Mick McKellar Update--Day +35
We arrived later than usual at the transplant house this afternoon, because of all the testing and meetings and consultations. A crystal blue day with an abundance of bright sunshine, though temperatures never climbed much past the low 30's, it was a spirit lifter.
Call of the Chimera
The day was already going well this afternoon, when my Transplant Coordinator (Laurie) started our visit with few words and a major high-five: "100% Donor!" That news sent all my nerve endings a-tingle. It means that the blood coursing through my veins is 100% the blood of my donor, my hero, my brother Kevin!
I have stopped following my "numbers" now, and they will test me twice weekly, looking for markers to indicate problems, but I am fully-engrafted and have a brand new (and very touchy) system. I grinned broadly, which (Marian tells me) on my face, is a very scary sight. She said I looked like Smeagol (Gollum) from Lord of the Rings fame.
Hie to the feast...
Earlier in the day, after the Bactrim test run for today, I decided to take a chance and invited my wife out to Mac's Restaurant for breakfast. This is chancy, as I usually have trouble with a half-bowl of cereal. We each had Mac's specials: two eggs (scrambled of course), hash browns, ham (her) 3 bacon (me) and two toast. I also had coffee. When the dust settled, I left behind one piece of toast, but had eaten my biggest meal in weeks.
Mac's is known for the good food and good coffee. I tasted only about 30% of it all, it felt good. Later, in the afternoon, we celebrated my 100% donor status at the DQ in the subway system. (Small servings, but still a lot for me.)
Much testing remains over the next two months, but it seems I have passed one set of very important tests. Woohoo.
The almost crisis...
On the way to medical meetings from breakfast, we stopped on the 9th floor of the Gonda Building. for nearly 15 floors that part of the building is a glass wall with plenty of seats for sun seekers. Marian insisted on catching some rays.
We were there about 30 minutes as she warmed up and I started roasting in my coat and sweater (note: it was 29 degrees outside). As we began the medical meeting, a nurse took my temperature with an ear-reading device...over 100 degrees. They were about to call for a gurney and put my self into the hospital for having a fever. I asked them to wait just five minutes and take my temp again. I was already down a point.
After I explained microwaving Mick in the hallway for 30 minutes, I have a new rule: Stay in the shade until vitals are taken...
The search continues...
The search for a stopper for my everlasting gobstopper cough goes on. I suggested a new approach and, interested, the doctors complied. Rather than try to strangle this mutinous mucus casting condition at the source, we are planning an end-run. I started taking Mucinex today, which in conjunction with Claritin and Flonase should dry up and thin out the source. The second weapon is, I hope, unexpected: Ambien.
You see, the problem is not that I cough, the problem is that, when I cough neither Marian nor I get any sleep. The Ambien is joined with benadryl and an anti-nausea pill that makes me drowsy. I've added the Tessalan Perles for anti-cough and taken the codeine out of play.
Staff and doctors in both hematology and allergy specialties are waiting for the results. I just want to sleep, not sitting up.
The Matrix
Keeping straight which pills are are taken in what dose, at what time, in what order...is a nightmare. Enter the matrix, based on one of their old paper tracking forms: Rx, dosage, number, how often taken are indicated by slashes or hash marks in that pill's cell each day. Some like cyclosporin, have a numbered dose (One big stinky pill and one small stinky pill = 125 MG, my current dose BID (twice per day)).
I did this so Marian has a reference and to help me, because at least half my medications make me dizzy and the other half make me drowsy. Imagine the effort taking place right now, to cut through the haze and write these simple reports. Of course, if I want to drift or day dream, I just relax a bit and I am gone. Cool...
Mon-dity Non-Profundity...
Any lessons from today? You know, it is amazing how doctors and nurses will answer questions if you take time to research the problems and the medications. If I had walked into today's meetings with a simple make it go away attitude, I think I would already be taking inhaled steroids and submitting to breathing analyzer tests with the allergy doctors. And sleeping sitting up tonight, again.
Well, day +35 has been a wickedly wonderful, and I am praying hard to sound sleep tonight. I love that I can share this with you all and I love that you share back with your cards, messages, letters, and calls.
Thanks, and God bless you all,
Mick