New Myeloma Drugs

New drugs for myeloma treatment. From where I am sitting it looks like a great decision. (Please click on the link below) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7859053.stm

Cancer Research

Where would I be now without Cancer Research??? My friend Diane has been there and done/doing it. Diane is taking part in the July "Run For Life" for cancer research. Please consider sponsoring her when you read this blog and think of the work cancer research does. The medication I have been on for the last 6 months wasn't even licences this time last year. Last year Diane raised £1000 in the Run For Life, just think, it takes 80 Dianes collecting £1000 each to fund a Stem Cell Transplant. Thanks Diane. Diane's sponsor page address is: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/dianesouthworth1 please click on the link and have a read, you know you should.

Bad Hair Day

I thought I was having a bad hair day!!!!
We took this photo at Risley Moss on Saturday but couldn't identify the bird, we emailed friends and family for help, we had several suggestions but no real idea. A Prof friend of my brothers is an ornithologist and he has come up with the definitive answer, I have posted it on the comment section.

Hair today Gone tomorrow

The time has come for the hair to start falling out, I was told on the 5th that it would fall out 10 days after the chemo, 20 days later it's on it's way out.

Passing The Time

We were thinking of how to fill the time between now and the next chemo on the 9th Feb (I know that my friend Diane would book a trip on the Orient Express), we have decided to book a weekend in Jersey 30th Jan to the 1st Feb. Sounds the perfect tonic. Thanks To EasyJet.

Stem Cell count

I have had the stem cell count from the hospital. 4 Units of cells are required, 2.2 units were collected leaving 1.8 units to collect in a few weeks. I am comfy with the amount collected knowing that over half are already frozen and ready for the transplant.

Cell Separating Machine

This is the Cell Separating machine that I was piped up to for 3 hours 30 on Thursday and 5 hours 50 on Friday. The blood is taken from the left arm, circulates through the machine where the cells are separated (some how) and then the cleaned blood is returned to the right arm leaving stem cells and plasma in bags at the top. It takes about 100 minutes for all blood to circulate through the machine and back into the body each time collecting some cells. At the end of the session the Stem cells and plasma are frozen to be used during the transplant.

Stem Cells

After 8 and a half hours on the Cell Separating Machine at Liverpool Royal it would appear that about 75% of the stem cells required have been harvested (amount to be confirmed)if this is confirmed and we don't have enough I am tentatively booked in to start the process again with Chemo on 9th February and harvesting the following week. The collected cells will be frozen so not as many are needed next time.

More Prayers

Last nights prayers worked and I had a bad back by 2.00am can we all pray as hard (or harder) tonight please. They managed to harvest cells today but not enough so another injection and harvest again tomorrow. If they can't get enough tomorrow they will freeze what they have and aim to do the whole proceedure again in a month to get the rest.

Pray for Back Ache

Blood tests today but little change so it's another injection and back to Liverpool in the morning. Thanks Ann for driving daily, I think your car knows it's own way. Please all pray for me to have Bad Back Ache tonight, strange request I Know but its because a bad back is a major symptom of Stem Cell Activity.

Harvest is a moveable feast

Been for more blood tests today but as expected there aren't enough cells yet. Had another injection of growth factor today and more tests tomorrow. Wednesday, Thursday of Friday were always the expected days for harvesting so watch this space.

Blood Tests

Had 4 injections so far and a blood test this morning, more blood tests tomorrow and a slight chance of starting the Stem Cell Harvesting depending on the results. More likely Wed or Thu.

Best Therapy

I can't think of a better therapy than booking our August holiday to South Africa, A week is booked at Ngwenya Lodge near Kruger Park with another week in the same area (to be arranged) I plan to spend my first week in Cape Town. BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

Stem Cell Transplant Information

For those of you wondering what is involved with a stem cell transplant I have included a link for you to follow (please click on the link below)
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3955

Injection

First injection this morning, mind over matter, no problem, just waiting for any side effects to growth factor.

Bad Back to come

Have been told that the injections starting tomorrow will give me back pain as the bone marrow starts producing cells ready to harvest. Not sure which cells they are (I know they are Stem Cells) Can I have some help on this please GP Runner.

All Going Well

Spoke to my Macmillan Nurse today, (great bloke shame he supports Liverpool), He said to cut back on the water or my bladder will burst.Ha Ha
The first day that I met Jamie I knew that we would get on, a fantastic support, just what I need, silly humour, (thats good coming from me isn't it).

A Funny Day

Don't know how I should feel and not sure how I do feel. Think I feel fine without the get up and go, think it got up and went.

Sponsored Head Shave

Had Chemo today, in the past my chemo dose has been 500mg todays one off dose was 3000mg so my thoughts are:-
If I was going to do a sponsored Head Shave the next 5 days would be a good time otherwise probably too late. Feeling fine after the chemo, no side effects (YET)!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Ann for taking me to hospital and for lunch and MORE WATER!!!!!!!

Start the treatment

Woke up this morning feeling great, (would you believe it, just as the treatment starts I wake with no back pain).
Took new tablets which will stop me feeling sick, but I don't feel sick, (are they trying to tell me something?) anyway its chemo tomorrow so lets see what happens. Couldn't wait around all day thinking about it so we went to the zoo, "FANTASTIC"

Church Notice

From St Mary Magdaline's notice sheet:-
Pray for Ivan as he begins his stem cell treatment, for strength for the next few weeks and months and for Averil and Jess.

Another Glass Of Water Please

Maybe we should all try this, we think we drink lots of water, but when its compulsary and have to drink 2.5/3 letres a day for medical (Chemo)reasons you realise how hard it is.

Happy New Year

Started the day going to Liverpool Royal for blood tests and Consent form signing, It all seemed far away before Christmas but now its for real, the tablets start on Sunday and the Chemo Monday, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!