Two-By-Two

Hi again.
For the past four months, Arnie and I have spent many, many hours at the SCCA clinic and our time between appointments is often spent people watching. Everywhere we look, hallways and waiting rooms are filled with people travelling two-by-two. Everyone arriving for a stem cell transplant must come with a designated caregiver. We've spent many hours pondering which one of the pair is the patient and which is the caregiver. At times this is obvious, with chemo-induced hair loss and fatigue apparent. At other times, only an X-ray ID bracelet or the top of a Hickman line dressing provide the clue. The pairs come in all ages, shapes and sizes. They are brother and sister, husband and wife, parent and child, girlfriend and boyfriend, neighbour and friend. It is so important to have someone to share this experience. Caregivers provide another set of eyes, ears and hands during the transplant process. They assist with care, organize medications, prepare meals, maintain the home front and provide support. The caregiver's role continues after we return home as the medications and vigilant review for signs of GVHD must be maintained for many months.

We've often mentioned how wonderful the medical care has been here. Well, the SCCA takes care of caregivers as well and for this we are truly grateful. The clinic offers emotional and spiritual support through group sessions, labyrinth walks and the sanctuary. Occasionally, comedies like 'I Love Lucy' and 'Carol Burnett' run during the lunch hours. The clinic offers a journal class on Mondays, a drop-in knitting group on Tuesday afternoons and a therapeutic yoga class on Thursdays. Lunch and learn classes run periodically with topics like smoking cessation, nutrition and skin cancer. Attendance is completely optional and patients & caregivers are encouraged to participate if they are interested. Programming like this is so helpful. The resource center on the 3rd floor has computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers free for use. The patient navigator will assist with computer searches or requests for information. The Red Brick Bistro offers meals that follow the rules of the immunocompromised diet. Every day in every way, the SCCA demonstrates excellence in patient and family centered care.

Another important focus of the SCCA and Fred Hutchinson Center is cancer research. Before Arnie's stem cell transplant, he agreed to participate in a number of studies. Most involved giving extra samples of blood or bone marrow. The 'nasal wash' study has been more interesting. The study hopes to understand if regular screening for respiratory viruses will identify illness early and help target appropriate therapy. At his weekly visit, Arnie is asked about cold & flu symptoms and has his lung function checked using a spirometer. Finally, nasal wash samples are collected and sent to the virology lab. A small amount of saline is squirted into each of Arnie's nostrils which he blows into a sample container. On one visit, the squirt was extra vigorous and the saline went right up his nose and down his throat, never to be seen again. The study will continue, on a less frequent basis after we return home. Arnie swears there is nothing like a good nasal cleanse!

We walked two miles (3.2 km) from our apartment to the Olympic Sculpture Park on Saturday. The weather was warm & sunny and we enjoyed the park and artwork. It's the Memorial Day long weekend here, so our next clinic visit will be delayed till Wednesday. David and Amy Leigh arrived this afternoon for a 3 day visit. It is so wonderful to see them. Arnie & I felt like true Seattle natives tonight as we drove around showing them the sights.

Thank you so much for the care and support you've sent us.
Much love,
Arnie & Brenda