December 10, 2006

Well things have changed again. Last Friday afternoon I received a call from Kelli, transplant coordinator at OHSU. Donor #2 and the stem cell collection facility near her have come up with January 15-16 as the soonest dates available. So it is planned that I check into OHSU on January 8th for pre-transplant chemo/radiation and receive my new stem cells on January 16th. For over 7 months we have been in a holding pattern as we have been waiting to get ready for transplant. It is great to finally have a date that will signify the start of the long process of finally getting rid of leukemia permanently. Because donor #1 didn’t work out at the last minute we are hopeful of the new date, yet apprehensive to get too excited.

I also received a call from my oncologist with some news I didn’t want to hear. The transplant on January 15-16 is too long to wait from the chemo I had three weeks ago without receiving additional conditioning chemotherapy. I will be checking into Kaiser Sunnyside tomorrow (Monday) for 5 days of conditioning chemo. My last chemo had two chemicals with 3 days of one and 7 days of another. Next week I will have 2 days and 5 days of the same two chemicals. The dose is smaller so the effects should be less also. (I hope, I hope, I hope)

I have been feeling really good the past week or so. In fact, I feel better than I have for about 7 months. It is hard to think about giving that up to the effects of chemotherapy. Knowing what I am going to go through makes it hard to accept. I can only wonder what Jesus went through on His way to the cross. He knew what was in store for Him, but all He said was “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will but as you will.” Some day I hope to be that submissive. Right now I’m trying not to grumble too much.