Many Millions
We learned yesterday that the 13 million stem cell estimate was wrong. It's 13 million PER kg of weight. Using Mom's weight in kilograms, Dr. Bhushan says we actually have closer to 650 million stem cells to work with. (I'm trusting that no one will stop to solve the equation estimating Mom's weight using that information.) :-)
We also learned that the malignacy in Mom's bone marrow has decreased from ~40% before the chemo treatments to less than 10% now. YES!!!
Mom and Dad checked in to the 12th floor at Hotel Medical City last night and preliminary treatments have started in preparation for Friday's transplant. Needless to say, a sterile environment is mandatory in the short-term after the procedure, so we are preparing ourselves for less than easy access to Mom afterwards.
One other notable item to mention is the fact that today is Mom's birthday. We are delaying our celebration until after her hospital stay, but have had fun teasing her that not everybody receives as pricey or voluminous presents as she is going to receive this week - many millions of clean stem cells for many thousands of dollars. :-)
We are enormously grateful to have health insurance.
Cheers
Mica
We also learned that the malignacy in Mom's bone marrow has decreased from ~40% before the chemo treatments to less than 10% now. YES!!!
Mom and Dad checked in to the 12th floor at Hotel Medical City last night and preliminary treatments have started in preparation for Friday's transplant. Needless to say, a sterile environment is mandatory in the short-term after the procedure, so we are preparing ourselves for less than easy access to Mom afterwards.
One other notable item to mention is the fact that today is Mom's birthday. We are delaying our celebration until after her hospital stay, but have had fun teasing her that not everybody receives as pricey or voluminous presents as she is going to receive this week - many millions of clean stem cells for many thousands of dollars. :-)
We are enormously grateful to have health insurance.
Cheers
Mica
posted by Mica @ 9:43 AM
9 Comments:
At 12:31 PM,
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the update and I am pleased that there has been a decrease in the malignancy. I hope that everything goes well on Friday! You are in our thoughts and prayers during this important week.
Yours in Christ
Mike, Christine and Grace O'Neil
P.S. Happy Birthday
At 2:46 PM,
Anonymous said…
Happy birthday. We had a church party last night, and we prayed for you. Now what kind of math teacher would you be if you did not want people to explore the world of conversions and determine your weight? :) Your daughter is a blast. Trust in the Lord and your in good hands and I do not mean ALLSTATE.
Love,
Natile Woodrow
At 7:03 PM,
Anonymous said…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULA!! What a gift to find out that good news. While the official celebrating might have to wait, you have plenty to celebrate w/ the wonders of medicine. That is even MORE beautiful math than before (and don't worry, I couldn't figure out your weight if I wanted--it's math!!)
I will be sending positive thoughts your way on Friday and hang in there!! You've got many many more birthdays to celebrate where you can be at a REAL spa instead of Hotel Medical City.
Love, Carrie
At 12:57 PM,
Anonymous said…
Insurance or none, you're worth every penny and then some! I hope your birthday was a peaceful one, and that the accommodations were satisfactory if not ideal (I am thinking, like Carrie, of a spa retreat!). Enrollment Management will all be off campus on Friday, so I'll have to rely on Mica or Erin to bring me up to speed after the transplant. And as always, I'm praying for the perfect outcome. Miss you and love you much-
Betsy
At 1:52 PM,
Anonymous said…
Paula:
I had the same sort of transplant 8 years ago, and I know you can do it.
Remember that the word "courage" comes from the French "coeur" which means heart. So, of course, you will make it through this as well.
I pray for you daily. Love,
Anamaria Shaw
At 7:25 PM,
Anonymous said…
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Paula, happy birthday to you! (Did you sing along too?!?...haha)
We will celebrate your new "birth" day with you. And when your stem cells have started the party in your body, we pray it will bring total remission! Many, many prayers are being sent directly to the Father for you Paula. He hears each one and will bless you with a peace that passes all understanding. Stay in the "bubble of grace" - literally for the next few days - and know that He is enveloping you with His healing.
Hugs and prayers,
Kim M.
At 7:58 PM,
Anonymous said…
I am praying that each new stem cell you receive is carried by an angel. May those angels invade and protect you tomorrow and in the days to come. See you very soon!
At 8:27 AM,
Anonymous said…
Paula, Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday card!! When I opened it yesterday and thought about your busy, busy week you are going through- then for you to think of me, I was humbled. Of course, you know I couldn't compute the math of kilograms. I think America said, "Thanks, we're fine- when asked if they would go to the metric system. " Another thing I was taught in math that I never retained. I know you think I am hopeless. Somehow I passed down the math gene, so I am taking my math by nepotism. ha
We wish you traveling mercies as you go through this bumpy journey. Love from Kathy Spann and family
At 3:17 PM,
Anonymous said…
Dear Paula, a belated happy birthday. I wish and pray for all the above. I especially loved Mary's image of the angels' carrying those stem cells. Now, that is a visualization worth using, better than PacMan, for sure.
Lots of love and prayers,
Mary Gail and Bob
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