Farhad's Health Update

Life is good

2007-12-19T18:38:40Z

Farhad got his blood test results last week. He has a good blood count and everything seems to be normal, except his fighting white blood cells are a little low. That’s why he should minimize being in public places as much as possible so he does not get sick. Other than that, all is well.

From Freddie himself on Oct. 11

2007-10-16T15:49:00Z

My dear friend,

Hope everything is well and you are getting ready for the holidays. I am doing great, and my last blood test showed that I am getting very close to be normal. The test also showed that there is no DNA of my own bone marrow and the DNA is from the donor 100%!!! It is a science fiction to me but I am alive.

I owe my life to GOD, to my country USA and its superior doctors, and to you my friend being with me along this tough journey.

God bless you,

Love, Respect and Peace

Freddie

Doing good

2007-09-01T00:51:14Z

Thank God, Farhad is doing good. His red blood cells and platelets are high -- the white blood cells are a little bit low, but, still within normal range. His immune system, however, has some room for improvement. He is generally in good health and back to normal life.

Time for fitness

2007-07-27T21:56:29Z

Farhad continues to do well. There are some little signs of CMV, but, the doctors are not sweating about it. His medications are down from twenty to only four tablets a day, mainly to prevent GvHD. Farhad has started to work out to build some muscles to be more attractive!

Looking good

2007-07-09T19:20:25Z

The latest blood test results show that there are no signs of cancer or CMV. Blood counts are at a healthy level and Farhad seems to have a better energy level. His appetite is also back that allows him to enjoy good food, especially chelokabab. Please continue to keep Farhad in your prayers as they have already been answered.

He did it

2007-06-12T03:19:21Z

Farhad is resting at home with his family. Knock on wood, there are no signs of cancer and the CMV has disappeared. He feels weak with a very low energy level, which is really normal.

No CMV, good blood count

2007-05-13T03:52:47Z

Farhad was released from hospital about two weeks ago. The good news is that there are no signs of CMV and his blood counts are fine – even the platelets seem to be normal.

The primary side effects of the CMV drugs are vomiting and coughing. Farhad has also lost his appetite and, as a result, lost some weight. This week, however, he feels a little bit better. He has a follow up visit with his doctor on Tuesday.

Back to UCLA hospital for CMV

2007-04-14T01:51:57Z

Farhad's blood counts are fine and there seems to be no sign of cancer. However, he's still struggling with the CMV virus. Doctors want to administer more aggressive drugs to treat CMV. To do so, he had to be admitted to the hospital. Here's Farhad e-mail:

My dear friends,

Well, I got admitted to UCLA hospital today for possible CMV infection. I will stay here for another two weeks.

My 100 days probation was over last Saturday, and I was hoping to see you this week. We have to postpone it to after April 28Th.

I love you all and can not wait to see you.

Freddie

100th Day

2007-04-08T01:43:17Z

Good morning my friends,

Today is a good day, Passover, Easter and my 100 days probation is over. That means I can come out and start seeing my friends of course I still have to be careful, because my immune system has been shut down with immune suppressant drugs.

I am very exited about this, but CMV virus has not left my body and for past few days the level of virus is going up exponentially. Drs do not know what to do! They are waiting to see if I will get the disease eventually. So far so good no symptoms and I am hoping not to get the CMV disease.

Some of you asked me about CMV. 80 to 90% of people had this but because they have normal immune system, their body fought it away. For immune suppressed people like me this is a very serious life threatening disease. CMV is an opportunitiest virus! It attacks when the body is weak. I received this virus through the blood transfusion.

Well At this celebration time I do not like to think about it. My Lord promised me that I will be saved from this one too.

I miss you all and hopefully I will visit you sometimes next week.

Love, Peace, Respect

Freddie

Knock on the wood

2007-03-13T02:43:10Z

I started acting like a woodpecker; because each time someone is telling me how well I am doing, I knock on the wood.

I am doing great!(Knock on the wood) My body started making it's own blood and blood products(Knock on the wood). Doctors are amazed of my progress(Knock on the wood).

Yesterday, with my Dr's permission, I went out but stayed in the car. Soheila came and took my mother and I to Malibu. AH after 73 days staying at home this was a treat and only 23 days left! (Knock on the wood). I saw real people, I saw BLUE ocean. I loved it(Knock on the wood).

I am getting my strength back only my legs are weak. I lost lots of mussels and I gained weight and puffed up in the upper departments due to medication and lack of exercise. Now I look like a spider. My legs can not handle completely my weight. Maybe that is why spiders have many legs!!!! I am working on them by walking 20 min a day. I should be ok soon (Knock on the wood).

