Dec. 30/2007

Larry's not getting any better. He took his last antibiotic today, and me I thought I was getting better but today I feel worst. I really probably should have moved my self away from Larry, but I didn't want to leave Larry by his self and I don't know were I would have went. I guess I need to get something worked out for in the future. Maybe I can find some were I can take Larry for his safety. Everyone else has to go to work, so I just don't know were that would be. If anyone has a suggestion please let me know.

Saturday 29/2007

Larry's about the same today, and I'm getting a little better today.

Thursday 27/2007

We didn't get any new news this time, because they dropped the ball on the blood work. They were suppose to do some kind of blood work up that would tell the doctor were the cancer is at on Monday before his treatment, but they didn't. The doctor was very upset about this, so the are to do it on the 4th when we go down for his second round of treatment. Larry and I have a very bad cold, and the doctor put Larry on an antibiotic to help him to get over it.
We went down to Shawn's for Christmas day, and brought Mason back home with us, and I woke up with a bad head cold and running a fever of 101 and as the day went on by I got worst. Poor Mason he didn't have his grandma to play with much. I tried to keep up with him, and grandpa couldn't help at all with him this time. We met Shawn and Beth in Columbus Thursday morning to give Mason back to them before our appointment with the doctor. It was a very bad and long day for Larry and I, because we were both very sick.

Day +133

Dec. 21/2007 Larry had his third treatment today, and everything is going ok so far. He'll go down on Monday for his Fourth treatment, and that will be his last treatment for ten days. Larry has a little cold right now. I hope he don't get worst. We're going down to Shawn's house for Christmas Day. Nathan and Deb are going to take us down, this will help us to get to go. If they didn't go we could not go. We hope that everyone has a Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year.

Day +132

Dec. 20/2007 Larry's not feeling very good today. He has been very sleepy today, and hurting a lot. He goes down to Columbus tomorrow for another treatment.

Day +130

Dec. 18/2007 Larry had a good day today. This is the medicine they are using for his treatment. Bortezomib (brand name Velcade) there maybe other brand names for this medicine, and they are also giving him this medicine Zoledronic Acid (brand name Zometa, Reclast) there maybe other brand names for this medicine. So far the treatment isn't making him sick.

Day +129

Dec. 17/2007 Larry had his second treatment today. He was feeling a little sick before and later was feeling a little funny at bible study. Over all he was doing fine today.

Day +128

Dec. 16/2007 Larry's not feeling very well today. He goes down to Columbus tomorrow for another treatment. I'll let you know how he's doing with this new treatment for a few days.

Day +127

Dec. 15/2007 Thursday Larry was in so much pain that the doctor put him in the hospital for some tests. He had a MRI done on his back and it came back normal, but there was a spot on his spine that could be the cancer. The doctor wanted him to stay last night to see if they had the pain under control before they sent him home, but his insurance told the doctor that they would not pay for it so we came home. Before we came home the doctor started a new treatment on him. The cancer is growing faster, and the doctor is afraid to Wait any longer to see if the stem cell transplant is going to work. He has to go down to Columbus on Mondays and Fridays for his treatment. Larry got up today with no pain in his back, so the pain pills must have worked.

D +124

Dec. 12/2007 Larry's pain is really bad in his back today. He can't sleep or just relax tonight. I hope the doctor can tell us what's going on tomorrow. The pain is at a 10 and the pain pills are not holding it down. It's going to be along night for him. I'll let you know what we find out tomorrow.

D +123

Dec. 11/2007 Larry's having a lot of lower back pain, and leg pain today. The pain from 1 to 10 is at a 8 to a 10 sometimes. We go down this Thursday to see the doctor.

Day +110

Nov. 27/07 Larry's been doing very good these last few days. He's walking around 2 miles a day when it's not raining, or to cold out. He goes down to see the doctor this Thursday, and I'll let you know how things go.

Day +103

Larry's having some pain in his stomach and just hurts all over today, so this has not been a very good day for him. I'll try and keep you updated on how he's doing.

Day +98

Nov. 15/07 Doctors report. The myeloma has got worse since the transplant. This does not mean the transplant did not work. We have been restricting the work of the stem cells with the prograft. The doctor will tapper me off prograft during the next 6 days and see if the stem cells do there job. So we should be diligently watching for graft verse host disease for the next 8 weeks. Still feeling pretty good. Some stomach pain and anxiousness. In high spirits.
We got have our grandson stay with us all this week, so this has made the week go by fast. We have a lot of fun playing a game we made up called 123 ready set go. Mason likes to go outside after it gets dark to play this game.

