December 22, I commenced my own, personal, protocol for a Stem Cell Transplant. Tuesday began with an industrial dose of BCNU. Side effects are greatly varied, but generally last only the length of the infusion (about 2 hours). For mine, it began with a growing tightness in my jaws, which spread quickly to teeth, gums, tongue. Within an hour, I was describing an 8 on the one-to-ten pain scale, for the benefit of the attending nurses. Heading for a perfect 10. Finally, on the third or fourth adjustment, the nurses applied enough pain killer to put me under. Everybody went home for the night. When I woke up the next morning, all was well and the BCNU was relegated to the distant past.
Thursday, we begin with VP16. Less drama than the BCNU. Finally on the 26th, a replay of my previous Cytoxan. Transplant on the 28th. Additional vaccine the next day. At that point we are finished for the Year.
If, in the coming days, I am unable to continue this monologue due to more pressing business, my wife Jane, has volunteered to appear as guest writer. Please afford her all of the usual courtesies associated with this lofty post.
12/25/09
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Michael:
ReplyDeleteLove you, love your family. It was good to see and talk to Jane last week. I would have stalked you but your dear wife discouraged that. Your thoughtful account of your experiences is an important service to your friends. We all will face or have faced frightening challenges, your courage and attention to others in the midst of such a consuming season gives me something to aspire to. I am confident there are many who feel the same.
God Bless you and your family.
Sterling Mehring
Hello Mike!
ReplyDeleteSincere thank you's for your accounts from an unusual place about unusual things being done to deal with unusual processes going on in your bod. I REALLY helps that you communicate -- helps me keep in touch with the fact that this is unusual process is in your body that's all -- because what I experience in your communications is spirit, perception, and perspective growing into wisdom.
You have a bent for the ironic (e.g. skeet hunting) so here is one for you: God only knows what combination of genes and environment and living colluded to give rise to this usual process in you BUT you also seem to have some amazing genetics and fortitude working for you -- I was told by extremely reliable sources that after your treatments in Washington in July-August you were playing tennis within 2 days!!!!!
While your body is dealing with this, may ALL else that is you, Michael McGuire, experience personal growth in this New Year.
Love,
Mark McGuire