure to do so. This blog is great. Knowing your status if really comforting, and great that the family does not have to be bombarded with inquiries form so the so many people that love and care for you. We are all thinking of you, and sending our positive vibes for a successful transplant and recovery. Our love from all of us to you and the whole family,

    Eddie, Winsome, Max, Jake & Molly

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am thinking about you Susan.

    Love,

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Susan. My mom sent me the link this morning. I am hoping everything goes well for you.

    BJay

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Susan,

    I will be sure to bring you back lots of trinkets that you can organize into boxes in the basement of your country house and then make Nate carry around.

    Love,
    Emily

    ReplyDelete