Day 12 - Welcome Back Bone Marrow!

Today at doctor's rounds we heard the words we have longed to hear.  "He has engrafted nicely".  I particularly appreciated the word "nicely".   What this means is that the transplant was successful and Jay's new bone marrow is beginning to produce white cells, platelets and red cells.  I can't believe the difference in how Jay feels already.  He was able to get out of the room and walk the halls for the first time since coming to the hospital.

We also got him sitting up and shaved.  Razor blades are too dangerous due to the bleeding risk so I pick up an electric shaver and a bottle of "Letric Shave" because that's what I remember my Dad using.  It was pretty awkward but we got the job done.  He looks like a new man (and smells exactly like my Dad.)

His vitals have been stable enough over the last 24 hours that there is talk of him going home tomorrow! These past 12 days have been such a roller coaster ride and if there is one thing I have learned it is not to take the bad days too hard, it will get better tomorrow.  But you also have to be cautiously optimistic on the good days, there is still a long way to go.

Our neighbors, family and friends have been the only reason we have not fallen completely apart these last few weeks.  I ran home for a few minutes yesterday to take a quick shower and was surprised by a huge (and I mean gi-normous) gift basket with every kind of snack you can imagine put together by the neighbors.  Someone also brought over some chocolate covered Strawberries (I'm not sharing those).  Today my  Sister-in Law (and also Jay's cousin,,,,,,,,long story) brought by this living card with pictures of Jay's aunts, uncles and cousins wishing him well.  The Big Guy got a little misty when he saw it.  Even though I haven't been able to respond to every call or text we want you to know how much we appreciate each and every one of you.  Keep up the prayers, we still need them.

There is just one more thank you note I need to write today:

Dear Bone Marrow,   

Oh how we have missed you.  For 57-years you have done your job of producing blood cells  faithfully and without complaint.  We totally took for granted that there would always be platelets to fix up our cuts and scrapes, and white cells to keep us safe from all the bad bugs in the world.    You thanklessly produced hemoglobin and carried oxygen to every part of of the body. All of this happened without a single thought or action on our part, it was all you.   It wasn't until you were gone that we realized how important you were.  We really can't go on without you!  You suffered the indignity of being put in the freezer for weeks, then turned into a slushie and pulled through a long straw.  Still you came back to us.  Your amazing journey is over and you have found your way home right where you belong.  Never again will we take for granted the wonderful gift of healthy bone marrow.

Welcome Back!

Jay & Lynn