Laurel's Update

From Lo's Blog:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 6:44 PM, CDT

Well, I gave the nurses a run for their money today....the bells and whistles were going off all day!
Good news is...........I had double the amount of stem cells they needed!!! Awesome!! I told the doctor to give my extra to someone else that may need them, but apparently they can't do that.... :)

So, it's all a go except for a tooth that has flared up lately. They need to make sure all is well in my mouth before I proceed. Tomorrow morning I'll be heading to the University of Iowa Dental Dept. to have it checked out. If I get the green light from the dentist then I'll be admitted to the hospital tomorrow. If not, then we go to plan B....what ever that may be?

Pretty tired tonight so I'm signing off for now, but not before I tell you all how much I love each and every one of you. I have you tucked in my heart very tightly.

I'm not sure if I will be able to actually write after tonight, but I will be having someone let you know what's going on.

Thank you for your prayers and love.

Laurel

PS For the non squimish....I had a few pictures taken today of the "stem cell spinner" and machine...and my "happy stem cells".

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 7:09 PM, CDT

Laurel has been admitted to the hospital!!! She and Paula (love you!) went to the dental clinic this morning and she had no, I repeat, NO infection in her tooth (thank you all for your prayers). They filled the tooth and she headed for the hospital to begin the next chapter in her healing.

She had an EKG and tonight they will be putting in the PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter)line - really great cause it can be used for long periods of time with fewer problems, and then, start the chemo. I know Laurel will continue to update, as she can, via a friend or family member.

There is so much in my heart to say, but this is my sister's journal and she wants to share with all of you, ASAP, what is going on, so I will sign off. Thank you all for your incredible love, prayers, and support for Laurel.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 8:17 PM, CDT

JUST IN.............. No chemo tonight! Situation at the hospital, no chemo meds anywhere in the hospital, oops! Don't like to say that word around the medical facilities, but someone messed up!

Laurel isn't sure now when the chemo will start. She did get her PICC line in place, so that's done. Maybe tonight can be a night of rest before the treatment. Let's hope so. More later!

Laurel's Update

From Laurel's Blog:

Hi!

Had my last shot this morning given by "Nurse Paula". Hardly felt a thing!! .....GO PAULA!! :)

Later in the day I went to the hospital to check to see if enough stem cells were available for the "collection" tomorrow.
Nope, I'm leaving shortly to go back for the "heavy duty" shot that will do the trick.

Tomorrow morning I will return to the hospital to at 8am for the collection.
I'm outta here for the evening, will let you know how tomorrow goes!

Hugs!

Laurel

Laurel's Update

From Laurel's Blog:

Hello - hello!

The shot went just fine this morning, and I'm feeling no ill affects from it...so far - so good! The girls did a great job! I'm sure they'll be perfecting their technique, and will be "pros" by the final shot. :)

I received some absolutely bee-u-tiful flowers today...I LOVE flowers! Thank you so, so much!! (you know who you are!) :)

I just wanted to say to those who may be inclined to send a little "slice of heaven" to me in the form of flowers, that once I'm in the hospital (possibly days from now) they do not allow flowers or plants of any kind in the transplant unit. Bummer! I can however decorate the room to my hearts content.... :)

Thank you for the lovely flowers, I love ya! :)

1 down - 3 to go. (shots that is!)

Love to you all,
Laurel

Laurel's Update

From Lo's Blog:

Hi everybody,

Little update for ya!

Yesterday was my last day on the job. It was tough to say goodbye to many of the friends I've made at work. Wonderful people that have been so kind and helpful to me during this time.... as I attempted to remain a viable employee. :)
Thanks to all of you for your support and kindness.

Yesterday it just sort of "hit" me that I've now entered into a new chapter of this journey. It's all happened so quickly, and yet it seems like eons ago that it began.

Today was "orientation" day at the hospital. Saw the new digs, and went to a very informative meeting. I'm really liking the staff at the "transplant" unit of the hospital. Very kind, sincere and caring. It feels like a big family there and I know I'll be well taken care of.

We (Paula and I ) picked up the drugs and syringes before we left. We had some good laughs as always, and tomorrow at 9am I'll be having the first shot of the drug that pushes the bone marrow into the blood stream. Paula, and my good friend Lois will be double teaming. One to hold me down, the other to give me the shot! :)

Glenda and Bruce, thank you SO much for meeting with me the other night. (Two wonderful people that I had never met before, drove 2 hours to talk with me!). Thanks for sharing your journey. It was a tremendous help, and you two ROCK! I look forward to more times with both of you!

Thanks again to those that sign the guestbook. I can't express how much it means to me. I smile, I laugh, I cry.....it's all good medicine!

So, heeeeere we go!!

Hugs, Laurel

Laurel's Update ~ Praying! Praying! Praying!

From Lo's blog:

Just a quick note.... Yesterday's appointment went well with Dr. Silverman. I have the "game plan" now.

Sept. 25th: I start getting daily shots of Neupogen. The drug that pushes the bone marrow into the bloodstream. I was told I could give myself the shot....yeah right, like that's gonna happen! :)

Paula volunteered her services so I will be visiting her every morning from the 25th to the 28th for the shot. That's the best part of that for sure. I'm pretty certain though that there will be a cup of coffee, and a good laugh afterwords!

On 28th in the afternoon, I'll be going to the hospital so they can check the progress. If not enough cells have entered my bloodstream I'll be get another drug that night that will move things along.

