I am now on a two month countdown to my stem cell transplant. My stem cell harvest at the Transplant Center, Methodist—Houston Medical Center, was a success. Kathy stayed at the Marriott across from Methodist while I was hospitalized for the procedure. I’ll be honest, while not painful, it was not my cup of tea, since it felt invasive. The catheter placed in my leg/groin was something I wanted to pull out soon after the surgery was completed. I needed this done since my arm veins were not sufficient for the procedure, and the femoral artery was the only option left.
I had been told that it could take up to three days of five hour daily sessions to collect enough stem cells for the transplant. I was prepared from that possibility. My first session was in the late morning after the catheter had been placed and stitched in my leg. I had a private nurse who stayed with me the entire time. The lead doctor of the unit fully explained to me what would happen during the stem cell harvest. Lying flat on my back, they hooked me up to the fancy, high tech machine through which my blood would flow and the stem cells would be removed. Tubing on the exit side of the machine brought the cleaned blood back into my body. I noticed my nurse who was monitoring the tech screens was very busy. Later, a man appeared also working on the machine. About one and a half hours into the procedure a main doctor from the hospital and the head of technology appeared at my bedside and informed me the, obviously, very expensive machine had a technology failure! A new machine was going to be brought in, and I would be disconnected from the defective machine and reconnected to the new one. The stem cells already collected would need to be discarded! Apologies were profuse and sincere. My nurse was more than solicitous. So, the five hour session turned into seven hours. The good news—in spite of the lost stem cells, they still gathered enough for the stem cell transplant! All praise to God! The average gathered for a transplant is 3 million cells. My blood yielded 4.5 million! After a night in the hospital for monitoring, I was released and got home earlier than anticipated.
I now have a two month break to recoup strength. I will take drugs, oral and infusion, to keep the multiple myeloma in check until mid October. I will be drug free for our trip to Patagonia. I now begin light exercise at The Club at Bonterra exercise facility, as well as walking. In mid October Kathy and I are able to go on our planned Patagonia adventure. I look forward to the spring time weather while there and the refreshing air of the Andes. My body will be, God willing, refreshed and strengthened for the grueling stem cell transplant process beginning in early November.
For the blessings of this multiple myeloma journey from my diagnosis to the immunomonoclonal targeted therapy to the stem cell harvest, I praise God with this doxology that ends the New Testament book of Philippians: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Praise Report: My blood yielded a healthy amount of usable stem cells for the coming transplant; they are now safely frozen and stored.
Prayer Request: For my body to regain the strength and stamina necessary for the stem cell transplant procedure in November.
kgraumann
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Amen!
Praying that God hears all our prayers for your body to gain strength & stamina necessary for the stem cell transplant in November.
Prayers for you & Kathy to enjoy your trip. 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Al and I are Praying that you will gain the strength needed for the transplant and that you and Kathi are able to spend your vacation in Patagonia. Enjoy and safe travels. Praising God for the successful stem cell harvest!
God is in the details, Wayne, but of course, you already know this. Charles & I pray daily for the success of this “journey”, and we pray daily for God to work miracles for you and Kathy. We love you so much!!
So thankful to hear you are undergoing successful treatments! I pray for you an Kathy often and will until this journey is successfully completed! Love you both!
Oh my gosh! I was sure you would not be able to go to Patagonia with all of this going on! Thank you, thank you Jesus!
Oh, Wayne, I am so sorry about the machine malfunction. When God closes a door, it can be painful, but He does have the perfect plan (as you know). I am so happy for you that the new machine worked well and that you are on your way to stem cell transplant. Had this happened to you just a bit back in time there would have been no successful treatment. God knew you were going to need that new machine! It must feel funny to know that there is some of you that is now frozen!! Tommy and I pray for healing for you every night. Thanks for keeping us updated. We care!Hugs,Tommy and Pat
Weii, Pastor youand I are certainly being tryed to see how much we can take. I was cancer free about 3 weeks and a squamous cell skin cancer appeared on my nose and the will perform a MOHRS procedure on Thursday. Said it could take half the day. My prayers are with you and your caretaker Kathy and we must trust we will fight this cancer with all the might that Jesus gives us. Hope and pray this trip you have planned will give you new strength. Whoever knew you and Kathy would return into our lives at such a critical time.
Mary Lou & Frank
You are an amazing and favorite Child of God!! Congrats on the process so far and many prayers for a complete and successful completion.
Your friends,
Harold and Nancy McCollum
Praising God with you Pastor Wayne! He is at work and all over this! You have been amazing throughout this journey and your spirit has shone through. I’m so thankful you and Kathy are able to go on your trip and look forward to your pictures and stories from Patagonia. To God be the glory! Prayers for the upcoming stem cell transplant and for regaining strength – that He will be all over that too.
Praying continuously for you and Kathy!
You are a fighter and more than that you have God fighting for you!
Love you both!
Brad & Joni
Sherrie said you looked quite healthy last Sun. I pray that you and Kathy will have a memorable, wonderful and relaxing trip.
God’s Blessings, Cathy M
What great news,Wayne and Kathy!!! Take your time and rest!!! God is amazing!!!❤️❤️
Wayne and Kathy
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I am following your adventures and pray for the positive outcome of the stem cell transplant. You and Kathy enjoy your trip and I look forward to reading about it and maybe seeing some pictures.
Something else…….
For several years, now, I have been wanting to tell you, Wayne, that because of me working at Salem and attending services there, I have developed a real love for Bible study. I am in 2 small groups plus we have something called Expanding the Sermon on Sunday. Ron joins me at one of the studies and on Sunday. The study that I have on Wednesday morning, I am even leading! What a joy it is and I have developed a real love for leading the study. Since moving here, I am on my 4th time reading/studying through the Bible with the group of ladies on Wednesday. At this time we are in the last chapters of Revelation. I did have to get some help from our pastor for that Book! When that is done, we are going to go through the Bible chronologically. I have a new appreciation for what seminary students must learn and the work of Pastors shepherding their congregation.
I have fond memories of Salem and speak of it often. Both Ron and I have mentioned to our friends here, how much Living Hope, our current church, reminds us of Salem, only much smaller.
Blessings to you and Kathy. I know you will have peace in all circumstances.
Brenda Biberdorf ________________________________
Matt and I enjoyed seeing you in church last Sunday. You did look amazing. We were expecting to see a fragile version of the Wayne that we knew, given everything you have been through. We know the journey has not been easy, very hard actually, but you and Kathy are making it through with flying colors. Prayers and hugs for more strength and for both of you to stay healthy.
Kim and Matt
Prayers for recovery. I am so glad you and Kathy are going to be able to take such a wonderful trip.
Praying you continue with great success with your stem cell procedure. You are such an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of ever knowing you. God bless you and Kathy as you continue on the path set before you. To God be the glory for the success of this procedure. Wonderful that you will be able to take your trip. God is so good, all the time. Amen and Amen 🙏
Steve & Irene Stommel
As a caregiver who’s been down that road, I feel for you Wayne. I pray that you will do well with all of your upcoming treatments and procedures and have the best possible outcome. 🙏