Sunday, April 9, 2017
Recipient's Perspective: Part 3
After three months in Tampa, it was great to be home. Still in tough shape physically but happy to be in familiar surroundings. As would be expected with a very weak immune system, there were some pretty heavy restrictions; no salad bars, no exposure to children, no self serve anything, no public swimming pools, no alcohol, no raw seafood, thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables, avoid crowds, we could keep our dog but not get another for at least a year, and probably a few others that I've forgotten. Over time, months and years, each of these restrictions would be lifted as my immune system continued the recovery process. Initially I was seeing my local oncologist every week, then every two weeks. Trips back to Tampa started at every three months and then went to six months and are now once a year. These checkups were twofold; first to make sure the Leukemia hadn't returned, and secondly to check for any signs of rejection to the transplant. Rejection (Graft vs. Host Disease, GVH) can occur immediately following the transplant or any time after, even years later.
I knew the recovery was going to be slow but wasn't prepared for such a lengthy process. Weeks would go by without any noticeable improvement. I was actually getting better but couldn't feel it yet. Each visit to the doctors meant blood tests and the occasional bone marrow biopsy. We could see improvement in the blood work most times and thankfully the bone marrow tests continued to show that my blood was being produced by my new marrow. (Thanks again Kylie)
There were some bumps along the road. Following a trip to Oregon to visit our granddaughter I came down with what appeared to be a cold. It didn't get better and finally took a sudden turn for the worse and a trip to the ER. Pneumonia! They got my attention when they told me I was going into the ICU and I realized that this could get ugly. Fortunately a few days in the ICU and a few days in a "normal room" and I was OK.
This year the problem has been anemia. I would get two units of blood and then two weeks later need two more. That went on for three months while we tried to figure out where I was losing the blood. After many tests and procedures we're still not sure what was going on but it has stabilized for now. My gastroenterologist and I are now on a first name basis. Also spent a few hours getting iron infusions but along with my red blood cells the iron seems to have stabilized. We check both regularly.
All things considered I really feel great. I'm not on any medication related to the leukemia, the restrictions have been lifted and I lead a pretty normal life. This was my third serious cancer and each time I look at things a little differently after recovery. I appreciate a lot of things that I once took for granted. One small example; even after more than three years, I'm thankful that I can take a shower without being hooked to an IV pole or having to cover tubes coming out of my chest.
None of us know what tomorrow will bring but I'm grateful to have had great care and that a donor took the initiative to register with the chance to save the life of a complete stranger.
I'm thankful each and every day.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Francine's (my recipient's wife) Perspective
He said we could try treatment that would consist of a 30 day stay in the hospital with very strong Chemo in hopes to put the AML into remission. He said there was a good chance Giles would not make it through the 30 days of treatment and if he did, the AML may not go into remission.
Without hesitation Giles told the Doctor he would fight and he has been fighting ever since.
One of the most memorable days was on day 33, when they initially thought the AML had not gone into remission and while it was risky they would repeat the chemo. We were certain Giles would not make it and I told the head of the cancer ward that Giles needed to see our dog, Deuce. Could she help me figure out a way to make this happen? She said absolutely, we will prepare him and you go get your dog Deuce.
Since this hospital did not allow dogs they bundled Giles up with gloves, face mask, blankets and took him outside to the benches at the entrance of the hospital. As we pulled up to the curb Deuce saw Giles sitting on the bench and slowly walked up to him jumped on the bench and calmly laid down in Giles' lap. A few minutes later I turned around and saw hospital staff, patients and visitors stopped to watch this precious interaction all with tears in their eyes.
We got through the 30 days and all the months that followed of chemo and hospitalization, with the support and help of our friends and family.
Feb 2010 I received the call from Moffitt saying they had found a perfect match and we were to start to prepare for the transplant.
While so very grateful for this precious gift, my thoughts were, Will he make it? What will happen and How will we manage this?
Moffitt is 3 hours away and after his initial 30 days in the hospital it would require 90-100 days in the "clean apartment", which meant re locating for this period of time.
Giles could not be in contact with Deuce (or any animals) for the 100 days.
We were told that we needed to ask friends / family for help as care givers.
I work full time, had just started a new job and since Giles retirement I am the "bread winner" for the family.
We are both very independent people and asking for help to this extent was very difficult.
We are blessed with very generous and giving family and friends.
Thankfully my parents had moved to Orlando Florida a few years earlier and Deuce and I moved in with them for this duration.
After work each day I would commute the 1 hour from Orlando to Tampa each night during those 30 days.
Caregivers: We needed care givers for 16 weeks and each care giver needed to attend a class on exactly how to care give for the BMT patient.
During the class we found out what the donor would be doing and we all asked many questions as we were really interested in knowing what they would be going through.
I remember being told to ask no less than 6 people to care give to allow proper rest and breaks for each care giver. They also told us that if you didn't have anyone to provide care giving they would not go through with the transplant. It really hit me again how much you needed the generosity of other's.
Our friends and family were so generous in offering to provide care giving to Giles and also to allow me to work at the same time.
The plan was for me to work during the week and on Friday afternoon drive to Tampa to relieve the care giver's and ready the apartment for the next week's set of care giver's.
Since they weren't exactly sure when Giles would be moved to the clean apartment and Giles would be at his worst in the first 4 weeks, My mother and I took the first two weeks of care giving, then came his Sister Barb and her husband Fred, who lived 2 hours away.
Next was our good friends Gail & Bill, I can still remember Gail's expression when I told her what they would have to do as care giver's: Ensure he ate 3 times a day; took all his pills; drank X amount of fluids each day; took his temperature 3x a day, walk with him for 1 lap around the apartment complex and drive him to Moffitt each day for his appointments. She looked at me like I was kidding, two days later Gail and I were talking and she said I cant believe how hard it is to get him to do these basic things.
Care giving also meant cleaning the apartment from top to bottom each day.
Our good friends Peter and Liz came and provided a week of care giving. Giles sister Nancy and her husband Joe came from California for two weeks as care givers.
Giles' son's both took time off from their jobs and flew to Tampa for a week of care giving, thankfully by then Giles was feeling more human and could enjoy their company.
Care packages: So many people sent cards and care packages with puzzles, paper plane making books, etc since we were apartment bound you needed to find things to do inside.
Skype was also a big help to allow the ease of communication.
My mother bought camera's for our laptops so we could Skype each night and Giles could see Deuce and Deuce could hear Giles' voice.
On July 5th we came home, 96 days after admission ready to face our "new normal" and the rest of our journey and thankful for you Kylie, our good friends and our family.
