Transplant is done!
For most people getting a bone marrow transplant these days it is not very exciting. To the casual observer it looks like nothing more than your nurse just hung a bag of blood that you are getting through your IV line. Karen has been doing very well since returning to Shands last Friday. Saturday and Sunday she got chemo. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday she had Total Body Irradiation (TBI) at about 9:00am and 3:00pm each day. Friday morning she had one more TBI. Friday afternoon she was given some drugs about 1:00pm so they could start the transplant about 1:30pm. Her blood pressure was as high as 185/125 (very bad). That came down before 1:30. They started giving her the new cells and her heart rate jumped from 60 to 160 (very, very bad)! She could feel it climbing before anyone even noticed it on the monitor. They stopped the transplant, gave her some steroids and when they started again about 15 minutes later everything was better. That is why you go to a cancer center for this type of treatment. They know what to do and don’t have to guess what they should do.
We thank God for all the events that led us to Shands, brought down barriers that were in our way to be able to get the BMT done at Shands and kept us here for the transplant. Karen will be facing more struggles for the next two weeks and we would love to have all of our friends and family to continue praying for her during that time. She will be very immune suppressed (neutropenic) and could have complications from her body fighting the new blood cells (graft vs host disease). And that is just the first two weeks. We have other issues to get through and pray about after that and for the next 100 days but let’s just focus on first things first!
Maybe I can get Karen to post a message tomorrow giving better details about what went on today. Let me just say that from where I was standing and watching, it was scary.
Karen is such a trooper. She doesn’t complain even though the radiation has burned her throat raw. I wish I could do this for her.
One of the nurses pulled an extra shift on her day off to be near Karen and make sure the proceedure went as planned . I’m glad she did! She was cool and very professional. After it was all over, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Keep us in your prayers as we make this journey to health and fitness again. We can definately feel God’s presence in this valley. God Bless all our prayer warriors. Fight the good fight and stand in the gap for us.
Karen, Muffy and family, I will be praying for you all, especially Karen. I will ask for more prayer at church tomorrow. You will be on our prayer list on the wall in s.s. class & church bulletin. We know God is in this from the present report. Karen you hang in there and know people love you and are praying for you. Can’t even imagine what you are going through, but you have my support. I knew you when you were a little girl, ( pretty as a picture, a little doll) you are still pretty after all you’ve been through.
Love, blessings & prayers,
Judy Bonifay
Hi, Don and Karen,
I’ve been reading and praying for you both as you go through this difficult time. I cannot begin to imagine what it’s like, so I’m glad to be able to read these notes so that I know how to pray for you.
Don – it must be so scary to watch. I know you want to “fix it” and help Karen move forward, and so it must be hard to have to stand by and just watch when things get scary. You are right where you need to be and I am so glad that you are able to be with Karen. Keep writing these notes!
Karen – you are a lucky woman to have so many people who love you and are praying for you, and to have Don right there with you. I’ve known him a long time from BCAR and I know how he is always ready to help!
It is such a blessing to me to follow your journey and to hear you tell how God has comforted and carried you through each step. Your faith is amazing and it brings honor to God. I wish it were possible for God to just wipe all these diseases away, but someday we will live in a perfect world again and we can only look forward to that day. Until then, we do have to work hard at getting and staying healthy in this present world. God’s healing power is great and I am praying for your complete healing and a strong future even though right now you are going through the hardest part of the process. You have inspired me and many others!
Karen and family, we are thinking of you constantly and praying for all of you. I know it has been a trying time for everyone. I would love to be with you at this time. Maybe sometime this summer. We’ve had a lot to pray about and I can see God answering prayer every day. You continue to lean on him and he will keep you. I cry as I write this because I hurt for you. May God Bless! Love, aunt Sue.
Hello Karen & Don-
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. This rocky road will be once again paved soon! Karen this is the real fight and you will win! Your little body carries the biggest strongest heart that will help give you the strength when you feel as though you have no more! Our heavenly farther is at your side! Don Thank you for keeping us posted, I myself have felt your fear and I will pray for you to let god give you the strength to calm yourself and continue to be brave for Karen!
Love ya,
Leila