More waiting

The good news... the latest biopsy showed no sign of leukemia. However, the experts assure me it will return, so the only permanent solution is a bone marrow transplant. And I have matching donors!

The bad news is I have to wait until there is no chance of infection. In my case, that comes down to teeth. I have bad teeth; from my childhood I have known this and therefore generally avoided dentists until major pain developed. 

That avoidance has come home to roost now as I need several procedures to ensure no infection. And, that it seems, has delayed the transplant. After meeting with the onologist on Thursday to hear the good news of remission, I received a text from the hospital giving me an admission date of November 24.

Really? The day before Thanksgiving? I know once it's all done I will have much to be thankful for, but it seems like we could have started a few days later (or preferably, a week earlier) without much harm. I kinda doubt the doctors are going to be working on Thanksgiving and its ensuing weekend.  

And it's almost six weeks away. I've already started packing for the hospital, I'm ready to get this show on the road. What am I supposed to do for the next 30 days? 

So, unless I am able to talk the team into an earlier date, I won't have much to post until post-transplant. It doesn't mean anything but I'm waiting for more good news to share.

Be careful what you wish for

 In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, most of us long for a day (or so) to just do nothing. No meetings, no calls, nowhere to be, no one needing us right now.

Being in the hospital for 3 weeks can change the perception of that. It's hard to do nothing. Even on vacation, we usually plan some activities to fill the days.

But the real kicker is that the body can get used to doing nothing and want to keep it that way. For the past week, I have been unable to stand or walk  for more than a minute or so. I am utterly exhausted at the slightest exertion.

Is it the low blood counts trying to recover from chemotherapy? The aftereffect of neutropenic fevers and double pneumonia? Or a loss of muscle mass from lying in bed?

The nurses just say it is to be expected, but that doesn't make it easier. Oddly enough,  I want to be able to do my laundry or make a meal.

Someday, when all this is over (i.e. when my bone marrow has recovered from transplant) remind me of that.