Safe and Sound

Well, I just received a call from Dave's Mom who told me that he has made it home. He is very happy to be there, as you would guess. Hopefully, his own bed will provide him with the rest that he needs to get stronger and fatter. According to Mom, he is quite thin.
But, the first leg of this thing is over for him-on to the next one, which is keeping him germ/virus/bacteria free for at least 100 days.
Fingers crossed, Happy thoughts.
Marilyn

It's a 'Home'run!

That's right. He is coming home tomorrow, barring any unforseen circumstances. He is a little weak today, and his food still tastes horrible, but our little buddy is going home. Kathy will be picking him up around 11 am. They are both very excited. His medical team is extremely pleased with his progress, aside from the rash. Hopefully, his taste buds will return in a few weeks. The lethal doses of chemo last a while and that is what the Docs think has taken his taste buds away. And, hopefully, his rash will go away quicker now that he is off some of the meds. He is not leaving empty handed though. He still has to add about 10 new meds to the all day pill parade.

It's a Bird, it's a plane, no it's Super Dave. ( giggle) He doesn't leap tall buildings in a single bound, but he can kick the stuffing out of Myeloma. Nice.

One Happy Thought equals One Happy Dave.

Marilyn

The Comeback Kid

Well, he has done it. Kathy told me today that even the Docs are impressed with his numbers. His white cell count was 150 yesterday and it jumped up to 1000 today. That means that he is only about 200 away from having somewhat of a functioning immune system. Going home this week is still a possibility. Kathy also said that she felt like she had her 'honey' back because Dave sounded so great on the phone today.
This puts him a little bit ahead of 'right on track'. Of course, then we have to deduct points :-( for the 'rash', which is getting better. Still not too sure what that is?!?!
When he does come home, he will be quarantined for about 100 days. Any small virus or bacteria can really set him back.

That's the news of today.
Keep thinking happy!

Marilyn

Footnote: We are so lucky to have Dana Farber and Brigham & Womens. Both facilities have taken such good care of Dave (and Kathy). Every time her and I talk she tells me what wonderful care he is getting.

Bad to Worse and Back, Hopefully Soon

Well, as we suspected, based on all of the info that Kathy and Dave had to read before he did this, he has gotten a little worse since my last update. I spoke with Kathy yesterday, who spent her birthday in the hospital with her darling. She said that the rash Dave has is awful, it looks like 3rd degree burns all over. The staff takes very good care of him, and they are quite sure that this is a reaction to one of the anti-biotics that he has to be on. Besides the rash, they keep reassuring Dave and Kathy that he is right where he should be as far as his medical progress. His numbers are good, (red/white blood cell counts), and he is staying hydrated. Although, it is a balancing act between keeping him hydrated and having him retain fluids??!! Kathy said that the staff has a handle on that so.... She said that he was a little puffy with fluid retention.
The Docs are looking at releasing him hopefully next week. He will need to get a bit better before they will let him go home. And for at least the first 100 days, he will have to be isolated from germs.
This is a huge ordeal for the both of them, and the details of their ordeal can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming to write about on the blog. I am trying to condense it into something understandable to all. But, what we do need to know is this, they are tough, and they are strong, and Dave is very determined to be at home with his family. He is in the best place he can be for this procedure and Kathy says that he gets excellent care. And as miserable as Dave is, Kathy says that he still has his wonderful sense of humor and his undying good nature.
It's still all good, considering.
Enjoy your coffee in the morning, hug your buddies, do one nice thing for someone else tomorrow, even if it's just a Happy Thought.
Marilyn

It's An All Day 'Pill Parade'

Dave tells Kathy that he is feeling good, except for the fact that he can't keep his eyes open-he's so tired, AND that he has no energy, AND that he feels like puking all the time (he hasn't yet), AND the food sucks!, AND he has a 'killer' rash in some spots on his body, AND it takes him all day to get the meds down-but he insists that he is GOOD! What a guy, huh? Believe it-these symptoms are normal for what he has endured the last few weeks. He, as we expected, will get a little bit worse, before he gets better. The Medical Staff at Brigham & Womens tells Kathy that Dave is right where he should be. That's great. He is coming along the way they expect him to and he knows what to expect, so he is toughing it out. Let's just keep him in our thoughts that the worst is over for him by the week-end.
There is strength and comfort in your happy thoughts for him.
Marilyn

Oh and a P.S. for those of you who have been e-mailing him. He may not be able to get back to you right away. I know Kathy is reading them to him, so you can keep writing. He is just so tired that writing back is difficult, but he will eventually.

