The stem cell harvest went according to plan; Ed and I left Vancouver for Penticton on July 11 and expected to remain there until the scheduled stem cell transplant on August 9. However that was not meant to be…..
The very next day, on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 in the morning, the day after we arrived back in Penticton, the Bone Marrow Clinic phoned. The Coordinator offered me a spot for the stem cell transplant to take place the following Wednesday, July 18.
I said I needed an hour to talk it over with my husband but my immediate reaction was to agree. She said she would wait for me to call back. Ed and I discussed it – we had to contact our friend Jonathan Wallace, a doctor based in Victoria who had offered us the use of his condo within a short walking distance from the bone marrow clinic in Vancouver General Hospital. Jonathan and Ed had flown the Alaska aviation adventure together in June. His offer was generous and genuine – a Godsend.
Jonathan hiking on the trails above our house, Penticton
When I called the Wallace household, Jonathan was still sleeping after a shift at the hospital. I explained the change in our situation to his father Rob and without any hesitation, Rob said, “We’ve discussed your situation Claire and we have already decided the top priority for us is that the condo be available for you during your stem cell transplant.” A wave of emotion went through my body and I sat quietly, trying to express how grateful I felt.
Ed relaxing in the condo
Within minutes I contacted the transplant coordinator again. She explained we would have to be in Vancouver on Sunday, July 15. Appointments:
July 15 – blood work
July 16 – height and weight to calculate the chemo dosage, meet with Dr. Tejpar who will be supervising my progress through the stem cell transplant to review the procedure and sign consent froms.
July 17 – Chemo Malphalin administered by IV
July 18 – Stem Cell transplant where my previously harvested frozen stem cells would be reintroduced to my body by IV. During the 1.5 hour transfer, Dr. Tajpar and the nurse, Julie stayed in my room. Julie monitored my vital signs every fifteen minutes: blood pressure, pulse, O2 level, and temperature.
Dr and nurse stayed close during the transplant procedure
You think you don’t have time to get scared, but you do. Here are a few facts: there is normally immediate nausea effects from the chemo treatment; most patients react strongly to the preservative used to maintain the stem cells; although there is just one dose or ‘strike’ of chemo, the effects are manifested at different rates throughout the body depending on the rate of cell reproduction in the affected body system.
The body systems most affected by the treatments are the gastrointestinal (days 3-4 to days 8-9) and the bone marrow system. The blood counts usually bottom out around days 4-5 and stay there until days 9-10, when they start to build up again. With the blood counts low, the immune system is severely compromised. Infections are the greatest cause for concern. The BMT team will be monitoring me closely. It will also take about 10 days after the treatments for the gastro system to begin improving.
Although not all multiple myeloma patients lose their hair, the majority does. She predicts my hair will fall out around day 9 so I’ve picked up some funky hats and scarves from the BC Cancer Agency.
The long and short of it — everyone is different but I can expect I won’t be out of the woods until about July 28. After that, I should start to improve.
My risk factors for complications are low and my response rate so far has been very positive. We feel confident about the medical team – they are professional, friendly and caring.
The Briand girls with Ed and I on Skype
This is one of the toughest things I’ve had to face in my life and I’m sure grateful to have Ed by my side. My family has been celebrating my niece’s big wedding – we even have a photo of the sisters with Ed and I on Skype.
Many thanks to the friends who have sent messages – I won’t respond just now, but do know that your thoughts and prayers and comments are a comfort to me.
I feel grateful for the people in my life and humble for the life I’ve lead. I’ve had a pretty audicious life with tons of adventures.
I wrestle with expressing how I feel about facing my mortality. It is so hard to put into words becasue although there is a smattering of fear and anxiety along the edges of my mind, what keeps me going and focused is a calm centre. That calm centre accepts that this cancer is part of my journey, my soul journey, being played out on the earthly plain. It also provides me with the courage to say “There is no blame, there is only what is here and now. I’ve done my best and will continue to…what will be, will be.”
30 Comments
My dear friend, you are so strong and centred, I know you will pull through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay strong. You are surrounded by love and that is the most important thing. Please keep me posted when you are able.
Much love -
Michelle
Dearest Claire, So wonderful to hear about your expedited transplant. I am so pleased that all is going well. We got through breast cancer together and this too will soon be a distant memory. Love from all your hiking buddies. We miss you and look forward to having you with us again soon. Love, Renee
Beautifully said, Claire. You’re such an amazing woman!
You are strong & brave Clairebell! I am sending big cheesy smiles your way. Take care and we will chat soon,
Love & hugs Tarieberry
Thank you, Claire, for letting me know what is happening in your life right now. I love the new hair colour even if it may be transitory (the hair, that is). Your strength of character is shining through your words.
Dear Claire,
Hang in there – you are being so strong and Ed too, both of you are in my prayers.
Big, gentle hugs to you both,
Yasmin
Your messages put things in perspective — that is rare. Best wishes from this peninsula in the Atlantic. Good things are happening.
I wish you all the best in your journey, Claire. These are tough times. Your attitude is wonderful, I feel more calm just reading it. I’m thinking about you with good powerful thoughts. Bon courage, my friend.
Miche
Claire, what a blessing to get an earlier date. I believe your strong positive attitude and great support will only help you through this challenging chemo time. I know it’s hard but you are Yukon tough! I am thinking of you and Ed and sending you positive energy to hammer this thing. Be tough and push through the miserable treatments just like you are doing.
