February 19, 2007

Its day+18 and I went to the clinic for blood tests again today. I’ve been on an every other day schedule to the clinic since I was discharged on day+14. I don’t know how long that schedule will be, but it is a real drag to require Barbara to pack lunches, get things ready and drive me to OHSU every other day. Barbara has been so great to me and understanding. I’m so blessed to have her.

I received an IV of magnesium this morning as my count was low. Apparently my electrolytes, like potassium and magnesium, are leached out by the anti rejection meds I’m taking. I am trying to eat foods that are high in potassium and magnesium since those IVs take a long time to administer.

The clinic is a large room with recliners, IV pumps and caretaker chairs all around the perimeter. You go in, take an open chair and are there until labs are drawn, the results come back and any infusions are given. It takes between 2 and 8 hours each visit.

I thought I would feel a lot better by now, but I am told that I will be weak, nauseous, and fatigued for several weeks. This is due to my old and my new immune systems learning to get along. As the new immune system takes over more, the side effects will hopefully diminish. If there is a lot of GvHD, then the side effects will linger until the GvHD is successfully treated.

I’m so grateful to be home. It offers a great deal of normalcy to an otherwise surrealistic journey.

Thanks again for you prayers.