Day 5

We are now on Day 5 post bone marrow transplant.  Jodie is doing great!!!  The only trouble so far was on Day 1, she had a very severe sinus headache during the night, the congestion and sinus pressure even caused swelling in the right side of her face.  But after some pain medicine, Benadryl and a good nights rest she was feeling better by the morning.

Overall, Jodie has a good appetite and her energy level is up.  She's usually good for a couple of walks during the day too.  We can't get her outside or around crowds of people yet, so she's just walking around the bone marrow transplant floor. 

For now, Jodie will remain in the hospital for at least a couple of more weeks, the doctors need to see the bone marrow start to graft and watch for something called Graft vs. Host disease.  If all goes well, she will then get discharged from the hospital, but stay locally in Houston for another couple of months for regular visits to the hospital and follow up with the doctors.

 A few praises and prayer requests:

-Jodie's mom visited us in the hospital this weekend, it was great to see her.

-White cell donors, thanks to all of you who have considered and are even going through the process of donating white cells for Jodie

-We praise God for the skill and expertise of the doctors and nurses here at the hospital.

-Pray that the new bone marrow starts to graft soon and shows signs of producing normal blood cells.

-Pray for good health for our kids back home in Dallas.  They are well taken care of by Jodie's sister Joyce and their mom.

Blessings to all,

The Gees

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 10:10

Day 0 - Transplant Day

At 12 CST today Jodie started her bone marrow transplant and at 4 CST it was done.  The actual procedure is just a blood transfusion given in the room, there is no surgical procedure at all.  Seems a bit anti-climactic after everything that its taken to get us here.

The transfusion went smoothly, the next few weeks are really important.  

Starting with tomorrow, Jodie will get white cell transfusions to fight the pneumonia she got prior to the transplant.  Thanks to some very loving friends and family here in Houston who are donating their white cells to Jodie.

And then in 2-4 weeks we hope to see the new bone marrow producing new blood cells.

What a great day!!!!

God is Good,

The Gees

Day "-1" (The Day Before Transplant)

Sometime today, in a place unknown to us a 46 year old woman has donated her bone marrow in hopes of saving a life, Jodie's life.

 

We trust that God is overseeing the entire process and every detail.  From the donation procedure, the transport of the bone marrow to Houston and the bone marrow transplant tomorrow.

 

The day of the transplant, Day 0, is tomorrow.  But we've spent today relaxing and resting.  Jodie is feeling great!  Praise God there are no fevers or rashes to worry about today.

 

Thank you for praying specifically for Jodie.

-Pray the bone marrow donation has gone smoothly today.

-Pray the bone marrow arrives as planned to MD Anderson

-Pray the bone marrow transplant goes well tomorrow for Jodie

-Pray there is no rejection of the bone marrow

-Pray the bone marrow grafts quickly and begins to produce normal blood cells

 

Thank you everyone for the love and care sent from near and far.

 

In His care,

The Gees

Day 3 of Chemotherapy

3 down, 1 to go. Monday will be the last day of chemotherapy for Jodie. Day 2 and 3 have been much easier for her. After the allergic reaction on the first day, Jodie has done much better, no fevers, rashes of chest pains since. Tuesday will be a day of rest for her and then the bone marrow transplant on Wednesday the 22nd. We continue to be blessed and strengthened by your continued prayers and support. God is good! The Gees

A Restless Night for Jodie

The allergic reaction to one of the chemo drugs continued to progress through the night and continues still. A combination of chills, shortness of breath and most concerning a fever right now of 105. Jodie is getting some steroids now and laying down with bags of ice under her arms and legs to bring down her fever. We know you all are in continual prayer for Jodie, just add her high fever as the latest request. In His care, The Gees I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Chemotherapy Day 1

Today was Jodie's first day of chemo. She has a regimen of 3 drugs, administered separately one after the other. Jodie handled the first two just fine, but the third caused an allergic reaction. A rash and shortness of breath so far, some additional benadryl and steroids seem to be helping. What a blessing to be at a hospital like MD Anderson, the nurses and doctors here seem to be prepared for most everything. It's reassuring when they can anticipate and are prepared for all types of side effects and drug reactions. It's been a long day, but Jodie has handled it great. Oh my gosh, now the bed is broken, it won't go up or down, tilt etc... They're getting her a new one. God is good, always! The Gees

Expect the Unexpected

This week was supposed to be filled with tests and pre-transplant procedures and meetings with the transplant team.  Tuesday went as planned, but after a review of a chest x-ray the doctors saw an infection in Jodie's left lung, they suspect pneumonia.  Our doctor admitted Jodie immediately on Wednesday (not really, we had a 5 hour wait in the ER before her room was ready) to start treating the infection. 

They don't anticipate the infection delaying the transplant, in fact to get rid of the infection completely Jodie's body needs to start producing white blood cells and that won't happen until the bone marrow transplant is complete and the marrow starts to produce it on its own. 

To prepare for the transplant, Jodie will need a central line, it's a 3 port tube inserted under the collar bone directly into the vein leading to her heart.  This is how she will receive the chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant and other medicines.  A standard procedure for many patients, it's been complicated for Jodie because her blood is not clotting like it should.  So she's been given extra plasma and platelet transfusions to improve her clotting. 

The good news, Jodie is feeling GREAT!  Good appetite, she's in great spirits and ready to get the transplant.

 Every step we take we are assured that God is right here by our side.  We were comforted today by one of the transplant nurses that heard of Jodie's story on a local Christian radio station.  She was aware of her story even before meeting us and Jodie being admitted into the hospital, yet another person among so many lifting up Jodie in prayer.

 -Thank you all for continuing to pray for Jodie and our family.

-Pray for the infection in her lungs to improve

-Pray for minimal side effects of the chemotherapy

-Pray that Jodie's body remains strong enough to endure the treatment

-Pray the bone marrow transplant is a success.

-Praise God that the kids are at home being cared for and loved while we are apart from them.

Jodie's Wait Is Over!!!!

Praise God! We received word that the donor has given final consent and is healthy to donate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The transplant date is scheduled for April 21st. Prior to the transplant, Jodie has a week of tests and procedures to go through plus another week of chemotherapy all in preparation for the bone marrow transplant. We thank you all for your ongoing prayer support. Please pray that the next few weeks go well for Jodie, she is battling an infection right now that is causing a fever, we hope that it does not delay the plans for the transplant. We are blessed that we can share this God given moment with all of you. Joyfully, The Gees