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Diagnosis “Boring”
Today marks 231 days post-transplant. In about 134 days, I will complete the year of “babysitting” the doctor described when I began this stem cell transplant journey. He (my doctor) told me at the beginning of my transplant that they were going to “beat me up”, then they would “babysit me”. Well, I’ve been “beat…
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Day plus 35
My last post was on day minus four. That meant there were four more days until my stem cell transplant. Today, as the title says, is day plus 35, meaning I am 35 days post-transplant. The day of transplant is considered day zero, and every day just before transplant is considered day minus, and every…
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Day Minus Four
Hello, I’m day minus four, and your name is? Yesterday, during rounds, as I spoke to the physician and the rest of the team visiting my room, I informed them that today I am getting the Rabbit ATG infusion. “Oh yes,” he rapidly answered. “You are at day minus five.” I’m not sure why I…
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Needles
If needle sticks make you queasy, you may want to pass this blog post by. It’s ok. I don’t mind. I’ll give you a second to rethink it before you keep reading. If blood bothers you, then maybe go organize your purse, or go read that article on Hermeneutics you’ve been meaning to read. Either way,…
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Return With Honor
This is a story about a coin. It is a favorite story of mine about a coin that Brian gave to a doctor and a nurse, but before I tell it, you need to know the history of military coins. The following words come from the package that held the coin in this story. It…
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The wristband
The day arrived. I would go later that morning to the cancer center and have the first chemo treatment of my life. After sitting by Brian’s side for his 20+ chemo treatments, and then volunteering at our cancer center where I took coffee and snacks to patients receiving chemo and infusions, I saw what people…
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Our Two Stories
Our Two Stories – Stem Cell Transplants Stem cell transplants, when you’re on, as Brian calls it, the family plan. Brian’s stem cell transplant in 2020 was called Autologous (ah-tall-low-gus), which means he was able to use his own stem cells. Before his transplant, he had a port inserted and we went to Huntsville Hospital…
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The 12 O’ Clock Appointment
On Monday, May 6th, 2024. Brian and I were in the waiting room at Clearview Cancer Institute. We arrived at 11:00 that morning so I could get my labs drawn. I would see the Oncologist at noon for my 12:00 appointment to get the results of the bone marrow biopsy I had April 25th. Earlier…
The 12 O'clock Appointment
One couple. Two cancer stories.
The 12 O'clock Appointment 