Day +10

We have finally hit the double digits here at the hospital! It has been ten days since Jason has received his transplant, and over two weeks since we had been admitted. We still wait for the marrow to grow and start producing cells. It could be a while but we are hoping to see this happen soon.  Jason’s platelets remain steady at 7,000 (really low) and his hemoglobin fluctuates between 8 and 9 (not too bad).

Jason had a fever today but no one seems surprised. We are told it is normal, and the fever was under control in about 20 minutes. I must say, there are many things about this hospital we can really appreciate. He was able to get a few hours of sleep last night, and he is sleeping now after a busy day of antibiotics, blood draws, a chest xRay and platelets.

Another present arrived for Jason yesterday. Since he is my lumberjack, I got him a pillow with a bark pattern. What he doesn’t know is that there will be nine more of these pillows at home for him. Here is a picture of him sleeping on it this morning.

On the schedule for Jason today is the hope of a lot of sleep and healing. On the schedule for me is a small window to get some work done. You would think that sitting in a hospital all day and night would mean that you have oodles and oodles of time on your hands but the truth is that you are often helping your patient, moving out of the way of nurses, and running errands all on little or no sleep. When Jason sleeps I sleep.

But I am not “down” or “upset” or “sad.” I can assure everyone who is concerned for my health that I am very optimistic and relaxed, that I am eating three meals per day with snacks, that I shower every day, do my laundry, that I haven’t lost or gained any weight and I even do my hair and makeup in the morning. I appreciate your concern but I am quite fine. And my mother is my “caretaker,” making sure that I have been taking care of myself.

If I do become stressed, it would begin once we return home and I will need to begin cooking (per hospital rules), cleaning (per hospital rules), taking care of Jason and monitoring his meds, driving him to the hospital 1-3 times per week for months, and returning back to work when Jason is able to take care of himself. But I know there are many people who have offered their help and I will gladly take it. I am grateful for the friends and family we have who are willing to help us on this long journey. I continue to walk forward with the hope that this strange and dangerous procedure will be the beginning of a terrific, long life for Jason! Thank you for all of your prayers and help!