- James 1:2-4 NIV
Persevererance is key in this battle. We were slightly mistaken on the process Libby would be taking since that last update on our blog. What we were told, and what was communicated later, were two different things. Needless to say, here we sit in the hospital on Libby's third time going through a chemo regimen called RICE.
After we were told that she would be changing to this regimen, we were under the impression that all a stem cell transplant would be was something where they take out the stem cells before each chemo treatment, then undergo the chemo treatment, and replace the stem cells. We were "told" that this would take place over a 24 hour period in the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital for the first time to do Libby's first regimen of RICE, they said that they "do not do stem cell transplants at this hospital". We were slightly confused because that is what we thought she would have happen each time. To summarize, stem cell transplant is actually a LOT more endepth process then just a little 24 hour process in the hospital. We also found out that she would be having a completely separate time in the hospital just to do a stem cell transplant. Libby didn't get admitted into the hospital for the first regimen of RICE until almost 4:30 PM on that Friday which put us getting out of the hospital at 2:00 AM on Sunday.
At the last RICE regimen, Libby was able to get in a lot early on that Friday (three weeks ago from yesterday). We were able to get her out of here around 3:00 PM on that Saturday. Between that treament and this one, Libby met with her stem cell transplant doctor to talk through the process she would be undertaking. After being approved for stem cell transplant, they would begin a series of stem cell booster shots over 4 days starting 4 weeks after her last chemo. On the 5th day, they will do a stem cell extraction (with hopes of collecting around 5 million stem cells). If they don't get enough during the first extraction, they will give her another booster shot and collect the next day. This process will repeat until they have collected enough stem cells.
After the stem cell collection is complete, they will admit her to the hospital to start a 6 day straight powerful chemo treatment which will completely wipe out any remnants of cancer cells, and unfortunately all her stem cells as well. After this, they will re-introduce her stem cells that they collected and purified back into her. She will have no immune system initially, so she will be on serious antibiotics to keep her from getting sick while she recovers and her body "resets" in the hospital. They will keep her in the hospital for another 7 to 14 days after they re-introduce her stem cells for recovery. She has to have certain blood cell reach a set level before she will be allowed to leave and come home.
Libby had a PET scan this past Monday. We were hoping the scan would be clear so she can get started on the stem cell transplant and be DONE with cancer. Unfortunately, on Tuesday (while Libby was having a complete "workup" done for the stem cell transplant) we found out the scan still showed the main mass was there, but smaller, along with other remnants of lymphoma. This meant that she would have to have at least one more RICE treatment that we started yesterday and will be complete with today.
Both Libby's oncologist and the stem cell doctor believe after this treatment, Libby will be able to start the stem cell transplant at the beginning of November. This is a big waiting game, hence perseverance is key. Our God is bigger than cancer, so we know that through this all, His will for our lives at this moment is always to serve Him. Through our obedience, God will get us through this day-by-day, treament-by-treatment. Without the prays and support of our wonderful family and friends, this struggle would be even harder. We are blessed beyond measure for each and every one of you who have reached out to help us.
On a lighter note, below is a fun picture we took two weeks ago at a local nursery that had a fall program where the kids got to do fun activities including decorating their own pumpkin.
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