This is the journal of “Harvey”, a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patient, as he went through a mini-allo (also called a reduced intensity or non-myeloablative) umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant at the University of Minnesota. If you are a new reader to this journal, you may want to read earlier installments of Harvey’s story on the CLL Topics website. I am told there is an uncanny resemblance between Harvey and my husband PC!
Dear reader, this journal reports the facts faithfully, neither sugar-coating the issues nor looking to sensationalize downturns in Harvey’s journey down this road. On your part, you must realize that these journal entries are not always inspirational or fun stuff, there are rough patches that will be far from soothing bedtime reading. I am not a physician or psychologist, nor am I qualified to give you medical advice. I am an interested layperson reporter − but more than that I am a patient spouse and in that sense I walk in your shoes. I strongly advice you to seek professional help from your own medical team before you make therapy decisions for yourself. CLL Topics and this Journal are a labor of love. We are all volunteers here. None of us have any links to companies or other organizations connected with the health care industry; neither I nor anyone else associated with this effort makes a single dime from it. As for my educational background, you can read about it on our website: Chaya’s Research Credentials.
If you are an existing member of our CLL Topics community, you know what we are all about. If you are a new visitor, we welcome you and hope you find this journal and the parent website clltopics.org to your liking. If this journal succeeds in helping even a few transplant patients in their own journey down this complicated and scary road, I will be content.
If you have any comments, please send them to
Be well,
Chaya
Table of Contents:
- 2008-02-25 An Introduction to this Journal
- 2008-02-27 Planning for Success
- 2008-02-28 Finding that Perfect Match
- 2008-02-29 “Lite” Stem Cell Transplants
- 2008-03-01 Three Sources of Stem Cells for Transplants
- 2008-03-04 Clinical Trial Details
- 2008-03-06 Making Therapy Decisions With Eyes Wide Open
- 2008-03-15 Minneapolis, Here We Come
- 2008-03-17 Revlimid (lenalidomide)
- 2008-03-20 Easy In, Easy Out
- 2008-03-22 Bring On the Heavy Guns
- 2008-03-24 This Too Shall Pass
- 2008-03-26 Day Zero
- 2008-03-28 Aftermath
- 2008-03-29 CMV Viral Reactivation
- 2008-03-31 Hospitals Learn to Say Sorry
- 2008-04-02 A Different Kind of Watch & Wait
- 2008-04-04 A Day in the Transplant Ward
- 2008-04-05 FUO
- 2008-04-07 Some Good News to Report
- 2008-04-10 A New Phase Starts
- 2008-04-12 Better Living Through Chemicals
- 2008-04-14 Your Good Deed For The Day
- 2008-04-15 Mini-Allo Transplant Statistics
- 2008-04-18 Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
- 2008-04-23 It Is A Boy!
- 2008-04-24 Coming Up The Learning Curve
- 2008-04-28 Scary Times
- 2008-05-02 We Have a Suspect in Custody
- 2008-05-03 The Buck Stopped With Him
- 2008-05-08 Going No Where Fast
- 2008-05-14 Eat Your Yogurt
- 2008-05-21 Quickie Update
- 2008-05-22 Springtime!
- 2008-05-31 Doldrums
- 2008-06-09 An Unexpected Left Turn?
- 2008-06-20 A Very Hard Reality to Face
- 2008-06-21 Knee Deep In Alligators
- 2008-06-24 Death In The Family
- 2008-06-26 P. C. Venkat, 1949-2008
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