Thursday, January 26, 2006

Transplant is tomorrow!

What a difference a day makes.  Today I pulled it together and was fine.  I was really there for John.  I know the transplant is tomorrow and I need to be okay for him.  So I am.

I came into John's hospital room this morning and found him in bed.  He was really weakened today.  That is because his white blood count is only 0.3.  That is what his chart read.  It also read that his red counts were low, but not quite as low to require a blood transfusion. 

At about 3:30 Dr. Drebik came in to talk to John and me.  He said it was normal for John to feel wiped out and be lying down, and that he was still doing well.  He also explained to John that after the transplant, when John's immune system first improves, it will be John's cells that will be there, but then the donor's cells will take over by two months. 

After the doctor left I took some pictures of John.

Then the nurse came in and explained John's transplant that he will have tomorrow.  She told me to be in at 8 or 9 in the morning so I will be ready when the transplant will take place.  It will be some time in the morning.  They will actually let me be there!  It will take about one hour.  The cells will arrive tonight by plane .  They will get here tomorrow at the latest if the flight is delayed.  During the transplant we will all wear masks but John.  After the transplant, when John is finally discharged from the hospital, he will have to wear a mask all the time (except when he is in day hospital). 

During the transplant the stem cells will drip from a bag hung from the pole.  That is how most transplants are done nowadays, instead of injecting the marrow into the bones.  The stem cells will merely drip from a bag hung from the pole, down the tube, and into his chest port, and into his veins.  Somehow, the stem cells just know where to go!  That is what doctor Claxton tells us.  Dr. Claxton will be there the whole time, making sure everything goes smoothly.

How is John doing?  Remarkably well.  He is taking one moment at a time.  A little concerned about getting an infection, but ok.  A little sentimental about life.  But I think that is normal.

How am I doing?  Better than I thought I would be.  But I love John so much I didn't want to leave his hospital bedside tonight.  I made him promise that if he needed me tonight, or wanted me, to call me, and I would come back to the hospital and be by his side.  He promised, so I left.  I love him so much.  

Bye for now, Gotta get some sleep, tomorrow is the big day and things will never be the same, Krissy. 

  

24 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update, Krissy.
    Thinking of you,
    Judith

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  2. I want you and John to know we love you ....stay strong, both of you. I sent a card to cheer John up today...you too.  We will await your next post.  You are doing an awesome job Krissy...get some sleep.  
    Nite nite and many hugs and prayers, for you both,
    Joyce

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  3. Praying all goes well:)

    Deb

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  4. I will be keeping BOTH of you in my thoughts tomorrow! Keep us updated...

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  5. What an uplifting entry, Krissy. The Lord is with you. I prayed for peace today for you. That you would find Yahweh Shalom - the Lord is my peace. The peace that transcends all understanding; I think the Lord answered your prayer!

    The donor lives elsewhere - awesome.

    Tomorrow the Lord will be there. Standing right there in the room when John is having the transplant. May you feel His peace.

    betty

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  6. Yeah!    It's so close...and you both are having such wonderful attitudes!  Can't go wrong...no way.
    Love,
    Nancy

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  7. My heart aches for what you both are going through.  My prayers are always with you.  May God bless and keep you and make everything be okay.
                                               Lots of Love and hugs

                                                Myke

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  8. You are both in my prayers. You can both do this.
    The peace and love of the Lord be with you both.

    Eileen

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  9. Krssy Please if you need and you have a Salvation Army there call them. They'll help you and John out. Yes it's a religous thing and it's a church but God comes first with "us" in the SA! If I could I would hop a plain right now and be there with you and John and run for you so you could stay by his side tomorrow. I know I just started reading about you two but still! We are sister's in Christ and that's what family does for one another. Trust me my family is close well all but my father but he has his reasions for it. If you ever need to talk or just cry and I'm on either under this name or my MtDewKd1995 please feel free to im me and talk. I'm a great listener I don't have a clue as to what you and John are going through so I won't say I do. But please if you ever need me I'm here for you. If I had your phone number I'd call you and just talk about even the weather or anything. I'm going to go look for some nice and cute cards tomorrow and I'll send them to you! I'm crying now just because I can't be there with you! I know I'm a stranger and I feel this way! But someone did this for me she's now an angel but she was with me through all 14 surgeries I've had over the past few years! I don't expect aything in return for being nice to others but that it's passed on and that's what EssieMae my friend told me so I'm passing it on to you. Please don't think I'm sick or a nut case I love almost everyone unless they give me a reasion to dislike them. I'll tell you sometime my life story and why friends are so precious to me even online friends are. Who knows when something lke this could happen to me or someone in my family. So untill I hear you 2 are back home I'm hoping to be able to send you cards I know it'll be a long time but oh well I'll just tell Andrew my hubby he needs to buy more stamps! LOL I hope and pray everything goes great for you and John tomorrow! Please just know I'm with you and him in my thoughts tomorrow!~Faye

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  10. Sissy, I am glad you mentioned the time of the transplant.  I will be praying at that time.  Know, honey, that my spirit will be right there with you in the room.  I will be present with you guys and I will be holding your heart and John's heart.  Sending more love.  Let it sink in!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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  11. Krissy,

    You & John are in my heart. My prayers will be with you all this day. My skin tingles with anticipation as I read this. Words cannot describe the emotions I am feeling. Through your journal, I'm right there with you. I wish I could be at the bedside wearing a mask and giving comfort, too, but I'll be there in spirit. May God bless and keep the both of you. May God guide the hands of the physicians, nurses, and technicians.

    ((hugs))
    Tom

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  12. I;m praying that all this will make John better. I think you've been great coping with it. I'm sure it will go well and John will be on the road to recovery. Jeannette xx

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  13. May the Lord Bless you with a truly successful transplant.

    Ellen
    http://journals.aol.com/eml625/Onedayatatime

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  14. Good Luck. God bless you both.

    Carolyn
    http://journals.aol.com/shelt28/MyLife

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  15. Krissy,
    I am praying for John's transplant today.  Hugs to both of you, Lu

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  16. Hope eveything is going ahead okay Krissy. Thinking of you both and sending some more hugs.
    Sylvia xxxx

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  17. I suppose it will all be done while I write this.  I'm praying that John will be better than ever very soon.  Praise God that this is happening!  Blessings, Penny http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere

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  18. (((( big big hugs Krissy and John )))) I hoep everything went ok and John is bearing up well.  You've both been a tower of strength to each other.  Take care of u both, always you're in thoughts. Rache xx

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  19. (((( big big hugs Krissy and John )))) I hoep everything went ok and John is bearing up well.  You've both been a tower of strength to each other.  Take care of u both, always you're in thoughts. Rache xx

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  20. You are both in my prayers Krissy and John, I hope all went well . :o)

    Love and Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  21. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxox Sassy

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  22. you are both so brave. I am so proud of you both and thinking about you all the time. Prayers being sent constantly...............Jules xxx
    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

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  23. I admire you both very much for your strength and faith .I pray everything  goes well for John . . wishing you everything through this Krissy

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  24. No, things won't be the same... let the healing begin.  Prayers for you both... looking forward to hearing more news.....  

    Be well,
    Dawn

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