It's Day +6. Arnie's new stem cells are coursing through his blood stream, selecting the best nooks, crevices and cul-de-sacs to call home. Medically, this post-transplant period is called "waiting for engraftment". The donor cells will take 2-3 weeks to fully settle in.
While the donor cells are establishing themselves, the rest of Arnie's body is dealing with the side effects of his chemo, radiation and his new medications. The aftermath of his treatments are unfortunately proving more stubbornly unpleasant than we had anticipated. Perhaps this is why some of the medical team wish the mixed chimeric transplant was not called a 'mini transplant'. One physician reminded us "It's not a drive-by transplant. It's not a walk in the park."
Fortunately, Arnie's TFFS has resolved but he has been plagued by ongoing nausea, headaches, GI discombobulation and muscle fatigue. The nausea and GI upset comes and goes like the tides on the Puget Sound, but the headaches have been a real pain.... Arnie learned Reiki a few years ago and finds this helpful for headache relief.
On Wednesday afternoon, Arnie got his hair cut. Like Sampson, this appeared to weaken him. By suppertime he had developed a low grade fever which brought us to the University of Washington Medical Center where he was admitted. Fever is quite common early post-transplant and could be caused by infection or inflammation or ??? The team started an antibiotic and will keep an eye on him for a few days.
Last night the temperature in Seattle dropped to 36 F (+2 C) and a couple of inches of snow fell causing school closures and people arriving late for work.
Arnie wrote this Haiku:
Snow nestles on trees
Fear slows the daily commute
My view looks like home.
Take care up there in the frozen North.
Arnie & Brenda
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5 comments:
Hey Brother,
It is so hard to read about your trials without wishing there was some way I could lessen the bad bits.
Your Haiku is quite beautiful which speaks again of your strength. To find beauty when I can read that your struggles must be pushing happy, happy to the background makes me know you are still in the fight. Haiku is is an excellent medium for you,,,its short and it doesn't have to rhyme.
Brenda, your dedication to your man is heaven sent. To have you by Arnie's side through this is comforting to all of us.
My world has shifted again and due to contract requirements I will have to do 60 days before I get 30 off. I will see you in May. Where, remains to be written.
Thanks again for the blog,,,,, distant only in miles,,,,eug
Hi Brenda & Arnie,
Sorry to hear the tides have changed a little since we spoke on Tuesday night. You are both strong and God will be with you both through this bump in the road.
I too wish the miles could disappear and we could be a little closer on this journey. You are never far from my thoughts and prayers.
Take care. Talk to you soon.
Love Deb and the rest of the Yorkton clan
Hey you two...
I am sorry to hear of the roughness of the side effects. I to wish that we were so much closer to bother you with our smiley faces. I hope the antibiotics begin to help and with all your other support measures you will begin to start feeling a bit better.
I always remember that it is always roughest before the calm can come. Keep on thinking possitive and keep your eyes on the final outcome. I know that is easier said than done but that is always helped me in the past. Hopefully it will give you some comfort. We are all going through this journey with you and although we are not close we are there in spirit. Hopefully our spirit can help carry you and always lean on the lord and take comfort in one of my favorite poems "footprint" he will carry you until you are able to walk on your own. Take comfort in that as well.
It is bitterly cold here so hopefully this will be over by the time you venture home. Where spring will be everywhere with new growth and beauty.
Just remember we are just a call away and will try and call later today. You are always on our minds and in our prayers.
We love you both dearly.
Take care, hang in there and please know that we love you dearly.
Talk to you soon
heather, john , anna and paulina
Arnie and Brenda,
It's hard to know how to find the words that would accurately express the support and love we are sending you both. Keep up the fight and please know that we are all here sending you positive thoughts and strength.
Anxiously awaiting the next blog,
Marilyn
So good to hear again but sad that the news is not all great. Wednesday was Ash Wednesday..the beginning of our 40 day journey in the wilderness. We are lost without you guys. May our prayers hold you up as you continue on this wilderness journey. We pray, we cheer you on, we send our love and wish more every day we were not seperated by the miles. Blessings always,
The Crosbys
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