Mason

Day +84

Nov. 1/07 Larry went down to Columbus today to see the doctor. The doctor said that all the numbers are were they need to be, and as of right now he maybe back to work around the first of the year. Larry's been having some trouble with pain in his stomach, and the doctor don't know if it's the graft-verse-host disease because he isn't having some of the other signs. He put him on some stomach medicine. We are aloud to have Mason the 2 1/2 year old grandson can come and stay with us now, but he needs to watch being around Spencer the new grandson. Next Thursday he'll be getting the big work up done to see if the stem cell transplant is killing of the cancer. Then we'll see the doctor on Nov. 15/07 at 2:30pm to hear the results of the workup.

Day +77

Oct. 25/07 Larry went down to Columbus today, and had his blood work done. Everything is were it needs to be. He'll have the complete work up done in two weeks.

Day +76

Oct. 24/07 Larry's doing very good, and I keep him close by my side. We'll be going down to Columbus tomorrow around 10:00am. We had a very nice weekend with all the Kids and grand kids. They are getting so big so fast. We hope that we can go down to there house soon to stay a few days. This part is the hardest on us not being around the grandchildren Larry's like a different person when the grandchildren are around. He has more energy when they're around. Mason takes his pawpaw outside to play 123 ready set go this is his favorite game with his pawpaw.

Mason
Spencer

Day +70

Oct. 18/07 I am recovering . I feel like it should be going faster. But I'm thankful at my progress. I had a flue last week. I am so thankful it was a very mild type or I would be in a lot of trouble. The flue has set me back some. They told me at Columbus today that my stem cells are 100% donor and that the worst of the flue is over. I did not run a temperature, or get sick at my stomach but got a very sore throat and Julie did not get it. I am no longer contagious. This is day 70 in 20 days they will take another biopsy and see what the disease is doing . I have been released from all of my restrictions except dietary and some rules about being around small children. I am hopeful for the very best. So that means I can not spend the night in Madison Indiana. But they are allowed to come and see me up here.

Day +68

Oct. 16/07 Larry's cold is getting better every day, so maybe we can go down to see the grandbabys this weekend. Will see what the doctor says on Thursday.

Day +63

Oct 11/07 Larry went down to Columbus to see the doctor today. All the tests they took on Monday came back normal, so it was just a sore throat and a bad cold. The doctor said that it'll take him longer to get over a cold at this stage. Everything is looking good, but his white blood cells are up a little high. They think it's because of the cold. Larry wont see the doctor for three weeks now, but he'll see the nurse practitioner once a week.

Day +60

Oct. 8/07 We had to go down to Columbus this morning , because Larry's throat was a lot sorer today. The did some tests, and started him on an antibiotic. We'll go back this Thursday to see the doctor.

Day +59

Oct. 7/07 Larry's has a sore throat today. We called the James Hospital, and they said to call in the morning to get in to see the doctor. We maybe going down to Columbus in the morning we'll see what the doctor has to say.

Day +56

Oct 4/07 Larry went down to Columbus and got his blood work done for the week, and found out that he's 98% donors stem cells now. He's been doing very good. He goes out for walks every day.

Day +49

Sept. 27/07 Larry went to the doctor today and every things coming along great. Larry don't have to wear his mask any more, and he can go and see his grand kids, but just can't stay overnight yet.

Day +44

Sept 22/07 Larry had a very good day today, and his eye is back to normal also.

Day +42

Sept. 20/07 Larry went down to Columbus today, and got some blood work done. The doctor said that all the numbers are looking good. His white blood cells are normal now. He's right eye is red today, and the doctor said that he would watch it for now. His eye looked a little better tonight. Still has some leg and feet pain when he's up on them for very long.

Day +40

Sept. 18/07 I would like to share a story with you. We were in at Wal-Mart today and there was a young couple in front of us at the check out line. The young man look at us and said that they were going to pay for our groceries. I thought he was just joking with me, so I came back with you go right a head with a little laugh and he said no I'm serious, and so they did. After the young lady paid for the groceries she came around and gave me a hugg and said GOD BLESS you. I told them thank you so very much. Just when you think that this old world is all corrupted GOD shows you that there's some nice people still out there.

