Category Archives: chemotherapy

Weak and Transfused

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

Today is day +2. I found myself able to move to the restroom, then to the couch. That was about it. No more strength. Profoundly weak and short of breath. My hemoglobin was 7.8, neutrophils are gone completely, white blood cell count was something like 0.1, platelets were around 50 or above. Continue reading →

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My New Birthday: Day Zero

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

I am told there will be 7 bags of approximately 50 mls of stem cells. The color will be red, but that is from pieces of red blood cells. They will arrive in a freezer, packed in DMSO (preservative), and extremely frozen (their words).
Continue reading →

Posted in burkitts, cancer, chemotherapy, lymphoma | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Chewing Ice

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

Today is day -2. I will receive my final dose of chemotherapy, it is called melphalan. I am on a seven day countdown, with day zero being the day I receive my stem cells back into my body. Melphalan usually … Continue reading →

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Feeling Human

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

I slept last night the entire night. That felt really good. I feel almost human again. That is all!

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“B” of BEAM

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

Hi all, I had a good night with one exception. I received benadryl IV. Never had an issue with it in the past. Had a “paradoxical” reaction. That was about 11pm last night. The hair on my arms is still … Continue reading →

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Highway 114

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

Janice and I woke at 5am. We headed out through the rain and traffic to brave 114 to Dallas. Highway 114 is special. Especially bad. It is one of the worst drives I’ve done through any metroplex so far. Continue reading →

Posted in burkitts, cancer, cell, chemotherapy, healing, hope, joy, lymphoma, stem | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

I am finished with chemo for now. Met with my transplant team twice this week. Started the workup yesterday (Friday 9th). They drew about a 55 gallon drum of blood from me. Met with financial counselor, insurance person, RN, and … Continue reading →

Posted in burkitts, cancer, chemotherapy, lymphoma, stem, transplant | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

So Much For That!

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

The PET scan this morning is a “no go.” You see, the PET scan works off of sugars and how they are utilized in the body. The blood sugar has to be below 150. I guess 262 is too high. … Continue reading →

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50 years

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

Fifty years. I made it by the Grace of God. My goal is to make 51 now. A noble goal for me! Continue reading →

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Looking Up

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Robert I Baxter

My nadir is in full bloom. Laying on my back in the bottom of a chemo well is not a fun place to be. The one advantage is that I can only be looking up from here. I seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in burkitts, cancer, chemotherapy, healing, hope, lymphoma, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment