I spent most of the next day after the transplant in a sedated and disoriented state. The new marrow would inconspicuously travel through my bloodstream and zero in on its target. The chemotherapy was still present and accounted for as the nausea and pain continued to consume my body. I found out that my brother was doing well and being released to head home and recuperate from the many aspirations that he had to endure. I’m sure that he would be very uncomfortable for a while. Like I said before, bone marrow aspirations Suck! Poor guy.
I can’t remember if I spoke to Nicky yet but there was nothing better than to hear his sweet voice. Better than any painkillers. I’m sure that I did but it was a foggy period for me. The usual buzz of nurses and doctors in and out was exacerbated by the fact that this next few days would be crucial to my survival. I needed to be monitored continuously for any deviation in my vital signs or change in condition. My nutrition was solely IV nutrients. No solid food for a while. Ice chips occasionally too. Every CBC, every few hours, would tell the tale of my existence. Would my brother’s marrow graft to mine? Only time would tell. I could only lie there and hope… and sleep.
I wish I could fill you in more but I just don’t remember much about that day or the next few, but I do know this….it was working! The blackboard was filling up. Every few hours as the results of the constant blood draws returned, the data blocks were being filled in by excited nurses that were really pulling for me. Positive numbers gradually and incrementally climbing ever so slowly. But who cared. They were moving up! Dr. Dave was excited too! He let me know that the graft was progressing and he seemed somewhat confident that barring any major complications that the trend would continue. Everyone was so happy. It would be a grueling and emotional time but hopefully worth the while. It had to be.
Meanwhile, other issues were cropping up. Fevers, terrible mouth sores, bone pain, nausea, etc. Typical, but just freaking awful. This was no fun. I missed my boy. I missed my home. I missed my work. I missed my life. The one thing I could count on…Lor would be there. Sitting in the chair across from my bed in her mask and gown. Whether I knew it or not. Unbelievable.
Next up: Strange Platelets