Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Transplant next week, finally

I am so tired right now.  I have been packing all day.  I don't feel like writing this.  But I have important news.  John and I are leaving for Hershey on Wednesday or Thursday.  And he will be admitted to Hershey Medical Center on Thursday or Friday.

We are going up one day early to get settled into Hope Lodge.

Then the next day, either Thursday or Friday, he is going to have a chest port put in.  He will have to have an operation to get this inserted.  It is a tube that goes into a vein in his chest.  He will receive fluids in it, blood transfusions if he needs them, the transplant through it, etc.  He will also have blood drawn through it.  The purpose of having a chese port (central line) is so that he will not have to be stuck repeatedly with needles.  The chest port will be left in for several months.  

The day after he has the chest port put in he will start chemo.  He will have chemo everyday for about four days. 

The next day John will have the transplant.  He will be lying down and there will be a bag that will drip the donor's bone marrow cells into his body through the chest port.  They tell us that somehow the bone marrow cells just know where to go in the recipient's body!  Wow, modern medicine!  

After the transplant is completed, John will go to the Transplant Floor.  He will remain there for several days while he recovers.  

When John is feeling well enough he will begin day hospitalization.  He will stay with me at night at the Hope House.  This could be for a couple of months, I don't know how long it will be.  It depends on how fast he recovers.  At first John will go to day hospital everyday, then eventually every other day.  The Hope House will let us stay as long as John is going to day hospital every other day.  Once it turns out to be every third day, we have to move out.  If this occurs, we are going to have to get a hotel, because we cannot drive back and forth to Hershey every three days.  We are going to have to play that one by ear when the time comes.  

So, I am going to keep you all informed though this journal.  I should have access to a computer when I get to Hope House.  I will try to write entries when I can.

Well, I am feeling pretty positive, considering.  and kind of nervous, lol.  The Lord has everything under control, I know that.

John is holding up quite well.  He is my trooper.

Oh, I shaved John's hair off today.  Well almost all off, just left the tiniest fuzz on.  Most people who are going in for a transplant shave it off beforehand.  That way they feel more in control, they don't have to watch it fall out in clumps after their chemo.  They don't get upset seeing clumps of it lying on their pillow falling out piece by piece.  This way THEY take it off.

I thought hair didn't matter.  And really in the scheme of things, it doesn't.  But seeing him kind of shocked me.  Maybe it made me realize that things would never be the same.

Okay, I will stop being philosophical now.  Change is NOT always bad. 

I better get off here before I get to ramblin', lol.

Talk at you soon, hopefully.  God bless, Krissy :) 

24 comments:

  1. prayers for you and John:)

    Deb

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  2. Best of luck and God's speed. Take care of yourselves!
    Barb  

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  3. Keeping you both in my prayers.

    God Bless
    Ellen

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  4. Krissy such good news - May god be with you both....Ally

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  5. Krissy,
    I am so excited for you and John.  From this day on things will not be the same, you are right.  They are going to be better.  Prayers constantly, LuAnne

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  6. Such wonderful news that it is all going ahead although it will be such a stressful time for you both and I know how tired you must be.  Trust in the Lord, Krissy.  He will give you the strength you need to cope.  Big Big hugs.
    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

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  7. .John is on the prayer chain at my church.

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  8. Krissy; if you can, send an address of where you will be so we can get cards coming your way.

    Again, thoughts and prayers with you both.

    Psalm 31:14 - My times are in Your hands......

    betty

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  9. Sending prayers your way.
    I know that when it comes to having to leave Hope Lodge God will lead you into the perfect direction.  Who knows maybe some church will have members willing to help you out.  You just never know.
    If cards and letters will help email me an address and I will get started sending you some hugs.
    Please tell John that I am praying for him.

    Kathy

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  10. Keep in touch, my dear friend.  Humbly, all I have to offer is an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, and a hand to hold... and it's yours if you need it!
    Prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way.
    Judith

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  11. We've just finished praying for journey mercies for you as you travel and for ease and comfort as you embark on this part of your journey together.  We love you and are praying for you.  Blessings, Penny, Rob & Andrea http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere

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  12. Please email me an address for Hope House Krissy, if it's possible. If you are too busy I fully understand. Would like to send some personal words for you. Give John my love and very good wishes.
    Take special care of yourself my friend.
    Lots of love.
    Sylvia xxxxx

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  13. Life is full of changes, be thankful for them.  We need changes in order to grow and mature.  At this point we definitely want a change for John !  For the good of course.  I expect our dear Lord will be taking good care of him.  He, the Lord, loves us all you know.  'On Ya' - ma

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  14. My heart and prayers to you and John....Kasey

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  15. My thoughts and prayers are with you both Krissy and John.  I wish you both all the very best at Hershey.

    Love and Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  16. Good luck and God bless you both!
    Jackie

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  17. Hey Krissy and John!
    My mom had a port when she was going though chemo, so I know a lot of what's going on in a deeper perspective.  I'm still praying for you both.  Modern medicine is wonderful!
    Kellen

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  18. it looks like I didn't lose the link after all. Let me know your address at the hospital and hope house so I can send cards :)..................Jules xxxx
    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

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  19. I pray everything will turn out right for you both, shall keep you and John in my thoughts. Jeannette.

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  20. Change is not always bad, and I am praying that this is just the beginning of a what becomes a miracle of healing.  

    Be well, and I will look for updates on here.....  I am sure there will be a computer for you!

    Dawn

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  21. I left a comment over on your other J, but wanted to leave another one here.... Keeping good thoughts and sending you both cyberhugs! {{{hug}}}

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  22. I hope you will be able to update and let us know how you both are doing. I've been praying and will continue to.
    ~ Jenny

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  23. Krissy, I'm thinking of you and John my dear.
    Want to say so much more, but haven't the words.
    (((((((((())))))))))
    Sara   x

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  24. thats great news will keep my fingers cross and prayers for a speedy and great recovery goodluck

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