Today was one of my two days of rest before the transplant day. It might not have been extremely relaxing or restful, but it was easier than the other days. The Tacrolimus drug I am on is connected to a portable IV pump, so at 2:00 I was able to get off the IV pole and actually walk around a bit more freely. I have to get hooked back to the IV pole every once in a while for other drugs, but I now have slightly greater mobility.
Since I'm not receiving supplemental IV fluids right now, I'm also heading to the bathroom a lot less. Thats a very welcome change! Unfortunately my appetite still sucks. I get hungry, but as soon as food is in front of me I get a feeling like I need to walk away. Chicken noodle soup, yogurt, and ice pops are the only thing that I consistently seem to be eating. Its calories...but I really wouldn't call it eating.
Father Bob from Catholic called me today and he always seems shocked at how positive I am. Well Father...what else would you have me do? Its also easy to stay positive knowing that in addition to my family, I have a lot of people supporting us and praying for us. For anybody reading this from the email that Father Bob helped organize and send out...Kate and I are extremely thankful for your help and prayers. And for everybody who reads...I frequently look at the guestbook messages you write. I'm appreciative of everybody's prayers and support and please keep it coming.
Alright...time to fight insomnia and try to get to sleep. I need to enjoy tommorow, since it will be my last full day with my own immune system in place.
Showing posts with label catholic university. Show all posts
Showing posts with label catholic university. Show all posts
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Blood Transfusion
Its been a while since I've updated my blog. I haven't had a lot of energy lately and haven't sat down at the computer long enough to type my thoughts out. From my bi-weekly blood tests, one could tell why I was losing energy. My hemoglobin level went from 8.2 on October 7th, to 8.4 on October 10th, to 7.4 on October 13th. Keep in mind that levels under 13 are considered anemic for adult males. During my best days, I've got a pretty formidable task to stay energized with this condition. At NIH, they start to consider blood transfusions when hemoglobin levels dip below 8.5. When it was 7.4, they wanted me to come in right away for a transfusion. I ended up doing that Monday evening, and the nurse who saw me through that procedure let me know that my hemoglobin fell into the 6's when it was tested Monday evening. So my energy which was already low, was decreasing quickly and significantly. It takes a while for them to get the blood ready for transfusion, so I was at NIH past midnight getting two units of blood. However, when I was walking out of the hospital I was feeling good and could definitely feel the positive effect of the blood tranfusion. My hemoglobin level on Thursday was 9.1, which is as high as its been in probably about a month or so.
So while I still feel much more tired than I normally should, the tranfusion was a big help. I was able to put in a full 4 day work week. Yes...Christopher Columbus gave me an extra day last weekend. Most other things have been good during this cycle. My mouth hasn't been nearly as uncomfortable or painful as it was the previous cycle, and the other side effects aren't any worse than usual.
A positive thing I'd like to share was that Father Bob, the campus minister from Catholic University stopped by last Monday before I went for my blood transfusion. I got to know him very well while a student at Catholic, and have kept him updated about Kate and I's life together after graduation. He works closely with the football team at Catholic, and expressed that the team has kept me in prayer recently. The football program has changed a lot since I was there, but the current senior class was there when I was still coaching. Father Bob talked to us about our current situation, and offered to organize some help for us from current students and some alumni. It was great to sit down with him and feel support coming from yet another place.
Right now I've got a few days left until the next round of chemotherapy begins. It feels good every time I think about where I am in the process and how much closer I am to being through with it. I feel like the bone marrow transplant is a big question mark staring me in the face that keeps on getting closer and closer. I'm ready to run right at that question mark and smash through it.
So while I still feel much more tired than I normally should, the tranfusion was a big help. I was able to put in a full 4 day work week. Yes...Christopher Columbus gave me an extra day last weekend. Most other things have been good during this cycle. My mouth hasn't been nearly as uncomfortable or painful as it was the previous cycle, and the other side effects aren't any worse than usual.
A positive thing I'd like to share was that Father Bob, the campus minister from Catholic University stopped by last Monday before I went for my blood transfusion. I got to know him very well while a student at Catholic, and have kept him updated about Kate and I's life together after graduation. He works closely with the football team at Catholic, and expressed that the team has kept me in prayer recently. The football program has changed a lot since I was there, but the current senior class was there when I was still coaching. Father Bob talked to us about our current situation, and offered to organize some help for us from current students and some alumni. It was great to sit down with him and feel support coming from yet another place.
Right now I've got a few days left until the next round of chemotherapy begins. It feels good every time I think about where I am in the process and how much closer I am to being through with it. I feel like the bone marrow transplant is a big question mark staring me in the face that keeps on getting closer and closer. I'm ready to run right at that question mark and smash through it.
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