T minus 14.............. February 19, 2008

We had our final pre-admission appointment yesterday with the lead transplant physician, Dr. Fernandez. He reviewed all of Jan’s test results, and they were all perfect. No heart, lung, liver, or kidney issues. In addition, Jan’s brother Pack was in town for his day of testing and his initial meeting with Dr. Fernandez and Becky, the lead transplant nurse. Those tests and meetings also went well. Thus, we are at T minus 14, meaning the bone marrow transplant is scheduled for March 4th, or 14 days from today. The plan calls for Pack to return next week for his daily injections of Neupogen, which is a drug used to stimulate blood cell production. On Tuesday of next week, February 26th, Jan will have her triple lumen catheter (pictured below) inserted below her left clavicle. Most of her medications and blood draws will be done via the catheter, which will remain in place for several months.

Jan will then be admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, February 27th. The chemotherapy will begin that evening and will be administered daily for about five days. On Monday, March 3rd, Jan’s brother (Pack) will have his stem cells extracted, and administered to Jan the following day. That process will be explained later as we approach T minus 1.

As Transplant Day (Day-0) approaches, Jan’s health physically is good; however the anxiety levels are increasing daily as we approach admission day. We just try to focus on the fact that each passing day is also one day closer to that day when all this will be behind us and Jan will be healthy and strong again.