Day +38

Sept. 16/07 Larry had a OK day. He took a bike ride, and a walk today. I'm going to start to do the blog just once a week, and this will be after he sees the doctor. If something comes up I'll put it in the blog. There's just nothing to report every day.

Day +37

Sept. 15/07 Larry's had a lot of pain in his legs and feet today, so this has been a bad day for him. He tried to walk it off but that didn't work, so he tried to work it off by exercise on the total gym and that didn't help either.

Day +36

Sept. 14/07 Larry's morning went very good. I had to fix the hot water heater this morning, and now it works. This afternoon Larry got shaking really bad and this makes him feel so bad. Then later he started feeling better, so he took a walk. That's how our day went.

Day +35

Sept. 13/07 Larry got to come home today. The doctor said that everything is right were it needs to be. He told us that he don't want him to be around little kids until day +60. We only have 25 more days till we can go and see the grandbabies. It was nice to be back home, but the hot water tank keeps blowing its pressure valve. Now I've got to call some one to come and look at it.

Day +34

Sept. 12/07 Larry had a very good day. We went to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park today and walked around on some trails, and it was a beautiful day to go for a walk. We walked about a mile or more. There was a young lady there with a cell phone with a camera in it and she took a picture of us and e-mailed it to us. I'll put it on the blog but it's not very good. We forgot our camera back at the apartment. We'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow, and hope he'll let us go home.

Day +33

Sept. 11/07 Larry had a very good day.

Day +32

Sept. 10/07 Larry had a good day, but had some back pain. He's trying to walk and work out as much as he can. The furnisher in the apartment is very bad to sit on, and the beds are not any better. I'm having some trouble with my legs and back all so. We hope that we'll get to go home this Thursday.

Day +31

Sept. 9/07 Larry's had a good day except for some pain. Nothing new going on here to report.

OBX Update 1

Deb and I flew into Norfolk and drove the rest of the to the Outer Banks. We met up with our friends Eric and Sherry at our traditional meeting spot, The Weeping Radish. When they were seating us the told us that this was going to be their last day. They say business hasn't been to good lately and they were closing the restuarant.
So far the house is just great and TS Gabrielle is staying off the coast.

Deb and me at the Weeping Radish for the final time.

Day +30

Sept. 8/07 Larry's having a lot of trouble with nausea today. I hope tomorrow is better for him. He's getting a little disappointed, because he thinks that he should be doing better then this. It's getting hard to keep his spirits up.

Day +29

Sept. 7/07 Larry's been feeling a little sick off and on today. We took some things home today, so if they let Larry go home next Thursday we can get it all in one trip. It was nice to be at the house for a little bit.

Day +28

Sept. 6/07 Larry's checkup went just fine. They said that his counts are were they want them. He's doing pretty good today. He may get to go home next Thursday after he see the doctor, so we're going to make a trip home Friday to take somethings home.

Day +27

Sept. 5/07 Today Larry was feeling sick off and on all day. Terry stopped in today and it was nice to see her. Our neighbor called tonight and told me that he was going to come down here on Friday. He asked if he could bring down our mail for us. All of our neighbors have been very helpful. We're go to the hospital tomorrow for some blood work.

Day +26

Sept. 4/07 Larry's not feeling very well tonight. He's a little sick at his stomach. It maybe something he eat for lunch. I hope that's all it is. He has been taking walks every day. Tonight we had some boys playing soccer right out side our window. They could have moved a little bite farther out in the yard, but I guess that's this city life. Beth called tonight and Larry got to talk to Mason. That was nice for Larry to hear Mason's voice.

Day +25

Sept. 3/07 Larry's day started out rough, but as the day went by it got better. Nathan and Deb came up, and spent the day with us.

Day +24

Sept. 2/07 Larry's has the itches but I can't see any rashes on him. He's still shaking a lot and this makes him very tired. Nathan and Deb are coming down tomorrow.

Day +23

Sept. 1/07 Larry's doing good today. We done some shopping, and some laundry today. Today was the OSU first football game. I was setting in my chair and looked out the window, and it looked like that move Summer Rental where all the people were walking by there window.

