Back in Seattle for Phase II

October 15, 2018 Back in Seattle for Phase II

     I had whirlwind weekend trip back home. I was really only home for a day and then Niccolo and I drove Sophia to LA for her second year of college! (Photo of our quick lunch at Shake Shack in Hollywood). On Sunday, I got in a quick trip to Costco to load up the house with supplies for the boys! This is so hard being away and worrying about them. I also squeezed in a nice shopping trip with my mom for some cozy "patient-clothes".

     I arrived back in Seattle this afternoon for Phase II of the HSCT treatment. I have checked into the Marriott Residence Inn which is located on Lake Union.  It is right next to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where I will be having this outpatient portion. I will miss my luxurious accommodations at the Harmon's house in Magnolia, but this will make sense as I have to be at the SCCA every day at 8am for Labs and injections and possibly infusions until it is time to collect the stem cells (10-24 days).

     During this outpatient procedure, I am required to have a 24-hour care-giver and my parents and Paul are going to take turns. My parents will arrive on Wednesday to get me started. Paul will hold the fort down at home and get Niccolo to a golf tournament in Carmel.

     Early Thursday morning,  I will be admitted to the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) so that they can put in a Central Venous Line, called a Hickman Apheresis Catheter. Honestly, I am most nervous about this procedure. I have never had surgery and the idea scares me. The doctor was funny though, he told me not to waste my time worrying about this. . .save my fears for the Chemo!

     Then, on Friday they will begin treatment for Mobilization and Collection of stem cells!  I report to SCCA at 6:30am for labs and then the first round of chemo which will take all day. This single-day of chemo is followed by daily injections of Neupogen which moves the stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. Once they get the stem cells, they will freeze them for Phase III (The Big Chemo blast and Transplant).