Recipient's Perspective: Part 2
After about a month of feeling fairly normal, a few trips to Tampa for preliminary tests, and classes on what to expect as a patient or a care-giver, it was now April 2010 and time to check-in as an in-patient at the Moffitt Cancer Center.
While the initial chemo (in West Palm Beach) was very strong, we were warned that the pre-transplant chemo would be even stronger. They were correct. Essentially they completely kill your bone marrow so that all blood being produced after the transplant will come from the new marrow. As in the past, the reaction to the chemo wasn't immediate and when I got the transplant I was still feeling fairly good. We didn't know why at the time but the transplant was delayed one day and we were told it was being flown in and would arrive late the day of the planned transplant. Too late to administer that day since Moffitt had to do their own testing on the stem cells and would only perform the transplant during the day when the hospital is fully staffed. We now know what caused the delay. Sorry you had to do a second day Kylie.
The actual transplant (receiving the stem cells) was much easier for me than for Kylie. It was very much like getting blood; hook up bags to a pump to regulate the flow, adjust and let it drip. But that was the end of the easy part. Now the chemo is starting to rear its ugly head so I'm not feeling great. I have no white blood cells so there is great risk for infection and we have to watch very carefully to make sure my body doesn't reject this important new material. A 10 for 10 match greatly reduces the risk of rejection but doesn't eliminate the risk completely. Once again, loss of hair, weight and appetite along with a variety of pain medications. All from the chemo, not the transplant. They actually have a candy cart go to each room every afternoon with candy and cookies, hoping you will at least eat something, even if it is junk food. There were a few days when I couldn't eat anything, not even M&Ms.
As the month progresses so does the healing. With daily blood tests and occasional bone marrow biopsies my progress continues and by the fourth week I'm feeling a little more human; and counting the days until I can get out of there. Tests reveal that my new marrow is starting to produce healthy blood cells. Great news!
During this month my wife is busy working almost full time, visiting me, and working with friends and family to schedule care over the next two months when I'll be in the clean apartment near the hospital.
Finally, discharge from the hospital and off we go for the 5 minute ride to the apartment. Nice, modern, 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment reserved specifically for Moffitt patients and kept spotless between patients by Moffitt employees. Without any problems, friends and family came (from Florida, Oregon, California and Pennsylvania) for a week at a time to help with my care. They cooked, cleaned, did laundry and took me to the hospital for my tests and to pick up various prescriptions. It felt like a real breakthrough when we didn't have to go every day. I'm very grateful for all of the work involved to make that happen.
While I continued to improve, the progress was frustratingly slow and at the end of the two months in the apartment I felt much better but far from normal. Looked at another way, I was doing very well for someone who had a disease that kills two out of three people. The trip home seemed to take forever but it was great to walk into our own house (and crawl into my own bed).
Part 3 will cover the continued treatment and healing.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Recipient's Perspective: Part 1
While playing golf at the end of August, 2009, I noticed an unusual pain in the side of my neck where I had surgery several years ago. I go to our family doctor who wants an ultrasound to see what's going on. First ultrasound was inconclusive so I'm sent to the emergency room where they have better equipment. As a standard ER procedure, they drew blood upon admission and then sent me for the ultrasound. A short time later, the ER doctor comes out and says "I'm not worried about your neck: you have no white blood cells! You need to see an oncologist ASAP"!
After a very long weekend, I go to the oncologist who looks at the ER blood work as well as his labs blood work and has me lie face down on the exam table and draws marrow from my hip. (with a local anesthesia) I get a call that night from the oncologist; I have Acute Myeloid Leukemia, he wants to see me and my wife first thing the next morning so we can discuss the treatment for AML.
"Pack a bag and check in to the hospital in West Palm Beach and plan on being there for 30 days. If the AML goes into remission from the chemo, we will look for a bone marrow donor. The prognosis isn't good"!
Physically I feel absolutely fine, none of the symptoms normally associated with Leukemia; fatigue, weight loss, fever, and a few others. I'm not sure what would have happened if I hadn't had that pain in my neck.
About three days after the first dose of chemo, I was no longer feeling fine. It really knocks you for a loop but I didn't have a lot of problems with nausea for which I'm thankful. So after losing all of my hair, most of my appetite, 40 pounds, and experiencing a variety of pain medicines, we were approaching the 30 day mark and hopefully seeing the AML go into remission. Additional bone marrow biopsies weren't promising and there was concern that they would have to repeat the first (strong) chemo which could possibly kill me; but there weren't any other options. Another biopsy a few days later gave us the good news; remission. The search for a donor could begin. Based on my age (70) I needed a perfect match, 10 out of 10 of the parameters they use to determine compatibility. We were told to expect a delay of a few months before the actual transplant, assuming they found a donor. Those few months were spent with return trips to the hospital for additional chemo, only for a week at a time, and two trips for the expected problems with infections.
We found out in late February that we had a donor and should plan on checking in to the Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa) in early April for even stronger chemo, and then the transplant followed by close monitoring to make sure my body doesn't reject the transplant. This would begin 6 months post diagnosis. If all goes well it would be one month in the hospital followed by two months in a "clean" apartment within 10 minutes of the hospital. At some point, we were told that the donor was a 21 year old female from the US but that was all we could be told at the time.
The month preceding the trip to Moffitt was actually pretty comfortable, I felt almost human. I also knew that this was about to change.
Stay tuned for the continuation of his perspective coming in Part 2!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Big News
My recipient and his wife (thank you both!) are working on posts of their own recounting what the donation was like for them. It will be very interesting and eye opening (hopefully for everyone who reads this blog) to see the story from their perspective rather than from mine.
A third guest post is in the works from a reader of the blog who reached out to offer his story about his experiences with his wife's battle with cancer.
I won't give too many details as I don't want to spoil the posts so please keep an eye out for them soon!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Update #2 - 3 Years Post-Donation
This past fall (I believe in September or around there, maybe a little later) I received a call from the Rhode Island Blood Center saying that they had some news for me, could I please give them a call back. So at the first chance I got, I called back. The news they gave me was wonderful - my recipient had signed paperwork requesting that we exchange contact information!
Considering that I had been warned not to be too hopeful of this exact thing happening it was music to my ears to hear that my recipient was the one to initiate the process of undoing the anonymity between us.
I filled out my half of the forms, scanned them, and e-mailed them in to RIBC. Then waited, and waited, and waited some more. It was quite the waiting game, these things have always seemed to take some time. Finally on March 7, 2013 my recipient's information arrived in my inbox. Where it sat until 2 nights ago.
