Why, Why, Why, Why!

A little concoction they put together every morning just for me....Nasty stuff!

I'm King of the.....Flower Garden!

I'm just about back! My numbers are climbing steadily and my mucositis is slowly ebbing....This thing could always change tomorrow but for today I'm taking my hacks! I'm like Ali! I can't be stopped! I feel good. The numbers indicate that my brother's bone marrow has taken hold. I have good wbc counts, my reds have moved up, my liver function is good, and no skin irritations or rashes. There are a few other indicators and they are all favorable to me. What does it mean? I may get out of Stanford Hospital faster than expected but then transition to an outpatient status. I would live in this area (probably in some apartments - they have a social worker on-site to help us with this) for up to 60 days as an outpatient to the BMT clinic! Its far from the 5 years that you want and need to say that this was a successful operation but it is a necessary first step! Viva la Che! Viva la...ooh, wait that was the last entry....How about this:

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

There is some love that will not
go away

You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on.....

That's supposed to be me at the front of the bridge (Flower Garden) screaming out "I'm King of the world" to nobody in particular....a little old lady was nice enough to help but very difficult to direct.....

Weekend in Hell-ville

This weekend has proven to be pretty awful.  My mouth and throat have continued to deteriorate and started bleeding today.  I also have recurrent nose bleeds.  I've been given platelet transfusions to control it.  My symptoms remain as before.   I still feel terrible and have about another two days to go before my blood counts start going up and the mucositis ebbs.

Thankfully my pain is, for the most part, controlled by fentanyl, which is now on a continuous drip in addition to my push button when I need a little extra relief.  I'm miserable, but this is a "normal" part of the bone marrow transplantation process.

I was so happy to get a delivery of a bunch of beautiful get-well cards from my friends and colleagues today.   Such kind words of support brought a smile to my face.  It was such a nice way to end my weekend and very much appreciated.

A nod to Linda for the Che pin from Cuba.  I'll keep on this battle as old Che did, but with better results!

Hasta la victoria, Siempre!!  Until victory, Always!!