Journal 3/3

Journal 3/3

Main Page • John's Journal • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

16 days post transplant. I'm home. I will never forget walking through the
front door and seeing my boys. We hugged for a long time and I cried. Kyler
asked, "Why is dad crying?" Mom said, "Because he is so happy." I spent a
few moments afterwards just walking through the house, taking it all in. A
little later my friend Tim and I walked out into the yard and went next door
to see my dog Rawley. Our neighbors have been taking care of him. Rawley
was so excited. I will need to get a bit stronger before I can play with
him. We had a wonderful family dinner together. It was so special sitting
at the dinner table with our whole family. I think the boys wondered if I
would ever stop giving thanks during the dinner prayer. The rest of the
evening was spent talking and playing with the boys. It took no time at all
before it was pretty normal around here. The boys energy and volume were
high. I wouldn't have it any other way. I think the boys find it difficult
to understand why dad's energy isn't what it usually is. They figure I'm
home from the hospital and should be ready to roll. The boys will definitely
give me motivation to recover as quickly as possible. However, it will take
many months before I am my normal self again. Recovery from a transplant is
slow and will challenge me physically and emotionally. I will continue to
draw strength from God, my supportive family and my friends. Oh, sleeping in
my own bed w/ my wife? The best.

When my 8 year old son, Kyler, saw my bald head last night he went and had
mom cut all his hair off so he could be like dad.

Leaving the hospital was easy, but I will never forget the special people who
work there. There are very few people who have as difficult of a job as
doctors and nurses on a cancer ward. However, these people have a love for
what they do and incredible compassion for their patients. Thank you to all
the doctor's and nurses at U of W hospital. You are truly the best.

I will be going to my local oncologist's office today to have my blood counts
checked. If my platelets or hematocrit are low I will get a transfusion to
get through the weekend. My last transfusion before leaving the hospital
yesterday gave me an incredible boost from 8,000 to 38,000. The biggest
boost I have ever gotten. Hopefully, that will hold me for a few days.

Recovery Information:

Blood Counts: Not sure until after my appointment today. Will try and
update later.
Current Weight: 163 lbs (173 before transplant)
Energy Level on Scale of 1 to 10: 2 or 3
Other? Mouth pain is minimal. Appetite slowly returning. Ate great dinner
last night. No other pain.

I feel it is important to share the recovery process with people. Therefore,
I will continue this journal for the next year. However, I won't write in it
everyday. Most likely I'll update a couple days a week and then a little
less often as time goes by.

Lord's blessings and I leave you with something a fellow cancer survivor
shared with me in an email last night.

The Best Day of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my
life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did!
And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far:
the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships
because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I
will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the
clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous
creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make
someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of
kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere
compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is,
and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much
she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being
grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll
remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and
his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the
heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I
will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the
Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a
contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going
to be the best day of my life, ever!

Next
Back