I guess the operation to install the Hickman Catheter went well. I didnt remember much or how long it took, but I was back in my bubble. A little groggy and feeling out of it, my wife was there and soon a littany of hospital personnel. As I became more attuned to my surroundings, I realized I had this Octopus type fixture coming out of my chest. The nurses began to hook up multiple IV bags and lines to the new catheter.
It was getting later in the afternoon and Lori was going to have to get going. She needed to drive the long road home back to Hatboro, take care of Nick, and get herself some rest. It was a long day. Unfortunately, she had to go back to work the next day. We were fortunate to have great health insurance through her job. Taking a leave of absence was not an option for Lori at this point. It hurt me so much to know that my wife would have to go through all of this while in the last two months of her pregnancy. She would also have to let Nick know that his daddy wasn’t coming home tonight.
The nurses had finished what was needed to hook me up for the meanwhile and left the room. For the first time, I was alone in my room. The glass door was shut and I had a few moments to reflect on what my life was going to look like for the time being. I arranged my few belongings, especially the small photo album that Nick put together. Right on the metal sill next to my bed, the perfect spot. Everything else fit in the little drawer in my bedside table.
Dr. Topolsky came by to let me know that they would be starting the chemotherapy regimen the next morning. Two toxic chemical agents would be administered to me for six days straight. These drugs were extremely strong and would basically wipe out my existing bone marrow and immune system. He told me that at the end of the six days my blood counts would all be around zero. Hence, the scoreboard on the wall. White blood counts, red blood counts, hemoglobin counts, platelet counts, etc., all zero. All of my prior vaccinations… gone. Sounds great doc! On the seventh day, my brother Glenn would be admitted to harvest the bone marrow that I would desperately need to bring me back to life. Failure for his marrow to graft to mine within a short period of time would mean certain death. This conversation was not fun but necessary to keep me informed. Dr. Dave then told me to get some rest. Tomorrow would be another long day. Also, he would be in early to perform another Bone Marrow Aspiration, the first of many to come during my stay. Motherf#$%@er!!!
Lor called me to see what transpired after she left and to have Nick say goodnight to me. I missed him so much already.
Next up: No sleep at the Inn