A Quick Update from the Sooner State

This morning I was up an hour before the sun. I didn’t set an alarm. I just woke up and looked at the clock at 4:56 and figured I might as well get up and eat something while I had the chance. My CVC placement procedure is scheduled for noon today, and the nurse who called to brief me about it told me I could eat as long as it was before 0600. So, I toasted a bagel, brewed some coffee, and ate my bagel with cream cheese and was finished with plenty of time to spare. Even had time for a second cup of coffee and a short nap afterwards.

A good illustration of the CVC apparatus.

I don’t know what having the CVC will be like, just as I didn’t know what the mediport would be like, but I know they’re different from each other. If you haven’t read my post, “On the Verge of a Daunting Fortuity,” I briefly explain what the CVC, or central venous catheter, is and the purpose(s) it serves, as well as the process of stem cell collection, if you’d like to read it. (https://www.mytpen.net/post/on-the-verge-of-a-daunting-fortuity). I just expect that the area around the catheter may be sore for a few days, and it’s going to be put to use tomorrow morning when I go to the Oklahoma Blood Institute for my first apheresis (1), or stem cell collection procedure. I am hopeful that one, four-hour session will be enough to get the number of stem cells needed, but I am told to prepare for up to four. Subsequent sessions will be conducted beginning around 8 a.m. every morning this week, as necessary, so if any of my friends in OKC would like to get together, I should be available afternoons and evenings this week.

I will also continue to give myself the Filgrastim shots each afternoon. The shots haven’t been too bad, but I believe I am experiencing some unpleasant side effects from them. It’s difficult to describe what it feels like. The best description I can think of is spasms, perhaps from muscles reacting to the pain in my bones. Bone pain is a common side effect of the Filgrastim. The spasms come on very suddenly, usually originating in my lower back and radiating upwards into my chest. They started around 4:15 yesterday (Sunday) morning and were so intense, I couldn’t breathe until they subsided. Their frequency and intensity diminished throughout the day, but the episodes seemed to come on following physical exertion, and I don’t have to do much to trigger one. For instance, this morning, when I finished preparing my bagel and coffee and sat down on the edge of the bed, I was suddenly racked with one that made me freeze in the position I was in and hold my breath until it passed. It lasted only a few seconds, thankfully. These painful bouts will likely end when I no longer need the Filgrastim shots—another reason to pray that they get enough stem cells in one or two sessions.

On a positive note, I’ve spent time with family, including my elderly father; my sister and her precious granddaughter, Lucy; my niece and nephew and their spouses, one of whom is chauffeuring me this morning to the hospital for the procedure; my brother- and sister-in-law, Kevin and Judith, who treated me to dinner out; and an old and dear friend with whom I have reconnected, Sheila, whose familiar laugh makes me smile just to think about it. She creates beautiful works of art as well; each piece echoes her passion for the magical and enchanting things in life. I think I will ask her if she would let me showcase some of her art on my blog so you can see it.

There are others with whom I hope to connect this week before I am admitted to the BMT unit of OU Medical for the long haul next Monday morning.

As always, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

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References:

1) “Apheresis - Bing.” n.d. www.bing.com. Accessed May 17, 2021. https://www.bing.comhttps://www.bing.com/search?q=apheresis&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=apheresis&sc=8-9&sk=&cvid=9AF86DB48F334B9EA1B205483E9D4E7E ‌2) https://www.mytpen.net/post/on-the-verge-of-a-daunting-fortuity