Let me elaborate: it isn't that I didn't want to e-mail my recipient, because I did. The struggle I had was what to say. How do you start an e-mail to someone who you do not know, yet, feel so closely connected to?
I didn't have an answer to that. So my e-mailed waited. Then, two nights ago, after getting home from work, I couldn't sleep. My mind kept cycling through things I could say to my recipient. Since I didn't know what to say I was thinking of all the things I could tell my recipient that would tell him about me as a person. An e-mail began to form so I got out of bed, sat at my laptop, wrote it and clicked the send button. Initially I thought I would just get up, type my thoughts out, save it as a draft and then re-visit it later. But instead, it just felt right to click send
. Yesterday I received a response, two as a matter of fact (one from my recipient and one from their spouse). My heart is so filled with joy and excitement. I am hopeful that we will remain in touch and become friends.
I will continue to keep you updated.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Update
Doreen from RIBC called me today with news on my recipient, the blood center finally got the update we'd been waiting on...
My recipient is alive and doing well! Doreen said that they receive very coded responses when they get updates from other donor centers but what she could tell me is that his recovery is going well and that it is unlikely he is completely back to pre-transplant activities. She said that it is often a long recovery period and that it isn't uncommon for recipients to need plenty of time to resume normal activity levels.
I want to write him a letter, but it is so hard to begin. What do you say to someone when you can't reveal too much personal information? Doreen suggested I use lots of open-ended questions but even trying that makes it hard to write a cohesive letter. I guess I just need to sit down and concentrate solely on the letter (no distractions).
My recipient is alive and doing well! Doreen said that they receive very coded responses when they get updates from other donor centers but what she could tell me is that his recovery is going well and that it is unlikely he is completely back to pre-transplant activities. She said that it is often a long recovery period and that it isn't uncommon for recipients to need plenty of time to resume normal activity levels.
I want to write him a letter, but it is so hard to begin. What do you say to someone when you can't reveal too much personal information? Doreen suggested I use lots of open-ended questions but even trying that makes it hard to write a cohesive letter. I guess I just need to sit down and concentrate solely on the letter (no distractions).
Thursday, October 28, 2010
6 Months Post-Donation & Why I Decided to Register
It is hard to believe that it has been 6 months since my PBSC donation in Rhode Island. I am still attempting to get an update from the Rhode Island Blood Center, so far no luck. RIBC is still waiting to hear back from my recipient's donor center.
Now on to some reflecting - why did I chose to register with the National Marrow Donor Program. It is a question I've been asked more than once, "Why did you register?" To be honest, I'm not 100% sure myself. I don't have a family member or friend that I registered in honor of. No one close to me has had to battle blood cancer. I just knew that it was something I wanted to do.
I'm not trying to make myself seem like a saint, I'm far from it, but I have always been a selfless person. It is one of my best qualities and also, at times, one of my worst. People sometimes take advantage of how much I want to help others and put them before myself, but I wouldn't change how I am because of a few rotten apples. I always tell my Mother that I'd rather have too big of a heart than too small of one.
So when the Nursing Club at my university sponsored a registry drive I took advantage and signed up. All they asked for was some basic contact information and 3 Q-tip swabs from the inside of your cheek. Piece of cake. I crossed my fingers and hoped that someday I would be a match for someone on the waiting list. I never realized that less than 3 years down the road I'd be donating.
When it comes down to it, I guess the reason I registered with NMDP is simple: I'm young, I'm healthy, and I want to help people. You get one life and I am bound and determined to make sure I do everything in my power to not squander the gifts I have been given. To share what I have and make a difference. That is why I registered to become a bone marrow donor.
For more information on how to register to become a bone marrow donor and the NMDP click here.
Now on to some reflecting - why did I chose to register with the National Marrow Donor Program. It is a question I've been asked more than once, "Why did you register?" To be honest, I'm not 100% sure myself. I don't have a family member or friend that I registered in honor of. No one close to me has had to battle blood cancer. I just knew that it was something I wanted to do.
I'm not trying to make myself seem like a saint, I'm far from it, but I have always been a selfless person. It is one of my best qualities and also, at times, one of my worst. People sometimes take advantage of how much I want to help others and put them before myself, but I wouldn't change how I am because of a few rotten apples. I always tell my Mother that I'd rather have too big of a heart than too small of one.
So when the Nursing Club at my university sponsored a registry drive I took advantage and signed up. All they asked for was some basic contact information and 3 Q-tip swabs from the inside of your cheek. Piece of cake. I crossed my fingers and hoped that someday I would be a match for someone on the waiting list. I never realized that less than 3 years down the road I'd be donating.
When it comes down to it, I guess the reason I registered with NMDP is simple: I'm young, I'm healthy, and I want to help people. You get one life and I am bound and determined to make sure I do everything in my power to not squander the gifts I have been given. To share what I have and make a difference. That is why I registered to become a bone marrow donor.
For more information on how to register to become a bone marrow donor and the NMDP click here.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
4 Months Post-Donation
It has been four months since I went to Rhode Island to donate and there has been a lot going on so I thought it would be good to update everyone on the happenings.
One month post-transplant my recipient was out of the hospital and doing well. I was told that he had to remain near his transplant center for a while so that he could go to daily appointments but that he would likely be able to go home again soon. I haven't heard anymore, partly due to my own lack of correspondence which I plan on remedying after I finish this blog.
The same week I found out my recipient was doing well I graduated from college magna cum laude on my Nana's 66th birthday. It was an amazing day.
A week later my Nan collapsed after a doctor's appointment, banging her head as she fell and had to be admitted to the hospital for a week. The doctors (heart doctor & lung doctor) refused to listen to anything we told them and instead played the blame game with one another. We had to fight with the hospital to get them to send my Nan home with oxygen (her blood oxygen levels were in the 70%s, it only needs to be under 88% in order for home oxygen). We hoped that the oxygen would help, and it did, but there was still something wrong and every doctor we saw didn't care. Her regular doctor told her she couldn't ask questions "because she was scheduled for a 15 minute appointment and she'd used 13 minutes already" (not verbatum but this is actually what a medical doctor told a woman who had just been in the hospital for a week).
On July 24th my heart was broken forever when my Mom found my Nan dead in her home. I was the last person to see my Nan alive (Friday the 23rd). I am very grateful for the time I spent with her that day but I am also struggling with my own guilt. Even though I know it is illogical I keep asking myself "What did I miss? What could I have done? Did I not see something I should have?" There is an emptiness in my heart I fear will never leave. My Nan was like a second mother to me. She helped my mother raise me and losing her has shaken my world. I wake up every morning and go to bed every night sad at the loss of such an amazing person and mad at medicine for failing her.
