Under Way with Transplant #2

So I'm here in the hospital, room East 811, and wishing I had a room with a better view...i.e. ANY view. Other than that, though, things are pretty good.

In my last post, I listed the things I wanted to do with my last week out of the hospital. I'm pretty happy to report that I accomplished most of it. Noelle and I went to the Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park downtown. We went to lunch at the Market Street Grill. I went to the temple with Abby to do baptisms for the dead. The next morning, Noelle and I went to all-you-can-eat french toast at Kneaders Bakery and then to the temple to do some ordinance work. I went with my brother David to get tile for our new shower. I was treated to a round of golf by Dr. Jim Smith, my old collegiate choir director and voice teacher from BYUH. Not only did we have a great time, I also shot my best score ever on a Par 72 course.

Unfortunately, our plans to go to Arches National Park on Friday were botched, so I went out that morning and played an other round of golf. I didn't score nearly as well on that round. Noelle and I went to a Salt Lake Bees game and dessert with David, Brook, Jeff and Rachelle.

Our family spent some good time playing some games together at home, and on this Monday morning, I took the kids to Kneaders for breakfast before school. Noelle suggested that to me on Sunday, as I would be entering the hospital Monday afternoon. I liked the suggestion, and the kids and I had a good time and enjoyed the delicious food.

The first few days here in the hospital have been OK. Chemotherapy has begun, but gratefully my neutrophil counts are still good enough that Noelle and I have been able to get outside for a walk or two each day. I was going to participate in a study with some test medication (or a placebo) to prevent people in my position from contracting c-diff, but as it turns out, I have contracted it early and won't be participating in the study. I feel fine, though, and don't have the horrible constant diarrhea that tends to go along with it. Chemo is given VERY early in the morning, and tends to make me pretty sleepy during the day. There are two more days of it, and then two "rest days" on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Finally, on Wednesday, the 29th, I will receive the stem cells from my donor that may save my life in a very literal sense. After that, we just wait for the stem cells to engraft and start producing blood cells.

That's about all for now. I'm not in pain, and I'm just taking it easy. I miss my kids, though. Tonight, when I talked with each of them on the phone, I asked them to draw me some pictures to put up on the walls of my hospital room. They each agreed to do so, so by Sunday afternoon, I should have some nicely decorated walls that help me feel closer to my kids.