Sunday evening, August 20, 2023
This past Thursday I received a call from Houston Methodist Transplant Center telling me they wanted to begin the process for my stem cell harvest asap. Well, “Sure!” So, all of the sudden, it was/is full steam ahead! I thought that should I be approved for stem cell transplant, nothing would transpire until late September. Since my transplant and multiple myeloma doctor team meeting is scheduled this Tuesday, downtown Houston, I figured I would be told then whether or not I qualified for a stem cell transplant. I guess I qualify since I have a fully scheduled plan to move forward. That should be verified this Tuesday. Here is my next two weeks’ adventure into unknown territory for me:
- Monday, August 21 – Blood work at Conroe HCA Cancer Center
- Tuesday, August 22 – Appointment with Dr. Carrum, head of the Transplant Center, and doctor team specialists at Houston Methodist Hospital, to learn results of the battery of tests taken early this month and to receive training for what awaits us as patient (me) and caregiver (Kathy)
- Wednesday, August 23 – All-day infusion at Conroe HCA Cancer Center; provide lunch for twenty-four medical staff as my gift to those who have been helping me since I began cancer treatment in April of this year. They are excited, as am I.
- Thursday, August 24 – Morning appointment with primary care physician in Magnolia; afternoon, settle in for the next two days at the Houston Marriott Medical Center
- Friday, August 25 – The first injection is given that will remove my stem cells from the bone marrow and introduce them into the blood stream. Kathy and I will be trained to continue this process.
- Saturday, August 26 – Kathy and I must successfully demonstrate skill at giving the injections. We return home to carry on the process ourselves.
- Sunday, August 27 – We independently carry on the process for which we were trained. The injections are to be given for five days before the harvest. The injections encourage the stem cells to grow faster and move from the bone marrow into the blood stream.
- Monday, August 28 – Friday, September 1 – We return to Houston Methodist Hospital and stay at the Marriott Medical Center. I undergo surgery to place ports into the femoral arteries of both legs for the purpose of stem cell harvesting, and I may be hospitalized. The harvesting of my stem cells begins. Tubing will carry the blood to a special machine that will separate the stem cells from the rest of the blood, which is then returned to my body during the same procedure. Each harvest session is six hours in length and it can take one to three days to retrieve enough stem cells. The harvested stem cells will be filtered, stored in a special solution in bags, and then frozen for use at a later time when the marrow will be thawed and re-entered into my blood, traveling to the bone marrow where they will engraft and begin to make new, normal blood cells.
God willing, I will get a two month break between stem cell harvest and bone marrow/stem cell transplant. I will receive maintenance drugs to keep the multiple myeloma at bay. God willing, Kathy and I will go on a long planned trip to South America—primarily Patagonia—before stem cell transplant in November.
Praise Report: That I am able to move forward with stem cell collection.
Prayer Requests: That I might tolerate the procedures as comfortably and successfully as possible; that the stem cells collected will be abundant and healthy
Scripture Encouragement: Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
kgraumann
wgraumann
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Prayers as you go through the next phase of your treatment. ❤️🙏❤️
My thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort are with you daily! Love you guys💕
We will continue to pray for your courage and good results in all the procedures. You two amaze us! Big hugs!
Wow you rock!!
Keeping you and Kathy in my daily prayers. Sharing what you are going through with Mother and she is praying for y’all too.
Wonderful news! Blessing !
Praise God! So thankful you are approved. Praying all will go smoothly during the training and that the stem cells will grow and be effective. Continuing to pray for your strength and mental stamina. Praise God from whom sll blessings flow!
We love you both! Praying with joy and hope for your plan and progress! Go get ‘em!
Wayne and Kathy, praying for the both of you as you begin this next phase of treatment, that the cells collected are abundant and healthy and the your body will tolerate the process with comfort and peace. Praise the Lord for your medical team, sharing your “press on” attitude, and encouragement of scripture!🙏❤️. “The Lord is at hand”!
Prayers for successful procedures from start to finish; that both you and Kathy stay strong in body, mind and spirit; that you both continue to know and feel our good, gracious, merciful God, the Divine Healer, being right there with you. Abundant blessings, love and prayers! Your faith and confidence in our Lord is truly an inspiration! ♥️🙏✝️
Continuing our prayers for good results on all your procedures. God is good!
Praying for you and Kathy for good results. Praising God for the plan ahead. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Oh Wayne AND Kathy,Such a tough week, but isn’t it great to know that the Lord is in charge?? We were watching Joel Osteen yesterday and his sermon was about “down stream” vs “up stream blessings. Using the stories of the crossing of the Jordan to show God DOES provide immediate blessings and using Joseph’s story about his blessings all being upstream and headed his way when he was put in the well, sold, became a slave and sent to prison.The Lord has your blessing now and upstream.We will continue to pray for both of you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Really, we are ready ….. and waiting upstream. Hugs!Pat and Tommy
🙏🙏 for all to go as God has planned. Keeping you both in prayer for God’s comfort & peace.
❤️❤️
Linda
As I read the list of things that will be done to you, I was blown away. Thank God he has provided your doctors and other care givers with the knowledge to use your own stem cells to achieve healing. We love you both and lift you up to the Great Healer, our Heavenly Father. I love you both so much.
What a blessing! Praying it will be successful and you will tolerate the procedure well.
We are praying daily for you and Kathy.
We are traveling through this process with you heart to heart! We love you and we all know your determination to stay positive in all situations! South America awaits you!!
Wayne and Kathy, sounds like a very complicated procedure. The wonders of modern medicine! Trusting that God will sustain you as you undergo all your procedures. Love
This is GREAT NEWS to hear! God be praised!!! But what is the Houston Marriott Medical Center? Is it a Marriott hotel specifically designed at the Medical Ctr to accommodate patients & families who must stay for prolonged procedures?
Yes, it does serve Medical Center hospitals, although it is not solely for that purpose. It is very convenient for us since it has a crosswalk that goes directly to the Methodist Hospital lobby area. Thus, we never have to go outside. There are other facilities available in the Medical Center area for families who have long stays at more reasonable prices than the Marriott.
Wow! You have a true handle on this. You are a warrior and I know you will give this all you have! Same for Kathy. God has provided this technology and expertise for you. You and Kathy are two of His special children. I will be praying for protection and guidance over everyone.
That’s great news! Will be praying for you both. Wayne will be praying for comfort and healing while you go through this. We love you guys!
You and Kathy are a beacon of light. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Prayers for you pastor and Kathy! I know you two will handle the procedure like two champs!! And I pray you tolerate it all and with the best outcome! Love you both! ❤️
I love your heart and your faith! Stand on the promises of Christ!