Day +19

Doing pretty well. I've been home a week and just been laying around. Went to the office for about 1/2 hour and that was a bit much. Picked the kids up from school one day, drove home and that was a bit much. So, after SCT they tell you that you won't feel like doing much for the next 30 days, I'm starting to believe them.

Went to my local Oncologist today and all my blood levels were normal. He was surprised. He was happy with how I was doing. Cleveland has me going in every week for a CBC and I will have to drive back to Cleveland in 30 days for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Dean and I think a Pulmonary function test, to check out my lungs.

Here at home everything seems to be on the mend with the cat situation. Katie is still mad and not talking to Mom but it will take her some time. I rocked McKenna to sleep in my arms for about an hour. She is crawling and has gained 5 pounds since I last saw her. While holding her I was thinking about my own kids how I just loved to rock them to sleep and it just brought tears to my eyes to see my baby Oliver now 15. Kids are doing great. Katie and Oliver are on Spring Break and they just wanted to spend some extra time here with me. They have been helping out a lot. Oliver passed his driver's Ed. test and he is dying for me to get him out on the road to see how good of a driver he is. Maybe this weekend I told him. Katie has been like Mother Hen, making sure Dad is ok. She has been taking Oliver any place he needs to be without question. Mal seems to be doing fine, working hard. Mom has taken some time off from work to take care of all my needs and I'm glad she has. Nice to have someone to wait on you.

So, over all I'm doing well. Will update when I get some new news.

Home again, Home again

Yesterday morning they woke me up to tell me my WBC was 9600 and I was good to get my catheter and infusion port out. Waited, waited and waited but they finally got started around 10:30. The port took about an hour and half to get out, all under local and the catheter took about 45 mins. By the time I got back to my room I had missed my ride. My friend Eric had to pick me up by noon in order to get back in time for work. SO, Keith and Cathy after a hard day at work drive up around 7:00 and picked me up. It was so emotional for me to just get out of that place Knowing I was done!

I know for sure that Christ was with me throughout this entire process. Even to the point I was getting in Keith's car. It was like He was telling me "All is well" So comforting. We got back to Keith's and it was good to see the kids. Didn't stay up too late as we were heading out around 9:00 am.

That evening prior to bed I found out that my Mother put my cat of some 13 years to sleep. Why she couldn't wait for me and allowed me to no this is beyond me. She took the cat why the kids were in school and they nor I got to say our goodbyes. It was really sad and hard to get to sleep. It's not like he was going to die in the next month but he was going down hill. I would have done things differently for the sake of the kids. We are planning a little memorial service for him and put up a stone with his name on it. Sorry Boomer, you will be missed.

Got up this morning and took off to meet my sister and Mom halfway. The ride home was pretty uneventful except for my sore bottom. So, getting comfortable was a challenge. Pulled in the drive about 3:00 and it was NICE to be home. The kids came over around 3:45 and we all hugged and sobbed like babies. I missed the kids so much. I was so homesick, it was making me sick.

Tired, tired, tired. I had to take a nap to recover from the 6 hour drive. Got a little sick at my stomach searching for WATER that had a good taste to it. Could not eat much but Mom fixed me some noodles and butter. Kids have been great all night really helping me out as I still very weak and will be for sometime.

Anyway, I'm home, in my own bed, surrounded by love and it all feels great. I want to thank all that have been praying for me as I have felt all the comforting prayers. I have to go to my local cancer center tomorrow for some blood work. Other than that, I will try to post with any new news. Alan

Day 10 Going Home tomorrow

HGB 9.8
WBC 7800 up 6500 WOW!
PLT 58K

The nurses and doctors were all impressed with the jump I had in my WBC. They said I was good to go on Monday! I need a ride. If not, Tuesday will be just fine it's just another day I have to spend in here.

Doing well today. They have been taking me off the IV meds and giving me pills. So far, so good.

Breakfast was grits...YUCK never liked grits. So, I hoping for something good for lunch. I need some food on my stomach so I handle the pills before me.

Overall, I feel good about getting out of here. I don't think I'm going to miss this place at all...
Port and catheter is due to come out tomorrow. Discharge after that.

Day 9

HGB 9.5
WBC 1160 up 1000
PLT 65

Feeling a bit tired today but seem to be doing much better. I'm able to keep fluids down with very little pain. They are working me towards pills and not IV's and they do think Tuesday is the day. Met with the nutritionist today and she said it will be slow go for a while with foods until my intestinal track calms down a bit. Keith, my brother, The MAN is going to take they day off on Tuesday and the game plan is when I'm discharged to call my sister and Mom to start heading north. He will drive 3 hours and they will drive 3 hours to meet me. So, I should be home Tuesday afternoon~YAHOO! It's going to take me a couple of weeks to get back on my feet. This has taken a lot out of me. My one fat roll on my stomach is all but gone and when I slip my pants on, they fall off. I feel good about the weight loss, I just don't want to lose too much. Chaplin came in today and prayed with me. She could understand my emotional (Homesick) status but we prayed it up to God and all is good!

Day 8 Doing pretty good

HGB 9.5
WBC 160 up 80
PLT 21

My throat has been sore the biggest part of the day but currently it is like I can SWALLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pain is not there and I want to keep it that way. They said try no food just water for the next couple of days. They are also suspecting my WBC to take a big jump like possible 500. Once I get to 1,000 that should be the magic number for all the gastro intestinal pains and problems to go away. I won't be on a normal diet for several weeks to come they say and healing should occur PLUS I would be able to get out of here.
They are acting like the 20th! I will have my infusion port and Hickman catheter removed that morning of discharge. They will send me home with antibiotics for a couple of weeks to get rid of any lingering staph (I think came from the Hickman).

My weight is 247 and I suspect it will drop even more until I can get back to OUTBACK! For a juicy STEAK!

I'm going to lay down and take it easy. FELLING 70% better this evening!!!!

Day 8 Doing pretty good

HGB 9.5
WBC 160 up 80
PLT 21

My throat has been sore the biggest part of the day but currently it is like I can SWALLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pain is not there and I want to keep it that way. They said try no food just water for the next couple of days. They are also suspecting my WBC to take a big jump like possible 500. Once I get to 1,000 that should be the magic number for all the gastro intestinal pains and problems to go away. I won't be on a normal diet for several weeks to come they say and healing should occur PLUS I would be able to get out of here.
They are acting like the 20th! I will have my infusion port and Hickman catheter removed that morning of discharge. They will send me home with antibiotics for a couple of weeks to get rid of any lingering staph (I think came from the Hickman).

My weight is 247 and I suspect it will drop even more until I can get back to OUTBACK! For a juicy STEAK!

I'm going to lay down and take it easy. FELLING 70% better this evening!!!!

Day 7

Doing pretty good. My blood infection is showing staph which can be treated by pill antibiotics. So, at this point they want to leave things along unless I spike a temp. Still not had anything to eat and my throat is still sore. I have been able to talk and get some water down without it burning. Rectum and surrounding areas are raw which make it difficult to walk, sit and sleep (Get comfortable) I mean.

MB, the Oaks sounds like fun. I hope I will be up to the event.

My counts are going up slowly:

HGB 9.8
WBC 80
PLT 31 K