DEN
Miners => Den => Topic started by: Austintacious on June 01, 2023, 05:24:28 AM
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I had my open heart surgery in December to remove a tumor on my heart valve. Thanks to MD Anderson for finding it last August when they did an echocardiogram as one of many test for my Multiple Myeloma.
I'm back at MD Anderson where I'm going through four days of tests in preparation for my Stem Cell Transplant to put the Multiple Myeloma into remission. Luckily for me, they can harvest my own stem cells for the procedure. Many others have to find a host to donate them. It makes my procedure simpler and shorter in length. In mid June, I enter the hospital for 10-14 days when they kill my bone marrow with chemotherapy resulting in losing the rest of my hair. Half way through they'll do the stem cell transplant and then monitor me for the growth of new bone marrow. At the end of June, I'll be released to my local residence in Houston for a couple of weeks and monitored daily to check on my progress. Then I'll be allowed to return home to Austin.
Wish me luck and prayers.
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I will keep you in my prayers, my friend. I am going to sticky this post so that you can keep us posted and current.
My guess is that you already feel better than before with the ticker working better.
I?m also glad that you are at MD getting the best damned care you can get.
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Best wishes and prayers for you Austin. Lots to go thru but isn't it amazing what modern medicine can do nowadays? Hope you will be home watching Miner football soon. That's not usually good therapy but maybe this year it will be.
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Austin, get well my friend. Y'all are part of this Miner family in this site. Don't watch any Miner football though, it's not good for one's health.
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Yesterday, I had my echocardiogram. That's the same test that found the mass on my left atrial in August 2022. It necessitated open heart surgery to remove the myxtoma (tumor) last December. I'm still not a 100% recovered from that but enough to continue with the Stem Cell Transplant.
MD Anderson is a big place. In teaching high school, I did about 3,000-4,000 steps a day. Walking around MD Anderson to all my appointments, I'm doing almost 6,000-7,000 steps a day. It's a big facility. To get from Elevator C to Elevator A or Elevator B are long walks. But to get to Elevator T in another building is too long. Luckily, they have a tram to get there and back. If I was in better shape I would have walked it. But my knees are worn out from my athletic days including playing adult soccer and refereeing it as well until my late 50s. Last night my legs were aching.
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Just said a prayer for you my friend. Hope all goes well.
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Physically, the medical folks are the best you can get. Mentally, having had multiple heart attacks when I was 39, you control. You have a limited amount of mental energy available. Use it. Attitude is everything. You are going to get an opportunity to demonstrate your strength and iron will to all. You tighten up your belt a couple of notches, set that fuckin' jaw, and go kick some ass! 6k steps gives you a chance to get into soccer shape! Who's a bad ass? Who's a Badass! You have the strength that only a Miners' fan can know. Tough?! Shit! You're Miners tough! You're a badass! You show those folks at MD Anderson how a Miner rolls. You're a teacher. A fricken math teacher! You teach badass! Different subject, but you teach how a badass handles tough stuff.
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Prayers for you Austin.
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Had a scare myself last year when they found blood clots on my lungs. But what you?re going through is much tougher. Prayers for you, my friend. I?ll do what I can to keep hurricanes from heading this way while you are down here.
lieb
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Monday, I started daily injections meant to raise my white blood cell count. This is help with the stem cell collection. On Tuesday, they installed the CVAD line in my chest below my collarbone. It is three lines. One is to draw blood for testing. Two are for the stem cell collection. One of those draws the blood into a centrefuge (sp) where the stem cells are collected and then the blood is returned to me in the other line.
Thursday's blood test specimen indicated we could start the collection. I was hooked up to the machine for four hours. I laid in a bed while this process took place. Once started, they cannot stop it. If I needed to go to the bathroom, they would provide a urinal. I was a little achy after it was done. I won't know the count of stem cells collected until this morning. I'll be hooked again this afternoon for another day of collection. They've created appointments for Saturday in case we need to do a third day.
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Wow, that's a lot to be going through Austin. Stay strong I'm sure your family needs you as well as us, your adopted family.
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Thursday, the collected amount of stem cells was 4.33 million with a goal of 6 million. Friday, an additional 4.32 million stem cells were collected for a total of 8.65 million. Thus, I didn?t need to do more collection on Saturday. I exceeded the goal by 2.65 million stem cells. Being able to use my own stem cells for the transplant is a big deal because it makes my recovery easier than someone who has to use a donor. Using a donor makes recovery more complicated.
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Amen Brother
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You are in my prayers, my friend.
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Wednesday I started my stay in the hospital. I got my chemo treatment that evening. Thus began the killing of my bone marrow. Today I got my stem cell transplant. Of the 8.65 million cells they only needed 4 million for the transplant. It will take 7-9 days for the stem cells to become fully operational and create new bone marrow. When I reach 70% recovery I?ll be released to my local housing. In the next two weeks I?ll be monitored as an outpatient.
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It sounds like things are going as well as they can. Keep remembering that you are in good hands and you are tough. Keep us posted.
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Como estas Austin? Doing good buddy? You're still in our thoughts and be strong.
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Chemo side effects have had me down. However the stem plant cells are doing their job and building new bone marrow. Today marks 19 days in the hospital and I may be discharged tomorrow. It?s all down hill now.
