Long time headache gone

Took Mom to visit Dale today. Wanted to show her their kind valet parking, but alas, not available on weekends. I had to remember where I parked in their huge parking plaza. With both of us trying to remember, we did well. Dale was well today, eventually. Head still hurt for first half of day, then he slept and it was pretty good. I told one of the nurses, yesterday, that once we had our town-home sold, his headache would be gone--and yup. Happened today. Papers out and back and to brokers, funders, and title companies. No more headaches (figuratively and literally).

Dale has had some visitors and supports from work that have been a bit unexpected. Nice. He is well appreciated and loved. Good job, Dale!

Mom and I spent some time together and then I spent the rest of the day preparing for my next few days in San Diego with a group of our teachers. It will be good to get my mind and thoughts back to the students and teachers.

Also met with church neighbors and friends that will be assisting us in house care and Dale Care. I feel blessed. Thank you, Thank you.

Early Mornings

I suddenly woke up at 2:24 AM with the thought I had better call the hospital. I did and the nurse told me Dale's night was not so good, headache still. Oxygen treatment did not help. I suspect sinus infections, but wouldn't one think with all the chemo going in to kill off the cancer, wouldn't it kill off almost everything else? It amazes me that a specific drug will only do its part of the job and nothing else. Perhaps they will give him antibiotics for his sinuses. I guess chemo does not kill off infections--probably kills the white blood cells that are supposed to kill of infections--that's gotta be it.

I appreciated speaking with the nurse and figured I could go back to sleep. Didn't work, so I go up, worked on my assignment, submitted the paper, and now, one more thing checked off my list.

Oh look, the sun is coming up and bicyclers and joggers are out and about.

Bracelets

Beginning to look and feel not so good. Nurses say he is a good patient (what else could they say?)

Swollen eyes from headaches. Three armbands, red: forget penicillin, pink: we are billing you each time with this one, purple: something, something, I don't know. 

Three chemo drip lines at this point. There were four earlier. They have to empty the red container in background frequently. Appetite down, cognition down, repeating conversations up.  

Amazing science.

Dale did not have a good night, chest pains, headaches, overall discomforts. I got here as here as a team member from Bone Marrow Transfer (BMT) was describing that part. It was pretty generic and informative at same time. Remission has to set in before BMT can be done. They will take Dale's bone marrow previuos to next cycles/phase of chemo and at designated time in treatment, put it back. Amazing science. **He gave me an article about it that I will either scan and post or attach link when I get home.

I had great help this morning at home. Yard looks great! Taking care of those domestic chores is really helpful to us. I did not realize the relief of such help would give me. It does. Thank you.

**Here is the search section I found in Google Scholar search engine. It has some copyrights to it for posting etc. but if anyone wants to view it online or pdf, it is available only that way. Basically, it says there have been "notable developments over the 17-year study" using "autologous transplantation" (bone marrow transplant from self-i.e. take patient's bone marrow and give it back to them). If  Dale gets to the "first remission" stages, then this will be the next treatment. Doctor spoke to us more and verified the "first remission" stages meaning Dale has to get to that point first, which is supposed to happen after all the chemo he is one now. They, of course, will keep us informed. I have liked that about Huntsman. They let you know what is going on and what to expect.

Mature results of the MD Anderson Cancer Center risk-adapted transplantation strategy in mantle cell lymphoma

[HTML] from hematologylibrary.org
Full-Text @ Utah State

CS Tam, R Bassett, C Ledesma… - …, 2009 - bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org
In this study, we analyzed the long-term outcome of a risk-adapted transplantation strategy for
mantle cell lymphoma in 121 patients enrolled in sequential transplantation protocols. Notable
developments over the 17-year study period were the addition of rituximab to ...
Cited by 50 - Related articles - All 4 versions

TRAX

Dale was pretty up beat yesterday through the day. He seemed to feel alright. Had another urology radiation procedure, but turned out okay.
I decided I best take TRAX to hospital as often as possible. Getting there, is not so complicated in my head, but apparently, coming home is, so TRAX, although takes much longer, may be a good option. It opens next week out here anyway. I begin work on in two days too. Schedules, options, and responsibilities all come around soon.

One, Two, what's third?

One: Dale's Chemo begins. Really had no clue what the first day at hospital would be like. Waiting, repeating health history numerous times to various people, and then the chemo comes. It was going on for awhile and then he suddenly became very cold and violent chills set in.

See the slight smile as they bundled Dale in warmed blankets.

I left early evening and Two happened: 

Airbag deployed in slow motion. Bruised wrist, scratched arm, probably shock. 

What does anyone do in a situation like this? MOM! I called Mom, she called my brother John, and he arrived very quickly. The three of us spent an evening meal together and it was nice. I was on overload and it sure helped. 

So what is Three? Bring it on so I can get it over with. 

We begin tomorrow

Treatments begin tomorrow, although they have not told us details. They will call and then I will take Dale to Huntsman for an 8-day stay. Great people give support and are lining up to assist. Thank you. Thank you. Support and love surround us.

Care-taking begins

Dale, has been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, and should begin his chemotherapy in two days. School, for me, begins in six days. I go out of town with a bunch of teachers for a training The district is having us pilot a program this year. Dale will be in hospital for his first round of treatments. We determined that I need to go. He will be well taken care of in the hospital. Still, though, I have a feeling of neglect. However, Dale does not want me to come to the hospital and sit and stare at him especially at this time when dissertation research is beginning and well, so does high school football. Lots of time at work begins again. Love my job, actually.

Caretaker? I have no idea what we are in for. Absolutely NO idea. Many people give their experiences to me, and I take that into consideration, but I have no idea what is ahead of us, just that it is a big deal and our life style has changed. Friends are volunteering to do yard work, and house work, and transportation to and from chemo. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This will help. Others are adding that they can certainly sit with Dale when he is home in between treatments. Love and support from those around both of us is great.