Rick’s Corner     

Well, here we are. I go in the hospital tomorrow and all things seem to be going well. Beginning tomorrow, there will be no more fresh fruits and veggies for me. Also, no salads, no flowers or plants. My CVC line was put in without any problems. By this weekend, the nurses will begin using that line to deliver chemo.

The next couple of weeks could be a little rougher than I’ve said to a few of you. Although my radiation treatment showed that worst case scenario doesn’t always come to pass, I think I will have to be disciplined to get out of bed every day and walk around the hospital floor.

I had my last meeting with Dr. Donato today. Her parting advice to me was the biggest impact I can make on all of this is compliance – follow the rules. I’m asking all visitors and care givers to please avoid contact with me if you have so much as a scratchy throat. Something that minor could have the worst implications for me.

For those of you who are interested, I was given information about the transplant that is not consistent with the information that I had passed on to most of you. So, to clarify things . . .

My donor will have his marrow harvested in his home city next Thursday. He has no idea that I am a patient at MD Anderson. That same day (Thursday), the marrow will be shipped to Houston and delivered to me much the same way as a blood transfusion. I have been told by more than one person that the actual BMT will seem anti-climactic.

On to more practical matters: either Z or I will post my hospital phone line on this blog when we know it. I will be able to use my cell phone in the hospital at times, but no guarantees. My address here at the apartment will still be good.

That’s all for now.

Rick
8/16/05