We're Gettin' There

All Systems Go

No Room at the Inn

Stop Teasing Our Girl

What's a Cela?

Yesterday, Wednesday, JoAnne had a CT scan and revisited the Infectious Disease (ID) specialist. He thought her sinuses looked OK, but wanted an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist to weigh in. That sounded like high level butt covering to me, but you can't really blame him.  We saw Dr. Ustun and Kathy French this morning. He is the specialist in charge of JoAnne's case and she is the nurse coordinator.  They agreed with an ENT review and there was already one on the schedule before we arrived at 9:30.  JoAnne got through both of those and is good to go.

Unfortunately, there were no beds available in the transplant unit for a Friday start.  Can you imagine that? People not wanting to leave? Unlike the local Super 8, they don't have an 11 AM checkout. At this moment, Tuesday of next week looks promising, but they won't know until Monday. Either way, we have the weekend to ourselves.

JoAnne wants to get going, but I am more in the "be careful what you wish for" camp. I made a comment to the doctor about the frustration in waiting, and he reminded us that this isn't real frustration.  That comes post-transplant. Thanks for the inspiration Doc.

It is very hard on JoAnne to have these multiple postponements.  During the appointment with the ID yesterday, it became apparent that the Friday start for which JoAnne had been emotionally preparing wasn't going to happen. On the way home, I looked over and she had her face in her hands and was shedding a few tears.  It reminded me of how lucky the family and I are that JoAnne is so emotionally resilient. She has her moments and deservedly so, but she is adept at getting through it and moving forward. It probably has something to do with coming from a large family where she had 5 older sisters and two younger brothers. I suspect you learn while growing up that you are but a spoke in the big wheel.  An important part no doubt, but still a spoke, a component with responsibility to the greater good.  As a first born, I just tend to see myself as the big wheel. The point being that JoJo has made it pretty easy on us so far. If she needs to have a few meltdowns, she has banked enough chits that we'll be here to see her through, thick or thin.

Waiting around has its downside risk as we have a couple of little grandkids with runny noses, coughs and a little pink eye to boot.  We are taking adequate precautions. 

I think we are both pleased that we stuck with our transplant physician Dr. Ustun, first name Celalettin, shortened to Cela with the C pronounced as a J. We were more or less assigned to him when we came to the program. There were a couple of others that had been recommended to us, and they were open to our changing doctors. In truth, we just haven't seen a reason to switch. The more we get to know him, the more we like his demeanor and decision making. We just have a good feeling about him.

As administrator of the blog, I get to see the list of subscribers who are following JoAnne's trek. What a nice collection of friends and family.  You will be in our thoughts and prayers over the weekend. Please keep us in yours.

Cancer Sucks