I am going to end this post now as I am getting myself quite upset. Once I hear back from Doreen I will update again.
One month post-transplant my recipient was out of the hospital and doing well. I was told that he had to remain near his transplant center for a while so that he could go to daily appointments but that he would likely be able to go home again soon. I haven't heard anymore, partly due to my own lack of correspondence which I plan on remedying after I finish this blog.
The same week I found out my recipient was doing well I graduated from college magna cum laude on my Nana's 66th birthday. It was an amazing day.
A week later my Nan collapsed after a doctor's appointment, banging her head as she fell and had to be admitted to the hospital for a week. The doctors (heart doctor & lung doctor) refused to listen to anything we told them and instead played the blame game with one another. We had to fight with the hospital to get them to send my Nan home with oxygen (her blood oxygen levels were in the 70%s, it only needs to be under 88% in order for home oxygen). We hoped that the oxygen would help, and it did, but there was still something wrong and every doctor we saw didn't care. Her regular doctor told her she couldn't ask questions "because she was scheduled for a 15 minute appointment and she'd used 13 minutes already" (not verbatum but this is actually what a medical doctor told a woman who had just been in the hospital for a week).
On July 24th my heart was broken forever when my Mom found my Nan dead in her home. I was the last person to see my Nan alive (Friday the 23rd). I am very grateful for the time I spent with her that day but I am also struggling with my own guilt. Even though I know it is illogical I keep asking myself "What did I miss? What could I have done? Did I not see something I should have?" There is an emptiness in my heart I fear will never leave. My Nan was like a second mother to me. She helped my mother raise me and losing her has shaken my world. I wake up every morning and go to bed every night sad at the loss of such an amazing person and mad at medicine for failing her.
I am going to end this post now as I am getting myself quite upset. Once I hear back from Doreen I will update again.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
Reflections
It has now been a few days since I arrived home from Rhode Island and I have been working on settling back in to school, my job, and my personal responsibilities. Tuesday was a bit rough around the edges for me, I was very sad to be leaving and it showed. Even after I arrived back at my apartment I was blubbering a bit. Everything just seemed so overwhelming.
Now I am back into the grind of school Tuesdays and Thursdays, work almost every day, and everything else I have to do. The past few days have given me a lot of time to reflect on the experience I have been fortunate enough to have and I thought I should post some of those thoughts on here.
Doreen thanked me for "making them look good" at the Rhode Island Blood Center, but I can honestly say that the only thing I have done is raise awareness of how amazing the staff is there. They make themselves look good, and, if anyone is given the option of donating in Rhode Island, take it. You won't be disappointed. The people at the blood center weren't only the people handling my donation, but they became my friends as well. I can't thank them enough for looking after me and making sure that I had the most positive, uplifting experience possible. I also have to give them credit for introducing me to Nick, who helped make my days a little less lonely and my apheresis more awesome by bringing cheesecake. Even though he likes to root for the Yankees when they are playing the Red Sox so we can have friendly competitions about who is going to win, I count him among my friends.
As for the after thoughts about the donation itself I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to give someone another chance at life. Although the donor center argued with me on the matter, to me this has never been about me. Like I explained to my Mom, who at the beginning wasn't sure of the process, I am not the type of person who could wake up every morning and live with myself had I said no. I couldn't live with myself knowing I had the chance to help someone and simply chose not to because it might disrupt a week of my time or make me uncomfortable. Yes, at times I was in pain due to the filgrastim, but I reminded myself of the person I was doing it for. If I was in pain, I couldn't imagine how much he must be going through in order to get ready for his transplant. Filgrastim is nothing in comparison to chemo and radiation. Hearing Doreen tell my Mom that he would more than likely receive the cells I donated in less than 24 hours made everything that much more real for me. I have been asked for an update, so in 30 days I will hear from Doreen about how he is doing. I am genuinely hoping for good news, but I hope that my recipient as well as the blood center knows that I am here and will gladly, if need be, donate again as many times as necessary.
One of the most emotional aspects of this has been the response I have gotten from my family and friends. One woman from my home town posted on my wall this week that she had just mailed her swabs back to the registry, all because she heard what I was doing. Granted, it may only be one person, but that is one more person than before that is willing to help if they are called upon. To know that my experience has helped at least raise awareness for the Be the Match program is beyond words. I hope that others will take the time to register too, thinking about it now I would much rather have people thanking me by registering with the Be the Match donor program...
Now I am back into the grind of school Tuesdays and Thursdays, work almost every day, and everything else I have to do. The past few days have given me a lot of time to reflect on the experience I have been fortunate enough to have and I thought I should post some of those thoughts on here.
Doreen thanked me for "making them look good" at the Rhode Island Blood Center, but I can honestly say that the only thing I have done is raise awareness of how amazing the staff is there. They make themselves look good, and, if anyone is given the option of donating in Rhode Island, take it. You won't be disappointed. The people at the blood center weren't only the people handling my donation, but they became my friends as well. I can't thank them enough for looking after me and making sure that I had the most positive, uplifting experience possible. I also have to give them credit for introducing me to Nick, who helped make my days a little less lonely and my apheresis more awesome by bringing cheesecake. Even though he likes to root for the Yankees when they are playing the Red Sox so we can have friendly competitions about who is going to win, I count him among my friends.
As for the after thoughts about the donation itself I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to give someone another chance at life. Although the donor center argued with me on the matter, to me this has never been about me. Like I explained to my Mom, who at the beginning wasn't sure of the process, I am not the type of person who could wake up every morning and live with myself had I said no. I couldn't live with myself knowing I had the chance to help someone and simply chose not to because it might disrupt a week of my time or make me uncomfortable. Yes, at times I was in pain due to the filgrastim, but I reminded myself of the person I was doing it for. If I was in pain, I couldn't imagine how much he must be going through in order to get ready for his transplant. Filgrastim is nothing in comparison to chemo and radiation. Hearing Doreen tell my Mom that he would more than likely receive the cells I donated in less than 24 hours made everything that much more real for me. I have been asked for an update, so in 30 days I will hear from Doreen about how he is doing. I am genuinely hoping for good news, but I hope that my recipient as well as the blood center knows that I am here and will gladly, if need be, donate again as many times as necessary.
