T+10 Life (in the hospital) with Jill

BOX SCORE
Element	Current	Std. Range	Trend
Hemoglobin	8.5	13-17	v
Platelets	10	140-375	v
ANC	0	1800-8300	-

Hospital life is kind of like any other lifestyle, once you get into. You begin to develop routines, and you rely on them to structure your day. Some days, something really remarkable happens, like a bone marrow transplant. Other days are pretty routine. You get up, take a shower, get dressed, order breakfast. 

On those days, Jill and I make up our own routines. They usually involve walking. We love to hike, and when we are at home we have a route that we walk around the neighborhood that totals about two miles. Other times we go for a walk by the creek or in the nature preserve at Basket Slough. As part of our hospital lifestyle, we try to walk at least a mile every day. Here at OHSU, because of my precarious immune status, I am not allowed to leave the oncology unit, but fortunately, on the night we checked in, the nurse told us that eleven laps around the clinic equal a mile. So, every day so far, we have averaged a mile, except for the day of my transplant. We took the day off, primarily because I was connected to an IV pole most of the day. 

In addition to walking, Jill and I enjoy reading to each other. Usually, we read mysteries. She reads a chapter or two, and then I reciprocate. It's amazing how rapidly we go through a book in that fashion. Most of the books have been recommended by our son Patrick who, I am proud to say, is a voracious reader. He is teaching his daughters to love books as well. 

Sometimes, people ask us if we play games, and we do, but usually not competitive games. We both enjoy crosswords. Jill likes some computer games. I like Sudoku and word games. So we often sit side by side and play separately. Just being in the same room with that woman is so satisfying for me. 

The last couple of days, here at OHSU, have been routine, not much medical stuff going on. We have walked and gamed and read. Today we watched the PGA Championship golf tournament. Yesterday we started a new book by Elizabeth C. Bunce, the title of which is "Premeditated Myrtle." We are not far into the book, but the detective in this story is Myrtle, a 12 year old English girl, who is accompanied in her exploits by her governess, Miss Judson.

So, I suppose the point of this post is that not all of the time in the hospital is spent having medical treatment. In fact, most days are pretty unstructured. At this point the doctors are mainly monitoring my progress, while my new immune system develops and begins producing enough blood cells that I am stable enough for discharge. 

Since I didn't post yesterday, I thought I had better let you know that I am alive and kicking and raring to go home to Marquam Manor, as soon as the staff thinks it's safe. In the meantime, I fill the time with enjoyable activities shared with my best friend Jill. 

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs18:22)