Day + 32 At Home

I was able to get released from the hospital on Wed. The feeling at that time was that the issue that landed me back in was drug related. So, after some juggling doses etc. they sent me home.  Thanks to Bert and Jeanina  for the ride.

Back to visit the Dr. on Fri, with Jess.  Got a good report and I'm a bit ahead of where most are at 30 days out so I count that as great progress.  Keeping an eye on my BP and trying to make sure that I don't push too hard at this point.

Back at the Dr. on Thursday.

Day + 26 and a setback

Well I guess it was prophetic that I put this photo on the last blog post. As it turns out I am back. Yesterday, when going to a clinic appointment I just fainted in the parking lot. Eileen said I collapsed like an air filled doll with the air being let out.

I was then taken up to the clinic by someone who had me in a wheelchair. Once up there they found that my blood pressure was very low and I continued to be slightly dizzy. So the decision was made to readmit me to the hospital for a day or two to make sure of the cause. At this point they seem to be leaning toward drug interaction and I expect a significant modification in the drug regime.

This morning they did do a head CT scan to ensure that the basal stent of 2006 had no effect on this issue. I'm feeling fine today and ready to get out of here again.

I do have to say that I was quite disappointed at having to go back into the hospital. I've been told however that's not unusual for at least one return trip for the transplant patients.

One thing is the room they have me in certainly has far better views the one I occupied for three weeks. Would have enjoyed this room although it's considerably smaller than the one I was in previously.

I really have to thank Eileen for running home yesterday to get a supply of clean clothes and my computer for the stay here. Would have gone absolutely crazy last night without her help. Thanks again sweetheart.

So we'll be seeing the doctor again on Friday, it will be interesting to see what the next step is.

Day +25 at home

It seems odd to open this blog edition with a photo of the area at Rush where I spent almost 3 weeks of my life. I'm told this was fairly typical time period for a stem cell transplant patient, but in retrospect it does seem somewhat shorter than that.

One bit of news that several of you have asked about is the mustache. Thankfully it has survived in spite of the loss of other hair. So the mustache remains a trademark dating from January of 1966.

Anyway, I'm home now was greeted by the spring bees that Eileen's daughters Katie and Kellie sent.

I was a bit frightened of being back here at home without the protection of the hospital. Although I really have only been here alone for two days, Wednesday and Friday. But it is wonderful to be back home.

On Thursday we were back at Rush which really is indicative of the next phase of this process. Until day 60 I will continue to be semi-isolation with fairly close monitoring (twice a week) by the transplant staff.


One of the significant things of day 60 is when the medical staff will decide if we should do a second  transplant. I have to wonder even if they were to recommend one whether I would be willing to go through this again.

I do find that I am somewhat weaker than I would like. However considering what I've been through I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's going to be at least day 100 before I get back to something close to
normal. It does get frustrating as there are some things I would like to do that I simply don't have the energy for, nor should I risk the exposure to germs from other customers at neighborhood stores.

I'll let you know how things progress next week. We do have another appointment at Rush on Monday. We'll see how well my blood numbers look relative to progress back to normal.

Thank you for all your thoughts and wishes through this process. It has helped me to know that indeed I have lots of friends out there.

Day + 19

GO HOME DAY,


But this is only the beginning of phase III of this journey.

Thanks for all your support
Al

Thought today was go home day, but no such luck,

Thought I was heading home today, but they aren't ready on this end.

+17 part II

since yesterday's post was very early and mearly covered the crack of dawn insertion of the IV, I thought I would follow through with a little more detail on yesterday.

It has several pleasant surprises one of which was Jess and  Eric stopping by with some food left over from Eric's birthday party. L'll that I was the only one on the floor with ribs and  cheesy potatoes for dinner last night. It was good to see them even though there stay was brief to do a show commitment, the MSI.

Also got another surprise when a friend former co-student at the U of I, Pete Nicholson stopped by to chat.  In the past few years our professional paths have somewhat separated. It was good catch up and it heightened the afternoon.

Eileen had her St. Patty's day dinner last night I did find myself on the phone once or twice pointing out where I had moved things in the house. Oh well, they all seem to have a good time.

Best news of all was the suggestion that if things continue to go as I have been the last couple of days they should be booting me out of here Monday morning. That be quite delightful and especially tired of looking at my wonderful little space here

I did get into watching a couple of movies last night, one of which was a three-part series called

Arch Angel starring Daniel Craig. I've never heard of this series before it was really good. I did try to download Skyfall via the YuLo system bI wouldn't recommend it.

So today is more or less spent killing time keeping fingers crossed that all goes well and watch a couple more movies waiting for  my release tomorrow. I should say that one of the very nice nurses went out of her way to get me off of room restrictions so I did get to paddle around the floor several times. I'm sure that the exercise was quite good for me. It certainly felt good. Report a bit more later in the day as things go

+17 early

Of course I couldn't be the only person in the hospital without an IV, so this mornings  7a wake up was an IV insertion!   GOOD MORNING!