Hey everybody, back again to give you today’s update. I think it’s a safe bet that I’ll be in your inbox fairly consistently over the next while as we move into this high action period.
I started chemo this morning – after waiting in the Ottawa General’s “Day Hospital”. The set up is quite interesting actually. Here on 5 West they have both the In-Patient and Out-Patient programs, they are on opposite sides of the central nursing station. The Day Hospital is where I will come every day, or most every day, during my 30 Day Drive, and very possibility for many weeks after that. It is in the Day Hospital where I’ll meet and see my Docs and re-evaluate my health every day. As I have said, the approach is very different than I am used to and it was made clear that I’ll be out of hospital until I or my Docs feel it is not in my best interests. It was also made clear today that it is not a challenge to stay out of hospital, as soon as I feel unable to stay or uncomfortable being out I can make the switch to In-Patient status. But you have to know that as soon as I heard the words “you will be out as long as you choose to tolerate it or until you get an infection”, I absolutely focused on the Challenge view of that statement. While staying out completely may be a tall order, I’ll focus on spending as little time in there as possible.
The Day Hospital set-up is different but very nice and especially conducive to my approach as I have Internet access and will be able to update you all on my progress should I spend long days there, which I’m sure will happen fairly frequently.
My 30 Day Drive can be broken down into rough 10 day components, the first part focusing on my chemo and Transplant, I should be able to stay out of hospital for that part. The next 10 days are when the chemo will fully kick my ass, and my counts will be bottomed out, my marrow will hopefully be erased so there is lots of room for my Dad’s stem cells to get in there and set up shop.
I was at the hospital at 8 this morning, and left shortly after 12 when I took my first dose of “Mo”, my first in over 2 months. I am taking Busulfan, which has been around for quite a while they tell me, and the drug comes in pill form. It’s the first time I’ve had a chemo drug in pill form. Busulfan is only made in very small doses and because I’m still a pretty big guy I have to take 41 pills 4 times a day. Fortunately the pharmacy is able to combine many pills in once capsule so that I can take 6 caps per dose. And of course, as is often the case, I’m taking 3 other drugs to negate some of the side-affects that come with taking Busulfan. I’ll take this version of “Mo” until Sunday, at which time I’ll start a higher dose of “Mo”, more on that later. I’ve had 2 doses so far and to this point no noticeable affects, not sure how my sensitive stomach will tolerate it later in the process, but I’m sure time will tell.
All else is good, we are settled here in Ottawa, I’m comfortable and am re-charging my batteries slowly. Not expected at the hospital tomorrow morning until around 10:30 so I’m planning to have a solid rest tonight. The next leg of my journey has begun, and I am implementing my “day-to-day” mindset as we sit on Day 1 of my “30 Day Drive”.
Back soon.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
