Yesterday was the big day for my transplant! After suffering through 7 straight days of intense chemotherapy, my stem cells were reintroduced into my body. The entire process took about 12 minutes, which according to the nurse was extremely short. The shortness was because my original harvest had been so good that I only needed to infuse one bag rather than multiple bags. I have been feeling very week these last few days and had gotten some of the unfortunate side effects of the chemotherapy, burn marks on my hands and mouth sores. But in about 5 days they will begin the nuprogen shots that will boost my white blood cell counts and that should take care of the side effects. Sorry if this is poorly written and a little rambling as I am still really tired but I wanted to put up a post and let people know that I am still hanging in there and everything is going according to plan!
Five Million frozen stem-cells
Hanging the stem cells for transplant
Close-up of cells going down the tube and into me.
13 comments:
Glad to hear that yesterday went well and everything is going according to plan. Hang in there, things are gonna be looking up real soon.
Hey Alika,
I've been checking your Blog religiously. It is good to hear some positive news. I think of you and your family everyday. You are so strong and such an inspiration.
Love,
Jane
Hi Aliks:
You are amazing and thank you for being so kind and continually keeping us up to date. Remember these words dude "If you can look up, you can get up - you are divinely loved and protected and we know all is well. I read this today and it reminded me of you "I live my life with confidence and purpose". At times I feel selfish that I want to hear your voice and are reminded that your purpose for us is to show how to be grateful and kind to others for life is a gift! On a lighter note...did scott tell you we used your office to be creative on his birthday? Lori gave us the spare key and Scottyee thought he was gonna outsmart us by staying in your room all day. HAAAAAH we beat him to it the day before. We missed you being there but i will send you the web gallery to look at pictures when you feel better otay. We love you dude...
hey buddy :) after everything you've been through...you can still flash us that gorgeous smile of yours! keep strong and know that we are rootin' for you back home. get some rest -- ok, get lots of it -- and thank you for updating us -- we appreciate it so much. i love you.
Alika,
We love you and think about you every day. You have been an inspiration to us all and we appreciate your uplifting spirit as you go through this....remember, we're here for you!!
xxoo
bryn and jj
p.s. owen says "hi 'lika"
Alikaaaaaa,
Almost there bud. The new guys are moved in and ready to make house. You are a walking miracle and i send you five million and 1 hugs for each stem cell and YOU!! I see you still hanging in there like the champ that you are. We love you so much. Right there with you bro...
Lei, Koa, & Emz
love you tons! thinking of you and loving you every minute of every day!! you are my strength! can't wait to see you on friday!!!!
xoxo.
It is incredible to me how you can still think of all of us here and write to let us know how things are going when you are so just to be focusing on yourself & resting & getting better. We all very much appreciate you taking time even when your not feeling so hot, to continue sending us shout-outs/updates. From the sounds of it...you've weathered the worst of the storm & the blue skies are here waiting. Loves, hugs, & prayers.
Geps
Aloha Alika,
Hope you received the "Team In Training" shirt. John Geppart stopped by the office so I got to personally meet him - what a great guy! He also mentioned that he wanted to meet md maddah which I immediately thought of to be Danice - who else but Danice who has the heart and soul of an angel.
Jaymie finally gave birth but you probably already know all about it. Things have been very hectic with her gone but you know how it is - "the beat goes on" and somehow we all survive and as the saying goes, "When times are tough, the tough get going." This goes for you, too! We all miss you and anxiously await your return to the islands and our Ohana. Keep doing what you do best - flash that great smile, be positive and fight a good fight.
Thinking of you everyday Alika. Love to you and Malia and your whole incredible family.
Short update from Mom (Debbie):
Hi all thanks again for all your love, prayers and support. Alika has had a rough week dealing with the effects of his Chemo and zero count of white cells - but he is still hanging in there and we know he will soon be feeling much better because out of no where his humor and dimples come through!! Today he will start his Neuprogen shots which will help his body reproduce white cells - once they start kicking in all his side effects (mouth sores, nausea etc) will disappear! Soon you will be hearing direct from him.
Mom (Debbie)
happy halloween alika! hope you are feeling better today -- miss you plenty and still thinking about and praying for you every day. love you lots.
Hey Alika,
Sorry we have been MIA for a while but you never leave our thoughts and prayers. Your resilient spirit is so evident in the weekly text messages we get from you hoping that maybe this is the week when the dawgs will finally win a game! And sadly I don't think it's gonna happen today either.
Thanks for updating your blog - we can see the fight in your eyes! Hang in there Shmeeks and remember how much we all love you.
Stay strong - we're so proud of how tough you are!
Lex, Mas, and Big Boy C
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