Recovery - May 17 - 23

It's always something... This started as a routine week, with six hour office visits and feeling tired and no interest in food. Then I got the results from a sinus drainage sample they did several days ago because I was coughing and blowing so much. Turns out I have the flu, so now I'm being isolated there in a little room all by myself. And Margie got the flu from me and she's banished from the office totally. We're both on the downside although Margie's still coughing badly.

The good news is they gave me a break from clinic visits on Sunday and Memorial Day so it was really nice to sleep late. Next week should be more of the same.

Post Transplant - May 10 thru 16

Everyday this week was identical. The clinic checked several blood markers and based on the results I would get blood or platelets or something else. And I always get two bags of saline solution, with each bag taking three hours so the minimum time sitting around is six hours. Fortunately they have recliners so you can sleep or read or watch tv. Still it's really boring.

During the week I was completely wiped out, especially in the morning. Also I was still fighting the nausea and zero appetite. But very slowly things seem to improve.

Heck Week - May 3 thru 9

I planned to call this Hell Week but it wouldn't have lived up to the name. I had the big dose of chemo on Monday which was no big deal except I was told to keep my mouth full of ice the whole time. I had heard this before; it slows down the blood around the roof of the mouth and prevents the poison from causing as much damage to the surface. And it worked; I've had no mouth sores at all. The second day was ok, except the nausea and vomiting started. Wednesday I checked into the hospital for the transplant, which was identical to getting a blood transfusion. However, due to all the nausea and vomiting they kept me overnight until it settled down some. I was really drained of energy and had no appetite. I had to go to the clinic every morning to get a couple of bags of fluid but they gave me a little more energy. Meantime, I was fighting the nausea and vomiting with several different pills, none of which worked perfectly but they sure helped.