One of the most emotional aspects of this has been the response I have gotten from my family and friends. One woman from my home town posted on my wall this week that she had just mailed her swabs back to the registry, all because she heard what I was doing. Granted, it may only be one person, but that is one more person than before that is willing to help if they are called upon. To know that my experience has helped at least raise awareness for the Be the Match program is beyond words. I hope that others will take the time to register too, thinking about it now I would much rather have people thanking me by registering with the Be the Match donor program...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Day Six, Entry One
Today has been a bit chaotic. Up early again for round two of apheresis, thankfully no shots needed today. Got jabbed with needles again, found out my white blood cell count climbed to 35, even without more filgrastim. Since I had 15.5 liters of blood filtered yesterday I could only do 8.5 liters today so I was only hooked to the machine for 3 hours rather than 5.
Everything went smoothly, although my vein was fluttery today due to a valve. It was an interesting feeling, almost as if I had a bumblebee stuck under my skin trying to get out.
After they unhooked me I got to talk to Doreen and say goodbye to Jackie. Mom and I grabbed sandwiches from a little pizza shop and I started to get emotional. I'm not 100% sure why, but I've cried a few times today. I don't know if its leaving (I met so many amazing people that I didn't want to leave behind) or just being overtired and overwhelmed or what.
My Mom has dropped me off and I am back at my apartment, feeling kind of glum still. Its been a long week and I guess now that its back to "regular" its all catching up with me. I guess I just need to catch up on my sleep and take deep breaths, let things come one day at a time. In 30 days Doreen should get an update about my recipient and I have been asked to be hold how he's doing. I can only hope that its good news.
Everything went smoothly, although my vein was fluttery today due to a valve. It was an interesting feeling, almost as if I had a bumblebee stuck under my skin trying to get out.
After they unhooked me I got to talk to Doreen and say goodbye to Jackie. Mom and I grabbed sandwiches from a little pizza shop and I started to get emotional. I'm not 100% sure why, but I've cried a few times today. I don't know if its leaving (I met so many amazing people that I didn't want to leave behind) or just being overtired and overwhelmed or what.
My Mom has dropped me off and I am back at my apartment, feeling kind of glum still. Its been a long week and I guess now that its back to "regular" its all catching up with me. I guess I just need to catch up on my sleep and take deep breaths, let things come one day at a time. In 30 days Doreen should get an update about my recipient and I have been asked to be hold how he's doing. I can only hope that its good news.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Day Five, Entry Two
Today has been crazy busy. I just got up from a nap following my apheresis. I guess the best way to begin would be to loop back to the beginning and start from there.
This morning I got up at 6:15 am, showered, and headed to the blood donor center. I was nervous, just about the needles and the whole procedure. My Mom got to the center a little before 7:00 (6:53 am - can you tell I was paying attention?). We waited in the waiting room until Doreen came down to greet us. I filled out all my paperwork then got my fifth set of injections. After that it was wait, wait and wait some more to allow the filgrastim to start working.
Okay, so it was probably only 15 minutes or so before they called me in to the donation room. Jackie and Melissa, two nurses/apheresis specialists, hooked me up to the machine. It was kind of surreal at first. An IV in my left hand and a blood donation needle in the crook of my right arm. I almost cried, not because it hurt, but because I think I was a little overwhelmed.
At first the apheresis machine beeped at me a lot, indicating that the flow pressure was low and that Jackie should check the needle to make sure my blood was flowing well. Once I calmed down and got talking more the machine stopped beeping. The procedure itself wasn't that bad. I remebered not to move my right arm (good) and just relaxed.
The nurses were fun to be around and helped the 5 hours go by much more quickly than I thought. Nick came by at a little past 9:30 am. It was fun to watch him because he got to see the donation from a new perspective after having donated. He brought a peanut butter fudge cheesecake, which was absolutely amazing. Everyone thought it was wicked cute that he had done that. It definitely got him bonus points from all of the blood donor center staff.
Thankfully I didn't feel "tingly" from the anti-coagulant and I didn't feel nauseas or faint. I really think the nurses at the blood donor center helped, they kept me amused and made new friends. The experience with the Rhode Island Blood Center has been absolutely amazing.
What woke me up from my nap was that Dr. Young called and let me know that I definitely have to go back to the blood center tomorrow for round two of apheresis. My Mom had gotten her hopes up that we might not have to go back after being told today that there was a possibility we wouldn't need to. The donation today resulted in half of the CD-34 cells that the people doing the transplant want for my recipient. I am really hoping that tomorrow we can get the second half that they want.
Dr. Young also told me that my plasma levels, after tomorrow's donation, are going to be on the low side of healthy. That means that I have to be very careful for a while not to cut myself badly or to play full-contact sports because my ability to stop bleeding will be lowered. Oh and my white blood cell count continued to rise, it was originally 7.2 (first day) then it went up 25.2 and after my injections today it was 30.4.
Now that I've been through one apheresis I'm not so nervous about doing another one, which is good. I know that I just need to relax and go with the flow (no pun intended, although that would be a good one haha).
Well its off to the Providence Place Mall for my Mom and myself, I get to buy my Easter present now! Woo hoo!
This morning I got up at 6:15 am, showered, and headed to the blood donor center. I was nervous, just about the needles and the whole procedure. My Mom got to the center a little before 7:00 (6:53 am - can you tell I was paying attention?). We waited in the waiting room until Doreen came down to greet us. I filled out all my paperwork then got my fifth set of injections. After that it was wait, wait and wait some more to allow the filgrastim to start working.
Okay, so it was probably only 15 minutes or so before they called me in to the donation room. Jackie and Melissa, two nurses/apheresis specialists, hooked me up to the machine. It was kind of surreal at first. An IV in my left hand and a blood donation needle in the crook of my right arm. I almost cried, not because it hurt, but because I think I was a little overwhelmed.
At first the apheresis machine beeped at me a lot, indicating that the flow pressure was low and that Jackie should check the needle to make sure my blood was flowing well. Once I calmed down and got talking more the machine stopped beeping. The procedure itself wasn't that bad. I remebered not to move my right arm (good) and just relaxed.
The nurses were fun to be around and helped the 5 hours go by much more quickly than I thought. Nick came by at a little past 9:30 am. It was fun to watch him because he got to see the donation from a new perspective after having donated. He brought a peanut butter fudge cheesecake, which was absolutely amazing. Everyone thought it was wicked cute that he had done that. It definitely got him bonus points from all of the blood donor center staff.
Thankfully I didn't feel "tingly" from the anti-coagulant and I didn't feel nauseas or faint. I really think the nurses at the blood donor center helped, they kept me amused and made new friends. The experience with the Rhode Island Blood Center has been absolutely amazing.
What woke me up from my nap was that Dr. Young called and let me know that I definitely have to go back to the blood center tomorrow for round two of apheresis. My Mom had gotten her hopes up that we might not have to go back after being told today that there was a possibility we wouldn't need to. The donation today resulted in half of the CD-34 cells that the people doing the transplant want for my recipient. I am really hoping that tomorrow we can get the second half that they want.
