2nd ASCT - Day 13 - May 31 2012

Jani made me breakfast in bed. My stomach is still upset, but I was able to eat most of the eggs and toast. Our hotel room consists of 2 bedrooms with baths and a central kitchen and living area. We didn't need to go anyplace today and I spent the majority of the day in bed with that ongoing headache and acid stomach!

2nd ASCT - Day 12 - Discharge from UCH to Marriott Residence Inn May 30 2012

My cousin, Diane Dynia Miller came by to help Jani with the discharge stuff. We had lots of stuff after 20 days in the hospital. I had a terrible headache, but I smiled for the photos despite feeling like crap.

Jani packed up my 1126 UCH Room and were discharged by RN Jen at 3 PM - right on schedule. I did not wheel that cart.

We drove to the Marriott Residence Inn and checked in, Diane and Jani brought all our stuff in and I went to bed with an ice bag on my aching head. Diane stayed with me in the room while Jani went to the grocery store.

UCH Hospital in relationship to Marriott Residence Inn

2nd ASCT - Day 11 - No Question About It - I Have Engrafted! May 29 2012

Today is Day 11 after transplant and Day 19 of this hospitalization. 


I continue to have a terrible headache and do not feel like blogging. However, I wanted to get the word out that I have engrafted after my 2nd Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT).
On May 28 2012
4 AM WBC 0.7; ANC 0.5
4 PM WBC 1.4; ANC 1.2
On May 29 2012
4 AM WBC 3.6; ANC 3.3
4 PM WBC 4.7; ANC 4.3 (because my counts are so high, I did not receive neupogen today - hopefully, that will help with my headache. Yet, I still have a headache.


I just need one more blood draw on May 30 2012 with a high WBC and ANC and it will be official that I have Engrafted.


Lindsey McMenimen, RN came to do the discharge teaching with Jani and I. I will be discharged about 2 PM tomorrow, May 30 2012 to the hotel near the hospital. Will be nearly 80 degrees outside and Jani brought my shorts for me wear! ~


Tomorrow, Katie, the nutritionist will come to teach us the diet restrictions post ASCT. 

 Jani designed and ordered a new Mackay, Idaho TShirt for me. I love it!

2nd ASCT - Day 10 - May 28 2012

My stem cells have engrafted. My white blood cell count is up to 0.7. However, I have a terrible, ongoing  headache probably from neupogen which has slowed my blogging. Look back for more posts if the dang headache EVER gives up.

They disconnected me from all of my maintenance intravenous fluids and now I have to drink all my builds by mouth. Good buy IV pole.

2nd ASCT - Day 9 - May 27 2012

Well, my 4 AM CBC today, Day 9, May 27 2012 isn't quite as good as yesterday evening, but it still show signs of engraftment at 0.1.


My hemoglobin is good for me at 11.3 (norms 12.1-16.3) and my platelets are okay at 39 (norms 150-400).

2nd ASCT - WE HAVE LIFT OFF - Day 8 - May 26 2012

RN Jamie struggles with my incredibly slow patient care computer...she demonstrates WAY MORE PATIENCE than I would...I'd have the tech guy here choking him a tad!

RN Jamie drew my 4 PM labs May 26 2012 and when they came back, were we all surprised! It appears my baby stem cells have LIFT OFF at 0.3 on Day 8. Here is a chart comparing my 1st ASCT (autologous stem cell transplant) and my 2nd ASCT. With my 1st transplant, I had LIFT OFF on Day 11. 

 I celebrate my 0.3 white blood cell count with my nurses RN Emily and RN Jamie!

2nd ASCT - Day 8 - Folliculitis - May 26 2012

I continue to have folliculitis on various parts of my body including the crown of my scalp, anterior chest wall, beneath both breasts, and on my left leg. We are treating the areas with topical Clindamycin every 12 hours. Here are the lesions on my chest wall.

I walked 15 minutes with Jani and managed okay at a faster pace than usual - achieved because Jani pushed the IV POLE with heavy pumps and I just walked alongside.

2nd ASCT - Day 7 - Pain - May 25 2012

I developed a new pain tonight, May 25 2012. I have a right sided headache that extends to my right orbit and upper jaw. I do not feel like it is a migraine headache as I have not had one in years. RN Emily suggested that it could be Neupogen pain and I'm inclined to agree with her. I did take the Claritin at 3 PM today, but it is no guarantee. They have given me an ice pack and that seems to help.


RN Jamie gave me plain tylenol early morning May 25 2012 and within an hour, my gripping facial pain ceased! It was wonderful. I had a good day without any pain after that. Dr. Gutman thinks the pain may be Neupogen related, but he does not think it is anything serious.

2nd ASCT - Day 7 Walking is Easier with blood on board - May 25 2012

My morning labs. White blood cells non-existent as expected. Hemogloblin soaring for me at 10.7 (norms 12.1-16.3); and platelets just 37 after the transfusion - so, will probably need a 2nd transfusion tonight.

Shawn and Tom Egle stopped by for visit  and I was so excited to see them I forgot the photo op. Sorry guys!

I walked for 15 minutes twice today and did the steps once.

 Jane Koeckeritz spent a lazy afternoon with me and even walked with me.

 Doing the steps.

 Aide Cristina does my afternoon weight (162 pounds).

 Aide Cristina doing my vital signs.

