Initial Entry

This is the Stem Cell Collection/Transplant Journey taken by La Donna (patient) & Arthur (caregiver) Stockstill

I was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia 6/2000 (a very rare form of cancer for which there is no cure) and with Secondary Amyloidosis/renal involvement 10/2001 (another very rare disease for which there is no cure). I also have a heart murmur and a regurgitating value in my heart. I had 2Cda (chemo) in November of 2000 and had been on Watch & Wait since that time. I am under the care of Dr. Ray Page of Texas Cancer Care in Weatherford; Dr. Loren Mott of Hearth Center of North Texas in Weatherford; Dr. Donna Weber of M. D. Anderson; Dr. Andrew Fenves of Dallas Nephrology; Dr. Paolo Anderlini, Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic at M. D. Anderson and by David Reeve of Weatherford, our family doctor.

We were very pleased with our doctors (other than the nephrologist) and knew we needed a nephrologist who is familiar with and treats Amyloidosis. In the spring of 2005, we were directed to Dr. Andrew Fenves by a gentleman we met at the Amyloidosis Support Group/Texas Area and who now we consider to be a good friend, Maurice Price.

After meeting with Dr. Fenves, we were told my kidneys were becoming more involved with the Amyloidosis and to slow down the depositing of the amyloid and prolong my kidney functioning, we needed to go back to M. D. Anderson and treat my primary disease, Waldenstrom. Dr. Weber was alarmed with the condition of my kidneys and the battery of tests began as we started on the path to the Stem Cell Transplant.

Medications: Atacand, Furosemide, Metolazone, Lipitor, Nifedipine, Pholso Gel cap, Procrit. I had two sessions of Dexamethasone in the fall (Dr. Weber prescribed this to bridge the time of the testing until I could have the SCT).

Numbers as of January 27, 2005:
White Blood Cell Count - 5.8
Red Blood Count - 2.97
Hemoglobin - 10.0
Hematocrit - 29.3
Platelet Count - 254
Blood Urea Nitrogen - 7.3
Creatinine - 3.0

January 20, 2005
We arrived in Houston and set up housekeeping in an apartment through the Church Apartment Ministry. We were on a waiting list for about 2 months and received a call on the Saturday before we left for Houston that one was available for us. It is much better than staying in a hotel, since we will be here for an extended period of time.

Our apartment is sponsored by St. John's Presbyterian Church and we have been welcomed by them and made to feel very comfortable. It is located about 4-miles from the hospital and Arthur is a wonderful chauffer.

January 21, 2005
This was my first day of testing. I had all these tests in the fall but it is so important to have the latest data that I must have them all again. Tests given: Echocardiogram, EKG (resting), Spirometry and DLCO, X-rays (chest-PA & Lat), CT (chest/abdomen/pelvis/sinus)

January 25, 2005
Blood/specimen collection, Bone Marrow Biopsy and met with Dr. Anderlini

January 27, 2005
Blood/specimen collection and met with Dr. Anderlini and visited the area where the stem cell collection will take place

January 28, 2005
Blood/specimen collection, pre-insertion interview (the subclavian catheter) and ask any questions about the procedure and started the Neupogen shots (self-injected, two times a day).