He's Hanging Tough

I heard from Kathy today and she said the the Docs are very happy with Dave's platelet counts. He doesn't feel well, but he is hanging in. She said that he does do a bit of exercise every hour or so. The Docs have told him that the people who do the best with stem cell transplant are the people who keep active, despite how they feel. And we know how Dave loves to keep fit, so he has that in his favor. He is maintaining his weight, which is a really good thing. Progress is heading in the right direction for him, no setbacks, and he is not expecting any. His attitude is superb, he definitely has enough drive and determination to get through this. And he really is a very handsome, bald guy.
Bravo!! Dave!!! You are the Hero we all want to be. Courageous, Determined, Brave, and all with your usual Quiet Reserve. We will have to get you a SuperHero costume!
Keep those Happy Thoughts.
Marilyn

They're In

Well, as of yesterday, Dave has 5 million of his own stem cells back in his body, kicking Myeloma Butt. The staff at Brigham and Women's told Kathy today that Dave is exactly where they want him to be as far as 'medical progress'. That's great news. He is feeling tired, somewhat nauseous, but he is eating and able to socialize for a few hours at a time. That's also great! Don't despair if you have sent him an e-mail and he hasn't responded. That does knock the wind out of him since he is a 'one finger pecker' typist. It's good for him to hear from you, though, just know that he is not ignoring your message. When he is stronger, he will get back to you.
It seems, after talking to Kathy, that Dave is really doing pretty well, considering the circumstances. He probably will get a little bit worse, before he gets better. Chemotherapy tends to rear its ugly side effects a week or so after it gets into your body.
So far, for our friend Dave, things look quite positive.
It's gotta be those Happy Thoughts, ya think?
Marilyn

Let's Keep In Touch

I just spoke with Kathy from the hospital. (She was talking to me through a mask which she said was getting all 'lipsticky' on the inside. giggle)!! Dave is doing tremedously well. He is still harboring very positive spirits. His hair is falling out a little at a time, but according to the nurses he still looks like he has a head of hair. Kathy said that he has a nice private room, and that he is getting alot of attention. Today will be the beginning of the medical process. High doses of Chemo today and tomorrow and then re-infusion on Thursday. And then we wait. So far, everything that has had to take place in the procedure for him has come to pass at the top of the A list compared to others in his situation, so we can only hope for straight A's through the rest of the process.
I am going to post the address to the hospital so that you can send him greetings. Cards and letters only, no flowers, no fruit, no door-to-door salesmen, no candy-grams or singing telegrams (giggle). I will also post his e-mail address. He has access to a lap top and the internet. E-mail is the preferable choice of contact with Dave. Everything that comes into his room has to go through a process of de-contamination. Obviously, correspondence through e-mail is safer for him. He doesn't want any 'viruses' computer or otherwise, so when you send him an e-mail, please indicate in the subject who you are if it's not clear by your e-mail address. Thanks!

David Tousignant
c/oBrigham & Women's Hospital
Floor 6B-Room 39
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115

E-mail address : katmonstor@AOL.com

Happy, happy, happy
Marilyn

Haven't Heard Anything Yet

What I do know is that Dave was feeling very good when he and Kathy went to Brigham and Women's on Sunday night. Today will be his first heavy dose of Chemo and tomorrow, another. And Thursday will be the re-infuse, which is a little bit of a change from the original schedule.
As soon as I hear from Kathy, I will let you all know how he is doing.
Seriously, it's Happy Thought time.
Marilyn

It's All Good :-)

Well I never thought that I would be delivering any news to you all at this early stage in the harvesting process, but, AMAZINGLY-he's done. They told Dave and Kathy that they were able to get 9.7 million Good stem cells from him today. The Docs expected it would take 2 to 4 days to get that much. He is a SuperDude. So now he and Kathy get the rest of the week off to enjoy their home and each other. (And rest up a bit, he was pretty tired tonite.)
So, that's it for the harvest. The next stop is Brigham and Women's, on the 9th.
It's All Good!
Happy Thought, Happy Thought. Happy Thought.
Marilyn

September-Harvest Time :-)

Well, Labor Day has brought an end to the week-long Nupogen injections and by all counts Dave is full of stem cells and ripe for the picking (or should I say poking!) Kathy and Dave will be at Dana Farber at 7 am Tuesday morning, and for as many mornings as it takes through Thursday, to 'harvest' millions of those little buggers. The Docs told them that it might only take 2 instead of 4 days. Let's hope for that, so that he can have a few days off.

I will keep you as up-to-date as I can with his progress.

Happy Thoughts Always Welcome.
Marilyn

Immune System-Check!

