Diane Jensen: Day 13, -weight,+walls

Monday, December 29, 2014

Day 13, -weight,+walls

Lasix has kicked another 6 pounds off. This is such good news, she feels much better with more strength and stamina, even easier to move. She said this morning she is feeling like the walls are closing in-you know, the old cabin fever my mom used to call it. She is able to have visitors now, unless your sick or have a fever or cough. Mid term bone marrow biopsy coming up on (day 15)Wednesday. Find out if more chemo might be needed. Then another biopsy about day 35. Transplant could take place around day 42 the doctor said. Now is a time to rebuild and get healthy so they want it to be boring here. She doesn't do boring very well. So we'll spice it up a bit....

4 comments:

Mrs. DressmanDecember 30, 2014 at 7:30 AM
Bless you Diane for being such a good sport through all this "stuff" you are having to deal with. What a tough lady you are! I also admire your kids and grandkids for taking this ride with you and making it "fun"?!
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christiDecember 30, 2014 at 8:36 AM
I really want to come see you but I have a cold so I will get healthy first!! but know that I am thinking of you!! You have and still are such an amazing example to me. Love you!!
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janericksonDecember 30, 2014 at 2:47 PM
I've tried to comment on here so many times and I've yet to crack the code. You're in our thoughts and prayers every day. You are amazing and so strong. I've seen it before and I'm seeing it now. Bless you, Dennis and your family. I'll be in touch.
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janericksonDecember 30, 2014 at 2:48 PM
Yea, it worked this time.
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Diane is very thankful for any well wishes, even if she is not able to respond to all of them.

Diane's MDS Diagnosis

The hospital encourages visits when she is home or inpatient. Call first to insure she feels well enough at any particular time for visiting. Her immune system is severely compromised, so we ask you not to visit with young children or if you are ill. Currently she is an outpatient.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a bone marrow disease much like cancer. If left untreated, it will eventually lead to the failure of the bone marrow (requiring transfusions) or Leukemia.

The only way to prevent this is undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Presently, her blast counts are increasing faster than expected but have not reached the level of Leukemia. Her blood counts are lower now and she has had a transfusion to help with this. She is to proceed with the bone marrow transplant now because of how rapidly the MDS is progressing.

Diane will enter the LDS Hospital's Bone Marrow Transplant Unit on Wednesday, December 17^th. She will undergo alternating rounds of chemotherapy for about 2 weeks. The chemotherapy will kill the blood producing cells, as well as her immune system.

Once the blast counts are reduced enough, then Diane will receive a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. Diane’s sister, Tracey, is a half match and is to be the stem cell donor. However, effort is still underway to get a full match in time for the transfusion. The purpose of the transplant is to have the healthy stem cells replace the unhealthy ones killed by the chemotherapy (in the bone marrow). Once the transplant is done she will be on medicine to prevent rejection for some time (estimated 6 months to a year).

Mid term bone marrow biopsy coming up on (day 17) Friday, Jan. 2 nd. Find out if more chemo might be needed after the results of that test come back. Then another biopsy about day 35. Transplant could take place around day 42 the doctor said.

At this time (June 30) no transplant is scheduled. The disease became active again about mid June. Her blast numbers increased rapidly within just a weekend. Had they been able to do transplant (June 8) it would NOT have been successful, and she would have gone thru much trama for nothing. She has started another round of chemo aimed at controlling the MDS to lower blast levels.

Both the chemotherapy and the stem cell transfusion will be very hard on Diane. We ask for your prayers of strength and comfort on her behalf.

This site will be updated with Diane’s progress.