THEY SAY time off for good behavior is seldom granted in the stem-cell transplant penal system. And yet, there I was yesterday afternoon with my bag packed, climbing into the car with Val at the wheel to make a quick getaway.
It was 15th day of my hospitalization and the absolute shortest time frame anyone said was possible. I win!
That’s not to say the entire sentence is fulfilled. My medical parole officers insist that I check in daily for blood draws, catheter care, and various infusions over the coming weeks.
Still, it was pretty sweet sleeping in our own bed last night, even if I awakened every two hours or so without reason. It was as if I was anticipating those wee-hours nurses’ visits for medications and “vitals.” Continue reading On Parole
ANTICIPATION BUILDS when you get ready for a stem-cell procedure.
MY FIRST HARVEST was pretty productive, with in the neighborhood of 5.6 million stem cells collected. You need a minimum of 3 million for a single transplant procedure, so that’s not bad.