After the excitement of the terrible weekend flooding had passed, the monotonous recuperation period continued. On Monday, a visiting nurse arrived to check out my condition, vitals, catheter site, etc. Everything was coming along and rest was the best medicine at this point. I still wasn’t able to see my boys. The transplant posed an unusual situation in that after receiving the chemotherapy necessary to eradicate my marrow, every vaccination I had ever received became void. I would have to be given all new vaccinations for Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, etc. In addition, Joseph would have to receive all of his newborn vaccinations in the dead form. Very unusual for the times. Live vaccinations would expose me to those viruses when I was able to go home since it would be approximately six months before I could start my new regimen. Another reason for the quarantine. I had to go see Dr. Dave in a few days for my next appointment. There was much to discuss.
At this point, I was twelve days post transplant release and four days post release from my second stay at the ranch. I still looked the part of the prototypical cancer patient and sure felt that way. My next appointment would let me know how things were going. The day before the appointment I received a call from Dr. Dave’s office to ask if I would be able to stay after for a special surprise. The office would be closing early at 12 noon and I was asked to attend a luncheon afterwards. Interesting.
The morning of my appointment, my Dad and I made our way to the hospital with a drive that was all too familiar and tedious as the traffic always sucked. The office at I. Brodsky and Associates was buzzing! There was excitement in the air and the staff was moving the morning patients in and out quickly. The routine saw me seated in the hall where Leslie, the blood sucker/Phlebotomist, would take my blood. This was a first for me since my catheter was gone. I needed to be stuck every visit now. I would get to know Leslie very well. Next, to the scale. Ok then, 142 lbs. Progress made. Moving on to the exam room, one of about fifteen past the outpatient chemo rooms and lab. More vitals and some questions from the Oncology Residents and then the obligatory “Yo Keenan” from the doorway… Dr. Dave announcing his entrance. Such a happy guy all of the time. An appropriate facade, designated to fill you with comfort and hope. I don’t know how he kept it up with so much misery around him everyday. He was pretty good at it though. Today, he was especially upbeat. Our discussion led quickly to his thoughts on my returning home to my family and my recuperation going forward. As long as I continued to improve and progress as I was doing, it wouldn’t be much longer until I could see my boys and be sleeping in my own bed.
The office of I. Brodsky and Associates was also known by another name. “THE BARRY ASHBEE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS FIGHT FOR LIVES LEUKEMIA CENTER”. This named for Flyers All Star Defenseman Barry Ashbee who was diagnosed with Leukemia during his career with the Flyers. Unfortunately, it ended his career and he succumbed to this insidious disease. The Flyers organization has sponsored the office and the fight against all forms of Leukemia since. The ” Flyers Wives Fight for Lives” organization holds an annual carnival at the Philadelphia Spectrum, now the Wells Fargo Center to raise money for all charities involving Leukemia. Every year since the inception of the charity, the Flyers organization would have a contingency of staff, players and coaches come down to the Ashbee/ Brodsky office for a day and visit with many of the patients currently enduring treatment in the Bone Marrow Transplant unit. A chance for the young players to see for themselves how devastating and difficult the procedures and disease itself were to the patients fighting Leukemia. The reason that they participated in the carnival and whom they were helping. Also, to justify the precious free time they were giving to the cause. Eye opening for these young athletes to say the least. Also, a pick me up for the very sick patients and the hard working staff who lovingly and diligently man the front lines fighting Leukemia. AND… TODAY WAS THAT DAY!
Next up: Meeting the Philadelphia Flyers