Stem Cell Transplant Eve

Joe and Gertie (picture included) continue to do well.  Had a good day today and actually got disconnected from Gertie for 24 hours to rest-up for Friday - Stem Cell Transplant Day.  She was looking awful lonely without Joe by her side...

Joe was up and about today talking a walk to build bone strength which he'll need going into next week.  He also had a visit from the doctor about the transplant tomorrow and what to expect.  He will actually receive 5 bags of stem cells (which were retrieved from him last week).  This is good so we won't have any issues with rejection.  The doctor shared that he may experience some shortness of breath and other symptoms during the transplant.  The RN will stay with him through the entire process (about an hour) so if he experiences any discomfort they will be ready to treat him.  

The RN shared tonight that by next week he'll start to lose his hair and his worst days will likely be between Tuesday and Friday where his blood counts will be the lowest and he will have no immune system.  

In the meantime, he continues to do well and is in great spirits!  He reports the food is not too bad - rather tasty - and the RN are fantastic!  He's sitting with his laptop at his side and learning to surf the Internet!  He has a new calendar in his room to track his progress, meds, blood counts, etc.  So far, it's pretty empty, but will fill up quickly starting.  

He does have a great view from his room.  He looks over Forest Park and Forest Park Parkway.  Here is tonights sunset he was able to enjoy.