Dr. Young also told me that my plasma levels, after tomorrow's donation, are going to be on the low side of healthy. That means that I have to be very careful for a while not to cut myself badly or to play full-contact sports because my ability to stop bleeding will be lowered. Oh and my white blood cell count continued to rise, it was originally 7.2 (first day) then it went up 25.2 and after my injections today it was 30.4.
Now that I've been through one apheresis I'm not so nervous about doing another one, which is good. I know that I just need to relax and go with the flow (no pun intended, although that would be a good one haha).
Well its off to the Providence Place Mall for my Mom and myself, I get to buy my Easter present now! Woo hoo!
Day Five, Entry One
Sorry for the lack of updates yesterday, I got really excited about my Mom coming down and didn't get back on the computer once she arrived.
To kill time between getting up for the day (11 am) and her arrival I threw on my bikini and laid by the closed outdoor pool. I figured catching some rays, making vitamin D and reading were a good way to spend my time. I didn't feel like walking anywhere because I figured Mom and I would be doing a lot of that.
My Mom got to Providence at around 2:30 in the afternoon. Thankfully my Nana (grandmother) had sent down a heating/massaging pad for your back. We hung out in the room for a little bit before we headed to Thayer St. and Brown University. Brown is beautiful, its definitely on my list of schools to look into for (eventual) graduate school. Then we headed to the Cheesecake Factory for Easter dinner. I had garlic noodles with chicken. It was really good. It had mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, and chicken with garlic noodles.
After dinner we relaxed in the room and I watched Discovery channel's Life series, amazing!
But as for right now I am off for my first round of apheresis. I kind of got nervous again last night before bed. I just need to take deep breaths.
To kill time between getting up for the day (11 am) and her arrival I threw on my bikini and laid by the closed outdoor pool. I figured catching some rays, making vitamin D and reading were a good way to spend my time. I didn't feel like walking anywhere because I figured Mom and I would be doing a lot of that.
My Mom got to Providence at around 2:30 in the afternoon. Thankfully my Nana (grandmother) had sent down a heating/massaging pad for your back. We hung out in the room for a little bit before we headed to Thayer St. and Brown University. Brown is beautiful, its definitely on my list of schools to look into for (eventual) graduate school. Then we headed to the Cheesecake Factory for Easter dinner. I had garlic noodles with chicken. It was really good. It had mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, and chicken with garlic noodles.
After dinner we relaxed in the room and I watched Discovery channel's Life series, amazing!
But as for right now I am off for my first round of apheresis. I kind of got nervous again last night before bed. I just need to take deep breaths.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Day Four, Entry One
Happy Easter!
This morning was an initially early one for me, I had to be up at 7:00 am to go get my forth set of filgrastim injections. Patricia needed to head out early in order to spend time with her family. Today the injections seemed to sting more than usual, maybe the backs of my arms are rebelling against being jabbed everyday.
After I got back to my hotel I snuggled back into bed and slept for a while longer, I even slept through a text message which isn't something that happens very often. Normally my ringtone wakes me up, but I guess my body is fatigued from the filgrastim and the walking everywhere.
The aching has spread from just my lower back to my hips as well. I noticed it last night as I was laying in bed trying to sleep. My left femur was also aching a bit too, but only the left one. As of right now I don't feel all that bad, just tired. Patricia told me this morning that the medication has a 6-hour peak time when the aches get the worst. For me it seems like the aching is worst right before bed (which is well past 6 hours post-injection).
It is kind of crazy that the apheresis is tomorrow. I'm getting nervous again, despite my best efforts not to be. I don't know what I am so scared of, the concept is pretty simple: don't move your arm with the non-flexible needle and you'll be fine. I guess I just worry that they are going to tell me my CBC is too low and that I have to have surgery. It isn't that I'm scared of surgery, because I'm not - I have had 4 already (appendectomy & 3 ACL reconstructions), its that I am worried about having to reschedule everything back home because of it.
Well, it is a beautiful day out so I am going to go find somewhere comfy to plop myself down and read. I probably ought to do my homework but I think I'll worry about that later.
This morning was an initially early one for me, I had to be up at 7:00 am to go get my forth set of filgrastim injections. Patricia needed to head out early in order to spend time with her family. Today the injections seemed to sting more than usual, maybe the backs of my arms are rebelling against being jabbed everyday.
After I got back to my hotel I snuggled back into bed and slept for a while longer, I even slept through a text message which isn't something that happens very often. Normally my ringtone wakes me up, but I guess my body is fatigued from the filgrastim and the walking everywhere.
The aching has spread from just my lower back to my hips as well. I noticed it last night as I was laying in bed trying to sleep. My left femur was also aching a bit too, but only the left one. As of right now I don't feel all that bad, just tired. Patricia told me this morning that the medication has a 6-hour peak time when the aches get the worst. For me it seems like the aching is worst right before bed (which is well past 6 hours post-injection).
It is kind of crazy that the apheresis is tomorrow. I'm getting nervous again, despite my best efforts not to be. I don't know what I am so scared of, the concept is pretty simple: don't move your arm with the non-flexible needle and you'll be fine. I guess I just worry that they are going to tell me my CBC is too low and that I have to have surgery. It isn't that I'm scared of surgery, because I'm not - I have had 4 already (appendectomy & 3 ACL reconstructions), its that I am worried about having to reschedule everything back home because of it.
Well, it is a beautiful day out so I am going to go find somewhere comfy to plop myself down and read. I probably ought to do my homework but I think I'll worry about that later.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Day Three, Entry Three
I love that you can legitimately order just about any type of food for delivery using your computer. Awesome.
I just used Foodler.com to order chinese food to my room. I got a general tso's chicken combo - it comes with rice (or veggie lo mein) and crab rangoons (or spring rolls or an eggroll or chicken fingers) for only $7.50! I had to spend at least $10 to get the delivery so I bought a bowl of wonton soup and used a 15% off your first order from this restaurant coupon. I've never had it so I am hoping its a positive first experience.
I just popped open one of my bottles of kombucha, passionberry bliss flavor. I'm a bit nervous about it but at least they were on sale (two for $5 rather than $3.50 a piece) so if I hate them its not that bad. I guess I'll have to update with my thoughts on kombucha and wonton soup at some point.
For now I am going to relax and wait for my delivery to arrive.