I miss everyone of my friends. Till our reunion, enjoy life and do not be hard on yourselves. We will meet very soon (Knock on the wood).

Love, Peace, Respect.

Freddie

A message from Farhad

2007-02-24T12:09:52Z

Oh well, today, the new results for CMV was back from UCLA. Unfortunately the virus is increasing again. Dr will do more tests on Monday. Meanwhile I feel great with no symptoms. I feel very strong and positive. It is not going to ruin my Oscar watch on Sunday.

CMV or whatever this is I know I am going to beat it. I know, I know, I know.

Life is very enjoyable and every moment is precious. Be good to yourselves and do not get upset over minor things.

Its good to be healthy and happy. That is good enough.

Love, Peace, Respect

Freddie

Getting to an "A"

2007-02-16T14:42:29Z

Physically and mentally I am doing excellent. Just minor things.

I was always a 4.0 student with all A s or A+s, and now they told me three days ago that I got a C!

Or C difficil infection besides my CMV. They put me on Vancomycin. Oh well I am working on it to change it to at least B+ if not an A.

My CMV infection virus is declining and by next week I should be cured. My "C" is much better and closer to an "A" so I am doing great. Thanks to all your positive thoughts that made these happened.

Love, Peace, Respect

Freddie

Farhad is determined

2007-02-10T23:38:41Z

Good Morning,

It’s 5am Sat morning and how good it is to wake up early in the morning. I can feel the ocean breeze, fresh air. I had to wake up to connect myself to a new IV they gave me yesterday.

I was called to UCLA yesterday to tell me that I came down with CMV infection. How? I do not know. But it is a new challenge. I know I will beat this one too. I am very much determined.

It’s told that the destiny can not be changed?! Destiny, CMV, Cancer can not stop me cause I have a superior mission, and that is love, compassion, and helping those in need.

God has a purpose for me and I am not questioning the universe WHY. All I know is God gave me the strength to fight and during this process I learn to purify myself and get ready for my mission.

God gave me good friends like you who cares and holding me in your positive energy and kind thoughts which gives me tremendous strength.

Well after I pass all these minor bumps, we will have fun together.

Love, Peace, respect

Freddie

A message from Farhad: "Good News"

2007-02-02T01:23:49Z

Good morning,

What a beautiful day is today. Try to enjoy every precious moment. Love yourself, Do something special today just for you. You are the best and your prayers are happening.

I am doing great. Yesterday after spending 10 hours at UCLA, my doctor called me with the results of my bone marrow biopsy. NO SIGN OF CANCER.

By the way I changed the word CAN.CER to CAN.SIR. , cause if you have enough desire, YES; you CAN SIR overcome all the obstacles.

As of the engraft, my cord blood is still in the stage of infancy and it will take long time to reach to it's maximum potential. Just a matter of time. I am not in rush.

I still believe that it is a Girl cord blood, because now I understand my wife and my daughter better! And I have feelings that I never had it before. NO NO NO, not to that extend.

Well I think I am the luckiest person , having you as my friend, I love you, I cherish you, and I am looking forward to seeing you sooooooooooooooooooooooooon

Xoxoxox

Love, Peace, Respect

Freddie

From Farhad, himself…

2007-01-30T23:26:19Z

The following is Farhad’s response to a friend who asked, “did u you forget us?”

Sorry for the delay. How could I forget my friends? They are like air to me. I can not live without you. I am back to my mother’s house in Brentwood. Because my own house we have tons of traffic, lots of plants, flowers and two vicious gigantic dogs (just kidding two toy Maltese that will like to lick you to ….”

Well I am doing great, but I became a drug addict, not by choice but by force, I am almost hooked to IV 10 hours a day, and tons of drugs. They keep me away from reality. Also every day I have to go to UCLA for more blood products and tests. The cord blood has engrafted. Doctor will confirm this after tomorrow when he does bone marrow biopsy on me. Ouch….

The 1^st 100 days of engraft is extremely important, 30 days passed, now another 70days to go, I have to be in Isolation, Because now the engraft makes immune system but this immune system is new and is not familiar with my body cells, They may attack my own body (GvHD) Graft VS Host Disease. So these drugs put immune system into sleep and they gradually wake her up. Yes it is she, I have a great relationship with her, just doctors do not believe that and put me on tons of drugs.

