October 29, 2013
George is holding his own.  Everything is going as planned with his treatment.  The chemo and transplant have an affect on one's body, and he is experiencing the effects.  He usually has several IV's going, with albumin, potassium, calcium, etc., as his body doesn't keep these due to his kidney problems.  Hopefully, once the white blood cells start to kick in, his kidneys will start to respond and start processing out the bad and keeping the good.  It won't be an overnight cure, but hopefully enough to get the fluid out so he is more comfortable.  He is also usually medicated with IV Adavan, which helps him stay calm throughout this.  The good news is he doesn't seem 'sick' they way they described he could be at this time in his treatment.  Thanks for checking in.j

Hi, George is doing as well as can be expected.  The stem cells were transfused Tuesday and Wednesday.  It's quite a lot for the body to endure.  He is being given lots of supplements that his body doesn't maintain on its own due to the kidney issue.  The challenge is to keep fluid down enough to still support his kidneys, but not so much that it affects his heart and kidneys.  The effects of the chemo and transfusion should start to really kick in this weekend. Cards can be sent to Tufts Medical Center  860 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111 Unit North 8.  I'll keep posting to report how he is doing.  Thanks for caring.j

Chemo has begun. Sorry for the delay in posting. I needed some private time with my friends Ben and Jerry. George tolerated chemo well. Another round today. Tues and Wed are the days the healthy stem cells go back in. He will feel pretty bad by next week at this time. They are getting the fluid down and hydrating him where he needs the fluid so he feels pretty good. Phone calls welcome he has his cell. Love to all j

Good news today. George is holding his own and is on schedule for a week from tomorrow to be admittd to tufts bone marrow transplant unit for two days of chemo and a stem cell transplant. He is his usual positive self and happy to be back on track. thanks for checking in. j

George is home in Cambridge.  He was discharged from Tufts Medical Center yesterday after receiving some much needed potassium, albumin and calcium.  His condition is complex, as his kidneys do not filter properly, and his potassium and albumin get depleted, which has consequences.

Unfortunately, this setback caused his doctor to postpone the chemo and stem cell transplant for a week.  At this time, he won't be going back into the hospital until Oct. 18.  As you can imagine, George is disappointed, but determined to rest up and be ready.  Thanks for your kind thoughts and e mails. j

George had some complications arise and is spending the next few days at tufts keep him in your prayers so he is cleared for the transplant j

Friday October 4th

Tuesday October 1st

George gave himself the last injection today .after four hours on the apherese machine we waited two more hours for the lab to confirm he had exceeded the goal of producing over eleven million stem cells. Next he had the central line removed. Nice people at the neeley cancer center. Thurs and fri are cardio and renal consults. if all goes well George will go into the hospital on Oct 11 for chemo and the infusion of his stem cells. George says he is feeling as good as possible. fatigue is the biggest issue thanks for keeping track of us.