Day +22

Aug. 31/07 Larry had a co-worker stop by with our mail today. This cheered Larry up very much to get to talk with someone from work. Jack Skundrich was on his way to see some of his family, and took time to droop off our mail. This was very nice of him. He stayed for about an hour and got Larry all caught up on things at the shop.

Larry & Jack Skundrich

Pictures of around the apartment

Squirrel hanging by his back feet eating a crackerSquirrel looking for a cracker

Two squirrels looking for a cracker

Exercise room at the Community Center

Game room at the Community Center

Visiting room at the Community Center

Laundry room at the Community Center
Outside of the Community Center

Larry at the door of the apartment

The building were our apartment is

Inside of the apartment

Inside of the apartment

Day +21

Aug 30/07 Larry's doctors appointment went very good today. The doctor said that if everything keeps going the way it has that we may get go home in two weeks, and just come down here once a week to see the doctor and get blood work done. This will make it nice for us. They took his central line out today, because it was getting red again. He also told us that the doctor (Sarwar) we had back home no longer works in Lima. He has moved down to Columbus to work at Grant Hospital. We'll miss him he was a very nice doctor, but Doctor Hofmeister has been great with us. We'll stay with him until he turns us over to someone else back home, or someone at James Cancer Hospital. We would like to stay at the James Cancer Hospital. It's hard when you get to know a doctor and they have to turn you over to someone else.

Day +20

Aug. 29/07 Larry's feeling a little bit better today. He went over to the community center and worked out for a little bit. That makes it nice for him with it being so hot out. The time that he goes there's know one in there, and he wears the latex gloves. We have a lot of squirrels around the apartment. When I took the trash out this morning there was one in the trashcan that I put my trash in, and it scared the squirrel not saying what it did to me at the time. ;P I'm just glad that there wasn't a camera around at that time. They are fun to watch playing in the yard. One of the squirrels took a girls little ball. She tried to get the squirrel to droop it but that didn't happen and he took it up a tree.

Day +19

Aug 28/07 Not much to report today. Larry's feeling a little better today. Larry took a walk this morning before it got hot out side. It got very hot here today, so we stayed in side. This evening it cooled off, so Larry took another short walk.

Day +18

Aug 27/07 Larry's having a bad day with the shaking, and he said that he just don't feel very good. I think that maybe it's one of the pills that he takes on Mondays and Thursdays only. I'll watch and see if he has the same trouble this Thursday. We go to the doctor on Thursday and I'll ask him if that pill can do that.

Day +17

Aug. 26/07 Larry had a good day, so we went for a long walk. His hair is falling out again, but they said that it would not all fall out this time we'll see. There's not much to report we're just waiting for all the numbers to get were they need to be, so we can go home.

Day +16

Aug. 25/07 I took Larry home today to get the mail and do some laundry. He did OK with the trip, but he got tired. He took a long nap when we got to the house. I don't thing we'll do that again for a while. I'll just have to wait for someone to come down here to be with Larry, so I can run home. Each day things get better.

Day +15

Aug. 24/07 Larry had some blood work done today, and they said that everything is looking so good. We'll get the numbers next Thursday, so I can tell you were he's at. He's still having some pain in his legs and back.

Day +14

Aug. 23/07 Larry's having some pain and a lot of shaking today, but every thing's going OK. He goes to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup. I'll let you know how things go. My sister Terry was here today for a little bit. That was nice because it makes the day go by faster.

Day +13

Aug. 22/07 Larry got out of the hospital around 10:30am. He's doing just fine. I'm happy to have him with me at the apartment. All the nurses and doctors at the James Cancer Hospital have been so nice and helpful. They tried to make our stay there as comfortable as possible. He goes back Friday at 12:00pm to see the nurse practitioner, and then next week on Thursday see doctor Hofmeister. We'll let you know how things are going.

Day +12

Aug. 21/07 Larry's doing very well, so they are springing him from this joint tomorrow morning. He'll be going to the apartment to stay there until we can go home. He will not have an mailing address at the apartment, so you can send mail to the home address. I go home once a week to get the mail, or just e-mail him.

Day +11

Aug. 20/07 Larry's doctor said that he will be going to the apartment on Wednesday or Thursday. This is very exciting news. He's still having a lot of back pain from the Neupogen, but he only has one or two shots left on them. They will check around day ninty to see if this put him in remission. He's aloud to go outside for a hour now, but that's with a mask on.

