Day + 33

Hi All,

I know I have not written to blogland in a while, but I'm sure you have all found other things to do besides reading this! Hope you enjoyed Cookies' entry a few days ago, but to clarify one point: I never really saw her sitting down and watching the plants grow for any length of time. In fact, I rarely see her sit down at all, unless it is on the deck sunbathing on occasion! She is just not the sitting around type (I have become much better at that, and was always better than her).
Hard to believe I am home for three weeks already! This past week was a little more challenging, as I arrived at my first milestone of about 30 days post transplant, which meant a battery of tests last Tuesday was on my schedule. I went from a blood draw, to a PET scan, to a CT scan, to a bone marrow biopsy, to a surgeon visit, to a Pulmonary Function test. Do I know how to have a good time, or what?! I was back at U of C on Thursday, and found that my scans were clean (they better be!!!), I was still breathing, and I remain a little anemic. This explains why I have been a little low on energy lately, even compared to what I was before. But I am scheduled to get a couple of bags of blood tomorrow, so that should perk me up again!
One other bump in the road happened this week as well: I mentioned I saw the surgeon Tues., which was due to a recurrence of an infection starting up again in the site of my biopsy last Fall in the groin area. By Thursday, it was full blown, and he needed to reopen and drain the site while I was there. This did not make me particularly happy, but it is the third time this has happened, and therefore one at least knows what to expect. It is not related to my other treatment, and probably just occurred due to a suppressed immune system. So between the bone marrow biopsy on my left butt, and the right front groin, they now have me coming and going!!
This too shall pass. But meanwhile, I want to tell you all how fantastic my nurse Cookie has been, which will come as no surprise to anyone. It's one thing to be supportive and caring to your spouse in time of illness. It's another level, above and beyond the normal call of duty, to have to take care of things like my groin situation. I don't want to gross anyone out, but I must tell a few details so you understand her twice daily job fully: This is an open incision, that needs to be cleaned and packed twice a day. Picture Cook with her rubber gloves and mask, a wooden swab in hand, a piece of wet tape in the other hand, on her knees, pushing this tape into the incision until fully packed. Meanwhile, I am laying there grunting often in pain. Those who know her well, know that that's the hardest part....knowing that she is hurting me, while doing what is best for me at the same time! And the amazing part is that she never once has "blown her Cookies" . Nurse Mylove(2) would be so proud of her!! I am so proud of her...how lucky can one man be?!!
Sorry for rambling on, but I could not resist. Love to you all, and I hope to see many of you before too long.

Mike