I just used Foodler.com to order chinese food to my room. I got a general tso's chicken combo - it comes with rice (or veggie lo mein) and crab rangoons (or spring rolls or an eggroll or chicken fingers) for only $7.50! I had to spend at least $10 to get the delivery so I bought a bowl of wonton soup and used a 15% off your first order from this restaurant coupon. I've never had it so I am hoping its a positive first experience.
I just popped open one of my bottles of kombucha, passionberry bliss flavor. I'm a bit nervous about it but at least they were on sale (two for $5 rather than $3.50 a piece) so if I hate them its not that bad. I guess I'll have to update with my thoughts on kombucha and wonton soup at some point.
For now I am going to relax and wait for my delivery to arrive.
Day Three, Entry Two
After my first blog today I went back to bed and curled up into a ball. I fell back asleep until 10:39 when one of my friends from back home called me. He felt bad so he told me to call him back later. Ten minutes later Nick called about meeting up today. He had a few things to do so we agreed on 2:30 or so at Borders for coffee.
By the time I got done with my phone calls I decided I might as well stay awake and eat lunch, so I had cold pizza leftovers and called my friend back. We didn't talk about anything in particular except getting together once I get home.
Since I knew I'd be going to the mall anyway I left the hotel early to explore the mall and see the stores. My Mom told me that she'd buy me a little something for Easter once she gets down here so I thought that I might as well head there early. The mall is HUGE compared to the mall back home. Back home we have one floor, period. There are like 5 floors at the mall here. Its crazy. I decided to start from the top and work my way down. I got sidetracked on the top floor though because I absolutely fell in love with the store Lush (http://www.lushusa.com/shop). Amazing! I am definitely getting my Easter gift(s) from there rather than buying clothes. The other store I fell in love with is the Crate & Barrel. I love to cook so all the little gadgets they sell are cool. I think for graduation I am going to make a registry so that people can just buy me gifts from the store.
By the time I made it through all the floors Nick had texted me to let me know that he was on his way to Borders. We met up for coffee even though neither one of us drank coffee. He got an Odwalla juice and I got an orange-mango slushy. There weren't any tables open so we walked around Providence for a bit. We just talked, not even about the donation process, but about everything. School, sports, the future, and yes, the donation too. He's dead set on bringing cheesecake by on Monday so at least I know I'll have a sugar rush. We talked until ten minutes before his shift started and then I headed back towards the hotel.
Rather than going straight back to the hotel I walked up to the Whole Foods again to get some juice. I wound up getting 2 bottles of Kombucha(http://www.synergydrinks.com/kombucha.html), which is this fermented tea drink that I've read about online at health blogs, and a bottle of sparkling water (raspberry lemon flavor). I just thought this would help me hydrate and mix it up from plain ol' tap water.
Now I am finally back in my hotel room, snuggled in for the night. I need to decide on food for dinner so I need to either 1) Google delivery restaurants in the area, 2) order room service, or 3) go down to the restaurant in the hotel. Number 3 is my last option so I guess I better get Googling. Even though I napped today I am still feeling very tired and my back is still achy. I kind of want to eat dinner then curl up in bed. I have to be up early (my appointment is scheduled for 7:30 am so that Patricia can head out for her family Easter gathering) and I might have to walk to the blood center so bed early is probably a good idea.
I am really hoping that I can find a chinese restaurant that delivers. I want general tsao's chicken and white rice.
By the time I got done with my phone calls I decided I might as well stay awake and eat lunch, so I had cold pizza leftovers and called my friend back. We didn't talk about anything in particular except getting together once I get home.
Since I knew I'd be going to the mall anyway I left the hotel early to explore the mall and see the stores. My Mom told me that she'd buy me a little something for Easter once she gets down here so I thought that I might as well head there early. The mall is HUGE compared to the mall back home. Back home we have one floor, period. There are like 5 floors at the mall here. Its crazy. I decided to start from the top and work my way down. I got sidetracked on the top floor though because I absolutely fell in love with the store Lush (http://www.lushusa.com/shop). Amazing! I am definitely getting my Easter gift(s) from there rather than buying clothes. The other store I fell in love with is the Crate & Barrel. I love to cook so all the little gadgets they sell are cool. I think for graduation I am going to make a registry so that people can just buy me gifts from the store.
By the time I made it through all the floors Nick had texted me to let me know that he was on his way to Borders. We met up for coffee even though neither one of us drank coffee. He got an Odwalla juice and I got an orange-mango slushy. There weren't any tables open so we walked around Providence for a bit. We just talked, not even about the donation process, but about everything. School, sports, the future, and yes, the donation too. He's dead set on bringing cheesecake by on Monday so at least I know I'll have a sugar rush. We talked until ten minutes before his shift started and then I headed back towards the hotel.
Rather than going straight back to the hotel I walked up to the Whole Foods again to get some juice. I wound up getting 2 bottles of Kombucha(http://www.synergydrinks.com/kombucha.html), which is this fermented tea drink that I've read about online at health blogs, and a bottle of sparkling water (raspberry lemon flavor). I just thought this would help me hydrate and mix it up from plain ol' tap water.
Now I am finally back in my hotel room, snuggled in for the night. I need to decide on food for dinner so I need to either 1) Google delivery restaurants in the area, 2) order room service, or 3) go down to the restaurant in the hotel. Number 3 is my last option so I guess I better get Googling. Even though I napped today I am still feeling very tired and my back is still achy. I kind of want to eat dinner then curl up in bed. I have to be up early (my appointment is scheduled for 7:30 am so that Patricia can head out for her family Easter gathering) and I might have to walk to the blood center so bed early is probably a good idea.
I am really hoping that I can find a chinese restaurant that delivers. I want general tsao's chicken and white rice.
Day Three, Entry One
I don't know why, but I am suddenly grouchy. Today has barely even started and I am over it. Maybe I just need to lay back down for a bit and then get out of bed on the right side.
I had injection round 3 this morning. My back ache is still there, it isn't intolerable but it is enough to let me know it is there. I am curious to see if only my back aches or if the aches spread as I get more filgrastim in my system.
Plans for today: none as of yet. I haven't heard back from Nick, but he did work until 12:30 last night so he is probably still in bed. I'll give him until 11:00 before I go off and adventure on my own. I might head back to Whole Foods at some point today to get some juice. I want something other than water to drink that will hydrate me. Even water with lemon sounds better than plain tap water.
How I'm feeling as of 9:41 am: inexplicably grouchy with a back ache.
I had injection round 3 this morning. My back ache is still there, it isn't intolerable but it is enough to let me know it is there. I am curious to see if only my back aches or if the aches spread as I get more filgrastim in my system.
