When we left you last, Arnie had started ganciclovir, a medication to treat cytomegalovirus. CMV is a virus Arnie was exposed to many, many years ago. CMV has made an encore performance in Arnie's blood and it will not get off the stage. After a week of ganciclovir, Arnie's CMV count is increasing instead of decreasing. Our clinic nurse phoned this morning with the news. It was time to change to a new medication. By noon we were off to the clinic so Arnie could get his first dose of foscarnet.
The 5th floor of the SCCA clinic houses the Pharmacy and the Infusion Center. This is where chemotherapy is given and where patients receive transfusions, IV hydration, IV electrolytes and first doses of intravenous medications like foscarnet. Arnie spent two hours receiving IV fluids to hydrate him well and two more hours receiving foscarnet. Another day in paradise. Our home infusion service dropped off supplies so starting tomorrow, we can do this twice a day at our apartment. The foscarnet is prepared in a 500mL 'balloon' we will attach to Arnie's Hickman catheter. The balloon slowly deflates, infusing the drug into his bloodstream over 2 hours. It's very cool technology.
Other news in brief......
- On Tuesday afternoon, Arnie and I went to a movie. Our son David recommended "Coraline 3D" and we decided to give it a try. There were only four of us in the theatre, so we were definitely successful at avoiding crowds!! The movie was fun and we looked pretty sophisticated in our 3D glasses.
- Arnie has been busy the past few evenings, doing our income tax. Go Arnie go...
- I have my first blisters from wearing sandals....... a signal spring has definitely arrived.
- Arnie dialed into an AutoCad Webinar yesterday and learned about the newest version of this software over the Internet.
- We have the highest concentration of coffee shops per hectare but we can't "roll up the rim" in Seattle :(
- Have you heard about the newest "Chia Pet" marketed briefly in the U.S.--- the Chia Obama!! It's TRUE! Chi Chi Chi Chia!
Help us to be the always hopeful
Gardeners of the spirit
Who know that without darkness
Nothing comes to birth,
As without light
Nothing flowers.
Much love to all,
Arnie & Brenda
7 comments:
How in the world did you get the Country Music Virus. Last I remember you were at a Rolling Stones concert in Taylor Field, and I don't care what they call it now it is Taylor Field. I don't suggest this lightly but maybe you could drive the Country Music virus out by listening to Rap Music. I am sure they don't get along. Also there is a Jimi Hendrix museum or something in Seattle isn't there? that might work. Isn't Seattle the birthplace of grungr rock? surely Country Music Virus would move out if that moved in. If you think ballons will do the trick, well have at'er. I ain't got no poem as nice as your'n so I'll just wish you a Happy Easter and steady more betterness,,,,,,,bro eug on the high seas.
Happy Easter!! I love the picture from your last post. I hope this new medicine works well and quickly. Good luck with the taxes! Thinking of you both.
Love,
Elisabeth
Hi Arnie & Brenda,
I just read your last two blogs and guess what, I was working on my taxes today,too. We have invited Mom to MJ for Easter, even though she had bought a surprise plane ticket to Seattle (I talked her out of it by telling her criminal record would have stopped her at the border anyway. She'll believe anything.) Did you hear the one about the two chocolate Easter bunnies? The first one says, " My bum hurts. The other one replies, "What?". If you don't understand this joke just remember what we used to do to each others bunnies. I hope you both have a hoppy Easter.
Love Al and family.
Hey Arnie,
Trust you to have the latest gadgets - this time to deliver medication!
I thought you must be kidding about the Chia Obama, but you weren't. http://chiaobama.com/ Oh my. Can you imagine a chia harper? It would be the neatest, tidiest crop of "chia" ever.
I hope you are well. I'm looking forward to coming down. I've got to get through two tenders first!
Cheers,
Laureen
Happy Easter...most people go for chocolate, trust Arnie to go for a new drug. Here's hoping it does the trick. Our taxes are done but still no refunds as yet...gov't wants to hang on to our money as long as it can.
Continued blessings,
R., J. AND THE CREW
Happy Easter Brenda & Arnie
On this day 50 of post transplant I am thinking of you folks the night before Easter Sunday. Wishing we could be together to celebrate the season but also to mark the 1/2 way point of your stay in Seattle. As you continue to encounter additional post transplant issues we must hope that the last 1/2 of this journey is uphill with very few valleys still ahead. Keep up the good work and fight as we anxiously await your return home.
I had a nice visit with Eric this evening over the phone. It sounds like things are going well.
Take care. Talk to you soon.
Love and Hugs
Deb
Happy Easter Brenda & Arnie,
This is my second attempt at posting to your blog so keep your fingers crossed. I have been reading your progess along your journey and I am delighthed that Brenda's dry wit is still as wonderful as alway. I almost let nature go laughting so hard about riding the S.L.U.T. You go girl!!!
Not much new around here. I know you heard about Shirley's son. Boy if there ever was aday I could have walked away from it all that would have been the day. I think time will be our best healer in this situation
I am off to Toronto at the end of the month for a SHN conference. I will miss my travel buddy this time around. I am going with CoryLynn and Jill Friedt (she got the masters level SHN coordinator position- yea). I fear there goes my naps.
Anyway, I just wanted to write and send you along my best wishes and prayer.
Thinking of you oftern.
Love,
Judee
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