Monday, December 8, 2008

News

SCCA called today with the latest update on Zoe's transplant.

So, we are to go to SCCA for her first pre-transplant appointments on December 23rd and 24th. If we were from out of the area they would have pushed those first two appointments to after Christmas since people don't like traveling around then. The 23rd she will undergo many evaluation procedures--EKG, scans, etc., etc. The 24th we will meet with her doctor to go through the planning process. Likely there will be a 3rd, as of yet un-scheduled meeting prior to what they are currently projecting as the beginning of her "conditioning", the chemotherapy regimen, on January 11th or 12th.

They say it will be eight days of chemo for her, a day of rest, then the bone marrow transplant on the tenth day--January 20th or 21st. The chemo and transplant dates are tentative--more firm ones will reveal themselves as the process gets hammered down.

It's a mighty ball that they are starting to roll--I have to remember this when I get impatient that they aren't moving fast enough. There are many things to coordinate--not the least is the donor's schedule. As it's past the holidays, I'm hoping that mid-January might be seen by her as a perfect time for a sore hip.

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Zoe continues to do fabulously. It seems like the surgery has loosened her brain up enough for her to have a personality explosion of sorts. She's the same as she used to be, but, for those of you who grew up reading Homer Price by Robert McCloskey, it's as though she's been sprinkled with a liberal dose of "Ever-So-Much-More-So." She's quite a character who helpfully makes us laugh every day.

She seems to have a lot more energy as well. Especially in the night from about 10pm to 5am. I am learning to accept bags under my eyes as a permanent feature.

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For those of you who haven't checked the You Tube link in awhile, I forgot to mention that I recently posted three clips of Zoe in the hospital after her surgery.

Peace!

1 comment:

Laura said...

oh boy! This timing "feels" good...a fresh start for the new year.

One appointment you might have, too, is a small surgery to have a Hickman catheter installed...this seemed bad to me at the time, but we learned to love it fast. It eliminates all the need for future needle poking, and Eric became quite the pro at re-dressing it each day. (I call him "mr. hospital corners" 'cuz he's so good at those detailed things.)

Go Zoe! (and Zenmama/dada)