December 5, 2013.. Today was a turning point. I went for apheresis but there was not enough stem cells collected to continue. They did an estimate during the apheresis and thought I would get 200,000. I actually got 300,000 stem cells today but it was not enough to continue. I was not surprised after yesterday's small collection. 

We got up at 4:30 this morning and were at the hospital all day. After we finished at apheresis, we spent the remainder of the day meeting with the doctor's assistant, checking out, and getting the line removed. We got to the apartment at 5pm. Due to the ice storm coming in tonight, we intended to try to get on the road home and drive as far as we could to try to get ahead of the ice. Doing that is just not possible. We are mentally and physically exhausted. We fear the ice will be here when we are ready to get on the road tomorrow but we will just have to see how it goes. 

My white cell count today was 23.35, hemoglobin-9.4, platelets-79, and HPC-4. 

Good news... I was able to get my broken water line repaired so we will have water when we get back home.  

Some of the nurses in Infusion 4 continue to amaze me. We have grown very fond of many of them. We went by to say goodbye before we left. It was like I was leaving close and valuable friends. Most of them gave me a warm hug. It sure makes the situation easier to bear. I know they really do care. 

We are scheduled to return here in mid January for Dr Zangari to determine what my future treatment will be. The doctor's assistant said my myeloma is stable at this time, so that is good news.  

This coming Saturday, we will have been gone 6 weeks. According to a spreadsheet I keep on medical travel for this year, the total is almost 6800 miles. 

As I close this blog, for this time, I want to sincerely thank each of you for your prayers, cards and notes. Your caring has really meant a lot to us during a hard time both mentally and physically.