Over the last 20 days Andy has had liquid radiation, chemo, and his stem cell transplant.

The liquid radiation treatment is part of a clinic trial Andy is in. The drug, Zevalin, is commonly used for treatment of non‑Hodgkin's lymphoma. The hope for Zevalin use with multiple myeloma is that it will kill the precursor cells and prolong remission. Overall Andy handled this treatment well. The first 'test' dose he had a reaction which caused his throat to swell. Luckily the nursing staff is well prepared and expects these things to happen.

Melphalan was the chemotherapy Andy started 14 days after the radiation. Melphalan interferes with cancer cells by slowing their growth and spread in the body. After Andy's two days of chemo he received his stem cells back.

The stem cells travel from the blood bag through the central venous catheter, in Andy's chest, into his blood, and to his bone marrow, where they will begin to produce new cells in 1 to 3 weeks. All of the treatments has left Andy's body unable to fight infections. So he is taking many antibiotics and has daily physicals and blood draws.

Andy has been so sick the last two days that he has lost 13 pounds. Andy has had to receive platelets twice over the last five days because his body is unable to produce it's own. He has also had to receive lots of fluids to keep him hydrated.

I am very proud of how Andy is handling this difficult time. Today, day +5, even after being up sick ALL night long he was still joking with the nurses and giving them a hard time.

Overall, Andy is in the midst of his down time. I am hopeful that it will not last long.

Rebirth

February 11, 2009 at 10:30am my husband experienced his rebirth.

Andy has been sick with nausea for the last two weeks straight. But, he has been a good sport in not letting that keep him down. Andy received a break with his nausea two days ago when the doctors started to prep him for the transplant by giving him a regiment of new drugs.

The transplant went well today. Andy said it was very anticlimactic. We arrived at the hospital a little before 5:30 this morning and checked out at 3:30pm. Andy had some discomfort this evening and was very tired. I will encourage him to blog the experience through his eyes if he feels well tomorrow.

Please feel free to email, call, or write to Andy. He will need the continued encouragement in the weeks to come.

I love you Andy! I am very proud of the progress you have made and the man that you are.

esteyturner@hotmail.com
515-210-3813
Gift of Life Transplant House
Attn: Andy Estey Rm 1
705 Second St SW
Rochester MN 55902