My last night in captivity

Today was a big day.  I met with my primary doctor this morning to go over the upcoming risks.  She told me to go easy, day by day and stay away from people.  She said I shouldn't work for several months, constantly use sanitizer and no matter what, avoid getting sick.  I admitted that I have a plan to slowly go back to work.  I'm certain people will work with me and understand that a common cold bug could be a serious event for me right now.  The doctor was VERY skeptical but I promised to take it easy, go slow and to keep a bubble of space around myself at all times.

She also told me the new diseases that I am more likely to obtain as a stem cell transplant recipient.  It took her about twenty minutes just to list those diseases.  The list included every possible problem that I could think of, heart problems, eye problems, joint problems, all sorts of organ problems and to top it off, I'm more likely to get another cancer!!  Oh well, one step at a time.

Next, I took my son, Benny to the airport.  He was a lifesaver for the past two weeks.  All of my caregivers have been the best of the best.

My next appointment was the "line pull."  The double hose catheter that has been sticking out of my chest for past many months is now gone.  After the pull, they told me not to lift anything over ten pounds for three days or I could have bleeding issues.  Then this new doctor asked me, "When are you leaving?  "Tomorrow morning by plane," I said.  "Do you have large luggage," she asked? 

I tried to avoid the subject by complimenting her green hospital gown.  It didn't work.  Before I new it, she found out that I'm carrying a forty pound plus suitcase to the airport with two carry-ons and I'm also planning to gate check a tuba!  She was about to cancel my flight for me but I came up with a plan.  I'll get some help.  A former high band friend is the Fire Marshall at Sea-Tac.  Mark has been a great help to me in Seattle.

My last two appointments will be tomorrow morning, then I race to my cousins house in Renton and she (Nan) will take me to the airport.  I'm looking forward to getting on with my life.  I'll try to continue the blog at least until I get back to Alaska.