D +10

Aug. 19/07 Larry got to see the kids outside for a little bit today. He's having a lot of back pain today. It could be from the Neupogen that there giving him every day. His white count was 0.7 up from 0.5, the Platelet Count was up to 33 from 31 the Hgb was 11.3 up from 11.1 the Hct was 32.1 down from 32.3. Other then seeing the babys this hasn't been a very good day for him.

Day +9

Aug. 18/07 Nathan came down yesterday morning and stayed the night. We had a very nice visit with him, and then he went home around 4:30pm. Then Shawn came up around 6:00pm to stay the night, so he can pick up Beth and the boys tomorrow. They have been at Beth's mom and dads house. The nurses got Larry and I a Anniversary cake today for our Anniversary today. Larry has been doing fine today. The doctor said that everything is still on track. His counts are still going up and down. He's still getting the Neupogen shots, and will until his white counts come up.

Thank You it was good

Day +8

Aug. 17/07 Larry had a bad night. He was having some pain and felt nauseated. Today he's been very tired all day, and shakey. I hope tonight is better for him. Tomorrow is our 34th anniversary, and I love him more every day. He's been there for me every day. I LOVE YOU LARRY.

Day +7

Aug. 16/07 All Larry's counts have dropped today. His white cells are back down to 0.3 and the Hgb are back down to 10.7 the Hct are down to 30.3 and his platelet count is down to 45 from 62. They're going to start the Neupogen shots today. His line area is a little red so they are going to just watch it for now. This is Larry's new doctor. Larry's day started out OK, but as the day went on he got filling bad. He'll be getting his Neupogen shot at 6:00pm, and that will make his bones ache all over. The next few days will be hard for him.

Doctor Guido Marcucci

Day +6

Aug. 15/07 Larry's white cells dropped a little today from 0.5 to 0.4, but the doctor said this happens sometimes. Tomorrow Larry will be getting a new doctor because of the shift rotation. I went home today, and came right back.

D +5

Aug.14/07 Larry's white cells came up a little bit today. They were at 0.3 yesterday and today they were 0.5. His room is very cold tonight I hope he don't get sick because of it. I'm going home tomorrow to pay some bills and do some laundry for Larry. I'll come back in the evening.

Day +4

Aug. 13/07 Larry's doing really good, so not much to report. We are just waiting for David's stem cells to find there new home and start going to work. His counts are still dropping right now. They will bottom out soon then they'll start back up.

Day +3

Aug. 12/07 Here's the pictures that I told you I would get. I just can't get everyone to look at the camera all at the same time. Beth's parents came down to pick up her and the boys for them to stay with them for a week. We had a very nice visit with everyone. Larry's doing good today. Larry with Spencer, Paul, Sue, and Mason

Larry, Spencer, Paul, Sue, Mason, Beth, and Shawn

Day +2

Aug. 11/07 Larry got to see the grand kids today for a little while in the family room on the third floor. The doctor likes what he's seeing in his recovery so far. I forgot to take pictures of the kids. I'll do it tomorrow when they come back up.

Day +1

Aug. 10/07 This is the first day after the transplant, and everything is looking good. All his numbers are were they need to be. The doctor said that he likes what he sees. Shawn and his family are coming up on Saturday for a visit.

Day 0

Aug. 9/07 We have reached Day 0. Today Larry received his transplant. David's cells went in smoothly at around 10AM. At around 4:00PM he started not feeling very well but he took a nap and that seems to have passed. The nurse said his throat looked a little red but he said he couldn't feel it. A little bit later he started to get a sore throat. He is currently waiting for the nurse to come in after the shift change so he can let her know.

His white blood cells are at .8 but could still drop down to as low as .1 just like the first time. His platelets are at 138 which means his blood could still clot if he got cut or scraped and began bleeding.

Larry just before he gets his brothers stem cells
This is the nurse with David stem cells

The nurse hanging his new stem cells

Larry getting his brothers stem cells

Day -1

Aug. 8/07 Larry's brother got his stem cells collected today, and they were able to get all they need in one collection. Larry's back to eating, and filling a lot better today. Today was a rest day for Larry, so not much to report. I forgot to get pictures of David why he was getting his cells collected, so I was going to take one after but he declined.

