After the Stem cell transplant

Hi there,
I'm well. As you know I am now recovering after having had the stem cell transplant (SCT) (my own stem cells).

A few days after the transplant as expected my blood count went through the floor and I was seriously neutropenic - at high risk of infection.  Then it was for me to dodge infection until I was no longer neutropenic (Thursday 16th - day 9 post transplant).  Luckily I did very well and missed out on any infections!  The following day, Friday, they let me come home - with strict instructions to stay indoors.  I've been home now 12 days, initially I was a little under the weather but ok.  I was experiencing an upset stomach and nausea. However a chat with the support nurses led me to continue using the anti-nausea tablets regardless of 'apparent need' ie. even if feeling good.  This has kept me well and I am now feeling good in myself.  This treatment was certainly the hashest I have received, they told me that, but you tend to say to yourself "I did ok on the others!" - WRONG!!
Having left hospital the next steps are to again let my bloods recover to a 'normal' level, gain some fitness and muscle - I've lost 13 kilos in weight since November & based on BMI am not 'overweight' (Kyle disputes that!) Ha Ha.  I will also head back to work and hopefully a very long and healthy remission.  Of course, all this treatment has meant that my nice new hair has once again been flushed down the drain!! Ha Ha.

Our family are all well, thankfully.
Kathryn returned to Pittsburgh from London (Olympic city!!!) on 19th, it's her last year at California Uni. of Pennsylvania studying psychology.
Hayley is at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) studying primary education year 1. 
Kyle is in year 11, so the big year next year!! 
Liz is, as usual, very busy at work and we are trying to arrange a holiday, constrained somewhat by my weakened health and Kyles requirements for Triathlon training!!  We have been severely limited since November in that I've had to be in striking distance of hospitals in case of infection.
Anyway I'm hoping to be 'back to normal' blood count wise in the next few weeks or so.  I see Tony again in October, having seen him today.

Thanks for following the blog, it's been great to know that friends have 'got my back'.  I really think the blog has been a great vehicle to keep me sane and everyone informed, I know many have found it informative and even entertaining!!   Some haven't liked it for their own personal reasons, and I've been able to keep them separately informed.  So from now on Hairy's journey is to stay in remission and I'll just be updating after the 3 monthly reviews starting in mid October.  Hopefully there won't be much to say!

Thanks to you all for being there - below are some piccies of my wonderful support crew - the first photo was a professional photo taken before I lost my hair, and in those first hectic days of discovery!  The constant in this journey has been my beautiful wife Liz and of course the demon threesome.

 Kathryn - trying to parcel herself up for the journey to Australia

 Hayley in her element, volunteering at the nursery in South Africa

 Kyle showing off his (plastic) abs at school athletics carnival

PS I reckon I'll be getting back to some whitewater paddling by November - yippee!!
A fun video here!!  https://vimeo.com/33521087


Alan

Taking the Stem Cell transplant path.

Back in July, Hayley wrote about next steps - she said -

"The next few weeks will see Mum, Dad, Tony and possibly some other oncologists for further opinion to decide if a stem cell transplant will be completed. The transplant involves one more batch of chemotherapy to completely wipe the immune system, before injecting the previously harvested stem cells, to trick the bone marrow into forgetting the disease. The process takes around three weeks, of which most will be spent in hospital, due to the risk that comes with having no white blood cells! For now, no decision has been made, but much research and medical advice will determine what the next step will involve."

Well that period of time led to some tooing & froing between, home, the hospital, the internet and other resources in order to make a decision.  In between times I even found some time to go to work!!  (Work have been brilliant throughout all of this illness ).
Well the upshot was that we decided to proceed with the stem cell transplant.  Our view was that whilst the disease is down, give it another good kicking!! plus I've fared relatively well throughout the prior 8 rounds, so hit it whilst I am capable!!  Our readings also indicated that transplant now, may prolong remission. Of course however there is a risk to the transplant which must be considered!!

So the process is (started July 30th)
Week 1 - Into hospital on Tuesday, received chemo on every day that week from Wednesday.
Week 2 - A nasty nasty line was put into my neck (vascath), plus a big chemotherapy day on Monday.  Then I received the previously harvested stem cells (see Feb.) on the Tuesday.
Rest of week 2 cells to drop to zero.  Alan feels generally sickly but fares relatively well.
Cells are currently down at zero (August 12th) & will be down for around another 8 days - HIGH infection risk.  I have to watch any potential infection sites, like a small spot on my leg or any skin break.
Week 3 & 4 time to wait for cells to recover. Maintaining my platelet and red cell levels.

As soon as cells hit required level, I can go home to fully recover.

So that's where we, Team Mellon, are today.  Thanks for reading the blog again, take care and have fun.

Alan