Not what I had imagined

The day took some interesting turns. There was some sort of problem with getting the type and cross match done for my red blood cell transfusion. Then it was decided I also needed a platelet transfusion. Then daughter Tara decided she needed a visit, which was OK by me. 

So, mid morning after waiting for the RBCs, I was finally hooked up for the platelet transfusion. Dr. Mansoor, the Hematologist/Oncologist (HemOnc for short) came in to explain where we are. Some of my metabolics are getting a bit out of whack,  so meds will be used to intercept those trends. We had a chat about visitors. Dr. Mansoor is a strong supporter of having visitors, as long as appropriate caution is used. No visits from people with cough, sniffles, fever; you know, the kind of stuff we always should be doing and that the pandemic has trained us to do a bit better. 

Jill is limiting her social contacts in order to keep from bringing me any stray germs. Tara is staying away because she teaches K-1 Sunday school and belongs to a couple of church small groups. Patrick will take extra precautions for several days before visiting, to make sure he isn't unduly exposed to other people's germs or children. 

Tara did come for her "farewell" visit so to speak and brought yummy stuff from Noodles and Company for lunch. While she was here, she and Jill fixed up some posters on which to display cards and the grandkids' artwork. 

Finally, around 2:00pm, the RBCs arrived and I got a load of hemoglobin. Who knew a few (million) RBCs could make such a difference? I thought I was feeling pretty good until after the transfusion, then it was like, "look out world!" You can have your Red Bull and your 5 Hour Energy. Give me hemoglobin any ol' time. After Jill left for the day, I took a few laps around the floor with Olive Oyl. It felt good to be able to move without strain and to have a clear head. 

From here it looks like a shower and off to bed. See ya tomorrow!

Comments

  1. Bob SJuly 2, 2021 at 11:15 PM

    I appreciate your blogs so much Tom. I know you need distance from folks in order to stay healthy so the blogs help us all to feel like we are in contact with you. God bless you and your main squeeze. Donalynn :-)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Dream Come True

Image
BOX SCORE Element Current Std. Range Trend Hemoglobin 11 13-17 ^ Platelets 89 140-375 v ANC 2810 1800-8300 ^ When I was a youngster, probably about 10 years old, my dad introduced me to model making. Mainly we built models from kits, but Dad also taught me how to make a stick and paper airplane from scratch. It actually flew, with the help of a rubber band motor. But one of my favorite plastic model kits was an MG-TD sports car. You may remember this car from your youth (if you are old, like me) or from old movies, or maybe from a car show. It was a little, English two-seater with long sweeping front fenders and a vertical grille. The windshield (well, windscreen, if you are Brit...
Read more

Happy Anniversary

Today is our wedding anniversary. Jill has survived 21 years with me. Our marriage is old enough to drink!! In many ways, it seems like only a couple of years since our wedding day, and in other ways it seems as if we have always been us. This, I believe, is what is referred to in the fairy tales as "wedded bliss." Only, in our case, it isn't a fairy tale at all. It's just, well...wedded bliss. How I love that girl! A year ago today, I finished my induction chemotherapy at Club Sunnyside. Jill picked up German food at Gustav's, which is across the street from the hospital campus. She also picked up Bundt cakes from "Nothing Bundt Cake;" a little one for us and a big one for the oncology staff. It was as fine a celebration as we could muster under the circumstances, and one we will never forget.  Today we had a morning clinic visit. This time for Jill's blood pressure, which with the help of a new medication added to her regimen, is perfect, thank you...
Read more

Preparation

Well , I suppose it had to happen eventually. I have a cold, the first one since before the pandemic. That's well over five years. Not a bad run. We have been out and about more than usual, and at a time of year when there are "bugs" out there. But you know, there is always a silver lining. This is the first real trial of my my new immune system, which is working.  Although I awoke with a sore throat this morning and a bit of coughing, some hot drinks and a few tissues later, I am feeling better; better than I did yesterday, which seemed to be the nadir of this affliction. Jill ran out this morning and picked up some Dayquil for me (and some Nyquil for tonight). Is she the sweetest thing on the planet? The medicines will help, but I can tell by the feel of things that my body is fighting this bug, just as it has done with my original immune system.  One of the things that is of concern for a bone marrow transplant recipient is that challenges to the new immune system can ...
Read more