Transplant Date Set

It's been very hot over the last few days. It's enough to make everyone tired and miserable. For me, it's been double trouble as I have been blowing up like a balloon. The heat makes your body retain fluid, and that's one thing that I've been doing a little too much of anyway. I've been forced to up my Lasix dosage to incredible amounts just to keep in check. The bottom line is that I haven't been able to get through the hot summer days without some trouble, which is very depressing. I hope that this standard of quality of life improves as a result of the second transplant.

That's not to say that I am completely faultless. I must admit that I have been 'cheating' a 'little bit' on my low-sodium no-sugar diet. I figured that once I start my treatment I won't be eating well for a while, so it's best to get it out of your system while the going's good.

Oh yeah, the second treatment. I've gotten the OK from my employer to go forward with my scheduled date, and my mother has been graciously given some time off play the part of caregiver in my second round. So, here's the dates:

• Wednesday, August 16th: Pre-evaluation. I check-in, make small talk with the doctors, and take a couple of blood tests.
  
• Thursday, August 17th: On this day, the catheter is installed in my chest. From this point on, there's no going back!
• Monday, August 21st and Tuesday, August 22nd: These are the days you receive the melphalan.
• Thursday, August 24th: The stem-cell recovery.

Based on this schedule, I should be out of the hospital by the end of September, and getting my hair back for the holidays. I promise that like last time around, the entries will be more frequent as new develops. I also hope to take more pictures to give you a better idea of the experience. Drop me a line or a comment if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to answer them.