A bone marrow / stem cell transplant is not something you want on your bucket list. It’s not an easy medical procedure to go through and only tolerable because the alternative in most cases is death.
Painful as it has been, my transplant has gone well thus far. And compared to what others have faced, I’m [...]
Entries from June 2009
June 29, 2009
Pain In Perspective
June 27, 2009
On The Pole
My days now revolve around a pole. Not the kind they have down the block at Shotgun Willie’s, or the professional model they use at the clinic, but my own personal IV pole.
I’m tethered to it five times a day and shot in the chest with antibiotics by my nurse/wife. I’m not complaining because it [...]
June 25, 2009
In Praise of Pus
Pus consists of large numbers of white cells called polymorphonuclear cells that rush to a specific area of the body in response to infection. These cells engulf and kill harmful bacteria and also enlarge nearby blood vessels to bring more white cells to the scene of the crime, hence the inflammation.
When we see pus, [...]
June 24, 2009
103 Temp
About what they expect at this stage of engraftment (Day 9). The infected sore on my hand isn’t helping. No pus (white blood cells) to carry it away so I’m on two more antibiotics.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.
June 24, 2009
Bad Night
Fever, chills, possible infection.
Not better this morning.
We’ll see what the doc says.
June 22, 2009
Top Ten Ways . . . (2)
. . . a stem cell transplant is NOT like a luxury vacation:
You feel like the “morning after” without the “night before.”
Forget laying out; 15 minutes of direct sun can cause 3rd degree burns.
Risky activities aren’t hang-gliding and para-sailing but flossing and nail clipping.
“Water sports” involve the bathroom, not the pool.
Alcohol is only for [...]
June 20, 2009
Top Ten Ways . . .
. . . a stem cell transplant is like a luxury vacation:
You get a month away from home and work.
The logistics and financial arrangements are handled in advance by specialists.
Accommodations are in a nice hotel in an upscale section of an international city.
A daily per diem is provided for travel and out-of-pocket expenses.
A live-in [...]
June 18, 2009
One Year Ago Today . . .
Blog entry: June 18, 2008
Dr. Dillon’s office:
“You have a nonspecific mass in your omentum,” Dr. Dillon says.
“I didn’t even know I had an omentum,” I reply.
“It’s a fatty covering in the abdomen.”
“How big is the mass?”
“About the size of a grapefruit. The nearby lymph nodes are also enlarged.”
Diagnosis clarified two weeks later: July 2, 2008
The [...]
