Welcome to our Caring Bridge site for Stella Misiolek. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.
In May of 2015 Lala was diagnosed with Multiple Mylenoma which explained why she had been suffering over the several months prior with painful breaks in her bones and difficulty breathing. In December 2015, I was privileged to give Mom shots of Neupogen several times a day to stimulate growth of new stem cells. A triple lumen line (port) was surgically placed under her collar bone area to use for the stem cell collection and transplant. The night before the stem cell collection she was given a Mozabil shot to force the bone marrow to release the stem cells into the blood stream. We attempted the stem cell harvesting for 2 days, but it was unsuccessful. Finally after the third attempt, in January enough cells were released for a good harvest. We collected 7.2 (millions or billions, not sure, but it was enough!) for 2 transplants to occur. The cells were frozen to -195 degrees and were creo-stored for when she was ready for the transplant. By the end of January the triple port was removed. While waiting for better blood test results, Mom decided to get a few more doctors opinions about the process and next steps. After more research she decided to move ahead with original plan and doctor rather than choose experimental trials. It was a difficult decision, however she felt that this course of action was the best choice for the longest remission.
Since then, she has bravely endured chemotherapy treatments to bring her to where she is today. After several postponements, she is now in good remission and able to get an autologous stem cell transplant. Although the process is extremely difficult it is her best chance at a better quality of life.
She is being admitted on Monday, March 14, 2016 to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and will start the transplant procedure. She will be hospitalized for 2-4 weeks and until the bone marrow starts making enough blood cells, she is at risk of picking up infections, so she may be in isolation.
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this wonderful tribute video, it will give her something to watch as she keeps up the fight! Prayers and well wishes really welcomed especially during the next few weeks. (No flowers or non-cooked foods allowed!)
Click here to view the Lovin' LaLa video (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxJkqlHYp_k&feature=youtu.be)
