Day +10

Well I honestly didn't expect to be out of the hospital until at least today so to have been out for a day was very much a pleasant surprise.  And even though I'm not home yet (which would be ideal) there are some luxuries about not being in the hospital.

First, my bed is not constantly inflating and deflating and making noises that keep me awake.  I don't have an IV pole that has numerous flashing lights and when it notices a problem will beep angrily at me.  I am PICCless.  As far as IV access goes, the PICC line was without doubt the most comfortable line I've ever had, but it is still so much nicer not to have it and I don't have to have my arm glad wrapped up to take a shower.  Lastly, it is nice not to be woken up at 2.00am for blood tests and again at 5.00am for weighing, blood pressure, temperature and pulse etc...

So how am I feeling now?  I am still really tired.  It is still quite a struggle to summon the energy to do something like have a shower and afterwards I am completely spent.  I also have a very small appetite although the nausea is no longer around.  On the plus I am feeling a little stronger and a little better every day.  Until next time, stay well:)

PICC line and Rituxan

Video of my first day in hospital for the the transplant.  Stay well:)

Countdown

In just over three hours I'll be headed off to the hospital to for my PICC line placement.  It is funny how quickly it comes around.  It only seems like the other day I was sitting in the blood centre, watching Ferris Beuler and having my stem cells harvested.  It has been over two weeks since then and now I am on the eve of my first day chemotherapy and only eight days away from my transplant.

I am excited about it because this is the first time I have really been in a position where I can reverse the progression of this ugly disease.  I am also dreading it because four days of chemotherapy and a huge cocktail of other drugs I am sure that I will feel awful.  Lastly, I am worried.  Not so much worried that something will go wrong.  I actually feel very strong and very well prepared so I don't think anything will go wrong.  I am worried it will not work and I have put myself through this whole ordeal, removing myself from my family for two months and risking my life for nothing.

Hopefully the PICC line placement will be more comfortable than the central line catheter placement, but it will be what it will be.  Right now I need to get an hours sleep as I just flew back from DC after spending a wonderful weekend in the capital with an old friend and her family.  But I will tell you about that later.  Until then, stay well:)