Wednesday - 24 April 2013

Day 6

Sitting in the Adult Bone Marrow Clinic (ABMC)  listening to Otis Redding, getting blood transfusion as hemoglobin is approaching a lower level.  You must understand that if I receive 1 unit of blood, about 3/4 of an unit is then taken out for testing.   All is normal.  Jane is back and discussing "Him" with the PA's and everybody.  Joyse is at Whole Foods buying shrimp and stuff for tonight's dinner.  I am a well fed patient.

"Don't tell me how rocky the sea is, just bring the ship in"  Lou Holtz

(Advice that I have given to myself)

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Tuesday  - 23 April 2013

Day 5

Had a 1400 appointment today so had a lazy AM.  Still at the clinic as I needed more magnesium which takes about 1 1/2 hours.  All is good with no side effects.

Joyse and I walked the Duke Gardens  again which is a better stroll than around the condo complex.  I have discovered through intensive research that neither the Duke Medical Facilities,  Duke U, nor Duke Gardens have any connection to Daisy and Bo Duke.

Still tiptoeing thru the tulips.

Nothing else to report. Jane is en route so we got to hurry back and pick up at the condo!

"The world is getting crazy and  it seems to be  getting worse everyday so,  Come On Back Jesus and Pick Up John Wayne On The Way."   Willie Nelson from "Come On Back Jesus"

Monday - 22 April 2013

Day 4

Another good day. Only had to take a magnesium pill and had a short clinic visit.   Tomorrow's  appointment is not until 1400 so it should be even quicker as I will not have to wait on others.

Jane is in VA consulting and will be back tomorrow night.  Joyse is cooking lamb chops.

"Tough times never last, tough people do."   Dr. Robert Schuller

Sunday - 21 April 2013

DAY 3

  Another easy day.  Testing at 1100, no meds needed,  so dismissed at 1215.   After a brief break at the condo,  we walked through Duke Gardens which is a very large (5 miles of trails) botanical garden, beautifully landscaped. All the tulips were in bloom so it was very dramatic.  Those girl cells are bringing out my feminine side. 

The tulips and me at Duke Gardens.

 

 

 

How to survive boredom of daily treatment routine.

(Must have toys including cell phone , Ipod, laptop, and Kindle)

We were even able to stream our Brevard Ssunday church service over my laptop  which is broadcast on WSQL AM  (White Squirrel Radio)

"Difficulties in life intended to make us better, not bitter"   Dan Reeves (Former NFL player and coach)

Saturday- 20 April 2013

Day 2

Funny,  does not seem like a Saturday.  We had an 1100 appointment today.  I received a blood transfusion as hemoglobin was low. It is all kind of a balancing act, We were out by 1400 so another easy day with no side effects.

Joyse and I went for a good walk.  Jane is cooking cornish game chickens for dinner.  Life is good,

"God gets you to the plate, but once you're there, you're on your own."  Ted Williams (baseball hitter).  

Friday - 19 April 2013

Day 1 after Transplant

All is well after the big event.  None  of the expected side effects but day 7 to 10 is the most likely time for nausae and other stuff.  Perhaps,  I can slip by that also. The first month will also be the important period of time when the cells should actually start growing.  

I have named  the babies whose blood cord was donated.  First there is the girl from NY who I have named Veronica (nice northern Catholic name) and the girl from NC is named SuziBel (yes, with one L).   SuziBel will probably attend Duke. Not sure about Veronica but I am fairly assured that she will head South for a finer education.

Joyse has arrived.  She will be the patient assistant for the first part of next week while Jane goes to VA for her consulting work.  It is good to have her here.

TRANSPLANT ACCOMPLISHED - DAY 0

 

Thursday-  18 April 2013

Daily Blog

 

I received the cord blood transplants from two babies whose cord blood was voluntarily donated by the parents.  Both happen to be female, one from the South (NC), one from the North (NY/PA), one is O+ and one A+.  One of these two will be dominant and foster the growth of new healthy cells.  I received one transplant at 1015 this morning and the second at 1345.   All went well and there have been no side effects.,  I am told that there should be some weakness in 7 to 10 days and be on the lookout for any temp over 100.5.  If the temp exceeds 100.5, we go to the transplant center in the daytime or the emergency room at night.  Hopefully that will not happen.

Our associate pastor was with us for both transplants and said a much appreciated prayer prior to each procedure.   That is very special.  There have been many prayer groups and prayers.  i am very fortunate to have such family, friends, and supporters.

Jane, I and whoever acts as my patient assistant during this time will have to be vigilant.

I have no preference as to which set of cells wins this battle, but my blood type could change and I guess I would drink more "white wine" in the future.  No danger of accent change.

 

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."  Will Rogers