Nancy's Update

Yesterday, I had my two-year post-transplant appointment (a little early). I feel like a human pincushion..... but, after all was said and done (and poked and prodded), all is well.

My day started off at the lab where 6 tubes of blood were drawn. Then, after about an hour, I saw my doctor. My counts are still stable, but since we're upon two years, he performed a bone marrow biopsy (results in the next few weeks), then he needed to give me the last five, yes, I said LAST of my childhood immunizations via shots: (this was the last of three series of shots)

IPV (Inactivated Polio Virus)
HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
Hepatitis B (#3 in the series)
Tetanus & Diphtheria
Pneumovax

After the immunizations, I checked in at the respiratory center for my dose of Pantamadine taken via nebulizer... whew.... long day.

I think all in all I was punctured around 14 times yesterday. 1 for the blood draw, 5 immunizations, 1 shot of subcutaneous morphine (in preparation for the BMB), about 6 shots of local anesthesia for the bone marrow biopsy, and the biopsy itself. I don't mind as all this was necessary. Yes, I'm just a tad sore, but it's all good. : )

For those following numbers, here are my blood counts:
WBC 2.9 (norm 4.0-11.0)
RBC 3.95 (norm 3.8-5.2)
HGB 12.6 (norm 11.5-15.5)
PLT 86 (norm 150-350)
ANC 1.7 docs want it over 1.0

Although some of my counts are still not within normal range, the doctors are not concerned. Some counts can take a long time to come back. My doctor thought now might be as good a time as any to try and reduce some of my anti-rejection medications. Specifically, he reduced my Prograf (Tacrolimus) another .5 mg every other day. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but any move toward getting off of these pills, is a step in the right direction. This does make taking my meds a little more confusing... .5 mg in the morning & .5 in the evening every other day. The other days is 1.0 in the morning and .5 at night. Good thing I have this weekly pill organizer. I only really have to think about it once a week when I load the whole thing up. That doesn't mean that I still won't screw it all up.... ugghh...

The other big news is that I attended my second bone marrow transplant reunion at the City of Hope with Kurt, Cathy, and my mom. This was held on the City of Hope grounds on April 25th. I was able to meet up with many patients that I haven't seen in some time now. My friend, Christine Pechera, got to meet her donor for the first time. For the media coverage on Christine's meeting see http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/media?id=6104793

Here are a few of my photos from the BMT Reunion:
Here is a photo of me, next to Christine, who is next to her life-saving donor. Her parents are at the right. Christine received her transplant in July of 2006. Her donor, Kent Wong, donated his marrow in Hong Kong. It was flown to the City of Hope just like my marrow was flown from Japan.

Christine and I had rooms next door to each other at the City of Hope for some time in 2006.

Tommy Lasorda spoke at this event. The LA Dodgers is City of Hope's sponsor and has launched their "Think Cure" campaign.

To the right, is my brilliant doctor, Dr. Nakamura and his exquisite Physician's Assistant, Anna.

Below is a picture of Anna, Michelle and myself. Michelle is also a bone marrow transplant survivor and had her transplant about three years ago. Her sister was her perfect match!













Lastly, here is a photo of Marissa, one of my favorite nurses, my mom, Mae (works at COH finding unrelated donor matches) and me! What a grand time.

Thank you for continuing to follow my progress. Thanks to all of you who have registered to become a life-saving bone marrow donor.

I appreciate your six years of support. I'm grateful to all of you, to God and to my donor. I'm lucky to be surrounded by so many supportive and loving people. I'll blog when there something to blog about. In the meantime, take care & keep smilin.... love, nancy