Day -2

Aug 7/07 Larry's doing a little better tonight. He's not vomiting any more. The doctors say everything is looking good. Tomorrow his brother David is coming down for his stem cell collection, and if needed again on Thursday. Larry's getting a two day rest before he gets his brothers stem cells. Larry's still aloud to go out side, but it's to hot out there for him with a mask on. I haven't been taking any pictures because Larry's been so sick. Well Dareth the Nurse Proctitioner came in today and told us that she'll be seeing Larry again.
We had a nice lady stop in that seen Larry's Blog. Connie Jenkins has Multiple Myeloma also, and has been in remission for 2 1/2 years now with her own stem cells. Connie is from West Mansfield, OH.. It was nice to talk with someone that has been in Larry's shoes.

Day -3

Aug 6/07 Larry's been really sick today. He didn't get any sleep last night, and he hasn't had anything to eat today. They gave him something to help him with the vomiting, so he's been sleeping most of the day. He just just starting vomiting, so I'm out of here. I'll let you know tomorrow how things go.

Day -4

Aug 5, 07 Larry's morning started out a little rough. Doctor Devine said that every thing's right on corse. He got his Fludarabine and they started his Cytoxan today all so. I went home today and got the cable for the camera, so here's some picture.

Doctor Devine, MD

Med. Student Brad Blaser

Day -5

Aug. 4/07 Larry got to go out side today, so that was nice. Every thing's coming along nicely. We got the report back from Dr. Craig Hofmeister, and this what he had to say. Larry just barely misses a partial response from autologous transplant. They would have like to see a better response. Here's a calendar, so you can see how things will be going.

D -6

Larry's doing really good with the Fludarabine. He got some more today at 4:00pm Aug 3-07. We went out side for an hour today, and this maybe his last time out side. We have all different doctors, so we've got to learn all the new names again. Dareth the nurse practitioner from the last time has stoped in and to see how things are going, but she's not Larry's nurse practitioner this time.

Day -7

Larry's back at the James Hospital for his Allogeneic Blood and Marrow Transplant. We got here around 7:00am this Thursday morning on Aug. 2-07. They put the central venous catheter in around 9:00am, and he got his first round of Fludarabine also. He has been very nervous today. I forgot the cable for the camera so no pictures for now.

Day 28

Larry's feeling a little better today. He's looking forward in seeing his grandsons on Sunday. I hope he can make it down there, and feel ok after we get there.

Day 27

They took the IV catheter out today so that will put a kink in my upper body work out for a while. I have been having a lot more good days than bad this week. Doctor said I could go see my new grandson this weekend as long as I did not go kissing on him. So we will be in Madison,Indiana this weekend.

Day 26

Larry started out doing really good, and then around 2:00pm he started to feel sick. He said that he can't explain what's going on. We're going down to Columbus tomorrow to get that IV line out. Day 25 he was feeling really good all day, so I guess he'll have some good days and some bad days.

Day 25

He was doing very good and was in high spirits all day. It was like he was back to his old self. We have been taking walks, and Mary Joseph when with us on one of our walks.

Day 24

Larry had a very good day. We went over to his brother Neal's house today, and had a very nice visit with everyone. I was going to take the camera, but I forgot it at home. I got to see some baby kittens, and that was nice. It was nice to see Neal and Sherri's two children. They are very polite, and all grown up. Neal showed us his garden that he put out this year, and it looks like he'll have a lot of vegetables to eat.

Day 23

Larry's doing good today not as much back pain. One of the Families from the Church we go to sent some food over tonight from there sons graduation party. Every thing was very good right down to the cake. Everyone has been so nice to us. Thank You very much.

Day 22

Larry's feeling a lot better this morning. He's had a very good day, but this evening he has some back pain. This upset him so bad. I wish someone could tell me how to help calm him down before things get out of control. I would like also to know what causes this back pain when he sits to long.

Day 21

Time is 7:00am

We're up and getting our day started. Larry's out walking around the yard. He walks around around the out side of a one acre lot three times. The trip down to Columbus yesterday took a lot out of his energy. Larry's doing a lot better today. He went to town with me today and he took his walks around the property. He's getting a lot of e-mail from coworkers and that cheers him up.

