Stemcell Transplant Update from Elaine

Dear Friends and Family,

Transplant # 1 has been successfully completed!! We rejoice that things went well... no surprises, no allergic reactions and a very smooth infusion of the stem cells. Each of you played a very strategic role in all of this as our faithful prayer support team.

The transplant took about an hour as expected and was quite a remarkable thing to observe. The stems arrived frozen packed in liquid nitrogen. One bag at a time was put into a thawing bath and then infused by the doctor with a large syringe through Kate's broviac. She received a total of 6 bags, each one containing 50cc of stem cells. As anticipated the odor and smell did cause Kate to gag and heave. Thankfully she did not throw up. She will be challenged by this smell/taste for about the next 24 hours. I can smell it in the air she exhales.

Between the medication to prevent an allergic reaction and the anti-nausea medication, Kate has been sleeping most of the time since the transplant. She is wearing an oxygen mask for awhile because all that medication slows things way down and drops the O2 level in the blood a bit. She's resting peacefully and this is just what her body most needs after all she's been through the last few days in the course of treatment.

Over the next 11 days we will see Kate's counts drop as expected with the high dose chemo. She has already received her first dose of nupogen - the medication which stimulates the production of WBC's. So your ongoing prayers in the battle against infection are very important.

The next days here in the hospital are meant for rest and recovery from the toxicities of chemo. Please pray that Kate rest well and be renewed from the inside out physically, emotionally and spiritually. We will take one day at a time and trust the doctors to determine the right time for going home based on Kate's recuperation and recovery.

Good news:) we're back to one special bath a day and can use lotion again!! Oh, the little things of life that bring smiles:)

Just like the story in the New Testament, where the people carried their sick friend to Jesus, you too have carried the corners of Kate's mat to Jesus with your prayers. We know you rejoice with us in the answered prayer and the evidence of still another miracle on the road we are journeying! Thank you continuing to pray.

Rejoicing in grace,
Elaine