So my mind is pre-occupied with these day to day mind boggling things. I promise I will write more. But do not doubt my feelings for you, I miss you tremendously and can not wait for our reunion,

Till then

Love, Peace, Respect

Farhad

More blood cells

2007-01-29T01:41:29Z

Farhad has some more white blood cells, but, it really fluctuates on a daily basis. He has to continue taking platelets daily until he makes his own – the process for platelet transfusion takes about 4-5 hours and should be done at the clinic.

Some blood cells are formed

2007-01-23T02:19:25Z

Farhad was released from the hospital yesterday. He is now resting at his mother’s home, which is more comfortable and relaxing, with better food and TV programming choices. However, he has to go to the clinic every morning to get a platelet transfusion.

Today’s blood test has confirmed that his body has made some white blood cells, which is great news. His doctor is happy with the progress so far.

Plan to release on Monday

2007-01-19T02:42:21Z

There are no signs of new blood cells yet. Farhad continues to get daily platelets transfusion, which causes some bruises from the shots. He may be released from the hospital as early as Monday. In preparation for that, he is not taking antibiotics anymore. And he takes other medicines in the form of tablets as opposed to IV. At home, a nurse will monitor Farhad on a daily basis. If needed, he should go to the hospital to get platelets transfusion.

Good appetite

2007-01-11T18:14:36Z

Farhad’s doctor is happy with the progress so far. A very insignificant number of white blood cells have been formed, which is better than nothing, but nothing to get really excited for. It just takes some time to see the results of the cord blood transplant. His appetite is back and Farhad enjoys some home-made food now.

Still waiting

2007-01-10T06:23:18Z

Farhad’s blood counts are still low. His doctor has indicated that it would take about four more weeks before the body makes bone marrow and blood cells because of the cord blood transplant. As such, on a daily basis, Farhad gets sedated to get a transfusion of platelets to help control bleeding. Other than that, he is feeling good and waiting for good results.

Successful transplant

2007-01-06T01:18:58Z

The cord blood transplant was performed on Dec. 28, which was successful. Farhad should now wait to see if he can restore his immune system. Although he does not have much appetite, Farhad has gained some weight from, surprisingly, the hospital food! Nonetheless, he feels pretty good. Farhad continues to get occasional blood transfusion until his body makes healthy bone marrow.

Ready for the transplant

2006-12-28T02:55:37Z

Farhad is done with the chemotherapy treatment and is now getting ready for the cord blood transplant tomorrow. He’s been taking some medicine for the past few days to minimize the risk of cord blood rejection. However, there have been some side effects to this medicine – body rashes, headache, and chills and fever. He feels better at this time and quite ready for the transplant. It will take about 30-45 minutes and, thereafter, Farhad should stay in the hospital for about 5-6 weeks.

Getting ready for cord blood transplant

2006-12-20T05:58:39Z

Farhad was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center today. He underwent a procedure to insert a central venous catheter, or vascular access device, through the skin into a vein in the neck, which is threaded through the vein until it reaches a large vein near the heart. It is used to give medications, fluids, nutrients, or blood products over a long period of time.

Farhad will begin a chemotherapy treatment tomorrow that will last for seven days. Then, he will have one day rest before undergoing the umbilical cord blood transplant.

Cord blood transplant: A viable treatment option

2006-12-10T09:24:22Z

The main challenge, so far, has been to find a potential bone marrow donor with a perfect match. An extensive search of local, national, and international bone marrow registries and banks has produced no perfect match. Some private marrow drives sponsored by the family have also been unsuccessful. The doctors, however, have found a potential donor with a 90% match, which makes the transplant riskier.

Most stem cells are in the bone marrow. Stem cells, however, can also be found in the blood inside a newborn's umbilical cord. A parallel search of umbilical cord blood banks has also been under way all along.

Farhad’s doctor has now confirmed that a perfect cord blood match has been found in Belgium -- it is currently in the U.S. customs waiting to be released. Since there are so few stem cells found in cord blood, these cells are not usually used to treat adults. But, in this case, there are enough stem cells to treat Farhad.

One of the serious complications that can develop after a stem cell transplant is “graft-versus-host disease” – the new cells may destroy other cells in the body. This happens less often when umbilical cord stem cells are used, which is really a good news.

As such, all parties have agreed to go ahead with the transplant using the umbilical cord blood within the next week or two.

Farhad at home

2006-10-29T19:38:15Z

Farhad has been released from the hospital. He’s now staying with his mom in a quarantined and secluded area. After wiping out the immune system with intense chemotherapy, the body has made some blood cells. However, he will be unable to see anyone until the blood cells reach certain levels.