Day 20

From Mom and Dad:

Just back from Columbus. Doctor Craig Hofmeister says I'm looking real good. He wants me to go back to my regular activities very gradually. He doesn't want me around groups of people, sick people, newborns or their mothers for a while. After day 30 I'll be talking more to my doctor about this. He said they will be monitoring my energy levels. This and how I recover from the autologous transplant are major factors on the timing of the mini-allo transplant, 3 to 4 months down the road. Next week I will be getting my IV catheter out. They will not be looking at what the myeloma is doing until day 60.

Craig Hofmeister is the head of the Multiple Myeloma research program at OSU. He over sees all of Larry's treatment.

Dad and Dr. Hofmeister

Day 19

From Dad:

FEELING A LITTLE BETTER EACH DAY.SORT OF LIKE THE 2ND DAY AFTER THE STOMACH FLUE . GOING TO COLUMBUS TOMORROW. EVERYONE THERE IS QUITE IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY I LOOK.ONLY LOST 2 LBS , MOST PEOPLE LOSE ABOUT 20 LBS. WENT TO THE STORE WITH YOUR MOM TODAY. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME OUT IN A STORE SINCE I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. .I WAS READY TO COME HOME WHEN WE GOT OUR SHOPPING DONE.

Day 18

From Mom:

Nathan everything is looking good with your dad. They only took his blood today and Dareth came in and talked with him. She asked him how things were going, and your dad told her that yesterday was a bad day but today was a little better. We go down Thursday to see the Dr. Hofmeister. Your dad just told me that the trip today has got him hurting. On our way out to the car we ran in to Dr. Benson going to get his lunch, and he stopped and talked to us. He asked your dad how things were going, and he told us that he looks at the blog often so he knows how your dads doing. He said for you to keep up the good work with it.

Also on our way home we got to see the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile going down 33. We tried to get the camera out to take a picture of it but it got off before we could. That was so cool looking. I saw a big orange ball going down the road, and asked your dad what's that up in front of us. He said that he didn't know, and just then I said that's the Oscar Mayer Mobile get the camera and just as we got beside it it got off.

Day 17

Still feeling a bit tired at times. Getting ready for the trip to OSU tomorrow morning.

Still glad to be home.

Day 16

Today was dad's first whole day home since the transplant. Mom said that he wasn't feeling very well today and that he was a little grumpy. His brother Neal came over to visit him and that seemed to lift his spirits a little. He also dropped off the the donations that was collected for dad at work. I am sure this will help significantly as we are only halfway through this journey.

Mom and dad will make the trip back to OSU on Tuesday and Thursday for his checkups.

Day 15

Dad was discharged from the hospital today just as planned. I am sure he is glad to be back home after being in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks.

The trip made him a little tired but other than that everything is going just fine. I am sure he will be working up his strength to make the 3 1/2 hour trip to see his new grandson as soon as he can.

Day 14

Dad is scheduled to be discharged on Saturday morning. They say the only reason he would not be let go is if he started to run a temperature.

He is in really good spirits today, as I am sure he is excited about going home.

Dad left a comment for everyone on the blog. Please click here to read it.

Day 13

Congratulations to Shawn and Beth on the birth of their new son, Spencer Reid. Both mom and baby are doing good. Spencer was born at 1:09pm today, Thursday, May 17, at 9lbs 2oz and 21 3/4 inches long.

Dad's numbers are really looking good and it looks like he is going to be going home on Saturday. He was allowed to start going back outside today. He really seems to be cheering up and getting back to his old self.

Spencer

Shawn, Mason, Mom, and Spencer

Mason giving his new baby brother a kiss.

Day 12

Mom said:
They're thinking that Larry maybe getting to go home this weekend. His numbers today are White count is 1.5 and Red count is 9.7 and Platelets are at 52.

His bowel pain is gone, and his throat is still sore today.

Thank You for all your Prayers they are working.

and...
Larry's Absolute Neutrophil Count is up to 900 all most twice amount that he needed. Now they'll take him off all the IVs, and see if his temp stays down. He may get to go home on Sunday.

Also:
We should be welcoming in Dad's second grandson into the world tomorrow around noon.

Day 11

From Dad:
I have good news .
My White blood cell count is up to .3 That means my body is making white
bloods cells. That means the stem cell procedure is working.
thanks for the E-mails

From Mom:
White cell counts is 300, Red cell counts is 7.4, and Platelets are 44. The doctors are very happy with the numbers.