Dave had blood work done yesterday because they needed to see where his red/white cell counts were. If he was too low they were going to have to give him a blood transfusion. But, not the case. His counts are really good for someone who has had such a strong dose of Chemo. The 'Tiger in His Tank', according to Dave, is the Ambrotose that he has been faithfully taking since the onset of his condition. A friend of his recommended it for keeping the immune system strong and it does seem to be working. Kudos to Annie Ogden for getting him started on that. And Kudos to Dave for being such a good patient and taking it all the time.

More good news, he has driven himself to the Cancer Center for his injection a couple of times this week. That means he is feeling good.

Those Happy Thoughts Just Keep On Working,
Marilyn

Cute Story

David and Kathy decided to have Olivia, Dave's youngest daughter, sleep over the other night. In the morning when it was time for breakfast, they made oatmeal. When Dave went to take a spoonful out of his bowl, Olivia, seeing that the oatmeal was very hot, decided to blow on her Papa's spoonful of oatmeal to cool it off for him so that he wouldn't burn his mouth. It really is the little things in life, isn't it.

Well, as of today, Dave has been told that he needs to wear a mask when he goes out to the Cancer Center for his injection. The high dose of Chemotherapy that he was given last Friday is about to do its job and knock his immune system down a few pegs. The Nupogen seems to be doing its work. Dave is in quite a lot of body pain, which means that the injections are encouraging his stem cells to proliferate. There is alot of pressure on the bones because the bone marrow is filling up. There will hopefully be some relief when the stem cells are harvested next week, but in the meantime, Percocet is working just fine. Just a few more days and he should be past this step and on to the next.

Happy thoughts are always welcome!!
Marilyn

He's Hanging In

It has been an up and down weekend for Dave. After Friday's Chemo, he felt okay until later in the evening and the next morning. He was experiencing fluid retention and some serious nausea, and being that it was Saturday, Kathy had an awful time getting in touch with someone to get a prescription for Lasix. Once she did, he started to feel a little better. Sunday was the first of eight Nupogen injections, which went well. As of this posting he has had two of these injections and so far, no side effects, although I'm told that he does carry a little bucket with him just in case his nausea decides to get eruptive.(giggle-giggle) So, for the most part, he seems to be doing well. He had such a great night last night that Kathy called Phyllis just to tell her how wonderful it was to see him feeling so good. Dave is one of the lucky ones who knows how to 'live' with cancer. He has a strong will, he can appreciate a good feeling (even for just a moment) and, most importantly, he has an angel by his side, who us mortals refer to as Kathy. If not for her determination, patience, and undying love and affection for this guy, his situation would be very different.
Thanks for your Happy Thoughts for Dave and Kathy!
Marilyn

We'll Call This Day One.

According to his Mom, Day 1 has been half way decent for Dave. She stopped in to the Cancer Center this afternoon to see how he was doing and she said that he seemed fine. He was in and out of being sleepy and dizzy, but not much for nausea. That's one good thing. Kathy and Dave were at the Center from 9 am until about 6:30 pm. Very long day. (Of course the nurses over at the Cancer Center take very good care of them). So, he has tomorrow off and on Sunday he will start the
8 day Nupogen injections. (To make lots and lots of stem cells.)
This dose of Chemo that he had today will have knocked his immune system down quite a lot. They actually give him
an anti-biotic drip in between the Chemo. He needs to be very careful not to be around germs. Getting any kind of infection would just complicate things for him.
He is getting a lap top so that he can keep up with your messages and well wishes and funny stories, etc. while he is going through this. He should be able to use it while he is in the hospital, where he will check the Guest Book and the Blog frequently. (And be able to use e-mail).
That's pretty much it for now. If I get a chance to speak with Kathy on Saturday, I will update you.
Keep a Happy Thought,
marilyn

He Is So Ready

I spoke with Dave today and he is ready for this thing. What a guy!! Tomorrow's Chemo treatment is an all day affair. It will be the first of three? very strong doses. (Hair loss is imminent with this type of Chemo.) I will let you know as soon as I do how he made out. Kudos to all of you who have posted such nice messages for our friend in his Guest Book. I know that he will read them again and again. Along with the many cards and letters that he continues to receive by mail. They really do make a difference.
Keep checking in.
Keep a happy thought for this dude.
Marilyn

It's Only Just Begun...

