Marcia's news for Saturday October 24th

Hello Everyone:

In terms of the "big picture" of Marcia's bone marrow transplant process she is doing very well. They will not know for about another week to 10 days how the marrow is taking. She has not felt very well however her doctors tell her that she has been progressing normally for the process.

Unfortunately, along with everything else, she has developed pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the membranes around the lungs. She has had this several times before in the past however the medication with which it is treated can't be used for her now due to the chemo and the transplant. And it is very, very painful... excruciatingly so. All they have been able to do for it right now is treat the pain with some heavy duty medication which has made her feel even more unwell. She has a medication pump for that which is timed and she can add an extra dose if she needs it.

In addition she has a little nasal / respiratory virus which should not be a problem for her but which requires everyone who enters the room to "suit up" for the visit and remove the gowns and gloves and etc. when they leave so as not to carry anything out into the rest of the hospital environment and the other patients there. For that reason and the fact that she is feeling so unwell we are continuing to limit visits to family and very close friends only for now. You may call and speak to her, however even those telephone conversations should be kept short as she is groggy and very, very tired.

All in all everything is progressing just fine, but this sure has not been an easy path. Needless to say we will be having a very joyous celebration about a year from now when all is well and this is all behind us, and we're looking forward to everyones' participation in that!!

Thanks as always! Keep up the good thoughts and good wishes!
Marcia's Family