treatment was behind me and my energy level was up. I enjoyed some visitors
as well. Michelle's Dad, Michelle's Uncle Don and Aunt Mary, Ken Gostelli,
Jonathon & Chris, friends from work...Roger, Ray, Jill, & Sue. There was an
article written about me in the Tacoma News Tribune yesterday. Kiro TV also
ran a story about my transplant and how students of mine are following my
progress by reading the daily journals I write. I am hoping students will
realize everyone of us will face different challenges and obstacles
throughout life. The best way to overcome difficulties is to approach them
with a great attitude and a strong faith. My friend Doug wrote me an email
yesterday and he quoted one of his coaching lines which says, ""Tough times
don't last, tough people do." I agree.
Today is the day
I get my bone marrow transplant. They will infuse my marrow cells into my blood through the Hickman Port. It will take about an hour. I will be getting several medications during the transplant. The various medications are hydrocordison & benedryl to prevent any allergic
reactions, GCSF(growth hormone) to encourage growth of the marrow, and various antiviral medications to prevent infection. Once the marrow cells are infused, the next twenty days or so will be spent monitoring me for fever and infection and allowing the marrow to migrate to the inside of my bones so it can begin producing the various blood cells I need. This is an exciting time because it is all uphill toward total recovery, but it is also a scary time because the risks of life threatening infections are high. Last night was kind of exciting. I was eating some beef jerky around midnight and broke a molar along a weak filling. The nurse said, "This is a first." They sent a dentist up to examine the tooth. Fortunately, the break
didn't leave any tooth exposed and all the dentist did was grind the sharp edges of the filling smooth so I wouldn't cut my tongue. It was kind of scary because you can't have major dental work done due to bleeding. I can't stop bleeding because I have a very low platelet count (Platelets are cells
which stop bleeding.) Once my blood counts return to normal in about a month I can have a cap made to fully repair the tooth.Well, I am going to cut the journal short today because the nurses are setting me up for transplant. I will share tomorrow how everything went. My strengthening verse of the day: "He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:11