Hello Everyone, Just received this update from Cecil. Thanks again for all the great support! Hoping to see a lot of you at the Fundraiser on November 23rd! Debbie Carson ======== Hello Everyone! I guess it has been a while since my last update. My daily personal routine of breathing exercises along with the prednisone (which I am decreasing weekly) is helping to clear the chemo toxicity out of my lungs. I finally began working out in my basement again this week (50th birthday present to myself) after 3 months off. Heck, I havent taken more than 2 weeks off even through major injuries since I was 14! Lol I am trying to wean myself off of the supplemental oxygen. Im only using it if I am working out or on the phone with Anthem or Doctors. I will be traveling up to Columbus, Ohio this Tuesday and Wednesday for scans & appointments with Oncologists at the James Cancer Center at OSU. Hope to get some good news on the lung issue, as well as a positive response (reduced cancer activity in my bones) to new chemo regimen. They have begun the search for a matching donor for the Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant. This is a world wide search and can take months. It is pretty intensive as they have to track down potential matches then see if they are still a potential donor and get their bone marrow tested. There are 10 different markers they look for in a match and they have to be very selective in their search as it is quite expensive and insurance only covers so much. Even if they were to find a match quickly my lung issue has to be fully resolved first, then they need the positive response or preferably remission before they can proceed with the transplant. Im not sure if I have shared this, but the Allogeneic Transplant is a much bigger issue than the Autologous Transplant I had back on April 10th. I will be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks then I have to stay somewhere close to the hospital for 100 days upon release. This is because there are numerous potential complications with donor stem cells. So, I am still not sure where I will have this procedure done. My current Oncologist team wants me to go to OSU (best within a few hours of home). However, this does present some issues, namely renting an apartment for 3 months and being away from friends and the assistance which they are all very adamant my needing. Therefore, I am still considering the possibility of staying here in Cincinnati and having it done with the OHC team at Jewish Hospital. I could stay at home after the transplant since I only live 10 minutes from Jewish Hospital. Decisions, decisions.....I will be meeting with the Director of the Stem Cell Transplant program at OSU in December and will make my decision after that meeting. Some have inquired about being tested. If you are interested, please go to bethematch.org for information. It is a simple cotton swab test and you could potentially save some ones life some day. The Catches for Cancer Benefit is fast approaching! It will be on Saturday November 23rd at 3:00p.m. at Sycamore High School. It promises to be a great time. I will definitely have some family and my son, C.J. there and many, many great friends! I will know by the end of this week whether or not I can make it. Unfortunately, at this point in time it looks like I may be back at Penn State that weekend for another 5 day round of chemo. It all depends upon the scans I have done this week. Lastly, my friends Steve Miick and Steve Garcia amongst others have been working over time on this event and I can not possibly thank them enough. If anyone would like to donate some time to assist them in any way, please contact them here on Facebook or on the Catches for Cancer page. I am sure they can find something for you to help with! Thank you all for your continued support, prayers and positive support! Cecil
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:04:25 +0000
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