Oct 06

GOOD NEWS!!!

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 – We got good news! Today we found out that yesterday’s PET scan was clean and that the lymph node on my heart is smaller than it was on last month’s PET scan. A clean PET scan means we get to proceed with the stem cell transplant.

And, there is more good news. We also found out that yesterday’s bone marrow biopsy showed that my bone marrow is still cancer-free, and that means that we will definitely be able to use my own stem cells for my transplant in November. YAY!

bone marrow aspiration

What they did to me yesterday. OUCH!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.andrewmacdonald.com/good-news/

Oct 05

Halfway through Wednesday

We’re halfway through Wednesday, our 2nd day of testing at Vanderbilt. This morning we met with the social worker, got a chest x-ray, and got an EKG. Now it’s break time for a bit, and then this afternoon I will have a bone marrow aspirate (to make sure there is no cancer in my bone marrow) and a PET scan (to make sure it is still clean).

You’re not allowed to eat anything for at least 6 hours before a PET scan, so I got up early this morning and finished breakfast by 6:30 AM. My PET scan is not until 3:15 this afternoon, so I’m glad that I was able to eat something this morning to give me energy for today.
break time by the fountain at vanderbilt
After we finish all of the testing this afternoon, our plan is to go home to Knoxville, and tomorrow I get to work! The Foundry on the Fair Site, the banquet facility that I helped manage for 4 years, wants me to help them serve a large luncheon for the Cancer Support Community of Knoxville. It will be great to do some work, and it will be an honor to serve lunch to the Cancer Support Community, which hosts the weekly cancer support groups that Jacqui and I go to. I haven’t worked since I finished tax season in April, so I am excited for the opportunity to work, even if it is only for a few hours.

The bone marrow aspirate is coming up at 1:30 this afternoon. This time, they’re going to give me some i don’t care medicine before sticking
the needle in my hip. They didn’t afford me that luxury last year. I hope everything goes well just as well this afternoon as it went this morning.

I also want to say thank you to everyone for the wonderful supportive comments on my blog, on Facebook, and everywhere. They truly lift Jacqui’s and my spirits to know that so many people care about us. We know that with so many wonderful people in our corner, that we are going to make it through this stem cell transplant because of the wonderful support and that you give us.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.andrewmacdonald.com/halfway-through-wednesday/

Oct 04

Testing at Vanderbilt

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 – Today and tomorrow will be two intense days of testing at Vanderbilt to get ready for my stem cell transplant. We will get to meet with the doctors, and find out more information about the dates for my transplant process. We will also put me through the gamut of tests checking my heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bone marrow, etc to make sure I am ready for transplant. I’ll get an ECHO, EKG, urine test, bone marrow aspirate, PET/CT, and other tests. I hope they go well, and we can move forward with the transplant in November.

Jacqui and I did a lot of things this weekend to get ready for the transplant. We did a Habitat for Humanity build on Saturday, since I cannot go around construction sites while recovering from transplant. We also hung out with some friends from Habitat after the build, and with some other friends Saturday. We’re taking advantage of the opportunity for me to be social before I lose my immune system and have to regrow it. Later Saturday night, we went to the movies, and saw Midnight in Paris, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Lots of good things happened, and most importantly, I fixed the espresso machine, so that Jacqui can have her morning lattes. Catch up with all the pictures on my facebook profile. I’ll try to post them here soon.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.andrewmacdonald.com/testing-vanderbilt/