Day 15 and HOME!!!

We were very pleasently surprised this morning when the docs said they were discharging Kalan TODAY (they'd been saying Wednesday)!! His counts have been responding beautifully so we'll pick up his care on an outpatient basis starting tomorrow and get to hang at home inbetween appointments. He's doing such a good job handling all of this but is pretty fatigued (a normal side effect of the chemo at this stage). Lots of rest is on the agenda for the next few weeks but he's planning to begin (OK, continue) working from home on both Boeing work and his MBA program.

Day 12 & 13

The beautiful little stem cells are doing their thing! Kalan showed neutrophils (first line of defense white blood cells) in his blood work yesterday and then another big jump in his counts today! These are the cells we've been waiting on and now know that his immune system is rebuilding. The docs think he's doing "great" and are thinking of sending him home mid week. Yeah Kalan!

Day 11

Kalan is continuing to do great! The doc said that he is doing "amazingly well" so we're very pleased! He is able to eat/drink a little more each day and is having more moments of decreased pain. Hard to believe that we've been in the hospital for one week tomorrow--we'll sure be ready to get home as soon as his counts have returned. Though not all of the counts have started to come back, they are starting to stabilize which is a great sign that he's right on track.

Day 10

Kalan is 10 days post transplant and doing really well! He started eating again today and is feeling much better. The doc said this morning that he is "healing rapidly." What great news!! Hopefully we'll be heading home by early next week if not before--still waiting for his counts to recover before they discharge him. We do know that the stem cells have begun to differentiate because he is healing so quickly---it's working!

Day 7

It's hard to believe that Kalan is 7 days post transplant....what a week it has been! Kalan received more blood/platelet infusions, lots of hydration, and more pain meds today and just said "I think I might feel better." Hooray!

Days 5 & 6

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know that Kalan was admitted to the hospital (University of Washington Medical Center) last night because of a low grade fever. The fever has subsided as of today and he's doing OK. They're continuing to monitor him very closely and we'll most likely be here until his blood counts begin to recover (about 1 week). He is able to receive all of his meds and additional pain meds through an IV which is much easier on his very sore mouth and throat (a very common side effect of the chemo). Most transplant patients end up in the hospital at some time during their transplant process so we are right where we need to be. Thank you all for your amazing support through this time.

Day 4

Kalan is 4 days post transplant and feeling pretty tired.....but.......he did complete his take home statistics final today (which would make anyone tired, right?) His docs feel he's right on track and are pleased with how he's doing but it's still not a lot of fun! Thanks again for all of your notes and thoughts--we greatly appreciate it and love knowing you're all out there rooting for Kalan!

Day 3

Kalan is 3 days post transplant and continuing to feel some residual effects of the chemo as it works its way out. He's still doing much better than expected and is able to work from home between appointments. We're keeping "busy" with movies, neighborhood walks, dinners with Colleen over the past week, and lots of laughing! Never a dull moment in the Guiley household!

Days 1 and 2

Kalan is 2 days post transplant and going strong. They're keeping a close eye on him as the residual side effects of the chemo are expected to kick in within the next week or so. He'll be on some extra IV fluid for the next few days but is still doing better than expected----the nurse said he was her first patient 2 days post transplant in her 20 years at the Hutch to come to the clinic with a Starbucks cup in hand!

Transplant Pictures

Here's some pics of Kalan when he received the cells, the bag of cells ready to drip in, and two empty bags! Transplant Complete!

Transplant!!!

Transplant complete! Two bags of Kalan's stem cells were infused this morning from 11:37-11:57 and he handled it like a champ and the nurses were super pleased with how he responded to the cells going in. The preservatives used to store the cells cause an odd odorous reaction when introduced in the body--Kalan currently smells like tomato soup!

Chemo Cuddles!

We're thinking of trying out for SCCA's Cutest Couple Award(kidding!)

No More Chemo (EVER!!!)

Kalan finished his last infusion of chemo yesterday! He did great again with only slight nausea (he likened it to a hangover without the memories of a fun night out on the town) on and off throughout the week. His team is so pleased with how he's doing and are optimistic about the next steps.

We just learned that Kalan is in REMISSION!!!!!! The transplant will hopefully get any of the buggers that could be hiding and his docs are very pleased to be doing a transplant at this stage. Yeah Kalan!!

The actual transplant is tomorrow and is affectionately called a birthday because it literally brings life back to his body. So....Happy Birthday Kalan!

Infusion #3

Another good day! Kalan handled the new (there are three different drugs in this regimen) chemo amazingly well today. He's currently doing a take home final exam and feeling good. Only one day of chemo left!!!

Infusion #2

Kalan had a much better reaction to today's infusion. Besides being a little tired (we both napped today!), he's feeling great. And....only TWO DAYS OF CHEMO LEFT!!!

Infusion #1

Kalan received his first pre-transplant infusion chemotherapy this morning. He has been pretty wiped out all day (currently working on nap #2) but is in great spirits and gearing up for the next three days. It's such a blessing to be able to come home directly after treatment and have him be able to take a nap in our comfy bed...hospital beds just leave so much to be desired!! And....he's over half way done with chemo! Go Kalan!!! Thanks all for your notes and messages--it's great hearing from you!

Wrapping Up Phase One

Kalan will take the last of his oral chemotherapy at 2AM! He is doing amazingly well and feeling great. He will have infusion chemo for the next four days (all outpatient) and we learned today how to operate a pump so he can receive IV fluids at home--it'll be so nice to not have to sit around the hospital waiting to get the fluids in! That's pretty much all for now--much love to you all!

Another Great Day

Kalan is now over half way done with his oral chemotherapy and is still feeling great. Except for our daily trip to the SCCA (daily check ups will happen for the next month or so), he spent the day working from home. We did have a lovely (but COLD) walk that was much enjoyed by our four legged friends, too.

Kalan's Pharmacy!

We should both be given honorary pharmacy degrees when this is all over!

Chemo!

Kalan started the oral chemotherapy today and is doing great. They expected him to feel pretty crummy today but he has NO side effects! As you can see, he is rearing to go and feeling strong.

He's Ready!

Kalan got the final transplant go ahead from the doctors at SCCA today. They are very pleased with the latest tests and scans and say he's ready to go. Jennie always appreciates the docs throwing the word CURE around too (it was used several times today)!

It's Transplant Time!

Hi dear friends and family,

We've started this blog to keep you posted through the transplant phase of Kalan's treatment.
Thank you all for your support and love through this process. We are so grateful for your kind words, hugs, notes, thoughts, etc.

Much love to you all,

Jennie and Kalan