Tuesday: Day -4

Mike got up and made coffee this morning. I wasn't as dizzy from last night's Dilantin, so I had a cup and took my Nexium before we went on over to the clinic. Once we got there, Mike got me a Venti coffee from Starbucks and a blueberry scone. The medical part of the day started out pretty much the same as usual - get vitals, have blood drawn, etc. Got the Zofran (anti-nausea), Decadron (the steroid), Fludarabine (the chemo), Busulfan (the other chemo) and fluids. Also had my daily visit with Donna and Dr. Kassim.

Allish, the dietician came to see me. Guess what? I can cook with nuts. And roast nuts myself. Now that is what my common sense said anyway. Turns out Allish was reared on homeopathy, herbs and Bach flower remedies. I'm shocked she's in the traditional medical system with that background. But we had a nice conversation about such things. Then she wanted to know had I been to any energy healers. At that point I told her about my friend Patti, who graduated from Barbara Brennan's school. When Patti did an energy healing on me about 18 months or so ago she told me she was not feeling an immediate healing, but that she was feeling a lot of heat and a whole new matrix being formed. That was way before a bone marrow transplant was even being talked about, much less considered. Since then, Mike and I have both wondered if Patti was getting precognition of the transplant - my whole new matrix from which I would be healed. I am choosing to think of it that way.

My blood counts were low today. I had to take potassium and get a platelet transfusion. I did get a little nauseous and dizzy for a bit, so they gave me an IV Atavan. That knocked me right out and I wasn't dizzy or sick feeling anymore. It was 2:00ish before we left the clinic.

Tomorrow morning I have to check into the hospital at 7:30a. We went and scouted out how to get to the main entrance from the outside so I don't have to walk so far. Then we went over to Blackstone's Brewery and Grill for lunch. I ordered the Fish & Chips with brewed iced tea (can't drink sun tea) and Mike got Ribs with Fries. We both shared. The fish batter was made with their pale ale and the ribs sauce was made with a porter. Both were very good. I particularly liked that the fish were not at all greasy. Cole slaw came with both meals, but that is not something I can eat out now.

Back to the apartment to sleep while Mike went to the grocery. I'm supposed to keep hard candy and sunscreen on hand at all times. Have to put on the sunscreen when I go outside and use the hard candy to help keep my mouth from getting dry.

We are getting ready to go out to dinner at Rhumba. Still the same caveats about being safe and what not to eat. And I'm happy to see we are going to get both the restaurants in before I check in tomorrow. I've had my Levaquin already and will get tonight's Dilantin when I get ready for bed. Tomorrow I'll take Nexium before leaving the apartment, then all drugs will be up to the hospital.