On the 29th, I'll begin the collection or "harvesting" of cells. About a 5 hour process that I have to sit fairly still for as this little machine separates the white cells, red cells, plasma cells and platelets. (isn't that just amazing!)
I Can watch movies, listen to music (no dancing allowed) or sleep. I'll probably do all three!

If they collect enough that day, I'll be admitted into the hospital on the 30th. If not, they will have to collect more, and in that case, I will be admitted on the 5th.

That's it! That's the schedule for now. I'll continue to work (or at least show up!) until the 25th.

Stay tuned!

Lots and lots of love to each one of you!
Laurel

Laurel's Update

From Lo's Blog:

Well, I got the call late yesterday from the transplant nurse telling me that my counts had not improved from the previous biopsy. The plasma count should be at 1% and it has been 11% and 10% this last biopsy. Dr. Silverman (transplant doctor) feels that it would be best for me to proceed with the transplant at this time rather than to get back on the treatment I've been on for 4 months.

So, even though my counts are not where she would like them to be. I'm scheduled on the 25th to get the begin the "harvesting" process. I'll be getting the drugs that push the bone marrow into the blood stream. Then, on the 29th, I'll be "harvesting" the healthy cells.
I got the tour of the area and the machine that separates the cells when I was there Thursday. Modern medicine. It's fascinating and amazing to me!
I'll be meeting with Dr. Silverman on Monday to get more specifics, and I'll share with you then what I find out from her.

Loving and appreciating you all. Thanks again to all who are signing in [to her blog at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurelc ).....it's something I really look forward too! :)

Hope you're all having a GREAT weekend!

Laurel

Laurel's Update

Yay! The Bi-ops is over!! Last night I seriously thought about finding a good hiding place and not come out for a few days. But, of course I knew that all that would have accomplished is postpone the inevitable!

Yesterday I spoke with the nurse and all but begged her to pleeeeese give me a heavier dose of meds.
They agreed to my request, and today I got a double dose of what I had last time. Oh happy day!

Paula picked me up early this morning. I was still shakin' in my boots (literally) even though I knew I'd be getting more drugs. I was pretty certain there was no dose strong enough to satisfy me! But, it was do-able this time. Not a cake walk, but do-able. I hope this will be the last one for a very long while. So, my cries were heard as well as many of your prayers.....Thank you to all the "prayer warriors" out there!

As Paula wheeled me out of the hospital I was of course feeling much relief. We passed a little kiosk with some goodies and I thought..... well, we could both use a little reward. A cup of hot coffee, and...ssshhhhh...a donut! I felt like I was 5 again, and just like the old days of being rewarded after an event at 31 Flavors with my favorite ice cream cone, that treat was just what the doc ordered!..... Oh, life is good! It's just the "little things" sometimes isn't it?!

I got home and crashed for 2 and a half hours. That was a reward in itself, and I'm feelin' pretty fine at the moment! Tomorrow I head back for heart and lung tests. The lung test is at "nuclear medicine".....now, I don't know much in the field of medicine, but that just doesn't sound right, does it!
I'm told I'll be on a treadmill for part of the testing, and that'll be interesting as I'm gimping from room to room right now! But hey, after today - I could gimp a marathon!

I should be finding out the results of today's biopsy by Friday afternoon.....and we'll go from there!

So thank you all for being with me today in your thoughts and prayers and.....why don'tcha all go find a "little somethin" to appreciate, and enjoy yourselves!!

Big hugs!!
Laurel

Biblical Feasts & Holy Days

I'm submerged in books, resources, pamphlets, webpages, etc. trying to learn as much as I can about the Biblical Feasts and Holy Days. Whilst researching, I came across the above artwork by Douglas Christian Larsen. I love it! I wish I had a Messianic Jew for a friend who would hold my hand through this. I teach my first class this Monday and I'm supercharged!

In Leviticus 23 we read that God told Moses to tell the Israelites about His appointed feasts which the Israelites are to proclaim as sacred assemblies:
Sabbath / Shabbat / Rest
Passover / Pesach / Hag HaMatzot
First Fruits / Harvest / Yom HaBikkurim
Feast of Weeks / Pentacost / Shavout
Feast of Trumpets / Rosh HaShanah / New Year / Yom Teruah
Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur
Feast of Tabernacles / Sukkot / Booths

My challenge it to teach these special observances to my class at PCCA this year. I'm learning so much!

Leadership?

Laurel's Update

This is from Lo's CaringBridge blog:

I heard back from the transplant team this week. Dr. Silverman has decided that I do need to have another biopsy. This was SO not the call I was hoping for. I'm of course a bit anxious again.... but, ya gotta do- whatcha gotta do!

It's schedualed for this coming Wednesday.

Thursday I'll be returning for a series of tests. Heart, lung, etc. They are all in preparation for the transplant.
If the biospy results are good this time, and I pass all the tests with flying colors, the transplant proceedure may begin around the 21st. The nurse said by the 28th at the lastest.
They prefer to get things rolling along asap since I've been off of the drugs now for a couple of weeks, and I'm "clean".
So, let's hope and pray the biopsy looks good, and I pass all the tests!
I'll be letting you know the results hopefully by the end of the week.

Until then,
Love and appreciate those in your life, and treasure each day!

Hugs,
Laurel

Biblical Feasts & Holidays or Holy Days

I'll be teaching a class on Biblical Feasts and Holidays or Holy Days this year. I'm very excited, but a complete beginner. It's been quite exciting to study, research, and discover surprises all over the internet! Here's one site I found today:
Biblical Holidays, Return to a Biblical Foundation