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The Nature of the eBeast Newsletter- May 2008
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ANDREW'S HEALTH 137 DAYS POST TRANSPLANT...
I apologise for the lack of information these past weeks. Andrew's exellent progress suffered a nasty setback in February. We did send out a newsletter to those on our mailing list, appealing for a renewed Hour Candle lighting and you responded in force. It is so heartening. After a tough 4 weeks, he finally rallied and began to stabilise. He was able to come home in late March and, since then, has gone from strength to strength.
We remain optimistic, even moreso now than ever before. It is, however, still a long road to recovery. He still has a number of side effects to deal with, both from the stem cell transplant and from the drugs he must take for the foreseeable future. But he is doing so with dignity and humour, now having fewer down days. They are always made easier by the support he has received from his family, friends, and this global Camel family.
My thanks to those of you who have sent so many kind words of support, many sharing similar experiences and some sharing experiences that did not have the happy outcome we are presently enjoying. Rarely are there words of expression to ease such heartache, and I would not be so bold as to think I could find them. I am honoured to be given such an intimate glimspe into a painful part of people's lives who, despite their loss, continued to wish for our success. That is a very great gift indeed.
In anticipation of some good news to come, I will close asking only that the candles keep burning.
My grateful thanks to you all,
Susan Hoover
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The Nature of the eBeast Newsletter- December 2007
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Greetings!
Just when we were going to send out an update, our broadband went down. 10 days later, we are finally back up and running.
MOONDANCES New DVD and t-shirt from CAMEL
When not playing his guitar, Andrew has kept busy whilst in the isolation ward, and he has autographed 500 copies of Moondances. We are ready to offer the DVD for sale now, along with our Moondances t-shirt.
ANDREW'S HEALTH DAY 15 POST TRANSPLANT...
Thank you for your light. The candles so many of you lit for Andrew on the day of his bone marrow transplant were truly felt. There was a special feeling in his room when the nurses brought in the transplant, and that feeling remained for several hours. Thank you all so much.
We've had many emails asking about Andrew's progress so I thought I would give you a condensed description of the process. The bone marrow is actually stem cells, harvested from a donor. The donor is given medication to stimulate these stem cells, and then they are taken simply through blood donation, much like giving a pint of blood. The stem cells are removed from the blood, and then transfused to the patient, that being Andrew. It is a strangely simple conclusion to a hugely complex process. In the end, a little bag holds Andrew's future, suspended above his bed connected to his intravenous line. It took about 2 hours for the stem cells to be fully transfused. And now, we wait.
It will be many weeks before we know if it is 100% successful. The donor's stem cells must replace Andrew's immune system, and this takes time. He is sure to have some difficult days, and the inevitable effects of chemotherapy will soon begin to show. During the next 6-12 weeks, he will be in isolation, to protect him from infection and monitor his progress. So, as you can see, it is now a waiting game.
His doctors are very pleased with his progress to date, and he has done well with the drug therapy. But we do take it one day at a time. Yesterday was a good day; we'll wait to see what today brings. One day at a time.
Some very dear friends of ours got together and bought a lovely new guitar for him, just before he went into hospital. He has that guitar with him, so he's keeping his fingers nimble and writing a bit of music. He is strong in spirit and determined to get well. I know this strength and determination is accentuated by the support he is given, by all of us, and all of you. Please keep those candles burning.
With thanks from the depth of my heart,
Susan Hoover
We have closed the special Guest Book. You may still visit the page and read the many words of encouragement that have been posted for Andrew.