Kathy and Dave and Ray had a very long day at Dana Farber on Wednesday. This is the beginning of the process for him. There are many tests that have to be taken before he starts on the 24th with the high dose of Chemotherapy. He managed, somehow, to emerge from the poking and proding, the 'man among men' that he is, I am told by his Mother. He remains very optimistic and in excellent spirits.
I would like to encourage you to go to the Guest Book and write a little something for Dave so that he has messages to read to give him some comfort during this procedure. Jim Doyle (who is becoming the 'Grand Master' of happy thoughts) has a little something to say about how we can help in other ways.
Also, I hope that you have all had a chance to read the latest Lion's Pride edition. If you don't get one, someone you know probably does. I will try to put it on the blog, Wendy Marshall-Hudzik, who is the 'Queen' of happy thoughts, wrote a lovely article (Class of 1970) about Dave's party and Barbara Maynard Scollan also wrote a nice article (Class of 1971). Dave was mentioned in the Hall of Fame section by his coach, Randy Whitehead, as well.
It truly is your love and friendship that keeps Dave optimistic. Let's not forget that we are on an important mission to see that he gets through this.
Thanks everyone!
Keep a Happy Thought!
Marilyn

Home Again, Home Again, Diggety Dog!

He just loves to be home! And finally on Wednesday night they let him go. I spoke with him today and he said that he is finally feeling better. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were not good days for him, but Sunday has turned out to be a beaute. His brother, Ray, was visiting when we spoke and Dave was his usual perky self. So, another carnival ride over, he's waiting in line for the next one.
'a happy thought is worth a thousand words '
Marilyn

Another Bump in the Road (maybe just a pimple!)

Dave was not feeling very well on Sunday, and he got so bad that Kathy took him over to the hospital, where he was admitted. He had a fever and was doing the shaky thing. Turns out it is just a minor infection. But as he is preparing for this stem cell procedure, nothing can be passed off as 'minor' to his medical team. So they have kept him in, as of tonite he has not been released. He is hoping to be going home on Wednesday. Kathy said that this should not affect the upcoming plans to start the stem cell process.

I would like to share with you all a conversation that I was fortunate enough to have today with a very nice young lady who told me that her uncle was diagnosed with end stage Multiple Myeloma at the age of 70. He also had a lot of bone damage, and she said that, aside from the year after the stem cell transplant, his last 7 years have been very good. The year after the transplant, he did experience a few respiratory infections. I was so encouraged by this story that I wanted to share it with all of you who are staying in the 'positive energy field' with regards to Dave and his situation.

So, lets keep yet another happy thought for the 'evacuation' of the infection, so that Dave can go home where he loves to be. I will keep you posted.
Marilyn

We Have Dates

Kathy and Dave have been in touch with the Docs and have set up the appointments to get the stem cell transplant started. There is quiite a lot involved and Dave is in pretty good spirits about it.
So, this is the schedule that Kathy gave me today:
Today was his last Chemo treatment at LGH. They want him to have a 3 week resting period. Rest from Chemo, not doctors. For the next 3 weeks they will be taking a ton of tests for all different kinds of things. They need to be sure that his body can handle this. Once he is cleared based on the tests, the procedure will officially begin on August 24th, starting with a very high dose of Chemotherapy that will be administered at LGH with Dr. Anamur. It's called 'mobilization Cytoxan'. I didn't find much about it when I looked it up. He has the 25th off, and on the 26th (and for the next 8 days) he will be given Nupogen injections, which, from what I understand, is the medication that produces stem cells and tricks them into entering the blood stream for easier collection (this procedure is done when a healthy host is donating bone marrow to someone else.) So, he has Labor Day off and for the following 4 days (9/4,5,6,&7) he will need to be at Dana Farber every morning at 7 am for what they call the 'harvesting' of his own stem cells. The doc's will actually take upwards of 5 million stem cells (amazing!) Kathy and Dave are on a housing list with Dana Farber so that they don't have to drive in every day. The
'harvesting' takes about 4-6 hours each time. September 8th is another day of rest, and then he enters Brigham and Women's hospital on the 9th. September 10th and 11th, he will be given the 'close to lethal' amount of Chemo. His immune system will be as non-functional as it can be after this dose. And then on the 12th, the stem cells will be re-infused.
He will remain in the hospital, under watchful care, until September 26th. That is the current release date. It's at this point that Dave needs to be extremely careful. He cannot be exposed to any kind of germ, bacteria, etc. Kathy said that the whole house has to be disinfected, (which luckily her Mom has already started), and he cannot be in the same room when someone is vacuuming. He will have to wear a mask when he goes out for at least the first 3 months. His immune system will remain very fragile for at least a year, though.
His food will have to be carefully monitored also. It's about as complicated as it gets, but it will help to give Dave a better and longer life.
His brother, Ray, is coming in tonite from Atlanta. He plans to stay for a few weeks and Dave is looking forward to spending some quality time with him.
Well, that's the schedule. Please try to use the Guestbook to send your messages to Dave. It would be beneficial to him if we could help keep his spirits up.
Thanks for your happy thoughts!
Marilyn