Thinking of you, Cathie
Thanks for filling us in . . . . . we thought you were gone again right after you were back!!!! We are thinking of you Claire . . . be tough and positive!!! hugs, Bill & Margo
As always, my sweet friend, you are a rock.
As I said before, I think of you when I read this quote:
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.”
James Neil Hollingworth (1933-1996);
Pseudonym Ambrose Redmoon, writer, former manager of the folk rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service
Miss you and our daily walks. Looking forward to when we can resume our joyous routine. Loads of love from me and Mark to you and Ed.
Happy to hear the procedure is behind you already! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you recover and deal with the side effects. Wishing you healing and peace….
There is an old prayer that I love. For me, it speaks more of grace and hope and comfort than it does of more tangible things. It is simply this: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Dear Claire,
Thinking of you as you go through this very difficult journey. You are an amazing, beautiful person and my prayers are with you.
You are such a rock, our prayers and lots of love are with you and Ed. And we must say your’e new hair color is beautiful (WE LOVE IT). Stay strong, we are thinking about you all the time. Lots and love and hugs to both of you.
Claire:
I’m wishing you the very best. I think of you as I go through my own journey right now….
Hi Claire & Ed:
Wishing you both much love and strength on this journey. It is definitely a marathon, but you have each other to lean on. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and am cheering for those stem cells to do a stellar job! Cancer sucks, but you will kick it’s butt!!! (With a little help from Ed and your stemcells!!)
XOXO
Jenn
Stay brave, as I know you to be, and all will be as it should. Too bad about the hair – I can lend you some of mine.
My Dear Claire, Our thoughts & prayers have been with you over this challenging time but we know you are a fighter and you have a spirit to fight & win – we feel strongly in our hearts that you will win this battle. Thanks Ed for being there for Claire. Love you both Maggie & Barry
Dear Claire, thank you for sharing your difficult journey with us. We wish you all the best for getting over this mountain placed in front of you. Just remember you already hiked the Himalayas and you’ll climb this mountain too. Our prayers are with you and Ed and will follow you on this path that is ahead of you.
Lots of Love
Margrit, Manfred, Steven, Angie & Family
Dear Claire & Ed, I think of you perhaps 100 times a day, maybe more. And in my ” thinks” I just keep thinking how strong you are, how determined, and are so typically Claire. I know that while it’s tough sledding right now that this will pass and you an Ed will be planning your next flight see escape and everything will be “onward & upward”. Loveyah, Dan & Michele
Dear Claire and Ed – amazing what’s happening. You’re both so strong and courageous. Thinking of you both. Love Annemarie
Dear Claire,
You are so brave! Thank you for sharing what you are going through. Hope all goes well during this critical time.
Sending my best wishes for an uncomplicated recovery to you and Ed. Looking forward to our next hike!
Love,
Margaretha
Hi Claire & Ed, haven’t stopped thinking about you and send love & light……and hey, funkie hats are cool!
Cheers, Carel
Dear Claire & Ed, Great to see your blog with pictures no less. We are with you all the way and sending you both much love and strength. You are amazing and your words are an inspiration. Much love, Dale & Doug
Dear Claire and Ed, we so admire your courage to talk so openly and share your journey with us. You flash through my mind many many times during the day and we are wishing you the speedy recovery that you so deserve. Sounds like you are more than half way up the mountain and we all know you’ve made it to the top of many mountains. P.S. your hair does look good–your natural color is better than any shade I could have concocted in the back room!! Love Gina and Eric.
Dear Claire & Ed, Its been a challenge for both of you, but keep strong for each other and I know that will bring you through. I think of you every day and you are in my prayers Dear Claire. Love Gail
Dear Claire
It’s really good to know that – as you weather the extraordinary amount of medical procedures that you have to undergo – your body is responding well. I sure admire your acceptance and stoicism, and I’m thinking that getting those stem cells back into your system is going to be fabulous.
Thinking of you and sending love and hugs, Shan
To Claire
Thank you for all the updates regarding your stem cell transplant. It truly is amazing how things have come together to make this happen. You are a real trooper with such vivid determination. I am blessed to know you and to share your enthusiasm for life and all it offers. We are all on a journey and I truly believe that this life we live is the dress rehearsal for much more to come. I am so thankful for all your positive results. You have worked hard at doing your part and your amazing husband has truly been there to dot the “I”s and cross the “T”s whenever necessary. In addition, we truly live in a wonderful country with amazing health care. Please know that each day you are being remembered in prayer, that you will have the strength necessary to go the distance and that you will be able to maintain that extraordinary positive attitude.
Blessings!
Love, Joyce
Great blog Claire; expressed so well! Thank you so much for explaining and sharing your stem cell transplant process and procedures. Your positive attitude, determination and strength have helped you tackle each challenge. You are in my thoughts and prayers; I’m praying that you are now through the more difficult period and you are now looking at the pleasures of a beautiful day
Sending an armful of get well wishes and warm hugs to you both.
Love,
Bev & Ken
PS: Went out to the lavender fields, thought of you and sent tons of them your way – relaxing thoughts and smells!
We are so happy to hear everything has gone so well, you are a very strong, brave and amazing lady. You are constantly on our minds and prayers . Continue to have a great recovery , Lots of love to you and Ed. You both are amazing people, you make us feel strong. Big hugs to you both.