Day 10

Dad's temperature is back to normal now at 98.8. His red blood cell count was down to 8.5 so they gave him a bag of that today. Everything is still on track.

Heather hanging the bag o' blood.

Dad making sure they aren't giving him monkey blood.

Day 9

His platelets dropped to 13 so they gave him some through his IV. After it was all said in done his platelets were back up to 48. He is still having the bowel pain and still getting the pain meds. His sore throat has gotten a little worse today.

He started to run a temp of 100 tonight but that went down relatively quickly. They are going to take some blood and do some cultures anyway.

Still getting up pretty often to walk around the unit.

Terry came back into town again and brought dad a new doo rag.

Dad in his new doo rag.

I'm happy Jeff Gordon won...again!

Aunt Terry thinking about her next chocolate milkshake
(Inside Joke)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Day 8

Dad has a little bit of a sore throat today. His white blood cells are down to 0.1, or 100, he basically has no immune system right now. This is the time to be extra careful to make sure everyone is washing their hands and he is doing his personal hygiene regimen.

Tonight he began to run a slight fever of 99.5. Not much to worry about at this point.

He is still having some diarrhea and bowel pain. They are still giving him the Dilaudid to help with the pain.

Dr. Benson says they may need to give him some red blood cells or platelets in the next few days depending on how he is getting around.

Day 7

Diarrhea is back and now worse. They are giving him Imodium to try to control it. He is experiencing a lot of stomach cramping also. To help with the pain from the stomach cramping they are giving him a small dose of Dilaudid through his IV.

His white blood cell count is down to 0.2 today. While he was eating his dinner tonight he would take a bite and take quite awhile to take the next. He said it wasn't because he was didn't want to eat it was because it seemed like so much work to eat. It looks like he is really starting to feel the affects of the low blood counts.

David, his brother and future stem cell donor, stopped in tonight for a visit.

I wanted to go back and comment on his lack of nausea from the chemo. He hardly had any nausea from the melphalan and I tend to believe that is because he was put into a case study for Emend. He has yet to turn down a meal or lose his appetite up to this point. I hope they start offering this as standard preventative maintenance for chemo patients.

Dad and David

Dad enjoying breakfast:D

Day 6

Blood counts continue to drop. His white blood cells are down to 0.8, or 800. The diarreha has subsided.

They have increased his pain medication due to some increase in some bone and muscle pain.

Everything is still on track.

When I came up today, mom came out and gave me a parking pass so I could take her parking spot. While I was waiting for her to unlock and get in the car, someone that had been waiting for a spot got in position to try to take it. Mom pointed to my car to tell them I was going to take it. I apologized to the woman, telling her that my dad was in the cancer hospital and my mom and I were taking turns looking after him. She didn't want to hear about it and just said "That's fine." in a rude tone. Oh well.

Day 5

They had to put Dad back on the IV today because he has been putting out more than he has been taking in. So his little friend is back by his side for now. He was making several trips to the bathroom last night due to some diarrhea.

The doctors are still confident that everything is progressing nicely and on track. He did start the nuepogen today. His white cell count is at 0.9 and they expect them to get down to around 0.2 or 0.1 before they start rising again.

I will be going over tomorrow afternoon to stay until Friday while mom goes home and takes care of some things.

Dad taking a stroll around the unit.

Day 4

Another nurse practitioner, Joel Rice, stopped by today to share his story with mom and dad. This seems to have given him a boost of hope.

With each day that goes by it is getting easier for him to tire out and it will continue to head downhill for a few more days until his numbers take that U-turn around day 7. He did make a few trips around the BMT unit. Dr. Ntukidem visited this morning and said that everything was going along great. Still no signs of any mouth sores.

He will start getting nuepogen injections through his line tomorrow morning to help increase the white cell count.

Dad and Joel Rice

Dad and Dr. Ntukidem

Day 3

Today was dad's last day that he was allowed to go outside. Mom said that he was feeling pretty tired today.

My mom said that she tripped and fell on the way into target and her knee is swollen up now, but that she is ok.

My aunt Terry stopped by for a visit today. She is a truck driver, so she makes quick stops every once in awhile.

Dad and his Nurse Practitioner, Dareth.

Dad and Dr. Benson

Dad and My Aunt Terry