I'm so lucky to have so many furiends!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Grandma Update

I know, it's been a while since my last post. I had to have a serious talk with my momma about helping me more. We'll see if it did any good. I apologize ahead of time but this will be a long wordy post and may be TMI for some of you.

Puddles posted some good news about my grandma and her girl earlier this week and I want to say
Thank You, Puddles!
Now we have even more support than we had before.

The good news about grandma is that one of her brothers is a match for the transplant!!!! We found out yesterday that one of her sisters is a match as well!! There is about a 25% chance of having a sibling be a match so we are fortunate to have 2 matches.

This whole thing has been a bit overwhelming, as you can imagine. For those of you who are new and don't know, Grandma has to have this transplant because she has CMML, an uncommon form of Leukemia. She got this type of Leukemia because of the chemotherapy she had to have last year to treat ovarian cancer.  The only chance of living a long life after being diagnosed with CMML is to have an
allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Other treatments may slow the progression of the disease but they can't stop it and without the transplant life expectancy is about 2-5 years. So, there was no question as to whether or not she wanted to proceed with this.

This type of transplant has about a 50% success rate and the way we understand it, that is a very good number in the world of transplants. The biggest risk factors are GVHD (Graft vs. Host Disease) and illness. Grandma will basically have no immune system for at least 100 days after the transplant. They have to be very careful to keep germs away from her.
For example, if Momma were to peel a banana for her it would go like this:
1. Wash hands
2. Wash banana for at least 2 minutes
3. Peel banana 
4. Wash hands
5. Grandma gets banana without ever touching the peel

For those first 100 days, she will only be able to go to the doctors office and home with no visitors, only her caregiver.
Crazy, huh?
We keep reminding ourselves it will all be worth it and most of these changes will be short term.

Grandma's transplant is scheduled for Monday, Feb 7th. The stem cells will be "harvested" from my uncle that morning and she will receive them that afternoon. She will undergo chemotherapy for 3 days prior to that to suppress her immune system and blood counts.

On top of all of this, Grandma and Grandpa had to put their 2 kitties up for adoption this week. Even though I am not a big fan of cats, I am sad that they had to give them up.

 Thank You!
 Thank You!
 Thank You!
 for all your crossed paws, healing vibes, good wishes and prayers. We appreciate them more than you will ever know.

31 comments:

Pippen said...

Twix,

You and your gramma will be in our thoughts and prayers until we get the A-OK from you!

Sam and Pippen

Ruby's Raiser said...

Have been thinking of you, so glad to hear that Grandma has two family matches. My heart and thoughts will be with your family as Grandma has her surgery and goes through her recuperation. Please let her know that she has the strength, support, and very best wishes of so many friends out here! Bless you all.

Dovey said...

Dear Twix,

I am glad to hear that things are looking a bit positive, considering the difficult situation. Best of luck to your grandma! I bet you and your mom will do a great job helping her through the difficult process.

Love, Baby Bird and Dovey

Scooter said...

Hi, I am glad that there are 2 matches for your grandma. Our prayers are for everything to fo good and for your family dealing with the 100 days. We are here for you!!

wags
Jazzi

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

Thats pawsome! We will keep our paws crossed that all goes well! We shall keep the kitties in our prayers too. Its always hard rehoming a pet.

Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We're so happy for the good news that you have 2 matches. Paws are crossed that everything will work out perfectly!

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

We hop the kitties find a loving home, too, even though we're not cat fans either.

Kate said...

Hello Twixxy

Good news that your dear Grandma has two possible donors, eeek 100 days is forever but hopefully it will all work out in the end. I'm sure her kitties will be ok, cats are strong creatures.

Hope you are faring well and keeping warm

Koda
And kisses for your Grandma

♥Mona + Prissy + Angel Weenie♥ said...

Hi my little friend,

Mommy was so happy to hear the good news about the matchs. Mommy said 100 days isn't so long if you have the prize in sight. Your Grandma well again. Sorry they had to give up their cats but I know they understand why they had to go away. Mommy said she will keep praying everyday for her and your whole family.

I have missed you so much. My blog is working again so I gots lots of catching up to do.

You know I'm starting a new feature about snow and I used 2 of your pictures to kick it off this afternoon. Hope ya don't mind. Come on over when you can and see what you think. Of course when the time comes for a 'T" I need another picture so if you gots a good one c an your get your Mom to send it to us.

Love and {{{huggies}}}....Mona

Granite State Pet Sitting said...

