I have officially been cleared on all fronts except for my teeth. Last week I had a ton of dental work done (chemo completely destroys teeth, even if you take incredible care of them). I had molars extracted, fillings, and so much more -- fun times.
On Monday, I'll go in to the dentist to make sure I'm officially 'healed' and cleared for transplant. From then, we'll have an eye appointment Tuesday morning and I will finally be cleared. If for some reason my dentist does not feel I've healed well enough -- this time line might change. However, this is what we're looking at as of now...
Bekah's Transplant Timeline:
- Monday, April 21st: Final Dental Appointment (and a hopeful clearance from the dentist)
- Tuesday, April 22nd: Optomology Appointment (hopeful clearance)
- Wednesday April 23rd: Clinic Appointment with Dr. Zain and team, admittance to hospital that afternoon/evening
- Thursday April 24th -- Monday, April 28th: Conditioning Chemotherapy for five days of Flubaradine and Melphalan chemo, this will bring all of my blood counts down to zero.
- Sunday April 28th, 29th and/or 30th: Jacob (my hero of a brother) will begin/complete his stem cell collection
- Tuesday April 29th OR Wednesday April 30th: My Re-Birthday, I will intravenously be infused with Jacob's stem cells.
- May 1st -- and beyond: Hospital Isolation until cells have completely engrafted and then Release Day. This usually takes 15 to 30 days till I'll officially be released from the bone marrow unit.
After the cells have been infused, we wait for my cells to 'engraft' or to 'take' -- meaning, that Jacob's cells will take over my immune system, and I will have his cells and his DNA. Please send positive thoughts that Jacob will feel little to no pain during his collection, that engraftment will be a success, and that my cell/blood counts will begin to rise after this small but powerful infusion of Jacob's cells.
As we've found out in the last month, things can change on a dime. So, although this is a hopeful timeline we've learned to roll with the punches, and go with whatever changes are needed. If you don't see an update, this is how the timeline will stay. If there is a major change, I will update you all as needed.
Mentally, I feel prepared. We've been preparing for this since we left for Seattle almost a year ago. With a remission in our back pocket, a blessing from Dr. O and his team, a ridiculsouly supportive partner, loving family and just kick-ass friends. I am so grateful for all the support, emotionally, physically, and financially that has been given to us. We hear you, we're receiving your vibes, and thoughts, and we really do love you all for everything you've done for us through this process.
For communication purposes and support through this process: The best way to communicate directly with me is through text message or through email (RebekahFurey@mac.com). But please do not expect a timely response. If you are looking for updates we will update through the blog and through the True-Beauty-Never-Hurries Facebook as much as we can when we feel there needs to be a crucial update. If you need to know something specific or check-in with us in need of a timely response, please call, text or email Rich. We will do our best to respond and send out updates when needed.
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Supporting someone and their caregiver can be difficult through the transplant process so here are some small bullet points that I thought might help all of us:
What helps through transplant…
- Research: First things first, it may help you to know know what I'm about to go through: Read some quick cliff notes on what a stem-cell transplant or others call it a bone marrow transplant. Click here to learn about stem-cell transplant. Mine will be an allogeneic transplant (stem cells from another donor -- my brother). I already had an auto-transplant (my own stem cells rein fused into me) in 2007/2008.
- Mentally: As most of you know this is not my first rodeo. What really helped in the past and through the last few years is text or email messages reminding me that you're still thinking of us, and cheering for us through this very difficult procedure. A small "thinking of you…." or "I'm sending you big hugs or healing vibes" goes a long, long way for a patient's mentality. As well as the caregivers. Send us your love -- we welcome it with open arms. And it keeps us moving forward. It really does…
- Financially: Rich is currently not working due to being my full-time caretaker, and our medical and daily bills are piling up. Please visit my tax-deductible fundraising website: HelpHopeLive to donate money directly. Or pick up a cool 'B.Strong' sweatshirt OR 'B.Strong' T-shirt (both have different designs and are on different websites) the proceeds will go directly towards funding my transplant. They are being sold through May 12th.
80% of this stem-cell transplant, so we are in desperate need of funds. Again we thank all of you
who have donated already, and those who participated in our recent Stella & Dot fundraiser
(you raised 800 dollars!). I truly can't thank you all enough…
- Physically: Cards, emails and your words. Once we have our hospital address, we will let all of you know. If you are interested in sending something, please email Rich and he will send it to you. Or you are welcome to send me an email: RebekahFurey@mac.com. Once we are allowed visitors (after Jacob's donation) we'll be welcoming home-cooked meals in the hospital (and after release day), as well as those who love to clean to use your cleaning skills to clean our apartment before I am released back home -- it must be 100% germ free (help!)
- Above all, we ask you to support other warriors in the most important way possible…
Pay it Forward: Join the Bone Marrow Registry.
I am so, so incredibly lucky that Jacob is a perfect 10/10 HLA match to move forward with my
transplant. However, not all Lymphoma and Leukemia patients are as lucky.
Join 'Be The Match', join the bone marrow registry for FREE. Just fill out some forms, they will
send a kit for you to swab inside your cheek and you could literally donate your stem cells (it's
just like giving blood) to a stranger, and save his or her life. Think about it -- then do it. I have
many, many friends right now waiting for their perfect match -- it could be you.
just like giving blood) to a stranger, and save his or her life. Think about it -- then do it. I have
many, many friends right now waiting for their perfect match -- it could be you.
What does not help through transplant….
- Expecting a response. I always tell my friends and family they are free and welcome to send messages (hopefully uplifting ones!) through this process. But please know this is a different ball game. This is life or death here and it can be a very stressful process. We will do our best to notify those with updates when it is necessary. For us, we really try to take everything a day at a time. Sometimes that means shutting off our phones, sometimes that means just not responding to the outside world, sometimes that means just taking things an hour at a time. We will do our best to respond to everyone in a timely manner, but we just ask for as much space and patience as you're willing to give us.
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This is the first step to what we hope will be a very long journey of healing… once the donation of cells are complete, it is truly only the beginning. We have great fears and great hopes, but the outcome of this process is completely unknown. We could receive a remission from Refractory Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) and the Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), or I could relapse with both diseases and even be diagnosed with a a third Graft verse Host Disease (GvHD). I may survive, or I may not. Whatever the outcome, we will take this new path one day at a time. And remain hopeful. Very, hopeful.
You will find the most recent updates on my Facebook Page, feel free to click here and add me as a friend as family and friends will be updating throughout this process to keep everyone informed too.
Click here: https://www.facebook.com/truebeauty.neverhurries
Please send positive vibes that we'll receive clearance on Monday and Tuesday so we can get the ball rolling and start. Today, and everyday as we move forward we're choosing hope. We ask you to please remain hopeful with us too, no matter how challenging these next few weeks and months will be. We choose hope.
And as we all know, life can be sweet --
even in the broken places…
Sending all of you so much love and light,
B.
1 comment:
Oh wow, hope it all goes ok. Will be thinking of you! x
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