Hey guys and gals, hope you are enjoying your weekend and are ready for another great week ahead. I’ve been relaxing much of the weekend, when I haven’t been hanging around the hospital, as I return everyday to give blood and receive necessary drugs. I figured tonight I would write and you give all a fairly brief caption on the process ahead for me.
You’ll have to excuse me as from time to time I get caught thinking that all of you have been with me from the beginning, since November of 98, so I take for granted that you know certain things. Some of these things I will now highlight.
The process ahead for me is much like this… uncertain. In a word it is uncertain, as I don’t know what is in store for me from one day to the next, thus the importance and appropriateness of my “day to day” mindset. I say that because while I’ve had my Transplant, Wednesday past, the process really only starts with my infusion of stem cells. From here we focus on our 30 Day Drive and the focus of that Drive is getting those cells in my body and getting them working well. That process comes with a whole host of risks and experiences, and after this Drive there will be many other destinations and I’ll look to attain them with the same mind-set. At present my blood levels have pretty much dropped to the basement, making me at great risk for infection, and within a couple of days I’ll probably start to receive platelet and red cell transfusions.
The reality of my situation is that my present health is very volatile, and things can get really bad in a real hurry. Again reinforcement for enjoying each moment of each day. While my situation comes with a heightened sense of enjoying the moment, as you know I encourage all of you to do the same as things and life can change in an instant. More to the point, when it changes dramatically it most often does so in an instant.
Because I have been through the Transplant process before I can give you some comparisons of where I was last time in the process, and where I am now. I can also give you some idea of where I was at various stages after Transplant last time, so you can get an idea of where I’ll be over the next while.
At present I can tell you that I’m feeling about 1 million times better than at this point in my last Transplant, and that is in large part due to the fact that I’m still an Out-Patient. My activity level is non-comparable and
I’m certain it is a major contributor to my well-being. This Ottawa approach is very much to my liking and a discussing with my nurse today gives me a great feeling of comfort that I’ll be an Out-Patient for a large
part of my stay here. Of course I do have to qualify that and say should I get a serious infection, there’s no question where I’ll be.
While the road right now is day-to-day, I will also say I have a long road ahead. There will be many ups and downs, and while I am hoping and would love to avoid another ICU stay, that remains a possibility. My situation comes with serious situations and I look forward to sharing them with you as I experience them. Hope this clarifies where we are a little, please know that this won’t be a short and sweet journey, and you must always keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
“A bend in the road, isn’t the end, unless you fail to make the turn.” So far I’m making the turns nicely, back soon.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