Plans for today: none as of yet. I haven't heard back from Nick, but he did work until 12:30 last night so he is probably still in bed. I'll give him until 11:00 before I go off and adventure on my own. I might head back to Whole Foods at some point today to get some juice. I want something other than water to drink that will hydrate me. Even water with lemon sounds better than plain tap water.
How I'm feeling as of 9:41 am: inexplicably grouchy with a back ache.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Day Two, Entry Three
Grrr. I just typed a whole entry that was deleted when I tried to post it. Sometimes I hate the internet.
After some down time in my room following my adventure to the zoo I walked to the Cheesecake Factory (and, as I found out, the whole mall). I went to talk with Nick. He is very nice and took some time out of his shift to talk to me about the process. During the conversation he decided that Monday he would bring me a piece of cheesecake while I am having my apheresis. I felt bad keeping him from work so I didn't ask all the questions I wanted to. I think tomorrow we might meet up before he has to work so I can ask them all then.
It is going to be nice to have another person to talk to. To be honest I am getting a little lonely. I like to think that I am an independent person but I can only take so much social isolation. My Mom isn't getting here until Sunday afternoon so being able to meet Nick has been nice. I am very thankful that the blood center contacted him and that he was okay with meeting me. Insert sigh of relief here.
Other than that my back is aching still. I can't tell if its the filgrastim working its magic or if I just have been walking so much my back is angry. I'd like to hope its the former of the two options, but who knows. I am at the point where I think I am just going to curl up in bed after posting this. I ordered pizza, Tuscan 6-cheese, delivered to my room so I have that to munch on if I feel like it. I ate a few slices already so I am pretty full. Poor TV signal might put a damper on me watching a whole lot of TV tonight but maybe I will fall asleep and it won't matter.
So to summarize: my back is aching and I am lonely. I am hoping that tomorrow I can at least eliminate the lonely factor. I can deal with achiness. Tylenol and laughter works wonders.
After some down time in my room following my adventure to the zoo I walked to the Cheesecake Factory (and, as I found out, the whole mall). I went to talk with Nick. He is very nice and took some time out of his shift to talk to me about the process. During the conversation he decided that Monday he would bring me a piece of cheesecake while I am having my apheresis. I felt bad keeping him from work so I didn't ask all the questions I wanted to. I think tomorrow we might meet up before he has to work so I can ask them all then.
It is going to be nice to have another person to talk to. To be honest I am getting a little lonely. I like to think that I am an independent person but I can only take so much social isolation. My Mom isn't getting here until Sunday afternoon so being able to meet Nick has been nice. I am very thankful that the blood center contacted him and that he was okay with meeting me. Insert sigh of relief here.
Other than that my back is aching still. I can't tell if its the filgrastim working its magic or if I just have been walking so much my back is angry. I'd like to hope its the former of the two options, but who knows. I am at the point where I think I am just going to curl up in bed after posting this. I ordered pizza, Tuscan 6-cheese, delivered to my room so I have that to munch on if I feel like it. I ate a few slices already so I am pretty full. Poor TV signal might put a damper on me watching a whole lot of TV tonight but maybe I will fall asleep and it won't matter.
So to summarize: my back is aching and I am lonely. I am hoping that tomorrow I can at least eliminate the lonely factor. I can deal with achiness. Tylenol and laughter works wonders.
Day Two, Entry Two
I just got back from the Roger Williams Park Zoo, I had so much fun. I did notice that my lower back has started to ache. Its one of those dull, I-hurt-but-not-enough-to-be-anything-more-than-a-nuisance types of aches. I haven't noticed anywhere else aching (as of yet).
I had my first experience with Rhode Island public transportation. Doreen, another one of the lovely ladies from the blood center, dropped me off at the zoo after my second set of injections.
Speaking of the injections, let me just say that they sting. In my case, the left arm stings more than the right. I am also one of the rare cases that requires post-injection band-aids because I bleed. Leave it to me.
Anyway, back to my original story, the zoo and public transportation. So I didn't have to worry about getting there. On the way back I had to take either a) the bus system or b) a cab. Considering the expected cost of a cab was $14.50 I chose the bus system. I sat for nearly 40 minutes at the bus stop only to be told, upon asking the third bus (the first two that drove by were 'out of service') driver, that I was on the wrong side of the street. When I finally got onto the right bus there were a ton of people complaining, one passenger was really mean to the driver when he got on, and I was already ready to get off the bus. At Kennedy Plaza I missed by second bus the first time it was at the station. Thankfully while waiting I met a nice woman who talked to me about home. It was nice to share things about Maine, like Stephen King's house and winter weather, with someone. She was getting on the same bus as I was so she made sure I didn't miss it the second time around. The bus was crowded so I didn't ask the bus driver for help about where to get off the bus. On a proud note I got off at a stop that was so close to the hotel that I could see it. Considering I have no sense of direction I am happy that I did it all on my own. Maybe now I can show my Mom around once she gets here!
I think my next stop for the evening is the Cheesecake Factory to meet Nick, the young man who just donated through the blood center. I am excited to talk with him about everything. I want to ask a lot of questions and just get a first hand account of what to expect, even if it involves some things that aren't great.
I had my first experience with Rhode Island public transportation. Doreen, another one of the lovely ladies from the blood center, dropped me off at the zoo after my second set of injections.
Speaking of the injections, let me just say that they sting. In my case, the left arm stings more than the right. I am also one of the rare cases that requires post-injection band-aids because I bleed. Leave it to me.
Anyway, back to my original story, the zoo and public transportation. So I didn't have to worry about getting there. On the way back I had to take either a) the bus system or b) a cab. Considering the expected cost of a cab was $14.50 I chose the bus system. I sat for nearly 40 minutes at the bus stop only to be told, upon asking the third bus (the first two that drove by were 'out of service') driver, that I was on the wrong side of the street. When I finally got onto the right bus there were a ton of people complaining, one passenger was really mean to the driver when he got on, and I was already ready to get off the bus. At Kennedy Plaza I missed by second bus the first time it was at the station. Thankfully while waiting I met a nice woman who talked to me about home. It was nice to share things about Maine, like Stephen King's house and winter weather, with someone. She was getting on the same bus as I was so she made sure I didn't miss it the second time around. The bus was crowded so I didn't ask the bus driver for help about where to get off the bus. On a proud note I got off at a stop that was so close to the hotel that I could see it. Considering I have no sense of direction I am happy that I did it all on my own. Maybe now I can show my Mom around once she gets here!
I think my next stop for the evening is the Cheesecake Factory to meet Nick, the young man who just donated through the blood center. I am excited to talk with him about everything. I want to ask a lot of questions and just get a first hand account of what to expect, even if it involves some things that aren't great.
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