That is Great News to have two matches. You guys are in our thoughts and Prayers. Cancer Sucks! We are also sorry to hear about the kitties being put up for adoption.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We will be thinking about all of your family and praying for things to go well for all. Give Grandma a big hug from us and tell her she has this great big blogging world pulling for yer - we all know the power of the paw.

Hugs and Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

We feel it is an omen of great things to khome since there were two matches available fur her!

We'll be thinking of ALL of woo!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Marla said...

Oh, Twix . . . I'm overwhelmed reading everyone's replies and well wishes! Your grandma should read these! I too will keep (and have been as well) you guys in my prayers. Tell your Mom I said hello and that I'm looking forward to seeing her soon.

Love,
Marla

Anonymous said...

Twix, your Family will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout all of the medical and healing!

We know that you will be doing a great job of supervising everyone!

POWER OF THE PAW!!!

woo woos, Tessa

Ruby Rose and the Big Little Angels 3 said...

I will be saying a prayer for your Grand,a and your family. This is a very difficult time and as real nightmare for everyone but we will send you good vibes to help you through it.

houndstooth said...

Twix, we have our paws very tightly crossed for your grandma, uncle and whole family! I'm so glad that she's got a match and things are moving along to help her get better. One hundred days will pass before you know it!

I'm sorry for her kitties, too! We hope they'll find a wonderful home!

Bunny

Molly the Airedale said...

Our paws are crossed that everything will go perfectly for your family, Twix. You remain in our prayers.

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Tucker said...

Twix we will keep your grandma in our thoughts.

woof - Tucker

Anonymous said...

Paws crossed for gramma. We hope all goes well and yay for the match.

Kari in Alaska said...

So glad to hear about grandmas matches!

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

BRUTUS said...

Such a long journey your grandma has been on - she must really be a trooper for sure. We will continue to remember her in our thoughts & prayers.

Mom sent your mom an email earlier, but wanted to say THANKS again for the Mixbook - we can't wait until it's delivered!!

Snorts-
Brutus & Carmen

Pepsi Bum said...

Hi Twix,
That's most wonderful news about the matches.

I'm keeping my paws crossed for Grandma, and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending some Mal-Vibes!

Woofs,
Pepsi

Lorenza said...

Twix!
You know we are praying for your Grandma.
It is great that she has 2 matches for the transplant.
She will require lots of work to keep germs away from her but it will worth it!
I will make sure the good vibes I am sending to her will not have any germs so she can get them!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Me and my brudder Max (DaOdderWeenie) as well as our nine odder pack members and our Mom and Dad will all send good vibes to Grandma from da Sunshine State along wit some warm Florida sunshine. Things will turn out just fine.

Love,
Amber

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

This is great news about the transplant and we are keeping our paws and fingers crossed that everything goes well for your Grandma. 100 days is not that long, it'll fly right by and before you know it you'll be able to give your Grandma all the loving you want!

Waggles & Chi kisses, Chewy & Lilibell

Martha said...

Hi Twix, we have missed you but you and your Grandma are often in our thoughts.
We are delighted to hear that she has two matches for a donor transplant.
She really has been 'through the mill' as we say in the UK.
It means she has had a lot to put up with in her fight to get well.
Take care
love
Martha and bailey xx

Martha said...

Twix, we should have said we are really sorry that the kitties had to be rehomed - that is very hard for your grandparents xxx

Sandra said...

We are keep our paws crossed and sending you and your Grandma tons and tons of prayers and good thoughts. We hope everything goes well.

flash, alven, dottie and sandra

Anonymous said...

Hi Twix...Thank you so much for giving us an update on what's gonna happen with your gramma. I know it must be skeery but I hope you know that you sure do have a lotta humans praying and pups crossing their paws for her. I'm sure the next few months are gonna be hard but they'll be SO worth it in the end, I'm sure.

We all luv you and your family lots, Twix!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

We are furry happy that they have found 2 matches; that is great news!
We are keeping our paws crossed,

Rudy

Hailey said...

OOOOH Twixie!!!! This is such fabulous news!!!!! Grandma is sooooo very lucky to have all the special people in her life supporting her - especially that her brother is a match! You are one lucky Gal!!! Just know that we all around the world are here around keeping our paws crossed,

Hugs & smoochies!!!!

Hailey & Lala

firstyouleap said...

I found your blog through docsdox and have just read about your grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we are glad that you are getting such good care. Keep us posted as you can!
Melinda and Jeeves in Chicago