No Pain, No Gain

It is now time to prepare for my second transplant on the 30th. I started chemotherapy yesterday. I got a fever from the chemo, but the fever was gone by the evening. The doctor has made the proper adjustments so that it will not happen again though. I have also been suffering from constant back pain, not enough to stop getting around though. I am still walking daily and my appetite is normal. I feel that this transplant will go very smoothly. I know that I have not posted a blog lately, but it has been simply a waiting game the last couple of weeks. Not much has been going on and I feel there has not been much to talk about. I am basicly going through the motions again. My days have become a schedule. I usually get up and have coffee, take a walk, watch TV, eat lunch, take a walk, and watch more TV. It seems pretty boring, but the days seem to fly by though. Well, I cant think of anything else that is going on, so I guess I'll check back in as soon as more news comes in.

Another pothole repatched

Yes it has been a while since I have wrote about what is going on. Its usually a good thing, but this time it was a fever. I recovered from the fever a week and a half ago, but I feel it was the first time I came down on myself. Gee, it only took me eight months to become a little depressed! I am over it now, seeing how the poking and prodding have ceased. I am still in the hospital waiting for more cells to arrive. The other cells I received have not engrafted yet, so I will need another installment. Yes it gets boring at times but I feel a lot safer in the hospital, seeing how my counts are low and my energy level has still not returned. I am walking daily though, just not as much as I used to. The physical therapist came by the other day and gave me exercises to do. I think if I get started now I can tone up for summer! The only real task at hand is waiting. I may not get cells for a week or so. I guess I may have to find something to do like read or arts and crafts!! Whatever it is I know my spirits will still be high. People ask me how I do it. I guess I am just thankful for my laid back attitude. Well, I am all out of words, so I think I will go back to the lavishing hospital life.

Wasted Time

Everything is still going very well. The only problem I have is communication breakdown at the hospital. Sometimes it seems like in one hear and out the other. Michel and I wind up spending extra time at the hospital because of delays from the blood bank and other unknown reasons. The nurses tried to expain the slow paper trail but I think its a cover up. We do not have much to do otherwise so its not really a big deal. I think it just feels a bit more comfortable at the apartment than at the hospital. My counts are still going crazy so I am still receiving blood products very often. This means long hours at the hospital. OH JOY! But don't forget, I still have that smile I always talk about!

Day 30 - Goin' to work

Daily appointments have been keeping me busy. It kinda feels like going to work. I usually spend about eight hours a day receiving the necessary fluids and blood products. I'm just glad I'm not in the hospital. The weekend is coming and the nurses are talking about giving me the weekend 'off'. I will still have to infuse my fluids at home though. I can't wait for this to all be over. Everyday is a process. Fatigue has set in. Lately I have been having trouble walking as little as a fifth of a mile. That's alright though. I still have my appetite and a smile.

Day 21 - Free at last!

I was discharged from the hospital yesterday. It was very exciting to finally not be connected to an IV pole or to record my 'intake' and 'output' anymore. Also, a nice shower was very comforting as well. The pressure at the hospital was very bleak. A comfortable bed was much needed as well. I woke up this morning very refreshed. I will be going to appointments at the clinic everyday for the necessary infusions, but the feeling of freedom is wonderful. I feel like a major step of this process is over.