The BIG DAY

Day Zero

Dr. Weinstein's Original
Drawing of Treatment Options

This isn't exactly like Christmas morning when you were a kid, but it is a huge day.  Today is Day Zero... it has finally arrived.

Pam will be getting her bone marrow transplant sometime today. It has been 7 months since Pam developed Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Dr Weinstein drew out all of the treatment options pictured here.  Since that time, Pam has gone through all of this in preparation for today:

• Delayed Diagnosis: She was originally diagnosed with a sinus infection and given antibiotics. We went to an Urgent Care Center in Manzanita, and she went back to her primary care doctor's office twice more before she had a blood test.
• Emergency Room Visits: After Pam's family physician got the blood results back, we were called at 8 PM and told to go to the nearest ER and she was admitted that night.  This was the first of several trips we have taken to the Good Sam ER.
• Induction Chemo: Dr. Weinstein started Pam on chemotherapy that successfully put the leukemia in remission after 26 days in the hospital.  Pam was VERY sick during this time and ended up in ICU for 5 days during the hospitalization. Ultimately, the induction chemo did it's job and put the leukemia into remission.
• Three Rounds of Consolidation Chemo:  It was originally planned to have 3 series of consolidation chemo treatments.  With some forms of AML, that is all that is needed for a cure.
• Genetic Testing:  Through genetic testing, we found out that Pam has a particular form of AML called FLT-3, so the only potential cure is a bone marrow transplant, so she was referred to OHSU.
• Donor Matching:  Brothers Mike and Mark were both tested as donors, and neither was a match.  Out of 20 Million people in the bone marrow registry there were no matches.  This left the only option as a double umbilical cord transplant, and, fortunately, there are 2 units of umbilical cord blood all ready to go today.
• Final Round of Chemo and Radiation:  At OHSU, she has spent the last 10 days having total body radiation and one final round of chemo in preparation for the big day.

My Flu

 "My name is Jerry and I am a hypochondriac"... After Pam tested positive for the flu, I think I may have panicked a bit... my very mild symptoms continue to be just that, very mild.  I have a little bit of a scratchy throat and no other symptoms. Unless I develop some other symptoms, I am going to take Pam's parents, Don and Bonnie, to the hospital today to witness the bone marrow transplant.  I will take some pictures and update the blog at the end of the day today.

Thanks

Thanks again to everyone for all of your kind words, support, well wishes, and prayers.  If you are so inclined, one more prayer or throwing a positive vibe couldn't hurt.