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Sometimes all you can do is grit your teeth and just be tougher. You did that. Every day you win is a win. The wins will get easier. But you know that you are tough, tough! You may not exactly feel like right now, but you just kicked ass! No cakewalk, but you just went ten rounds with a Bone Crusher Smith and you?re still standing. You?re a champion. Know it and rock it. Badass!
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Thanks.
Sometimes all you can do is grit your teeth and just be tougher. You did that. Every day you win is a win. The wins will get easier. But you know that you are tough, tough! You may not exactly feel like right now, but you just kicked ass! No cakewalk, but you just went ten rounds with a Bone Crusher Smith and you?re still standing. You?re a champion. Know it and rock it. Badass!
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Very good news!
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After20 days the hospital, Austin and Elvis have left the the building.
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Steps. This is a big one. Miner tough!
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Great to hear. Stay strong!
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At a boy, Austin. Keep up the positivity.
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It's been four days since I left the hospital. I couldn't be happier. Still have some effects of the chemo but they're manageable. I'm still going in for appointments until they're satisfied I won't need their help.
I was told my hair would fall out from the chemo. I went to a barber and shaved my head. However, judging by the stubble, I did not lose any hair to the chemo. But I like the shaved look and I'll think I will keep it.
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My friend, you posts tell me so much more than how things are going. You are taking everything just like a boss. In stride. No whining. Positivity! Live strong. Kickin ass and takin names! Have a great day. Flirt a little with the nurses. They love it!
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It's time to tune in to those Oldie but Goodies that us old foggies love to move to. That music will lift up your spirits, guaranteed. If I could I'd lend you my Ipod as it's got all kinds of music that we know and love. But...you can get the same music and more on Youtube. How a little bit of Little Joe y su Familia, Sonny Ozuna, etc.
Try it you'll like it. I know when I'm in the dumps I turned my music on and if lifts me up and before long I'm dancing by myself while fixing breakfast or lunch.
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Can't forget Selena or Linda Ronstadt
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Canciones+de+mi+Padre&view=detail&mid=E8EF927A08CDC4770E24E8EF927A08CDC4770E24&FORM=VIRE
Your gonna ring that bell!!!
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07/17/2023
Doctor said my blood tests showed continued improvement. Thus, he is releasing me to return home to Austin. We'll do a follow up series of tests in two months.
07/18/2023 CVC lines are removed from my chest. Nurse said no showers until 07/21 when I can remove the bandages while in the shower.
07/19/2023 It's great to be back home. Only restrictions are no eating at restaurants, no alcohol, and stay away from dogs and especially cats. Also, get plenty of exercise. My son has given us his Peloton bike which will help. These restrictions apply until mid-September when I go back for two days of tests at MD Anderson including a biopsy to look at my bone marrow.
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Sounds like things are going well. I also feel like your spirit and attitude are good, and that is a big part of success. Have great days and be a great patient. You are in my prayers my friend.
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Keep fighting, Austin. It's what Miners do. I'll pry for you, my man.
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08/13/2023
I'm slowly getting stronger but not 100%. My hair has not started to grow back and my beard is growing back at a faster rate than in the past. I'm considering keeping the bald look. Every time I get out of the shower I want to reach for my comb but there's nothing there.
Theoretically, I'll be able to return to work the middle of September. Hopefully, that's true. My students will be without me for five weeks starting tomorrow, the first day of school.
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The fact that you are thinking about your students speaks to the quality of a man that you are. Have faith in those holding down the fort. I believe that your students will rise up to the challenge of catching up with their own personal hero for an example. Keep doing God?s work.
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08/13/2023
My hair has not started to grow back and my beard is growing back at a faster rate than in the past.
I have that problem and I haven't been through any of the stuff you have. Let's not even talk about hair and ears.
Glad you're still on a good path of recovery my friend
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I have a head shaped like the royalty in Aztec land. I'm glad I still have hair to hide the pointy head, I could be the model for those companies that make road cones. LOL
I can always wear a hat if I ever went completely bald, a cone hat though. ha, ha, ha. Even I think it's funny. It's my dad's fault I got that from him.
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Godspeed, Austin!
May you continue your recovery!
Cheers! And Go Miners! 8)
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I had a follow up visit at MD Anderson Cancer Center this week. Almost all my blood test results were normal. A couple were where they expected them to be at this stage in recovery. Because the Stem Cell Transplant destroyed all my immunities, I have to get revaccinated for everything. They gave me a super dose of flu vaccine. Today I got a Covid shot (not the new booster). I?ll get others as I?m directed to.
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How are you feeling? Can you tell a difference? It sounds like everything is going as it should and you are being a good patient. Glad that things are looking good.
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I feel fine. I still tire out easily and need naps but less and shorter. I go back to MDA in three months for my next inpatient visit.
I've added walks in the morning when it's nice and cool to build up my stamina. I bought an exercise bike but my wife won't let me put it up because it would go in our granddaughter's play area and she's not allowing that. My granddaughter is 7 and will be 8 in a few months. She hasn't used the play area in a while. I can't win.
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LOL, husbands come a not so close second to grandkids, Austin. ;)
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What part of the granddaughter?s play area are you having trouble with? Move on. The case is closed. The gavel has already come down. Next!