BLOG 47

16 October 2014

Hello everyone and thanks for you interest,

Basic Stem Cell Timetable for Jodie has been changed - we are seeking professional emotional and mental health hospital based support prior to transplant.

We had firmly asked for this in July - however, it had not been followed through.

We are pleased about this, as we want to be absolutely 'prepared' in every sense of the word.

Currently, we are looking @ a November start for transplant, at this point.

Once transplant starts, I should be spending 6+ weeks in hospital: Manage side-effects, pain and various other medical issues as the cells engraft.

The most difficult side-effects in hospital may be caused from the radiation of 6 sessions x 12 GY. The radiation oncologist said I will probably have ulcers from my mouth all the way to my bowel. I will probably have this for 5 weeks and may not be able to eat food for this time. They will feed me via artificial feeding tubes. She also said (like previously when I was in hospital), I may have swelling/inflammation of the mouth for many weeks also, called Mucostitis - which was very painful. I will be on an implanted 'Fentanyl' pump and I press a button when I am in pain, the pump will release as much pain relief as I need when I push the button. 

I will be in hospital for approx 6-8 weeks and in home/family care for up to 3 months after transplant. I will be coming back to hospital twice per week for many months and taking lots of anti-rejection medications. I may be admitted to hospital on/off for up to 2 years following transplant to manage various engrafting or GVHD issues.

My donor is a 10/10 match for me. I have not had confirmation as to which person is being used, at this time. The 'informed consent' meetings with my doctors have very, very difficult of late - as you can imagine. However, I think my team are finally starting to understand what my mind and emotions have been through and how to better manage my mental and emotional health through the transplant. It's going to a very difficult process, but we are trusting God for a perfect outcome and a cure.

Recently, we spent 3 hours with a social worker. She is now taking control and trying to assist us with all our needs. Hopefully, things will change in terms of communication between all of my doctors and in regards to all of my specific needs + what kind of care we need to arrange for after transplant.

Thank you for reading,
Much Love,
Jodie & The Guerrero Family xx