T+1 A Cracker Jack Day!

BOX SCORE




Element

Current

Std. Range

Trend

Hemoglobin

7.5

13-17

v

Platelets

93

140-375

^

ANC

520

1800-8300

v

Cracker Jack. Does anyone eat this stuff anymore? I just looked it up on Amazon. It's still available. I noticed the box says, "Prize inside." My recollection is that, when I was a kid, and we actually used to buy Cracker Jack at the ballpark, the box said, "A Prize in Every Box." So, one of two things have happened. 1) They changed the box. Really? After a mere 70 years? OR 2) My memory fails me. Really? After a mere 78 years? Who knows? 

The reason I bring this up is that, as I reflect on Day T+1, I am amazed at how well I feel one day after the transplant. In fact, I am amazed at how well I have felt through this whole process: chemo, radiation (well, that took the starch out of me), transplant. Jill and I walked a mile around the unit today. We missed yesterday because of the festivities, plus I was having a little difficulty with regulating my gut that needed attention. 

Today, my gut is better, I'm feeling really well. I didn't have to be plugged into an IV all day. I did get some IV medication to protect me from fungal infections. That took about an hour. We read some more of our mystery. It was a very good day. 

A social worker reached out to us about resources to help us understand what to expect in the future, near and far. Jill found some of the material very helpful, but it was another case of drinking from a fire hose. So much information. I assured her that she didn't have to absorb it all at once, but as situations arise, she could use the material as a reference source. 

Just about then, I received an email from a friend of a friend. My friend's friend has had a bone marrow transplant about three years ago at OHSU. He said he would be happy to answer any questions I might have about his experience. I read his letter to Jill. She said, "I want to talk to his wife." So, I had a physically good day. We came across some valuable resources that will make Jill's life easier as she takes on the role of caregiver with new things to think about compared to the past three years. 

You see, not every day ahead will be as easy or as satisfying as T+1. Soon, there will be signs of graft versus host disease (GVHD), transfusions, medical appointments and so on. In fact, we have been told to expect that total recovery from the transplant will take up to a year. That's why we are going to be spending the summer in Portland near the Knight Cancer Center. As Dr. Mansoor told us when I was diagnosed. This is a marathon, not a sprint.  

And yet, everyday we find something special that God has built into the day. So, I guess you could say every day is a Cracker Jack day. With a Prize in Every Box! 

 This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

 

 

 

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 9, 2024 at 9:19 PM

    I'm so grateful and thankful that all is going well for you both. Continue your walks and reading your mystery together and enjoy each other's presence. :-) Donalynn

    ReplyDelete

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