1st round of chemo infusing

We got to Rochester Hospital this morning for lab and admitted to his room at 11 AM and the chemo just started infusing at about 5:30 PM.  
Back to yesterday.  The plan is that Michael will get 2 rounds of chemo, now and in about 3 weeks.  In about 6 weeks they will do another PET Scan.  If the tumor is not shrinking the way they want they will change chemo drugs.  If it is shrinking halfway, he may get more chemo.  If it shows a good response with the PET Scan the Stem Cell Transplant will occur. (I think yesterday I called it a Bone Marrow Transplant.)   
Anyway, Dr Colgan thinks there is a good chance he will respond well to the chemo because the 1st tumor did.  This chemo is a combination of 4 drugs, all are different except one.
The stem cells will be his own, that are taken after the tumor in his mediastinum has shown a good response.  He will have a central line that the stem cells will be taken from his blood and then will be frozen.  That could take 1-4 days.  Then the MAJOR chemo begins which is about 3-4 times what is normal, then about 6 days later he will receive his stem cells.
Michael will stay at least 4-6 weeks in Mayo after the transplant, hopefully he will leave the hospital days after the transplant and will stay in the Gift of Life House (for Transplant patients).  He will have to go back every 1-2 days to be checked.
Presently, Michael and I are staying at the Microtel Motel which has been quite comfortable, but we are working on the long term housing arrangements.  Some of the housing is reduced and some is free.  Just prior to leaving, I got a call from the insurance company and part of our plan includes some assistance with lodging and food.  We may have to move a few times, but we figure we will just be flexible.  Mark and Melissa are at home for now and will later be back and forth to Mayo, more on that next week.
So many people have asked how they can help.  We have a huge request,  we have some specific prayer requests.  The sooner Michael has a good response from the chemo, the sooner the transplant takes place and that will increase his chances of success.  Also, since he just ended his other chemo in May, his white blood count, specifically neutrophils and lymphocytes are on the low normal side.  These protect him against infection, also will increase the chances of success on the transplant. 
We are so thankful for every prayer and would especially appreciate prayers for the chemo to totally blast the tumor away and that his neutrophils and lymphocytes bounce back quickly and strongly after the chemo.
A note on Michael, so far he is tolerating the chemo well, it's only been an hour, but that is good.  He has a good appetite and is watching Shreck 2 on the movie channel.  For this chemo he will have to stay in the hospital until Saturday.   This is not due to expected problems, but due to the fact that it is basically a continuous infusion.  In the weeks after he will be watched closely for decreases in platelets, neutrophils and lymphocytes.
We are thankful Grandma Kay's knee surgery went well today (thank you Grandpa Jay).  Mark and Melissa are visiting with her now.
Thank you again for all of your prayers.