T-5 (2nd day of chemo)

My cancer treatment plan is expressed in terms of days pre- and post- transplant (e.g. T-5 is 5 days prior to transplant, T+3 is 5 days post transplant).

T-6 to T-3 are chemo days. Each day I receive two different chemotherapy drugs, both by infusion. T-2 and T-1 are “rest days” to get my body ready for transplant.

So far, chemo has been relatively uneventful. In addition to the chemo, I am given several drugs to mitigate chemotherapy side effects, most notably nausea. While these drugs are doing their job, they do have their side effects πŸ™‚ To protect my liver, I am given steroids which, unfortunately, make it difficult to fall asleep. So, I am offered sleeping pills. *Sigh*

Please don’t take the above as complaining. I know that I am tolerating the chemo well. Just sharing the nature of the juggling act in which my medical team is engaged.

The chemo is intended to destroy my bone marrow so that transplanted stem cells can produce new bone marrow. Hence, it is not surprising that the bone marrow’s main function (to produce various blood cells) is suppressed. Thus, in addition to chemotherapy, today I will also be getting the first of many transfusions over the next few weeks.

Thanks for listening.

Mike

P.S. Since the chemo will lead to hair loss, I decided to be proactive and not wait for it to fall out in clumps. I had it shaved off the day before entering hospital.

22 Comments

  1. Shafique's avatar Shafique says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend.

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      Thanks, Shafique. I am the beneficiary of your vision to deploy a fully integrated health information system at TOH.

      Like

  2. kirstenmiller718gmailcom's avatar kirstenmiller718gmailcom says:

    Happy Thanksgiving Mike – sending you light and love.

    Cousin Kerri!

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      Thanks!! Appreciate the support.

      Like

      1. mickeymsilvestri's avatar mickeymsilvestri says:

        Love the look! Hang in there!

        Like

    2. Sue Brown's avatar Sue Brown says:

      Thank you for blog. So very informative.
      Your team sounds like a real blessing to your symptom management.
      ❀️

      Like

  3. gullaire470aolcom's avatar gullaire470aolcom says:

    You have your Mother’s Smile. L. Dad.

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      What a wonderful compliment!

      Like

  4. gullaire470aolcom's avatar gullaire470aolcom says:

    In My Prayers.

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      I can feel your prayers and those of others like Sue.

      Like

  5. Sue Brown's avatar Sue Brown says:

    Thank you for blog. So very informative.
    Your team sounds like a real blessing to your symptom management.
    ❀️

    Like

  6. Holly Martineau's avatar Holly Martineau says:

    Strength and love!! πŸ’ͺ🏻❀️

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      Thanks

      Like

  7. Ihtisham Q's avatar Ihtisham Q says:

    Keep smiling brother! Praying for a speedy recovery my friend! And the bald look is in! πŸ€“πŸ˜Ž

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      Thanks! Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

      Like

  8. Yannick's avatar Yannick says:

    Always enjoyed reading your posts, Mike. I really appreciate the honesty and positivity you exude. Wishing you success in your treatments. I’ll be following…

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      Yannick!! How great to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to send a message of support.

      Like

      1. Kelly Heindl's avatar Kelly Heindl says:

        Love and prayers every day ❀️
        Kelly

        Like

  9. Patti Saulnier's avatar Patti Saulnier says:

    Thanks for sharing. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, daily. And you’re rocking the bald look!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Shelley's avatar Shelley says:

    Hi

    Like

  11. Shelley's avatar Shelley says:

    Hi Mike. I did not know you had health challenges and you were dealt the cancer card. I merely thought you looked like your dad. 😊 I am sorry about this journey and I will be praying for you and your family.

    Like

    1. mikenstn's avatar mikenstn says:

      Many people were not aware … I have been keeping it quiet until now. Have decided to share the journey more publicly.

      Like

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