Day 40 and counting

I have soooo much to look forward to. By Thanksgiving I will be allowed to eat a variety of dairy products. Not all mind you but cheese, milk, and most of all ICE cream! It is so funny how the human body and brain work. It goes all the way back to the garden - we get along without something and could care less about it until we are told that it is the "THING" we can not have. Suddenly it becomes the thing we long for, we need it, we want it, and soon we don't appreciate what we do have to the fullest. Seems like history repeats itself on even the most basic things in life.
This week has been going better. We finally have found a way to treat the pain so that I can during most of the day not be focused on my back. It still hurts but as the hospital says...level 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain...it is level 2 or so.

Today which is Wed. I only needed two bags of magnesium and we got to leave ITA around 11:30. It is the first time in a long time to eat lunch at the apartment instead of my throne at Stanford. Then I took a 4 hour nap and woke up to a very nice dinner Roger made. He had also done the laundry while I was sleeping. Small miracles never stop happening and for that I am truly grateful.

Day #+35

Fri., Day #+35.. This means it is Day 35 after the transplant. Today I only needed two bags of magnesium and 1 bag of potassium IV. No other fluids were required! The first PA (Physician Assistant) came by and did not make any medication changes and I asked about the spine X-ray and she said it looked OK. Then the main Dr. who sees everyone came by and told me that she had looked at the X-ray and that I do have a small compression fracture L5 and that I also have spinal degeneration of L4 and L5. So I think one may have actually looked at the X-ray and one not? What do you think? So they think I will have this pain for 3-4 months but put me on some medications to help with muscle spasms and pain. She then looked at my face, shoulders, and back and said she will watch the rash that is developing to see if it is the beginning of host/graft disease. Great just what I needed...NOT.

I had Roger take this picture of the area I get to spend most of my time in...hooked to machines. At least the chairs are comfy and the blankets warm. Today they came by and gave me a free hat. All cancer patients need to keep their heads warm not just the ones who are hairless... and of course I got my free juice and graham crackers. Warm blanket, juice, graham crackers and a new hat ...Nap Time! Boy am I spoiled...

The routine keeps going

Mon. - Well it has been a week since I wrote anything...sorry. We are now into the routine and sometimes it seems like there is nothing new to report or if I say what is really going on I am whining. There are always side effects and they change from day to day and the goal is to control them. Everything seems to effect the next thing. Yesterday I slept most of the day. It was a cold rainy day which I am sure helped make me tired.
Wed. - Today was better. I got some pain medication for my back and that has helped greatly! Plus I only needed 2 bags of magnesium and no potassium today. Had an X-ray of my spine today because they think I may have a compression fraction. These medicines drain the body of many things and also can make the bones more fragile. They ask every time about falling for internal bleeding and fractures. I also was way to high on one of the new medicines so they decreased the dose by 200. We shall see what Fri. brings.
As I tell myself to do Keep my eyes on the finish line, when I think I can't take any more look up and the coach will be right there encouraging me and telling me that with him I can finish the race and do it with grace.

Day #+24 after transplant

Roger just asked me if I know everybody in the ITA. As different Dr.s and nurses walk by they say hi or wave. I then reminded him how long I have been coming and still didn't know the nurse I have today. I have met most of the PA's that work up here. I also know quite a few of the Dr.'s who run the cancer trials since I am in 4 different trials here. Most only require blood at different times while one requires a journal, medicine, blood work etc... When asked why I participate in the trials I respond that if people before had not done the same many of the treatments for cancer or side effect drugs would not be available to me today. Some one needs to be the guinea pig!
Today I am feeling better and am just waiting on the blood work to come back to find out how I am doing as well. Slept most of the weekend and rested the rest of the weekend. One of the side effects of the treatment is that my hands and feet are beginning to peel as if they were sun burned. Last night my thumb peeled and today the palms of both hands are. Dr. says that is fine and is normal after what all has been done to me. New bone marrow and now new skin.
Looks like another long day; 3 bags magnesium, 2 bags potasium. One of the drugs they give me drains the body of magnesium and some people react more to it or so they tell me. I also need more protein...since the main thing I eat on this diet is meat we shall see how to add more.
Just something new to add to the adventure of my lifetime.
Well until the next update...May God prove himself as faithful to you and your family as he is doing to our family.