A Year in the Life

Time sure flies by when new stem cells are engrafting. The last year has been a blur, but I can't say it went by quickly. As we observe the one year anniversary of JoAnne's stem cell transplant, there isn't much in the way of celebration going on right now. She has been in the hospital since last Thursday undergoing a battery of tests with the hope of identifying a plan for what currently ails her. Uncertainty is always frustrating, but at least she is being fed and hydrated properly and the side effects of her graft vs host disease are being managed.

When we last checked in, there was some discussion among the doctors as to how to proceed with JoJo. That is still going on to some extent. I think they are going to arm wrestle over the decision. For now, we are on a conservative path in hopes that some additional steroid therapy will quell her intestinal turmoil. She is vastly improved, but not cured as yet. They are also calling in some GI specialists to see if there is something they are missing. The intestines are so sensitive in the presence of chemo and antibiotics. They are made up primarily of cells that have short life spans and rapidly reproduce, just like cancer cells. The treatments can't tell the difference so they inflict their toxicity on healthy cells too. Lord knows the colon has seen it's share of crud over the last year and those preceding. 

JoAnne is feeling more optimistic, but her strength has suffered and there is no denying that she looks like she has been through a war. But you know what? Despite it all, her smile still dominates. Plus she was able to watch Wade's graduation from the University of North Dakota via internet streaming. The family logged on from various locales and we texted each other throughout the ceremony. We had a great time. His girlfriend Sarah and her parents Tom and Beth were in attendance, and the 5 of us shared dinner afterwards. On Sunday, Wade tired of referring to Sarah as a girlfriend and made her his fiance'. A November wedding that we are all looking forward to is on the books. They make a handsome, loving couple with a bright future ahead of them. Congrats are in order!

One year could be a time for some profound thoughts and observations, but I'm not feeling it right now. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. Plus, I have spent more than a year filling your screen with my observations. There is nothing new to report, but I have learned a few things.

1.  No matter how bad things get, you can always find someone who is worse off.

2.  There are many times when Rule 1 offers no comfort.

3.  The corollary of No Pain No Gain isn't necessarily Pain Gain. Sometimes you just get pain.

4.  If life is suffering, there is nothing learned in 12 months that can't be learned in 3.

5.  Doctors can't possibly become hematologists/oncologists for money, fame or glory.

6.  Most people cannot pronounce Ofatumumab correctly even though it pleasurably rolls off the tongue.

7.   Every time I use my iphone to scan the barcode on a prescription bottle and order a refill instantaneously, I am stunningly reminded of the benefits of technology.

8.   Walgreen's likes us. They really, really like us.

9.   The highest return on any investment I have ever made is our health insurance.

10. Nurses do it with patience.

11. Literally and figuratively, bone marrow biopsies are a pain in the ass.

12. Nothing breeds patience like waiting on test results.

13. If ever I felt the need to inflict vengeance on my worst enemy, I would attack with a stem cell transplant. Long, slow, tortuous suffering.

14. University of Minnesota. The BMT Team has been at the top of the rankings for years with no recruiting violations or academic probation issues. Take notice UMn football and basketball. It can be done.

15. If you want to quickly restore your faith in mankind, become deathly ill.

16. No sickness or injury can change my love and respect for JoJo. We will be forever young, even if our bodies fail to cooperate.

17. Year 2 will be better than Year 1

18. Prayers help. Never stop. Never stop. Never stop.

Keep the faith