2nd ASCT - Day 6 - Early Night Filled With Blood Transfusions and Platelet Transfusion May 25 2012

I had to have 2 units of blood and one unit of platelets. They started after midnight as May 25 2012 began and didn't finish up until 3 AM. Hence, because of all the vital sign checks, I didn't get any sleep...I don't think I'm whining --- but, I could be.

1st unit of blood. Again, thankful to all those who donate to keep me alive!

Aide Kwame did my vital signs many times through the night.

 2nd unit of blood.

RN Sherry hanging the platelet transfusion...she really worked hard tonight and is an excellent caring nurse.

2nd ASCT - Day 6 - Room Photos May 24 2012

Jani has been printing out photos of Mackay, Idaho and many of our past adventures and posting them on the wall of my UCH Room 1126 with museum putty so it won't damage the walls. I LOVE THEM!

2nd ASCT - Day 6 - May 24 2012 - Blood and Platelets Needed

My 4 PM labs on Day +6 May 24 2012 reveal that I need both platelets and blood tonight. My white blood cell count is critically low at <0.1 and I was given a neupogen injection. My hemoglobin is 7.9 (norms 12.1-16.3) so RN Kate ordered 2 units of blood for me to receive this evening. My platelets are 29 (norms 150-400) so RN Kate ordered a unit of platelets to be given intravenously too.

Today is +6 after my 2nd ASCT, but Day14 of this hospitalization. I seem to be holding up okay.
Yesterday, I developed a raised, itchy red rash on the crown of my head and on my chest wall between my breasts (actually higher). The nurse practitioner, Glen, ordered Clindamycin topical liquid to put on the spots and it has helped  a lot.

2nd ASCT - Day 6 - Lab Values May 24 2012

My labs are low to non-existent as expected. My white blood cell count is 0.3 which is probably because they gave a Neupogen shot and Claritin (to help with bone pain associated with neupogen)  last evening (May 23). My hemoglobin is just 8.5, but they do not give blood transfusions until it dips to 8.0 or below. My platelets are 69 (norms 150-440).

My nurse aides today, Bryan and Joe. Joe is training Bryan since it is only his 2nd day on the job.

2nd ASCT - Day 5 - BAD NIGHT AT BLACK ROCK - May 24 2012

I had a rough night May 23rd into May 24 2012 (Day + 5 to +6). I woke about 1 AM with a pressing left sided chest pain. Changing my position or taking deep breaths did not alter the pain. My RN Sherry called the "doctor on call", Dr. Peterson, and he came to see me. They did a STAT EKG and it was normal. Dr. Peterson seemed to think the pain was referred from the mucocitis that I have going on in my entire gastrointestinal track.

I didn't get any sleep all night.

This morning, Dr. Gutman came to see me and he told me that the mucositis can cause pain like I was having and not to worry. So, I'm through worrying about that.

2nd ASCT - Day 5 - May 23 2012

My change of shift RN's Shanel and Robin.

 Good morning world - I'm still here despite mucocitis deluxe in the length of my gastrointestinal  tract.

Friends Judy Richter (I've known since 1953) and Sandy Baird (who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 13 years ago - not the terrible cytogenetic kind - and has done so well) visited this afternoon from Greeley, Colorado.

 I'm more and more tired each day - but NEVER too tired for a photo opt.

2nd ASCT - Day 4 - DON'T EVER DO THIS - May 22 2012

Well, tonight, May 22nd 2012, I did the unthinkable. I brushed my teeth with Desitin Ointment (for bottoms) instead of using my toothpaste. The packaging is almost identical.... OH MY GOSH - NOT A GOOD THING! The nurses had to give me 2 new toothbrushes before I got the majority of the Desitin out my mouth. I'm OFFICIALLY "a DOLT".

2nd ASCT - Day +4 Platelet Transfusion May 22 2012

RN Shanel hanging my platelet transfusion. Danny, note, I'm eating apple~

History of All Platelet Transfusions Since Diagnosis May 24 2011 (will be checking dates and adding in future)

1. Platelet Transfusion March 24 2012
2. Platelet Transfusion March 27 2012
3. Platelet Transfusion March 29 2012
4. Platelet Transfusion March 31 2012
5. Platelet Transfusion May 20 2012
6. Platelet Transfusion May 22 2012

History of All Blood Transfusions Since Diagnosis May 24 2011

1. May 16 2012

2. April 2 2012

3. Sept 22 2011

4. Sept 7 2011

2nd ASCT - Day +4 May 22 2012

My tongue and throat continue SORE. However, I can eat and drink if I take a pain pill just before trying. The raw stomach ache that I had with my 1st Autologous Stem Cell Transplant last 13 September 2011 is not NEARLY as bad and I am happy for that.  I walked in the hallway of the bone marrow transplant unit for 16 minutes this morning.


Jani helped me with a shower and it really wore me out. Afterwards, by accident, I brushed my teeth with Desitin instead of toothpaste - that was a REAL JOY ~~~ UGH....

Nurses work 12 hour shift and change at 7 AM and 7 PM.  Here are RN Shanel and RN Robin reviewing my conditions.

Faye Hummel came to visit and had dinner with Jani and I here in the room. I'm still exhausted from my shower.

My 4 PM labs showed that I needed platelets, so they will be coming.