T-2 Mystery solved.

BOX SCORE
Element	Current	Std. Range	Trend
Hemoglobin	7.7	13-17	v
Platelets	91	140-375	v
ANC	1440	1800-8300	v

Today is T-2, two days before transplant. I have finished with the pre-transplant chemotherapy, but I am still being hydrated by IV infusion. I was told the reason is to prepare me for the total body irradiation I am to receive tomorrow. When the medical team came by on rounds this morning, Dr. Chen, who is currently the oncologist overseeing the 14K unit, said it would be all right for me to be disconnected from the IV long enough to take a walk around the unit. I took full advantage of that and took a shower, before Jill and I walked 11 laps around the unit, which we are told is a mile. 

Later this afternoon, we did another 12 laps, but this time with my IV stand in tow. Well, actually, I was pushing it, not towing it. I definitely prefer walking without it all together. Have you ever tried to move something with casters on all four corners? You know, then, that the only way to steer such an item is by brute force. It seems as if casters are related to sheep. Wherever one goes the rest are sure to follow. The IV stand has six casters. I'm not sure that makes it any harder to steer than, say, an item with four casters. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that my legs could have gone several more laps, but my arms were worn out from trying to steer. Hmmm. Maybe that's why cars have power steering!? 

Remember in a previous post, when I said I thought a DC-3 was flying up the street the first night I was here? I was wrong. It was a helicopter. It seems there is a heli-pad on top of the hospital. I can't see it, but I can see the windsock. While we were eating lunch today, a Life Flight helicopter landed and took off as we watched.

 

The windsock, and perhaps, a microwave antenna

I apologize for the blurry picture. I've found that taking digital pictures through a rain spattered window is hazardous. The auto focus seems to always focus on the rain drops and not on the subject. Anyway, this is what landed and took off a little while later. I still say it sounded like a DC-3. 

So, Day T-2 is coming to a close. The sun is now streaming in the window and warming me a bit. Jill just said, "It's a beautiful day," and it is. I'm feeling well; I'm with my best friend; the sun is shining; I learned about the DC-3; God is in His heaven, and all is right with the world! (Well, don't read the headlines too closely.)