T+90 I'll fly away!

BOX SCORE	8/5/2024
Element	Current	Std. Range	Trend
Hemoglobin	11.6	13-17	v
Platelets	155	140-375	v
ANC	3630	1800-8300	^

Yesterday was lab day. It was a bit strange for several reasons. First, the appointment was at 2:00 pm. In the beginning of my recovery, my appointments were in the morning, sometimes as early 7:20 am, but the further I progress, the later they become. "Why?" you ask. I really don't know. My suspicion is that, in the beginning, if any abnormalities in my blood counts showed up, there would still be time for transfusions. But that's only a guess. It could also be that's just the way the openings came up on the calendar. 

Anyway, the other difference yesterday was that Dr. Meyers, with whom a check-in was scheduled, was unable to make it at the last moment. Again I don't know why, but I surmise another patient needed more urgent attention than I did. Suffice to say the day just seemed a bit odd. Later we had a call saying that a video appointment had been set up for this morning with her. 

This was a very helpful appointment, during which we had a number of questions answered about everything from medications to what we will be able to do once we get home. First the medical questions. Today is the last day I am scheduled to take a medication that is used to protect the liver from the fallout of chemotherapy. It amounts to three of what I call horse pills a day. I have been taking it since early May. Nevertheless, after today I just stop taking it; no tapering off the dosage; just cold turkey. Yay! 

Speaking of pills, another issue we discussed was the fact that my magnesium still is not up to the level Dr. Meyers would like it to be. It's in the "normal" range; it's just not normal enough. So, I am to replace the three horse pills with an additional magnesium pill, which is more like a Shetland pony pill. That'll work.

Moving on to the bone marrow biopsy (BMBx) scheduled for Friday, I asked what exactly Dr. Meyers will be looking for. Essentially it will be 1) any signs of leukemia, 2) how much of my bone marrow is my own and how much is from my donor, and 3) do the marrow cells appear normal microscopically. In my last BMBx, on day T+33, all of those things were just as they should be. In fact, that one showed that 100% of my marrow cells were from the donor, something Dr. Meyers said was unusual that early after transplant. 

Enough medical stuff. We had some lifestyle questions as well. The first was, "When may I kiss, my wife?" She said now, so I kissed my wife, then and there. Next was "when may I drive?" She said I am cleared to drive! Then I asked when I can see the ophthalmologist and the dental hygienist. Wait a month. Hah, I'll be lucky to get appointments in 3 months! Next one will be tough for us. What about church? Mask but don't mingle. 

And regarding our home, will I be able to drink our well water? Yes! What about making beer...and drinking a little of it. Cleared for making, limit drinking it to a small quantity a couple of times a week. Can do! What about using the rowing machine to build up my puny arms? That's OK after my PICC line is removed. Dr. Meyers indicated that she would like to do that before we go home, unless the additional magnesium tablets don't raise my plasma magnesium enough. Then I will need the PICC line for infusions. And finally, when will Jill be relieved of having to be with me 24/7? The good doctor said she is OK with that now, as long as it is not for hours at a time. 

BOOM! Real life, here we come! I kept thinking of the old hymn, "I'll Fly Away."  Here are the lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Some glad morning when this life is o'er
I'll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Chorus]
I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away (In the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Verse 2]
When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Chorus]
I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away (In the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

[Verse 3]
Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)*

 Of course, that "fly away to God's celestial shore," I hope, is a few years off yet, because I believe the Lord has work for me here. But in either case, going home or going HOME, I look forward to more freedom than I have known in quite some time. 

 

*https://genius.com/Religious-music-hymns-ill-fly-away-lyrics